Salvation's Song

 

St Catherine’s Vicar, Marcus Green, had his first book, Salvation’s Song, published by Survivor Books in May 2004. It takes a good look at familiar Christian ideas from a surprisingly unusual angle, asking the question, “What if worship really matters?” “There are lots of books that say worship is important; there are lots of books that say how to worship; but I have tried to write something different – a book that asks what would our big themes and theologies look like if worship really mattered – and I mean matter so much that everything has to be seen through this lens.” Marcus is clearly excited by his subject matter – but this comes as no surprise when we learn that the whole book was a genuine labour of love.

Between his curacy at St Michael’s Aberystwyth and becoming vicar at St Catherine’s, Marcus took a year off his clerical duties to study for and write the book.

“I wanted to do this work,” he comments, “and with financial help from my bishop, and from friends and family, I went to Cambridge and spent a life-changing year, a year in which I think I understood more of God and more of my faith than I had ever done. I began to see that at the heart of the Cross lies a truth about worship that blew my mind, and for the first time let me see Jesus as the perfect worshipper.”

During the year he met Mike Pilavachi, the inspirational figure behind the world-wide Soul Survivor youth movement, and it was Mike’s enthusiasm for Marcus’ work that helped the book be published.

When asked why he is so keen on the book, Mike Pilavachi is clear: “This is great theology!” he says. But what makes it stand out, surely there’s lots of great theology out there? Mike agrees, but adds, “Marcus is a theologian with a pastor’s heart. He loves God, loves theology, loves worship and loves God’s people. Above all it is this combination that makes Salvation’s Song unique. This is brilliant stuff!”

Clearly Mike isn’t alone in rating the book highly: Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has reviewed it, calling it “a liberating and exciting book”. Alister McGrath, perhaps the most prolific theological writer of our day says, “Marcus has done us all a service with this book”; and two of the most popular song writers in the church today, Tim Hughes and Matt Redman add their names to those lining up commend it, with Tim saying “I’d encourage everyone to read it”.

If you’d like to buy Salvation’s Song, please click here.

Reviews of Salvation's Song:

This is a liberating and exciting book, which has the potential to open up some very new channels in mission. Marcus Green writes out of a tough and varied pastoral experience, with consummate skills in exegesis as well as a fine ear for the particular human stories woven in to his theology. Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams

 

What a wonderful stimulus to think seriously and creatively about worship! Marcus Green has done us all a service with this wonderful book. It deserves to be read by all thinking about the place of worship in the life of individuals and churches. Professor Alister McGrath, Oxford University

 

Salvation's Song is a great book. A thought provoking read that lays down an essential challenge to recapture the big picture of worship. I've been hugely inspired and convicted as I've delved into this book. I'd encourage all to read it. Tim Hughes, songwriter and worship leader

 

This book helps us to ‘worship with understanding’ – an essential thing for the singing church today. We worship with passion and enthusiasm, and rightly so. But it’s vital that we also worship with understanding – gaining a grander view of the God we worship, and a greater grasp of all he requires and desires from us. Salvation’s Song does just that – inviting us into the bigger picture of worship. I hope Marcus’ writing truly leads you in worship, as it did me. Matt Redman, songwriter and worship leader