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Road to realityA great giveawayROAD TO REALITY Thirty years ago as a student, I remember, with gratitude, the evangelistic IVP books by Michael Green, which were ideal to give to unconverted student friends. They challenged current presumptions and clearly explained the gospel. Times may have changed a little, but Melvin Tinker, vicar of St. John's C of E, Newland, in Hull, has provided us with a 2004 equivalent of the late 1960s and early 70s evangelistic books. With a good smattering of illustrations and quotations, the author acidly cuts through contemporary thinking, pointing the reader to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Tackling the issue of whether life has meaning, convincingly he explains the relevance of the Christian gospel, basing his explanations firmly on Scripture, as we would expect from Melvin Tinker. The author divides the book into sections such as 'The search for meaning ... for origins ... for identity ... for order ... for forgiveness ... for goodness ... for life ... for mercy and for future'. Repeatedly the book succinctly and directly drives home the message, e.g. 'Why is the world in such a mess? Because of us. Why is there hope for the world? Because of Jesus. Why don't you come to him?' (p.67) and 'There is no life better than the Christian life, there is no love greater than God's love and there is no greater privilege than being God's tenants' (p.106). The book is small, neat and attractive. It is not a weighty tome, but it is more than a booklet, and therefore, it is very easy to give away. I will certainly add a supply of the book to my stock of literature that I pass on to others. Read it, and I imagine you will want to do the same. Road to reality is a valuable tool to help us reach our generation with the good news. Roger Carswell, Leeds© Evangelicals Now - November 2004 |