The Gospel-Centered Woman, Part 1 {Book Review}

It seems that I am on a roll with reading books that are geared toward women living Biblically. Well, it’s a roll for me anyway. I don’t read many of ‘those’ kinds of books usually. I won’t say it’s intentional but I won’t deny that it could be. Just because one accepts Christ as their means of redemption and salvation, the ‘work’ doesn’t stop there. There is more growing and learning to do. It’s life long. I’ve just been privileged to have some books come my way to read on the subject.

The latest book that I’ve been reading is actually a review book that will be part of a blog tour later this month with LitFuse. I’m choosing to do this in two parts; the first is here and now, the second will be the blog tour. The book is The Gospel-Centered Woman: Understanding Biblical Womanhood through the Lens of the Gospel by Wendy Alsup. ISBN: 9781451574821

I will start this with the description from the back of the book—what got my attention and why I requested to review this book:

Many Christian books written to women claim to present God’s good instructions for their lives. Some expound on the value of marriage and children. Many extol the virtues of the Proverbs 31 woman. A good number teach the value of love, submission, and respect in Christian marriages. Though this book deals with these topics, The Gospel-Centered Woman addresses women from an entirely different perspective. The most important parts of the Bible’s instructions to women center around the gospel. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection brought about a seismic shift in our understanding of Scripture. After His resurrection, His disciples understood words written thousands of years prior with a  clarity no one had previously. The good news of Christ illuminates all other Scripture, including instructions to women.

You are invited to explore with the author what God created women to be as image bearers of Himself and how Christ made a way for us to embrace anew our legacy as daughters of God.

I will go through chapter by chapter, narrating to you what I understand of the passages as well as my thoughts. I won’t cover the entire book in this post. It’s a small book, only 147 pages, but there is a lot to it.

Introduction- Wow, this book isn’t for me after all! That’s what I’m thinking as I read the beginning of the Introduction. The women she speaks of all have ‘issues’. I don’t. Or do I? Mine may be different than these. She talks about those who look like they have it all together but at some point, recent or long past, had dealt with ‘serious trial and struggle’. I missed those words at first. I decided it didn’t matter if this book was ‘for me’ and to read it anyway. She (the author) says there are plenty of books geared toward women from the perspective of being wives and mothers, and all that is entailed in that. In the intro she talks about the fall of man—and woman. But she also points out that “we never want to read of depravity without also holding tightly to God’s good plan to redeem all that was taken by the fall” (p. 4).

I truly was thinking “I have made a mistake choosing this book.” But I was determined to continue through.

Chapter One: God Is Our Help- Alsup starts right away with the point that both man and woman were created in God’s image. She also points out that woman was the ezer (help) to man. The word ezer is also the word for God in other verses—it’s not like woman was created to be “the help” in a negative way. She also points out that many women look to women in the Bible as their role model when it should be Christ we strive to be like. The women of the Bible aren’t necessarily poor role models but Christ is to be the ultimate role model.

In this chapter she makes a point of talking about ‘relationships’ and she supposes that God made woman, not exclusively, or necessarily just for the institution of marriage, but because it is more about relationship and companionship. More about not being alone or lonely. I don’t agree with this. If this were the case, why didn’t God just make two men? I think I understand her line of thinking as a way to lessen the feelings of inadequacy or guilt that those who are not married may feel. But not everyone marries. Paul even advises in the New Testament that it may be better for some to remain single. But we’ve not gotten that far in this book so I’ll wait to see how she handles that.

Chapter Two: The Fall of Man and Woman- Again she points out that we don’t want to talk about the fall without the hope of redemption. In Genesis 3 we are reminded why women have pain in childbirth as well as the desire for the husband and his rule over women. Alsup gives insight into the word ‘desire’—craving, strong longing. It helps some to understand why some women look to men to fulfill their lives (I include myself in that). But it is likened almost to idolatry, this ‘desire’. She talks more of the women that desire the attention and acceptance of men but gives reassurance when she says: “The woman bought by Christ who is set up as God’s honored daughter with full access to the King of Kings has her needs met in Him.” It’s difficult to realize for some women how this can be the case, but it truly is.

Section Two: Redeemed to Reflect God Once More- This is a short, two page introduction to the section. Although man and woman fell from God’s grace, He had a plan. Jesus would be the redemption. She says in this section she will ‘flesh out’ what the gospel is.

