Peter - Eyewitness of His Majesty

PETER: EYEWITNESS OF HIS MAJESTY
By Edward Donnelly
Banner of Truth Trust. 152 pages. £4.95
ISBN 0 85151 7447

It is rare these days for the academic and pastoral to be combined, but that is the special strength of this stimulating study of the apostle Peter.
Its author is both a professor of New Testament and a serving pastor, both of which roles are evident in the clarity of biblical exposition and the warmth of pastoral insight here. Originally given as messages at ministers' conferences, the 16 chapters range widely through the New Testament texts about Peter and draw deeply on the apostle's sermons and epistles.
The book is divided into three sections, exploring Peter as disciple, preacher and pastor. The first deals largely with the gospel narratives, aiming to draw a portrait of discipleship both 'inspiring and realistic'. We are to learn from Peter's mistakes and imitate his virtues. It is in the analysis of his preaching, from the Acts addresses, that the author is at his liveliest and most engaging. Five aspects of apostolic gospel preaching are highlighted - its relevance, Christ-centredness and boldness, along with the demands of grace and the Spirit's power. The book concludes with a detailed study, in 1 Peter 5.1-4, of Peter as exemplary pastor, with a chapter each on his identity, duty, heart and reward.
There is plenty to inform and challenge both pastor and people in this attractively presented book. The style is accessible and readable, often illuminated by apt illustration or a vivid turn of phrase. Much of the criticism of contemporary evangelicalism is perhaps familiar, but nonetheless warranted. My only disappointment was the lack of practical help in putting the principles derived from Peter's example to work in our very different contemporary milieu. The counsel of perfection can sometimes have a somewhat debilitating effect on today's exhausted practitioners! But there is much here of excellent value.

David Jackman
Cornhill Training Course

© Evangelicals Now - March 1999
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• Mother to the Prison
  How God is using one woman among Canada's convicts
• It's not over till it's over
  The surprising results of a visit to their MP about the age of homosexual consent
• The Good Shepherd in Transylvania
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• You can't beat a good book
  The work of the Evangelical Library - now more than 50 years old
• Notes on dealing with depressive illness
  Information and advice about depression among Christians
• Nehemiah's renewal
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• Doing the impossible
  Reflections of David Fletcher on a lifetime of Anglican ministry
• The narrow way
  A sermon extract on The Sermon On The Mount

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• What Dreams May Come
• Making Sense of Living as a Christian - The story of Chris after changing churches - an extract from the book Making Sense of Living as a Christian
• Living Water - Finding Real Life In Jesus
• Peter - Eyewitness of His Majesty
• Griffith John - Apostle to Central China
• A Question of Love - Homosexuality - A Biblical Perspective
• The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo - The Star and Wiseman
• Hans Kung - Breaking Through
• Islam and The West - Conflict, Co-existence or Conversion?
• The Scroll - The Tabloid Bible
• To God's Glory - Romans 11
• Revealing Jesus as Messiah - Identifying Isaiah's Servant of the Lord
• When Love Prevails - A Sikh Woman Finds Christ
• Van Til's Apologetic, Readings and Analysis
• I Believe in Mission
• A Panorama of the Holy Land
• An Intelligent Person's Guide to Modern Culture
• The Essence of The Reformation