Category: Book review

Aletheia Adventure Series – The Rescue of Timmy Trial (Book 1)
By: E. M. Wilkie

“The aim of this first book in the Aletheia Adventure Series is stated in the Preface as being “an attempt to help and encourage young readers to develop an understanding of the truth contained in the Word of God”.

The story is set in the city of Aletheia, in the mysterious land of Err.

There is a full page detailed map of the city of Aletheia with names such as Redemption Square, Good Shepherd Primary School, Pray Always Farmlands and Run-the-Race Retirement Home.

In the land of Err there are similar names with spiritual significance in their meanings such as: Inner-self Improvement Centre, Know-it-all, Angerton, Mockton and Other-gods Conference Centre.

The reader is introduced to Jack Merryweather “an ordinary boy to whom extraordinary things never happened”. Little did he think that this was about to change. Since the story is presented in an allegorical way, the individuals in Jack’s class at school have names such as Marigold Goody who “never did anything wrong”.

The adventure really begins with Jack encountering Timmy Trial who is the school bully. They enter the farm sheds belonging to Jack’s Grandad and are transported into a mysterious land “the farm sheds were gone; there was a strange road ahead; an unknown city loomed large close by”.

The purpose of their unexpected journey is revealed when Timmy is told by an inhabitant of the city “there’s plenty that we can teach you during your time with us to help you understand what it means to become a Christian”.

The two boys are joined by Henrietta Wallop and her two brothers, but Timmy has had enough and slips away “a lone figure walking south down Apathy Road”.

An exciting adventure begins as the four children set out to rescue Timmy in the land of Err. Will they be kept safe from the dangerous Snares in the dark forest? Will they ever find Timmy? You will need to read the book to find out.

There are numerous illustrations throughout the narrative as well as a helpful list of Bible references included at the end of this imaginative book filled with valuable spiritual lessons.”

~ This book review was originally published on in Believer’s Magazine, February 2014, by A Cameron.

Available online from Gospel Folio Press. Only $11.99 USD!

Passing the Torch: Mentoring the Next Generation For Christ
By: Warren Henderson

“Subtitled Mentoring the Next Generation for Christ, the subject of this book is clear although the word mentoring may be less familiar to UK readers. It focuses on the importance of what Paul wrote to Timothy long ago about “teaching others also” (2 Tim 2.2), and it does this very well indeed.

The first chapter uses the familiar Olympic torch idea: “passing the torch” means to transfer responsibility to someone else. Every Christian is to be a beacon of truth during their lifetime, and all are also called to pass the torch to the next generation. But “how does one motivate younger believers, especially our own children, to catch the vision and be sold out for Christ?”

The latter half of the book tackles this question in a clear, inspiring and very readable way. Stimulating younger people, especially teenagers, Bible study and resources to help, training in godliness, and participation in all assembly activities are each described with good examples given. Responsibilities of both the mentor and the mentee (unusual word? but you get its meaning!) are well set out: for the mentor – be available, be willing, be accountable, be an example; the case of Elisha with Elijah is used to make some excellent points for the mentee to heed.

The earlier half of the book describes in some detail what is to be passed on, and why. In its own right this is worth reading and heeding, very relevant to the needs of assemblies today, totally Scriptural, absolutely clear, and a good reminder to us all. Here are some subheadings: divine truth is immutable; grace and truth are inseparable; meeting with believers is essential. The church has a threefold ministry: exaltation of the Lord, edification of believers, evangelism of the lost. A chapter called “A Pattern to Follow” describes both the expression and the distortion of salient NT truths such as – Christ the Head of the church; unity of all believers; priesthood of all believers; plurality of leadership; sanctity of the genders; the great commission.

Near the end of this highly recommended book is a challenge: “The church needs … those with ability and discernment to shun the limelight in order to invest time with those who need to learn sound doctrine, and to become aware of their calling in Christ”.”

~ This book review was originally published on in Believer’s Magazine, February 2015, by RC.

Available online from Gospel Folio Press. Only $11.99 USD!

Egypt to Canaan: A Comprehensive Study
By: Robert Surgenor

“Egypt to Canaan is sub-titled “A Comprehensive Study” of the 40-year journey that took Israel from slavery in Egypt to the land of milk and honey God graciously gave them. The Study is comprehensive in that it deals with the books of Exodus and Numbers and the early chapters of Joshua. The author states clearly in his Preface that his intention is to deal with the journey from Egypt to Canaan “more thoroughly than other books dealing with the same subject” and to avoid “intellectual coldness”. He adds that his approach is “warm, personal and faithful”.

