A joyful assertion of the rewards of a one-to-one relationship with Jesus Christ.
A series of reflections on the nature of Christian faith.
Eriksson’s debut takes the form of a series of enthusiastic affirmations of the joys and challenges of Christian life, which she characterizes not as a system of doctrines, but as a living relationship with Jesus Christ. The Jesus she envisions is not a distant, celestial savior but rather an intimate guide and mentor, “who made each person individually, who knows us by name, cares about our personal circumstances and will move in miracles to change them and make a way for us.” She uses a familiar tactic of Christian apologetics, asserting that God allows tragedies and trials in order to test and strengthen the faith of his followers. However, readers may find the concept of an all-powerful, compassionate deity who still allows suffering to be deeply counterintuitive. The author compensates for such quandaries by presenting an attractively simple, straightforward picture of active Christian faith—one in which Jesus’ life as a human being on Earth enables him to empathize with his followers completely: “We don’t have to tell Jesus through our tears what a broken heart feels like,” she movingly writes. “He knows.” She follows a standard evangelical line by insisting that the cornerstone of a successful relationship with Jesus is total surrender, “turning the reins and leadership/decision-making of our lives entirely over to Him,” reasoning that if his followers shy away from complete devotion to him in this life, they can’t expect complete devotion from him in the next. Eriksson’s writing is quite clear and accessible overall. However, there are occasional errors; the husband of Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, for example, was Zechariah, not Zacheus. That said, the book will still be very useful to new Christians and to Christian faith groups.
A joyful assertion of the rewards of a one-to-one relationship with Jesus Christ.Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4984-4848-2
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Xulon Press
Review Posted Online: Dec. 3, 2015
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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