Collected Writings of Les Rainey, Volume 3

Volume 3 of these Collected Writings follows an identical format to Volume 2 with the exception that while the former united in one book three separate publications on Old Testament studies, Volume 3 brings together three studies in the New Testament.

The first, The Bible in Brief: The New Testament, begins with four introductory chapters giving an insight into the political and religious background to the New Testament. Each book of the New Testament is then briefly reviewed, the writer giving a key word, a key verse and a brief outline for every book.

The second, A Syllabus of the Scriptures: The New Testament, opens with a chapter on the 400 years between the two testaments. Each book of the New Testament is then, again, separately considered, but this time in more detail, with a focus upon major themes. Each study concludes with a question section. It is difficult within the confines of this review to give an adequate reflection of the writer’s style, but, limiting ourselves to some of his comments on the Gospel of Luke and 2 Timothy, he suggests that the leading characteristics of the gospel can be considered under these titles: ‘Physically, Individually, Sympathy, Spiritually, Medically and Practically’ and some pointers are given for each heading. In the outline of 2 Timothy he suggests Chapter 1 looks back over the past – The minister and his mission; Chapter 2 portrays the present – The minister and his Master; Chapter 3 points towards the future – The minister and his message; Chapter 4 directs us towards heaven – The minister and his motive.

The third is Biographies of the New Testament containing eighteen separate studies ranging from ‘Mark’ to ‘Memories of Bethany’.

It is almost inevitable, in bringing three separate books together, that there will be some repetition of material but, as with Volume 2, this latest publication is the product of a life-time’s study of the word of God, and contains many interesting and helpful lines of study. This book is well worth purchasing.

[Our thanks to Richard Catchpole, South Norwood, London, for this review]