Book Review: Paul Faber, Surgeon

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 Achilles to Christ

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

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

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

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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Book Review: One Wise Sheep

One Wise Sheep by Ulrich Hub

One Wise Sheep: An Untraditional Christmas Story
by  Ulrich Hub, Jörg Mühle (illustrator)

When the shepherds go to see the Baby Jesus, their sheep are left alone in the pasture wondering what is going on. The sheep hear rumors that a Baby has been born, and they decide to go see for themselves, but they are a little confused. They heard that the Baby is a girl! The sheep get into all kinds of silly situations on their way to Bethlehem, but no matter what happens they always stick together.

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Devotional Review: Hymns Vol. 1

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.

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Book Review: Thomas Wingfold, Curate

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.

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Non Fiction Review: Too Good To Be False

Too Good to be False by Tom Gilson

Too Good to be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality
by Tom Gilson 
5 out of 5 stars

If you examine Christ’s life, his personality, his teaching, his leadership style, one thing becomes abundantly clear, Jesus is too good to be false. There has never been a human being who lived the way He did, and it would be impossible to make up a story of a man like Him. There’s no way that Jesus could be anyone other than who He claimed to be: God Incarnate.

I love the way this book follows logical steps of reasoning and evidence from the Bible and from history to build an irrefutable argument for the reality of Jesus. The writing is forceful and vivid, but it leads the reader gently down a path of truth to the convincing conclusion that Jesus is the only perfect human to have ever lived and died and risen again. Each step of the way is coherent and meaningful.

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Book Review: Jesus the King

Jesus the King: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God
Jesus the King: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God by Timothy J. Keller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent writing, inspiring insights, solid Bible doctrine, and a fresh look at the life of Christ through the lens of his death. I was incredibly impressed with this book. It’s accessible and easy to understand, although it deals with some deep cosmic ideas.

The whole book is a beautiful revelation of truth. I was crying in one chapter and then laughing in the next. It’s touching and thought-provoking. Every chapter is so deep and insightful. I was spiritually refreshed on every page!

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