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Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer
In this simple, beautifully written book Rowan Williams explores four essential components of the Christian life: baptism, Bible, Eucharist, and prayer. Despite huge differences in Christian thinking and practice both today and in past centuries, he says, these four basic elements have remained constant and indispensable for the majority of those who call themselves Christians.
In accessible, pastoral terms Williams discusses the meaning and practice of baptism, the Bible, the Eucharist, and prayer, inviting readers to really think through the Christian faith and how to live it out. Questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each chapter help readers to dig deeper and apply Williams's insights to their own lives.
In accessible, pastoral terms Williams discusses the meaning and practice of baptism, the Bible, the Eucharist, and prayer, inviting readers to really think through the Christian faith and how to live it out. Questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each chapter help readers to dig deeper and apply Williams's insights to their own lives.
92 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2014
About the author
Rowan Williams
259 books317 followersRowan Douglas Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, is an Anglican bishop, poet, and theologian. He was Archbishop of Canterbury from December 2002-2012, and is now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Chancellor of the University of South Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
January 10, 2021
This is the best succinct invitation to live out the gospel of Jesus that I have ever read. I don’t say that lightly.
This book filled my heart with wonder and worship. It is brief, but its beauty has deep roots. It’s a book you need in your library and will want to savor.
This book filled my heart with wonder and worship. It is brief, but its beauty has deep roots. It’s a book you need in your library and will want to savor.
February 20, 2024
4.5 stars. This little book I would hand to anyone interested in understanding the Christian faith better, whether they are a Christian or not. Balanced, wise, and joyful. Williams writes in a way that is both accessible and learned. He makes it look easy, but because such writing is rare we know it can’t be.
April 9, 2022
Going back to the basics is always helpful. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has turned a series of lectures he gave one year during Holy Week into a short and pithy book about what matters most for being a Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, and Prayer. Think of it as the Christian essentials.
What is most thought-provoking about this book is that Williams doesn't always say what you think he will say. In some ways, he lights a magnificent fire under the basics so they glow and light up as something new.
• Find out why baptism should have health warnings attached to it because taking this step, going into these depths could be dangerous.
• Find out how to read the Bible in a whole new way so that you just don't think, "Well, here's a story," but instead think, "Here is MY story."
• We take Holy Communion not because we are living well, but because we are doing badly. It isn't just for the "holy" among us. Explore how the Eucharist is really about carrying the power and love of God to you.
• Find out the most important and meaningful way to pray. It's easy. It's fast. And it will charge up your soul.
Filled with wisdom and wonder, this is an ideal book for reminding you why you call yourself a Christian.
What is most thought-provoking about this book is that Williams doesn't always say what you think he will say. In some ways, he lights a magnificent fire under the basics so they glow and light up as something new.
• Find out why baptism should have health warnings attached to it because taking this step, going into these depths could be dangerous.
• Find out how to read the Bible in a whole new way so that you just don't think, "Well, here's a story," but instead think, "Here is MY story."
• We take Holy Communion not because we are living well, but because we are doing badly. It isn't just for the "holy" among us. Explore how the Eucharist is really about carrying the power and love of God to you.
• Find out the most important and meaningful way to pray. It's easy. It's fast. And it will charge up your soul.
Filled with wisdom and wonder, this is an ideal book for reminding you why you call yourself a Christian.
August 2, 2016
I've always known Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, was one of the world's leading theologians, but in "Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer," he distils the fundamentals of the Christian faith as practiced and held by all believers in a brief, winsome but profound book.
Baptism brings us into the Christian community but also impels us to come alongside those who suffer and who are in need. We must be attentive when we read or hear the Bible read to us (Williams notes that a good portion of people, particularly in the early centuries of the Church, either could not afford their own Bible or read it so it was more often a HEARD text) and seek to discern how God is speaking to us through His Word. He notes that some Christians have viewed the Eucharist as if it were a reward for good behaviour but that instead it is about hungry beggars coming to the table of the Lord. Prayer brings us into relationship with God and shows God that we are making ourselves available to Him. As we mature in prayer, our prayers reflect less our own (sometimes petty!) concerns and more and more the will of God Himself as we pray "IN Christ" rather than "TO Christ."
Williams doesn't go into depth about these practices (don't expect him to referee transubstantiation vs. spiritual presence in the Eucharist), but he offers expositions of the meaning of Christian essentials in a fresh way while drawing from history and tradition (particularly in the final chapter, where he relies on Origen, Gregory of Nyssa and John Cassian to explain what happens when we pray as well as his recommendation to use the "Jesus Prayer" of the Eastern Church).
