Borrowing from the Future

Borrowing From the Future

This book is well supplied with references and quotations. Its challenge is summarised in one attributed to Rudolph Bahro, ‘When the forms of an old culture are dying, the new culture is created by a few people who are not afraid to be insecure.’ So, can society, can Jesus’ people, can the Church rise to the challenge of our age? The world is on the edge of economic disaster, but how does this distort inter-generational relationships?
Ann Morisy certainly does not pull her punches and her book isn’t gentle bedtime reading. Here laid bare are the delusions of our time, the desire for eternal middle age and its refusal to take responsibility for the future. Those who have ‘never had it so good’, who created the younger acquisitive generation, are steadfastly ignoring its plight which, she implies, is growing more dire by the day.
Ann Morisy recognises that some may say that her book is light on theology. If that demands Biblical quotations OK, but her text is shot through with issues that are as they are because for generations they have not been grounded in the Christian faith. She acknowledges that ‘Age has a purpose’ and ‘Retirement matters’, two chapters which point not to the denial of age, but to its enormous potential for generosity with time, with experience, and yes, with money. ‘Borrowing from the Future’ though is a sign of distorted ethical judgement that Christian people must confront in themselves.
How does the book end? If you are looking for a cosy conclusion then you will not find one here. Ann Morisy’s tiny theological coda does the only thing it can, sends us back to our own Bibles for only there is the assurance we crave. Read this book, it is an absolute must, and feel contrite.

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