Just a Talker - Sayings of John (Rabbi) Duncan

'Just a talker'
Sayings of John ('Rabbi') Duncan
By John M. Brentnall
Banner of Truth. 317 pages. £7.95
ISBN 0 85151 7269

There are times when you pick up a book and wonder where it's taking you; such was the reviewer's experience with this publication. I was not far into the journey, however, when I began to find treasures, at times almost unexpectedly, which encouraged me to read on.
John Brentnall has brought together the impromptu sayings of a gifted, eccentric, 19th-century, Free Church of Scotland professor. A useful short biographical introduction outlines the historical background in which John (Rabbi) Duncan lived, taught and preached, then 'some leading aspects of Dr. Duncan's life' consisting of sayings from others about this man of God, all helps to set the atmosphere in which these sayings were first heard.
They are divided into two sections: Part 1, shorter sayings, under 149 alphabetically arranged headings; Part 2, longer extracts, under 32 headings.
I was afraid I might need to do a 'time walk' into a bygone age to enjoy this book, but I did not, because here is freshness and depth that transcends time. How about this: 'He whom we admit into our friendship, we admit into the formation of our character,' or 'God is a glorious God - Christ is a glorious Christ - the salvation which is in Christ with eternal glory is a very glorious object.' There are many more.
A good read, and useful to 'prime the pump' on a wide range of subjects when you feel you have run dry. At £7.95, rather expensive for some on a limited budget, but it would make a good gift to any seriously-minded believer. I recommend it.

Peter A. Day
Southport

© Evangelicals Now - March 1998
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