This is a profoundly moving book. Now, in retirement, Frances Young is trying to bring together three major themes in her life. One is her career as a theologian and teacher specialising in patristic theology. Another is as mother and carer of Arthur, severely handicaped from birth. The third is as an Methodist minister, preaching to and interacting with modern congregations. As she considers important areas of doctrine, she tries to bring all three threads into a single yarn that works together. ( )

Material derived from the author's Bampton Lectures devoted to considering patristic theology and how the Fathers may speak to people in the 21st century.

The author clearly has a strong handle on patristic literature and theology. Her stories about herself and her son who has a major disability are touching and provide a compelling lens through which to see the world, patristic theology, etc.

The breadth of discussion is vast: the development of Trintarian theology; understanding of creation; resurrection; the Incarnation; sin and atonement; the work of the Spirit; ecumenism; the experience of God. In many discussions, particularly in theology and resurrection, the author does very well at connecting what the Fathers got right to a workable theology and eschatology today.

Unfortunately for me so much of the material was not to allow the Fathers to have their say but forces the Fathers to work within a modern paradigm. If the Fathers said it but modernism is embarrassed by it (save the two examples above), modernism "wins." Mariology is put to service to commend women in positions of authority and the modern iteration of ecumenism; patristic understanding of creation is being used to come to grips with Darwinism. Most of the time patristic views and exegesis are explained accurately and then immediately discounted because they do not conform to the modernist mode of thinking.

There is much I gained from this book in terms of a better understanding of patristic theology. I found it sad that so much that could be compelling is missed because of the author's devotion to modernism.

**--book received as part of early review program ( )