The A to Z Guide to Bible Signs & Symbols: Understanding Their Meaning and Significance
by Neil Wilson and Nancy Ryken Taylor
The subtitle of this book is "Understanding Their Meaning and Significance," and therein lies the beauty of this book. It is certainly not the easiest book to just pick up and read, from page 1 through the end, but I think it is an important book for every Christian's shelf.
Very few of us have the calling to attend seminary (or the desire to sit and read commentaries), so our understanding of the meaning and significance of the signs and symbols in the Bible is limited to sermons presented by our pastors who have done the studying. And, because there is so much to get from those Sunday or midweek sermons, we run short on time to truly soak in the significance of a symbol or a sign found scattered throughout the Bible. That leaves most of us with little to no knowledge of what was packed into the Scripture--things that will enrich not only our understanding of God's word for us but also our faith.
Enter The A to Z Guide to Bible Signs & Symbols. Neil Wilson and Nancy Ryken Taylor have compiled a user-friendly resource rich with examples and references from the Old Testament to the New Testament. From the cross to darkness to quail to wind--and everything in between--Wilson and Ryken Taylor break down the sign or the symbol, explain its significance (either positive or negative), and challenge the believer to learn from its inclusion. I'm thrilled to have this reference on my bookshelf to enhance my personal devotions, and I recommend it for everyone who wants to dig a bit deeper.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggerswww.bakerbooks.com/bakerbooksbloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Reviewing: 30 Events That Shaped the Church
30 Events That Shaped the Church: Learning from Scandal, Intrigue, War, and Revival
by Alton Gansky
How can one not eagerly pick up a book with a subtitle like that?! I love to learn from scandal and intrigue! I'm happy to report that Gansky's book did not disappoint. There was scandal and intrigue and war and revival . . . and a lot in between.
I can't even imagine how many years Gansky spent researching the 30 events he chose to include in this book, but each hour is obvious. While this book was interesting and a fairly quick read, it could certainly serve as a starting point for further research into any of the events he mentioned. In fact, I often thought, "If my kids ever need to write about the history of the church, this is the perfect primer for them." From obvious events like Pentecost to the less obvious "Rise of the Neo-Evangelicals," every one of the 30 chapters can stand alone while also flowing from one to the next in a cohesive timeline. Gansky often refers back to another chapter as he's explaining a new event. Then, in the end, he ties the rise of atheism back to the birth of the church and offers hope that we can again come through these current days stronger and more unified.
Through this journey from AD 30 to the present day I found my faith sharpened and reaffirmed. It was fun to read about the birth of Protestantism and see where the church I love today--and the Church I love today--got its start and has been forced to change and grow in order to stay alive . . . and where it refused to compromise. This book is a great journey for the seasoned follower of Christ, the new believer, and everyone in between. I think it would also be great for an adult Sunday School as it would spur conversation and a critical look at where we were, where are now, and where we need to go.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
by Alton Gansky
How can one not eagerly pick up a book with a subtitle like that?! I love to learn from scandal and intrigue! I'm happy to report that Gansky's book did not disappoint. There was scandal and intrigue and war and revival . . . and a lot in between.
I can't even imagine how many years Gansky spent researching the 30 events he chose to include in this book, but each hour is obvious. While this book was interesting and a fairly quick read, it could certainly serve as a starting point for further research into any of the events he mentioned. In fact, I often thought, "If my kids ever need to write about the history of the church, this is the perfect primer for them." From obvious events like Pentecost to the less obvious "Rise of the Neo-Evangelicals," every one of the 30 chapters can stand alone while also flowing from one to the next in a cohesive timeline. Gansky often refers back to another chapter as he's explaining a new event. Then, in the end, he ties the rise of atheism back to the birth of the church and offers hope that we can again come through these current days stronger and more unified.
Through this journey from AD 30 to the present day I found my faith sharpened and reaffirmed. It was fun to read about the birth of Protestantism and see where the church I love today--and the Church I love today--got its start and has been forced to change and grow in order to stay alive . . . and where it refused to compromise. This book is a great journey for the seasoned follower of Christ, the new believer, and everyone in between. I think it would also be great for an adult Sunday School as it would spur conversation and a critical look at where we were, where are now, and where we need to go.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
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