The Burning Bush - Far Eastern Bible College

The Burning Bush 16/1 (January 2010)A REVIEW OF DAVID FOUNTAIN’SCONTENDING FOR THE FAITH: E J POOLE-CONNOR, A “PROPHET” AMIDST THE SWEEPINGCHANGES IN ENGLISH EVANGELICALISMJoseph PoonDavid G Fountain in his book,Contending for the Faith, 1 sets out topresent some of the events, prevailingmindsets and reasons for the fall of mainNonconformist denominations ofEngland into modernism, as seen throughthe eyes and writings of E J Poole-Connor (1872-1962). While the authorquotes also from various other men, hisfocus is more on the discerningconvictions and reactions of Poole-Connor whom he considers to be the rolemodel both in his defence of the faithand pastoral life. The author cleverlyinterlaces the autobiography of Poole-Connor with his own astute analysis ofthe history and events of the time. He described this time as “a period inhuman history, during which the church was devastated by error of everykind, when Nonconformity lost its power, and once full chapels werefound desolate and deserted ...”.Fountain strives to show a distinctive trait of Poole-Connor. Thisman, while a serious and unflinching contender for the faith, was not justa fighter but one who was rich in thoughtfulness, graciousness andkindliness even when provoked and tried. In addition, Fountain traces theprogression of Poole-Connor’s theological pursuits that led him to beingan industrious scholar who had a spiritual gift of penetrating exposition58