Let us introduce you to the latest book released by Andy McCullough – The Nineveh Story: Prophetic Imagination, Empire and the Book of Jonah.
Overview
This book traces the Bible’s account of the important city of Ninevah from its origins to its destruction in 612 BCE. It then looks further on, into the Christian history of the region, and includes voices from Iraqi Christians, particularly those from the modern province of Nineveh, the city now named Mosul.
The Ninevah Story looks to answer questions such as: What can the Church learn from Jonah about prophethood, about power, resistance and standing up for truth? How should Christians respond to systemic injustice, prejudice, and global inequalities? How can Christians recover their prophetic imagination?
This book is for anyone who cares about Christian witness in a postcolonial world. Its forty short chapters are designed to be read over a forty day period (such as Lent) mirroring Jonah’s offer of forty days for Nineveh to reflect and repent. This book will enrich you, challenge you, and stir your faith.
Below is a review of the book, written by Daniel McLeod, Senior Pastor of Trinity Church, London.
Review
In The Nineveh Story, Andy McCullough tells the story of Nineveh from its origins right through to its modern day existence as Mosul. But it’s not a simple blow-by-blow telling of its history. Andy brings together his years of experience in cross-cultural mission and church planting, his understanding of the Biblical languages, a cultural awareness, and a broad sweeping biblical theology to skillfully shine a light on what is going on in particular parts of the story. It also feels like a very personal book, as Andy writes with the grief of his son, Joash, having passed in the middle of him writing the book. This grief breaks into the chapters as it resonates with Jonah’s experiences. Andy ties all of this together into a compelling and refreshing read. There are no well-worn paths here.
And because of this I was consistently caught off guard by Andy’s insights into the story. The two themes that run throughout the book are the roles of Empire (Nineveh) and the prophet (Jonah). Living and church planting in London means I’m living in a Nineveh and at the time I want to be a Jonah (or a redeemed one with his effective preaching, anyway!). It may seem like an awkward mix, but as I read the book I felt deeply encouraged in my life and ministry. Andy’s ability is to get under the skin of Jonah and his emotions while understanding the dynamics of power and the attitudes towards the city. Where many commentaries on Jonah are written from a Western perspective with all the Empire-mindset that can unwittingly be assumed, Andy’s ability is to travel out with Jonah and feel what Jonah feels and see the story from the outsider’s perspective.
Being a born and bred Londoner brings with it some strengths and weaknesses. On the one hand, I’ve grown up with a melting pot of cultures from around the world. The world is a brilliant and curious place, and nothing feels too strange. And on the other hand, London and those raised in her are living with the legacy of Empire. The Empire has passed but London’s power remains and that power can sit awkwardly in my heart sometimes. As I read the book, I was eager to see how Andy would speak to a church planter in London. And how do I live with the prophetic razor edge of Jonah while planting and living in the middle of a modern Nineveh? There’s a chance I wouldn’t have even thought about the question seriously without this book, either because I didn’t have the stomach for the question, or the skill to address it well. But as a Westerner, living in London, Andy took me outside of Empire with Jonah, showed me the dynamics of the prophet’s heart and ministry, and walked me back in to see, not only my city, but also my heart. At no point did I feel condemned. Rather I sensed the Spirit of God blowing through my heart, revealing things, and encouraging me to speak and lead with clearer vision of the Kingdom of God and not the Kingdom of this world.
Each chapter is short. At first, I gobbled up the chapters, enjoying their insights so much. But I quickly slowed down so I could enjoy each insight, and stay with the lingering work of the Spirit in my heart and my mind on the particular point being made. Each chapter felt like an incision from the Word of God. I didn’t want to rush on and brush away the Spirit’s work. I read each chapter at night when I was settling my son. This may have been a mistake because quite often I found myself too energised, or inspired, at the point when I was aiming to slow down and go to bed myself soon! It feels like a book to read in the morning in order to put some prophetic caffeine in your blood, and some fresh vision in your heart for your life and mission.
I would highly recommend all Christian leaders, and Christians who are serious about mission, to read this book. Especially those born and raised in the West. As all of our ministries are becoming increasingly globalised, it will bring a new awareness of the dynamics of the Kingdom of God, and how to live as a prophet in our age.
Where you can find The Ninevah Story
To find out more about the book and how you can read it yourself, you can find its Amazon page here.
Happy reading!
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