LITTLE BOOK OF BIG WORDS:
Key Words of the Christian Life
By Warren W Wiersbe
10 Publishing. 156 pages. £4.99
ISBN 978 1 910 587 645
Warren Wiersbe is a very well-known pastor and author in the United States. He’s 87 now. His Little Book of Big Words is a republication of his 1982 book Key Words of the Christian Life.
It aims to help us to understand some of the most important words of the Christian faith. He covers, amongst other things, justification, regeneration, imputation, sanctification and intercession. He not only explains, but also applies each of the words he covers.
Pastoral warmth
The tone of the book is warm and pastoral. Jim Packer has written a similar book, The Most Important 18 Words You Will Ever Know. Packer’s book is more rigorously theological and goes into more depth on the important words he covers. Wiersbe’s book is less detailed, but seeks to work out pastoral implications of his big words. I found many of the chapters to be very heartwarming and encouraging.
I particularly appreciated the fact that Bible verses from the NIV were given in full, not just the text references (though it’s clear that the original version of the book was based on the KJV). Each chapter is broken down into smaller sections which makes it very easy to follow, though the odd chapter feels a bit scattergun. The whole book is a very easy read – I read quite a chunk of it while waiting for my wife to be discharged from hospital after having a baby. I didn’t agree with every last word I read; but when did two redeemed sinners ever agree about everything?
I would recommend this book especially for those who haven’t been Christians for too long, but who want to increase their understanding of God’s Word and of its implications for their lives.
