Book Review: The Hand of God, by Frederick S. Leahy

Synopsis: All too often, the absolute, all-encompassing sovereignty of God is seen as one of those distant doctrines, which have little impact on the day-to-day life of an average Christian. But on the contrary, as Frederick Leahy demonstrates, there are few, if any, scriptural doctrines that have more to do with every aspect of the believer’s life on this earth. This is not just doctrine – it is doctrine that teaches us how to walk, how to trust, how to view every struggle in our lives.

Frederick Leahy is not one of those “ivory tower” theologians who know much doctrine, but have little experience with the common struggles of ordinary people. For many years, he was the principal of the Reformed Theological College, in Belfast; he was also a minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. This daily interaction with the lives and struggles of Christians of every sort is quite evident in this, his last theological publication.

The Hand of God is not primarily an acutely-reasoned theological treatise. It was written by a seasoned and tested minister of the gospel, at the end of his life; and it has the savor of the final thoughts of a man, long a devoted Christian, who has finally recognized what is truly important and profitable in life. Its subject matter has been narrowed down and refined to only the most essential elements, with the unexplainable perceptivity of a man who knows that he is penning his last thoughts, and wants only that which truly matters to find a place in his final publication.

The outcome of this death-bed perspicacity of a seasoned Christian is the recognition that the doctrine of the sovereignty of God affects everything: there is no doctrine, no temptation, no struggle, no chapter of Christian existence that does not find its deepest meaning and ultimate significance in the scriptural teaching that God is sovereign. From creation to final judgment, God is a God who is actively and unstoppably interested in directing the course of human affairs – in your life as well as mine, in the decisions of the highest officials of the most powerful governments to the most insignificant thoughts of the lowliest beggars.

As Frederick Leahy acknowledges, “Every worthwhile book should have an aim and should meet a need.” And, in his book, as he expresses it, “My aim is to show that the sovereignty of God, as revealed in scripture, is a comforting truth.” If you, in your daily struggles, desire to see the doctrine of God’s sovereignty take on a relevant and comforting demeanor in the struggles which no one but God can fully understand, then this is the book for you.

3 Responses to “Book Review: The Hand of God, by Frederick S. Leahy”

  1. Daniel Ritchie says:
    December 1, 2006 at 8:53 am

    Prof. Leahy died just after completing this book; he and his wife went into Lisburn (a city in Northern Ireland) Post Office to send off the manuscript to Banner, Mrs. Leahy commented that he should buy more paper for his next book, to which he responded ‘I think I’ve said enough dear’ and a few hours later he was with the Lord.

    Amazingly the book is still not available in Ireland, even to people like myself, who belong to the same denomination as Fred Leahy.

  2. pitchford says:
    December 1, 2006 at 9:04 am

    Thanks for the background info. It helps put the book in perspective. I’ll e-mail the owner of the Monergism bookstore, and see if he ever does any international shipping, if you’re interested in getting a copy. I can’t make any guarantees, of course, but I’ll at least send you an e-mail if I find anything out.

    Nathan

  3. Daniel Ritchie says:
    December 1, 2006 at 11:01 am

    Thanks for your e-mail Nathan, the book should be on sale over here soon though.

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