One Word of Truth by Michael Bourdeaux

After a gap of 37 years it has been a delight to renew my relationship with DLT. Risen Indeed: Lessons in Faith from the USSR was published in 1983 and was by far the most important extended reference I ever made to the inspiring renewal of the faith in Russia. Nearing the end of the communist period, all denominations were still suffering restrictions and church leaders who did not conform to atheist injunctions were still imprisoned, where some had recently died. Last year I spent much of the early months working with my wife Lorna on the text of my memoirs, One Word of Truth: The Cold War Memoirs of Michael Bourdeaux and Keston College. Then aged 85, this gave me the opportunity of taking a measured look at a long life. 

The book appeared in time to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Keston College, an event marked by an outstanding address by Bishop Rowan Williams, which gave new insights into the importance of religious liberty in the context of human values generally. This was reported in full by the Church Times. There have been some promises of national reviews, but so far none has appeared, which makes the volume of private letters and messages all the more gratifying. The most recent has come from a retired doctor, who is also active in the pastoral team of our local church. She writes: ‘Not only is Michael’s book full of information I never knew, but it is absolutely gripping, every bit as exciting as a thriller!’ I had never considered myself to be in that class as a writer, but I have been buoyed up by many other comments commending its literary quality.

The Cornish paper Western Morning News printed a double-page review cleverly expanded by backing the text by a spread of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the USSR being addressed by Nikita Khrushchev.

Have there been any criticisms? Not really, so far, though the vicar of my ‘home’ parish expressed surprise that I described my birth-village, Praze-an-Beeble in the heart of the mining area around Camborne as ‘ugly’. I think she was right to say this, but I am indelibly influenced by living in the beautiful village of Iffley, with the almost ‘unimproved’ architecture and carving of its church dating from the twelfth century. On reflection, I do not really think of Praze as such, and it would have been better to describe it as plain or stern. But I hope this first chapter conveys my pride in coming from such a remote but characterful place, full of life despite the abandonment of its surrounding tin mines, forming stark abandoned engine-houses and dangerous open mineshafts east, north and south of the village.

The second part of the book describes the political tensions of the last half of the twentieth century.  During this time, there were too many in senior church positions who considered it improper to criticise the USSR for its enforced implementation of atheism, leading to the persecution of those who resisted. This period has virtually disappeared from our consciousness, as we have moved to a new period of conflict with Russia under the Christian autocrat, Vladimir Putin. His rise coincides with my retirement, so I have not been able to keep up to date with all the relevant developments and these thoughts must be left to another.  

***

Each day, we will post a short article by one of Darton, Longman and Todd’s amazing authors, offering a personal reflection on our current situation in life. Sometimes this will be written with reference to one of their books, and sometimes about how they are living in response to the coronavirus and our current world situation. We hope it will give you a taste of the depth and diversity of DLT’s list – books for heart, mind and soul that aim to meet the needs and interests of all.

Today’s post is by Michael Bourdeaux, author of One Word of Truth: The Cold War memoir of Michael Bourdeaux and Keston College, which you can buy here.