My book of Hobbies and God’s book, the Bible

The substance of this book is a series of addresses that the author gave, over a number of years, at Trinity Road Chapel in South London. Following the example of the Lord Jesus, ‘who often taught the people by means of illustrations and parables’, the writer describes his own interests and hobbies and lessons they can teach us about God’s salvation and Christian living. The subject matter has been arranged in a way to ‘fit in with the thoughts of the man who wrote Proverbs 30’, Agur, ‘a man of many interests’.

The book opens with a helpful consideration of the character of Agur himself. A variety of hobbies are then covered in the subsequent chapters including ‘The sky at night’; ‘Good map-reading’; ‘Animal lovers’ and ‘Collecting and collectors’. As an example of the writer’s style, in the chapter entitled ‘The sky at night’, Terence Crosby takes the words of Proverbs chapter 30 verse 4, ‘Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?’ and using that as a starting point considers teaching from the scriptures in connection with stars. It must be said that some of the links with Proverbs 30 are very tenuous, notably a chapter on ‘Steam locomotives’ and one entitled ‘A day at the cricket’.

While being a rather unique and unusual book it is nevertheless most readable, a suitable book perhaps to take with you on holiday or a long journey, for some lighter reading with spiritual profit. There are some useful subject outlines which might be of help to any who are engaged in young people’s work and seek some fresh ideas or a fresh approach.

[Our thanks to Richard Catchpole, South Norwood, London for this review]