THE LION’S HONEY:
Grace for Flawed Christian Leaders.
Lessons from the Life of Samson
By John Benton
Evangelical Press. 98 pages. £5.99
ISBN 978 1 783 971 817
Of the making of many books there is no end. Perhaps this is especially the case when it comes to the subject of what we call ‘ministry’. There is so much about how to be on the ball and up to the minute, contemporary, professional and precise: the whole pastoral deal in one cool personality!
In the midst all of that, this stands out as different and all the better for it. In an extended reflection on the life of Samson, Dr Benton cuts to the heart of so much which is hampering authentic pastoral ministry today. This he identifies as a subtle but sinful preoccupation with ourselves as leaders and the dangers of becoming angry and resentful when we don’t get the recognition which we imagine we deserve.
Rather than leap to the subject of Samson’s womanising, we are shown how he was fundamentally a gifted and privileged man with a massive chip on his shoulder. We see how his erratic behaviour was an expression of the idolatry which put himself and his ambitions at the centre of his world. A flawed genius, he misused his strength and wit to serve his ego. This recurring tendency may well explain why so many either leave the ministry disillusioned or simply press on with a bitter taste in the mouth. However, far from merely diagnosing this tendency of which some are guilty today, the author skilfully reminds us that the remedy lies in the constant application of the gospel we preach professionally, to our own sinful hearts personally!
In under 100 lucidly written pages, Dr B. shines a spotlight on our inner temptations as ministers caught up in the hurly burly of 21st-century celebrity culture with all the pressures to look good and succeed. Essential reading for those starting out on (or concluding) this exciting, but dangerous career path. I highly recommend it.
