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True Word for Tough Times
A series of 5 messages given at the Aberystwyth Conference in August 2010 from the book of Jeremiah. The passages chosen are a healthy corrective to some of the flippant and flimsy optimism in certain ‘Christian’ propaganda about the Christian life and ministry. In August 2010 Dale Ralph Davis delivered these five messages from Jeremiah at the Evangelical Movement of Wales Conference in Aberystwyth. Those who were there on the occasion will recall the power and passion of this rich exposition of the Word of God. As he explains in the Preface, Dale Ralph Davis deliberately chose five passages that focussed on the ‘down’ aspect of the prophet’s message. He explains his choice of passages in these . . . . they supply a healthy corrective to some of the flippant and flimsy optimism we meet in certain ‘Christian’ propaganda about the Christian life and ministry. My prayer is that a number of the Lord’s servants who are slogging on in the paths of righteousness will, by the Spirit’s chemistry, be strangely comforted by this tormented prophet and the ‘ruthless Warrior’ who stood at his side. Dr Davis preaching, slightly adapted here for the printed page, will surely be used to fulfil that prayer. Dale Ralph Davis lives in rural Tennessee. He was formerly pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. He has written many books, among which is the EP Study Commentary on Micah.
- GenresTheologyNonfiction
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2013
19 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Dale Ralph Davis
31 books60 followersDale Ralph Davis is Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 27, 2019
I never want Davis' books to stop...there are so many good things in them that you feel that if he just kept on writing even more good things would appear. Suffice to say my Kindle copy is thoroughly highlighted.
I've read a number of Davis' commentaries two or three times each, but this book is new to me (and relatively new anyway). It consists of four lectures and a sermon, all based on material from the Book of Jeremiah. As it happens I've been reading through Jeremiah as part of an ongoing Bible reading, so it was timely to pick up Davis' book as well.
He doesn't attempt to cover the whole book, but takes themes and aspects of it and focuses on them, as well as showing how our own lives can have Jeremiah patches in them, and why we shouldn't be troubled by these.
I'll be reading this again soon, I think. I need to get to grips with what Davis says, and ponder on it more.
Read it again in June 2018. Even better the second time.
I've read a number of Davis' commentaries two or three times each, but this book is new to me (and relatively new anyway). It consists of four lectures and a sermon, all based on material from the Book of Jeremiah. As it happens I've been reading through Jeremiah as part of an ongoing Bible reading, so it was timely to pick up Davis' book as well.
He doesn't attempt to cover the whole book, but takes themes and aspects of it and focuses on them, as well as showing how our own lives can have Jeremiah patches in them, and why we shouldn't be troubled by these.
I'll be reading this again soon, I think. I need to get to grips with what Davis says, and ponder on it more.
Read it again in June 2018. Even better the second time.
May 27, 2022
I always find Dr. Davis to write so clearly and engagingly. I will be looking for more of his works! I loved Joshua and Judges.
One or two sentences of this book had me thinking of my grandfather, how he knew even in college that his would be a life of ministry and service to the Lord. He lived that out first as a soldier in WW2, then as a missionary and then returned to the States to train pastors to spread the Gospel around the world. Like the prophet Jeremiah, he chose to “sacrifice personal advantage and comfort and perhaps preference” to serve the Lord with his life. (Pg 82)
Literally the next paragraph after these words and my thoughts of Grandfather, the author referenced him with a selection of Grandfather’s book, The Man in the Leather Hat. What a sweet link to the past and emboldening challenge for my future.
One or two sentences of this book had me thinking of my grandfather, how he knew even in college that his would be a life of ministry and service to the Lord. He lived that out first as a soldier in WW2, then as a missionary and then returned to the States to train pastors to spread the Gospel around the world. Like the prophet Jeremiah, he chose to “sacrifice personal advantage and comfort and perhaps preference” to serve the Lord with his life. (Pg 82)
Literally the next paragraph after these words and my thoughts of Grandfather, the author referenced him with a selection of Grandfather’s book, The Man in the Leather Hat. What a sweet link to the past and emboldening challenge for my future.
