HEAVEN — A WORLD OF LOVE
By Jonathan Edwards
Banner of Truth. 116 pages. £3.25
ISBN 978-0-85151-978-4
LIVING FAITH
Adapted and paraphrased from the sermons of Samuel Ward
By Richard Rushing
Banner of Truth. 96 pages. £3.25
ISBN 978-0-85151-980-7
These two books are small (9cm by 13.4 cm) and easily pocket or handbag-sized. It is not quite clear for whom they are produced. Are they for use when travelling? Are they to attract new and young readers?
I do not think the adapted/paraphrased one goes far enough in making what Samuel Ward wrote in the 18th century accessible for the modern reader. The Jonathan Edwards book has not been adapted or paraphrased — perhaps it should have been.
The first few pages in both books unfortunately put me off. The language is not so much quaint as obscure in places. The Bible translation used will not help new and young readers either. If Jonathan Edwards in the 18th century knew that the word love was commonly used rather than the word charity, couldn’t we, for the sake of clarity, use the word love exclusively?
Once one gets through the first pages and more into what both these men are teaching us from God’s Word, the books are a joy. There is clear teaching on both subjects. Teaching which is not the least bit inhibited or wrapped up. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but. Great! Much to learn and take in, be corrected by and rejoice in.
Marjolein M. Reynolds,
Borough Green, Kent, proud Oma of Jude and Alice