This is an excellent primer on the essentials of the Christian faith.
Baptism brings us into the Christian community but also impels us to come alongside those who suffer and who are in need. We must be attentive when we read or hear the Bible read to us (Williams notes that a good portion of people, particularly in the early centuries of the Church, either could not afford their own Bible or read it so it was more often a HEARD text) and seek to discern how God is speaking to us through His Word. He notes that some Christians have viewed the Eucharist as if it were a reward for good behaviour but that instead it is about hungry beggars coming to the table of the Lord. Prayer brings us into relationship with God and shows God that we are making ourselves available to Him. As we mature in prayer, our prayers reflect less our own (sometimes petty!) concerns and more and more the will of God Himself as we pray "IN Christ" rather than "TO Christ."
Williams doesn't go into depth about these practices (don't expect him to referee transubstantiation vs. spiritual presence in the Eucharist), but he offers expositions of the meaning of Christian essentials in a fresh way while drawing from history and tradition (particularly in the final chapter, where he relies on Origen, Gregory of Nyssa and John Cassian to explain what happens when we pray as well as his recommendation to use the "Jesus Prayer" of the Eastern Church).
This is an excellent primer on the essentials of the Christian faith.
December 30, 2021
This book is wonderful, and you should read it.
Just one excerpt is necessary to make my case:
“… the new humanity that is created around Jesus is not a humanity that is always going to be successful and in control of things, but a humanity that can reach out its hand from the depths of chaos, to be touched by the hand of God. And that means that if we ask he question, ‘Where might you expect to find the baptized?’ One answer is, ‘In the neighborhood of chaos’. It means you might expect to find Christian people near those places where humanity is most at risk, where humanity is most disordered, disfigured and needy. Christian will be found in the neighborhood of Jesu —but Jesus is found in the neighborhood of human confusion and suffering, defenselessly alongside those in need. If being baptized is being led to where Jesus is, then being baptized is being led towards the chaos and the neediness of a humanity that has forgotten its own destiny.”
May I be where Jesus is, purely by his grace. Amen.
Just one excerpt is necessary to make my case:
“… the new humanity that is created around Jesus is not a humanity that is always going to be successful and in control of things, but a humanity that can reach out its hand from the depths of chaos, to be touched by the hand of God. And that means that if we ask he question, ‘Where might you expect to find the baptized?’ One answer is, ‘In the neighborhood of chaos’. It means you might expect to find Christian people near those places where humanity is most at risk, where humanity is most disordered, disfigured and needy. Christian will be found in the neighborhood of Jesu —but Jesus is found in the neighborhood of human confusion and suffering, defenselessly alongside those in need. If being baptized is being led to where Jesus is, then being baptized is being led towards the chaos and the neediness of a humanity that has forgotten its own destiny.”
May I be where Jesus is, purely by his grace. Amen.
June 15, 2022
Great book! I think it should be a must read for any Christian at some point. Williams is able to convey deep, theological truth in such an easily understandable way. I was deeply intrigued by his chapter over the Eucharist. It was a good reminder of that it is a meal of need and not a meal for those who are perfect.
August 7, 2023
Incredibly well written and very easy read. Williams conveys four major aspects of the Christian faith in laymen’s terms but with so much richness and depth. Definitely recommend for any believer to read once.
April 25, 2021
Thankful that my friend Elliot Lee recommended I read Rowan Williams. His simple yet playful thoughts are suffused with sacred depth yet not pompous. Spiritually rich and Missional.
Read
July 29, 2021Simple and brilliant. Highly recommend!
March 11, 2018
Being Christian is an excellent introduction to what the Christian life is meant to be like. I am amazed at the depth that Rowan Williams reaches in less than 100 pages. I appreciate how he is able to hold up the ideal of Christian living, and then point out some of the ways that Christians fall short of that, but always in a loving, caring way. His aim is not mockery or detached irony; he is committed to the idea that it is always possible to grow. Following Jesus is a journey--as Williams puts it, being Christian means moving closer to Jesus, and also closer to the world in need. There is always more to learn and new ways to grow.
This book assumes some knowledge about the Bible and Christianity already; it doesn't start at the very beginning. But most people who have had some experience in church will have no problem following along. I would enjoy using this as a discussion-starter, to find out what people's real questions about Christianity are: is it about the faith itself, or is it more to do with a disappointing or frustrating Christian subculture that they experienced? This book helps to sort out the differences between those two areas. I found it very encouraging and helpful.
