Does Christianity have anything to do with baseball, or cloning sheep, or politics? What is the real legacy of the Westminster Assembly? How should we respond to 9/11? What do you think of the ESV?

These are some of the themes address in this collection of essays by Phil Ryken of Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. Part of the weekly routine in the evening services at Tenth is ‘Windows on the World’ – Christian comment on some aspect of contemporary culture and society. That can be a comment on issues as diverse as science and church history, racism and Christmas. This publication represents a collection of 50 short chapters, looking at issues under nine broad themes:

• Love, Marriage and Family
• Sports and Leisure
• Science and Technology
• Social Issues
• Politics
• Feasts and Festivals
• The Bible
• Church History
• Christianity Today

The result, as one would expect, is an interesting, diverse and eclectic series of meditations and critiques of issues which impact modern society and the modern church. What they have in common is a Christian and biblical perspective; they represent a worldview which has Christ at the centre.

And the result is a book which demonstrates that there is no area of life which the Gospel does not impact. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is supreme and it extends to all of society, to all of life, to all of culture.

Dr Ryken has some important insights on topical subjects, and these short observations are an important and valuable lesson in the relevance of Christian faith. Although the American theme is dominant, these insights will help us evaluate our own culture, wherever we are, in the light of God’s word and Christ’s truth.