Book of the Week
May 6, 2013
Sadly, at my church we cannot offer the kind of culturally transforming ministry that is available elsewhere (as an aside, it is not the ink of the gentleman on the right which worries me; it is his earlobes. What on earth has happened to them? Did it, like some of the later music of The Clash, seem like a good idea at the time?). Instead, prosaic and passe as it sounds, we just try to teach the Bible. I trust that the Alliance employee who told the Puppetmaster that the clip reminded her of my views on church and ministry has been appropriately dispatched.
And that brings me in a purely random and contrived sort of way to an excellent new book from Christian Focus, 66 Books One Bible by
Paul Reynolds. It is essentially a biblical theology for children. Story Bibles have their place; but, of course, such books are always rather selective in the way they present the biblical story. Jesus, Paul, David and Goliath usually feature, along with Noah, Samson and Gideon and others. But many books of the Bible are ignored completely. Where this work therefore makes a real contribution is that it presents the basic theme and significance of every single book of the Bible. It will not substitute for a good children's story Bible or -- of course -- for the actual Bible; but it will help give children at a young age that great 'big picture' of the biblical story which will help them grow in their knowledge of God's word.
The book has good illustrations, very readable text and no pictures of Jesus. Each book is introduced, summarised and set within the context of salvation as a whole. Key lessons are also highlighted. There is a glossary at the end.
It will make a good tool for parents and Sunday school teachers. And if, like me, you sometimes just like to be reminded of the most simple basics of the Bible and the faith, you might find as an adult that you benefit from it as well.
And that brings me in a purely random and contrived sort of way to an excellent new book from Christian Focus, 66 Books One Bible by
Paul Reynolds. It is essentially a biblical theology for children. Story Bibles have their place; but, of course, such books are always rather selective in the way they present the biblical story. Jesus, Paul, David and Goliath usually feature, along with Noah, Samson and Gideon and others. But many books of the Bible are ignored completely. Where this work therefore makes a real contribution is that it presents the basic theme and significance of every single book of the Bible. It will not substitute for a good children's story Bible or -- of course -- for the actual Bible; but it will help give children at a young age that great 'big picture' of the biblical story which will help them grow in their knowledge of God's word.The book has good illustrations, very readable text and no pictures of Jesus. Each book is introduced, summarised and set within the context of salvation as a whole. Key lessons are also highlighted. There is a glossary at the end.
It will make a good tool for parents and Sunday school teachers. And if, like me, you sometimes just like to be reminded of the most simple basics of the Bible and the faith, you might find as an adult that you benefit from it as well.