This book assumes some knowledge about the Bible and Christianity already; it doesn't start at the very beginning. But most people who have had some experience in church will have no problem following along. I would enjoy using this as a discussion-starter, to find out what people's real questions about Christianity are: is it about the faith itself, or is it more to do with a disappointing or frustrating Christian subculture that they experienced? This book helps to sort out the differences between those two areas. I found it very encouraging and helpful.
April 11, 2017
Excellent little book. Deep but not hard to read.
February 21, 2021
Yet again, an indispensable book from Williams. I enjoyed it as much as Being Disciples, and I anticipate Being Human.
Williams reminds us of what we take for granted, like baptism, the Bible, eucharist, and prayer — reenergizing them with clear, concise analysis. By the end of the book, these Christian practices have a sort of electrical hum about them. I couldn’t help but be drawn into a more careful consideration of my life as a Christian, for Williams made such practices magnetic.
This is the last thing I’ll say: I tend to measure devotional books by their ability to make me put them down — by their ability to inspire my activity rather than just my intellect. Being Christian exceeds that standard!
There are standout moments from each chapter, of course, but I found Williams’s commentary on baptism especially good. Here’s a quote:
“The new humanity that is created around Jesus is not a humanity that is always going to be successful and in control of things, but a humanity that can reach out its hand from the depths of chaos, to be touched by the hand of God. And that means that if we asked the question, ‘Where might you expect to find the baptized?’ one answer is, ‘In the neighborhood of chaos.’ It means you might expect to find Christian people near to those places where humanity is most at risk, where humanity is most disordered, disfigured and needy.
Christians will be found in the neighborhood of Jesus — but Jesus is found in the neighborhood of human confusion and suffering, defenselessly alongside those in need. If being baptized is being led to where Jesus is, then being baptized is being led towards the chaos and neediness of a humanity that has forgotten its own destiny” (4-5).
Williams reminds us of what we take for granted, like baptism, the Bible, eucharist, and prayer — reenergizing them with clear, concise analysis. By the end of the book, these Christian practices have a sort of electrical hum about them. I couldn’t help but be drawn into a more careful consideration of my life as a Christian, for Williams made such practices magnetic.
This is the last thing I’ll say: I tend to measure devotional books by their ability to make me put them down — by their ability to inspire my activity rather than just my intellect. Being Christian exceeds that standard!
There are standout moments from each chapter, of course, but I found Williams’s commentary on baptism especially good. Here’s a quote:
“The new humanity that is created around Jesus is not a humanity that is always going to be successful and in control of things, but a humanity that can reach out its hand from the depths of chaos, to be touched by the hand of God. And that means that if we asked the question, ‘Where might you expect to find the baptized?’ one answer is, ‘In the neighborhood of chaos.’ It means you might expect to find Christian people near to those places where humanity is most at risk, where humanity is most disordered, disfigured and needy.
Christians will be found in the neighborhood of Jesus — but Jesus is found in the neighborhood of human confusion and suffering, defenselessly alongside those in need. If being baptized is being led to where Jesus is, then being baptized is being led towards the chaos and neediness of a humanity that has forgotten its own destiny” (4-5).
June 14, 2020
Really appreciate these little books from Father Williams. He's not trying to do anything on the scale of, say, Mere Christianity or Simply Christian. Rather, he approaches Christian life from his own tilt of the head. His insights on the Bible left me bright-eyed. For Rowan, Christ is the "luminous centre" of Scripture. Persistent reading, then, is a a persistent circling around the center, each go-around a hopeful attempt to move closer to the center, to realize, "oh, so that's how Christ shows in that bit of Hosea." Excited to read Being Human!
March 24, 2021
This book is simply phenomenal. Rowan Williams shows his deep pastoral heart teaching the basics of the faith through four central practices, as if his reader knows nothing about them, and he wields his broad theological mind informing (and questioning) long-held beliefs about them with even-longer-held truths from the Bible and the Christian tradition. I was particularly touched by his chapter on prayer (and probably should get back to it right now). This will be my go-to introduction to Christianity for years to come.
December 22, 2020
Little book of four essays suitable for Sunday School use (my tip-off: includes questions for discussion after each chapter). Much easier to follow than Williams' theological works. I found the Chapter on prayer, which includes a discussion of certain Church fathers, which is radically different from the evangelicalism I was exposed to as a child, to be the most interesting.
July 14, 2023
An Anglican perspective on the essential elements of being a Christian. Short, but deep. If you’re in the process of trying to figure out what’s really essential (deconstructing), I highly recommend this.
One caution: In the chapter on prayer, the author talks about clearing one’s mind and later mentions detaching from one’s thoughts and feelings. He even references Zen Buddhist teaching at one point. Depending on the reader, this can get tricky.
