Books That Have Helped Me

by L.H. Taylor | Category: Contemporary Issues In Christian Life | Aug 1980

The wise Preacher said nearly three thousand years ago "of making many books there is no end" (Eccles. 12:12). The truth of these words is apparent today in the flood of books coming off the printing presses of the world. Books on spiritual matters are no exception, and include an increasing number of versions of the Scriptures. The wide variety of books available has one advantage, the choice of reading can be personal to one's own approach to Christian life and experience. To select a small range from the books one has read is a formidable task and this article will be restricted to a brief glimpse of the writer's approach to reading generally.

When making a choice of reading material for instruction, spiritual nourishment and edification, it is essential to bear in mind two major areas of revealed truth. Those in Churches of God in the Fellowship of God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, have had the thrill and the joy of receiving the revelation through the Holy Spirit of a people together for God, forming the house of God in divine service, and of the kingdom of God. They have been taught to distinguish between the Church which is Christ's Body and a church of God; the one an eternal reality built by Christ and the other a local testimony to the truth of God built by men in accordance with the Apostles' teaching. There is great confusion amongst theologians as to the meaning and use of the word 'church'. Aspects of collective truth which those in churches of God have come to know and understand from the Word of God are often not apparent in the works of great Christian writers.

Certain questions need to be asked as to an author's beliefs in the fundamentals of the gospel. Does he believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures? Does he accept the doctrine of the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit being co-equal and divine? Does he believe that the eternal Son of God became flesh, born of a virgin to die on the cross at Calvary for our salvation? Does he believe in the resurrection and the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ for His saints? Does he accept the doctrine of original sin and the remission of sin through faith in the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ? An affirmative answer to these questions will set a background of confidence for the reader in his quest for spiritual knowledge. In the absence of this assurance care will be needed to "sift the wheat from the chaff" and reject teaching which is not of the sound pattern.

The books reviewed below are just a small sample of the writer's experience and are intended as a stimulus to achieve the ultimate objective of the clearer and deeper understanding of the Word of God and of the lovely person of our Lord Jesus Christ of which it so clearly speaks.

Bible Study

"The Church, and the Churches of God" by F. A. Banks (recently reprinted by Hayes Press).

This small book written in the late nineteenth century by a young man in his mid-twenties represents the visionary concepts of those who first rediscovered the truths of collective worship and testimony of a people together for God. Such truths as the inter-dependence of churches, the aggregate of churches of God forming the house of God, were now seen from the Word to be clearly the will of God for our day and generation. This fresh and vivid approach sparkled with the light of divine revelation and was fully supported by scriptural evidence. This book is compelling reading for those who are seeking truth through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That God should have taken home to Himself such a young man of promise remains a mystery down here but the outline of precious truth he bequeathed has never been refuted.

As a younger man the present writer was deeply impressed by such spiritual insight, and a re-reading of F. A. Banks' writings has brought renewed spiritual vitality and zeal.

"The Gospel and its Ministry" by Sir Robert Anderson.

This book, written in typical Victorian English, has a beautiful fluency and is both sound and instructive. Readers will recall the series in this magazine last year relating to certain fundamental truths of the gospel. Much of what was written can be seen in Anderson's treatise. Such fundamental truths as redemption, sanctification, justification and atonement are vital parts of the whole spectrum of truth. His correlation of Old Testament and New Testament teaching is both helpful and instructive and will assist in the formation of the base of our spiritual life and growth. These truths can be too easily assumed as being elementary. Their profoundness goes beyond our full understanding but to be assured of their effectiveness through the work of Christ is a source of great comfort and security.

"Paul, Apostle of the Free Spirit" by F. F Bruce, published by the Paternoster Press.

