The Compelling Church: Gathering – Mark Sayers

In 'Your God Is Too Small', J.B. Phillips addresses the limitations of various popular conceptions of God, such as the 'god who is a policeman', 'a grand old man in the sky', or 'God-in-a-box'. He argues that these inadequate views can lead to spiritual disillusionment. The book is divided into two parts: 'Destructive—Unreal Gods' and 'Constructive—An Adequate God'. Phillips then articulates a more comprehensive and meaningful understanding of God, particularly through the life of Jesus of Nazareth, and discusses themes such as the nature of reality, beauty, and the attractiveness of goodness.

The story follows Digory and Polly, two children who meet while exploring the attics of their adjacent homes in London. They stumble upon Uncle Andrew's study, where they are tricked into using magical rings that allow travel between worlds. Their adventures take them to the desolate world of Charn, where they awaken the evil queen Jadis, and eventually to the creation of Narnia by the lion Aslan. The novel explores themes of creation, good vs. evil, and redemption as Digory and Polly navigate these new worlds and their consequences.

Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy. The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom. The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State. The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom[2][4][5].

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.