An accessible yet simplistic introduction to Christianity.
A debut spiritual book makes a case for the veracity of Christianity.
Though raised by a “Christian schoolteacher” in a devout Baptist family, Glenn “began to question religion” as an adult. During his five years of spiritual scrutiny, he not only read the entire Bible “too many times to count,” he also explored Islam, Judaism, and other religions. Ironically, this independent research brought him back to where he started, as he became convinced that unlike “all other religions in the world,” Christianity offers “proof” that verifies its claims. The author’s case for the “Believability of the Bible” rests on two central arguments: a defense of the holy book’s inerrancy and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies through Jesus. In addition to this well-trod, almost ubiquitous terrain of conservative Christian apologetics, Glenn delivers theological ruminations on various topics germane to the fundamentals of distinctly evangelical, Protestant Christian doctrine, including Jesus’ divinity, the nature of the Holy Spirit, and heaven. Openly admitting that he is “not any kind of scholar” and is “just your average, ordinary Christian,” the author employs a writing style that makes for an easy read. Glenn breaks down his arguments into concise chapters that are sometimes only two pages long. The book’s opening pages devote significant attention to how other monotheistic religions have “twisted” biblical stories. While conservative evangelicals may embrace the volume’s contentions, other readers may not be convinced by its reliance on questionable arguments to deconstruct alternate religions or may take offense to its rather blithe dismissal of other faith traditions as “crazy.” The work’s tendency to oversimplify complex issues that humanity has grappled with for centuries also extends to its approach to understanding the Bible, which the volume suggests is actually “not hard to do.” This overconfidence in its grasp of Christian Scripture means that the entire book relies on the Bible, and its own subjective interpretations thereof, as the basis for its arguments. Not a single footnote or reference is made to scholars or thinkers, including Christians, who have grappled with the complexities and nuances of the religion for centuries.
An accessible yet simplistic introduction to Christianity.Pub Date: Nov. 23, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-66-421437-8
Page Count: 108
Publisher: Westbow Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 25, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A virtuoso performance and an ode to an undervalued medium created by two talented artists.
The veteran actor, comedian, and banjo player teams up with the acclaimed illustrator to create a unique book of cartoons that communicates their personalities.
Martin, also a prolific author, has always been intrigued by the cartoons strewn throughout the pages of the New Yorker. So when he was presented with the opportunity to work with Bliss, who has been a staff cartoonist at the magazine since 1997, he seized the moment. “The idea of a one-panel image with or without a caption mystified me,” he writes. “I felt like, yeah, sometimes I’m funny, but there are these other weird freaks who are actually funny.” Once the duo agreed to work together, they established their creative process, which consisted of working forward and backward: “Forwards was me conceiving of several cartoon images and captions, and Harry would select his favorites; backwards was Harry sending me sketched or fully drawn cartoons for dialogue or banners.” Sometimes, he writes, “the perfect joke occurs two seconds before deadline.” There are several cartoons depicting this method, including a humorous multipanel piece highlighting their first meeting called “They Meet,” in which Martin thinks to himself, “He’ll never be able to translate my delicate and finely honed droll notions.” In the next panel, Bliss thinks, “I’m sure he won’t understand that the comic art form is way more subtle than his blunt-force humor.” The team collaborated for a year and created 150 cartoons featuring an array of topics, “from dogs and cats to outer space and art museums.” A witty creation of a bovine family sitting down to a gourmet meal and one of Dumbo getting his comeuppance highlight the duo’s comedic talent. What also makes this project successful is the team’s keen understanding of human behavior as viewed through their unconventional comedic minds.
A virtuoso performance and an ode to an undervalued medium created by two talented artists.Pub Date: Nov. 17, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-26289-9
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Celadon Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2020
PERSPECTIVES
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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