[ book ] The GreaT BiBle Swindle GreG Clarke HHHHGreg Clarke is the CEO of the Bible Society of Australia and he’s pretty ticked off. This book is largely an exercise for him to get his frustrations off his chest…and I’m glad he did.

Clarke believes that a major swindle or scam has happened in recent years in Australia, namely that ‘millions of people have been denied a basic know-ledge of the key text that has shaped their culture’.

He sets out to remedy this by elaborating on how the Bible has formed Western understanding of literature, arts, politics, education, culture and science, and stresses that those who don’t have at least a basic understanding of the Bible are missing out on fully comprehending what is happening around them.

In the second half of the book he explains, in simple terms, what the Bible is, how it was written, how to read it and how it can impact the reader’s life.

This is quite intentionally not an academic book, but one designed to be an introduction to the Bible that many non-Christians should read and even many new converts. Clarke writes in a relaxed and, at times, humorous style that makes The Great Bible Swindle easy to devour in a short time. A very helpful book. Mal DaviesAvailable at Koorong, $19.99

[ book ] The life of our lord Charles DiCkens HHHHHWhile his characters fleshed out morality plays, and his novels wrestled with ethical concerns and theological conundrums (in none more so than A Christmas Carol), Charles Dickens’ articulation of his faith in God and in Jesus Christ was very much a private matter. This tome, written for his children, is a gem.

The author applies his considerable skills to the nativity, life, mission, execution and resurrection of Jesus. He gives his definitive take on Christian duty: ‘to love our neighbour as ourself, and to do to all men as we would have them do to us…to be gentle…’

Dickens’ passion for social justice was largely learned in childhood poverty, his father’s incarceration for debts and young Charles’ employment in a shoe polish factory. That same passion is present in his presentation of Christ and the Church (e.g. his description of ‘many most cruel and disgusting ceremonies’ Christianity superceded and the discussion of the martyrs ‘hanged, beheaded, burnt, buried alive and devoured in theatres by wild beasts for the public amusement’).

Recommended for younger readers; this is a nostalgic hat-tip for lovers of Christ, Dickens and the English language. Barry GittinsAvailable at Koorong, $16.99

[ book ] everyday worShip Trisha Wilkerson HHHHAuthor Trisha Wilkerson is a mother to four, wife to a pastor of a large US church and busy, busy, busy.

Having recently revisited the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10), and pondering its purported conflict of work versus worship, she concluded the two are not mutually exclusive and wrote Everyday Worship.

Wilkerson provides a modern take on Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God (written in the 17th century) by exploring the idea of worship while working, or sustaining a sense of God in the everyday.

As such, the book is written for working women—whether in the workplace or at home—offering ‘how to’ advice and addressing common obstacles and distractions.

While Wilkerson occasionally assumes an American audience

(and assumes that maintaining a clean home and offering hospitality are specifically part of a woman’s role), these are minor, infrequent occurrences.

Each chapter concludes with discussion questions, making this a worthwhile resource for women’s small groups. Mary StanleyAvailable at Koorong, $12.99

[ book ] a life already STarTed Dr MeGan BesT HHHH

In A Life Already Started, Dr Megan Best—a Christian doctor who has been involved in medical ethics for more than 20 years—writes to unwed women facing an unplanned pregnancy. In easy-to-read, friendly language, Dr Best uses Scripture to help women understand when a human life begins and their options once they discover they’re preg-nant: abortion, keeping the baby and adoption.

Dr Best does well to avoid a self-righteous or condescending tone, and continuously encourages the reader to seek counsel and guidance from trusted Christian parents, youth leaders or pastors.

The book is pro-life, but Dr Best draws upon scientific fact, social research and Scripture to help the young mother make a well-informed, ethical decision.

A Life Already Started is recommended reading for church pastors, youth leaders, parents and teachers. It includes an encouraging note from Rector Barry McGrath (Darling Street Anglican Church, Sydney) to pregnant girls, pastors and parents, as well as a chapter about

the Church’s attitude to unplanned pregnancy and abortion. ‘If one of the main reasons why women choose abortion is insufficient support, being pro-life involves much more than being anti-abortion,’ writes Dr Best.

I suggest all corps consider owning a copy as a resource in supporting women facing unplanned pregnancies. Julia HoskingAvailable at store.fervr.net, $14.95

[ cd ] The hymnS SeSSionS vol 1 JiMMy neeDhaM HHHH½Contemporary artists putting their own spin on classic hymns isn’t new, but Jimmy Needham has brought some fresh ideas to a tired format.

What sets the album apart is a mature sense of creative balance between clever musical surprises and a ‘less-is-more’ approach to song arrangements. Needham’s voice has a strong and warm tone that treats the listener to a versatile vocal mix from pop rock to soulful blues, jazz and country gospel hymn singing.

After a curious, brief opening track based on the Orthodox Easter hymn ‘Christos Anesti’ (Christ is Risen!) Needham offers his own rock-ballad hymn ‘The Gospel’. Then follows the ever-green ‘Rock of Ages’ delivered with a whimsical hand-clapping blues vocal style and a sparse accompaniment of bass, drums and piano.

‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’ features jazz piano and trumpet with a snappy walking bass arrangement that Michael Bublé would appreciate. Next is a plaintive rendition of ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness’ with just acoustic guitar, followed by an innovative arrangement of ‘How Great Thou Art’ featuring additional vocalisa-tions by guest Christian hip-hop artist Trip Lee.

Remaining tracks include ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ and a contemporary re-arrangement of ‘Joyful, Joyful’, then Spafford’s ‘It Is Well’. The Hymns Sessions offers a tasty musical sampling of favourite hymns with creative and unique musical ideas that will leave listeners waiting for Volume 2. David Parker Available at Koorong, $19.99

14 r e v i e w s

don’t bother V Passable HH Good HHH ImPressIve HHHH excePtIonal HHHHH

25 January 2014

onFireRED_25jan2014_MULTI.indd 14 14/01/2014 11:39:05 AM