Do we need another book on Christians having a quiet time? I did have reservations upon receiving this new title, but my interest was soon piqued after looking through it.
It is aimed at those who are unaccustomed to regular ‘quiet times’ spent alone with an open Bible. It is written from a Reformed, evangelical Anglican background and born out of an effort to get more Christians reading the Scriptures.
The book aims to be practical and encouraging and succeeds in this regard. The many scriptural references are helpfully quoted in full — apt for a book endeavouring to promote Bible reading. That said, latter sections of the book are rather heavy with Bible quotations.
Freer positively stresses the rewards of regular Bible reading, a practice known and enjoyed by many saints throughout the centuries. Illustrations are included also, but these do little more than break up the text.
Much of the advice is familiar fare, but stands as a sound reminder of how to read God’s Word, how to pray and how to seek to apply what has been read.
One shortcoming is the rather non-prescriptive way in which the book is written, weakening the overall impact. There are also a few digressions, for example on Bible translation. However, I would recommend this as a readable and useful aid to help stimulate regular Bible reading.
Andrew Holland
Preston
