LHP Review: For Younger Christians

 

Ham, Ken. Illustrated by Bill Looney. The True Account of Adam and Eve. Green Forest: Master Books, 2012. 57 Pages. Cloth. $15.99. www.masterbooks.net (LHP) Sproul, R. C. Paintings by T. Lively Fluharty.  The Barber Who Wanted to Pray. Wheaton: Crossway, 2011. 33 Pages. Cloth with jacket. $17.99. http://www.crossway.org/books/the-barber-who-wanted-to-pray-hccase/ (LHP) Simpson, Clare. My First Hymn Book. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2012. 64 Pages. Cloth with dust jacket. $14.99. www.paracletepress.com (H) We turn our attention today to younger readers and books intended for them.   Where mankind's history began impacts how our future will end! The biblical answer to the question: Were Adam and Eve real people or just generic references for all of mankind? Explains the connection between original sin and the gospel Emphasizes the importance of Adam and Eve as literal history to young and old alike When you unlock the door to biblical compromise, the door gets pushed open wider with each generation. The Church is now debating the validity of Genesis as actual history, the reality of hell itself, and even if Adam was a real person. Trying to change the biblical time-line to fit with the secular concepts of millions of years has led many in Christian academia to reject the literal interpretation of the Bible itself. Perfect for children, the book helps them discover the truth about the first man and woman, and how their disobedience led to the need for Jesus Christ. (Publisher's website) Beautifully engaging text and art bring the true history of Adam and Eve to life in this new offering by Master Books.  Nearly half of the book deals with the pre-Fall world. A center fold-out shows how the Fall in to sin devastated God's creation. The latter half of the book points to Christ, encourages evangelism and apologetics, and equips readers young and old to uphold the truth of the first chapters Genesis in particular and the Bible as a whole. I would encourage Lutheran parents to pair this volume with The True Story of Noah's Ark and also or The Real Story of the Creation, both also favorably reviewed by QBR. A Simple Way to Pray by Dr. Martin Luther is available in a new CPH edition translated by LCMS President Matthew Harrison.  The edition before us today is an illustrated edition by R. C. Sproul and T. Lively Fluharty for children published by Crossway.   R. C. Sproul (Drs, Free University of Amsterdam) serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel in Sanford, Florida, and is the founder and president of Ligonier Ministries. He has taught at numerous colleges and seminaries, has written over seventy books, and is featured daily on Renewing Your Mind, an international radio broadcast.   T. Lively Fluharty is an accomplished illustrator whose artwork has appeared in such publications as Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and Focus on the Family. His work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, Communications Arts, and Spectrum. Fluharty illustrated The Barber Who Wanted to Pray and The Boy and the Ocean, as well as Fool Moon Rising which he cowrote with his wife, Kristi.   This imaginative tale, based on a true story, begins one evening with Mr. McFarland leading family devotions. When his daughter asks him how she should pray, Mr. McFarland shares a 500-year-old story—a story about a barber and his famous customer. Master Peter is a barber well known to all in his village. One day, when Martin Luther the Reformer walks into his shop, the barber musters up the courage to ask the outlawed monk how to pray. Dr. Luther responds by writing a letter to the barber (a letter that we know today as the book, A Simple Way to Pray!). The barber's life is changed as he encounters a model for prayer by using the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles' Creed. R. C. Sproul's beautifully illustrated story will engage children and help them learn to pray according to the Bible. Dr. Sproul's unique gift for explaining complex truths will make this a treasured book to be returned to time after time—a delight for both children and their parents! (Publisher's website) Encouraging catechesis and prayer, The Barber Who Wanted to Pray will winsomely help children learn how Martin Luther taught people to talk to our Father in heaven.  In a time when so many Christians are willing to leave history and hymnals behind, this author and illustrator embrace our Christian past for the benefit of our present and future.  Lutheran families will want to stick with the texts of The Ten Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, and The Apostles' Creed as they have learned them from Luther's own Small Catechism.   "God must love singing–because there is so much singing in the Bible!" So begins this simple, beautiful, gift book for every small child. From "Jesus Loves Me" to "All Things Bright and Beautiful," this keepsake includes popular songs as well as the greatest hymns of the church accessible to young children. Parents and teachers will enjoy helping kids sing "Go Tell It on the Mountain," with its bouncing tune, as well as classics such as "I Tell a Song of the Saints of God," using songs as opportunities to teach lasting truths of the faith. (Publisher's website) Clare Simpson brings eleven Christian songs and hymns to life with super large print and playful illustrations.  Hymns and songs cover God's creation and His ongoing care, Jesus' birth and love for us, our care for one another in the Christian life, and our heavenly hope in Christ.  Future editions (or sequels) could be strengthened with the addition of hymns for Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, and the sacraments.   My First Hymn Book could serve a Lutheran family as a lead in to My First Hymnal and then Lutheran Service Book. These three books will find their way into our school library soon.   The Rev. Paul J Cain is Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming, Headmaster of Martin Luther Grammar School, Yellowstone Circuit Visitor (LCMS Wyoming District), a member of the Board of Directors of The Consortium for Classical and Lutheran Education, Wyoming District Worship Chairman, and Editor of QBR.

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