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Book Review - Two Books, One Message
The following review was written by Skip Hunter about two recent publications from the RFPA. The review was originally distributed to the author's congregation in southwestern Minnesota. The version below has been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Dear Congregation,
I have just finished two recent books published by the RFPA, and I thought to give you my reactions to them. The books both have a similar message and that is to spread the gospel to peoples of different races and cultures than our own. Even though they have a similar message, they are very different in the manner in which the message is written. One of the books is an expository nonfiction work, and the other is a realistic fiction book.
The first book that I finished was Grace House by Lee Kamminga. The second book was Go into All the World by Rev. Daniel Holstege. The former book is a work of fiction, while the second book is a nonfiction work.
In its prepublication notices about Grace House, readers were warned of some very disturbing portrayals to be found in the book. It is a book set in southern India where our sister congregation and others are doing work with a minister, his wife, and an orphanage. The author has visited the area and so I believe his portrayals are very accurate. As it is a book of fiction, our children and young people may pick it up to read. Some of those children and young people may need some guidance as they read through the book. I believe that parents should read it first so that they can be ready to give that guidance, especially about the treatment some children and young people receive in the area. The farther I read into the book, the more I was convinced of the necessity of the work that we are doing in that area. So, I would say read it but with caution.
Go into All the World is completely different. The author, Rev. Daniel Holstege, compels us to do mission work from the aspect of the covenant. God has established His covenant with all kinds of people. Of that there is no doubt. However, when faced with situations such as the one Lee Kamminga portrays, or that Rev. Holstege faced as a missionary in the Philippines, we might be a little shy to engage in that work. [To counteract such inhibitions,] Rev. Holstege gives compelling reasons why we should be going into all the world. [The arguments are] well laid out, both logically and theologically. This book should be read by all, but especially by officebearers, evangelism committee members, and foreign mission committee members. The principles found in this little work apply to all of us.
[Our congregation] has had a history of being involved in mission work. Think of Singapore, Ghana, the Philippines, and now maybe Kenya. God has given to us these opportunities; therefore, we must not shy away from them. Grace House may be [a difficult read], but I believe that’s the way [life] is for some of God’s children. It is my hope that you will read these books and be instructed as I was.
Sincerely,
Skip
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The content of the article above is the sole responsibility of the article author. This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Reformed Free Publishing staff or Association, and the article author does not speak for the RFPA.
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