Biblion COMPENDIUM "The Best of 2017" (EN) by BIBLION

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EDITORIAL A Year of Hope

COV E R :

CO M P E N D I U M DESIGN: DA N I E L G O M E S

Review of Books, Books in Review

SPECIAL EDITION “compendium 2017” Published: November 2017 CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE: Daniel Gomes, Susana Pires, Vitor Marini (Illustrations), Samuel Ascenção (Production Consultant)

EDITORIAL OFFICE

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Mission/Purpose: To promote and encourage reading habits of Christian themes, fostering the necessary conditions to allow everyone to access these works. Learn more about our drive and our principles at www.biblion.pt. Content: The content of the articles hereby presented is subject to their authors’ opinions. Content usage: Given that the main goal is the promotion of works and authors, content sharing is allowed for non-commercial ends only, and requires the source of this content to be mentioned. Pricing and Availability: Prices mentioned include IVA. Products are subject to stock availability at the time of the order.

he arrival of the New Year is deeply connected to new resolutions, to commitments we make for ourselves, and Biblion is no exception. We too want to embrace 2018 with the hope that our goals will be achieved. Loyal to our commitment towards Christian literature and towards our readers, we want to see our magazine reach unexpected places and audiences and motivate more people to read. To make that happen, Biblion is launching a series of measures and initiatives that will take place throughout this year. On top of the magazine’s expansion, these measures seek to maintain Biblion’s integrity and autonomy as an independent magazine whose main purpose is the promotion of literature in regard to the reader’s intellectual and spiritual maturing. Biblion also seeks to devote itself more to the magazine’s means of dissemination, placing greater emphasis on website, mobile app and social networks starting this month of January. A substantial design and layout overhaul is in progress, its goal being the refinement of our graphic content’s quality. Lastly, we want to see a larger share of guest collaboration and add more voices to each magazine’s issue. Of course, all this involves a compromise of time and resources – and this becomes a situation where, as they say, we need to take a step back in order to take two steps forward. This means going back to the magazine’s quarterly publishing format, a decision that will ensure the magazine’s quality and contribute to its constant improvement – two things that Biblion values more than the number of issues published in a year. As the reader can witness, we are committed to make 2018 a memorable year, and we want you to join us in this magnificent journey. Here are our sincere wishes of health, peace and joy, and we hope you have a great 2018! DA N I E L T. G O M E S

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INDEX

EDITOR’S CHOICE EUGENE PETERSON

TELL IT SLANT TRIBUTE TO AN EXCEPTIONAL AUTHOR The long experience as a pastor, teacher and scholar of God’s Word gives Eugene Peterson a priceless wisdom credit, well demonstrated here in this work.

SECTIONS

INTERVIEW

BRIAN RUSSELL

EDITORIAL

A Year of Hope

30 100 YEARS

Biddy, Mrs. Chambers

31 JESUS

Who is this Man?

YOUVERSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR To get acquainted with the Bible App, who’s better than it’s Executive Director to answer our questions? Biblion shows what you need to know to fully use this important tool - for personal use, at church and with children.

38 GENEROSITY

David Green

39 SIMPLICITY

Jean-Baptiste Chautard

40 HISTORY

Templars

48 ENIGMA

LITERARY INTERVIEW

The Chamberlain Key

50 REPORT

MAURÍCIO ZÁGARI

Devotionals

54 TRAVEL

The Wilder Trail

55 CHRISTY AWARDS

Miriam

PRESENTATION: O ENIGMA DA BÍBLIA DE GUTENBERG The book that granted Maurício Zágari the brazilian Areté Awards for “Best Rookie Writer” and “Best Fiction Book”, is presented here in an exclusive interview by the author, allowing us to better know it and the “Adventures of Daniel” teen series.

IMAGES: BIBLION ARCHIVE, EXCEPT WHEN MENTIONED OTHERWISE. BIBLION IS VERY THANKFULL FOR ALL IMAGES AND CONTENT GRACIOUSLY SUPPLIED BY PUBLISHERS AND PARTNERS.

PT | EN W W W . B I B L I O N . P T

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BIBLE APP’S INTERVIEW: BRIAN RUSSELL

EUGENE PETERSON: PASTOR-POET’S LAST BOOK THE NEW MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE G.K. CHESTERTON

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INDEX

INDISPENSABLE MARTIN LUTHER

PRESENTATION: A LIBERDADE CRISTÃ In order to honor one of the most influent theologians in the history of Christianity, Biblion is publishing the Portuguese translation of one of Luther’s most influent works: A Liberdade Cristã (Concerning Christian Liberty).

CURRENT ISSUE

WISDOM

ERIC METAXAS

Unstoppable NICK VUJICIC

THE WISDOM OF GREAT RULERS

TOUGH TOPICS

IN LOCO

ED RENÉ KIVITZ IN PORTUGAL

PERSONA

HENRI NOUWEN

NICK VUJICIC

SAM STORMS

ACROSS THE SPECTRUM

GREG BOYD & PAUL EDDY

The Five Love Languages GARY CHAPMAN

THE STORY OF REALITY GREG KOUKL

A character who mixes with his written works, the greatest exponent of agape love and compassion.

Celebration of Discipline

THEOLOGY

Elogio Della Vita Imperfetta

SAM STORMS: THE CHARISMATIC CALVINIST

PREVIEW

THE MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE First-hand, the most immersive and technologically advanced museum in the world.

C. S. LEWIS

EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOWABOUT GOD [JESUS EDITION]

An analysis of the Book of Ecclesiastes and Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.

For the first time in Biblion, nothing better than a double review, to get to know Sam Storms.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Give Me a Hug

Renowned brazilian author visited our country, as a guest speaker of two events at A Casa da Cidade, in Lisbon.

SOCIETY

FOR A BETTER WORLD A book that had to be written, to convey a new approach to the scourge of the bankruptcy of nations

RICHARD FOSTER

PAOLO SQUIZZATO

PRAYER

TIMOTHY KELLER

The Poverty of Nations

WAYNE GRUDEM & BARRY ASMUS

The Return of the Prodigal Son HENRI NOUWEN

DISCIPLESHIP

DIETRICH BONHOEFFER

TELL IT SLANT EUGENE PETERSON

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INDISPENSABLE

Martin LutHer

Liberdade Cristã [Concerning Christian Liberty] Daniel Gomes

ive hundred years after the beginning of the Protestation Reformation, the words of Martin Luther echo in the theology and the doctrine of numerous denominations. His ninety-five thesis baffled the Christianity of his time like no one before him had done (despite the attempts of John Wycliffe and Jan Hus, also worthy of admiration); his concepts of sola fide, sola scriptura and sola gratia continue well present in the hearts of millions of Protestants spread around the world. In order to honor one of the most influent theologians in the history of Christianity, Biblion is publishing the Portuguese translation of one of Luther’s most influent works: A Liberdade Cristã. De Libertate Christiana, or A Liberdade Cristã (English versions include On the Freedom of a Christian and Concerning Christian Liberty) appears at the end of the year 1520, one of Luther’s most frantic and prolific times. After a fervent debate in Leipzig the year before, and facing the papal threat of excommunication in the

shape of the Exsurge Domini bull, the Augustinian monk responds even more harshly to Rome’s demands, producing absolutely crucial works for the complete and total separation between himself and the Catholic Church in just a few months. After writing several theses denouncing the ecclesiastical doctrines and abuses of his

