Press release

Charity "rediscovered" in time for Christmas

Friday 27 November 2009

Andrew Lightbown and Nick Fane's book (Re)Discovering Charity has just been published by the University of Buckingham Press.

"This lively volume re-instates charity as one of the great defining actions of faith. The authors draw clear and helpful distinctions between charity and its near but different neighbours - aid, philanthropy and altruism - and demonstrate in lived examples the transforming effect of genuine charity. This is an unusual and heartening story and one which deserves careful reflection and enjoyment."

Rt Revd John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford

The Book

(Re)Discovering Charity has been written as a three part pamphlet. Part 1 seeks to explain what is meant by the term charity, in its specifically Christian context. Charity is one of Christianity's theological virtues, and accordingly forms part of Christianity's basic morality, and yet the meaning of charity seems to have been somewhat lost, to the extent that it is frequently attacked by those who believe that charity creates dependency. (Re)Discovering Charity seeks to move beyond belief, opinion and secular ideology by analysing both the meaning of charity and, in parts 2 and 3, the characteristic manifestations of charity. Evidence suggests that far from creating dependency, true Christian charity, fosters responsibility, hope and well-being. Charity is, in fact, Christianity's effective response to social, spiritual and economic well-being.

All royalties from the sale of the book will go to Quicken Trust and will be used to equip and develop the work of the Kabubbu HIV clinic. The book is available to order from all good bookshops.

ISBN: 978-0-9560435-1-1. Price: £7.99.

The Authors

Andrew Lightbown worked in the investment management industry for fifteen years. Andrew first visited Kabubbu, with Quicken Trust, in 2004. His experience in Uganda and his friendship with the people of the Quicken Trust led Andrew to radically review his vocation. Andrew left the City of London in 2006 and returned to university. Andrew now lectures in Management and Business Ethics at the University of Buckingham. His research is concerned with understanding the economic manifestations and consequences of Christian charity.

Nick Fane has been a teacher (of English), education officer and local government manager. Now formally retired from (but informed by experience in) these roles, he works part-time as a counsellor for a Christian counselling agency, among other voluntary activities. He has a long-standing amateur interest in the psychology of religion.