CHRIST, THE CROSS AND
THE CONCRETE JUNGLE
By John Caldwell
EP books. 114 pages. £5.99
ISBN 978 1 783 970 759
Christ, the Cross and the Concrete Jungle is John Caldwell’s testimony: it is primarily testimony to God’s wonderful grace in saving a young man growing up on a rough housing estate in Scotland, who had become trapped in a life of addiction and despair.
Without glorifying his past, John paints a vivid picture of the chaos, dependency and hopelessness that people on similar estates all over the country experience. This book highlights the particular challenges involved in reaching these often-neglected areas with the gospel – and helpfully identifies the primary issue as the same as everywhere else – sin.
John’s story is not an overnight transformation – a seamless movement from drugs to discipleship, but rather the story of ongoing struggle and a patient and faithful Heavenly Father calling back a wayward son. It takes time and John often returned to his old mates of drink and reckless living, but God proved to be steadfast in his love, and persistent in calling him back to himself.
This book is good for Christians who want to have their hearts warmed by reading about a triumph of God’s grace; and for non-Christians who might feel helpless in the face of the culture and pressures of life on a council estate or scheme. One of the reasons it was written was so that ‘people may know that Jesus Christ can and does change lives’. It is also a helpful book for any people working in similar areas as it affirms the need not merely for social work, but for gospel work – sincere prayer and the proclamation of Christ, which in turn brings about social transformation!
Ministering in a similar area, this book encouraged us to persevere in proclaiming the gospel and to keep taking the long view, not expecting overnight ‘success stories’. After conversion, change and growth can take a long time and we must be patient – as God is with us all! It was a great joy to read John’s story and to see that we have a God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
