Books

Few issues generate as much heat among Christians (and non Christians!) as the politics of the Middle East generally, and Israel in particularly. It was almost with a sigh of relief that I read this excellent book of essays by theologians who discuss what the scriptures actually tell us about the Holy Land and God’s promises.

Read more: The Gospel and the Land of Promise: Christian Approaches to the Land of the Bible

Some details of John Newton’s exceptional life will be known to many, such as his authorship of the hymn “Amazing Grace” and his miraculous conversion in a life-threatening storm aboard a slave trader vessel.

But this book by former British Cabinet Minister and prison convert Jonathan Aitken tells so much more about Newton’s life. Aitken’s book is gripping and inspirational with short, punchy chapters full of fascinating detail about Newton’s early life, his tumultuous and rebellious years at sea in the British and merchant navies and horrendous experiences as a mate and captain of slave traders.

Read more: "From disgrace to Amazing Grace: John Newton"

This book is subtitled “The Definitive Biography of a New Testament Scholar,” and will appeal especially to New Testament scholars and those with their roots in the Brethren assemblies. I remember many of Bruce’s books being in my father’s collection (he was a Brethren evangelist) and he was always highly spoken of in those circles.

Grass shows, however, that Bruce played a key role in many denominations, where he led the 20th century resurgence in academic study of the Scriptures. Many who would go on to staff denominational colleges and university theological faculties in the late 20th century studied under his direction when he was Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at Manchester. He was a great mentor to his students.

 

Read more: "F.F. Bruce – A Life"

It was John Wesley, father of the Methodist movement and renowned intercessor, who made the profound statement that when believers pray they should do so with the Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. No doubt he was pointing to the fact that while the Bible is the intercessor’s primary source of reference for prayer, other secondary sources, such as news articles, provide a vital link to a wealth of factual information about the world that the intercessor should find both helpful and useful for vibrant effective prayer.

Read more: "A History of the World Since 9/11"