christianity

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: 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: Outlaws of Ravenhurst

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Outlaws of Ravenhurst by M. Imelda Wallace

Outlaws of Ravenhurst
by Sister M. Imelda Wallace

Ten-year-old George has grown up with a poor farmer’s family in the colony of Maryland, but he discovers that he is actually a Scottish lord and his uncle takes him back to Scotland to be the chief of the Gordon clan. The Gordon clan are traditionally Catholic, but Catholicism has been outlawed in Scotland, and the young chief must now decide if he will risk his life for his faith.

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Book Review: Paul Faber, Surgeon

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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.

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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: 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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Book Review: The Mind of the Maker

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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”.

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Book Review: The Bronze Bow

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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.

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Book Review: The Weight of Glory

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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.

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