cover image WALK ON: Life, Loss, Trust, and Other Realities

WALK ON: Life, Loss, Trust, and Other Realities

John Goldingay, . . Baker Academic, $16.99 (208pp) ISBN 978-0-8010-2465-8

Goldingay, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena and for 27 years a principal at St. John's Theological Seminary in Nottingham, England, offers this book on the foundational questions all Christians ask in their spiritual journeys. It could easily be compared to the later works of C.S. Lewis when his faith had been tempered by suffering. Goldingay's view of the Christian life is tempered by the prism of his wife Ann's long fight with multiple sclerosis. It would be easy to feel sorry for this couple, but Goldingay does not allow pity. Instead, his touching story reaches out to readers with a mature joy, demonstrating that it is not only possible to survive pain and tragedy, but to triumph in the midst of excruciating circumstances. "Following Christ is a hard road," he writes, "but little by little you will see the light in the darkness and drink the water that springs from a dry land." Goldingay notes that through the years, friends, students and colleagues have become the wellspring of living water poured out to him and his wife, and, in turn, they continue to pour out God's joy to others. This theologically and biblically sound book is not linear, just as life never takes a straight path. Rather, the topics are arranged alphabetically so that the reader can dip in anywhere for refreshment. References to contemporary music and Ann's story are intertwined with sophisticated, engrossing and thought-provoking answers to spiritual questions. (Aug.)