A L I B E R DA D E C R I S TÃ , B Y M A R T I N L U T H E R , P U B L I S H E D B Y B I B L I O N / U N I Q U E C R E AT I O N S , Q U E L U Z - P T

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time, Luther publishes De Libertate Christiana, a work that seeks to show the true basis of Christian religion in the face of papal doctrines and laws. The work becomes the zenith of Luther’s alienation, given that the monk stops attacking regulations specific to the earthly church in order to affirm the nature and posture worthy of the justified Christian. Here he establishes a dogma of redemption, built on the concept of sola fide as the only way of attaining God’s grace that is backed by Scripture, which in turn defies the dogma of the Church of Rome, which is strongly founded upon merit, ecclesiastic tradition and clerical authority by apostolic succession. Luther begins by declaring the apparently paradoxical nature of the Christian, affirming that “a Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.” This nature is closely connected with a man’s composition as both a physical and a spiritual being, with a bond between the soul and the flesh. Despite being two dissimilar things, the soul and the flesh are not separate from each other, yet they work together to achieve this paradoxical resolution. Luther defends that the interior man (the soul) must be sure that he is but a sinner who needs God’s grace and justice to be saved, but there’s nothing the exterior man (the flesh) can do to achieve its own justification. To the monk, all works are void and condemnable if not made out of free will and unswerving faith, and even then there’s nothing inherent to the works that can affect the justification and salvation of the one who performs them. Throughout this treatise, Luther emphasizes the role of faith as the only link between the

Christian’s soul and Christ Himself. According to Luther, it is by this link through faith that the Christian is free from sin’s slavery. It is also by this link through faith that we are “kings” and “priests” of the spiritual realm, just as Christ is. Nevertheless, the body has its own will, “which is striving to serve the world and to seek its own gratification”; this is where Luther affirms the performance of works, not to justify the soul, but with the double purpose of governing the flesh and loving your neighbor. From the monk’s point of view, the teaching of works as means of being saved is “devilish” and a “perverse notion,” since works are intrinsically material and cannot affect in any way that which is spiritual; however, he recognizes that they are valuable for the body’s submission to faith and for the neighbor’s benefit in love. Luther concludes with a warning to those who, on one hand, refuse to accept the Christian liberty and stubbornly cling to works, laws and ceremonies as to be justified by these, and to those who, on the other hand, warp the meaning of this freedom and use it to totally despise the works and traditions. The monk of Wittenberg draws a line between those who cling to the laws and works out of pure intransigence and pride, and those who do it because they are “as yet unable to apprehend that liberty of faith, even if willing to do so.” The Christian must defy the arrogance of the first with all his boldness, yet he must carefully observe the doctrine before the latter, as to not offend them. This work by Biblion and Unique Creations is the translation of the English version produced by Elizabeth T. Knuth and David Widger, currently available on Gutenberg.org.

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EDITOR’S CHOICE

TRIBUTE TO AN EXCEPTIONAL AUTHOR

Tell It

Slant

Eugene H. Peterson

With so much teaching He transmitted, Jesus did not leave any writings of his – he only spoke. The author begins with that in mind, bringing us to another dimension of communication, be it spoken or written. Later on, Peterson describes the different types of communication employed by God for our understanding, with preaching being the language that personally links us with the action of God in the present. Teaching through metaphors was also extensively used by Jesus to make us internally aware of His living, multidimensional truth. It is also vital that we practice the conversational exchange due to its informality – at home, at the table, among family and/ or friends. Peterson dedicates another significant part of his book to the journey’s narrative, as it appears in the Gospel of Luke, providing insightful examples such as the Samaritan hospitality, which has endured in the Middle East throughout

centuries, and which Peterson himself has experienced. This remarkable trait influenced the Benedictine hospitality and several other communities, rooted on the principles of the fourth-century monastic community founded by St. Benedict of Nursia at Mount Cassino, in Italy. Through three of Jesus’ parables, Peterson explains how Luke highlighted the Greek expression “ánthröpos tís”, meaning “a man.” This expression connects the three parablesfound in chapters 15 and 16: the Parable of the Lost Son, the Parable of the Dishonest Manager, and the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man. Afterwards the author goes on to a thorough explanation of how metaphors and stories characterize Jesus’ language: a language without formalities or distractions that could lead to ambiguity. Those who follow Him do not merely listen to Him, but they learn how to communicate as He does.

T e l l I t S l a n t : A Co n v e r s ati o n o n t h e L a n g uag e o f J e s u s i n His S to r i e s a n d P r ay e r s , B Y EUGENE P E T ER S ON , P U B L I S H E D B Y W m . B . E e r d m a n s P u b l is h i n g Co m pa n y , G r a n d R a pids , M I - U S A

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P H O TO C R E D I T S : P U B L I S H E R ’ S W E B S I T E W W W . E E R D M A N S . CO M

reat scholar of God’s Word and author of The Message, Eugene Peterson seeks the profound wisdom inherent to several aspects of the language employed by Jesus, and makes it known to us in this excellent book, “Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers”.

W W W . B I B L I O N . P T

Going from Jesus’ parables to His prayers requires care, as it is the same as going from a local language, with its circumstances and constraints, to Himself, to His body and soul. In prayer, our first language, silence is essential in order for us to listen to Him. Jesus prays with us and for us, as he did in His last moments of agony. Eugene Peterson exposes Jesus’ prayer on the cross, his last seven words. Seven prayers and only one sentence. None of the Gospels contains them all. Peterson chose to present them in a fitting sequence, with an internal coherence. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” (John 12:27) As the author affirms, death is the “purpose” of Jesus’ life. It was much more than a death. After he lost His signs of life, Jesus obtained our salvation. Dying in a voluntary and sacrificial way, He gave himself for the sins of this world – for Death. The seven prayers are metaphors, albeit real ones, that we are invited to use in our daily prayers. Peterson refers to Raymond Brown, great scholar of Jesus’ true challenge on the cross, revealing that Jesus bowed his head and delivered His spirit as He finished that prayer, claiming He did it to those who stood close to the cross, and that, in a certain way, would include those who follow Him today. Indispensable!

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WISDOM

A review of the Ecclesiastes and of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations

The Wisdom of Great Rulers

D A N I E L T. G O M E S

hen we think of wisdom, we tend to think of people whose words overflow with useful knowledge for our life. Philosophers, writers, pastors, gurus – we think of thinkers, of people who seek (and sometimes find) enlightenment on questions that usually leave the common human being bewildered. THESE ARE QUESTIONS that many people want to see answered, yet few can find the answer for themselves; after all, wouldn’t it be nice if we all knew what was the meaning of life, for example, or where we go after we die? (And that once knowing these things, we could all be in agreement?) So it happens that, in previous times, people tended to look to their leaders as fountains of wisdom. It was the people’s expectation that their highest power possessed discernment, that valuable capacity of objectively understand the reality in which people lived, as well as wisdom to act accordingly. History recognizes several leaders as being wise, yet two distinguish themselves as true “philosopher-kings” for their love for wisdom and for their ability to rule: Solomon, King of Israel, and Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome. Solomon is to many people the wisest man who ever existed. His proverbs and songs, as well as the descriptions of his rule in the Old 14 COMPENDIUM 2017