Robert Surgenor’s looks to find applications to the issues of today’s assemblies and the saints who fellowship there, often illustrated by interesting personal experiences. He keeps the Lord Jesus before the reader’s eye, not only as he deals with the Passover or the manna or the red heifer offering, but as he applies the lessons arising from the eventful journey to Canaan.

The author’s approach is further evidenced in how he treats the Tabernacle. He does not deal with the curtains and their dimensions, or the various pieces of furniture, but concentrates on willing hearts, their liberal giving, and the gifted individuals whose labours produced the Sanctuary in which God was pleased to dwell. His particular focus is the role of women in the context of making that Sanctuary (Ex 25.8), whose example leads him to other godly women and their role in their day.

Egypt to Canaan is written in very accessible English. Its sections are relatively brief, enabling even a busy person to read its 754 pages in a relatively short time. Younger readers would find it helpful and the author’s experiences encouraging and challenging. They will not be stumbled by a level of detail provided, although occasionally they may ask for a little more information, for example when Robert Surgenor speaks of Moses’ sister as a fifteen-year-old when “the babe wept” at the edge of the Nile.”

~ This book review was originally published on in Believer’s Magazine, August 2010, by TW.

Available online from Gospel Folio Press. Only $19.99 USD!

Out of Egypt: A Devotional Study of Exodus
By: Warren Henderson

“The Publishers describe Out of Egypt as “a devotional study of Exodus”. Certainly the author in his Preface suggests that there are in this volume 100 brief devotions; he adds that they can be “a reference source for deeper studies”, with which view the reviewer is pleased to concur. Out of Egypt would be a good starting point for any reader seeking to grasp the lessons of Exodus. The author sets out clearly the teaching of Exodus relating to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the nation’s first year in the wilderness. He deals clearly with the key events and their significance for Israel and the lessons they contain for Christians today.

Out of Egypt provides a commentary on the 40 chapters of Exodus, so the exposition does not deal with every verse in detail. Its purpose is not to consider minutely the laws Israel were to keep, the liturgy that would mark the Tabernacle which was to be the focal point of their religious observances, or the materials and construction of the Tabernacle itself. He follows the advice of another author writing on another book: “…we must not attempt to allegorise every detail here: that would…involve us in hopeless difficulty”. However, the author does deal with intriguing matters such as the Book of Life, or of the Living (Ex 32.32), and the Tabernacle pitched outside the camp (Ex 33.7).

Warren Henderson quotes much from Mackintosh, F W Grant, William Kelly, J N Darby, J B Bellett, and other authors of a past day as well as authors of the present day such as William MacDonald and Warren Wiersbe. He does not cite John Ritchie with whose Egypt to Canaan many readers of this Magazine will be familiar.”

~ This book review was originally published on in Believer’s Magazine, August 2010, by TW.

Available online from Gospel Folio Press. Only $24.99 USD!

 The Unseen Hand: The Angela Tran Story
As told to Bob Cretney

This August our biography of the month is The Unseen Hand: The Angela Tran Story. 

Have a look inside the featured book of the month!

“When communism was imposed on Vietnam during the 1970’s, Angela Tran’s parents decided that she should flee from the country alone. She was only sixteen years old.

As Bob Cretney follows the varied events of Angela’s life, the reader will discover that the hand of God is one that will never let go.

This does not mean that life was going to be easy for Angela. As one of the “boat people”, she initially found herself stranded in the South China Sea with over four hundred hopeful emigrants and a captain who had lost his way. The reader will discover how God spoke to her through this incident. Her steps are then traced through a Bankok refugee camp until she finally reached Canada.

In Canada, valued help was received from Bob Cretney, his wife, and the local believers. The book also considers how Angela adapted to the many cultural changes, and reveals how she met her husband.

The chapter entitled “Dark Secrets” relates Angela’s struggles when depression struck. She states, “I would ask myself, ‘How can I get out of this cloudiness that has engulfed me?’” Following this, how would she cope in her fight against cancer?

