Jerusalem’s Gates: Illustrating The Christian Life

Review – May 2011 – Grace & Truth Magazine

ABOUT THE GATES IN NEHEMIAH
JERUSALEM’S GATES:
Illustrating The Christian Life

Author: Ian Taylor

Publisher: ECS Ministries, © 2005

Address: Emmaus Bible College, PO Box 1028, Dubuque, Iowa, 52004-1028, USA

Website: www.ecsministries.org

Price: US$7.95, available from the publisher

In his foreword to this softbound, well-illustrated, 91-page study of the third chapter of the Old Testament Book of Nehemiah, Ken Daughters, President of Emmaus Bible College writes: “There is a great need today for training in how to live the Christian life. Many of us look for suitable devotional material to hand to new believers to ground them in the essentials necessary for growth. Ian Taylor’s spiritual insights into Nehemiah’s reconstruction of Jerusalem’s gates provide the kind of material we need. The tour around Jerusalem with a stop at each gate provides an illustration of Christian living.”

He then summarizes the book’s contents: “The Sheep Gate reminds us that Jesus is the Lamb of God. The Fish Gate reminds us that we need to be fishers of men. The Old Gate reminds us that there is much value in the old paths. The Valley Gate forms a picture of our need to develop humility. The Dung Gate reminds us of our need for spiritual purity. The Fountain Gate speaks of the filling of the Spirit. The Water Gate represents the importance of the Word of God. The Horse Gate illustrates Christian warfare. The East Gate symbolizes the hope of Messiah’s return. And the Inspection Gate reminds us of the coming judgment.”

He concludes by suggesting how this book might be used in discipling a new believer: “Each chapter is suitable for a day’s devotional study. It is written in an easily understood style. The best approach would be to give this book to a new Christian disciple, suggest that he read one chapter at a time, and then meet to discuss the subject introduced in the reading. Plan to answer questions and delve more deeply into some of the passages suggested. May the Lord use this book to help us teach disciples how to follow Christ.”

Jerusalem’s Gates comes with a 24-page study guide and exam booklet enclosed, as it is one of the many publications used in the Emmaus Correspondence School Ministries. Each chapter of the guide is made up of 10 multiple choice questions pertaining to facts about the gate being studied, and one “What Do You Say?” question designed to allow the reader to express his or her thoughts about the subject of each gate. The book and guide together make this an ideal discipleship tool for Sunday school classes and home Bible studies as well as individual use.

Author Ian Taylor is a native Australian who has served the Lord in church planting, teaching and publishing ministries across three continents. After 20 years in Colombia, South America as a missionary, he moved to the United States to run a Spanish literature ministry and plant a church for Hispanics in Florida. Currently he serves as a teaching elder at a church in Wisconsin and enjoys an international itinerant preaching ministry. He also contributes articles to this magazine and serves as a member of its Editorial Committee.

I highly recommend this book for your personal use as well as Sunday school and small group Bible studies.

Reviewed By Larry Ondrejack