In Eyewitness: The Visual Bible Experience, which Group Publishing kindly sent me to review, author Jeff White offers a first-person perspective for each of the 39 Bible people represented in this sturdily bound picture book for adults.
The size
(11.5 x 8” horizontally), heft (in pounds, not ounces), and colorful illustrations
(120 original works of art by 16 artists from around the world) make this an
ideal “coffee table” book with 256 pages to leaf through and read at leisure. However,
the fictionalized voice of each Bible person telling his or her own story will
most likely make you want to keep reading.
For example,
Adam tells about “A First For Everything” in the opening story based on Genesis
chapters 1 and 2:
“Before the beginning, there was God.
There was no time. No light or dark. No breath, no death. Nothing.
Just God.
Then God decided: it was time for a beginning.
God spoke, and Nothing became a universe of Everything….”
Following a
biblical timeline, subsequent Bible stories speak for Eve, the Patriarchs,
Matriarchs, and lesser-known people, too, with scriptural references for each.
If you’ve read Bible stories as a child or to your children, you’ll see most of
the same people have been included, but with factual data we never heard about
in childhood.
For
instance, Moses’ story confesses his having murdered an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew
slave, covering it up, then becoming a fugitive. Yet God reveals Himself to Moses
and calls him to lead His people out of slavery and into a kingdom where “God’s
10 Instructions For The Ultimate Life” would guide them. From Exodus 20:
“These are the words God spoke to His people:
- I am your God, and your only God.
- Do not idolize anyone or anything but me….
- Do not use my name in a way that’s disrespectful or hurtful.
- Set aside one holy day every week to rest and focus on me.
- Treat your mother and father with respect….
- Never murder anyone.
- Never cheat on your spouse.
- Never take anything that doesn’t belong to you.
- Never lie about someone else or spread gossip.
- Never long for things that belong to other people.”
The stories
continue with Rahab, Ruth and Naomi, David, Solomon, Esther, and a few of the prophets
before taking a timely turn to narrations by Mary and the apostles who also
have experiences with the Lord to share. But the stories told from Jesus’
viewpoint especially intrigued me.
As a writer
and lifelong student of the Bible, I’ve often written Bible-based manuscripts and
even planned to write (and maybe illustrate) a Bible storybook for adults someday.
However, the idea of taking on Jesus’ perspective, which seems intimidating to
me, apparently did not deter Jeff White!
For example,
in “Higher Standards,” Jesus (through Jeff) has this to say:
“My followers are different from everyone
else. They’re salt in a world that has no flavor. They’re light in a world
filled with darkness. People will see God at work because of the compassionate
things you do. So be salt! Be light!”
And in “God’s
Kingdom,” we have this perspective from Jesus:
“When I talk about God’s kingdom, here’s what
I mean.
“My Father’s kingdom isn’t made up of money and possessions. Those
things are temporary and can be lost. True riches transcend the physical
world, and they’re the only kind that have any lasting value.
“When you focus on the things of God, it’s like a bright light
that lets you see as clearly as day. But money and possessions can make you
blind to what really matters….”
The many
stories continuing from the perspective of Jesus and His followers invite us into
their conversations and experiences as though we, too, are there in Eyewitness: The Visual Bible Experience - a "coffee table” book you’ll actually want to read.
Mary HarwellSayler, ©2020, poet-writer, Bible reviewer, and lifelong lover of God and His word
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Click the link to order a copy of Eyewitness: The Visual Bible Experience
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