“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” Titus 2:1
If there was ever a time when a book called "No Place for Truth" is needed, it is today. However, there was such a book written by one of the top Christian scholars of our time, Dr. David F. Wells. And his book was written 30 years ago (1993) as if Dr. Wells could see where our country was headed because we were losing the truth. The book is a fascinating read, but more than that, it was the impetus for the beginning of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (still operating today). James Montgomery Boice was able to see what was needed to turn our country around spiritually and he and a few others put together a council to address the issue. The Alliance, gave me an opportunity to meet David Wells. He and I were among the first members on the Council of the Alliance. Although I am not a theologian and was the only woman on the Council, Jim Boice knew me and said that the men theologians could do the writing that was needed, but that I was actually doing the work in leading nearly a thousand Bible classes as the Director of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF).
What I still enjoy remembering is the day that David Wells and I were on an elevator at one of the meetings of the Alliance and David told me the story of how his mother-in-law came to faith in Christ. She had been going to BSF at her daughter Jane’s suggestion, but was having difficulty understanding and answering the questions. Her Christian housekeeper came to her rescue and helped her with the questions until she became a believer! I love the way God works.
After Jim Boice died, I asked David Wells if he would fill Jim’s place and teach me what I needed to know about theology. He was willing to do this and graciously received my phone calls when I became stuck.
More than that, I asked him if he would help me edit the Rafiki Bible Study (RBS). I said I would do the basic editing if he would make sure that the theology of each lesson was sound. He agreed. The process was quite extensive. We asked 18 notable theologians to write the adult lessons for all 66 Books—a total of 547 lessons. Dr. Wells himself wrote several of the Books (insisting that I write the questions!). In my opinion, the RBS is the most significant work that Rafiki has accomplished and it could not have been done without David Wells.
Of course, David wrote a number of significant books that influenced the Church at large. Some of them are:
- (1993), No Place for Truth,
- (1994), God in the Wasteland,
- (1995), The Bleeding of the Evangelical Church,
- (1998), Losing Our Virtue,
- (2005), Above All Earthly Pow'rs,
- (2008), The Courage to be Protestant,
- (2014), God in the Whirlwind.
There are others, but I highly recommend these books for today.
David had an interesting life being brought up in Zimbabwe (then known as Rhodesia) by British parents who worked in the government. Years later when David’s two sons asked him to write about his life as a child growing up in Zimbabwe, he did so. Having lived in Africa myself and visiting Zimbabwe a number of times, I asked David if he would send me a copy of the book written for his children. He did and I enjoyed reading every page.
I am wondering how many children know the details of their parents’ upbringing. Someday they may want to read how their parents grew up (the good and the bad!) and learn some things from them. Do your kids know how you grew up?
One last thing. I am asking you to pray for David Wells. His wife Jane had a stroke on Christmas Day from which she did not recover. She went to be with the Lord on December 28th. Will you pray with me for David and his family?
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