Culture

Directed by Zack Snyder Village Roadshow Pictures, 2010 Rated PG Reviewed by Michael Zadravec, a lover of animation films. Based on the book series Guardians of Ga’Hoole, written by Kathryn Lasky, The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole follows Soren, the protagonist; an owl who loves to dream. He is a relatable character, noble and brave, and holds ...

Text Publishing, 2010 RRP $34.95  A reflection by Chris Dalton, a Toowong Uniting Church member who is completing a Master of Arts in Public and Contextual Theology.At first glance this book appears to be the latest in a growing list of ‘politically correct’ commentaries from the environmental movement, forecasting doom if humanity does not change its selfish exploitation of Earth’s resources, as ...

HarperOne, 2009, RRP $20.99 Reviewed by Karyl Davison, Pilgrim Learning Community and Rural Ministry Coordinator for the Central Queensland and Mary Burnett Presbyteries.AS PART of the worldwide Christian church we have an amazing and transforming message to share – the gospel of Jesus Christ. But in a society that sorely needs something real to change lives, much of the church ...

NOVA, SBS TV (12 and 19 September, 2010). www.sbs.com.auReviewed by Karyl Davison THIS DOCUMENTARY, aired on SBS in two one-hour parts, uses the latest archaeological scholarship from the Holy Land to explore the beginnings of modern religion and the origins of the Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Old Testament. It tackles some of the biggest questions in biblical studies: ...

By Grace Sheppard, Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. 2010, RRP $36.95 Reviewed by David Ford, a retired Uniting Church minister still active in ministry in Kilcoy. LIVING WITH Dying is not a ‘how to’ book and author Grace Sheppard acknowledges that people’s experience of living with dying and the mourning after the death of a loved one may vary considerably. ...

By Samir Selmanovic, Jossey-Bass, 2009, RRP $42.95 Reviewed by Alan Renton This book is as mind-blowing as its title and, surprisingly, Christian and interfaith. It is relevant, especially to us in the Uniting Church, as we consider the question: “Was God here working with Australia and its Indigenous people before Christianity came?” On the anniversary of the attack on the ...

Seabury Books, N.Y., 2009RRP $34.95 Reviewed by Rev Dr Marian Zaunbrecher, Queensland Synod Associate General Secretary Author Chris Glaser’s desire in writing this book is to engage in dialogue with the church, believing that the spirit of divisiveness is demonic. I found this a refreshing book to read as the author has such high ideals of marriage. In a world ...

Illustrated by Dubravaka Kolanovic Lion Hudson, 2010 RRP $19.99 Reviewed by Linda Hanson, a mother of three and has a wide collection of children’s books. At first glance this is a beautiful book. The illustrations are lovely and the title enticing. I thought my little angels would love it. The title and hard padded cover of this book suggested to ...

Harper One, 2009 RRP $22.99 Reviewed by Karyl Davison, Pilgrim Learning Community and Rural Ministry Coordinator for the Central Queensland and Mary Burnett Presbyteries Paul is arguably only second to Jesus in importance in the origins of Christianity, particularly for Protestants. Yet many of us have a bit of a love/hate relationship with him. His writings are difficult to read ...

By Heidi Popp Independent RRP $27.95 Reviewed by Tara Burton who is the community liaison officer for Journey.Heidi Popp delivers a beautiful and seamless album, filled with inspiring and up-lifting music. Say I am Strong is comprised of ten stellar songs. With lyrics such as “his strength is perfect when our strength is gone, he’ll carry us when we can’t ...