Chapter Three: Godliness with Contentment- “Godliness with contentment is great gain…” 1 Timothy 6:6 –Interestingly, Alsup admits that she holds a bias to the word or idea of ‘contentment’ from her “conservative Christian upbringing.” I gather it was taught as a quality women were to have. I personally haven’t thought contentment was pointedly a womanly characteristic in the New Testament but appreciate her viewpoint (and honesty). I think she tackles this chapter as if she is talking to herself at a ‘rebellious’ or overwhelmed point in her life; her ‘replies’ are exasperated or stressed. Since this is a book that is meant to be of help, I gather it is really trying to make a connection with women who feel that contentment is so far off…along with ‘godliness’. Here she gives the Greek word- eusebia. Devotion or piety. It comes from a word meaning duty.

Back to contentment…She talks about “this mess of a life” and how can one be content with that? I can’t relate now in my current frame in mind with the examples of women who may be having a difficult time with contentment. I have been in a place or two when I could have not imagined contentment though so I understand what she is getting at. Contentment is the Greek word autarkeia. Adequate provisions and adequate supplies. Alsup calls that the gospel.

She then goes on to talk more about justification and sanctification. I really like:

“[Presentations of the gospel] focused on the value of Christ’s death for me. But they did not focus on the value of His life…God did more than just bring my account to zero. He also has lavished positively His grace on me…” p. 40

After this Alsup goes through some portions of her life and of her friends’ lives that makes one wonder how they coped, let alone were content! She then sums that up with:

“…If by contentment I mean that I have faith that God has adequately supplied me and them through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection; that He has sufficiently equipped us by lavishing on us a spiritual bank account with great equity to face these struggles head on; that the same power that rose Christ from the dead is now the power supernaturally at work in us, equipping us to deal with these struggles…if that is contentment, I understand why devotion to God [godliness] coupled with that confidence [contentment] is great gain.” p. 45

I also appreciate the last paragraph of the chapter, which I will quote these sentences:

“Godliness with contentment does not mean pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. If the phrase fills you with guilt, you are missing the entire point. The gospel does not obligate you to contentment. It equips you for contentment.” p. 46

Chapter Four: The Gospel Gives Us Sanctuary- In this chapter she goes through- verse by verse –Psalm 73. It is a “vivid contrast between our devastating need and God’s overwhelming provision” (p. 52). Through it all, the Psalmist, who sees the evil apparently flourishing and those who look to God, perishing or being mocked and oppressed. It isn’t until the Psalmists enters “into the sanctuary of God; that I discern their end” (Psalm 73: 17). I recall a point that the Psalmist is not ashamed to be upset, and upset with or at God but, he repents of this feeling. Alsup sums that up with, “God is sovereign, God is wise, and God is compassionate” (p. 57). God is compassionate to those who look to Him. She ends this chapter with the point that we have direct access to God through Christ’s sacrifice. He is our sanctuary as nothing, or no one else, can be.

The rest of the book is organized as follows:

• Chapter 5: Equipped to Forgive and be Forgiven
• Chapter 6: The Gospel Unites Us with Christ
• Section 3: Wisdom in Tension
• Chapter 7: Wisdom Versus Law
• Chapter 8: The Bible is the Best Commentary on Itself
• Chapter 9: Wisdom from Proverbs 31
• Discussion Questions

I will save the rest of the book for the second post. In this book the author has used up to 6 different versions of the Bible. She is mostly consistent with using ESV Bible from Crossway. That’s just an fyi for those who prefer one version over others. Although I don’t necessarily care for the different Bible versions (personally, I think one is sufficient), the Greek and Hebrew definitions that she offers are beneficial. I’ve always enjoyed word study.

Remember how I said that I didn’t think this book was for me? I wouldn’t know that looking at the description on the back cover. It said it would do exactly what it does but doesn’t mention that it has a large focus on the, uh, broken? woman. Or the ones that feel they are broken (or there is ‘something wrong’ with them). Perhaps rephrasing that to ‘the woman who has be made to believe that if she is not the Proverbs 31 woman, she is flawed, or not following Biblical living,’ might be more accurate. It seems to me that the focus is for women who are struggling with finding their place in God’s plan. I don’t mean path, or where God is directing them, but what is expected of them, regardless if they are wives or mothers or not. I’ve always found it easier to find God in times of trouble than times of peace—that’s when I search for Him more. Perhaps that is why this book doesn’t feel like a good fit for me. I do acknowledge that I’m not ‘searching’ as I need to be.