Testament books of Kings and Chronicles, attest to the sagacity, wealth, influence and power of David’s son and successor to the throne. Solomon enjoyed a peaceful rule in which Israel reached the very height of its prosperity. He built the temple his father David had dreamed of, he forged good relations with other rulers of his time (such as King Hiram I and the Queen of Sheba) through diplomacy and commerce, and he enjoyed a lifetime of pleasure – that is, he and his seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. Nevertheless, a new face of Solomon is revealed in what I believe to be his magnum opus, even though it is quite likely he was not the actual author. (See “Solomon & Ecclesiastes”). Solomon, the Qohelet or Ecclesiastes, “one who convenes an assembly,” confesses his anguish about the meaning of life upon realizing that all his great deeds and wise words will mean nothing to him after his death. The text narrates that anguish and grief in the first person, as if we

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were face-to-face with one of the greatest kings of ancient times, a king who no longer could keep his thoughts locked within his heart and thus decided to share with us how he faced life, its brevity and insignificance. The Ecclesiastes (also called “Teacher” and “Preacher” in different translations) states that things to which man attributes worth – such as material goods, labor, and even wisdom itself – are ephemeral and devoid of meaning; “all is vanity,” as the author puts it. He also reflects on the ubiquitous injustice in this world, in the blessings the Lord pours to man without him ever being satisfied, and in death that is the end of all things and which makes us all equal – that is, it turns us all into dust. The earthly life, filled with pain, suffering and injustice, is a true affliction to the Ecclesiastes, who points out that the happiest are those who haven’t been born and did not have to experience the ennui and torture that life is. Chasing after the wind, suffering the injustices and evils of this world on our flesh, working so others may enjoy the fruits of our labor – all to end up as dust, seven feet underground, with our name and our deeds forgotten. All is vanity, is an illusion, ephemeral and without meaning and value; our life is short, and its end is inevitable. Amongst all this melancholy, the Ecclesiastes finds hope in the fear of the Lord, in humility, and in savoring the present time. He believes God will judge the dead for their actions in life and concludes that we should be glad for the good things we have, as they are gifts of God and we do not know how long we’ll be able to enjoy them. A thousand years after Solomon (who supposedly reigned in the tenth century BC), a new philosopher-king appears in the form of Marcus Aurelius, the last of the “Five Good Emperors,” as Machiavelli named them, who ruled the Roman Empire. However, Marcus Aurelius distinguishes himself from his predecessors by his dedication to philosophy; Meditations, the compilation of his

Solomon & Ecclesiastes Judeo-Christian tradition attributes the authorship of Ecclesiastes to Solomon, himself the author of Song of Songs, most of Proverbs, and other writings not included in the Old Testament. However, many historians and theologians have come to reject that theory on several factors, among which is the book’s theme and the language used by the author, placing the date of Ecclesiastes around the third century BC – seven hundred years after Solomon’s reign. In his commentary on Ecclesiastes, Dr. Michael V. Fox presumes that the Qohelet, the supposed author of the book, is actually a fictional character made in the image of Solomon, and not the king himself nor any person directly related to him. Fox recognizes a strong influence of Greek thought in the text, as the Ecclesiastes seeks the truth through logical reasoning, rather than through divine revelation or the study of traditions. The critic even identifies traces of stoicism in the Ecclesiastes’ message, especially in the cyclical form of how he sees the past, the present, and the future. With this in mind, there are still pastors and leaders in the church who continue to support the tradition that King Solomon is the Qohelet. In O Livro Mais Mal-humorado da Bíblia, Ed René Kivitz links the Ecclesiastes to Solomon several times throughout the book, though he admits from the very start that there are no assurances as to the Ecclesiastes’ identity. www.biblion.pt/en 15

B I B L I O N - R E V I E W O F B OO K S , B OO K S I N R E V I E W

writings, is considered to be one of Greco-Roman philosophy’s greatest works. Such praise is not unfounded. The Roman emperor’s Meditations offer a detailed and singular perspective of Stoicism (the Hellenistic school of thought which Marcus Aurelius adhered to) since Marcus Aurelius, much like Solomon, was not just a thinker: he was the supreme leader of Rome, seen as a god by his people. However, Marcus Aurelius had a rare interest in those questions that leave us puzzled, so much that he would write about his perspective in life and the world in which he lived in even while he was in military campaign. As expected, Marcus Aurelius’ wisdom does not fit one hundred percent with that of Ecclesiastes. This happens especially due to the divergence between Judaic monotheism and Roman polytheism with Stoicism’s pantheistic emphasis. Marcus Aurelius believed in the union of all things and of all mortal beings with the universe; he also believed in value of reason and virtue, essential to a life in accordance with what’s natural, in deference to emotions and earthly pleasures, which stoics saw as destructive.

Even so, both philosopher-kings agree that life is short, a dot on the infinity of time; that death is an end inescapable, one which we should not fear if we live a life which we do not regret. The two also agree that wisdom is beneficial to all men and that its search is a more than a mere wish – it’s a way of life. Other areas where the two find common ground is the exhortation both do about living in the present, in experiencing for ourselves that which was done by our ancestors (“there’s nothing new under the sun!”), and in obeying the law, which is applied for our own good. I believe there is nothing like reading the writings of these two great leaders to understand why after thousands of years past their time, they are both still revered by their wisdom. The books of Ecclesiastes and Meditations are the most intimate thoughts of two men who, despite their majestic positions of power, maintained a profound, humble, and realistic judgment of the world and of themselves. It is now up to us to follow on their footsteps, seeking wisdom that enlightens our minds, cleans our hearts, and changes our surroundings through our words and our actions.

S E E F U L L B I B L I OG R A P H Y AT : W W W . B I B L I O N . P T / a - sabe doria - dos - gran d es - li d eres /

The Fear of the Lord The “fear of the Lord” is one of the toughest concepts to grasp in Ecclesiastes, as it does not mean “fear” as simply “being scared.” The “fear of the Lord” is an attitude of profound reverence and apprehension in response to God’s magnitude. In his Journal of Biblical Accuraccy, Anastasios Kioulachoglou compares the fear of the Lord to the way a subject faces his

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king: with uncommon respect and admiration, being fully conscious that the king is the highest authority, capable of elevating or destroying his subject. Ed René Kivitz also connects the fear of the Lord to reverence, admiration and fascination: “God is too great,” Kivitz writes in O Livro Mais Mal-humorado da Bíblia (free translation). “We fear of

being crushed by his very greatness even as we love him and long for him.” In his proverbs, Solomon speaks of the immense benefits resulting from the fear of the Lord, including wisdom. It makes sense that the Ecclesiastes, in his search for wisdom, also pondered on the fear of the Lord.

