“This book offers a ‘Jesus perspective’ on a rich tapestry of social and philosophical issues, while studiously avoiding in-house Christian jargon (a helpful glossary is provided at the end). This project is biblically informed, interreligiously literate, and thoughtfully inclusive, endeavoring to connect with both Christians and non-Christians alike. Each of the chapters takes on different aspects of engaged discipleship, a holistic mix of the socio-political (such as peace, anarchism, creation) and the personal-spiritual (such as mysticism, wisdom, values). Noel likes to make bold assertions - “you are not going to heaven, or to hell” (he is unashamedly universalist) - which invite conversation, reflection and challenge. The book is framed by poignant reflections on its title: an appeal to engage the world with “fingerprints of fire” and leave behind “footprints of peace. I consider this book a ‘catechism for the non-dogmatic,’ and recommend it warmly.” ~ Ched Myers , s a biblical scholar, teacher and author around the themes of social justice, political theology and ecological discipleship; he works with Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries, USA

“Noel Moules writes that his book is for, amongst others, ‘Those who are simply looking for common ground between faiths and beliefs so we can work together to change the world’; this is something that many humanists do indeed look for. While his worldview and language are not ours, his book offers much of interest to those who are curious about the inner, less dogmatic, less traditional aspects of contemporary Christianity, the ‘authentic spirituality’ and shared values that drive us to ‘work to put right what is wrong in the world’. It is important for atheists to pay attention occasionally to what other people really believe, as opposed to what we assume they believe or what we learnt in school (sometimes a long time ago) about religion, and Noel Moules’ book could help in that process.” ~ Marilyn Mason , has been a teacher and previously the Education Officer for the British Humanist Association

“When I first met Noel Moules he enthusiastically described himself as a ‘Shalom Activist’; this exciting read unpacks that powerful description. Teacher, storyteller, messianic anarchist, Noel invites us to join him on a journey of a lifetime: our lifetime. It is an invitation to turn our actions and our consciousness upside down, not by conforming to the system but subverting it. Noel understands shalom as a wholeness that is physical, ecological, political, and spiritual. With deep sympathy for the rich religious traditions of ancient faiths, and those of good faith, Noel’s search for shalom goes beyond the individual yet is always personal. If you are suspect of institutional religion, but unimpressed by the self-referencing anaemia of western spirituality, you will be uplifted, engaged and challenged by Noel’s invitational and generous exploration of practical, political spiritual life. This is a radical spirituality rooted in a practical ethic and a broad spiritual conversation.” ~ Keith Hebden , priest, activist and writer who facilitates workshops and events on political Christianity but is mostly committed to speaking truth to power at the local-community level. He edits ‘A Pinch of Salt’,

“This is a really important book. I would recommend it to both contemplatives and activists. Noel has an integrated approach with a language that really resonates. He carefully unpacks the meanings to give us new lenses with which to see things, and helps us to shed our preconceptions. This book gives us a sense of where we are going and a truly holistic vision of shalom. It makes an inspiring contribution, providing a much-needed shift in our cultural landscape at the kairos moment of opportunity in which we find ourselves. Shal-OM.” ~ Louise Donkin , founder and director of SPEAK, the international student and young adults’ Christian peace and justice network

“A personal manifesto, an extended reflection on the implications of the dynamic concept of shalom, a fresh perspective on familiar biblical texts, a provocative and unsettling critique of standard assumptions, a passionate presentation of values and convictions forged during decades of study, teaching and interaction with people from many backgrounds, a multi-faceted exploration of faith and identity, which draws on the wisdom of many different traditions but is profoundly Jesus-centred – Noel Moules sums up the integrating themes of his life and teaching, sharing stories, posing questions, challenging conformity, encouraging creativity and inviting readers to journey with him into new understandings and ways of living.” ~ Stuart Murray Williams , author, teacher, founder of Urban Expression, which pioneers urban church planting, and the chair and co-founder of the Anabaptist Network UK

“The striking thing about this book is its openness – deeply rooted in the Christian tradition and the person of Jesus but opening up questions on all sides, and always open to inspiration from and dialogue with other religious traditions and non-religious beliefs, including atheism and humanism. Working with a series of images rather than a set of doctrines, it invites us to join the journey of exploration, whatever our starting-point. I hope that my fellow-humanists will take up the challenge.” ~ Richard Norman , teacher, author, a Vice President of the British Humanist Association