The rest of the book has plenty of references to the women I mentioned in the paragraph above but for a few chapters.

Alsup does indeed focus on the Gospel, with references here and there to the Old Testament. Perhaps one of my favorite chapters was Chapter 8: The Bible is the Best Commentary on Itself; I’ll share more in my next post. I did feel the organization of the book to be a bit chaotic. It flows alright but perhaps could have been rearranged a bit better. Of course I say that but have no suggestions as to how!

The second post will be up around March 26, 2013.

Book Review: Fool Moon Rising {Crossway}

Fool Moon Rising by Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty
Ages: 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-4335-0682-6
Hardcover, 40 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retail: $15.99

About the book (from Crossway):

Through this illustrated tale about the moon stealing the sun's glory, children learn about the importance of humility and the dangers of pride.

This rhyming, rollicking tale tells of a crime of cosmic proportions: the moon, blinded by pride, fails to see the true source of his abilities-the light provided by the sun. He boasts of his ability to shine, to change shape throughout each month, and to swell the tides. One day, overwhelmed by a piercing ray of sunshine, the moon repents of his pride and changes his ways, and from that point on he is happy to reflect the sun's light.

This beautifully illustrated book introduces the concept of humility to children. Readers will be reminded that everything we have, including our gifts and talents, is from God. Just as the moon learns to boast only of the sun, children-and their parents-learn that to boast of anything other than the Son is utter foolishness.

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My thoughts:

The book is richly illustrated. It has references to the moon and its phases, some song lyrics that feature the moon, about astronauts walking on its surface, and the effect it has on the tides. It shows a few of the other planets (Jupiter and Saturn are most recognizable) and the back flap has “galactic facts”. Also, throughout the book are little interesting things that can be spotted- I don’t know if they were intentionally put in to ‘be found’ but I thought it fun.

You can see a preview of the book at Crossway.

Perhaps it’s been so long since I’ve read children’s books like this that I’m missing it. I understand the purpose of the book- truly. Perhaps my preference for ‘moral of the story’ stories to involve people rather an inanimate objects, or animals, has me a little biased. Either way, while I thought the point a very good one to make (humility), I would have preferred to see it presented a different way. Some of the illustrations were …scary? Perhaps just extreme is a better word. The moon’s teeth are huge! {I do have an aversion to teeth so that’s probably just a me thing.}

This book was sent to me from Crossway for free in exchange for an honest review. I wouldn’t have requested this book on my own since the age range is 3-7. My kids are a bit out of that range {they are 13 & 16} but they will usually pick up ‘kids’ books’ to look at.

Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers from Christian Liberty Press {Schoolhouse Review Crew}

The first time I ever homeschooled, way back in 2001, Christian Liberty Press was one of the publishers I chose to go to for some of our material. Originally, Christian Liberty Press was begun to “provide school materials for our own home education and Christian school programs. Since then,

we have expanded the reach of our ministry to deliver excellent educational products at a great value to home schools and Christian schools across the United States and throughout the world. We are dedicated to finding, evaluating, and producing curriculum materials that are rooted in the Word of God and express a biblical worldview.” (from website)

Through the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I was able to receive and review the following book.

Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers by Douglas Bond
ISBN: 978-1-935796-75-6
ebook: 242 pages; print: paperback, 242 pages
Publisher: Christian Liberty Press
Retail: $10.99- find it at CLP ebook: $8.79; print: $9.89
Suggested Grade Level: 7th–10th

“This first book in the series by Douglas Bond tells the story of two teens who, while on vacation in England, are befriended by an elderly English gentlemen called Mr. Pipes. Through this relationship they learn about famous British hymn writers. They also learn about the value of traditional worship and praise." (from the website)

This book talks about the following hymn makers, some more in-depth than others:

• Thomas Ken
• Isaac Watts
• Charles Wesley
• William Williams
• John Newton
• William Cowper
• Augustus Toplady
• Thomas Kelly
• Henry Francis Lyte
• James Montgomery
• Horatius Bonar
• Reginald Heber
• William Walsham How
• Samuel Stone
• Anna Waring
• Cecil Francis Alexander
• Francis Ridley Havergal
• John Bunyan

You can see a Google preview of this book at the Christian Liberty Press website. I had this book in print already but was graciously given an ebook copy for this review.

