Following Jesus: First Steps on the Way

David M. Kelly teaches religious studies at Brock University in St.
Catharines.

This book offers a “beginner’s course” in Christianity. Percy,
director of the Institute of Evangelism at Wycliffe College, Toronto
School of Theology, focuses on such church matters as Bible reading,
stewardship, and lay involvement. His book, aimed at churchgoers who
lack spirituality, is a major disappointment, with its simple and
patronizing language and naive treatment of theology (the rosy universe
painted in the book almost denies reality). Percy’s use of the
scriptures is mechanical and incomplete; even the basics of biblical
criticism are missing. This is definitely not a book for seminarians,
pastors, or even moderately informed lay adults. On the positive side,
there are none of the crude hellfire-and-brimstone threats that usually
accompany such books. For that much, at least, Percy deserves some
credit.