Find out how the understanding of Easter changed. Read this book.
Are you curious about the Easter story?
How can something so violent, strange and joyful be at the heart of two thousand years of human culture?
What did it mean then? What could it mean now?
Alongside 15 important modern art works that we’re presenting in Llantwit Major this Easter (more info here) which paint the Easter story / Passion of Jesus in a contemporary London setting, we’re also introducing this short, brilliant book by the remarkable scholar John Rogerson called Perspectives on the Passion. The book tells how Easter was viewed for the first thousand years of Christian history – and how that view changed for the second thousand years. What should we think today?
You can buy it here.
Perspectives on the Passion For the first thousand years of the church’s history the Passion of Jesus – his arrest, trial, beating, torture, humiliation and crucifixion – was seen as something that engaged with and defeated the power and structures of evil. It was seen as God’s way of freeing human beings from the bondage of evil.
A thousand years later in medieval western Europe, with feudal allegiance and honour structuring and dominating society, it was assumed that humans, ultimately, owed this same sort of feudal allegiance to God. People were taught that the death of Jesus paid a debt to God, to satisfy God’s honour. The death of Jesus became a price paid to satisfy God. This view is still widely regarded as expressing what the Bible teaches.
But in the 20th century the earlier perspective and understanding which had dominated the first thousand years made something of a comeback! Christ liberating. Victorious over the subtle power of evil that grips people and the terrible forces of destruction with which human culture wrestle.
Perspectives on the Passion is a book written in 2008 for a new millennium. It is a book that seeks to encourage people to be bold in exploring the Easter story. It brings new perspectives. It is rooted in the past. It is for today.
You can buy a copy here.
You’ll find John Rogerson an amazing scholar. And accessible. A world-leading authority on how the Old Testament speaks to our difficulties today and a Christian priest, his scholarship helps people to navigate through moral and ethical problems of modern life. He was Professor of Biblical Studies at Sheffield University and his writings have been published all over the world. His voice speaks today in a time of confusion and uncertainty. In Perspectives on the Passion he sets out to give church communities and those with no formal contact with churches thoughtful and affirming ways of exploring the mystery and offer of Easter.
Books that belonged to John Rogerson form the Kingdom of Heaven Collection of the New Library in Llantwit. His books have received international acclaim and admiration.
BUY THE BOOK
You can buy Perspectives on the Passion online here : Buy John Rogerson – Perspectives on the Passion ££9.99 +p&p
SEE THE PAINTINGS
You can see Mark Cazalet’s West London Stations of the Cross at St Illtud’s Church Llantwit Major from 21st march – 1st April. More information here.
Other events this Easter at Llantwit Major
Discover the Easter story – with fresh insights, art, poetry, celebration and scholarship.
See THE WEST LONDON STATIONS OF THE CROSS. In Cowbridge, Penarth and Barry see dramatic modern paintings in pubs, cafes and shops that tell the Easter story set in London street scenes today. 15 individual paintings by Mark Cazalet will be on public display in different venues across the Vale of Glamorgan until 22 March. Then, see the whole collection for free from 24th March in Llantwit Major. Click here to find out more
Discover and hear THE WORLD SAVED BY KIDS. – revolutionary text inspired by the student protests of 1968. A young boy and his father are walking to work outside modern Rome when they come across soldiers accompanying a man carrying a cross. A school girl in 1930s Germany sees Jewish girls in her class forced to wear a yellow star. On Good Friday, March 29th, in Llantwit Major we’ll present stunning readings from this European classic ‘The World Saved by Kids’ written by Elsa Morante and fabulously translated into English in 2017 by Cristina Viti. Get details here
Take part in EASTER AT ST. ILLTUD’S. There are lots of activities through the weeks leading up to Easter. Services, reflections, talks, community events, open mic nights and cultural activities. Some of them are livestreamed on Facebook. It’s a friendly place to visit, explore and take part in activities. Details here
Thanks for reading.
