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Acts: Church on the move

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ACTS: CHURCH ON THE MOVE
By Peter Williams
Day One. 233 pages. £7.99
ISBN 1 903087 65 1

Simply, clearly and readably written, this is a superb 'telling of the story' of Acts. Written by an author who adopts an inerrantist viewpoint, a judicious provision of background information enables the author and reader to quickly perceive the contemporary (and often very encouraging) significance of the passage under review.

Just occasionally, such application over-pulpit and Anglo-centred. However, it also shows evidence of the hand of a skilled and gentle pastor, and the material has evidently been preached; this ensures that application is fore-grounded and discussion not lost in abstruse (and often irrelevant) scholarly debates. Unlike most commentaries, it lends itself to curling upon the sofa and reading at one sitting! It will also offer considerable stimulus to the preacher or home group leader. Stimulated by Williams' work, some might value some guidance for further reading.

Overall, Williams handles the 'hot chestnuts' in Acts with aplomb. He argues, for example, that the apostolic miracles were the 'signs' of their unique office, without denying the possibility of miracles today. However, if a major criticism can be made, it is that Williams shows little evidence of having engaged with more recent studies of Acts that have emphasised the literary and editorial dimensions and (a slightly older emphasis) Luke as both historian and theologian. This sometimes leads to a lack of depth in application. It is doubtful, I suggest, that Luke envisaged chapter 6 as offering a blueprint for the modern diaconate. More likely he was demonstrating the manner in which the early church was able to foster its ongoing growth through the pastoral sensitivity of its leaders, and the flexibility of its membership in facing potentially-damaging cultural diversity within its numbers. Those interested in the relationship between the spiritual and, for example, the social aspects of the gospel might also feel the author's presentation insufficiently nuanced.

But such is churlish: this is an excellent volume, the overall format is attractive and well-priced. If this is to be one of a series of similar volumes, it is to be encouraged since it meets a niche in the market for reliable and popular conservative exposition.

Stephen Dray