Evangelicals Now
<< August 1999 >>

The Ascension - The Shout of a King

Out of this world

THE ASCENSION: THE SHOUT OF A KING
By Derek Prime
Day One Publications. 152 pages. £6.99
ISBN 0 902548 90 5

I confess to a bias when it comes to Derek Prime! Ever since I was converted through reading one of his books, I have had a 'soft spot' for the way he so helpfully explains the truths of the Bible.
In this book, Derek seeks to show just how significant the neglected teaching of the Ascension and reign of the Lord Jesus is for our personal and corporate Christian lives. He particularly wants to underline the message that if we sideline the series of interconnected truths related to the Ascension, we will lose our confidence, our joy will wither, and we'll fail to 'possess our possessions' in Christ. But if we give it the emphasis the Bible does, and are armed with an informed faith in the ascended Lord, there will be among us, God's people, once again 'the shout of a King' (Numbers 23.21, 1 Corinthians 14.25).
14 short chapters take us through these truths. Chapters such as 'A sign of completion', 'The Man in glory', 'The giver of the Spirit' and 'Cause of our failures and secret of our successes' are full of suggestive themes. They are also packed with Scripture references, a very good selection of relevant quotes, and helpful personal illustrations.
My only sense of regret is that so much is touched on when it could have been taken further. For example, in the chapter 'Waiting', the tension between the promises of the Word and 'The apparent inactivity of our Saviour' are mentioned all too briefly before the next sub-section moves us along. This tends to give the writing a sense of 'density' which could have been lightened if the book were slightly longer, leaving extra space to illustrate and 'connect' more to our lives.
But this is a minor criticism, and anyone reading it would be really encouraged. Happily commended.

Dr. Ray Evans,
Bedford