This isn’t a book with just facts of the hymn writers’ lives. It follows Annie and Drew during their summer spent in an old English village. They start out thinking it will be a boring and terrible time. We meet Mr. Pipes, Dr. Dudley, and other people in the small village. It is also their journey to find their place in God’s plan. Mr. Pipes shares about these individuals and their lives through frequent fishing trips and picnics. The kids, Mr. Pipes and sometimes other friends, also go on hikes or other outings; while we read about historical individuals such as Thomas Kelly, we are also being taken through a fun story. There were so many people mentioned that I’d never heard of before reading this book but many of the hymns I’d heard.

I read this through myself and haven’t used it in our school yet. After reading it, I do plan to include it as a read-aloud for our hymn and folk song studies. I would consider this a good living book that goes along well with our Charlotte Mason approach to learning. It is interesting while giving the readers something more than just a ‘good story’. It has a Christian message throughout. The story takes us through the changes that Annie and Drew go through by spending time with Mr. Pipes and learning about the lives of Christians who wrote many of the hymns that are sung in many churches even today, and Mr. Pipes' life. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. I think it could be used for music study and/or history. 

Other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew also reviewed this book. Read what they felt about this book by clicking on the image below.

There are four books in this series: Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers, Pipes and Psalms and Hymns of the Reformation, Mr. Pipes Comes to America, and The Accidental Voyage- Discovering Hymns of the Early Centuries. These are available individually or as a set from Christian Liberty Press. Check the website for current prices.

Christian Liberty Press offers many other resources for homeschooling including textbooks, readers, curriculum kits, etc.

Contact:
Christian Liberty Press
502 West Euclid Ave
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Website: http://www.shopchristianliberty.com
E-mail Address: custserv@christianlibertypress.com
Phone Orders: 800-348-0899, press 6
Catalog Request: 800-348-0899, press 1
Fax Number: 847-259-2941

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***Disclaimer: I received the above book free from Christian Liberty Press via the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: The Secret of Counting Gifts by Heidi Kreider

The Secret of Counting Gifts by Heidi Kreider
Ebook
ASIN: B007306CNO
Retail: $2.99
Can be purchased through Smashwords or Amazon.

Eighteen years-old and ready to take on the world, the friendship of a lifetime begins. Kristen Murphy and Elizabeth Ashley begin as college roommates and live life as friends closer than sisters. Kris, is artistic and thrives off of her time drawing and painting. She is tall and rather plain, but smart and kind. Liz is musical, outgoing, beautiful, and captures the heart of every person she meets. In their eighteen year-old wisdom, they thought they had forever to be friends.
Kris and Liz rented their first apartment together, stood up at each other's weddings and held each other's babies. Liz held Kris' hand when her father was buried. Kris stood with Liz when her husband walked out. The boundaries of thei lives blurred long ago. They have been friends for twenty-eight years and the friendship withstands the test of time and the trials of life. Until cancer deals the final blow. Twenty-eight years together will be all they will get.
Through Liz’s battle with breast cancer they learn how important each part of their life is and how grateful they are for everything that God sends their way. This is the story of their lives. As she sits by Liz's death bed, Kris recounts the trails and blessings that made them who they are. With their melded family gathered around, Kris tells their story and recalls the many "gifts" they have been blessed without throughout the years. She shares of how Liz taught her to notice the gifts in each day and to live with a grateful heart. It is through the telling of their story that the secret of counting gifts is discovered....

My thoughts:

I was privileged to read this debut novel by fellow homeschooling mom, Heidi Kreider. Admittedly, I was a little slow to get started (because I knew how it would end). Generally books like this don’t make it to my ‘book shelf’ because I don’t like to cry.

Reading this book will make you tear up- just a warning! With that said, this is a great book. The characters become like friends as we read; their trials we get upset about; their joys we smile and praise God for. The underlying message, which really isn’t very ‘under’ lying, is to count each and every blessing that comes our way. Thank God for all that He has given us- every circumstance and every person that has come into our lives. Life is entirely too short to not count our gifts.

Heidi does a wonderful job of telling this emotional story of two women’s lives and how they were so connected. All the while making us remember to count our own blessings and gifts. I give this book 4.75 stars. It loses 1/4 star because –and call me a baby if you want –it made me cry too much.

