At face value, this book is just a collection of short biographies of Bible characters. However, it is much more than that: it is a book to give someone who thinks life is easy for Christians, because somehow God will prevent them from having problems.
True Christian believers know this to be untrue, and the people featured in this book certainly had severe difficulties. To use Ian Coffey’s words, they all lived their lives ‘on the edge’.
Of the eight studies, four are from the Old Testament and four from the New. We read how Ruth suffered loss, Elijah experienced despair, Esther was called upon to show remarkable courage and Jeremiah felt inadequate for his calling. John the Baptist had his doubts, John Mark knew what it was like to fail, Paul faced fear and Peter suffered imprisonment.
Ian Coffey has led churches in England and mainland Europe for over 30 years and is now Director of Leadership and Training at Moorlands College in Christchurch, UK. From his wide pastoral experience he also illustrates these Bible accounts from the experiences of contemporaries who have faced similar issues.
Reading this uplifting book will bring hope and encouragement to all, no matter their spiritual state.
Michael Bentley
Bracknell
