Glory - by Douglas Dales (Paperback)

About the Book

Archbishop Michael Ramsey was palpably "saintly", his Bible lessons imbued with a "fire" that made God real for people. This biography is arranged around the themes that were central to his ministry, including "the meaning of the cross" and "the primacy of worship".

Book Synopsis

Archbishop Michael Ramsey was arguably Anglicanism's saint of the 20th-century. Clever, humble, shy, full of sympathy and with a great wit, his outstanding gift was that he made God real for people. It is said that when he read a Bible lesson, it was as if every word was on fire, and his robust saintliness was tangible, even in telephone conversations. This study explores what made him such a remarkable figure. Drawing on his published and unpublished writings and on the many personal recollections of him, "Glory" (a favourite expression of his) explores his theological understanding, his vision of the Church, or worship and the Christian life. A complementary volume to Owen Chadwick's biography, it is arranged around themes that were central to him: the meaning of the cross, the Church's life, the primacy of worship and the Church's unity. A record of a Christian leader for all students of church life.

Review Quotes

'This is an important book for priests and laity, and we must be grateful for the quiet scholarship which makes it accessible, arguably when it has never been more urgently needed. It brings us the thought of a man who - though in his self-effacing way he would have dismissed the term - is increasingly recognized as an Anglican saint of the twentieth century.'--Esther de Waal "Pontrilas, Theology, November/December 2005"

'This is that rare book: learned yet deftly and lovingly explained, simple yet deep. I feel the better for being in its presence: as if I had completed a Summer School with a teacher who makes God real and Anglican theology attractively wholesome. And to make God real for someone, according to Ramsey, is to be a saint. (...) Ramsey always gets me thinking about God in Christ in new ways - with wonder and fresh hope. Dales has found much treasure.'--Jeremy Harvey "FRANCISCAN vol 17 No.2, May 2005"