BODY BEAUTIFUL
Recovering the biblical view of the church
By Melvin Tinker & Nathan Buttery. Authentic Lifestyle. 138 pages
ISBN 1 85078 465 5
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. To reproduce it in this review would be the only way to do it justice, but as that is not possible, you must buy it! It is a most relevant book, which very ably sets out to recover the biblical view of the church. My only surprise was to discover how an Anglican vicar and his curate could argue so convincingly for the doctrine of the gathered church principle.
The book is thoroughly biblical. There are 11 chapters, each one an exposition of a passage of Scripture. The chapter titles and texts are well chosen and cover all aspects from what the church is, its relationship to God, its calling, marks, building up, going on to matters of care, worship, prayer, influence and the future of the church. There are some questions for discussion at the end and a list for further reading.
The book is easy to read. Its teaching is basic and very accessible. Its style is popular, stimulating and practical. Youth groups could use it as a basis for instruction. Pastors could be encouraged to develop a series of sermons from it. In fact, it reads as though it might have first been preached. The authors have succeeded throughout in being Word-centred, practising what they preach.
If your commitment to your local believing church is flagging, this book is for you. If you need to have your heart warmed and your spirit challenged to renew vigour in the life of your church, you will find much to help there. The authors are to be commended for a much-needed reminder of what Christ's body on earth should be. The book merits as wide a circulation as possible.
David J. Ellis,
pastor of Stowmarket Baptist Church, Suffolk
