McKim, Donald K. Presbyterian Beliefs: A Brief Introduction. Louisville: Geneva Press, 2003. Pp. 126. $12.95.

McKim, Donald K. Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers: Exploring Christian Faith. Louisville: Geneva Press, 2003. Pp. 113. $12.95.

If I was facing ordination exams in the PC(USA) and had only two days to study, I would give a thorough reading to Donald K. McKim's two recent books: Presbyterian Beliefs: A Brief Introduction and Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers. (Note, I am not encouraging such limited study!) In Presbyterian Beliefs McKim brings his years of experience as a pastor, academician, writer, and editor to the task of creating a basic primer for Presbyterians. His outline is simple and straightforward with three major sections, The God Who Reveals, Creates, and Guides; The Christ Who Saves People Like Us; and The Church, Where Faith Begins, Is Nourished, and Grows.

In Presbyterian Questions McKim takes most of the same themes treated in the first book, such as Jesus Christ, Humanity, Church, Salvation, a total of thirteen themes, and expands on all the topics save one with seven questions and answers. The chapter on the Bible has eight questions and answers. For instance under worship his seven questions are: Why should we worship? Why does the prayer of confession list sins I never committed? Why don't Presbyterian churches have altars? Why don't Presbyterian churches have altar calls? What is preaching and why is it important? Why do Presbyterians insist sacraments be celebrated only in worship services? What is the relation between worship and the rest of life?

Of course these issues do not only appear on ordination exams. Sometimes they come up at the dinner table, when Aunt Edith wonders why her Presbyterian pastor would not baptize her grandson at her house when her daughter was visiting. Presbyterian pastors would be wise to put a copy of Presbyterian Beliefs in the hands of their session members and use both books with new member classes. I would have welcomed a look at some of the struggles in the Presbyterian Church and some of the weaknesses or challenges presented by Presbyterian answers or the lack thereof. Perhaps these are issues for a book. I suggest the McKim and Geneva Press look into doing one.

Dean Foose
Princeton Theological Seminary