B I B L I O N CO M P E N D I U M - E N G L I S H V E R S I O N

Marcus Aurelius and Christians Christians continued to be

“protector” of the church,

Christian stance on certain

persecuted during Marcus

highlighting the way he in-

aspects. In his Meditations,

Aurelius’s reign, despite him

terceded for Christians. Other

the emperor criticizes the

being considered one of the

equally positive evidence are

fanatical way Christians em-

most benevolent emperors

the letters of Marcus Aurelius

braced death in their faith’s

prior to Constantine. Justin

himself, where he depicts the

defense, which deliberately

Martyr, for example, was

miracle of Legio XII Fulminata,

went against his rationalist

decapitated in the co-reign of

and the supposed presence

philosophy. His constant re-

Marcus Aurelius and Lucius

of Apollonius the Apologist in

flecting on abiding by the law

Verus, according to Eusebius’

the Roman senate while Mar-

and the value of the common

writings.

cus Aurelius was emperor.

good could be related to the

Nevertheless, it is not clear

Apollonius was tried and exe-

church, who at that time was

how far Marcus Aurelius

cuted for being a Christian in

a minority infamous for its

was personally involved in

the reign of Commodus, son

refusal in paying tribute to

the persecutions. We know

of Marcus Aurelius, conside-

Roman gods, thus defying

Marcus Aurelius was seen in

red by many to be an unwor-

the law of Rome, and con-

a positive light by the early

thy successor, incapable of

sequently, the power of the

church: Tertulian praises the

honoring his father’s legacy.

Emperor.

Emperor in his Apologeticum,

In spite of it all, Marcus

whom he calls “patron” and

Aurelius was against the

“The Most Unhappy Book in the Bible” Ecclesiastes is a book well known for its bittersweet and apparently disheartening tone (“all is vanity!”), but Ed René Kivitz offers a different standpoint in O Livro Mais Mal-humorado da Bíbilia. In his interpretation of Ecclesiastes, Kivitz remarks how the study of Ecclesiastes provides the basis for knowing how to deal with life’s circumstances. Conscious that our life is short yet that God has power over all things, we are encouraged to trust in the plan He has for us and to live with joy. As Kivitz puts it: “Live intensely, with dignity and trust in God. Do the best you can at all times. Commit with an open heart, believing that God’s hand rests over all things and over this life filled with hardships. […] Live, because we can only beat the hardship by living in the trust that God’s good hand will rest over us.” (free translation) www.biblion.pt/en 17

IN LOCO

AT A C A S A D A C I D A D E , L I S B O N

Ed René Kivitz IN PORTUGAL ED RENÉ KIVITZ

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y V I TO R M A R I N I

WITH AN EXTENSIVE program dedicated to the message’s communication, Kivitz shared wise teachings concerning God’s purpose on our life, at work and at school, alerting for the trap we can easily fall into when we want to build “the Church.” Only some have that call from God, and most of us have been charged with building “bridges” instead. God expects us to serve His Church wherever we are, live, work or study, enabling connections to the outside world with those in emotional, social or spiritual need, through the functions we carry out, with the talents we have, with our job and career. The social disparities present in today’s society were also addressed by Kivitz, who highlights the role a city church plays in its own city, for the city and with the city. 18 COMPENDIUM 2017

In a world where speculative avarice, exploitation of cheap handiwork, and modern-day slavery are part of corporative systems, examples of community service such as that of A Casa da Cidade make even more sense. A church with open doors, with numerous integrating projects, as reported by Portuguese newspaper Público on April 15th of 2017. At RefletIr, pastors Paulo Borges Júnior and Levi Araújo were also present and blessed substantially their audience with immense wisdom. A community that promotes events this big, that brings to Portugal such figures of Brazilian Christian thinking, deserves public recognition. Congratulations!

O R I G I N A L L Y P U B L I S H E D I N B I B L I O N #4

C R E D I T S : B I B L E . CO M

d René Kivitz, pastor of Igreja Baptista de Água Branca, in Brazil, and author, known for his devotional series Talmidim, was in Portugal, by invitation of Igreja A Casa da Cidade, in Lisbon. He was one of the guest speakers for this congregation’s Mission Conference, as well as RefletIr, a platform of shared knowledge.

B I B L I O N CO M P E N D I U M - E N G L I S H V E R S I O N

THE BIBLE APP & THE BIBLE APP FOR KIDS + 1,500 versions | + 280 million downloads | + 1,100 languages

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B I B L I O N - R E V I E W O F B OO K S , B OO K S I N R EIVN IEW T

ERVIEW

Brian Russell YOUVERSION Executive Director 20 COMPENDIUM 2017

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THE BIBLE APP

C R E D I T S : CO U R T E S Y YO U V E R S I O N / L I F E . C H U R C H

1: Personal Use The YouVersion Bible App has achieved astounding numbers: 280 Million downloads, more than 1.500 versions, translated into almost 1.100 languages. At a time when people worldwide have adopted the smartphone as their handy device, what can new users expect to find and how can they better explore the content found in this application?

Besides the Scripture, what other additional resources are being published in YouVersion’s app?

YouVersion is a Christian ministry with the mission of helping people engage with the Bible, which is why the Bible App offers Scripture to readers for free through any smartphone, tablet, or computer. The app helps people with busy, on-the-go lifestyles read the Bible at any time and in any place, making it easy for people to integrate the Bible into their everyday lives. In the Bible Reader, people can personalize their reading experience with different font options, adjustable text size, and a dark mode perfect for reading at night. Many versions of the Bible are also available for download to use offline in airplane mode or when there’s not a reliable internet connection. Having the Bible in a digital format also allows people to search for keywords or names of biblical figures and easily find the related Bible references. Just like with a printed Bible, people can Highlight or Bookmark verses and create Notes in the Bible App for reference later - or even share insights with friends. The Bible App allows people to connect with friends and interact with Scripture by experiencing encouragment, conversation, and growth—all around God’s Word. We continue to improve the search function, both within and outside the app. For example, the YouVersion team has recently developed a Messages plugin and iOS Keyboard that allows users to search for Scripture by emotion within the Messages app and text it to friends.

Using keywords, people can easily search through thousands of Bible Plans in various languages. Through these plans, users may engage in daily selections of Scripture paired with devotional, audio, or video content. This feature helps users get into the habit of more consistently reading the Bible. There is also the option to turn Bible verses into images to share with with friends and family on social media using predesigned artwork or personal photos. Offered in a limited number of languages are videos, including Lumo, Jesus Film, and Life of Jesus, that show the message of the Bible in action.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN BIBLION #5 BRIAN RUSSELL

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B I B L I O N - R E V I E W O F B OO K S , B OO K S I N R E V I E W

THE BIBLE APP

2: At Church More and more churchgoers have adopted a digital version of the Bible as their daily and Sunday service companion. Can it be a useful tool for congregation leaders to interact with church members, pastors and study teachers? And how may one take full advantage of it? Church leaders can connect directly with their congregations through the Events feature on the Bible App, which serves as an enhanced paperless bulletin and sermon guide. Attenders can follow along during a church service, engage with Scripture, take notes, and even save their own personalized copy for future reference. Church leaders can include message outlines, announcements, links to online giving, and any other important information.

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S m a l l g r o u p s , t e e n a n d yo u t h m i n i s t r i e s , even outreach programs can benefit from the Bible App widely usage. For those skeptical leaders, still delaying to embrace digital tools, how can they maximize and smoothly integrate the Bible App features into their activities? One easy way to try out digital Bible content through the Bible App is to subscribe to the Verse of the Day. A passage of Scripture will be delivered to your device each day at the time you choose and in the Bible version you prefer. The Bible App also allows people to easily read Scripture in different versions at the same time by using the Compare feature. So if someone is studying in their print Bible and want to see how other versions translate a verse or passage, they can use the Compare feature to pull up the same selection in many different Bible versions. With more than 1,500 versions and 1,000 languages in the Bible App, there are plenty of options! Leaders can also encourage people to dive further into the Bible by recommending free Reading Plans and Devotionals in the Bible App that will keep the community connecting with Scripture all week long.

