Category: Book Briefs

Book Briefs: “John Knox (Christian Biographies for Young Readers)” by Simonetta Carr

~ Bob Hayton ~ 3 Comments

John Knox (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta CarrThe Christian Biographies for Young Readers series introduces children to key figures from church history. Author Simonetta Carr and illustrator Matt Abraxas offer a compelling and beautiful historical account of the life of each Christian figure profiled in the series. To date, the series includes volumes on John Calvin, John Owen, Augustine of Hippo, Athanasius, Anselm of Canterbury, Lady Jane Grey, and now, John Knox.

John Knox’s life has action and adventure enough for any young reader. His story is told with an eye to historical accuracy and with an eye to a child’s mind. From humble beginnings, Knox finds himself as a bodyguard to Reformer George Wishart, who is captured and killed. Knox goes from hiding out in St. Andrews Castle, a Protestant stronghold, to cowering in the belly of a French galley as a slave. He finds unexpected freedom and returns to pulpit ministry in England, but soon has to flee in exile to Geneva where he comes under the tutelage of John Calvin. He returns to Scotland in time to help lead the Reformation movement there. Knox the fiery preacher, delivers a sermon that sparks an all-out revolt and ultimately wins Scotland’s religious freedom. Knox’s life is not only eventful, but it provides teachable moments for children to study the Reformation and to learn what was wrong with the Roman church. It also teaches children the sacrifice that people faced to follow Christ in years gone by.

This book is a joy to page through. Full color illustrations, photographs, portraits and maps, buildings and vistas appear at the appropriate time on each page. After the biographical sketch, a time line of Knox’s life is included, as is an excerpt from the “Scots Confession of Faith” that Knox helped author. Also included is a “Did you know?” section for interested young readers. There we learn that Queen Mary Stuart may have been the first female golfer; John Knox is buried under parking stall number 23 at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh; and preachers back then were limited to one hour (and timed by an hour glass) to protect the Sunday schedule.

As a lover of church history, I appreciate Simonetta Carr’s attention to detail and focus on historical accuracy. Rather than painting an impossibly perfect picture of a higher-than-thou saint, she gives us the true John Knox, doubts and weakness and all. He was like any of us, and because of that we can learn to mimic his faith and grapple through the same questions he did.

This book deserves a place of honor at the coffee table, but might end up in the kids’ bookcase, more often than not. It also should find a place in church or school libraries. If you haven’t picked up a title in the Christian Biographies for Young Readers series, now would be a good time. You won’t be disappointed with John Knox. Read also this earlier review of some of the previous titles in the series.

Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers: Amazon, Westminster Bookstore, ChristianBook.com, or direct from Reformation Heritage.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.

Book Briefs: “Captivated: Beholding the Mystery of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection” by Thabiti Anyabwile

~ Bob Hayton ~ 2 Comments

Captivated: Beholding the Mystery of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection by Thabiti AnyabwileIn the weeks before Easter, I usually try to find a good devotional book to contemplate afresh the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. A new book from Thabiti Anyabwile is just what I was looking for this year.

Captivated: Beholding the Mystery of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection (Reformation Heritage, 2014) takes the reader on a look at the last few days of Christ’s passion. Anyabwile follows five different questions asked in Scripture’s teaching concerning Christ’s death and resurrection, and uses these questions as food for thought and contemplation.

  • Is There No Other Way?
  • Why Have You Forsaken Me?
  • Where, O Death, Is Your Victory?
  • Why Do You Seek the Living among the Dead?
  • Do You Not Know These Things?

This book was born from a series of sermons, that its author preached. Anyabwile is an engaging speaker and his writing was just as warm and personal as his speaking. He displays a pastor’s heart as he applies lessons from Christ’s suffering to the problem and pain that so many of us face. He is a bold evangelist in this book too, calling the reader to repent and believe the gospel. Often Anyabwile quotes from Scripture and occasionally he draws on the lyrics from age-old hymns or even, a new Christian rap song. His analogies and illustrations always help drive the point of the chapter home.

Much of the material falls in the “helpful reminder” category. Christians know this, and have learned this — but do we live it? Some of Anyabwile’s insights are refreshingly new and quite helpful. I particularly enjoyed how he showed that in most of the post-Resurrection appearances, merely seeing the physical Jesus was not enough. The minds and eyes of the disciples had to be opened, again and again, in order for them to comprehend that this indeed was Jesus. His conclusion from this is worth repeating here:

In order to recognize and accept Jesus for who He is, we must be born again. The Spirit of God must give us a new heart and new eyes of faith so that we can understand the things of God and the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. The Father must open our eyes so we can see Jesus. Until God opens our eyes to who He really is in Christ, we remain blind to ultimate truth.

Has God opened your eyes yet? Do you see with the sight that He alone can give? How would you know that you see and recognize Jesus for who He is? (p. 87)

I included the second paragraph in the except above to illustrate why this book may not be for you. His direct appeals might unnerve some of us. Or they may prod us to where we need to be! Perhaps this Easter is a good time for you to explore anew the suffering and death, and the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. The questions for reflection after each of the five small chapters in this little book, will aid in personal examination or group study. The brevity of the book will prevent even the weakest of readers from the excuse that they don’t have time for this book. It is less than 100 pages, but well worth your time. May God use it to rekindle a love for Christ and the Bible in all of us!

Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers: Amazon, Westminster Bookstore, ChristianBook.com, or direct from Reformation Heritage.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.

Book Briefs: “Judges for You” by Tim Keller

~ Bob Hayton

Judges For You by Timothy KellerWhen it comes to Bible study, the English speaking church is truly blessed with a glut of materials. And Bible study helps come in almost every shape and size: simple books with application for laymen, heavy tomes with detailed exegesis of the Greek for scholars, and everything in between. In the God’s Word For You series from The Good Book Company, we find a unique balance. Each book in the series is attractively designed and emphasizes that the book aims to unveil God’s Word for the ordinary reader. The books aim to help believers read the Biblical text, grow in grace as they learn to feed on God’s Word, and also to equip Bible study leaders and various church teachers with a helpful analysis of the text with an eye to application.

Timothy Keller, one of my favorite authors, gives us a gospel-centered look at the book of Judges, in Judges For You. I was repeatedly struck by how applicable the stories in Judges are to the church today. Keller avoids an allegorical reading of the text just as much as he shuns a scholastic handling of it. He sees the Messiah in the types found in Judges, and points out how Judges always leaves us looking for a better king, a better judge, a more complete savior. There is a transition from the entire tribe of Judah fighting for Israel in the first chapters, to the solitary savior, Samson at the end. In every way Christ is the greater David, who fulfills Judges expectation in ways that David, whose story follows on the heels of Judges, never could.

Keller has an eye to challenging aspects of the text for today’s readers. He provides an appendix for how to handle the concept of “holy war” in Scripture. And he purposefully points out how Israel’s common sin of idolatry relates to similar idolatrous sins we find in today’s culture and even in the church. Each chapter includes two sets of discussion questions, and can be broken into two lessons if needed.

I listened to the christianaudio version of this book, and it worked well as a devotional read on the way to and from work each day. The chapters build on each other but can be read individually. The narration at first was hard to adjust to. The reader, Maurice England, has a strong southern drawl, and his accent was distracting at first. Perhaps it was more distracting because it contrasts so sharply with Tim Keller’s voice which I was imagining in my head when listening to the book. In time, the narration grew on me and I warmed up to England’s voice. I also own the hardback book, and notice that there are only a few things you miss out on with the audio-book. There is one big map in the appendix, as well as a couple diagrams which are not in the audio-book. Additionally, the audio-book does not attempt to include the glossary feature of the book (words in gray font in the text are defined in the glossary at the back of the book).

I highly recommend this series, and am looking forward to picking up additional titles. If each is as gospel-focused as this title, the series will be a boon to the church.

SPECIAL: From now through the end of February, you can pick up any of the books in this series from christianaudio at a 50% discount.

Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers: Amazon, Westminster Bookstore, ChristianBook.com, or direct from christianaudio.com or thegoodbook.com.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by ChristianAudio.com. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.

Book Briefs: “Blood and Bone” by Don Hoesel

~ Bob Hayton

Blood and Bone by Don HoeselHidden enclaves, secret societies, and mysterious codes await the reader of this book; as do car chases, gun fights, and the discovery of skulls in dark catacombs. Archeologist and adventurer, Jack Hawthorne can’t seem to shake such dark discoveries as he makes his way around the globe. And in this third and final book detailing his adventures, Hawthorne will finally come to the end of himself and unravel the secrets of an ancient society, thousands of years old and as evil as they come.

Blood and Bone is the third and final book in Don Hoesel’s adventure series following the life of archaeologist and bounty hunter, Jack Hawthorne. In the earlier books, Elisha’s Bones and Serpent of Moses, Hawthorne makes improbable discoveries of biblical relics with miraculous power. Along the way he makes enemies and raises the ire of fellow bounty hunters and government officials the world over.

Hawthorne’s adventures takes him to five continents, and lands him in impossible situations and dire predicaments more times than can be remembered. His weapons are his wide grasp of archaeology and ancient languages, dumb luck and his slowly growing faith in the God of his youth. This tale finds him married to his long-time girlfriend who happens to be a world-class authority on ancient cultures herself. She doesn’t let him venture off alone as together they race to meet the demands of the kidnappers who have stolen their two children.

In this final installment, Hoesel pulls all the stops and delivers a top-notch adventure that gets to the bottom of the secret society Jack has tangled with in the first two books. Along the way, Jack finally discovers the faith that has eluded him, and the adventure series reaches a satisfying finish.

Unlike the second book in the series, this one returns to the high level of artistry Hoesel accomplished in his first title. The books cover fantastic and unbelievable tales, but the stories themselves are well-written, and credible. The characters are intricately developed and suspense and discovery take turns dominating the narrative.

Readers looking for a fast-paced, mystery tale in the vein of Indiana Jones or Paul Maier’s A Skeleton in God’s Closet, will eat up this series from Don Hoesel. This is archaeological fiction at its best. I highly recommend it.

Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers: Amazon, ChristianBook.com, or direct from Bethany House.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Bethany House Publishers. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.