***Disclaimer: I received this ebook free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: The Corruptible

The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir
ISBN: 978-1601420749; ASIN: B004FGMDMS
Paperback, 352 pages; ebook, 429 KB
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Retail: $14.99

What the book is about:

How much money would it take for you to betray the truth? Ex-homicide detective Ray Quinn never had glamorous thoughts of the life of a private investigator—but being cornered in a bathroom stall by the enraged philandering husband of a client? That’s something he could live without. Retired from homicide and living with a painful disability, Ray’s options are limited. Stick to the job, keep impetuous sidekick Crevis alive, and spend quiet evenings with trusted pal Jim Beam, that’s about the best he can hope for.
As a new client emerges, Ray finds himself in an impossibly large boardroom holding a check with enough zeros to finally lift him from his financial pit. The job seems easy enough: find Logan Ramsey, an ex-cop turned security officer who’s taken off with sensitive corporate information. But few things are easy in Ray’s world, regardless of the amount of zeros in the check.
In what should be an open-and-shut case, Ray stumbles across Logan Ramsey in a seedy motel room. Only Ray wasn’t the first to find him. Now Logan’s dead, the client’s information is nowhere to be found, and Ray’s employer is less than forthcoming with the details. Suddenly the line between the good guys and bad guys isn’t so clear. With a foot in both worlds and an illuminating look at an unhappy ending that could well be his own, which will Ray choose?
From the Trade Paperback edition- from amazon.com product description page

My thoughts: Good book. Plenty of action, suspense, real world scenarios- not all feel-good 'fluff'. I like my books like I like my movies- funny and/or packed with action. This is a Christian book but it is not preachy or smothered in it. I appreciated how it shows a person who is dependent on only themselves find the need to reach out to someone else for help- and often that 'someone' is God.

I found the characters to be well developed; the various settings were descriptive (it takes place in Florida). There was only one spot where I found myself simply skimming it because I was slightly bored with the scenario and that was only two pages.

Having limited experience with the police department- other than two brother-in-laws in the police force, one retired- I cannot really say whether this aspect of the book was accurate or not. My interaction with my in-law police officers is quite opposite of the image I get from this book. Often I see the same portrayal of officers in movies that Mynheir gives in this book.

I was going to include the main characters but the minor characters get so intertwined in the story that the list would be too long. Parts of the book focus more on one minor character, then other parts focus on another.

Read an excerpt at WaterBrook Multnomah’s site.

***Disclaimer: I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books program for free in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Bible Review: ESV Grow! Bible

ESV Grow! Bible
ISBN: 978-1433528743
Hardcover, 1600 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retails: $27.99

About the ESV Grow! Bible (from the publisher):

[It] is designed for children ages 8-12 for the time between when they use a children’s Bible and a more advanced edition. Coupling the full ESV text with many helpful features, this is a Bible that young students can call their own.

[It] comes with all-new features to help children learn and understand God’s Word. Children will find the ESV Grow! Bible full of interesting features and parents will appreciate that their kids can explore the full Bible text themselves. A great resource to connect young readers with the beauty and majesty of God’s Word.

I’ll be honest- I thought I wouldn’t like this Bible and was going to have to give it away to someone else who has those children that are in between Bibles. You know, because my kids have been using a regular Bible since…well, that’s all they’ve used. My kids wouldn’t have a use for this Bible.

Yes, yes that is a little snobbery you detect there. But I did say I would be honest! I’ve always felt that kids aren’t *ahem* dumb and don’t need a *ahem* dumbed-down Bible. {yes, my face is feeling a wee bit flushed- pride comes before a fall}

But I decided to put aside my snobbery {thank goodness!} and actually use this Bible for a bit to see what it had to offer. I will say, with no shame, that I prefer the King James Version Bible {or even better for me- the Geneva Bible}. This new Bible is English Standard Version which really takes the language from the old Bibles and makes it modern- or as the Translation Oversight Committee says it, “as literal as possible while maintaining clear expression and literary excellence”.

First, because I am like that, I will tell you that this book smells wonderful- like a book, not chemically ink. Okay. Glad we got that out of the way. I always sniff test books {and especially Bibles- hey, no laughing!} before I read them. And no, you cannot tell a good book by its smell…or its cover.

I will tell you what I did not care for in this Bible {‘version’ aside} first and then let you know what I did like {yes, there were some things}.