B I B L I O N CO M P E N D I U M - E N G L I S H V E R S I O N

THE BIBLE APP

3: FOR KIDS A hurdle for Portuguese people to accept Christian literature, either in physical or digital formats, is to read them in Brazilian -Portuguese, specially during one’s formative stages of life. You are doing a great effort to provide as much native-Portuguese content as possible to the kids’ app. What amazing features and content is already available for our children?

The Bible App for Kids was made available in Brazilian-Portuguese in Dec. 2014. At the time, it was the fifth language added to the children’s app in addition to English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean. When a child opens the app they now have a between 28 different languages. All audio will play in that language, and any text throughout the app will appear in that language as well. We will begin work on Portuguese (European) soon and plan to release that app

version in the first half of 2018. The children’s content includes 41 of the “big” Bible stories to help kids understand the overall story that the Bible is telling. Kid-friendly navigation helps them find and select whichever story they want, then reads it aloud to them them in a friendly narrative style. Throughout each story, fun, interactive animations keep children engaged, and some stories even include games designed to help them learn, understand, and retain important Bible story concepts.

This is very likely to be the most engaging resource to keep kids following the biblical stories. In a world filled with so many interactive distractions, how can parents and teachers integrate the app’s features into their activities?

The Bible App for Kids has free companion resources in English like coloring pages, activity sheets, 30-minute Bible App for Kids video episodes, and a 400page companion Bible that makes integrating the app’s features easy for parents and teachers. There is a two-year companion curriculum available in a limited number

of languages for churches worldwide. We also offer Parent Guides (in English) so they’re equipped to reinforce lessons and memory verses at home through the Bible App for Kids. These Parent Guides provide parents with multiple opportunities to experience the Gospel story along with their child using additional activities, verses, and engagement questions.

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CREDITS: DIVULGAÇÃO / ED. MUNDO CRISTÃO

LITERARY INTERVIEW

Maurício Zágari I would be extremely happy if this series stirred among the Portuguese audience a yearning for taking in that

kind of literature (...) B Y PA U L O S É R G I O G O M E S

heologian, journalist, writer and editor for Brazilian publisher Mundo Cristão, Maurício Zágari, young as he may be, is already an award-winning Brazilian author. It was the first edition of O Enigma da Bíblia de Gutenberg, in 2009, that garnered him the Areté award, in both “New Author of the Year” and “Best Fiction Book” categories. Of Italian ancestry, Zágari lives in Rio de Janeiro, is married to Alessandra and is the father of Laura. It is Biblion’s privilege to present this sharing of ideas concerning his book and his care for the Christian fiction.

BIBLION: Soon a new edition of O Enigma da Bíblia de Gutenberg, already promoted as “electrifying,” will be released. What can young readers expect? MAURÍCIO ZÁGARI: A book of action, adventure, investigation and a lot of adrenaline, filled with teachings for the Christian life that stimulate important reflections to those walking with Christ. B: This is the first entry in a series, “As Aventuras de Daniel.” How many more books are to be expected and what do you have in mind for the future? MZ: There are four books already written and in the process of being produced: “O enigma da Bíblia de Gutenberg”, “7 enigmas e um tesouro” (to be released on February 2018), “O mistério

de Cruz das Almas” e “O Ritual”. If the series is well received by the readers, only God knows how many more we can publish. My goal is to write new stories as long as there are readers receptive to them, a limitless number of stories. B: With an extensive list of works in such diverse fields as yours, what served as inspiration for this youth series, and for this plot in particular? MZ: The idea that teenagers and young Christians do not have access to fiction literature that bears healthy biblical teachings. The editorial market offers an infinite number of fiction titles, yet in general, such books defend questionable and even dangerous values and principles (like the Harry Potter series, which makes witchcraft look like

O ENIGMA DA BÍBLIA DE GUTENBERG, BY MAURÍCIO ZÁGARI, PUBLISHED BY EDITORA MUNDO CRISTÃO, SÃO PAULO

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something good). And our teenagers are reading those books! We have to provide them with quality literature, one that entertains and amuses while it shares Christian teachings and values. I see myself as a waiter-author: I see the Church’s needs and seek to serve the Church what it needs. I don’t write for writing’s sake, but I always write with a very clear focus and with the intention of supplying for the needs among my brothers and sisters. More than inspiration, what makes me write a book is always a perception of necessity and the desire to fill in the gaps. B: You have been through the main character’s age. You have children that will read this book. You were probably challenged to write it. What did writing this book mean to you? MZ: As with all the books that I write, I dedicated myself to “O enigma da Bíblia de Gutenberg” with much “fear and tremor,” fully aware that I was not merely placing words on paper or letting my imagination run free, but creating a story with the potential of touching lives, changing attitudes, provide reflections and bring many people closer to Christ. I dedicated myself to books from different genres, but always with the same triple goal: the glory of God, the edification of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and the possibility of taking the Gospel to readers who do not have a commitment with Jesus. It’s a huge responsibility. B: Here at Biblion, we believe this could be a reference in youth literature, and foresee a good reception in the Portuguese market. What expectations do you have

CREDITS: ED. MUNDO CRISTÃO

B I B L I O N CO M P E N D I U M - E N G L I S H V E R S I O N

for this book, and for the series, with the young people of Portugal? MZ: Out of all the production from the Christian editorial market in the United States, 17% are fiction books. In Brazil, however, that rating doesn’t get to 1% and I’m afraid it’s that way in Portugal too. My wish and my prayer is that the “As Aventuras de Daniel” books will be a sign that shows Christian publishers that yes, there is a market for Christian fiction and all that it takes to make the most out of that genre

are good titles, and that they be well promoted and distributed. I would be extremely happy if this series stirred among the Portuguese audience a yearning for taking in that kind of literature, which would in turn make more authors writing quality work and encourage publishers to invest on that literary genre, assured that yes, there is a huge market potential – as long as there’s an investment in promotion and distribution. O R I G I N A L L Y P U B L I S H E D I N B I B L I O N #4

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PERSONA

THE WOUNDED PROPHET

HenriN ouwen If people are in unity with God and in community with one another, their ministry will be the natural pouring out of His love.

ouwen’s personality, extremely wanting of affection, sensitive and always ready to tend to others’ wounds through his own, gave him the epithet of “wounded healer”.

A MAN, MASTER of an absolute spirituality, to whom contemplation was a crucial part of his every daily action toward God, but also a fragile being, dependent on the love of other people. He lived in a latent inner friction, a terrible despair to the point that he could not stand his friends’ alienation, even if unintentional, demanding all their attention even when that was impossible at times. In his last interview to the journalist Rebecca Laird, editor of “Sacred Journey,” Nouwen stated: “I’m here only to tell you who I am and to put myself at the disposition of others.” (editor’s translation) Five days prior to his death, Nouwen left for the Netherlands to meet with a TV director with whom he had previously travelled to St. Petersburg, the city where he would record a documentary on The Return of the Prodigal Son (see Biblion #1). Such would not come to being, as Nouwan suffered a heart attack upon arriving

to Amsterdam. He was taken to the hospital immediately and registered a slight recovery before succumbing to a second heart attack a few days later. Henri had a huge appreciation for art, being a great admirer of Vincent van Gogh, even authoring the preface to a work titled Van Gogh and God, where he exalted the spirituality springing from Van Gogh’s paintings. The influence of the famous painter was also expressive in Nouwen’s career as a university professor, having a very significant impact on his student body. His books shine by his endless search for spiritual intimacy, by his sharing of his life’s “wounds” with the community, by his unconditional love and support towards his neighbor. These could be found in the White House, on the hand of then First Lady Hillary Clinton, or under the rubble of a house destroyed by the bombings in Bosnia.

