Vicar dreams of spy novel

Press, 31 August 1984, Page 5

Vicar dreams of spy novel

By

MICHAEL STEEL

To write a romantic spy thriller set in the Mediterranean may seem an unusual project for an Anglican minister. However, Neville Cryer is no ordinary vicar. The head of the British and Foreign Bible Society, Mr Cryer can speak 10 languages and read 30. “I want to learn a lot more,” he said in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Cryer has just finished a two-week four of New Zealand, speaking in seven centres about the Bible Society. This organisation translates and distributes Bibles throughout the world. Mr Cryer said that many people in New Zealand wanted to know how this was proceeding in Eastern Europe. “That has been the constant and repeated concern itrevery place we have been iff?’ he said.

Most East European Governments had now agreed to allow Bibles to be printed within their country, he said. It was one way they could ensure that “drugs, guns, and subversive literature” did not come into the country with Bibles. There was more demand for Bibles in these countries because the orthodox churches had put more emphasis on them and because of improved literacy, he said. However, the Soviet Unionw was still banning the printing of Bibles. The Soviet Union was very cautious about what it allowed in, and bringing in Bibles was a slow business. Mr Cryer said he thought the Soviet Union might soon lift its printing ban. “We are beginning to talk to them,” he said. Trying to distribute Bibles in Albania where religion was officially banned was hopeless*. he

said. Mr Cryer has visited more than 100 countries, representing the Bible Society. He said he was not interested in how many Bibles were circulated, but in what effect they had. The Lancashire-born vicar, who studied history at Oxford University and then theology at Cambridge, is critical of the controversial theologian, Professor David Jenkins. Professor Jenkins, now Bishop of Durham, caused a sensation when he said that Christians need not believe in the historical accuracy of parts of the Bible. Mr Cryer said he thought that Bishop Jenkins had tried to explain certain points about the Bible in a way that was too academic for most people. “It suspect Bishop Jenkins just didn’t think enough of who he was speaking to,” said Mr Cryer. “You may be saying something marvellous, but if they don’t get it

then what is the point?” Mr Cryer said he would object to anyone's suggesting that certain parts in the Bible were untrue. “But I don’t think that is what Bishop Jenkins was saying.” Mr Cryer has translated 12 books into English and written 10 himself. He has three more under way, including one on baptism. “I believe the way we do it now is not the best way,” he said. He is is also preparing a historical work on the toll gates and bridges that were used on British roads. He is trying to find out what has happened to them and the people who lived in the toll houses. For a long time, Mr Cryer has wanted to write a suspense-filled romantic novel, set on Corfu. “I go there regularly,” he said. Mt- Cryer will leave today for jjimoa.