God's Pursuit of Man by AW Tozer, published by Authentic Media Ltd, Milton Keynes 2011; available from John Ritchie Ltd; 99 pages. Price £4.99 (9781850780519)
Subtitled "Tozer's profound prequel to The Pursuit of God", and dedicated "to all those pilgrims of eternity whose distrust with earth has constrained them to seek in God a more enduring substance", the reader can be prepared for at least two things. (1) This short book is not an easy quick read. The sometimes profound theology and how it is described calls for some concentration of thought. (2) It is a very worthwhile and challenging read, calling attention to what is abiding and sure, beyond what can be discovered in this passing world.
The Foreword begins, "This book contains strong medicine, bitter to the taste but potent if taken in contrition and in belief". In his own Preface Tozer says, "The function of a good book is to stand as a signpost ... toward the Truth and the Life ... to incite the reader to moral action, to turn his eyes toward God and urge him forward". This reviewer believes that these worthy aims are fulfilled.
The first two chapters call the reader to recognise practically the eternal changelessness of God and to experience the gospel not in word only but in power, power that calls for repentance and real change in the life. The next chapter deals with the supreme sovereignty of God. His will is paramount, yet the author never dismisses human responsibility. It is well put this way: "The master choice is His, the secondary choice is ours".
After another chapter entitled Victory through Defeat, the latter half of the book focuses on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. He is referred to as "The Forgotten One", yet His work for illumination and power, and as a fire is shown to be essential. The last chapter entitled The Spirit-filled Life is direct and challenging, not charismatic. He writes, "One great hindrance to the Spirit-filled life is the theology of complacency so widely accepted among gospel Christians today". Again, "The Spirit-filled walk demands that we live in the Word of God as a fish lives in the sea". He concludes, "[It] is not a special deluxe edition of Christianity to be enjoyed by a rare few ... it is the normal state for every redeemed man and woman the world over". This of course is the message of the New Testament.
RC
Escape from the Island of Occupation by Robert Plant, 2014, published by and available from John Ritchie Ltd; 192 pages. Price £5.99 (9781909803954)
This interesting book is of the genre of an adventure story for children to read, aimed at 7–11 year olds. Perhaps it matches better the abilities and interests of early teens, and indeed adults will find it an absorbing and enjoyable read.
Set in the island of Jersey during the early days of World War II, the story centres around a plot to capture Hitler on his first visit to the island after the German occupation. A young lad called Jerry with a more brave female accomplice learn of this and decide to inform the British authorities 100 miles away across the Channel in the hope of ending the misery of the war and its effects on the island - but how? Some older people are enlisted to help with a boat and its equipment, there is an old outboard motor involved which eventually fails, there is a shipwreck and a near fatal landing on a mined beach, followed by a journey to Whitehall to brief the top brass, then an anticlimax! At times it is breathtaking and you want to read on into the next chapter!
The story is well written in a style suitable for the intended readership. The author makes good use of his knowledge of the geography of Jersey and its people. This helps to make the story more realistic although to more sceptical adults some parts of it will appear rather contrived and unlikely! But that is a common device in most works of fiction!
The best thing about this book from a Christian viewpoint is how the gospel message is so effectively woven into the story, seamlessly and gradually. Starting from a base of unfamiliarity with the Bible and no awareness of God, the story line introduces the need for salvation and how it can be found through faith in Christ alone.
Parents, grandparents, Sunday School teachers and others interested in young people who want to give them something useful and beneficial can confidently pass on this book, maybe after a quick read of it themselves!
RC
