A new book Taboo Or To Do, which takes up some critical hot-button issues and is by the writing team Ross Clifford and Philip Johnson, was officially launched in Australia.
It was launched at Morling College before an audience that had just listened to Sri Lankan evangelist and theologian Ajith Fernando give a presentation about today's religions.
Dr Graham Hill, author of Global Theology, introduced the writing team and asked the two of them to explain why they had written Taboo Or To Do.
Ross Clifford began by stating that the new book, which is suitable for both personal and group study, takes up some hot-button issues that many Christians are trying to come to terms with.
He explained that Taboo Or To Do addresses some practices, such as yoga, mindfulness and martial arts like T'ai Chi, that have their roots in Eastern religions but have been adapted and become mainstream activities in the western world.
Dr Clifford indicated that the need for the book was prompted by a combination of pastoral and missional concerns. Some Christians are adapting practices like yoga as part of their own personal growth. Others who emphasise creative missional outreach often interact with popular practices like mindfulness and T'ai Chi as way of building bridges between the church and local community.
Further, Dr Clifford noted, "This is the world we now live in and these are the questions that Christians and churches are asking: Can I be in a yoga class and not compromise my faith? Should our church rent its hall for karate classes? What should I do at school or work-place when it is compulsory for me to attend a mindfulness programme?"
Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson added that through the ten chapters a range of other topics are covered including aromatherapy, energy healing, transformation seminars and services for blessing animals.
Mr Johnson affirmed that as we are currently in the seasonal preparations for Hallowe'en, the book is timely with a chapter that sifts through questions about Hallowe'en – is it taboo or something Christians may engage with? The book invites readers to sort out the critical issues about this festivity.
Philip Johnson further explained that the book does not preach at readers. Instead each chapter presents relevant background data, assembles matters for discernment, and includes discussion questions and practical activities so that each reader may work out their own response.
A helpful feature of the book is that it illustrates matters through a range of case studies showing how different churches across Australia, England and the USA are responding to the challenges. The book has foreword by John Drane.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html