T H E W O U N D E D P R O P H E T , B Y M I C H A E L F O R D . P U B L I S H E D B Y PAU L I N A S E D I TO R A , L I S B OA

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CREDITS: ARCHIVE

B I B L I O N CO M P E N D I U M - E N G L I S H V E R S I O N

THE WOUNDED PROPHET

A flawless communicator, Nouwen left an indelible mark on those who attended his conferences, but at the same time he often lived in a painful personal dissatisfaction due to lack of attention, of fellowship, even of personal intimacy, surrendering to anguishing solitude, much like the archetypical “sad clown.” At the age of fifty-five, Nouwen shocked everyone who knew him when he abandoned his academic life to pastor a small congregation with severe physical disabilities – L’Arche Daybreak, in Toronto, where he retreated to better understand his own deficiencies. In spite of an emotional collapse that led to therapy, he kept writing, exposing himself openly and leaving clear his homosexuality, which he only came to terms with in the last years of his life, and which he could not separate from what flowed from his works. At the time of his death, the ecumenical consensus around Henri Nouwen was so far-reaching that, from Eastern Orthodox monks to Evangelical Protestants, from Radical Catholics to lay Jews, spanning the most diverse religious quadrants, “the world of contemporary spirituality mourns one of its most influent and prolific advocates.” (editor’s translation)

ENDORSEMENT “When I first came across Nouwen’s phrase ‘downward mobility’ it struck me as radical, counterintuitive, and profoundly true. His reminder of Jesus’ message goes against nearly everything in modern life, but ignoring it has led to most of the urgent problems we now face: global warming, poverty, and a deep sense of alienation. Perhaps it is not too late to change, and Henri Nouwen has shown us the way.” P H I LI P YA N C E Y (The Selfless Way of Christ back cover)

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THEOLOGY

TWO BOOKS, ONE AUTHOR

SamStorms

The

C harismaticCalvinist BY DANIEL GOMES

t’s not a habit of mine, when I write an article, to give more relevance to the author than to his or her works. I defend, as I always have, that a work’s content is worth much more than the good standing of those who write them, and for that reason I’m often compelled to review books from authors who have little or next to no expression in the Portuguese literary scene (an example of that, in my opinion, would be the article I wrote on the book Awaiting a Savior: The Gospel, the New Creation and the End of Poverty, by Aaron Armstrong, in Biblion’s second issue.) YET SAM STORMS, leading pastor at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City, OK, is an exception for two reasons: firstly, because his books (several of them being mainly theology works) are vastly rich in content that in turn enriches us spiritually. Secondly, because I already knew so even before I picked up the books that will be covered in this article. The impression that Sam Storms left on me from his pulpit in Bridgeway is that, besides being a pastor and a leader, Storms is a theologian obsessed (in the best way possible) with the Word of God, that being one of his most remarkable traits in his sermons and books, and for which I bear the highest esteem on his work. These were the reasons that prompted me to convince Biblion’s leadership in letting me write

an article on two of Storms’ magnificent works. The first one is called Tough Topics – Biblical Answers To 25 Challenging Questions, a book where Storms presents biblical arguments in response to some of the most difficult questions he faced in over forty years as a pastor. Among the subjects covered are salvation, the spiritual gifts, supernatural beings (i.e. angels and demons, including Satan himself), legalism in the church and God’s omniscience. With his vast experience and his knowledge of both Scripture and the theology that grew from it, Sam Storms seeks to open the reader’s mind to different perspectives more than simply providing answers to our doubts. His arguments are supported by the interpretation of several biblical passages – not only in today’s

T H E B E G I N N E R ’ S G U I D E TO S P I R I T UA L G I F T S , B Y S A M S TO R M S . P U B L I S H E D B Y B E T H A N Y H O U S E , M I - U S A TO U G H TO P I C S , B Y S A M S TO R M S . P U B L I S H E D B Y C R O S S WAY , W H E ATO N , I L - U S A

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English but also in their original languages, be it Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek – as well as by introducing excerpts from other authors relating to the subject at hand, with theology professor Wayne Grudem being one of the authors most often quoted by Storms in Tough Topics. The other work from Storms that I had the privilege to read was The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts. The book tells us of the various gifts of the Spirit mentioned in the NT and that are strongly

“

...whereas all true Christians have been enlightened, not all those who are enlightened are true Christians. S A M S TO R M S TO U G H TO P I C S P. 2 1 4

connected to Charismatic and Pentecostal congregations. Here the author argues that spiritual gifts are for today, just as they were for the Apostles’ days; that they are not restricted to a select group of people and that there aren’t gifts more

spiritual than others. Based on Paul’s epistles and on personal experiences and those of other individuals, Storms reflects on the gifts of healing, faith, prophecy, wisdom, and speaking in tongues. The book unravels the sensationalism around these gifts, appealing to the Word in order to show that the work of the Holy Spirit through the believers is the true gift of God, which manifests in His children in the most varied ways, including those less common and understood by the human being. The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts is a book filled with persuasive arguments and striking stories that cleverly justifies the power of God through His people. To wrap up this article, I would like to suggest the reader goes through these two works with time and patience. The complexity of Storms’ reasoning and the language employed can be hard to digest, especially when coupled with subjects equally hard to understand. Nevertheless, these are crucial works in the development of a mind and a heart that seek the truth, and they deserve but a little extra work from us to be read and understood.

O R I G I N A L L Y P U B L I S H E D I N B I B L I O N #4

Sam Storms has spent 39 years in ministry, and in 2008 became lead pastor for preaching and vision at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was visiting associate professor of theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries in Oklahoma City. He has authored or edited 21 books and has published numerous journal articles and book reviews. He and his wife, Ann, have been married for 41 years, are the parents of two grown daughters, and have four grandchildren.

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100 YEARS

The hundredth anniversary of Oswald Chambers’ passing away

Biddy

Mrs. Oswald Chambers

C R E D I T S : B A K E R B OO K S , A D I V I S I O N O F B A K E R P U B L I S H I N G G R O U P © 2 0 1 7 . U S E D B Y P E R M I S S I O N

Michelle Ule

hat can a woman expect of her marriage to a man who is completely committed to God? What can she expect from someone who says ”I have nothing to offer you but my love and steady lavish service for Him”?