“In this luminous book, Noel Moules passionately communicates wisdom in conversation with the life questions and lifestyles of people today. Noel’s vision is huge: he believes that shalom is the heart of God, the character of Jesus, the way to live, and the destination of creation. His intended audience also is huge: he dialogues sympathetically with people of many religious traditions, and with Christians who have opted out of churches that they found oppressive, while being true to his convictions – that the God revealed in Jesus is the God of shalom, and that people who follow in Jesus’ steps will be ‘shalom activists’. Noel’s style is attractive: personal, glittering with memorable images, and ‘assertively gentle’ – inviting his readers to look anew at controversial issues, such as our relationship to wild creation. All who read this book – those who follow Jesus and those who don’t – will find Noel to be a wise guide, a bringer of new insights and a joyful bearer of hope.” ~ Alan Kreider , Professor of Church History and Mission, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN, USA (retired)

“This book engages us with many short stories. It is a gift of the writer, Noel Moules, to listen to others, enter conversation with them and then reflect on the experience in order to explore his own understanding of God, community, Eucharist, peace and justice. Work for peace, he tells us, is about getting our hands dirty, paying a price, changing the world in the here and now. Such activism must be grounded in self-knowledge, draw sustenance in the community of the Peacemeal (eucharistic community) and follow the life and words of Jesus. As a cradle Catholic and peace activist it has both opened my eyes to fresh ways of thinking and encouraged me to ‘hang on in there’ for the long haul.” ~ Pat Gaffney , General Secretary of Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace. In 2005 she was a Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

“This is a book about Jesus – but a Jesus that you may not immediately recognise. Noel Moules looks beyond the familiar images of stained-glass saints and moralistic mantras to offer a new perspective on the sort of spiritual connections that might sustain us through the seismic upheavals that characterise today’s world. Combining ancient wisdom with contemporary insights, he invites readers to re-imagine their own humanity as well as offering a distinctive portrait of the life and teachings of Jesus.” ~ John Drane, author and theologian who teaches practical theology in universities and colleges around the world, with a particular expertise in relating faith to contemporary culture

“Through his book, Fingerprints of Fire … Footprints of Peace, the very caring, well-grounded yet deeply spiritual character of Noel Moules shines out. For anyone who fears Noel might be a loud bible-thumping Christian extremist, nothing could be further from the truth, as the reader will discover. Noel’s book speaks to Christians, giving them a wonderful illustration of how to live a deeply Christian life whilst entering into peaceful and respectful dialogue with non-Christians. It also speaks to non-Christians in providing a re-framing of Christianity that demonstrates a Christian love that is, sadly, absent from the character of some of the more vociferous Christians. Indeed, much of Noel’s writing speaks to a spirituality that transcends faith descriptors.” ~ Mike Stygal , teacher, shaman, founder and facilitator of the on-line dialogue forum Pagan-Christian Moot; he is district manager of the Pagan Federation UK

“I loved reading this book, because I share with Noel a common affection for a life lived in India and a common appreciation for the forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. But also because I resonated so deeply with so many of the truths of which Noel speaks that at times reading Fingerprints of Fire … Footprints of Peace felt like reading a fifth Gospel, one that many post-modern, New-Age searchers, seeking the Way of Jesus, would find invaluable – because it is totally approachable, immediately accessible and easily comprehensible. I think this book is Noel’s special gift to us as his fellow-travellers. It is a very beautiful book – a ‘beauty-filled’ book – a book filled with the beauty of wise ideas, perceptive insights and helpful suggestions to guide us on our journey towards integrity, inclusivity, community, peace and justice.” ~ Dave Andrews , activist, teacher and author of many books. He is an elder for Servants to Asia’s Urban Poor. Dave has lived in communities with marginalised groups in India, Afghanistan, Nepal and Australia over for

“In Footprints of Fire Noel Moules offers us an inspirational vision of a spiritual path which is passionately Jesus-centred but at the same time deeply respectful of other faiths and insights. For groups like Liberal Quakers, who tend to love Jesus but mistrust the institutional church, I predict that this book will become an essential handbook for spiritual renewal and transformative action. This is a manifesto of faithful discipleship that knows the power required to overcome war, injustice and environmental destruction with the love of God’s shalom. Noel gives us hope just when we need it most.” ~ Stuart Masters , senior programme leader at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, UK.

“Many people today find the Christian faith irrelevant, meaningless and lacking any kind of radical edge. Those outside it are not attracted to what they see represented by the church, and those who have been part of the Christian community are often bored and disillusioned. Noel Moules responds to this dissonance with a number of concepts that point us to a more open-ended, inclusive and life-giving faith paradigm. He asks questions about existence, meaning and identity and brings fresh perspectives and interpretation that could re-energise the church. His introduction to the concept of shalom and the four key relationships that form it – our relationship with God, with and within ourselves, with other people and with nature, for me, was one of the excitements of the book. To live under the umbrella of shalom has to be transformative and lead to action for a better world. Faith is not about believing a set of abstract propositions; rather it is an integrated way of living out of what we believe.” ~ Jenny McIntosh , founder of Spirited Exchanges, an umbrella initiative for a variety of responses offering support, resources and accompaniment to those on their faith journey outside of the church