This is a splendid book from a preacher-theologian, a previous principal of Spurgeon’s College and a Baptist pastor. ‘The Resurrection is not part of the Christian faith’, he asserts, ‘it is the very heart of the Christian faith’. He proceeds to work out his assertion in over 250 pages of highly readable, intelligent and responsible exposition of large chunks of the NT.

In addition, the material is then applied to the world, the flesh, the devil and the Church! Any budding preacher will find a wealth of sermonic material here. Wide reading, quotable quotes and good illustrations abound.

Inevitably, each reader will have individual quibbles and queries with the author’s exposition here and there. Not all will be convinced of the Adam-Christ polarity that is asserted for understanding Philippians 2. Does Paul in 2 Corinthians 5 really believe in some form of ‘resurrection at death’ for the individual Christian, rather than a disembodied, intermediate state before the parousia? And there is some fascinating comment on the descensus ad infernos of 2 Peter 2:4ff, and Paul’s enigmatic ‘baptism for the dead’ in 1 Corinthians 15:29.

The final chapter deals with the ‘witness of theologians to the resurrection’—a helpful survey of some recent attacks on and defences of the resurrection.

The stated aim of the Bible Themes series is to expound the biblical text accurately, relate it to contemporary life and to be readable. This contribution fulfils these objectives more than adequately. And there is a poignant personal note for the author. He dedicates his work to the outstanding NT scholar—George Beasley-Murray who died in the year of this book’s publication. The book is a tribute to both father and son!

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