Breakfast On The Beach

BREAKFAST ON THE BEACH
By Peter Trumper
Evangelical Press. 304 pages. £9.95
ISBN 0 85234 422 8

This book contains reverent imaginative meditation on the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus. The author works through all the resurrection appearances recorded in the New Testament, including Saul on the Damascus Road and John on Patmos. Dr. Trumper does not seem to have based his reconstruction of 1st-century Jewish minds on modern scholarship, but has sought to produce Biblical references for most of his attempt to interpret the thinking process of those who met with the risen Lord.
He identifies the Great Commission of Matthew 28 with the appearance to the 500 mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15. The 'brothers' of the text are identified as male only, contrary to both the usual inclusive meaning of the term and the large role of women in other resurrection appearances. The reason for this discrimination according to the author (p.208) is that only men are to receive the commission to be missionaries!
Dr. Trumper does not seem to recognise that any disciples are regenerate before the Day of Pentecost and this may explain the often harsh judgments on their actions as they grappled with the unprecedented events of the first Easter. The fishing trip of John 21, which gives the book its title, is regarded as totally wrong, ignoring the fact that the disciples were in Galilee in accordance with the Lord's command and that later Christians were censured for just waiting around inactively for the Lord to appear (2 Thes. 3).
The author's love for the risen Saviour is evident and his flow of language is impressive, but this book will be of more use to ageing saints than younger sinners who need to hear its message. Whilst there may be good arguments put forward for the reliability of the Authorised Version, the reproduction of its text in isolated phrases like 'then she runneth' (p.55) and the retention of measurements like 'furlongs' makes unnecessary obstacles to spiritual blessing for those used to modern English.

Ray Porter

© Evangelicals Now - July 1999
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