The Evangelist

The Bible Exposition Commentary

Volume on Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry Books. ISBN: 0781440734. Hardback 551pp. £19.95

Warren Wiersbe's "Be" books have sold in their millions and been a help to young Christians and seasoned preachers alike. His first was "Be Real", a commentary on 1 John which was published in 1972. The twenty three paper-back books covering the New Testament were made available in two bound volumes in 1989. Then Wiersbe started the Old Testament series with "Be Obedient" on the life of Abraham, in 1991. Thirty two years on from the beginning, the final hardback compilation of Old Testament commentaries (on the Wisdom and Poetry Books) has been just been completed. Wiersbe says that during the time he has written several books for many publishers, "but 'doing the next Be book' was always at the top of the agenda."

Completing a commentary on the whole of the Bible is no mean task (even dear Matthew Henry died before finishing the whole of New Testament!). So Wiersbe has every right to say "It is finished!"

I have found that reading the "Be" books is a source of immense blessing and pleasure. Somehow Warren Wiersbe manages to simplify into digestible bite-sized portions weighty arguments and themes, leaving one well fed by the spiritual food. There is an awareness of today's issues, totally related to sound exposition and dependence on the written Word of God. Wiersbe would not expect every reader to agree with every interpretation he has made. However, there is plenty to feast on, even if some would reach slightly different conclusions to his.

If I have any caveat, it would be that as a preacher I have to refrain from being defeated by the outlines, which I never feel I can improve on, so I am best not looking at until I have finished my preparation. I have listened to many a sermon, thinking "I know the source of that outline!" I wholeheartedly recommend the individual "Be" books to carry around and read, or the six volume edition to keep as a series of reference books.

And Some Evangelists

A book about evangelists by Roger Carswell can be likened to a book about tennis by Pete Sampras! For many years Roger has been widely used by God as an evangelistic work of many FIEC churches, so this book is written by an authority on the subject.

Roger is a man with a vision; he pleads for 'the setting aside of gifted believers to be devoted to the full-time work of evangelism, in the same way that pastors and missionaries are appointed for their task. They will spearhead evangelistic activity in their locality and beyond' (page 91). He sets out a simple plan of action for churches to realise this vision. They should pray for more evangelists, identiy people for the work, train them, use them, pray for them, and support them. Each stage is carefully explained with practical suggestions.

The book begins with the question burning on Roger's heart - "where have all the evangelists gone?". Then he takes us back to the Bible to look at evangelism in the Old Testament, Christ the evangelist, the Holy Spirit as an evangelist, New Testament evangelists and biblical pictures of the evangelist. He moves on to a brief historical sketch of evangelists in church history before he sets out the vision at the heart of the book. In the second half Roger looks at more specific areas such as the Bible and the tract as tools in evangelism, work with children, contentious issues and temptations evangelists face.

Although this book is primarily about evangelists, it provides a lot of useful ideas which will make us more effective in reaching the world. Roger suggests we make use of our junk mail by returning prepaid envelopes with tracts inside them! And he helps us think about how we can create an evangelistic programme, which will relate to peopl ewho have little or no knowledge of Christianity. He also challenges us to move out of our 'comfort zones' and make 'cold contact' with people outside our own circle of firneds. Roger's ideas are neither traditional nor gimmicky; they are biblical and relevant to our society.

This book also has a useful chapter about the message of the gospel, reminding us of the centrality of the cross and the importance of preaching about sin and calling for repentance and faith.

The book "and some ... evangelists" is one which comes from the heart, is grounded in the word of God, and leaves us with a clear challenge to set people apart for the work of evangelism. My prayer is that it will result in more people coming to Christ. Every church member should read it!

SIMON ROBINSON

pastor of Eastney Evangelical Church, Southsea