Book Review: The Most Beautiful Thing I’ve Seen

First things first because I need to preface this review. I do not align with a lot of beliefs of Lisa Gungor and her husband Michael. I do not know what it is like to go through a deconstruction like they have processed. However, I did enjoy the book and her thoughts regarding her spirituality.

 

Lisa’s writing is easy and familiar at the same time. She speaks with eloquence and you can tell she has given a lot of thought to the words she has penned. Throughout the book we are given the background and the experiences that have made Lisa who she is today. We learn what it means to experience a crisis and come face to face with a child having a genetic disease.

I cannot give this book the typical Christian endorsement. In fact, I would lean to it being more about spirituality than Christianity because, really, we do not hear Lisa say that she is of the faith. She seems alright with that and understands the issues that it can bring.

If you want, read this book to get the memoir of an artist who has left the Christian faith. Do not read this book expecting great theological truth. I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. The words are my own and have not been influenced in any manner outside of the written manuscript.

Review: The Apologetics Study Bible (CSB Version)

The more I read from the CSB translation of the Bible, the more it is becoming my go-to translation. Combine that with my desire to always have an Apologetics Study Bible and this is a no-brainer for me to own. After having spent some time in it, I am grateful for Holman publishing this version.

If you are getting this Bible expecting a lot of footnotes, you will be let down. Sure, there are some at the bottom of nearly every page, but they are most like a copy or slight update to a previous version. It does not mean that they are bad, but if you are looking for one with a lot of notes, you may want to look elsewhere.

Where the footnotes lack, the “articles” in this Bible are where things shine. This is the strong, selling point of the Bible in my opinion. Each article is impressive. The thoughts are nicely condensed and not over your head. Sure, the thoughts may need time to digest, but is that not the point of reading Scripture?

The page layout is also one of the better ones I have seen. The text columns are a little wider than normal and yet the pages have plenty of blank space for jotting down your own notes. The pages flip quite nicely and it lays flat for my purposes.

All in all, it’s a great Bible for an introduction to apologetics. Those who expect a full seminary equivalence in a condensed Study Bible format will be let down. However, for the bulk of Christ followers, this would be a lovely companion to their other Bibles to have handy for when the time is right.

I received this for free from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. The words above are my own and have not been influenced in any way other than the finished product I received.

She Reads Truth Study Bible Review

The past year or so, my life has taken some turns. I have reviewed books by female authors and here I am reviewing a study Bible geared towards women. This does not mean I have changed much, but rather I think I am trying to find resources to share with ladies I know. It is easy for me to live in a bubble and not know what is happening within the Christian publishing world when it only is released by a man. I am trying to expand my circle of knowledge.

The new She Reads Truth Study Bible is a gem. It is the new CSB translation, but has many good features about it. I can see every woman enjoying its notes, images, and splashes of color. You can tell that this one was thought out when it was arranged. There are so many things that you glance over and then notice after you look at the page again. I have followed the She Reads Truth movement from the fringe and have been more in tune with the He Reads Truth movement for obvious reasons.

If you know a woman looking for a new study Bible, I would highly recommend this one. They offer a few different cover choices and binding options. Most of all, they’re all affordable and worth every penny. I am anxiously awaiting a He Reads Truth version.

I received a copy of the gray linen for free from B&H in exchange for an unbiased review.