Serves as a reasonable introduction for readers interested in a personalized interpretation of the New Testament.
Ajao’s (God Can Turn it Around for You, 2011) brief guide to the New Testament.
Beginning with an overview of the Bible and its contents, this manual of sorts unpacks each book of the New Testament and frequently references the Old Testament. From the Gospel of St. Matthew to the Book of Revelation, the author shares an outline of each book and his own thoughts and commentary on the respective holy pages. Touching on many famous biblical occurrences such as the raising of Lazarus and the conversion of the apostle Paul (for whom the author has a particular fondness), the text emphasizes devotion to Christ and belief in the Holy Trinity. In a summary of his work, the author says, “The first current of thought that flows throughout this book is an absolute faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth who is the second person of the ‘Trinity.’ The second current of thought is eternal life, through faith in the LORD Jesus Christ.” Buoyed by his pleasure in writing about Christ’s devotion to prayer, the author says, “I love this part: Christ Jesus demonstrated that powerful, fervent and effectual prayer of the believer availeth much. He showed us the stuff he was made of through prayer.” The text reveals as much about a modern Christian devotee as it reveals about the Bible itself. While this volume adds little to the catalog of biblical scholarship, for readers interested in a modern evangelical and personal overview of the Bible, it’s on point. Occasional passages are unclear; for example, a passage on education available in biblical times seems muddled: “In fact, Judaism was the schoolmaster that brought us to the full glory of God. I mean, we Christians were historical students who were taught geography, literature and law.” But the author’s overall enthusiasm for the subject is apparent, and the book is ultimately instructive.
Serves as a reasonable introduction for readers interested in a personalized interpretation of the New Testament.Pub Date: July 9, 2012
ISBN: 978-1477205259
Page Count: 200
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Review Posted Online: June 7, 2013
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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