She observes, “I escaped from a cavern of sorrow, but I know I could not have accomplished what I did without God’s hand upon me”.

The focus upon Angela’s conversion and her battles along the rocky roads of life are woven in with a personal appeal to any non-Christian reader to trust in the Saviour. Bible verses with reference to salvation are carefully employed. This feature makes it a suitable book for presenting to those who are not Christians. The Unseen Hand is also enhanced with relevant full colour photos.

Angela’s purpose in relating her experiences is plainly stated: “…that you will come to realize that the God whom I love is there for you when you face seemingly unbearable circumstances in your life”.

~ This book review was originally published on in Believer’s Magazine, April 2010, by AC.

Available online from Gospel Folio Press. Only $7.99 in August 2016!

 

Living at the End of the Rope
By: Ron Hughes

“Put yourself in someone else’s shoes and be ready to be challenged and encouraged.  “Living at the End of the Rope” by Ron Hughes … is a raw but gentle look into the life of 10 couples and individuals.  These lives have been damaged, sidetracked and crushed in various ways and yet the presence of grace is still powerful in their lives.

These men and women have come through deep adversity due to health problems, marriage difficulties and breakup, mental illness, death of a child or spouse, a special needs child or struggling with old age. They have faced (and still are facing) many battles, climbed many rough mountains and felt the blow of pain.

Yet, despite all of these struggles there is a foundation of hope. There is a clinging to the Lord that has enabled them to face each day. There is an encouragement to remember that God is faithful.

Every one of us face trials. Reading this book will lift your eyes higher and fix them on the only One who can help.”

~ This book review was originally published on assemblyHub, written by Paul Crawford.

Available online from Gospel Folio Press.

Stories from Luke’s Gospel
By: Robert Craig

“Although this book is just a brief summary of selected accounts in Luke’s Gospel, there are gems on each page; it is well worth reading, and definitely holds the attention. The book is pithy in its structure with lots of well-mined gems for us to contemplate and some helpful references from the Amplified version. Of the eleven accounts selected, seven are exclusive to Luke, whilst the remaining four, although shared with other gospel writers, have comments which are exclusive to Luke.

Describing Luke as somewhat obscure, by comparison with other evangelists, the writer quickly sets Luke’s characteristics before us: meekness, love, endurance and loyalty. For our encouragement, he also points out that God can, and will, use personal talents and skills, developed through hard work in whatever secular occupation we may follow, for His honour and glory. The Gospel of Luke treats the plight of the poor, the downtrodden and the despised with sympathy and understanding; the stories which the writer has selected reflect that very well. The book is written around eleven stories beginning with the nativity. The reader is then taken through the Gospel to the Emmaus Road and on to the Mount of Olives to witness the ascension. He does point out that the stories listed are just ‘the tip of the iceberg’, and the aim is that believers will simply catch a fresh glimpse of the Lord Jesus. It is by no means critical to say that there is nothing new in the book, but, rather, these are lessons and gems to be found in ‘those things which are most surely believed amongst us’.

Having arrived at Calvary, the writer deals with the detail in a devotional manner and summarizes the events by saying, ‘it is impossible for the human mind to comprehend such love and compassion’. From Calvary, he progresses to the Emmaus Road, where the Lord could say to His loved ones, ‘ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory!’

In summary, the book is a brief account of Luke’s Gospel and is recommended.”

~ This book review was originally published in Precious Seed (2016, Vol. 71, Issue 2), written by Bill Brady.

Available online from Gospel Folio Press.

No Other Doctrine – The Gospel and the Modern World
By: John F. Parkinson

“This book has arisen from its author’s firm conviction that the message of the gospel is as relevant and as necessary for the people of our day as it was for those of the first century. It has been written with the express purpose of helping, at an introductory level, college and university students who will almost certainly come up against the influences of postmodernism in the course of their studies and to make an older generation aware of current thinking. It will also be suitable as a means of explaining the relevance of the gospel to the non-Christian.

In the first three chapters John Parkinson takes his reader carefully through the content of the gospel, and examines the reaction both of Jews and of Gentiles of the first century. He stresses the similarities between the polytheism, the philosophies, and the occult practices of Paul’s day, and the postmodernism and New Age mysticism of today. As the author takes us on from the modernism that sprang from the eighteenth century Enlightenment through to the relativism of our own day, he demonstrates the universal and enduring relevance of the gospel to fallen man. In so doing he is able not only to inform, but also to encourage believers to witness, confident in the knowledge that only the gospel can meet the deepest needs of the men and women of today.

