Mount Barker Presbyterian Church

Jesus Christ is Lord!

Fiction

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

by

Lew Wallace

“”They took him last night, and tried him,” the man continued. “At dawn they led him before Pilate. Twice the Roman denied his guilt; twice he refused to give him over. At last he washed his hands, and said, ‘Be it upon you then;’ and they answered–” “Who answered?” “They–the priests and people–‘His blood be upon us and our children.'” “Holy father Abraham!” cried Ben-Hur; “a Roman kinder to an Israelite than his own kin! And if–ah, if he should indeed be the son of God, what shall ever wash his blood from their children? It must not be–’tis time to fight!””

We’re all familiar with the expression of comparing something time-consuming to “as long as Ben-Hur!” This often leads to the misconception that the book must be dull. However, despite its substantial length, Ben-Hur proves to be an enthralling narrative that grips readers from start to finish.

The story revolves around Judah Ben-Hur, a young Jewish prince living in first-century Judea. His life suddenly takes a drastic turn when he’s wrongly accused of an assassination attempt, leading to his separation from his family and forced labour on a slave galley. He soon meets with many adventures including encountering figures like Balthasar, one of the Magi who visited Christ, engaging in the iconic chariot race against his rival Messala, and even raising an army to fight on the side of the Messiah.

While Ben-Hur offers a riveting journey that’s impossible to put down, it’s crucial to acknowledge its fictional nature. The novel doesn’t adhere to historical accuracy and incorporates elements influenced by Roman Catholic perspectives, including depictions of Christ with feminine features. Such ideas are not endorsed by the Mount Barker Presbyterian Church. Enjoy Ben-Hur for its captivating storytelling but remember to appreciate it as a story.

Ben-Hur

Pilgrim’s Progress

by

John Bunyan

“This hill, though high, I covet to ascend:
The difficulty will not me offend,
For I perceive the way to life lies here:
Come, pluck up, heart, let’s neither faint nor fear!
Better, though difficult, the right way to go,
Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe.”

This is one of my favourite little books, and was a gateway into the rich world of Puritan literature. I first read a child’s version in my early years, but quickly came to prefer the complete and unabridged versions. Behind the Bible, this is my most read book.

We can learn much through this simple allegory of the Christian life, of being a pilgrim and stranger in this world, possessing no continuing city here, but seeking the city which is to come (Heb 13:14).

Charles Spurgeon also loved Pilgrim’s Progress, and opens his Pictures From Pilgrim’s Progress – a Commentary on Portions of John Bunyan’s Immortal Allegory with these words: “Next to the Bible, the book that I value most is John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. I believe I have read it through at least a hundred times. It is a volume of which I never seem to tire; and the secret of its freshness is that it is so largely compiled from the Scriptures. It is Biblical teaching put into the form of a simple yet very striking allegory.”

As Spurgeon said elsewhere, he loved Bunyan because Bunyan bled Bibline.

While Bunyan’s Pilgrim describes the lived experience of many, placing the Slough of Despond and Wicket Gate before the Cross, it must be noted that this is not the ideal path for a Christian. Instead, flee to the Cross first, for it is much easier to journey on the way without a burden on your back.

“Thus far did I come laden with my sin,
Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in,
Till I came hither. What a place is this!
Must here be the beginning of my bliss!
Must here the burden fall from off my back!
Must here the strings that bound it to me crack!
Blest cross! Blest sepulchre! Blest rather be
The man that there was put to shame for me!”

This Christian classic is available in many versions from rewritten for children, to abridged, and modernised English, as well as the complete and unabridged. It has even been translated into more than 200 languages.

This is essential reading for all, and should be in every Christian’s library!

Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

The Shining Sword

by

Charles G Coleman

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be able to actually wear the whole Armour of God: swing the Sword of the Spirit, protect yourself with the Shield of Faith, and call out to God in prayer?

Well, I did not either until I read The Shining Sword, which is a fictional book about the journey of a lost person, (in this book, Lanus), to becoming a Christian, (a follower of the King).

This book is easy to read and fairly short. It is also very gripping and is an interesting story.

I also read Book 2: The Song of the Trumpet. Although a continuation of the story, this second book was written much later. It seems to be more difficult to follow. The main character of this second book is a girl, so I did not enjoy it as much.

I think that everyone would enjoy The Shining Sword, but that The Song of the Trumpet is an optional choice.