HER NAME IS Gertrude Annie Hobbs, or “Biddy,” as she was affectionately called, and she accepted without reservations the challenge presented to her by Oswald Chambers at St. Paul’s Cathedral, in London. It was a somewhat surprising proposal, as Chambers was an impressive itinerant preacher who lived to proclaim the Gospel, and who had no intentions of raising a family. He had no permanent salary or home, and thus he had no conditions to support a wife, much less a whole household. Coming from a middleclass Victorian family and with her father’s premature death, Biddy soon had to find resources on her own to support her mother, applying her excellent understanding of grammar and her dexterity with a keyboard to specialize on dactylography, a skill highly valued among

women, given the industrial and entrepreneurial development of that time. Both Biddy and her older sister worked in London, and together with their mom, they served actively at Eltham Park Baptist Church, led by Oswald’s brother, Rev. Arthur C. Chambers. Though quite reserved on her spiritual life, she used the sermons to practice stenography, which helped her assimilate better what she heard. That virtue would be crucial for millions to come to know the writings and sermons of her future husband. On the hundredth anniversar y of Chambers’ sudden death in WWI, a good way to become acquainted with one of the greatest names in the sharing of the gospel would be through his wife and her testimony, who carried out his mission through the writing of books and devotionals.

M R S . O S WA L D C H A M B E R S , B Y M I C H E L L E U L E . P U B L I S H E D B Y B A K E R B OO K S , U S A

30 COMPENDIUM 2017

JESUS

I M AG E : Z O N D E R VA N . CO M

The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus

Who is this Man? John Ortberg

ohn Ortberg has the gift of pointing out his thoughts through simple words, of not only enlightening the Scriptures but especially of exemplifying them through small stories and old adages, sayings and writings.

THUS THE READING of “Who is this Man?” becomes so fascinating that makes us want to read it in one go. In the same way, the author has grown his reputation as a reference in today’s Christian Literature, with works such as “Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them,” “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat,” and “Know Doubt.” Ortberg, pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, in California, answers the question that serves as the book’s title by presenting a point of view; not one that is held by a pastor or theologian, but by thousands of characters that were impacted throughout the last two thousand years by that wonderful figure, Jesus. From historians to the illiterate, from priests to the peasantry, from elders to the children, contemporary to the Messiah Himself or from the Middle Ages, wretched destitute folk or wealthy sharks, slave owners or philanthropists, men or women – from the most diverse places, the author shows how much influence Jesus had, and how much more He has today, on our society.

And just as the heading foreshadows, this book delves into what was and continues to be “the unpredictable impact of the inescapable Jesus” on people’s lives, believers or non-believers, on nations, on businesses and on governments. Jesus had great empathy towards the reviled, the sick, the poor, the subjugated and the abused, thus his importance to the striking majority of the world population through and through. He dressed as a slave, worked as a slave and died as a slave, (though a Rabbi, he was) a personis mediocribus. As the US ex-Secretary of State Condolezza Rice writes on the book’s preface, “John Ortberg has demonstrated that nothing in our human existence has been quite the same since that fateful Sunday so long ago.” Ortberg depicts the events of Jesus’ decisive days between His condemnation and resurrection in the last few chapters, completing an exposé on this mixture of humanity and divinity – Jesus. PA U L O S É R G I O G O M E S

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WORLD STAGE THEATRE - WITH INNOVATIVE

THE MUSEUM

WASHING

THE MOST IMMERSIVE AND TECHNOloGIC

32 COMPENDIUM 2017

E 3D DIGITAL VIDEOMAPPING TECHNOLOGY

OF THE BIBLE

GTON, DC

CALLY ADVANCED MUSEUM IN THE WORLD

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colLECTIONs

PREVIEW

AN UNPRECEDENTED BIBLE COLLECTION

THE MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE ANCIENT BIBLE MANUSCRIPTS A number of original biblical texts, including P39 (p.oxy. 1780) and the Greek Psalms Codex, known as P. Bodmer XXIV (Rahlfs 2110). The Wyman Fragment (Uncial 0220), one of the oldest manuscripts containing Romans 5:1 – a key passage in the Protestant Reformation.

MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS The Codex Climaci Rescriptus, a manuscript written in the seventh and eighth centuries incorporating several Biblical passages in Aramaic and Syriac. It is the largest surviving body of Christian Palestinian Aramaic text, with this dialect being very similar to the one used by Jesus Christ. The Rosemary Rolle, with an English translation of Psalms that precedes Wycliffe’s translations by forty years. A copy of Wycliffe’s New Testament in Medieval English. Rare illuminated manuscripts, including Hours and Psalter from Elizabeth of Bohun, produced in England in the fourteenth century.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN BIBLION #5

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JEWISH WRITINGS The largest collection of Torah manuscripts, stretching throughout 700 years of history and including those which survived the Spanish Inquisition and Nazi depredations during WWII, among others. The second largest private collection of the Dead Sea Scrolls, subject to investigation and in exhibition to the general public for the first time. The oldest form of Hebrew prayer book, providing a crucial historic link between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Hebrew texts that followed.

PRINTED BIBLES AND REFORMATION-ERA ARTIFACTS First editions of the King James Bible and the Douay -Rheims Bible, the first Catholic Bible translated to English. Several copies of the first printed books, including fragments of Gutenberg’s Bible and Tyndale’s New Testament. The earliest treatises and Bibles of Martin Luther, including a little-known letter written by Luther in the eve of his excommunication.

AMERICAN BIBLES First editions of Eliot Indian Bible and the Aitken Bible, the first Bibles printed in America. The personal Bibles of historical figures and celebrities, such as Elvis Presley, as well as former American Presidents. The “Lunar Bible,” the first Bible to be in a celestial body other than the Earth.

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B I B L I O N - R E V I E W O F B OO K S , B OO K S I N R E V I E W

C R Ã&#x2030; D I TO S : A L L C R E D I T S TO M U S E U M O F T H E B I B L E - P H O TO S , G R A P H I C S , R E N D E R I N G S

THE MUSEUM FLOOR BY FLOOR

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Biblical Garden Restaurant Panoramic Gallery

Long-term Exhibits Performing Arts Conference Room Research Library

Narrative of the Bible Gallery NAZARETH VILLAGE

History of the Bible Gallery

Impact of the Bible Gallery

Lobby Atrium Media Wall Youth Gallery and Libraries Mezzanine/Cafeteria

SPACE FUN FACTS Area: About 2,500,000 m2 (nearly 27 million ft2) Floors: 8

Visiting time (reading all signs, seeing all artifacts and performing all activities in the museum): 9 days (8h/day)

Exhibit Floors: 5 (History; Narrative; Biblical Impact; Long-term Exhibits; Short-term Exhibits)

Biblical Garden on the top of the building Ballroom with 630 seats

Costs of acquisition, demolition and construction: ~ US$500 million dollars

Over 500 biblical scripts and artifacts in exhibition on the “History” floor alone.

Great Lobby’s LED Screen length: 35 meters (~115 ft.)

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GENEROSITY

GIVING IT ALL AWAY... AND GETTING IT ALL BACK AGAIN

The Way of Living Generously

David Green with Bill High

hat could the 234th richest multimillionaire in the world, with a fortune worth over six billion dollars, teach us about how to live generously? Maybe a 2012 article from Forbes magazine may help us understand this better when it states, “David Green insists God is the true owner of his $3 billion arts and crafts chain.”

