Iron Sharpens Iron by Michael Haykin (Union Publishing, 2022)

This is a study of the value of Christian friendship. Haykin critiques the modern cultural focus on the individual, briefly surveying biblical and historical attitudes to the value of true friendship. He goes on to a case study of the great and supportive friendship of John Newton and John Ryland Jr, drawing on his interest in 18th century history. In a slightly disjointed way he also draws in other Particular Baptists connected with Ryland, and their union of heart which bore fruit in the shape of the Baptist Missionary Society.

It would promote spiritual vitality for ministers especially, in their often lonely path of service, to cultivate friendships built around honesty and a shared experience of God’s grace. Instead of the modern way of retreating into echo chambers, it may be that the atmosphere of trust in such relationships will help many to relearn the old virtue of knowing how to handle differences with mutual respect and dignity, to the Glory of God.

Jeremy