BOOK REVIEW--THE FINAL DAYS OF JESUS: THE MOST IMPORTANT WEEK OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON WHO EVER LIVED, by Andreas Kostenberger & Justin Taylor

I received this book just in time for Passion Week and allowed it serve as a sort of devotional guide.  Authors Kostenberger and Taylor take their readers step by step from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Day and beyond to Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and ascension.  The book reads like a well-written historical narrative, with a blend of biography, whose purpose is "to provide an aid to informed worship."  In this, the authors do not disappoint.

The book is of a good length (200+ pages) for covering a little over one week out of Jesus' earthly life.  Each day's events is introduced with the respective account from the "one Gospel according to four different witnesses," sometimes just by notation and other times with the complete texts themselves.  Had the entire text been given for every event, the book length would have hindered its effectiveness.

The addition of charts, maps, along with commentary on the biblical accounts adds much to the overall benefit of this work, making it visually appealing.  It is the commentary itself, however, that packs the punch.  The authors are great word craftsmen, as seen in the following words:

"The stage is set for the final act.  The characters are in place.  Their goals, motives, and intentions are clear.  The king has come for his kingdom and has issued a clear and direct challenge to the reigning structures of political, economic, and religious power.  The drama can end in only one of two ways.  Either Jesus will topple the reigning powers and establish his messianic kingdom--or he will be killed.  No one at that time could possibly comprehend that in God's mysterious plan, there was a third option."

The authors are also not without down-to-earth language, as seen in this commentary:  "Peter, either hungry, bored, or out of money, announces that he is going to start fishing again.  Waiting for Messiah to appear did not pay the bills or put food on the table."

From start to finish, from the "How to Use This Book" to the "Glossary and Reference Guide," this is a must read for anyone interested in a clear and coherent presentation of the timing and circumstances surrounding Jesus' final days.  Truly a library book shelf keeper.

NOTE:  I received this book for free from Crossway Publishing in exchange for a review.  I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review and the thoughts and words expressed are my own.

BOOK REVIEW-- FOUR CUPS: GOD'S TIMELESS PROMISES FOR A LIFE OF FULFILLMENT BY CHRIS HODGES

"Four Cups...." provides a short overview of the four cups of promise in the Jewish Passover and the author expands upon each cup (the Cup of Sanctification, the Cup of Deliverance, the Cup of Redemption, and the Cup of Praise) with the ultimate purpose of helping believers "live the unlived life within us."

 

There a few things I liked about this book and a few that I did not.

 

First, I appreciated Hodges' emphasis on the community of believers over and against the solo life of faith.   Hodges' words are worth noting:  "True fulfillment never comes alone; it can only be attained within a group of people." Second, I absolutely loved his definition of success as "when people are moving from where they are to where God wants them to be." Third, Hodges' explanation of the discipleship process is helpful. Finally, I found his use of Scripture throughout this short book refreshing.

 

However, there are a few things about this book that were unappealing. First, Hodges speaks of God "see{ing} every person on earth as his child, though some are still lost." This statement clearly has no biblical support, making his mention of Luke 19:10 a horrible use of proof-texting, and a bad example at that. Second, there is an unwise focus on self, seen especially in these words: "My bucket list reminds me that living out my dreams is the secret to happiness." Finally, the author's reference to American psychologist Abraham Maslow's "hierarchy of needs" is unhelpful and confusing. This is verified by the lack of a single verse of Scripture during this discussion.

 

I found this book somewhat informative insofar as the discussion of the meaning of each of the seder cups is concerned. However, nothing in this book caused me to give contemplation about what God would have me to do in response to this book's insights.

 

NOTE: I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review. I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review and the thoughts and words expressed are my own.