SIMPLY CHRISTIANITY
By John Dickson
Matthias Media. 239 pages. £5.99. Available from The Good Book Co.
ISBN 1 876326182
John Dickson is a rare breed, an able musician and a fine preacher.
As an evangelist with a particular heart to reach today's generation, he is keenly aware that many people are put off from a serious examination of the Christian faith because of the sheer variety and confusing shades of 'Christianity' on offer. This book represents an attempt to get would-be enquirers back to the basics of Christian faith, back to 'Simply Christianity'.
The author takes the reader through Luke's Gospel in four stages. In the first section, 'In the presence of Greatness', the deity of Christ is examined through Luke chapters 1 to 9. This is followed by 'Search and Rescue' which, as the title implies, focuses on the mission of Christ (Luke 9 to 19). Next, the work of Jesus at the cross is examined (Luke 19 to 23) in a section headed 'To Die For'.
Finally, part four, entitled 'Jesus here and now' looks at the response demanded to the risen Christ (Luke 23 to 24).
In each of these four sections, John Dickson seeks in a quite brief but easy style to press home the meaning and implications of the work and claims of Christ, liberally scattering illustrations and stories to make the point. The whole is 'topped and tailed' with an introduction to the historical reliability of the Bible and an 'extra information' section that looks at a few 'apologetics' issues including the evidence for the resurrection.
All in all excellent value and ideal to put in the hands of those who are seriously enquiring after the Christian faith. Simply Christianity would also greatly benefit any young Christian in the basics of the faith and help equip all Christians in the task of being 'prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have' (1 Peter 3.15).