May 23, 2020
Baptism is an excellent section. Interpretation of scripture section is a mixed bag. Eucharist section could have been far better.
I appreciate Rowan’s emphasis on Christian togetherness/ community. I greatly appreciate Jesus as the one who is in the muck with us as we are in “his neighborhood.”
I also appreciate a reasonable social justice position which is often lacking in more conservative theology books. Especially, Rowans emphasis on Christian togetherness in baptism, hearing of scripture, prayer, and Eucharist.
I love this book and have read it 3 times now over a course of 5 years. I give it four stars, but would rather judge it section by section.
Rowan is a prolific writer, theologian, and former Arch Bishop.
I appreciate Rowan’s emphasis on Christian togetherness/ community. I greatly appreciate Jesus as the one who is in the muck with us as we are in “his neighborhood.”
I also appreciate a reasonable social justice position which is often lacking in more conservative theology books. Especially, Rowans emphasis on Christian togetherness in baptism, hearing of scripture, prayer, and Eucharist.
I love this book and have read it 3 times now over a course of 5 years. I give it four stars, but would rather judge it section by section.
Rowan is a prolific writer, theologian, and former Arch Bishop.
May 4, 2017
I had massive hopes for this book, it being by Rowan Williams. But my real hope was to be able to use it to read with church members (as a UMC pastor). But it's a strangely in-between book, not quite in-depth enough about anything for people equipped to read theology, but not quite shallow enough for a wide readership.
October 28, 2021
Very simple teachings in ways that I hadn’t heard before. It was only a focus on the most important pillars of Christianity, developed points only through the example of the life of Jesus and nothing else. I appreciated that deeply.
May 5, 2024
I expected more, yet let it be known that Williams has crafted a clear, brief guide that is full of truth.
Maybe I've been reading too much Weil and Lispector because often when I immediately understand a spiritual truth as it is written, it doesn't feel true. Let me ruminate! Where are the layers? I feel grateful to have had the chance to dive deeper in courses at Wheaton, so this genuinely felt like dipping a toe into a puddle of theology rather than taking on the sea. And praise God this exists because it is still illuminating, and not all are seeking to be sailors.
I loved the author's point that the "Christian life is a listening life" (21). We wait upon God's direction and also partake in communal rituals wherein the Word is read and heard. Williams also offers a valid comment that the pressure to engage in extensive individual devotional time with God is a "modern and minority" notion when looking at the scope of church history (wherein many could not read at all or could not afford their own Bible). Private time with Scripture is important and renewing, but this practice has become increasingly legalistic today. Additionally, Williams pens a timely note: God does not necessarily condone all of the acts done in His name in the Bible, such as genocide. The Bible catalogues fallible human responses to what people, at the time, perceived to be the will of God, and often the decisions of the Israelites and others were flawed. The best bit of the entire text was when Williams examines Gregory of Nyssa and points to the Lord's Prayer as a cry for justice and reconciliation: "Is that about getting what I need? Actually, no. Because the bread of God [...] is everybody's bread. I am asking for bread for everyone. And I can only say that I have properly received my daily bread (Gregory says) 'if no one goes hungry or distressed because you are satisfied.' I receive my daily bread when no one is made poor because I am rich" (72).
Looking forward to discussing this with others soon!
Maybe I've been reading too much Weil and Lispector because often when I immediately understand a spiritual truth as it is written, it doesn't feel true. Let me ruminate! Where are the layers? I feel grateful to have had the chance to dive deeper in courses at Wheaton, so this genuinely felt like dipping a toe into a puddle of theology rather than taking on the sea. And praise God this exists because it is still illuminating, and not all are seeking to be sailors.
I loved the author's point that the "Christian life is a listening life" (21). We wait upon God's direction and also partake in communal rituals wherein the Word is read and heard. Williams also offers a valid comment that the pressure to engage in extensive individual devotional time with God is a "modern and minority" notion when looking at the scope of church history (wherein many could not read at all or could not afford their own Bible). Private time with Scripture is important and renewing, but this practice has become increasingly legalistic today. Additionally, Williams pens a timely note: God does not necessarily condone all of the acts done in His name in the Bible, such as genocide. The Bible catalogues fallible human responses to what people, at the time, perceived to be the will of God, and often the decisions of the Israelites and others were flawed. The best bit of the entire text was when Williams examines Gregory of Nyssa and points to the Lord's Prayer as a cry for justice and reconciliation: "Is that about getting what I need? Actually, no. Because the bread of God [...] is everybody's bread. I am asking for bread for everyone. And I can only say that I have properly received my daily bread (Gregory says) 'if no one goes hungry or distressed because you are satisfied.' I receive my daily bread when no one is made poor because I am rich" (72).
