Jesus Christ should surely be at the forefront of our thinking and at the centre of our life. This is why this book is a delight to read. Jesus Christ is its all-consuming interest. Its title, Ichthus, is modelled on the acronym in the Greek, which is rendered ‘Jesus Christ, God’s Son, the Saviour’.
There are nine chapters each taking up a key episode in the Lord’s life. The organising principle for the selection of these vital moments are verses from the well known hymn by Benjamin R. Hanby, ‘Who is He in yonder stall?’ Prefacing each chapter with a verse from this hymn plus a suitable Scripture passage, the authors cover Christ’s incarnation, baptism, temptations, transfiguration, experiences in the Garden of Gethsemane, death, resurrection, ascension and return.
It is, then, a large canvass they draw on. But handling these weighty subjects in fewer than 200 pages does not leave us short-changed and dissatisfied. That is the genius of the book. Each chapter is full of rich matter: clear explanations for, at times, quite complex theological points, fresh thoughts, startling poignancy and wise applications.
The illustrations used are not banal or insulting to our intelligence. The style is clear and easy-to-read, without trying to be artificially modern. In particular, this book takes us to the heart of Christ’s humanity, as our Second Adam, the one whose life’s pathway was marked by humiliation. The authors’ design is to appeal to Christian and non-Christian alike. If you have a friend or fellow student who is genuinely interested in knowing more about Christ, this would be an ideal gift to give.
For the Christian, the chapter portions will be valuable for daily devotion or in a study group. As preachers, Sunday School teachers, and servants in our local churches they will help us know Christ better and love him better. They take us to the authentic Christ, where we find much to stir our devotion, admiration and wonder.
Chris Hand
Crich
