An easily digestible commentary on the life of an inspiring biblical hero, offering hope to those facing their own...
Debut author Craig offers a focused look at the life of Joseph from the Book of Genesis and the negative events that helped prepare him for his greater purpose.
The author notes that although setbacks often have the potential to derail us completely, “The process through which we can be prepared for higher callings and responsibility is directly related to the challenges, obstacles, and even people we encounter on this journey of life.” Craig calls these challenges “interlopers” and asserts that they’re crucial to one’s spiritual development and maturation, and can even help prepare one for a higher calling. He relates this idea to the life of the biblical figure of Joseph, who faced several difficulties that ultimately culminated in his being promoted to a place of power, authority, and great influence in Egypt—second only to the Pharaoh himself. Craig effectively walks readers through the low points in Joseph’s life, from his betrayal by his brothers to his unjust imprisonment, gleaning examples and insights from each situation; in this way, he demonstrates the sometimes-zigzagging process by which God leads people to places of greater influence and responsibility. Overall, this book will appeal to Christians looking for encouragement from a popular biblical character’s story. Those who are interested solely in the life of Joseph, however, might want a more in-depth book, as this is a relatively concise read that uses the scriptural story mostly to illustrate a specific point. The prologue by Union University biblical studies professor R. Kelvin Moore states that the book will “make readers want to read and reread the story of Joseph and God’s providence,” and this is probably true, although it lacks much original insight on its own.
An easily digestible commentary on the life of an inspiring biblical hero, offering hope to those facing their own “interlopers.”Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4575-5776-7
Page Count: 76
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2017
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
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
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