Affliction, The Sanctifier’s Crucible is a book written by Mark Nemieboka and published by the Scripture Union (Nig.) Press & Books Limited Ibadan, Nigeria in 2021.
The book focuses on the concept of affliction, the challenges it poses and its benefits to the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. It has five (5) chapters and is made up of ninety-six (96) pages. It is arranged in a seemingly logical sequence starting with the meaning of affliction, the origin and types of afflictions, the benefits of affliction and what the response of the believer should be when in affliction. The author has dedicated the book to the school ministry of the Scripture Union (SU), where Christ was first introduced to him as a teenager and to Karen Barrett, whose testimony about her wheelchair experience, the author considers to portray the Christian’s story. Sir Mark Nemieboka is a seasoned teacher of the Word of God and I have the privilege of hearing some of his amazing testimonies on a personal basis.
Affliction is presented to be, as it were, the crucible that God, the Sanctifier, uses to refine His people. The author makes bold to say that “no believer can rightly claim exemption, though the degrees may vary”. In fact, the picture is that the time of affliction is like a season in the life of a child of God. Hence, that one does not have affliction today does not mean it will not come tomorrow. The whole essence, I perceive, is to educate believers and prepare them for this undesirable and unpleasant but definite season of life. Today, people are taught that they will never suffer and that bad things happen to only those who don’t have faith or those who have evil foundations. Health and wealth theology is spread all over the place because it gives good feelings and brings in revenue to the preacher. The question is “how is the Christian, who is inundated with health and wealth teachings, going to face life and his faith in the face of pain, death, sickness and other ills orchestrated by the fallen nature and the fallen world in which we have found ourselves?”. The author posits that while some afflictions may be judicial, that is as a recompense for sin or evil, there are a world of other causes of afflictions that are beyond the control of an individual believer. Examples given in the book include natural afflictions, national afflictions, social afflictions and some afflictions orchestrated by God Himself for some divine purposes. In quoting from the Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, there is “the hatred and affliction that follow the witness and holy life of God’s people in a hostile world”. We must all bear this in mind as we relate with the world that is in opposition against God and His will. It is commendable to note that much of the pages of the book are dedicated to dealing with the benefits of afflictions. Affliction induces humility, makes us seek God, transforms us and proves our faith. The lives of the prophet Jonah and the prodigal son were illustrated and summarized with the words of Isaac Newton “affliction, though they seem severe, in mercy oft are sent. They stopped the prodigal’s career, and forced him to repent”.
There are some typographical errors here and there, for example on page 28, instead of “hear” you see “here”, on page 35, “to” is omitted while introducing the quotation by John Grill, on page 95, Isaiah 26:3 is quoted but (Isaiah 56:3) is written and finally some mixtures of versions of the Bible when it is stipulated on the copyright page that all Bible quotations are from the New King James Version (NKJV). Having said that, the book is written in contemporary English and is so interesting that once you start reading, you will likely not drop it until you finish it, like what happened to me.
The book is short considering the topic dealt with but just like John Mark that wrote the Gospel of John, the author, whose name coincidentally is also Mark, seems to be rushing to pass across a fundamental truth which is a burden on his heart. One of the responses proposed by the author is “expect suffering”. This is not a popular recommendation but it is the reality of our existence here on earth. This book is a must read for every follower of Jesus Christ who wants to run and finish well. It will answer some questions of some people who may be looking for answers because of what they are going through. It can be purchased from any of the Scripture Union (SU) Bookshops nationwide. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
I conclude this review with the biblical quote used by the author at the end of the book, “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope…You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Psalm 119:49, Isa.26:3 NKJV).
