Marketing Fraud!

I love this book!

Anyone who has been at Christ Covenant for more than a few weeks knows how I love the Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones.  I love it for myself and am glad to share it with everyone – including the intended audience: children.  You can see it on your left here.

But look at the book on the right.  Look similar?  Indeed?  Is it at all similar?  Absolutely NOT!  Think that is a mistake?  Don’t bet on it!

The book to the right - A Jesus Storybook You’ve Never

I wouldn't even put this book in an outhouse!

Heard About: 20 Extra-Biblical Tales From the Untold Story of Jesus’ Childhood – is a marketing fraud of the first order.

It is a “child’s edition” of stories from Gospel of Thomas.  The Gospel of Thomas has been known and been around for centuries.  Most scholars would place it centuries AFTER the life of Jesus and the four Gospels in the New Testament.  It is widely reputed as of no historical reliability.  It was rejected by the early church and the people closest to Jesus not because it was different, but because it was untrue and unreliable.  That happens with other stories to this day!

Just Assume You Don’t Get It

Just assume you don’t get “it.”  “It” being the Gospel of grace.

One of the most honest and important steps any person can take towards growing in Christ, is to simply accept the fact that you don’t really live by the Gospel.  Take that step in your thinking, and you will be open to repenting and then pursuing the Gospel.  Think that you “have got the gospel” and you will want to “move on” to whatever you think is next.  And in that, you step away from the Gospel.

Son of Laughter - Chapter 6

God made a special promise to Abraham in Genesis 12.  The promise was more wonderful than anything Abraham could have done for himself, and met the deepest hope of his heart.  But there was something else about that promise that is like every other promise that God makes.  How often I overlook it though.

A Giant Staircase to Heaven - Chpt. 5

Even as unreliable as my memory is, I can look back through my life and see different perspectives that I have carried regarding God and what He is like.  They are fresh in my memory, because I see these same three perspectives held by people I meet and talk with every day.  Reading the story of the Tower of Babel with "Gospel eyes" reminds of how different each of those perspectives are.

A New Beginning - Chpt. 4

Sometimes starting over is not enough.  And trying harder doesn't always get us to the goal.   Sometimes the problem is so deep that it is just repeated at every new start and the goal is too far to reach with the resources that we have.  That's one of the lessons from the story of Noah.

Consider Noah as a "start over" project that demonstrates beyond the shadow of a doubt that humanity's problem is something that can't be overcome by one more fresh start or by more effort with the same resources.  The story makes clear that in the end, we'll need rescue from the outside.

The Terrible Lie - Chpt. 3

Trust.  That is the heart of the story.  Who do I trust?  And will I obey someone, even when I don't fully understand or appreciate their guidance?  If I trust them, I will.  But if I don't trust them, I will obey whatever I do trust instead.  In the end, I can get a sense of who or what my heart is trusting, by observing who I am obeying.

The Beginning: A Perfect Home - Chpt. 2

Every story has a beginning.  And the beginning is always important.  But the beginning is only the beginning.  It's not the story itself.  In this chapter, we look at the beginning and all the important things that it has to say.  We must remember though, that we are also reading the beginning of the Big Story.

Let's look first at some of those things that the beginning teaches us.

The Story and the Song - Chpt. 1

This is a remarkably subtle statement regarding the doctrine of revelation with real importance for how we read the Bible.  And so well written that a kindergartner can get the idea!

Every Story Whispers His Name - Intro

Full Disclosure Statement: I make NO money on the following endorsement:

Go purchase “The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones.  (Amazon.com  or Christian Book Distributors)  Find an excuse to read it to children.  Give it away as a gift.  Use it in classes you teach.  Most of all though, take the time to read it yourself.

I’m reading it one chapter per week to my entire congregation during the Worship Service!  Sort of an odd twist on the “Lessons” of liturgical churches.  And each week, I intend to post some reflections on the chapter I’ve just read to Christ Covenant.