The new edition of this valuable work, now offered with an appendix on postmodernism, is not for those believers who may wish to bury their heads in the sand. The author reminds us that, ‘it is also vital to understand that our young people are being educated in the language, premises, and terminology of postmodern philosophy. Ought we not, as parents, to be interested in what our families may be imbibing at school and university?’ This book will amply reward careful reading and reflection on its contents. Chapter 5, ‘The Question of Origins’, is pivotal. The Glossary of Terms is very helpful, and the Bibliography will encourage further study. This is a very valuable resource.”

~ This book review was originally published in Precious Seed (2012, Vol. 67, Issue 2), written by Ed Hotchin.

Available online from Gospel Folio Press.

Mountains & Valleys in Christian Living

By: Donald Norbie

“Mountains & Valleys in Christian Living is a delightful, easy reading and encouraging volume which contains a number of devotional and challenging meditations from the pen of Donald Norbie. As suggested within the preface, although there is no common theme to these meditations they are set forth to encourage the reader to put the Lord first in their lives and stimulate them to love and good works, Heb. 10. 24.

The seventeen meditations in all cover a variety of themes such as: The Security of the Believer (To cut the Covenant); Spiritual Growth (The truth about the Spirit and the washing of regeneration); Christian Acceptance (must we always agree?); A Pattern Life (mimics, Joseph, a pattern of faith and love); and Fruitful in Old Age (fear or faith, the sunset years) to name just a few. Each meditation is short and easily read within a few minutes whilst being interspersed with some of Norbie’s own poetry.

I found this book to be an enjoyable companion to pick up and read at opportune moments. Many of the meditations contain a precious jewel of practical truth which Norbie is able to present with clarity and challenge. Although not every meditation will be relevant to every believer who reads this book (for example those on old age), there is much in the book which is. I did not personally find the poetry to be so helpful, much of it having a theme of awe and wonder about creation rather than Christ.

Much of what Norbie writes is based upon a wealth of practical experience in Christian living and is, as a result, worthy of note and consideration. There is much too to draw the attention to the Lord Jesus and challenge us with regard to practical Christian living in Him. This book is recommended, but perhaps more appropriate for an older audience.”

~ This book review was originally published by Precious Seed (2012, Vol. 67, Issue 2), written by Dan Rudge, Bracknell, UK.

Available online from Gospel Folio Press

The Land and People of Israel: What does the future hold?

By: Drew Craig
Published by: Gospel Folio Press (2010)

“To many in the secular and political world, the modern state of Israel is considered a pariah nation. It is seen as aggressive, territorially ambitious, insensitive to UN resolutions, and indifferent to critical opinion. In this little booklet, Drew Craig demonstrates from the scriptures that, in spite of man’s estimation, there is a divine plan and purpose for both the nation and the people of Israel.

The book is written to counteract the increasingly pervasive teaching that Israel no longer features in God’s plan, they have been rejected, and the church has now become the beneficiary of covenants and promises made long ago to Abraham and his descendents.

Beginning with the divine claim to the land and Jehovah’s acknowledgement of a people for Himself, the writer touches upon the covenants made to Abraham, and promised to Isaac and Jacob, with particular reference to the land and the seed. The importance of Genesis chapter 15 is rightly emphasized, where Jehovah alone passed through the divided pieces, binding Himself to keep the covenant made with Abraham. This chapter, apart from any others, should be sufficient to assure every student of scripture that the promises made to Israel cannot fail.

Attention is drawn in Part 2 to the importance and centrality of Jerusalem in the divine purpose, and prophetic scriptures are chosen in support of this. Parts 3 and 4 take the reader to a future day to consider the Lord’s return in glory and the establishment of the millennial reign of Christ. The writer’s clear acceptance of a literal interpretation of prophetic scripture is evident throughout, challenging the allegorical and spiritualized analysis preferred by many expositors today.

Although this handling of the subject matter is brief, important principles of truth are outlined which will provide a basis for deeper consideration of the interpretation and understanding of prophetic scripture.”

~This book review was first published in Precious Seed magazine, Volume 71, Issue 1.

Order from Gospel Folio Press online.