December 19, 2020
Good stuff, very encouraging, particularly in these days of Covid!
"We must live faithfully within a life situation that we do not like but cannot change. There is no immediate solution to our set of circumstances, but there is a way to be faithful."
"We must live faithfully within a life situation that we do not like but cannot change. There is no immediate solution to our set of circumstances, but there is a way to be faithful."
November 27, 2013
"True Word for Tough Times" is a short piece (95 pages) consisting of 4 sermons and one lecture which Dr. Davis gave at the Aberystwyth Conference in 2010. They are all taken from the prophetic book of Jeremiah. Each chapter was recorded and then transcribed, and so they read just the way Dr. Davis spoke them. That means they are a smidgen choppy, and not ironed out flat with literary starch (thus the four stars out of five.
With that being said, this little book is worth the chronological investment it takes to read (all of maybe two hours), and worth the cerebral and cardiac effort needed to prayerfully consider and cash in on it's richness.
"True Word for Tough Times" is for pastors and ministers, but also for disciples of Jesus in every walk of life. It is encouraging, sobering, challenging, unsettling, and strengthening. I highly recommend this book!
{Full review is here on my blog: http://mphilliber.blogspot.com/2013/1...}
With that being said, this little book is worth the chronological investment it takes to read (all of maybe two hours), and worth the cerebral and cardiac effort needed to prayerfully consider and cash in on it's richness.
"True Word for Tough Times" is for pastors and ministers, but also for disciples of Jesus in every walk of life. It is encouraging, sobering, challenging, unsettling, and strengthening. I highly recommend this book!
{Full review is here on my blog: http://mphilliber.blogspot.com/2013/1...}
January 28, 2021
Jeremiah is always sobering, his times tough with constant opposition, political turmoil, invasions, deportations, and eventually being "kidnapped" and hauled to Egypt. His book is so long that's it can be hard to get handles on it. Dr. Davis helpfully focuses a chapter to five of the major sections and themes that fairly represent the content of those sections. Academically sound, this little book of messages can be read devotionally just as well, and delightful and diverse illustrations provide practical insight into what was going on with Jeremiah.
It the last chapter, Dr. Davis mentions working with my dad, and relates one of his stories of the Congolese leper camp pastor Mutombo Elijah, a pastor I remember from my childhood in Congo. That illustration not only tweaked my nostalgia, but also gave it a fresh understanding of Jeremiah and encouragement to persevere in my own ministry dark times.
It the last chapter, Dr. Davis mentions working with my dad, and relates one of his stories of the Congolese leper camp pastor Mutombo Elijah, a pastor I remember from my childhood in Congo. That illustration not only tweaked my nostalgia, but also gave it a fresh understanding of Jeremiah and encouragement to persevere in my own ministry dark times.
May 8, 2017
An excellent and very practical overview of Jeremiah; particularly encouraging to pastors of struggling churches. Highly recommended.
June 23, 2020
Very apropos for this time we are in. Classic Ralph Davis making God’s Word so applicable and interesting!
January 25, 2021
The best book on Jeremiah I’ve ever read.
August 26, 2020
Vintage Dale Ralph Davis. A wonderful corrective to the ubiquitous and prevailing "ministry success philosophy" to which faithful gospel ministers are continually exposed, frequently to the discomfort of their hearts and minds. Here is Jeremiah, whose apparent outward fruitfulness was far, far from the "successful and triumphant" ministry we expect today. But God's smile was on his faithful ministry. He fulfilled God's calling for his ministry. Nothing else really matters. The Master praises; what are men?
May 6, 2015
Excellent book
Easy read. Excellent book to reflect in today's times.
An author who understands and translates into easy language to understand.
Easy read. Excellent book to reflect in today's times.
An author who understands and translates into easy language to understand.
November 23, 2015
Classic DRD.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews