This week we feature two books by Chris Hill, a respected preacher and Bible teacher who has led over 100 tours to Israel. It is this aspect of his ministry which informs the first of these books. Hill also contributes to Sword magazine and it is a collection of his articles for Sword that makes up the other book.

Both books are available directly from the author (email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01865 922177).

‘The Real World of the New Testament’ (2010, 124pp)

This book was written to help deepen our understanding of the Bible and provides fascinating and important insights into the background of the New Testament. It is the fruit of many years of study and experiences gained through taking groups to the Holy Land.

The book is arranged into six main sections, each subdivided into several smaller portions. The opening is a quick whiz through Bible history as a whole, providing an important overview of how the New Testament times fit into a broader historical context. This is followed by a more detailed look at the time of the Greek Empire, covering Alexander the Great and his successors and including the Maccabean Revolt.

We are now ready for Rome to emerge as a world power and to see how the Emperors and governors ruled over that part of the world, often with an iron fist. The following section continues to focus on the Roman world including its religion, road systems and military forces, as well as how it left an enduring legacy to the world through its imperious Roman Law.

This book provides fascinating and important insights into the background of the New Testament - the fruit of many years of study and experiences gained through taking groups to the Holy Land.

The remaining two sections show us what life was like for the Jewish people at this time. The pages on family life take us from birth through to death, covering all aspects of life between such as infancy, education, marriage and divorce. We also learn that the way the Jews thought about love was very different from the Greek approach.

The last section is one of the largest and covers topics such as slavery, trade, transport and various ways of earning a living, including working on the land, the building trade, metal working, medicine and fishing.

The book ends with four maps of the Land, including one focussing on the Sea of Galilee and another of illustrating Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem. There are also 21 colour photos to illustrate many of the points made during the book.

Here is a real treasure trove, packed with so much information yet succinctly explained. It serves equally well as an excellent reference book or as an enjoyable read from cover to cover.

‘Elijah Speaks Today’ (2010, 136pp)

This book contains 23 short chapters taking us through the life and ministry of Elijah as recorded in the biblical account. The aim is not just to provide us with some interesting studies of Bible passages, but also to persuade us of the importance of this prophet to our world today. He still speaks, and we need to listen – and act!

There was something special about the ministry and character of Elijah which enabled him to stand before people who were hostile and deliver the Lord’s messages faithfully. In such a stressful situation a natural first reaction is to want to hide or make a run for it. On occasion Elijah did falter, but not very often. His testimony was extraordinary and remains inspirational for us today.

There was something special about the ministry and character of Elijah which enabled him to stand before people who were hostile and deliver the Lord’s messages faithfully.

As expected, the majority of the chapters take us chronologically from 1 Kings 17 through to 2 Kings 2. But there are also chapters which taken us into parts of the New Testament which refer to Elijah. These include James 5 and verses from the Gospels. Overall we gain a comprehensive understanding of everything the scriptures want us to know about this remarkable man of God.

Towards the end we come to see how Elijah prepared for his ‘departure’. In particular, that he was a great disciple - not just of his immediate successor, Elisha, but also of ‘schools of prophets’. He wanted to leave behind a new generation of those who would continue to bring God’s word to a godless or wavering nation.

Elijah can simply be seen as a giant of the faith and left in the pages of biblical history. Or we can be encouraged by what we read to “go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17) and make a real difference. Elijah’s mantle is left for you and me. The only question is, will we pick it up?