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Square MILEShallow end?SQUARE MILE As its title says, this series of daily Bible studies aims to challenge the individual (or group) to make an impact for God on the square mile in which they live and work. It is divided into four sections and each part is based on the letters of the word MILE. So M is for mercy, demonstrating God’s compassion to the poor. I is for influence, being salt and light in the community. L is for life discipleship, missional living as workers and neighbours. E is for evangelism, faithful and relevant communication of the gospel. It is certainly challenging. It provoked me to consider my lifestyle in terms of what I buy and how much I campaign for the poor and oppressed. This determination to be practical and provoke is its strength and is good. But with this strength come weaknesses, particularly in its use of Scripture. It has a tendency to make Scripture fit the point it wants to make. An example of this is to apply the parable of the Good Samaritan ethically, that is to good works alone, and miss the Christological context. Occasionally the application is silly, for example when it says that a use of Scripture in evangelism is to ‘leave a Bible on a park bench and go back for it later’ (p.119). Although I valued the strong desire of this book to apply faith to daily living, I would not use it in the groups I lead or with new Christians. Daphne Ross,
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