March 28, 2016

Book Review

Windows on Easter by Bill Crowder

This book provides an interesting perspective on Easter. It is view from some of the "other" people who witnessed the capture, crucifixion and or resurrection of Christ: Malchus, Judas Iscariot, the centurion, Joseph of Arimathea, the women disciples, and the disciples on the Emmaus Road.

I am not usually interested in books that provide a "different" view on a traditional topic, however, I found it to be the perfect read for Holy Week. The author uses stories from history, from his personal life, from church tradition, and of course Scripture to give a picture or "window" into the Easter story from each set of the characters perspectives.

I highly recommend reading this book if you are interested in looking at Easter with a different, yet biblical perspective.


March 21, 2016

Book Review

The Master: A Life of Jesus by John Pollock

John Pollock is a well known biographer of mostly Christian people. He was the official biographer of Billy Graham and is probably best known for his book "The Apostle: A Life of Paul."

In this book, however, Pollock tells the story of Jesus from the perspective of John the Apostle. The author uses the Gospel of John as the main source of information, but mixes in pieces from the other Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) as well as the Acts of the Apostles to fill in some of the blanks and make the story more cohesive. The author also used some historical accounts and assumptions that are not explicitly in Scripture.

Overall, it is an interesting story/biography to read and unique in the fact that it was an attempt to write it from John's perspective. However, I would recommend this book only to those people that are already familiar with Jesus, the Gospels, and the Apostle John. Otherwise, a new Christian might take some of the assumptions as Scripture and limit their ability to see Scripture clearly.

Still reading here.