Reviewed Book: Drennan, Hugh H. Aids to the Psalms: Cycle C. Lima, Ohio: CSS Pub, 1991

Neeb, John H. C.

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Aids to the Psalms: Cycle C

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 18Issue 2 Word and Worship: Essays on Preaching andLiturgyArticle 1911-1-1992Aids to the Psalms: Cycle CJohn H. C. NeebFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationNeeb, John H. C. (1992) "Aids to the Psalms: Cycle C," Consensus: Vol. 18 : Iss. 2 , Article 19.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol18/iss2/19Book Reviews 137God Calls: Man Chooses is an honest consideration of women in min-istry within the Canadian context. It provides an overview of the presentlived experience of women in ministry. It raises particular issues, attitudesand practices that need to be examined and adjusted within the variousdenominations in order that women ministers can answer the divine callinto ministry as fully and in as healthy a way as possible. Only then cantheir gifts and capabilities be properly exercised as God intends for thebuilding up of the church and its mission to the world.Julianna Wehrfritz-HansonCalgary, AlbertaAids to the Psalms: Cycle CHugh H. DrennanLima, Ohio: C.S.S. Pub. Co., Inc., 1991152 pagesThis book proposes to assist the church leader in fostering spiritualgrowth through increased use of the psalms.The third in a series of three books, Drennan develops themes in thepsalms appointed for Cycle C of the Common Lectionary. Each psalmappears in the New Revised Standard Version of the biblical text followedby an “alternate image” and a brief “reflection”.The “alternate image” segments are set in the context of a singer,troubadour, or minstrel throughout the book. There is a healthy balancebetween female and male images. Some images are quite innovative such asGood Friday’s troubadour with AIDS (Psalm 22). Other image sections areunimaginative expansions of the psalm’s existing image. The “reflection”sections exhibit less excitement and sometimes offer facile answers to someof the psalmist’s honest scepticism.The book consistently ignores the thematic movement through the sea-sons of the church year, e.g., Drennan misses the clarion call of Advent,“For you I wait all day long” (Psalm 25:4), Advent 1. However, he takesseveral opportunities to point out the theological significance of several He-brew words, e.g., hesed (p. 36), hallel (p. 101), gahal (p. 138). A glossaryof key Hebrew words (p. 10) assists the reader in plumbing the depths ofthe nuances of important Hebrew concepts.Preachers looking for creative contemporary images will And some use-ful material here. In this reviewer’s opinion, however, the book falls shortof its stated purpose to provide personal spiritual growth opportunities fortoday’s pastor.Potential readers should be aware that the psalms appointed for theCommon Lectionary correspond reasonably well from Advent 1 to The Holy138 ConsensusTrinity (10 diverge) with the psalms appointed in series C in the LutheranBook of Worship. However, from Proper 4 through the end of the churchyear there is only one common selection.John H.C. NeebWaterloo Lutheran SeminaryChristianity Through Non-Christian EyesPaul J. Griffiths, editorMaryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1990286 pagesPaul J. Griffiths, who holds degrees in theology, classical Indian religionand Buddhist studies, provides an informative, challenging, exciting, attimes disturbing volume. Claiming that within today’s pluralistic societycandid and open interreligious dialogue is not only essential in its own right;it is also necessary for growth in personal and religious self-understanding,for a sense of wholesomeness in missiology and for a spirit of inclusivity inits fullest sense within religious ministry.“Most interreligious dialogue has until now been initiated by Chris-tians. This may change; there are some signs that it already is changing.But there is little doubt that one of the things that Christians... need tounderstand better is the images of Christ, Christians and Christianity thatnon-Christians have and use. Christians have said a great deal about howthey see Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and Muslims, and about what place theyare prepared to allot the members of these communities in God’s plan forhuman salvation; they have as yet not learned to listen very carefully towhat members of these communities have said and are saying about them”(3).This volume contains essays by scholarly representatives from Judaism,Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. “Each of the authors chosen is concernedto interpret and apply his tradition, as he sees it, to one of two questions(or sometimes to both): the question of how to think about Christiansand/or the question of how to think about other religions in general” (3).Different views, sometimes embracing conservative and sometimes liberalperspectives, are intentionally presented from each of the four religions.The editor provides a general introductory essay as well as a brief intro-duction and bibliography for each of the four sections. In the introductionhe notes that this book “is intended as an educational tool for Christiansand as an instrument to further discussion of one of the most pressingand difficult theological questions now facing all Christian communities.Christians must learn, if they are to reappropriate and give new voice totheir gospel in such a way that it can be heard by faithful members of

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Aids to the Psalms: Cycle C

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