It’s hardback. A Bible is going to be used. A lot. {hopefully} It needs to be flexible and portable. Most kids aren’t going to sit prim and proper at a desk or table and use this Bible that way {well, I may be wrong but I’d like to see them pull it off the shelf and get comfy in an oversized chair or in their bed}. This Bible feels like it needs to be used that way. It’s too stiff. My kids agree.

And…wait, is that all? Why yes, that is all I didn’t care for {‘version’ aside}.

And here is what I did like about it:

The illustrations are appealing but not too bright and flashy. They depict Biblical people and events, not modern day. I’m not entirely sure why that is comforting but it is. The Bible is applicable to us now but it is important to understand those who wrote and the time they lived. Having images and photos of modern day wouldn’t be beneficial {imho}.

The ‘study-Bible’ aspect of it. Throughout the Bible there are boxes with information about what is being read. There is a specific one called 4U that helps understand the applicability of the passage to the reader personally. Also each section and each book of the Bible has an introduction to help understand the writer and the audience. There is also a glossary at the end of the Bible.

Finally, the timelines and maps. That really goes with the two points I made before but I love timelines and maps when reading anything historical {and the Bible is definitely historical}. These are done very well.

Bottom-line: I actually like this Bible. I am surprised but am glad that Crossway sent it to me to review. I think hope know it will be useful to my children as we go through God’s Word.

I received this Bible free from Crossway in exchange of an honest review. No compensation was given.

Book Review: Surprised by Laughter

Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C. S. Lewis by Terry Lindvall, Ph.D
ISBN: 978-1595554789
Paperback, 496 pages (includes notes, bibliography, etc)
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Retail: $16.99

From the back cover: For C. S. Lewis, merriment was serious business, and like no book before it, Surprised by Laughter explains why. Author Terry Lindvall takes readers on a highly amusing and deeply meaningful journey through the life and letters of one of the most beloved Christian thinkers and writers. As Lindvall shows, the unique magic of Lewis’s approach was his belief that explosive and infectious joy dwells deep in the heart of Christian faith. Readers can never fully understand Lewis, his life, or his legacy until they learn to laugh with him.

Personally, reading that description did not prepare me for this book. The scope of the book is somewhat touched on when it says “a highly amusing and deeply meaningful journey” but perhaps the sentence should have been in bold, italicized and perhaps in a larger font for emphasis. Lindvall mentions at the start that he hopes

“that in placing Lewis on the operating table we will not merely handle the organs, tissues, and entrails of the subject of laughter, but we will also see the risible body itself awaken and laugh and cause us to laugh with the surprise of encountering something so unexpectedly and wonderfully alive.”

The quote on the back, however, does capture quite well C. S. Lewis’s attitude toward laughter-

“[A] little comic relief in a discussion does no harm, however serious the topic may be.” –C. S. Lewis

This book was quite over my head in many places. I had to have a dictionary by my side while reading; I’m not used to that. The book is split into sections: 1) The Idea and the Legacy, 2) Joy, 3) Fun, 4) The Joke Proper, 5) Satire and Flippancy, and the 6) Conclusion: The Laughter of Love. In each of these sections Lindvall has fairly dissected the works of Lewis (and those that inspired him) and placed them into these categories. I cannot even begin to try to describe what is put into those chapters. It is something that I would suggest you read for yourself. My favorite chapter is #20 titled The Fun of Reading but I rather enjoyed the entire book (even somewhat the parts over my head).

Lindvall gives the readers a bit of Chesterton, Milton, Tolkien, Macdonald, More and many other authors, to help the reader understand the use of ‘laughter’ more in Lewis’s work and life, because all of these were influential to Lewis. Lewis commented on all of these and they can be seen in his own works. One thing that stood out to me above all else in this book is the understanding that Lewis knew that laughter “should function to reaffirm and establish what is good, right, and moral (page 311).” This is repeated in many places, albeit in different wording each time. (Such as on page 301, “One cannot keep human lungs from laughter. Yet one can seek to fill those lungs with clean, fresh comedy rather than polluted and poisonous air.”)

Like I said before, this book was way more than I expected but I’m glad I’ve read it. There were some chapters that I did not enjoy reading as much as the rest of the book; the following chapters: 22- Wit and Wordplay, 23- The Word Made Joke, 24- Comic Techniques and Topics, 28- Falling from Frauendienst, 29- Sex and Marriage, and 30-32, dealing with satire and flippancy (mostly because there were bits I just could not wrap my mind around).

