Men in God’s Service by N. John Jeyanandam; published 2010 by Moriah Ministries and available from John Ritchie Ltd; 288 pages; price £10.00. (9788190760072)
Men in God’s Service is described on the title page as "a handbook for those who desire to serve God". John Jeyanandam serves the Lord among the assemblies in India. In the Foreword, Roy Hill recommends the book, writing, "I am sure it will become a constant companion to many".
The author considers his subject under five separate sections. The first part deals with "The Profile of a Servant of God". Paul’s example is taken from Acts 20. His consistent life, contrite heart, courageous behaviour, and committed life are commented upon. The book contains many similar choice nuggets and is enhanced by the use of relevant illustrations.
Pithy sayings are utilised with a six page appendix devoted to them. With regards to the character of a servant of God, D L Moody is quoted: "Character is what you are in the dark".
In the second section "The Preparation of a Servant of God", those who preach are urged to "think orderly, speak thoughtfully, communicate clearly and feel deeply". Wise advice is drawn from Frank Knox with regards to prayerful preparation: "Hide yourself before you show yourself or you will make a fool of yourself". The preacher is then urged to determine in his heart to make his words "simple, searching, sweet and short".
The book continues in this vibrant style with suitable poetry incorporated to press home pertinent points of practical challenge. There is a nine verse poem dealing with the pathway of the Lord’s servant and an eleven verse poem in chapter 22 on "Women’s Ministry" entitled "The Choice Service of Women". This shows the wide spectrum of service being viewed by the author.
There are profitable chapters on, "The Bible versus Religions", "Digging for Treasures from the Word of God", and a section dealing with questions and objections that are often raised by those who are not Christians.
This book will prove to be of profit to those who have a single-minded desire to serve God.
AC
No Other Doctrine by John F Parkinson; published by and available from John Ritchie Ltd; 204 pages; price £7.99.(9781904064299)
No Other Doctrine, first published by John Ritchie Ltd in 2005, has been revised and now includes an additional Appendix on "The Emerging Church." The target audience of this book is the university or college student and others subject to the pressures of the postmodern philosophy of the age. The reviewer suggests that with the possible exception of the chapter entitled "The Gospel and the ‘Postmodern’ World" with its citations from a number of philosophers, all of the book would be accessible to a wide readership.
No Other Doctrine is carefully structured. The author first defines the terms "modernism" and "postmodernism" he will use in subsequent chapters before dealing with the presentation of the gospel during the first century AD. The three chapters addressing the gospel Paul preached and the response of Jew and Gentile are set out with a clarity every teacher should seek to emulate. In more than one sense these chapters are foundational, as becomes apparent as the author analyses current philosophies. He is able to identify, despite the camouflage of new vocabularies, the resurgence of first century false doctrines and schools.
John Parkinson has researched carefully the works of major philosophers whose teaching is shaping society around us. Not all are as dogmatic as Richard Dawkins, but even where there is an admission that there is a God, that God is not "the living, personal, transcendent God of the Bible, who has created the universe, and has made Himself known in His Son, Jesus Christ." The reader recognises from the outlines of the other doctrines these notable figures present, the inherent dangers their followers face, as they build their lives on the shifting sands of any philosophy that is what Paul described as "philosophy and vain deceit ... not after Christ" (Col 2.8).
At a time when philosophy is being included in primary school curricula in Britain, parents, Sunday School teachers, and evangelists will find No Other Doctrine particularly helpful.
TW
