Digital Logos Edition
Based on Mackintosh’s lecture on the first three chapters of Daniel, Discipleship in an Evil Day draws connections between Daniel’s experiences and the contemporary challenges faced by the church. The prophet Daniel and the modern church find themselves in similar situations: both are tempted to yield to surrounding influences, and both are called to submit to God. Most importantly, both the church and Daniel are called to model discipleship.
But how is the church meant to practice discipleship in a hostile and formidable culture? According to Mackintosh, the life of Daniel serves as an important reminder that God’s love for Daniel in exile matches his faithfulness to the church in the present. In Discipleship in an Evil Day, Mackintosh draws parallels between Daniel’s life and the life of the church in order to encourage the church toward greater discipleship in the present.
“Such would be nature’s reasoning; but such was not the language of faith. Blessed be God! there is always a wide sphere in which the spirit of genuine devotedness can develop itself—there is always a path along which the true disciple can run, even though he should have to run in solitude. It matters not what the outward condition of things may be, it is faith’s privilege to hang as much on God, to feed as much on Christ, and to breathe as much of the air of heaven, as though all were in perfect order and harmony.” (Page 4)
“faithful heart. All who desire to walk devotedly can always find a path to walk in” (Page 4)
“This is the true spirit and principle of discipleship. ‘Give glory to God, before” (Page 15)
“Is not a furnace where He is better than a palace where He is not” (Page 18)
“God is always to be found; and faith is always sure to find Him” (Page 12)
Man’s complete ruin in sin, and God’s perfect remedy in Christ, are fully, clearly, and often strikingly presented [in Mackintosh’s writings].
—Andrew Miller, a leader of the Plymouth Brethren movement
Charles Henry Mackintosh (1820–1896) was notable for his work in philanthropic work during the Irish Potatoe Famine which affected much of Ireland, Scotland, and England at the time. He converted to Christianity through correspondence with his sister and through reading John Darby's Operations of the Spirit.