I believe in the Bible

By David Jackman
Hodder & Stoughton. 240 pages. £7.99
ISBN 0 340 74574 6

This is a volume from a fresh tranche of books in a series that began its life in the 1980s with classics like John Stott's I believe in Preaching and Michael Green's I believe in the Holy Spirit.

20 years ago the series made a helpful (albeit theologically mixed) contribution to evangelical thinking. It has taken until now for a volume to appear that affirms the author's unreserved belief in the Bible; that is what David Jackman offers us here.

David brings his wide experience to provide a full and highly readable introduction to the Bible.

All but one chapter begins with an imaginative soap opera style conversation between three seekers after truth who are inching their way into the mysterious world of the Bible. The chapters guide us through the relevance of the biblical text in the 21st century, its reliability and message. Most of the book is devoted to showing how we are to interpret its teaching and communicate its message today. Many nuggets of wise pastoral advice are embedded in this book and will open up many lines of stimulating thought and action.

There are three moderately negative observations: * The absence of an index restricts the usefulness of this book. How-ever the presence of an excellent 'To remind you' section at the close of each chapter does offset this lack to some measure. * In places this book can reinforce the false assumption that, correct exegesis and clear outlines equals good preaching. * The section on the sufficiency of Scripture contains an overly dismissive treatment of contemporary prophecy. If sufficient Scripture provides teaching concerning the ongoing use of prophecy, then the sufficiency of Scripture is not necessarily challenged by the ongoing use of prophecy!

However, David Jackman has given an excellent refresher course for the busy pastor and any Christian who wants to deepen their appreciation of the Bible.

John Woods, Lancing