Bridge of Gold - A Review

 

Bridge of Gold

by

Kimberley Woodhouse

A Review

Certain moments in life define a person.
Moments that invoke physical

feelings that can’t be described.
That flood the heart and soul
with more emotions

than could possibly be fathomed.

This was one of those moments...

Ms. Woodhouse has written a faith-based thriller interweaving four era’s in the history of San Francisco CA. Beginning with California’s Gold Rush in the 1850s and ending with a present day archaeological visit to the very bottom of the Golden Gate Bridge, the reader makes a literary trip through time.

The Lucky Martha had gone down in the bay north of San Francisco in 1849. It was rediscovered in 1893, 1933, and, again, in modern times. The first three occurrences triggered death. It almost happened again. Mechanical engineer Steven Michaels and underwater archaeologist Kayla Richardson would assume the task of understanding the ship’s history and the deaths that seemed to follow it through time.

Bridge of Gold is part of a series of books commissioned by the publisher asking each author to develop a fictional mystery around events that occupy events in real history. The story of Bridge of Gold surrounds the development and restoration of the Golden Gate Bridge. This is the second book in the series I have been privileged to review with one more scheduled for next month. It was an exciting read, with enough history and citations for the reader to explore more details on his or her own. The author makes clear what is history and what is fiction. The result is a readable story about life above and below the surface of San Francisco Bay. I give the book five stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Evidence That Demands A Verdict - A Review

Evidence That Demands A Verdict

(The Completely Updated and Expanded Classic)

by

Josh McDowellSean McDowell, PhD

A Review

Let me begin with a bit of truth in advertising. I was an invited member of the original Launch Team for the newest version of “Evidence That Demands A Verdict”. In return for being a part of the Launch Team, I received an e-book version of ‘Evidence” and a tee-shirt promoting the book. However, the e-book was flawed. By design, the pre-publication version that we were sent included a large watermark in the middle of each page, making it very difficult to read (at least for this reader). In spite of being a part of the Launch Team, I decided it would be unfair to review a book I could not fairly read.  Two months later I found (using my normal review book resources) an opportunity to receive and review a hard copy of the book. This review is based on both the original “Launch Team” version which I received last June and the hard copy I received earlier this month.

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I remember receiving the original version of “Evidence” as a junior or senior in college. I devoured it. As a new believer, I wanted to know and understand as much as possible about this faith to which I belonged. Later, after graduating from seminary, I discovered a new version and purchased it. I remember trying to become as excited about it as I had the original - it was not to be. I do not if it was further education, my personal faith journey (which took an unneeded bounce during those years), the fact that I had changed the immediate direction of my career (from pastoral ministry to Computer Science college professor), or the book itself which caused the loss of interest; but I had lost interest.

The year is now 2017 and the third (or is fourth?) edition of this classic book is being published. The newest version is not one I would not want to sit down and devour (though I know there are some readers who have done that), but I would not want to miss having the newest edition on my shelf. Rather being aimed for the newly converted college student, this new book is aimed for the college or seminary classroom or for the desk and shelf of the pastor or scholar. For many, not sitting in a classroom, it will become a reference book, rather than late night reading. But it is a reference book that many (or most) believers will want on their shelves.

At just under 800 pages, the book addressed most of the issues attacked by modern critics of the Christian faith. Whether it be philosophy, religions, history, or science (plus more) the reader will be challenged to examine evidence for the Christian faith. Whether a believer, skeptic, or atheist, the critical reader will need to respond to the author’s arguments. The book is thoroughly referenced with in-text notes and a Bibliography providing complete details of each resource quoted or used in the book. The only missing element, for most students of the scripture, is a set of sources allowing followup to the many topics discussed in the book. It will become the responsibility of the pastor, the teacher, or the individual reader to provide access to additional resources on topics of interest.  It is this missing element that prevents this reviewer from giving the book a 5-star review.

The book is not general reading - it is aimed at the scholar. Few (are there any?) diagrams can be found within the covers, though charts are present as needed which will help the reader to process the evidence presented.

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This review is based on free paper and electronic copies provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

NKJV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible - A Review

NKJV

Cultural Backgrounds

Study Bible

Craig S. Keener (Editor)

John H. Walton (Editor)

A Review

At almost 2500 pages, this is one of the largest Study Bibles I have encountered; but that is okay, it is also one of the best.

With copious notes for both the Old Testament and the New Testament, the comments focus on both background material (as the title suggests) but also material suited for more typical Study Bibles. My current preaching series centers around the book of Philippians 3. Here is an example of the kind of material found in this commentary (clipped from Amazon.com):

The text is full of illustrative material that would bring the scriptures to life for the congregation of the person studying Bible for themselves. Along with the many notes, are a series of over 300 essays on Biblical history and archeology. The full-color images, cross-references, a concordance, and indexes to the essays add additional value to this Bible edition.

For the church looking for an attractive gift for their pastor during “Pastor’s Appreciation Month” (October), this would make a nice addition to the pastor’s gift. Similarly, this Bible would make a wonderful gift for a pastoral student - whether in a college, seminary, or non-traditional program.  This would also serve as a nice addition to a lay person’s or  church library.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.