MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION
Why Jesus is great
By David Robertson
Christian Focus. 239 pages. £8.99
ISBN 978 1 781 912 713
Apologetics – help! This book will. It does two difficult things at once and both rather well. It makes apologetics accessible and exposes the deception underneath the Emperor’s new clothes of new atheism.
I’m not sure that the style of the book, written as a series of personal letters to ‘J’ in which the correspondent answers key questions, always succeeds in print. C.S. Lewis can get away with it, but he was the exception.
However as a consequence we have an enjoyable ride through some of the author’s best quotes, stories and illustrations. A real bonus for a preacher desperate on a Saturday night for an ear-catching opening to a sermon the following day!
The argument of the book is structured around ten M’s, from Man to Miracle to Modern, under which the material explores some of the major lines of argument for the rationality of Christian faith. But never far away is the feeling that the grand purpose of this book is to introduce me to Jesus and move me across the line of faith which is more than reason.
It all beats with the heart of an evangelist. As such, the book maybe a good one to give to a thinking, not-yet Christian who is comfortable around references to films, literature and popular music. At times punchy, poignant and personal. I found it fresh, authentic and warm, and it made me want to meet the author for a macchiato.
Be advised, though; sometimes the extended theological reflections make this a weightier and longer read than some agnostic enquirers may be ready for.