I really think that someone with a literature background and possibly English could really appreciate this book. Reading it simply because it talks about C. S. Lewis may leave some readers scratching their heads, or worse, not interested to continue with the reading. It is deep; not a book for light reading.  I do not usually write in my books, not even a little tick mark, but this book now has notes in the margin and arrows throughout. It makes me want to read more of Lewis’s works as well as the other authors that he held in high esteem; especially Chesterton.

And it makes me want to see the joy and laughter in life. It also helped me to see why some people may find me amusing (when I don’t see myself as ‘amusing’ at all!) and I should think that anyone who reads this can find themselves in the cross-hairs of Lewis’s humor as well. And that isn’t a bad thing.

What I did not care for in this book is the scholarly tone (if that is the right description). Lindvall has a Ph.D and he writes like it! The inclusion of so much of Lewis’s own words helped me tremendously to understand some concepts that I would otherwise be completely lost if left to Lindvall’s words.

I end this review with words of Lewis:

“For he will read “in the same spirit that the author writ.” What is meant lightly he will take lightly; what is meant gravely, gravely. He will “laugh and shake in Rabelais’s” easy chair while he reads Chaucer’s faiblaux and respond with exquisite frivolity to The Rape of the Lock. He will enjoy a kickshaw as a kickshaw and a tragedy as a tragedy. He will never commit the error of trying to munch whipped cream as if it were venison (page 198)” –C. S. Lewis, Experiment in Criticism, pg 11

Or as Lindvall says it: “The right way to enjoy reading is not to approach it with preconceptions –particularly not solemn ones –but to see the author’s intention.” And I think Lindvall’s intentions were quite good in trying to help us see the humor, laughter, joy, and comedy of C. S. Lewis’s writings –and his life.

*I received this book free in exchange for an honest review- no compensation was given.*

Book Review: The Barber Who Wanted to Pray by R. C. Sproul, illustrated by T. Lively Fluharty

The Barber Who Wanted to Pray by R. C. Sproul, illustrated by T. Lively Fluharty
Published by Crossway
Hardcover with jacket, 40 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4335-2703-6
Retail: $17.99

Beautifully illustrated by T. Lively Fluharty, Sproul’s book focuses on praying to have our prayers heard. Not going through the ‘motions’ or praying a set prayer time after time, repetitively. At the same time we get a small glimpse into the life and times of Martin Luther, the instigator of the Protestant Reformation.

The story begins with a young girl asking her father to help her pray as he does- in a way that makes Jesus happy and that would help her feel that she was saying strong, worthwhile prayers. He tells her a story that his grandfather had told him- about the barber who wanted to pray.

I wasn’t expecting the end of this book. It wasn’t surprising that an historical figure was presented and that they were of help to the character in the story but what was said (or rather written) by the historical figure is what pleasantly surprised me. We learn that a question the barber asked prompted Martin Luther to write A Simple Way to Pray. I didn’t realize that A Simple Way to Pray was a book that Luther had actually written in his time and that it was indeed written to the barber.

In A Simple Way to Pray Luther tells the barber that if he will go ‘through’ the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostle’s Creed, his prayer will always be different and that he will be praying in a way that will reach farther than the ceiling. I had not thought of including the Ten Commandments or the Apostle’s Creed in helping myself when praying but had fairly recently been going ‘through’ the Lord’s Prayer for those times when my mind will not form a prayer.

The illustrations of this book make it wonderful to look at again and again (my kids really liked all of the cats) but the writing and the focus also make it inviting to be picked up again and again. When I first received it, I thought it was a kids book. I have two kids; a tween and a teen. I didn’t think it would be in their age group…but I was wrong. It’s even in my age group!

Very good book that I would recommend to others. It includes the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostle’s Creed at the back of the book.

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About R. C. Sproul
Sproul is the founder and president of Ligonier Ministries and serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida. His other illustrated books include The Prince’s Poison Cup and The Lightlings.

About T. Lively Fluharty:
Fluharty is an accomplished illustrator whose artwork has appeared in such publications as Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and Focus on the Family. His work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, Communications Arts, and Spectrum.

I received this book from Crossway.org in exchange for an honest review.