John's Story: The Last Disciple
The time is coming, or it might already be here, when no one will be able to use the excuse of “I just don’t get it.” The internet has brought information to our fingertips such that every one who can read or watch YouTube can become quite an expert on any subject in only a few hours.
As the internet is to knowledge in general, so is Tim LaHaye to understanding the Bible. Those of us raised on the King James and the Revised Standard could be forgiven for needed a guide through some of the more difficult words, sentences, or even chapters. Along came the NIV, Living, The Answer, and the Message, and most folks who could read could certainly understand the text of the Bible.
The most difficult concept in the Bible was end times prophesy, and even with these easy-to-read translations, getting a grasp on what dispensationalists and premillenialists were saying about the future of the earth was still a realm for intellectuals only. Personally, I read massive tomes on the subject, heard sermons from some of the best and wisest, but still had some pretty fuzzy notions, and bunches of questions.
Whether you agree with his interpretation or not, no one can argue that Tim LaHaye made Revelation understandable to anyone who could read at the third grade level. Sure, you had to read 15 books or so to get the whole thing. But for those who cared, the material was there and totally accessible.
Now too with the Story of John. Certainly the Gospel of John and his three letters to the churches are not as difficult to understand as his Revelation. But LaHaye has now put John’s life and writing into context. To be sure, this is an historical fiction. It is not supposed to be a literal view of what took place in Johns last few years of life. However, as the reader keeps that info in the back of his mind, it is helpful to get a glimpse of the time and circumstances that led to the most loved of the gospels, by the man that Jesus ‘loved.”
Since reviews are supposed to include criticism, i will point out that this book is disappointingly short, and like some of LaHayes other works with Jenkins, less layered than it might have been. I reached the end wanting more substance.
If you take out the recitation of scripture, necessary to the context of the story to be sure, the sum total of original words written is pretty small. More meat on those bones would have made the work seem more of a good “value.”
But, having said that, read it. Borrow a copy since it will only take three hours to read, but do read it.
As the internet is to knowledge in general, so is Tim LaHaye to understanding the Bible. Those of us raised on the King James and the Revised Standard could be forgiven for needed a guide through some of the more difficult words, sentences, or even chapters. Along came the NIV, Living, The Answer, and the Message, and most folks who could read could certainly understand the text of the Bible.
The most difficult concept in the Bible was end times prophesy, and even with these easy-to-read translations, getting a grasp on what dispensationalists and premillenialists were saying about the future of the earth was still a realm for intellectuals only. Personally, I read massive tomes on the subject, heard sermons from some of the best and wisest, but still had some pretty fuzzy notions, and bunches of questions.
Whether you agree with his interpretation or not, no one can argue that Tim LaHaye made Revelation understandable to anyone who could read at the third grade level. Sure, you had to read 15 books or so to get the whole thing. But for those who cared, the material was there and totally accessible.
Now too with the Story of John. Certainly the Gospel of John and his three letters to the churches are not as difficult to understand as his Revelation. But LaHaye has now put John’s life and writing into context. To be sure, this is an historical fiction. It is not supposed to be a literal view of what took place in Johns last few years of life. However, as the reader keeps that info in the back of his mind, it is helpful to get a glimpse of the time and circumstances that led to the most loved of the gospels, by the man that Jesus ‘loved.”
Since reviews are supposed to include criticism, i will point out that this book is disappointingly short, and like some of LaHayes other works with Jenkins, less layered than it might have been. I reached the end wanting more substance.
If you take out the recitation of scripture, necessary to the context of the story to be sure, the sum total of original words written is pretty small. More meat on those bones would have made the work seem more of a good “value.”
But, having said that, read it. Borrow a copy since it will only take three hours to read, but do read it.
posted by Randy Kirk at
1:47 PM
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