Evangelicals Now
<< September 1997 >>

Beginning with John's Gospel

Beginning with John's Gospel
By Susan Harding
The Banner of Truth Trust. 68 pages. £2.95
ISBN 0 85151 687 4

Have you ever tried to explain the Prologue of John's gospel to a seven-year-old? No easy task by any means! Come to think of it, most adults have a hard time grappling with it ourselves!
In Susan Harding's (author of Grow in wisdom and Tell me about God) latest book, she does precisely that. A devotional aimed at junior school aged children, Beginning with John's Gospel goes through the first 18 verses of John chapter 1 phrase by phrase, explaining them further by linking them with other passages from the gospel. Who Jesus is and why he came are clearly shown.
As one would expect of Banner, this book is theologically sound and the author has the rare gift of being able to explain Christian doctrine simply without either talking down to the child or being simplistic. The great doctrines of the Word of God, of Christ and of salvation are all covered. What it means for Christ to be 'light' and 'life' is explained and 'glory' and 'grace' are defined. Helpful illustrations are used, such as likening the changing of water into wine to Jesus changing sinners into saints. The grace of God is likened to windscreen wipers on a car, cleaning away the raindrops (the sin we continue to commit) again and again. The author shows how God only can forgive those who break his law and explains that being born into God's family is up to God alone, not up to us.
Negatives? The New King James version is used throughout which might bother you if this isn't the translation you are accustomed to. Also the illustrations - a mixture of abstract and realistic - may not be everyone's cup of tea but how does one depict such a difficult passage? Lastly, perhaps a summary at the end of the book would have been helpful - as it stands it ends rather abruptly.
If you want a clear, sound gospel presentation for pre-teens, you will find it in this book. Let's hope the author will write more for this age group in the future. We parents and teachers need all the help we can get!

Kathy Peat