A fascinating account of his life by one of the outstanding Bishops of our time. Highly relevant, culturally and spiritually, to our secular society.
A fascinating account of his life by one of the outstanding Bishops of our time. Highly relevant, culturally and spiritually, to our secular society.
Faith, Personal memoirs, Religious
Richard Harries was serving as a soldier in Germany when he suddenly had an overwhelming sense that God was calling him to be ordained. He had virtually no religious background, but like Martin Luther, he could do no other. The Shaping of a Soul is the story of a man who has engaged in some of the major issues of our time and who, for fifty years, has been a much loved voice on 'Thought for the Day' in the Today programme. Bishop of Oxford from 1987 to 2006, Harries was made a Life Peer on his retirement and remains active in the House of Lords as Lord Harries of Pentregarth. In a life repeatedly taken by surprise, he tells how he is still able to retain his faith even in our present highly secular and sceptical society.
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I loved The Shaping of a Soul by Richard Harries. It is searingly honest, full of intellectual and spiritual challenge, and surprisingly amusing about aspects of his life. He covers spiritual, religious, political, moral, ethical and human issues- often combined- and he makes us think about why faith matters, and indeed how it can be built up again in the modern, western, world. Julia Neuberger, Rabbi and member of the House of Lords ~ Julia Neuberger
What people are saying about this book Richard Harries' autobiography is a deeply moving account of an extraordinary life of our times. It challenges the faithless and humbles the indolent. Sir Simon Jenkins If you know Richard Harries, it’s probably though listening to Thought for the Day on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. This is the story behind the voice. And it’s gripping – human, humane, often humorous, frequently moving, it’s an account of the unexpected life of a remarkable man – a soldier turned priest, a bishop and a broadcaster, a husband and a father, whose private life has known profound challenges and whose public life has known all sorts of controversy. With a fascinating cast list – that includes The Queen, prelates and prime ministers – this is a compelling autobiography that is as life-enhancing as it is revealing, because through it runs the golden thread of Richard Harries’ faith. Gyles Brandreth Richard Harries is one of the towering figures of the Church of England in the past fifty years. In this wise, charming and challenging account of a lifetime's service of the Church and the gospel, he observes that 'the first task of a Diocesan Bishop is to appoint good people, and the second is to let them get on with it.' As one of those appointed by him, and then given space to grow and flourish - and make mistakes and be picked up - I am grateful for this book. It will help many Christian leaders reflect on their own formation and journey and the exercise of ministry. For Richard this ministry was always focused on the world Christ came to save. His vision is expansive, generous and intellectually stimulating. And of course, it is beautifully written in simple, pithy elegant prose. Reading it will save some leaders today from focusing too much on themselves and on the institution of the Church. Full of wit and wisdom, it will lift your sights. Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York As a non-believer I spent 33 years on Today trying (and failing) to persuade the BBC to drop Thought for the Day. They refused. Richard Harries is a shining example of why they just might have been right. If there’s one justification for “Thought” it’s that it should make the listener think. That’s what Richard did. Without fail. This absorbing book of his spiritual journey and engagement with the great issues of our time does the same. It proves that he’s the greatest Archbishop of Canterbury the Anglican Church never had. John Humphrys And about Richard Harries In Richard the twentieth century Church of England-and the twenty-first century Church of England for the matter-has had one of its truly great and memorable figures. He is one of our greatest Christian intellectuals. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury While I am agnostic about the existence of God, I am not agnostic about life after death. I am sure that belief in it is an illusion. However, if-which God forbid-I should undergo a death bed conversion, there is no Christian priest I would rather have at my bedside than Richard Harries. Sir Antony Kenny, philosopher ~ See below