Professor Bruce's knowledge of Greek and ancient literature has made him one of the foremost Bible scholars of our time and he would answer 'yes' to the questions about fundamentals posed at the beginning of this article. The book is neither a biography nor yet a systematic exposition of Paul's teaching but a graphic account of his life and work set in its historical context. His research over a lifetime spent in probing the historical background and the translation of the original Scriptures has enabled him to speak with considerable authority. He has been able to refute many myths about the character of this great servant of the Lord. He refers at length to the attractive warmth of Paul's personality, his intellectual stature and the dynamism with which he propagated the gospel throughout the world in accordance with the commission entrusted to him on the Damascus road.

Devotional

"There is an answer" by Leith Samuel, published by Victory Press.

This small book deals with many of the difficult questions that are encountered by the Christian on his or her earthly pilgrimage. The questions involve such matters as doubt, suffering, loneliness, depression and unanswered prayer. They are dealt with sympathetically, and constant recourse is made to the Word of God for succour, comfort and help. The problems and anxieties of the 1980s will not diminish. We need constant support, guidance and advice and also the ability to give these to others. In a world that can only offer emptiness, desolation and fear, how precious to be comforted through the experience of others. This little book goes a long way to provide an answer to some of these difficulties.

"True Spirituality" by Dr. Francis Schaeffer, published by Hodder and Stoughton.

Dr. Schaeffer has written many books arising out of his work at the L'Abri Fellowship. This book presents an analysis of the Christian life as he saw it and experienced it. He comes to grips with the reality of the true personal life in Christ arising from the meaning of His finished work and its impact upon our lives. Particularly impressive is his emphasis on thankfulness and the giving of praise to God. Perhaps in this respect our Christian experience suffers from our lack of enthusiasm. The giving of thanks to God should always precede our asking and there is no doubt that in the lives of great men of God in the Scriptures praise occupied a vital place in their individual worship. There is a tendency to restrict praise to our collective service in the Holies rather than making it a day by day joyful spiritual exercise (1 Thess.5:18).

"The Practice of Prayer" by G. Campbell Morgan.

To anyone whose prayer-life leaves something to be desired, this book is excellent reading. The tender warmth of exposition and exhortation is moving and heart warming. He tells the story of a woman who was bedridden for 37 years and yet knew and experienced the power of prayer in a most remarkable way. He cites this both as an example and a solemn lesson to us as to the effectiveness of prayer in terms of revival and blessing. Campbell Morgan writes that he never felt more closely and nearly the presence of the Almighty than when praying with her.

There is a sense in which one feels like the apostle John, who in writing of the work and life of the Lord Jesus Christ, could say, 'And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written" (John 21:25). There are the two classics of Augustine, the City of God and Confessions, and the poetry of Milton and Cowper. To a preacher there are the sermons of C. H. Spurgeon and J. S. Stewart. To the Bible scholar there are standard works such as The Expository Dictionary of New Testament words by W. E. Vine, Matthew Henry's commentary, Young's and Strong's concordances. There are biographies and autobiographies of great men and women who have served their God in their day and whose lives and testimony are left for our learning and admonition. A book shortly to be published by Hayes Press on the Tabernacle by Mr J. L. Ferguson is recommended reading. This book will be invaluable for the Bible student desirous of knowing the will of God for a people together in divine testimony and it will contribute to the enhancement and enrichment of the knowledge of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. What more can be said but to leave the matter in the hand of the reader to use those books which appeal to him or her having in mind the objective of an increasing knowledge of divine things and a broader conception of the great truths of divine revelation?

Some may respond by indicating that they have only time for reading the Scriptures and do not wish to cloud their minds with the writings of Christian men and women. Whilst this view is respected in its sincerity, it must surely be inadequate and insufficient to the seeker after truth and knowledge. Realizing that "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17), nothing must be allowed to come between us and the prayerful reading and study of the Word of God. But as part of our spiritual education and the widening of our spiritual horizons, the reading of the books of great men and women of God will provide us with the ability to make a more wise and balanced approach in our service to God and to all men.

"Bring... the books, especially the parchments" (2 Tim. 4:13).

L.H. Taylor | Aug 1980
Contemporary Issues In Christian Life