It has been a while since I hosted a book giveaway! This week I’d like to offer two books to my readers as a special Reformation Book Giveaway. Each of these books is suited for children, but would make a good addition to the reading list of many parents I know, too. I enjoyed reading through each book, especially after my recent “Survey of the Reformation” series I taught for our adult SS class.
To enter the contest, simply fill out the Google Form below. Be sure to note the ways to earn additional entries to this contest. The contest runs through Monday night, Feb. 4.
Contest is now closed.
Congratulations to Chad S for winning the contest!
Once again William Boekestein has given us a fantastic book for children. The Glory of Grace: the Story of the Canons of Dort is his third book in a series from Reformation Heritage Books. Each book is illustrated by Evan Hughes and looks at the historical background to one of the confessional statements that make up the “all three titles. You won’t be disappointed.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Reformation Heritage Books. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable 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.
Review: One of the biggest stories in the Bible is that of the Exodus. Everything about the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea just seems larger than life. I always envision Charlton Heston, who plays Moses in the 1956 classic movie The Ten Commandments, with his rod stretched over the Red Sea and the multitude surrounding him. Something about this particular story seems to invite imaginative retellings, and many a Sunday School teacher has played on the active imaginations of children as they describe the amazing adventures of Moses and the Israelites. Illustrators and movie makers have a field day with this tale, and rightly so.
In all of the stories, retellings and adaptations I have seen (on screen and otherwise), I had never come across the particular angle explored by Carole Towriss in her new novel In the Shadow of Sinai. She follows the tale of Bezalel, the skilled craftsman appointed by Moses to work with the gold and precious stones. He is the artist who made Moses’ vision of the ark of the covenant come to life. And while no picture exists of the actual ark, countless recreations and depictions abound, testifying to the lasting beauty and allure surrounding this particular sacred artifact.
Towriss imagines Bezalel learning his skill in service to the Pharaoh, and follows his personal struggles that come with being plucked from the Egyptian mud-brick fields to the relative luxury of the palace. Towriss throws in a love story, of course, but what was most intriguing to me was her realistic portrayal of life in ancient Egypt.
Crafting the story around Bezalel allows Towriss to tell the tale of the ten plagues through an onlooker’s eyes. Bezalel doesn’t see everything take place, and doesn’t know what Moses is planning. And the plagues’ devastation doesn’t always make him happy. Just what is Yahweh up to, anyway?
Towriss takes us from the Egyptian palace to the deserts of Sinai, following the journey of the Israelites across the Red Sea, to the golden calf and the making of the Tabernacle. She introduces us to other biblical characters along the way, but packs enough tension and life into the plot to keep the attention of her readers.
For a first novel, the book is quite good. Even though Bible readers familiar with Moses’ written account will know the basic contours of the story, the specific details of Bezalel’s life and those around him unfold in unexpected ways. In the Shadow of Sinai is a satisfying romp through vaguely familiar territory and by the end, you’ll be longing for more. And like me, you’ll be pleased to learn that Towriss has two additional novels in this series planned.
Author Info: Carole Towriss grew up in beautiful San Diego, California. Now she and her husband live just north of Washington, DC. In between making tacos and telling her four children to pick up their shoes for the third time, she reads, watches chick flicks, writes and waits for summertime to return to the beach. You can find her at CaroleTowriss.com.
Do you believe in miracles? While Christians universally answer yes, this question brings up a myriad of questions for the Church today. Many Christians are increasingly cautious of affirming miracles because of the damage done publicly by faith healers and outright shenanigans. Popular books abound recounting personal stories of being transported to heaven, seeing Jesus, talking to angels and of course, being healed. Should every such story be believed? And if we refuse to believe are we being cynical and unbelieving in our outlook?
Beyond this larger question, the average Christian often has to make tricky decisions in real life scenarios. They are confronted with a claim to a miracle in the life of someone they know at work or in their church. They are pressured to come to a Pentecostal revival where they can’t help but be skeptical of the outlandish behavior and incredible conclusions made by their friends. Just how are we to think about miracles, when we pray for them on behalf of our family and friends every day? We all know God can heal, and we want his healing touch, but we just aren’t sure that we should expect it, or what to do when we think we’ve really seen it.
Tim Stafford, a senior writer for Christianity Today steps into this quagmire and offers us some help in a remarkable new book titled, Miracles: A Journalist Looks at Modern-Day Experiences of God’s Power. Tim navigates this thorny problem by recounting a true story that he experienced in his church, a fairly high-brow, staid and conservative Presbyterian assembly, by his telling. A young man experienced a healing from a debilitating pain in his feet that had required crutches and a wheel chair for years. His family were understandably overjoyed at his sudden and dramatic healing experienced at another church several hours away. But they were a little disappointed that their fellow church members didn’t share all their enthusiasm.
Stafford uses this story as a case in point, and interviewed the family as well as other families affected by this story from his church. Tim also draws on his travels to far-flung corners of the globe, where the miraculous may be more common. But rather than basing his conclusions on eye-witness testimony, Stafford also surveys the Old and New Testaments and the early years of church history looking for takeaways that we can apply to this perpetually difficult question. The result is a lucid and eminently readable account of his exploration. And his book is more than a page-turner. He brings sage advice, common sense, and an open spirit to the topic as well as his own honest account of disappointment and growth in this area.
Stafford’s book won’t change the mind of the die-hard proponent of an extreme position on this issue. Those who see miracles around every corner will still find them, and those who hesitate to affirm the miraculous anywhere after Rev. 22, will equally be unconvinced. But for the average believer, without an axe to grind, Stafford’s treatment will be challenging and uplifting, and ultimately helpful. I was encouraged to trust in our miracle-working God more, and to see the miraculous in the ordinary means of grace that God so faithfully provides.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Bethany House. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable 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.
Having just concluded a ten week adult SS series on the Reformation, I was excited to get my hands on a new book that introduces children to the world of the Reformation. Inside the Reformation, compiled by Mark Sengele, is a beautifully produced, coffee-table quality book for kids. The pictures and illustrations are top-notch and will captivate young readers.
The book covers such topics as the Holy Roman Empire, world exploration, music, food and medicine in the middle ages, travel, art, architecture and more. Martin Luther is the focus of this work produced by Concordia Publishing House. Some space is devoted to Luther’s wife and other reformers such as Philip Melanchthon, John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli. Important Reformation events such as Luther’s 95 Theses and the Diet of Worms, as well as significant documents, like the Augsburg Confession and the Book of Concord are also surveyed.
The book is a montage of assorted pictures and information, and no attempt is made to tell the full story of the Reformation, directly. Even so, the collection of engaging images and intriguing facts will spur readers to research further and inquire into the history of the Reformation for themselves. The detail and intricacy of some of the concepts covered in this book make it more suited for children in middle school and above.
This book would make a great resource for the child studying Reformation-era history. It would also serve as a useful addition to a homeschool curriculum covering Church history. I was quite impressed with the quality of the book and am very thankful that such high-quality resources are being made available for our children.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Concordia Publishing House. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable 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.
