Spiritual Living in a secular world

Ajith Fernando: Monarch Books (£6.99)
 

Preaching from the book of Daniel some years ago a hearer said that she hadn’t really thought of Daniel since being in Sunday School. She was seeing the book had a relevance for adult living too. Ajith’s book certainly shows us how relevant the book of Daniel is for us today.

I had the privilege of hearing Ajith preach from Daniel when some of the content of the book came even more alive. This book is a tremendous help to get us involved in our fallen world. It is practical, down to earth and realistic about the challenges but has a wealth of examples to help us from recent times and history. As national director for Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka, Ajith gives us a world perspective as he applies the scripture to our day.

A good read for any Christian, but also a help to leaders of Bible Studies and preachers. The questions at the end of each chapter can really stimulate thought and action in personal and corporate lives. He shows his Methodist roots by various references to the Wesleys. We do well to hear his comments on holy living and how we are church in the 21st century.

'When people get disillusioned with materialism and its broken promises and look elsewhere for meaning to life, what will they see when they look at the church? Will they see Christians caught up in the same rat race as the rest of society? Will they see us refusing to help others, because we are so wrapped up in ourselves? Will they see us putting others down as we climb to the top? Will they see us committing the same sins as they see in society: sexual immorality, greed, and the desire to put on a show of success? Will they see our churches so intent on attracting people with entertainment that we have stopped challenging them to moral purity? Will they see churches, just like in the competitive market place they are trying to escape from?'

Get the book, find Daniel come alive for you and let the Holy Spirit take you on a journey of effective discipleship.

Reviewed by Andrew Barker.

headline Summer 2003 p.22