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Review from
Patrick Lawless and James R. Fisher call readers to reflect on
their relationships to God through a unique narrative study of
the Gospel of John in
John Alive!.
Reread, rediscover, reflect
John
Alive! brings the Gospel of John to life for modern
readers. This first book in the "Christian Gospels Alive"
series quickens the emotions, humanity and faith of historical
biblical characters through their encounters with Jesus in a
dramatic narrative using today's words. Authors Patrick B.
Lawless and James R. Fisher give readers the opportunity to
pause and reflect on their personal lives, asking
introspective questions and sharing reflections on the trials
and joys of their own walks with Christ.
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John Alive! The Gospel of John
Paraphrased for Prayer & Meditation
Patrick B. Lawless
& James R. Fisher
Xulon Press
Paperback
364 pages
March 2002
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There's no question that the Bible challenges most
readers, with (in several of the most popular versions)
its archaic language, remote lifestyles and mores, and
sometimes contradictory versions of the same story from
one book to the next. Certainly the Old and New Testaments
put the emphasis on very different aspects of faith, from
law to love, and even the most determined reader can
become frustrated and confused in their quest for
enlightenment. What a new four-book series from authors
Patrick B. Lawless and James R. Fisher aims to do is make
the Bible more accessible -- and thus useful -- to today's
Christians, one biblical book at a time.
The
"Christian Gospels Alive" project focuses, just like it
looks, on the four (non-gnostic) gospels: the first books
of the New Testament, four unique versions of the same
story -- the life, ministry and death of Jesus Christ.
John Alive! kicks off this ambitious series,
serving as a modern translation of John's Gospel using
contemporary vernacular and dramatizing the events and
characters in its tale of humanity, divinity, acceptance
and faith.
But this is more than a
simple rewording for clarity and dramatic effect. Lawless
and Fisher intersperse simple but profound questions
throughout each chapter (which correspond to the actual
chapters of the Gospel of John), provoking readers to
pause and consider the nature of their own relationships
to God. At each chapter's end, the authors share insights
they've gained from that portion of John's story, and
reveal their own intimate struggles and triumphs in the
walk of faith. So it is that John Alive!
moves beyond the arena of mere religio-historical fiction
into the realm of reflection and study. This is a
devotional, one that is designed for the individual but
proves useful to Bible study groups as well.
Fewer and fewer are those
professed Christians who pick up a Bible every day to read
and reflect upon a passage, who use regular contact with
the book of their faith to really live their
faith. From the choosing of the Apostles to convincing the
famously reluctant Thomas that Christ was indeed arisen,
John Alive! makes the tale of Jesus'
ministry, death and resurrection real, tangible, alive
for modern seekers of a deeper, truer faith. This book is
so earnest, so honest and hopeful, that not even typos can
really annoy the nitpicking reader. It's an open
expression of love and evangelism by two unusual men of
faith - one, a lifelong military man who works with
computers and has a philosophy degree; the other, a
Harley-riding Air Force-brat top Naval chaplain. They've
put an important part of the Bible's message within reach
of those of us who need it. |
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