At the heart of the universe

The last shall be first!

AT THE HEART OF THE UNIVERSE - WHAT CHRISTIANS BELIEVE
By Peter Jensen
IVP. 176 pages. £8.99
ISBN 0 85111 293 5

This book began life as a series of lectures given by theologian Peter Jensen in 1990 at Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia.

Jensen's lectures attempted to describe in outline the faith of Christians. The lectures were so well received that he decided to publish the series in book form without any major revisions.

The book is divided into five main sections that explain how Christian truth presented in the Bible explains God's purpose for the universe and makes sense of human existence. It is aimed at three types of reader: the believer who needs to understand God better by seeing the whole truth in outline; the student who will one day be called upon to preach Christian truth and needs to grasp its structure and inner truths; and those who do not yet know God but wish to explore the Christian truth and consider the claims of the gospel.

Though his book is written from an evangelical standpoint, Jensen stresses that it is in no way polemical. He begins by explaining what doctrine is, why it is so important and why it is tragic when doctrine is regarded as boring or divisive. Jensen explains, 'it makes a crucial contribution towards helping us fulfil our goal in life: to know and serve God'.

The author takes a different approach to many other books on this subject by considering the 'last things' in the first chapter. By beginning in this way, the reader is able to gain perspective of who God is and what he is doing to fulfil his ends. I found this book to be a very helpful guide of the great themes of the Bible and how they fit together and I believe it will make an invaluable reference point throughout my Christian life.

Robbie Lonie,
St Helen's, Bishopsgate

© Evangelicals Now - November 2003
Please consider supporting this ministry by subscribing.

• Request Free Sample

Main Articles

• NEAC: Anglicans stand firm
  Anglican evangelicals converged for a rare get-together in September to focus on what unites, rather than what divides...
• Strangers and aliens
  How do Muslim converts to Christ fare in Britain today?
• The antidote to fear
  Recalling a hair-raising incident from days in Indonesia
• Start a Christian group at work
• Let's be systematic about this!
• The place of humour in preaching?
• The crucified preacher
  Evangelist Roger Carswell explains
• Monthly column for hymns and songs
  Worship & war
• Hallowe'en
• Monthly column on student work
  Students in sport
• Peter Cousins, 1928-2003
  A tribute
• Monthly column for youth leaders
  Memories are made of this
• Letter from America
  Evangelicalism: a bright future?
• 'Restoring hope in our church'
  Steve Donald, vicar of Christ Church, Chadderton, argues for a tougher line
• Reading film
  On Christians and the cinema

Other articles

• To end all wars
• This earthly pilgrimage
• Finding my feet: an autobiography
• At the heart of the universe - What Christians believe
• Pathway to freedom
• From every people and nation
• For all the saints? - Remembering the Christian departed
• On the trail of John Wesley
• Who says you can't change the world?
• Letters to a student
• Priorities for the church - Rediscovering leadership and vision in the church
• Mission after Christendom
• An A-Z of Christian truth and experience
• Singing to the Lord
• One holy fire
• Devout sceptics - Conversations on faith and doubt with Bel Mooney
• One woman against the Reich