Looking forward to discussing this with others soon!
May 21, 2017
Being Christian explores four basic elements of being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer.
It's easy to think that, after being in church for years, you know everything there is to know about these things. Yet the fact remains that often what we think we know might not always be the full picture. Williams explores these four elements, drawing from the Bible as well as hundreds of years of Biblical and theological scholarship, bringing fresh new perspective. Well, maybe not fresh, but lost perspectives.
Coming from a charismatic pentecostal background, it's refreshing and sometimes jarring to face over and over again the fact that baptism, the Bible, eucharist (communion) and prayer isn't such an individual thing as we would like to think. It's not just about me and my salvation but about how we, as a community, are being transformed to be like Christ and how that translates into our community and our collective pursuit of justice and redemption.
It's easy to think that, after being in church for years, you know everything there is to know about these things. Yet the fact remains that often what we think we know might not always be the full picture. Williams explores these four elements, drawing from the Bible as well as hundreds of years of Biblical and theological scholarship, bringing fresh new perspective. Well, maybe not fresh, but lost perspectives.
Coming from a charismatic pentecostal background, it's refreshing and sometimes jarring to face over and over again the fact that baptism, the Bible, eucharist (communion) and prayer isn't such an individual thing as we would like to think. It's not just about me and my salvation but about how we, as a community, are being transformed to be like Christ and how that translates into our community and our collective pursuit of justice and redemption.
August 15, 2017
This is an excellent introduction to Anglican Christianity, designed as a small-group reading project, complete with discussion questions. Written by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, now the Master of Magdalene College at Oxford, this book takes many of Rowan William's themes in his more intense theology and makes them much more easily accessible for the lay Christian reader. What comes out is a combination of the theological acumen of Rowan Williams and his strong pastoral sense. They are brief, clear and incisive. An excellent read for individuals and groups.
November 19, 2019
Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, offers up four short essays on different aspects of Christian life. Each essay can be read separately, which I recommend. They’re short but dense and worth mulling over. I read these over a period of several weeks, so maybe this is just the most recent being in my head, but I found the final essay on prayer particularly strong. Even for those who are not Christian, Williams’s book is worth a read. Highly recommended.
May 13, 2023
3.5 stars
Mixed feelings about this one. Rowan Williams has some really good insight, especially in the chapter on the Eucharist, but some questionable ideas mixed in, especially in the chapter on the Bible. I was expecting this to be a basic primer for those Christianity like John Stott's "Basic Christianity," but I'd say this would probably be better for those who are already Christians. A short, clearly written book, but deeper than just a primer.
Mixed feelings about this one. Rowan Williams has some really good insight, especially in the chapter on the Eucharist, but some questionable ideas mixed in, especially in the chapter on the Bible. I was expecting this to be a basic primer for those Christianity like John Stott's "Basic Christianity," but I'd say this would probably be better for those who are already Christians. A short, clearly written book, but deeper than just a primer.
December 8, 2024
"Jesus sought out company, and the effect of his presence was to create a celebration, to bind people together."
Rowan Williams has a talent for approachability that few theologians who rise to his status can maintain, and it is what makes his writing so good and memorable. Highly recommend this amazing little book! ugh I love being Anglican!!!
Rowan Williams has a talent for approachability that few theologians who rise to his status can maintain, and it is what makes his writing so good and memorable. Highly recommend this amazing little book! ugh I love being Anglican!!!
December 13, 2024
A quick but thought-provoking read. I really enjoyed Williams’ take on showing what Christians do rather than what Christians believe (of course there is overlap between the two). This seems like a complementary volume to CS Lewis’ Mere Christianity. There’s plenty in this book that will help the reader think through what it is we Christians do. I highly recommend the book.
August 3, 2019
A lovely, short and to the point introduction into considering the fundamental basics of the Christian faith. In many ways, if taken seriously and if one reflects on William’s words, it should serve as a manner by which to begin comprehending the glaciers that are the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
April 15, 2024
This little book was recommended by a friend and I’m forever grateful. It achieves something great: capturing the essential elements of our faith (which are dense and complex) concisely. That requires deep theological wisdom. Each page reframed, grounded, and refreshed my understanding & experience of the Christian life; it lifted my heart. I’ll be rereading and recommending this often
July 14, 2019
Solid book overall. I have some questions on his chapter about the Bible but it's a good reflection on basic Christian practices. Maybe not for new Christians or those that don't read but good.
March 26, 2020
very interesting, learnt a lot !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews