A worthwhile aid to devotional study but not a final word on the subject of atonement.
Taylor takes a deep dive into the theology behind original sin and atonement through the death of Jesus Christ.
Based on a conservative evangelical approach to the Bible, this work reinforces the old yarn that, “In Adam’s fall we sinned all.” Debut author Taylor provides a highly readable and accessible work, replete with necessary scriptural references as backup, but on occasion veers into the realm of questionable theology. The book begins by discussing the nature of Adam’s sin of eating the forbidden fruit and how that sin was capable of being passed down not only to further generations, but to all of creation in the process. The author moves on to describe the way one perfect and divine man, Jesus, was able to provide a sacrifice capable of erasing the sin that had threatened creation. These are long-standing issues in Christian theology and have been the subjects of discourse for centuries. Taylor, however, brings up interesting, potentially controversial points. For instance: “The death sentence that was passed on to all men because of Adam’s trespass was taken away immediately without any man having to do anything to make that happen.” His premise is that Jesus’ death forgave original sin, and only individual sins remained to be forgiven. As another example, the author’s firm belief that the Old Testament character of Melchizedek is indeed Christ incarnate, and that all sacrifices were made through him until the advent of Jesus, may also stir debate. Taylor effectively imagines and conveys the level of suffering endured by Jesus in becoming a man and dying. Oddly, the resurrection plays only a small part in this work, leaving holes in the author’s larger soteriology. But overall, Taylor provides the reader with meaningful food for thought.
A worthwhile aid to devotional study but not a final word on the subject of atonement.Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-63357-136-5
Page Count: 181
Publisher: Crosslink Publishing
Review Posted Online: Nov. 2, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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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