Books

Wilson’s Bookmarks

Brief reviews of ‘Free Will,’ ‘The Lion Bible in Its Time,’ and ‘Crazy Dangerous’

Free Will Sam Harris (Free Press)

I think I am exercising free will as I write this mini-review (free only within constraints, to be sure—especially space constraints—but meaningfully so). Ditto you in reading it (or skipping it). But Sam Harris—or I should say, “Sam Harris,” meaning the conjunction of causes that made him write the book—knows better. And who knows? Maybe you (or “you”) and I (that is, “I,” not the superficial consciousness ensorcelled by the illusion of free will but rather the forces actually steering me) will wake up one morning and find that we agree. Or maybe not.

The Lion Bible in Its Time Lois Rock, Illustrated by Steve Noon (Lion)

Many books attempt to introduce the biblical world to children with a mix of text and colorful illustrations. Plenty are mediocre. This one’s a keeper. The glory of it comes in the plentiful two-page illustrations, spreads that are at once panoramic and loaded with detail. From “Abraham: A Nomad in Canaan” and “The Tabernacle in the Wilderness” to “Jerusalem in the Time of Pilate,” they invite exploration. I can’t wait to sit down with this book and our grandkids.

Crazy Dangerous Andrew Klavan (Thomas Nelson)

When I was a kid, some well-meaning grown-up would give me what would nowadays be called a Young Adult book, written from a Christian perspective and intended to be inspirational. Almost always, such books were awful. How things have changed. Andrew Klavan, like a number of leading suspense novelists, has started writing for kids as well. Last year, I recommended his Homelanders series. Now he has a new book, with a pastor’s kid as the protagonist. Like many good YA novels (see the work of Peter Abrahams, Donna Freitas, N. D. Wilson, and Marly Youmans, for example), it can also be read with pleasure by adults.

Copyright © 2012 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Free Will, The Lion Bible in Its Time, and Crazy Dangerous are available from Amazon, Christianbook.com, and other retailers.

John Wilson is editor of Books & Culture, a Christianity Today sister publication.

CT also has more books, film, and music reviews.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

When Are We Going to Grow Up? The Juvenilization of American Christianity

Cover Story

By Grace You Are Mature

Childlike Faith: Are Kids Born with Belief?

The Resurrection: A Bridge Between Two Worlds

Review

Holy Ground: Why This Land Is God's Land

Review

Grace Amid Genocide

My Top 5 Books On Patriotism

News

Nonprofits, the Bible, and Jesus

In on the Joke of the Bible

Timothy George on the Reformers' Postmodern Moment

Editorial

Why Catholics and Evangelicals Can Be United Against Nihilism

The Art of Loving Your Neighbor

News

Pro-Life Democrats Dwindle in Congress

Should Churches Abandon Travel-Intensive Short-Term Missions in Favor of Local Projects?

News

Should Denominations Be Organized Geographically?

Excerpt

Learning from My Father: Lessons on Life and Faith

When Dad Is in Prison

Ponce de León on Steroids

The Social Network Gospel

Apps to the Future: The New Social Network Engagers

The Rise of Digital Urban Tribes

News

Book Buyer Beware? It's Christian Fiction.

Charles Colson & Timothy George: Churchless Jesus

Why Denomination Matters to Church Growth

News

Fury Over Mission School Fees

Review

Kin: Songs by Mary Karr & Rodney Crowell

News

Liberia: Getting Back to the Founding Faith

Review

For Greater Glory

News

The Fight for Egypt's Future

Letters to the Editor

Evangelicalism's Youthful Romance

News

Passages

Review

The Trinity and the Cross, and Why It Matters

Review

God on the Streets of Gotham

Review

Debating Same-Sex Marriage

News

Quotation Marks

News

Christians Face Forced Exodus, Missionary Wins 'Rare' Settlement, Churches Want Fewer Cash Offerings, and More

Remembering Charles Colson, a Man Transformed

View issue

Our Latest

Justices Debate Christian Therapist’s Challenge to ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban

Colorado evangelical Kaley Chiles calls the law a violation of her free speech.

Wire Story

Tony Evans Will No Longer Pastor Dallas Megachurch After Restoration

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship announced that its pastor of 48 years won’t return to leadership. The church expects son Jonathan Evans to succeed him.

You Don’t Have to Be Radical

Most Christians aren’t monks, missionaries, or martyrs. We’re unimpressive and unsatisfactory—yet saved by God’s scandalous grace.

From a Village of Bandits to a Village of the Gospel

Stuartpuram in India’s Andhra Pradesh was once known for its armed robbers. Then the gospel changed them.

Four Truths About God for Children Who Can’t Sleep

And for the grownups—that’s all of us—who never outgrow their need for his presence around the clock.

Preservation Grants Help Black Churches Hold On to Their History

Over a hundred congregations have received up to a half-million dollars to repair deteriorating buildings and restore their place in their communities.

News

Two Years After October 7, Christians See Fruit amid the Suffering

Churches in Israel and Egypt provide food, aid, and a listening ear to those scarred by war.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube