1. Beard Theology - A Holy History Of Hairy Faces Told By The Church Mouse

Beards were important enough for female pharoahs to wear fake beards. And for Henry Vlll to have a beard-growing competition with the king of France. And for Jesus and the devil both to have been given one by generations of artists.

These days facial hair (or the lack of it) comes down to personal preference, but in the past the possession of a beard - and the right kind of beard - has been, if not quite a matter of life and death, at least a matter of spiritual life or death. This fascinating fable reveals why people argued about beards, taxed them, banned them and fought over them on ideological and theological grounds.

Having the wrong beard at the wrong time in history could be seriously bad news for the beard-wearer in question. That may seem bonkers to us - but what issues do we still argue about today that will seem ridiculous in the future? This book is for anyone who wishes to live in a more peaceful and diverse Church.

We must pat attention to our beard history because those who cannot learn from it are destined to see it regrow.

hardback 13.5x20.5x2cm  174 pages