Archbishop Ussher

Do you spell it Usher or Ussher? In any case I'm sure you know who I mean. Archbishop of Armagh in c17th, but most famous of all for dating the Creation at 4004BC. Also the stranger who replied "eleven" when catechised by Samuel Rutherford as to how many divine Commandments there are. His identity being discovered, he was constrained to preach the next day and did so from 'A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another.'

He also produced a valuable little piece on the deity-humanity of Christ, which was published by Zoar Publications in the Apples of Gold series of reprints, called 'Immanuel.' This has already been widely circulated but is still almost exclusively obtainable from us, and we still have a good number in stock. Price £1 plus £1 postage.

As can be seen on our website http://www.christianbookshopossett.co.uk/just_in.htm Ussher's major written work was his 'Body of Divinity.' This has been long out of print, but now is available again. I have seen that paperback versions are being sold, but really this is the sort of book that you consult for a lifetime, as well as being sizeable, so the hardback is best. It has been nicely produced with a dustjacket. Dr Crawford Gribben, who wrote 'James Ussher and the Irish Puritans' an Evangelical Press paperback which we stock, has prepared this edition and given an introduction to it. One notable and very useful feature of this particular body of divinity is that Ussher wrote it in a question and answer style throughout. This makes it more accessible for lesser mortals and anticipates many of the questions which all of us have on doctrine from time to time. Gribben goes as far as to claim for this book that it had the single most influence upon the Westminster Assembly, as it was well established and regarded by then and known to all the members of it. That's a big claim indeed. If your Articles of faith are based on the Westminster Confession then perhaps you need this book, or else you need to tell your pastor that he does and where to get it!

Jeremy

China and the Climate

I was quite struck by a customer's account of his recent holiday in China. He said that in all the time he was there, visiting the usual tourist resorts across that vast country, the sun was never seen, except in Hong Kong (and that was unusual apparently). It was hot weather all the time. The reason quite simply was air pollution. The constant murky conditions were referred to only this week in the news, with it being one year away from the Olympic Games in Beijing. Despite radical Chinese plans to shut down industry altogether for the period of the Games, the IOC are saying even now that some events may be affected by poor air quality. China is probably the world's largest polluter now - see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6769743.stm . However, as this article points out, the West cannot take any moral high ground on the subject because they have gradually moved their manufacturing base to China and the far east because of cheap labour costs. Hence less emissions here and more there. This movement is also noticeable in the book publishing market. I am reliably informed that all children's colour board books are now printed in the far east - things are so far gone that there is no Printer with the kit to do the job in this country now! Generally speaking the Christian publishers have already turned to follow the trend. 'We have to,' is the cry. 'People expect Christian books to be in the same price league with mainstream stuff... Printing costs in the UK are the highest in the world...' etc. I wonder if Christians would be more inclined to pay a little extra for a Christian book that they knew had been produced with the highest ethical and environmental standards. Or in a "World Village" is everyone satisfied to preach 'love thy neighbour', but at the same time flytip in his back garden?
IVP have produced (I trust cleanly!) some interesting books on the subject of Christians and the environment. I don't think I have found one which thinks the subject right through from a Reformed perspective yet, but there are gleanings here and there. Examples are 'When Enough is Enough' and 'The Care of Creation' both edited by R J Berry. Also 'L is for Lifestyle' by Ruth Valerio, although this is a bit wacky in places. However I'm sure we'll find an odd copy from under the counter for you if you ask.
Jeremy

The Chapel

The slates are on, gutters finished and windows in. Work has now begun on the inside of the Chapel. There may not be a lot of external change from now on.

Lorna

More on 'Divine Energy'

Just in case you were wondering, the reason I haven't submitted a longer review of this book (see June post) is because it has sold so energetically that I have been forced to forego my copy, until we get more in. It's true! I did get two thirds of the way through however, and have to say that it is definitely study reading material. Skepp is very precise and advances his subject incrementally, although it can be hard to keep hold of the overall thread with all his sub-divisions. Firstly, he explores the state of man after the Fall in order to show the full depth of that fall. The deceitfulness of the heart above all things, with its desperate wickedness, is exhaustively dealt with. One point I would make here is that I have reservations with his dogmatic approach re the elements making up the 'heart'. It smacks of an 18th century view of psychology, and although I am in full sympathy with his conclusions, I feel he could have got to them more simply. Secondly, Skepp moves more positively Godward in his governing text - 'the exceeding greatness of his power' (Ephesians 1 v 19). This is good, and I feel I'm now onto the best part of the book. It all concludes with a very profitable application section, pastoral and gracious in its spirit. I hope I haven't been too premature in my comments. I know I have been measuring it by a high standard because it has been valued by many whose judgments are to be respected. Without doubt it is good to have this book available again - it is God honouring in an area where there is much weakness in Christian teaching today, self-styled Calvinists included.
Jeremy

Beth Coombe Harris

I have been dipping into the children's section again. This time it is Beth Coombe Harris who can be blamed for the baggy eyes. 'In the Grip of the Druids' is a story of ancient Britain, a land of pagan rites, rituals and human sacrifice ruled by the Druids. The story is set in rural Devon and follows the lives of the villagers there, some of whom are converted by a travelling storyteller preaching the Gospel. In response, the Druids tighten their grip and the new converts are targetted by them to highlight to the other villagers the wrath of 'the gods' when they are rejected. This is an exciting story full of historical facts and biblical truths. Possibly slightly predictable to an adult, but equally could well be scary to a younger child, I think this is well placed in the 11+ category.

We also stock 'The Invincible Refugees' (a story of Huguenot refugees in the 17th Century) and 'Gillian's Treasure' (a story of the persecution of Protestants in Tudor England).

Having done a quick Google search on Beth Coombe Harris, I can see she is a popular author but I can't seem to find anything out about her - can anyone enlighten me?

Lorna

Thanks

THANKYOU to everyone who emails us with comments about our blog, including some authors and publishers of the books we have mentioned! It is encouraging and rather surprising to discover how many people look at our site. If you are feeling brave you could always make comments directly on the blog (anonymously if you wish). However, either way, we are always pleased to have feedback.
Lorna

Sale Books

Having a shop in the local community, we like to maintain an attractive display of books in the windows in order to entice the locals in through the doors. Sadly (for us), this means that a lot of the books tend to get sun damaged. Happily (for you), this means that we then reduce a lot of the books to bargain prices.

Check out our Sale list to find 100 books currently on offer - first come, first served.

Lorna