An engaging, if not always convincing, introduction to Christian identity.
Blanchard explores the value of religious identity in this nonfiction debut.
The author observes in the book’s preface that, “while identifying as a Christian,” he had a daily routine that “lacked much impact from Godly influences which was leading me to live an inauthentic, uneasy, and exhaustive life.” After he’d realized a core tenet of the Christian faith—that we are not the center of the world but were made to serve something higher—his identity completely changed. Having filled his free time with Bible studies, church groups, and reading Christian commentary and theological works, Blanchard now seeks to “shine some light on the importance of seeing ourselves, who we are, as God intends us to be.” The book is divided into two sections: Part I (“Understanding Christian Identity”) focuses on the shared identity of Christians throughout time, from their inherently sinful natures at birth through their post-conversion identities as worshipers, disciples, and messengers. Part II (“Is the Stage Being Set?”) provides a practical approach to applying Christian faith in the contemporary era of “transhumanism” and artificial intelligence, which, per the author, “feels different, uncomfortable, and somewhat uncontrollable” compared to previous time periods. While echoing conservative fears of a “one-world government,” which the text compares to the Bible’s Tower of Babel, the book generally avoids hot-button cultural issues surrounding reproductive rights, sexuality, and racism. To some readers, this approach may be an inexcusable omission for a book centered on real-life applications of faith; to others, it may be a refreshing take coming from a work whose positions otherwise reflect a standard white, evangelical, Protestant perspective (the book’s theology is reflected in its ample footnotes, which reference distinctly evangelical sources). Written from the perspective of “a common man,” the book eschews theological complexities for an accessible introduction to the fundamentals of the faith. The work may not appeal to readers who don’t share the author’s specific interpretation of Christianity, but it offers a clear-cut, easy-to-read narrative.
An engaging, if not always convincing, introduction to Christian identity.Pub Date: Nov. 9, 2023
ISBN: 9798385009923
Page Count: 310
Publisher: WestBowPress
Review Posted Online: March 11, 2024
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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