A reminder of the value of uplifting voices
Memoirs have influenced Christianity from its beginnings. From “Confessions” by Augustine of Hippo in the fifth century to “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners” by John Bunyan in the 17th century to “The Seven Storey Mountain” by Thomas Merton in the 20th century, these honest reflections have brought insight to many believers.
What these narratives have in common is that they are intensely personal yet oddly universal. Our lives in Christ are not exactly like theirs, but by sharing their life stories, we experience self-discovery.
Leonard Allen. “The Bookroom: Remembrance and Forgiveness ― A Memoir,” Leafwood Publishers. 2024. 176 pages. $17.99.
Many readers know the works of Leonard Allen that have shaped the faith of Churches of Christ for decades. From “The Cruciform Church” to “In the Great Stream” to “Poured Out,” Allen has written eloquently of our history, theology and spirituality.
His book “The Bookroom: Remembrance and Forgiveness ― A Memoir” is a departure from his usual themes since it is a deeply personal and candid reflection on his own spiritual journey.
As such, it shares in the same gift of the earlier classic Christian autobiographies, particularly for those in Churches of Christ. Allen focuses on three aspects of his spiritual journey — family, church and books.
He candidly recounts his struggles with a father who was both overbearing and distant. His father controlled the family in such a way to make them socially and culturally isolated. But by wrestling with the memories of that experience, Allen comes to forgiveness and appreciation for his father.
Like many of his contemporaries, Allen grew up in a sectarian and judgmental Church of Christ. While honest about the shortcomings of that upbringing, his story of how he and the church have changed through the years leads to homage for the good aspects of the past as well as hope for the future.
Hear Leonard Allen discuss his memoir, highlighting the twists and turns and lessons learned from decades of looking for answers to the questions he asked as a boy, in Episode 75 of The Christian Chronicle Podcast.
As Allen struggles for the approval of his earthly and heavenly fathers, he mentions three men in the flesh who sought him out in his spiritual desert. Equally significant are those men and women who shaped his life through books.
From within the books he discovered as a child in his dad’s library to those read in his years of schooling to those he has written and published himself, voices distant in time rescued him from adversity and opened vistas of hope.
In an age when people are reading fewer books, “The Bookroom” reminds us of the transforming power of words from those we may never meet. Engaging with this well-written and warm memoir can lead us to “remembrance and forgiveness” of those who shaped our lives.
GARY HOLLOWAY reads and writes books in Nashville, Tenn., where he previously taught spiritual formation at Lipscomb University. He now preaches for the Natchez Trace Church of Christ.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from qualifying purchases made through the links on this page.
The post A reminder of the value of uplifting voices appeared first on The Christian Chronicle.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings