On Being the Patient People of God

Freedom of religion, Christian conscientious objection, and the call to patient holiness in today’s world by Martin Davie

Book Review

What is “Freedom of Religion”, where does it come from, and what does it mean for Christians?

Why did the early church grow so rapidly in a world that was, in effect, anti-Christian? How are we to live and evangelise in our own context, today? Where can we discern the work of the evil one? Such questions are important to all Christians in every part of the world. This volume seeks to answer these questions and provides answers that are informative, provocative, and potentially productive.

A word of caution – on all aspects of the subjects covered there are a wide range of extensive quotations to be worked through. These are drawn from Biblical, theological, historical, and national and international legal sources. The author is a theological consultant to the Church of England Evangelical Council and a Fellow of the Latimer Trust, an evangelical think-tank.

If you have only thought of Christian “conscientious objection” in terms of refusing to take up arms in a time of war, be prepared for an enriching, broadening and application of that term. Be prepared also for an eye-opening exploration on the Christian’s call to “patience”, both from a Biblical and historical perspective.

Patience in the context of the book is better described as patient endurance or even long-suffering. There are ten chapters. In chapters 1–3 we learn how the Biblical/ Christian conviction of the freedom of God, and those made in His image, eventually came to influence national and international law.

Chapters 4–5 show us that, despite the law, Christians are the most persecuted religious group today. Attacks on Christian freedom are increasing, and we are often seen as the “bad guys”. This is traced historically.

As we come to chapters 6–7, the author gives us a sobering insight into the ways in which the Devil has distorted many of the beneficial effects of Christianity in the world. And yet, “… in spite of the growing hostility to orthodox Christianity that has been the result of this, Christians still possess the God-given freedom to live in the ways that He wants them to live.”

As we come to chapters 8–9 (Chapter 10 is a summary and conclusion), the author argues that God wants Christians to be “… living lives marked by a conscientious refusal to act in ways that contravene God’s will for His human creatures as summarised in the Ten Commandments”. The exposition and application of the Ten Commandments is both challenging and thought provoking. Listening and learning from a range of writers, past and present, Davie urges the church to respond to the patience of God by “living lives of patient Christian holiness which will commend the Christian faith to those who are currently unbelievers and so cause the church to grow … learning to live patiently with whatever circumstances He has decided to send our way”.

The author is committed to the sovereignty of God and our dependence upon Him in prayer. He is not suggesting he has a formula for “success”, but seeking to help us use the freedom we have in Him in the best possible ways.

I would anticipate a variety of queries and quibbles with the author on some of the matters that he looks at – but it would be hard for anyone willing to put the work in to read it, not to learn and benefit from this book. It is packed with information, readable, and would be valuable to church leaders, or indeed any Christian, wishing to be well informed on so important a subject, and helped to respond. It could certainly help contribute to the agenda of churches looking to sharpen their thinking in the challenges of our times.

This review written by Steven Bowers was first published in the Christian newspaper Evangelicals Now and en online (www.e-n.org.uk) and is republished here with permission.

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Steven Bowers is part of the Pastor’s Academy, London Seminary and is a retired pastor, Brighouse and a former Director of EMF.

This book and others by Martin can be found and bought here.