My reaction, as I went through the amazing tables and charts and timelines in the first part of the book, was a combination of "Hallelujah," and, probably, also, a sanctified "Triple-Wow!" I was so happy to see facts immediately at hand. Probably, if someone is preparing a Sunday School lesson, as I often am, or a preaching message, as so many others are, it is not so much the major facts of it that are the puzzle, since we study those assiduously. It is the supporting facts, or supporting settings, and, since one studies those secondarily, it can take a lot of time looking them up and verifying them. This, I think, is one place that the Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps and Timelines Tenth Anniversary edition, comes in. There is quick verification, right at hand, with no need to spend valuable time better spent on the main theme, on the supporting details.
This might, of course, be
but one of the functions of this book. I am sure that a person who is
simply browsing might also learn a great deal in that process. To tell
the truth, were there not preschoolers present around my coffee table quite
frequently – I sort of remember some small damage I did to a Bible Dictionary,
at the age of four or five – I might even want something like this as a coffee
table book. I am sure sales of it would
soar, since all my believing friends would want one of their own. I believe, however, that my unchurched
friends would be quite taken with some of the sections, such as those about
proofs of the Bible, or, perhaps, those about the different translations.
And, what about
apologetics, generally? If you are like me, the facts of apologetics
tend to float around in a nebulous mass in my mind, unless I am, during that
precise week, involved in reading something like "Evidence that Demands a
Verdict,” by Josh McDowell. I remember the evidence, but, at the same
time, somehow do NOT remember it -- a look at some of these charts, however,
brings it back!
And, what about the
timelines? If we have the tendency to place our Hebrews building
pyramids in Egypt, that idea is quickly changed as we look at timelines, isn't
it? Or, if we are confused by the various Herods, we can become less
confused. Maps are fine, but in most books, we have an ancient map on
one page, and a modern one on another. Rose Publishing has helped us by
sometimes combining them.
There is another problem
with knowledge that we have garnered from various sources: we vaguely remember such-and-such a fact,
but, was it in that course we once took, or was it in a tome we afterwards
read, or, was it in a magazine article that came out after that? How can we look up that fact, or, worse, how
will we be able to cite it? Having this
one-stop volume means that we can cite the information from this work, or, if
we need access to the original source, can verify exactly which source it, in
fact, was.
The book abounds with all kinds
of information that might be needed by almost anyone studying the Bible. There are very helpful sections on church
history from the first century onwards, on denominations and on various cults
and religions. Different stances on the
End Times are explained and charted. There
are helpful charts about the kings of Israel and Judah. There is the genealogy of our Lord. There are illustrations of such structures as
the Tabernacle and the Temple. And, if
you are like me, and have memorized the prophets, the people to whom they
spoke, and other such details, only to forget or only partly remember, not so
long afterwards, there are fine charts on these, as well.
And on it goes. I truly recommend buying this book for
yourself or for some Bible-studying family member or friend. I am quite amazed at the modest price: the book is abundantly and colorfully
illustrated, and, in fact, I am planning to show my three-year-old grandchild, a
Noah’s ark enthusiast, the picture found in this book, since he was sorely disappointed
with a recent animation of that story, which lacked animals. And,
as if all of the other features are not truly amazing, the fact that pages of this volume can be
reproduced, for classroom use only, is a very unusual feature in a book of this
dimension, and, especially, of this price.
This is a book, if not for
all seasons, at least, then, for all ages.
And I believe it will prove to be a delightfully helpful one, indeed.
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