christianity

Book Review: Paul Faber, Surgeon

Posted by

0

Paul Faber, Surgeon by George MacDonald

Paul Faber, Surgeon
by George MacDonald

4 out of 5 stars

Paul Faber is an atheist, but still remains friends with Thomas Wingfold, the curate. The two have lively discussions about God and Christianity, but Paul still continues to deny the existence of God even though he respects Thomas as a person. Paul is called to the bedside of a young woman and, with his skill as a doctor, brings her back from the edge of death. Juliet is a lukewarm Christian at best, and she soon comes to think that Paul might have the truth on his side. Their romance is shadowed by secrets from their past. They try to create a perfect dream of love and happiness together, but they don’t trust each other with their darkest secrets until they begin to seek healing from Christ.
Juliet befriends Dorothy, the daughter of a local minister who has fallen into poverty and begins to doubt his faith when he feels that God has forsaken him. Dorothy also has her doubts about Christianity and feels miserable until she can find her faith again as she sees how God is working in her father’s life.

Continue reading →

Book Review: From Plato to Christ

Posted by

0

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.

Continue reading →

Book Review: From Achilles to Christ

Posted by

0

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.

Continue reading →

Book Review: The Mind of the Maker

Posted by

0

The Mind of the Maker by Dorothy L. Sayers

The Mind of the Maker
by Dorothy L. Sayers

5 out of 5 stars

Dorothy Sayers explores the intricacies of the creative mind, connecting how our creativity functions with how the Creator God also works within the Trinity. She examines the nature of art and why mankind feels the urge to create, just as God created us. We ask questions about life and death, free will, and what it means to be created in the “image of God”.

Continue reading →

Book Review: The Bronze Bow

Posted by

0

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

The Bronze Bow
by Elizabeth George Speare

4 out of 5 stars

After his father is crucified by the Romans, Daniel swears to get revenge and joins a band of Jewish zealots in the mountains. They claim to be fighting against Rome for the freedom of Israel, but they are really just bandits, even stealing from their own people. Disillusioned, Daniel seeks for answers with Jesus, but Jesus is not a leader who will lead them into battle against the Romans. Jesus teaches that they should love their enemies. Daniel holds onto his hate and urges his fellow villagers to fight. However, he is forced to reexamine his principles when those under his leadership are hurt.

Continue reading →

Book Review: The Weight of Glory

Posted by

0

The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses by C.S. Lewis

The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses
by  C.S. Lewis

This collection of essays from C.S. Lewis includes “The Weight of Glory”, which explores humanity’s innate desire for God. The essay says that the ultimate reward for a Christian is, not just to know God, but to be known by God. To be acknowledged and to receive approval from the Creator is the very essence of “glory”. Lewis talks from his own experience about how one of the most awful human experiences is to be ignored as if you did not matter, but to be noticed and invited in and welcomed as one who belongs is the highest happiness. We are not only to delight in our own glorious fellowship with God, but to also delight in the glory of our fellow human souls. Appreciating God and enjoying His Presence is the ultimate goal and design for every soul.

Continue reading →

Devotional Review: Hymns Vol. 1

Posted by

0

Hymns Volume 1 by The Daily Grace Co.

Hymns Volume 1
by The Daily Grace Co.

5 out of 5 stars

This daily devotional book gives you a traditional Christian hymn to read/sing each day, and tells about the composer/author who wrote it. There are Bible passages to read and a place to write in some of your thoughts as you answer the Bible study prompts.

Continue reading →

Book Review: Thomas Wingfold, Curate

Posted by

0

Thomas Wingfold, Curate by George MacDonald

Thomas Wingfold, Curate
by George MacDonald

4.5 out of 5 stars
Thomas Wingfold started a career in the church as a curate, but when he is asked whether or not he really believes there is a God, it starts him on a spiritual journey to discover what he truly believes and whether or not Christ is real. In the meantime, he continues preaching, sharing with his congregation the difficulties of his spiritual doubt and how he is searching for truth in the Bible.

Continue reading →

Book Review: The Man Born to be King

Posted by

0

The Man Born to Be King by Dorothy L. Sayers

The Man Born to Be King: A Play-Cycle on the Life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
by Dorothy L. Sayers

5 out of 5 stars

This collection of radio plays follows the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It tells the history of Christ from the perspective of the ordinary people around Him. The Three Wise Kings visit Bethlehem, John the Baptist preaches in the wilderness, and the twelve disciples are called to follow Jesus. Christ begins his ministry, performing miracles and healing people. Gradually Judas Iscariot is tempted into betraying Jesus. Caiaphas and Pilate and King Herod all try to manipulate the political situation at Jesus’ trial, ending with His crucifixion. The women find His tomb empty on the third day and Jesus visits his disciples after His resurrection.

These plays really capture the completely extraordinary experience of meeting God Himself in human form and shows how ordinary people were drawn to Christ. It’s really interesting to imagine more details around the actual history in the Bible. Some of the dialogue is straight from Scripture, and some of it is imagined or paraphrased.

Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: The Leadership of C. S. Lewis

Posted by

0

The Leadership of C.S. Lewis by Crystal Hurd

The Leadership of C.S. Lewis: Ten Traits to Encourage Change and Growth
by Crystal Hurd

5 out of 5 stars

What are the character traits that make a good leader? This book explores ten important attributes that are essential for any leadership role, and demonstrates how C. S. Lewis displayed those traits through his life and his writing. Here we analyze the details of why Lewis’s influence still continues to inspire countless Christians through his fiction and apologetic books.

Continue reading →