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Book Review: The Myth Made Fact

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The Myth Made Fact by Louis A. Markos

The Myth Made Fact: Reading Greek and Roman Mythology through Christian Eyes
by Louis A. Markos

5 out of 5 stars

C.S Lewis wrote an essay called “Myth Became Fact”, explaining that all the pagan myths hold a kernel of truth pointing to Christ. He said that “the heart of Christianity is a myth which is also a fact…” The story of Christ is a true history that “retains its mythic power and force.” Lewis believed that our imagination is fired up in mythical stories, and that those stories will guide our hearts to the truth. “Reason is the natural organ of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.”-C.S. Lewis

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Book Review: Walking with Frodo

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Walking With Frodo by Sarah Arthur

Walking With Frodo: A Devotional Journey Through the Lord of the Rings
by Sarah Arthur (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars

This devotional examines pairs of opposite sins and virtues in the Lord of the Rings, and inspires the reader to look closely at their own life and faith. Each section is divided into two chapters for the sin and for the virtue, and at the end of each chapter there is a proverb or wise saying that encapsulates the lesson for that chapter.

We examine darkness and light, pride and humility, corruption and integrity, betrayal and loyalty, disunity and forgiveness, deceit and honest, bondage and freedom, control and servanthood, and despair and hope.

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Book Review: Stop, In the Name of God

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Stop, in the Name of God by Charlie Kirk

Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life
by Charlie Kirk

5 out of 5 stars

In this book we explore the observation of the Sabbath, both as a way to find rest and to honor God. We learn how, from the very beginning of creation, God set in place a separate time to cease from working. God “rested” on the seventh day of creation, not because He was tired, but because the work was complete. The whole first chapter talks about creation, and how believing in a Creator God changes our entire perspective on life, knowing that we have a purpose and our work in life also “finds purpose when it moves toward rest.” The author describes the Sabbath as a “cathedral in time.” A time of beauty and sanctuary where we can meet God.

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Book Review: From Aristotle to Christ

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From Aristotle to Christ by Louis Markos

From Aristotle to Christ: How Aristotelian Thought Clarified the Christian Faith
by Louis Markos

5 out of 5 stars

Aristotle, like his teacher Plato, had a particular way of asking questions about the world and organizing information in the way that seemed most logical to him with the information he had available. Even without the direct revelation of the Bible, Aristotle intuited some universal truths that have helped Christians to examine their faith more closely and find deeper truths in the Bible than Aristotle ever dreamed of.

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Book Review: Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness

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Joseph by Charles R. Swindoll

Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness (Great Lives from God’s Word, #3)
by Charles R. Swindoll (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars

This book takes a close look at the history of Joseph, and how his faith in God shaped his life and saved his family. Although Joseph endured terrible injustice, abuse, and trauma, he trusted that God was with him in every situation. God worked in every circumstance to bring joy and prosperity to Joseph and his family.

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Book Review: The Liberty of Obedience

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The Liberty of Obedience by Elisabeth Elliot

The Liberty of Obedience
by Elisabeth Elliot

5 out of 5 stars

This book explores the deeper meaning behind spiritual obedience to God, and how it is not limiting but liberating. Elisabeth Elliot draws on her experiences living with the Aucas native tribe to strip away all the distractions of American culture and all the social rules that we mistake for God’s rules. When you consider only the instructions of the Bible, obedience to those instructions becomes very simple and joyful.

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Book Review: How to Pray

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How to Pray by John Wesley

How to Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer (Value Books)
by John Wesley

3 out of 5 stars

This compilation brings together snippets of Wesley’s writing and sermons on the subject of prayer. Each page has a devotional for the day, along with a Bible verse to reflect on.
Some of the pages are obviously taken from the middle of a sermon, and it can be a little difficult to grasp the context. But for the most part, each page has a complete thought regarding prayer or some prayerful aspect of Christian life.

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Book Review: From Plato to Christ

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From Plato to Christ by Louis A. Markos

From Plato to Christ: How Platonic Thought Shaped the Christian Faith
by Louis A. Markos

5 out of 5 stars

The philosophy of Plato prepared the way for Christianity to be widely accepted in the ancient world. Socrates and Plato had a way of asking the right questions, even if they didn’t know the true answers that can be found in the Bible. Their philosophy points the way for a searching soul to find the truth of Christ. There are some spiritual things that are well-known to all of creation in general revelation, and Plato used that limited knowledge to formulate his own ideas about virtue and spiritual life. His philosophy directly reflects and leads to the specific revelation of truth in the person of Christ.

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Book Review: Letters to Galatians and Ephesians

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The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians by William Barclay

The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians (New Daily Study Bible)
by William Barclay

5 out of 5 stars

This was so inspiring and wonderful to dive deep into Scripture and analyze each passage. I really liked that this book includes a lot of history and facts about Roman and Jewish culture during Paul’s time. It puts his letters into perspective.

I read a little bit each day, and really enjoyed using this as a devotional book each morning!

Book Review: From Achilles to Christ

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From Achilles to Christ by Louis A. Markos

From Achilles to Christ: Why Christians Should Read the Pagan Classics
by Louis A. Markos

5 out of 5 stars

Christians can look back on the pagan classics from Homer and Virgil and see the universal human longing for a Savior. As Achilles and Odysseus struggle through their heroic adventures, the Christian can draw parallels to Christ’s own heroic deeds, finding the completion of every myth in the person of Christ. In the Bible, God often uses pagan kings to reveal His truth and further His kingdom. The truth of Christ can be found reflected in all of creation and especially in the greatest creative literature of the ancient world.
The author says that “…the great, overarching symbols of literature can function as they do only because history and the universe are inherently meaningful and moving toward a purposeful end.”pg. 133
The pre-Christian myths of the Greeks and Romans include the same symbols and themes that are present in the Bible, and which find their final fruition in Christ.

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