The Art of Man-Fishing: A Puritan's View of Evangelism

This little book is a true gem, sparkling with many facets of insight and is yet another example of the fallacy of positing an antithesis between Calvinism and a passion for evangelism. The inclusion of an introduction by J. I. Packer is a real benefit in this edition. For those less familiar with Boston, Packer sets him and this book in context. This book is simply a personal meditation of Boston's at the age of 22 and never intended for publication. As Packer writes, `The idea of a beginning preacher of 22 producing a spiritual masterpiece is startling, no doubt. But Boston was a unusual man' (p. 8). Packer, himself, recommends this book as `worthy to stand on the same shelf as Baxter's Reformed Pastor.' The book was written as a meditation on Matthew 4:19, `Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.' In the typical Puritan fashion Boston mulls and meditates every part and facet of this verse and how he might apply it to himself. Boston contemplates the model of Christ in `manfishing', the picture of the state of the unconverted, the need for diligence in guarding one's soul and the evidences by which he can ascertain that he himself is following Christ. As a personal meditation of an aspiring pastor, it focuses on evangelism in the work of a preacher and is in essence a reflection on pastoral ministry as a whole. It is also interesting to note a difference between older books on evangelism (like this one and Horatius Bonar's Words to Winners of Souls) and more modern ones. It seems that many modern ones focus on techniques and strategies while these older ones focus on holiness and character. Perhaps this stems from the underlying theology. If it is ultimately up to us to get people converted, we will naturally focus on our techniques, even to the verge of manipulation. If however, we believe (as even good Wesleyans do) that it is the Spirit who convicts and quickens, then we will focus on being pure that He might use us (`If anyone cleanses himself from these things he will be ... useful to the Master, prepared for every good work,' 2 Timothy 2:21). In summary, I highly recommend this book especially for pastors and seminary students. It is a good, searching assessment of the preaching ministry. The old style of English and frequent Latin quotations may deter some, but they should not. While it would have been helpful to most for translations of the Latin to be given in footnotes, the flow of thought is nevertheless clear.

from the inside front cover, "This edition of The Art of Manfishing appears in a completely different form... there has been considerable editing..." inlcuding their removal of a portion that they did not agree with. I wish I would have known. Now to find a "real" copy...

Never intending it to be published, The Art of Man Fishing, Boston's meditations on what it means to be a preacher/evangelist was incredibly edifying. His humble dependence on the Holy Spirit and commitment to following the example of Christ in the ministry of preaching should be read by ALL ministers of the Word. It was rather short and I finished it in a day. This truly wonderful book is spiritually saturated, Christ-centered, and God glorifying. A must read!