Book Review: Dusted Nuggets
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Dusted Nuggets
Book Author: Ian Koens
Review Author: Sharon
Kelmscott Free Reformed Church
Pro Ecclesia Bookshop
Dusted Nuggets by Ian Koens
2021/224 pages
A collection of short stories inspired by church history.
As Koens writes in the preface ‘Meandering through History’, that is just what he does in this book; walking and stopping at certain times to ponder on events and people and how they fit together in God’s plan for this world. He writes that ‘while many of these tales have an application of sorts, there are a few that were simply written tongue-in-cheek’. (pg5)
Church History means different things to us as we travel through life. Sometimes it’s hard to remember timelines and dates, and experience shows that it’s a bit dry to discuss at a youth club. Many a teacher has tried to make it interesting to inquiring minds. One teacher must have intrigued me, as a memory surfaced when I read the story about characters who spent time ‘pole sitting’ to get closer to God, and here in Dusted Nuggets, the story appears on page 8.
As we mature, we recognise that Church History is all about looking back in time and seeing our Lord God’s governance over this world so that His gospel would spread over the entire world.
The author uses words to paint pictures of the events; sometimes, the picture painted in my mind was different to the explanation that followed, making me go back and re-read the chapter. Each chapter is about 4 or 5 pages, with some questions at the end to help the reader continue meditating about the contents.
Chapter 21 is entitled ‘Heresy and Truth’ and it begins with three statements: A heresy is a truth carried to its logical conclusion; A heretic will always have the bible to back him up; As love is close to hate, so the truth is close to the lie. The author uses examples to warn against taking scripture out of context or using texts as stand-alone arguments for your thinking, and above all, do not try to use logic to explain God or His work. ‘Logic has no room for awe, wonder and the incomprehensible mystery of faith and grace’ (pg116).
Chapter 32 compares people with a range of guns. Church History has its fair share of guns as well. Some fired in defence, some in attack, some shot themselves in the foot, and others shot blanks or fired too early. Nero, Constantine the Great, John Huss, John Calvin, Marcion, Montanus, Augustine and Henry the V111 are used as examples. Read the book to find out more.
Chapter 43 is about the Church - then and now. Comparing Sundays, this very interesting chapter uses phrases similar to Ps 122 while comparing past practices to the practices of today.
Finally, Koens takes us into more recent church history, writing about the World Council of Churches, relationships with different churches, the Psalm book and singing, sport, church, and charisma, all the while encouraging the reader to test the spirits with the Word of God.
‘May your hand rest in God’s outstretched hand as you go’. Ian Koens Bunbury 2021
Sharon den Boer, Kelmscott