Faith for Life

After over 30 years in Christian ministry, Richard Coekin understands the Bible, his local church and the culture, and he sees the need for Christians to internalise the great chapter on faith, Hebrews 11, in order to have the resilience they'll need in a culture that is increasingly hostile. An incredibly timely book.

This is a book written to encourage and refresh. It does that, but also much more. By stepping us through the pastorally rich drama of Hebrews 11, this book has the power to transform and change a life—in a good way! It is the product of decades of teaching the Bible to real people dealing with real issues in a real world. It is engaging, pastorally sensitive, thoughtful, provocative, and timely. Just what we need.

I don't know about you but recently I have keenly felt in need of some encouragement:
Living in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Christ and his followers, I need encouragement not to blend in and keep my head down. Living through Covid-19 with the temptation to do church in my pyjamas, I need encouragement to keep running this Christian marathon and not to drift off .
And this book is just the job.
Richard Coekin has written a short and punchy training manual taking us verse by verse through Hebrews 11. He encourages us to pause and learn from that great cloud who witness to the faithfulness of God and to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we seek to serve him in our various contexts.
This book encouraged me.
It encouraged me to stop faffing around and to live out my faith whatever the cost as I wait for the glorious future Christ has won for me.
I pray it does the same for you.

Christians in the secular west are now a small minority facing cultural marginalisation and increasing opposition. Richard Coekin shows us that the urgent need of the hour is for ordinary Christians to be ‘ordinary heroes’ who stand firm in our faith, with confident trust in God’s promises, so that we continue to serve the Lord Jesus courageously as we await the consummation of our salvation. Combining clear explanation of the biblical text with warm-hearted pastoral application and extensive illustration from history and personal experience, this timely and accessible book will inspire and encourage Christians everywhere to persevere in their marathon race to future glory. Above all it exhorts us to fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus, who is the only hero who can save us, and who has set us the supreme example to follow.

When I first read this book's manuscript, I remembered one quote from Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873). "Read to live, not live to read." The author of this book says that to live without faith is to live not at all. He talks about the life of a Christian living by faith with simple yet powerful words. This book is not pedantic and has depth. Each chapter vividly unfolds as if one was looking at a painting. He awakens readers to understand the Bible's teachings about faith and encourages them to live by faith with the Word. This age is as fierce, sharp, and dangerous for Christians as the time of the writer of Hebrews. So, this book is desperately needed. Let's read to live!

With a unique blend of penetrating cultural insight, solid biblical exegesis and the wise experience of a senior pastor, Richard Coekin has woven together a gem of a book that will build and strengthen the church. Achingly relevant, heart-warming, challenging, inspiring—the perfect antidote for my pandemic-weary faith

This book is another example of Richard’s passion and refreshing ability to make the Bible come alive. In a world of celebrities, it is so important for every Christian to understand that God uses ordinary people, people who are largely unnoticed in the affairs of the world, to accomplish his eternal purposes. Despite the blood, sweat and tears of serving God in this broken world, Hebrews 11 reminds us that, in God’s book of eternal life, he has noted every act or word spoken in the cause of Christ. If you find yourself tired or discouraged in serving God, this is the book for you! I cannot recommend it more highly!

This book on Hebrews 11 is not only gripping to read, it is also simultaneously deeply encouraging and challenging.  It is thoughtful, well-illustrated, and packed with gold!

A delightful book that delivers “a composite picture of faith, like the pieces of a jigsaw, completed by the crescendo in Jesus” (12 v 1-3), seasoned with pastoral wisdom and personal experience, peppered with well-chosen illustrations, encouraging Christians under pressure everywhere to live and speak and love with salty faith.