Our Daily Bread Bible Sourcebook - A Review

Our Daily Bread Bible Sourcebook

by

Dave Branon

In the early 1950’s Henrietta Mears wrote a helpful Bible introduction for the layman entitled What the Bible Is All About. It has been updated a number of times, but it still shows its age. Dave Branon has created a new book written for the same audience and for the same purpose but for the 21st century.  

The author, in his introduction, provides a good overview of the books contents.  Each book is described in two sections:

1. Top Ten List - an on overview of author, time of writing, themes, etc.

2. The W’s - Answers the questions of Who, What, When, Where, Why, Wow!, Worth Remembering, and Wonders from the Past.   The answers provided here are in a bit more detail than those provided in the first section. 

The material is current, including reference to modern archaeological discoveries and research. The biggest concern this reader has is the minimal references provided - there are some, but in this 300-page book are only 15 footnotes. The author does list 15 sources dating from 1958 to 2016, but he gives no specific page numbers from which he pulls his data. Even  though written for a lay audience, it is my feeling that an author should include detailed references to material borrowed from others. A good teacher (i.e. even a Sunday School teacher) should be able to verify and guide his or her students to more information on the topics discussed.

Given these limitations, the book would still be handy for the pastor for quick reference and for the lay Sunday School teacher as a source for supplemental material. The book will find a home in most church libraries.

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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 my own.

365 Great Moments in Bible History - A Review

365 Great Moments in Bible History -
Key Events That Affected Humanity’s Future

by

Barbour Publishing

A Review

It has been 40 years since I first entered the seminary classroom.  Part of my experience during that first year of classes was the “Bible Content Exam”.  It was required of all students; but many of us were new believers, using seminary as a way to explore our faith as well as to prepare for future careers.  In order to prepare for the exam, it was suggested that we use a Children’s Bible to familiarize ourselves with the many stories that compose the Biblical record. This book, aimed at a slightly older audience, would have served that purpose well.

The key stories of the Bible are divided into 365 readings.  Each reading consists of a reference to the passage in question, a retelling of the story (including Biblical quotations as appropriate), and a brief devotional thought.  There are about 200 stories from the Old Testament and 165 from the New Testament.  Some stories draw from both the original passage and the NT retelling of the story.  The devotionals are a mixture of thoughtful discourse and practical instruction - a blend I much enjoyed.  

Along with seminary student (this is not the intended audience) the book would serve well as an introduction to the Bible for the new Christian and as a guide for the long time believer to explore a book he or she may know “too” well.  It will open up new or forgotten passages as well as add new understanding to well-known passages.  No believer is beyond the need to grow - this book can aid in that process.

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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 my own.