What the Bible Teaches About Guidance, Peter Bloomfield, Evangelical Press, 2006. Paperback, 208 pp., $13.99. Reviewed by Pastor David Whitla.

One of the most common areas of confusion in the Christian life is that of guidance. This excellent book by Peter Bloomfield attempts to demystify what we often allow to become a mysterious issue in our minds. In 15 brief chapters he covers a remarkable amount of ground, addressing less the specific cases of guidance (“Which school should I attend? Whom shall I marry? Which job offer should I accept?”) and focusing more on what the Bible teaches about guidance in general terms so that we may wisely apply these lessons to our complex lives.

Much of Bloomfield’s task is taken up with clearing the ground of common misconceptions on how God guides His people. On this front, the book is dynamite (in the best sense of the word), but that also means it can prove volatile. The author indulges in a good share of sacred cow-tipping. And these sacred cows are not the extremes of Pentecostal visions and Roman Catholic dogma; they are the all-too-familiar evangelical clichés that we tend to trot out when trying to discern God’s will: “I felt led to…”; “I had a burden to…”; “God laid it on my heart…”; “God gave me a vision for…”; etc.

Bloomfield warns against tacitly assuming we have a private hotline to heaven when it comes to decision making, reminding us that our calling is not to attempt to peer into God’s secret will for our lives, but is rather to obey His revealed will, which is entirely sufficient for decision making and is found exclusively in His Word. Thus a subjective feelings-driven life is replaced by a Word-centered life, as God grants us wisdom by His Spirit to interpret and apply its commands to all our decisions, and to rest in Him for the outcome. With a pastor’s heart, Bloomfield also navigates us through the minefields of interpreting providence, knowing what to do with “opened doors,” and, in a superb appendix, addresses Wayne Grudem’s popular views on dreams and prophecy.

If you find yourself tied in knots trying to find God’s will, this book will come as a breath of fresh air and biblical common sense. Some may find Bloomfield’s style too direct for their tastes, and in a few places his arguments are a little overstated, but this shouldn’t be allowed to detract from the immense practical value of this great little book. As with other volumes in the What the Bible Teaches About… series, it is intended for devotional reading, each chapter beginning with a pertinent passage of Scripture and concluding with a few questions for personal reflection or group study. It will make a great gift for young people (or anyone) facing life’s important decisions. Highly recommended!

What the Bible Teaches About Angels, Roger Ellsworth, Evangelical Press, 2005. Paperback, 119 pp., $9.99. Reviewed by Pastor David Whitla.

In a world where popular fascination with angels is on the increase, it is welcome to review this little book that provides a scriptural perspective. Author Roger Ellsworth reminds us, “Interest in a biblical topic is of no value if we are not biblical about the topic” (p.11)!

Highlights include an excellent treatment of Satan and the fallen angels, the angel of the Lord (identified with the pre-incarnate Christ), the identity and actions of Michael the archangel, the specific ministries of the cherubim and seraphim, and the role of angels at the end of time. For the most part, Ellsworth’s treatment of difficult passages is well done and avoids being dogmatic where the Scripture leaves open questions. However, in a number of places some readers will find it hard not to question his conclusions. For example, his treatment of “entertaining the angels” (Heb. 13:2) suggests these spirits take on physical bodies and secretly move among us. Furthermore, the hierarchical structure of the angelic realm is arguably depicted with a greater degree of certitude than can really be drawn from Scripture. And are we really to believe that the cherubim above the ark of the covenant are there to illustrate Peter’s words (1 Pet.1:12) that the angels “desire to look into” gospel mysteries?

To his credit, the author consistently avoids the danger of all too many treatments of the subject—that of focusing our attention on the angels of God, instead of the God of the angels. Ellsworth is eager to let the angels fulfill their calling in drawing our attention to Christ, reminding us throughout that it is their own desire to give Him glory and not to receive it themselves.

Each chapter is headed with a Scripture text that enables the reader to use the book devotionally. The author writes clearly and engagingly, and the book could be profitably studied by young teens and up. While not without its (comparatively minor) concerns, Ellsworth is a mostly reliable guide, and the discerning reader will find it a useful volume in an era of much confusion on the subject.

—Pastor David Whitla