• Positive signs in Europe
• The Commentary
  Should the worst happen...
• The well-being agenda
  A biblical view of lessons in happiness
• The Lewis revival
  60 years ago saw the end of a move of God on the Isle of Lewis
• Adam, where are you?
  Dr. John Peet asks: 'Is the biblical Adam a scientifically valid concept?'
• Communication in the church
  Understanding our single and married differences
• Any volunteers?
  Calling for wholeheartedness in our devotion to Christ
• Unapologetic Christianity
  A day at the museum
• The Music Exchange
  Love that drummer!
• Notes to growing Christians
  Olympic Christians
• Crossing the culture
  Atwood's ambiguous words
• The Third Degree
  Students on a mission
• Monthly youth leaders column
  Caring for the troops

other articles

• Eric Liddell: finish the race
• The future of the global church
• Marvel Avengers assemble
• 1 and 2 Thessalonians - A practical commentary
• Hit by friendly fire - What to do when fellow believers hurt you
• What the Bible teaches about the Trinity
• Preacher, keep yourself from idols
• The ethics of evangelism - A philosophical defence of ethical proselytising and persuasion
• The first letter to the Corinthians
• The other F-word - Faith, the last taboo
• Charles Simeon - An ordinary pastor of extraordinary influence
• The message of the Word of God
• John Stott, the humble leader
• 'Dear Abdullah' - Eight questions Muslim people ask about Christianity
• Thinking. Loving. Doing. - Glorify God with heart and mind
• Notes for the journey - Following Jesus, staying South Asian
• The crises of Christ - A study on the life of Christ
• What do you think of me? What do I care?
• In the shadow of the sword - The battle for global empire and the end of the Ancient World
• Pastor-teachers of old Princeton

Model Anglican

CHARLES SIMEON
An ordinary pastor of extraordinary influence
By Derek Prime
Day One. 275 pages. £10.00
ISBN 978 1 846 253 133

Charles Simeon (1759 to 1836) was parish minister of Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, for 54 years. The story of his life and influence is so interesting and spiritually challenging that a modern biography of this sort is to be welcomed.

Derek Prime has used almost all of the existing material by and about Simeon, so this is a well researched book. It is also written in a modern, easy-to-read style. The author avoids the common mistake of weaving his own opinions into the narrative. As a result, Simeon is allowed to speak for himself.

In addition to being a good biography of one of the heroes of the biblical faith, the author succeeds in extracting the principles which motivated Simeon. For instance, if you serve the Lord in difficult circumstances, there is much encouragement in this book. How many of us who speak for the Lord in any context have felt ‘barren and dull’, more conscious of God’s absence than the reverse? Simeon had this experience, only to learn later that God had used his words in the conversion of a particularly significant person. So, while always desiring God’s active presence, he learned not to rely on ‘feelings’.

One of the surprising things about Simeon is the extent of his influence outside his own congregation. He was not the first Anglican to preach in Scottish Presbyterian pulpits and see converts. His visits to Scotland were numerous and blessed by God. Simeon put serious evangelism among the Jews on the evangelical agenda. His spiritual commitment to India saw much fruit, which included encouraging his own curate, the sacrificial Henry Martyn, to go there.

When the reader finally puts this book down, the dominant impression will be thankfulness to God for the life and work of Charles Simeon, and especially for the mature spiritual advice and insights ministered through its pages.

Don Stephens,
Liverpool