What a wonderful book! This is the fifth of Buchanan’s books and the second I’ve loved. Buchanan has a way with words and stories that make his books a pleasure to wallow in. They are not books to be read quickly, but books to be pondered. While he sometimes loses track of himself in his vocabulary, he always comes back; and comes back wonderfully!This book is a study of the Apostle Peter, of Christian virtue and of 2 Peter 1:1-9. Buchanan walks through Peter’s life and his Scripture text and explores them for all they’re worth. The book is obviously Scripture soaked and driven, and yet Buchanan also allows his mind to quite pleasantly wander a bit from time to time. His reflections and stories bring his arguments to life in lovely ways.
I have always loved the Apostle Peter. I love the highs and sometimes almost comical lows of his life (i.e. “Let’s build some tents and stay here on the mountain!”) I love the idea that we know what we know of Peter’s flaws and struggles because Peter himself probably made sure we remembered them! I love the quite obvious imperfections of the man; his imperfection gives me hope that my own imperfections will also be met with grace and glory. This book, much like Ortberg’s “If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat,” makes me love Peter even more. And in loving Peter more, I find I also more deeply love the Savior who loved him.
This book is well worth a Saturday afternoon. Virtue demands it…
