BURIED ALIVE

by Paul G. Johnson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 18, 1968

The burial and disinterment with which this small volume is concerned is that of the church today, and particularly the clergyman. He is threatened by premature burial through such forces as the images held of the clergy, through his entombment in a building, where he is enshrouded in an antiquated calendar to perform a ""holy masquerade."" But resuscitation is at hand from the emerging new image of laity and clergy now appearing in the churches. The consequence of this new image is -- or can be -- the restoration of the clergyman to his whole manhood, the freeing of The Spirit, the reshaping of Parish structure, and the creation of a new Christian fellowship. In developing these themes, the author succeeds better in portraying the distresses of the clergy today than he does in validating his claims of deliverance. The first part of the book is concrete and pointed--although perhaps a little overloaded with quotation; the second part becomes more generalized and homiletical precisely at the points where specific program for effecting these new outcomes is most needed. An interesting addition to the growing body of literature in this field of church renewal, but no particular advance over what has already been made available.

Pub Date: Nov. 18, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: John Knox

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION