BOOKS & REVIEWS

Growth Enhancer: Enlarging Westminster Shorter Catechism by Neil Cullan McKinlay states on its back cover:

What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. So goes Westminster Shorter Catechism Q&A 1.

If there ever was a time to catechise our children, it is now. It has often been said that when the Westminster Shorter Catechism was produced it was for the instruction of children, but due to a real lack of Christian understanding nowadays, a Christian who knows the Catechism will sound like a graduate from theological college!

This book is an exposition of the first twenty-eight Q&As (1-28) of the WSC (1648) – which catechism has been used by Presbyterians and others of the Reformed Faith to instruct their children in the basic teachings of the Bible for close on four centuries!

The Code of Darkness by Russell Brandon would make a great movie, a PG movie. This well written novel deals with those who involve themselves in child pornography and child exploitation and the dark unseen forces behind it all. Though it deals with Christians rescuing sexually abused children, this work of fiction could be appreciated by Christians and non-Christians alike.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12).

The blurb on the back cover summarises the book’s content and intent: “This is a book about three people who come together in circumstances that could easily end in their becoming enemies for life. Instead they learn about Jesus and become friends. The demons that would have held them captive are dispatched through prayer that empowers angels to turn our heroes’ lives in a whole new direction.”

Brandon writes, “God’s strength is so much stronger than Satan’s. It was only the failure of men that allowed Satan to wreak havoc in the world through his demons when men and women stopped praying.” Page 217. As a Christian, I was encouraged in my prayer life after seeing imaginative depictions of what goes on behind the scenes whenever Christians set themselves to earnest prayer.

There is plenty of angels battling demons going on behind the scenes in The Code of Darkness. I loved the way the author demonstrated how Christians strengthen angels and weaken demons by their prayers. We work in tandem with angels. We need only to ask God for their help. “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14).

One was reminded of the time Gabriel came to Daniel saying, “Daniel, don’t be afraid! God has listened to your prayers since the first day you humbly asked for understanding, and he has sent me here. But the guardian angel of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, who is one of the strongest guardian angels, came to rescue me from the kings of Persia” (Dan. 10:12-13 CEV).

The Code of Darkness is a book about prayer coupled with action, lots of action! It is an excellent, gripping, imaginative and entertaining tale of how Christians, with the help of angels, can be forces for good in this fallen world.

Neil Cullan McKinlay, author and retired Presbyterian Minister and Australian Army Chaplain.

God is in the Ordinary: You Just Need to Look by Deborah Anne Wills, perhaps, may be summed up in her own words, where she writes, “Taking the time in my ordinary life to look around focusing on the beauty and good that I can see, despair and sorrow are replaced with a peace beyond understanding.”

Accompanied by a series of beautiful photos of Australian wildlife and nature (taken by the author herself!), Deborah Anne Wills takes the reader on delightful and educational walks along nature trails. The reader will learn much about God’s creation she talks to you along the way, also deftly weaving into her glorious and colourful tapestry, sound instruction and good advice from God’s Word.

The book consists of an Introduction followed by eight chapters. From platypus hunting to birdwatching, from car problems to trips to the theatre, from weeds in the river to words of encouragement, she makes good use of everyday events to illustrate her thesis that God is in the ordinary. Analogy and application.

This is one of those books that, somewhat paradoxically, makes you want to put it down, get up off the couch, and go for a walk along a river. Or better still, take the book with you and find a nice bench along the riverbank and sit down on it for a quiet, relaxing and peaceful read!

I really enjoyed this book. It brought me closer to God and made me even more appreciative of the wonderful things He has made.

Neil Cullan McKinlay, author and retired Presbyterian Minister and Australian Army Chaplain.