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Let's study 1 PeterPeter for allLET'S STUDY 1 PETER This is my kind of book. It is simply written, comparatively short, sound in doctrine and has no detailed footnotes or quotations in German or Dutch. It explains the message of Peter's first epistle and its relevance both to Peter's first readers and also to people living anywhere in the world in the 21st century. The scene is set with an introduction of fewer than three pages. All of the little snippets of information here are backed up with evidence from the Scriptures - except the statement. 'we know that Peter ƒ eventually ministered at Rome' (p.xii); later the author is adamants that the location of 'Babylon' in 1 Peter 5.13 is Rome (p.153). Each short chapter is divided into two or three main sections. The central argument can be followed with ease and many practical points of application are made. However, difficult sections are not glossed over. Harrell outlines the two main ways in which 1 Peter 3.19-20 have been understood in the past. He does not deal with the strengths and weaknesses of each view about Christ '[who] went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient', but what he says is pertinent to the sufferings of the Lord and his proclamation. A most useful section at the end of the book is the Group Study Guide. The author wants the participants to understand the teaching of the passage before it is discussed. He therefore commences each batch of questions with preparation work which includes reading the relevant Bible passage and his own comments on that section. This is followed by between six and eight questions which are designed to tease our application of the passage. This book would make a valuable addition to the library of any believer - whether preacher, teacher or 'a person in the pew'. Michael Bentley, Bracknell© Evangelicals Now - August 2004 |