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AwakeningA practical passion for Christ!AWAKENING Any Christian autobiography and biography worth our time and money must glorify God and encourage the reader in their daily walk with Christ. That's why I would recommend this biography on the life and ministry of Robert Murray McCheyne by David Robertson. Robert McCheyne is a name known to many Christians and his life is something of a mystical legend to most. Yet Robertson sets himself the task of making McCheyne's life accessible and understandable to us mere mortals. Robertson is the current minister of St. Peter's Free Church in Dundee where McCheyne served the majority of his ministry. With this background, Robertson writes with a passion for McCheyne, Dundee and theology, which really shines through as you read the book. What is truly unique about this biography is that each chapter ends with a meditation (series of questions and a prayer) to encourage us to apply each chapter to our lives as we work through McCheyne's story. Some might be frustrated by this structure of meditations but my advice, particularly to those who know nothing about McCheyne or find these meditations distracting, is read the book through, without using them and then go back and benefit from these penetrating meditations. They are written by someone with a pastoral heart who's determined for us to apply the lessons of McCheyne's life. Concerning these lessons, Robertson has studied hard to give sharp and refreshing clarity to the key principles of McCheyne's journey, as well as setting his life within the wider picture of the time in which he lived which further helps us consider some of the contemporary issues we face today. Robertson avoids hero-worship and gives us balanced and honest representation of McCheyne's personal walk, dealing with such issues as training, teaching styles, depression, politics, ambition, devotion, and issues relating to lifestyle. Furthermore, Robertson deals with the subjects close to McCheyne's heart, which include preaching, Israel, urban mission and church planting, to name a few. Above all, Robertson sets out to show us that we need awakening in the UK and that McCheyne was awakened by a passionate desire for the Glory of God in his every thought, word and way. This book is not the final word on McCheyne, but, rather, it is a doorway into understanding McCheyne's works and other studies about him. Robertson's desire is not for us just to read a good story, but to be stimulated in 'thought, prayer and action', and I say Amen. Trevor Lewis, © Evangelicals Now - January 2005 |