Evangelicals Now
Christian news worldwide
magnifying glass Search archives
home Home check the archives Archives Subscribe Subscriptions Advertising Information & booking of classifieds Adverts Find a local evangelical Church Find a church for the search engines and extremely curious! About us Contact us Site Map
Printable
Version

The Authentic Church

The Authentic Church
By David Jackman
Christian Focus. 173 pages.
ISBN 185792197 6

Charles Simeon of Cambridge once told his publisher that 'my endeavour is to bring out of Scripture what is there and not to trust in what I think might be there'.
This author, David Jackman, Director of the Proclamation Trust, does this in a masterly way as he expounds and applies Paul's letters to the Thessalonians. As you would expect from him, he emphasises all that is best in proclaiming the Word of God in a relevant and contemporary way. He tells us that it is the fruit of his own continuous study of these letters addressed to what he calls 'a flagship church'. He wants us to know that his own study has been enriched by the questions, comments and suggestions of many others, including his Cornhill Training Course students, in every stage of the process. This co-operative study approach deserves our consideration.
The book has eight chapters plus a halfway 'taking stock' passage. He sees chapter 1, verse 3, as setting the agenda for the whole letter.
The first chapter introduces us to the city, to the church, to the apostle with his deep and affectionate commitment to the Christians there, and lastly, a helpful overview of the letter. The latter expresses the author's concern for his readers to see the 'big picture' and to grasp the main theme.
Only the first letter is expounded in detail. There is, nevertheless, an interesting section in chapter 1 on the relationship of the two letters (should the second really be first?) and the message of the second letter is often applied and explained in detail with the first. The linking is helpful and we are given explanations regarding 'the restrainer' and 'the man of lawlessness' etc.! The passages on the future, including the Thessalonians' passion for the Second Coming, make stimulating reading.
Timely questions are faced and all arising from the text! What about Word and Spirit? Does lifestyle matter? Is God in control? Have I a corporate responsibility? Are words enough? Etc., etc.
And here's an idea, when your Alpha course (or your home-made equivalent) is finished, introduce them to Thessalonians. Use this excellent, easy to read book. Perhaps Christian Focus Publications could consider a study guide to accompany The Authentic Church.

David Abernethie