Christian Book Notes

March, Charlie. A Carpenter’s View of the Bible. Enumclaw: Pleasant Word Publishing, 2010. 188 pp. $17.99.  Purchase at Amazon for $14.03 or the Kindle for $9.99.

Introduction

Charlie March worked as a finish carpenter for 20 years while also serving in the local church as a Sunday School teacher. He has earned an MA in Biblical Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary as well as a PhD in Classics and Archaeology at Royal Holloway College, University of London. His time as a carpenter and Sunday School teacher has led to the writing of A Carpenter’s View of the Bible.

Summary

Divided into fourteen chapters, March approaches the Bible as a general contractor approaches a job site: beginning with the creation (design) of what is to be built and moving along until the job is finished and the last bit of material is swept and cleaned. Along the way, March offers a biblical theology of sorts from the perspective of one who builds and creates each day.

The basis of the book is the creative attribute of God that is shared by man. In other words, we have the ability to create because God has the ability to create. The difference being that God spoke and His words alone created. We, on the other hand, must use existing material to create. Nonetheless, March shows how we can and should glorify God with our creative minds.

Throughout the book, you will take a look at the importance of communication on the job sight through the lens of the story of the Tower of Babel and will glean a new understanding of walls in the story of Rahab the prostitute and the fall of Jericho. His chapter on the Tabernacle was most interesting and helped to bring to light some deep truths that are often overlooked.

In what I have artificially separated into a second section of the book, the chapter on a carpenter’s view of Jesus launches the reader into the New Testament. Here, we are treated to the parallels of Christ as a carpenter and his work as the savior…again, insight that until now, I had never noticed.

The book then concludes with chapters on the house church and heaven with the last word being about the importance of tying up loose ends on the jobsite.

Review

I am sure some who would read A Carpenter’s View of the Bible would laugh and mock the author for stretching the Scriptures to say what he wants to say. I am not that person. Having been a construction worker myself, I found the insights presented by Charlie March to be refreshing and enjoyable. For example, I will never look at the story of Rahab the same again.

What is more, his insight into archaeological findings and studies proved to be extremely valuable in teaching the reader the importance of the carpenter’s view. Much understanding has been added to the way Jesus Christ lived his life before entering into the ministry. Since not much is said in the Bible concerning the first thirty years of his life, we must lean heavily on archaeological evidence and March does a wonderful job of weaving that information into the message while maintaining a Scipture alone approach to our understanding of what the Bible teaches.

Recommendation

I commend Charlie March’s creativity in writing this book. Even more, I commend him for staying true to the Word of God on every page.

If you are a carpenter, then you will most certainly want to pick up a copy of A Carpenter’s View of the Bible. In so doing, you will find that after reading it, you will begin to see the Bible from a totally different perspective. I also believe you will find that you will be more ready to share your faith with your fellow carpenters in a contextualize manner that does not strip away the meaning of the message. Even if you are not a carpenter, you will definitely find this book to be an interesting read.

McConnell, Mac.  Joseph: A Father’s Journey.  Ft. Lauderdale:  OneWay Books, 2009.  130 pp.  $12.95.  Purchase at Amazon for $11.01 or less.  Purchase for Kindle for $9.99.

Introduction

By this point, Mac McConnell needs no introduction.  If, however, you do not know about his ministry yet, please check out my past reviews on all of Mac’s books or check out his ministry webpage, One Way Books.  Joseph is the third book in the Cradle to the Cross Trilogy.

Summary

Joseph is about the step-father (the earthly father) of Jesus.  We find a young Joseph looking to follow in his own father’s footsteps in the carpenter’s trade.  He meets a young girl named Mary.  They are set to get married when she disappears for a time.  Upon finding out that she is pregnant, Joseph wrestles with whether or not to divorce her.  We know from Scripture that he does not.  In this novel, they answer the “problem” by moving the wedding day up.

When the census is called, Joseph and Mary head to Bethlehem to be counted.  Here, they meet up with an Inn owner named Hadad who allows them to stay in the manger outside his inn.  Once the child is born, Joseph and Mary stay in Bethlehem for two years before being led by the Spirit to leave for Egypt.

Review

Though this was the last of the three books in the Cradle to the Cross trilogy to be written, I believe it should be the first to be read.  Joseph ends with the family leaving for Egypt while Hadad and Bozra follow the life of this child to the point of His death.  Joseph really sets up the entire trilogy in my estimation.

Also, I have given nothing but high praises for Mac’s work through his novels.  That has not changed with Joseph though I do have some criticisms.  For example, I struggled with the way in which Mac portrayed Joseph as understanding who this child really was.  Joseph seemed to know what young Yeshua’s mission in life was to be.  I am not sure why, but that really bothered me as I was reading.  I kept having to tell myself that this was artistic license and nothing more, but even so, I found it to be somewhat difficult.

His handling of the pregnancy by the Holy Spirit was interesting though not unrealistic.  Even so, I struggled with that as well.  I am not sure why this struggle since the Bible never does speak to any of these issues per se.  I did find, however, that of the four books I have already reviewed, this was the one that stretched me the furthest.  That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and wished I had read it first in the trilogy.

Recommendation

Yes, even though I struggled some with the reading of Joseph, I still highly recommend this book.  If you are looking to read all three books in the Cradle to Cross Trilogy, I would suggest you start with Joseph and then move to Hadad and then read Bozra as it is in that order in the gospel narratives that we meet each character.  If you are able to allow for artistic license, even with men from the Bible, then this series promises to be one you will enjoy over and over.