C R E D I T S : Z O N D E R VA N . CO M

Green CARRIES OUT his life according to the biblical precepts, applying them in his entrepreneurial life, and that is the experience of almost fifty years that the wanted to share in this book with a rather long title – Giving It All Away... and Getting It All Back Again – along with a cascade of examples used here. From his start with six hundred dollar loan, making small frames in his kitchen with his kids for seven cents apiece, to the application of his “partnership” with God in his daily decision-making, turning each situation into an opportunity to give, enjoying the value of getting it all back again. But it’s not just about the challenges related to daily business management that are addressed here, but also his social intervention, as it was in the famous case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, that made it all the way to the US Supreme Court, when the federal government ordered businesses to supply contraceptives for their female employees, which went against the religious convictions of the Green family. The daily fine equivalent to more than $1 million USD did not intimidate them, even if losing the lawsuit meant the end of the company and the firing of 32,000 people, and they moved into a court battle that ended in 2014, with Green winning the case. The book reflects on a number of lessons David learned, on his tangible legacy, but above all on his intangible legacy, which life has allowed him to enjoy; not by seeking earthly wealth but divine grace. The son of a pastor,

David soon absorbed the generous character personified in his parents’ lives, as they always had something to share despite their lack of financial resources. Throughout his extensive entrepreneurial and philanthropic life, David has continued to be involved in projects that have significant impact on society, even though he remains attached to his decoration empire. Green appeals, “we need a sense of urgency about God’s priorities for the resources we’ve been given.” The Green family has not only ensured a sustainable financial legacy, as they also follow the biblical guidelines to bless others, contributing to spread the Word of God to all people. In this spirit, several enterprises were born whose family legacy, if not expressive, bears a singular span, as their cooperative support of Every Tribe EveryNation, which seeks to accelerate and coordinate the different Bible translations, thus implementing a pattern system of digital content development, founded upon a credible digital biblical library. YouVersion’s Bible App (see the previous Biblion issue) benefits tremendously of this array of initiatives by hosting the largest digital bookshelf of Bible’s versions and translations. Another great endeavor developed by the Green family is the groundbreaking Museum of the Bible (also in Biblion #5), which opens to the public in November, and comprise the largest collection of Bibles in the world, with the purpose of sharing the narrative, the story and the impact of the Bible.

G I V I N G I T A L L AWAY . . . A N D G E T T I N G I T A L L B AC K AG A I N , B Y DAV I D G R E E N . P U B L I S H E D B Y Z O N D E R VA N , G R A N D R A P I D S , M I - U S A

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SIMPLICITY

TRANSLATED AND ANNOTATED BY THOMAS MERTON

The Spirit of Simplicity

Jean-Baptiste Chautard n this short yet concise book, Jean-Baptiste Chautard and Thomas Merton speak on the importance of having a simple, humble character and on how this is one of the cornerstone principles to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance.

I M AG E M : AV E M A R I A P R E S S

“WHY READ A MONK’S BOOK?”, the reader may ask. The question seems to make sense if the reader is in no way connected to the life of a monk or even to the Catholic Church. However, one must take into account that the monk, although living in a rather peculiar reality compared to most believers – especially when the monk is a Trappist, like Chautard and Merton are – strives to lead a life of utter abnegation of his own will on behalf of a greater good: God. It’s almost natural that a monk, one who if fully dedicated to seek God at all times, may eventually have something to say about this subject. Chautard is no exception. The abbot of Sept-Fons, monk of the O. C. S. O. and author of The Soul of the Apostolate was asked to write a work of encouragement to nuns who had recently joined the rigorous monastic order. Chautard’s response was exactly what they needed: The Spirit of Simplicity. In a short amount of pages, Chautard explains the significance of the rigor and humility so characteristic of the Trappists (another name for O. C. S. O. monks, taken from the Abbey of La Trappe) in their walk with God and in the order’s own identity. He often refers to Cîteaux, the cradle of the original Order of Cister, in his exhortation for a life of simplicity: “The spirit of Cîteaux is a spirit of simplicity: that means, a spirit of sincerity, of truth.” Chautard also refers to the examples of Bernard of Clairvaux and Benedict of Nursia, role models of a humble life devoted to God; he also constantly mentions documents that were essential to form and maintain a monastic life around the concept of simpli-

city such as the Exordium Parvum (“Little Exordium”), which he seems to attribute its authorship to Stephen Harding, another Cistercian monk. To Chautard, simplicity is the key to a life according to God’s will. By addressing the customs of the original Cistercian monastic rule, Chautard points out the way in which humility and frugality are necessary for us to better understand our own condition before God. The monk defends that simplicity must come from within our hearts before it produces any outward effect: “Love is the power that realizes unity in the soul, and then it makes the soul one same spirit with God.” Thomas Merton complements Chautard’s work with his analysis, providing numerous quotes and excerpts from Bernard of Clairvaux so that we may better understand the reasoning of the Abbot of Sept-Fons. From the writings of St. Bernard, Merton states that simplicity is a fundamental feature of the believer resulting from God’s will overpowering our own self-will. The ultimate goal of a humble life of abstinence is the union with God, something that remains dependent of the Lord’s grace, but to which we are prepared to receive when the spirit of simplicity lives in us. In this world ever more focused on consuming and on personal interests, The Spirit of Simplicity remains up-to-date even after ninety years, ever since Chautard first wrote it. The work is a breath of fresh air that challenges us to redirect our goals and to adopt a lifestyle that gets us closer to God’s nature. DA N I E L G O M E S

T H E S P I R I T O F S I M P L I C I T Y , B Y J E A N - B A P T I S T E C H AU TA R D . P U B L I S H E D B Y AV E M A R I A P R E S S , N O T R E DA M E , E UA

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HISTORY

CREDITS: ARCHIVE

THE BEST KNOWN OF ALL RELIGIOUS ORDERS

Templars

The History Channel

mythical institution. A humble purpose. An abominable ending. All there is to know about the Order of Solomon’s Temple – that mysterious military order that remains the subject of much discussion in our days – can be found in the more than three hundred pages of this book produced by The History Channel.

TODAY, THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR captivate the imagination of younger audiences as well as more mature ones. All the wealth and power the Templars accumulated in nearly two centuries, together with the Order’s sudden extinction and rumors of occultist connections, earned them a semi-legendary reputation that remains quite alive in present times. But the truth about the Order of Solomon’s Temple as it was during the Middle Ages was very different from all the conspiracy theories surrounding it since the last two hundred years. It all began from a necessity. The First Crusade had resulted in the wresting of Jerusalem from the Muslim powers as well as in the creation of Christian states by the crusaders, but the roads to the Holy Land continued plagued by bandits and raiders that endangered the lives of thousands of pilgrims. In 1120, a group of knights led by Hugues de Payns decided to see to this necessity in a very atypical way. After some time communing with the monks of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

in Jerusalem, the knights took up religious vows of obedience, chastity and poverty in 1120, at the same time dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to the pilgrims’ protection. Unbeknownst to them, the “Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ,” as they called themselves then, had founded the first and most famous military order in History. After having granted the approval and monastic rule from Bernard de Clairvaux, the Templars proved themselves as paragons not only to monks, but especially to knights. Bearing a sacred mission and unfaltering rigor, the Order soon grew to be the elite of Outremer’s crusaders. Hundreds of knights would leave all their possessions behind to join the Knights Templar and become worthy of great honor and eternal salvation. Through the pope’s assistance as well as numerous donations from all over Christendom, the Templars grew beyond the Holy Land. They played a vital role in the Reconquista, as such enterprise could not have been successful without the Order’s

T E M P L Á R I O S , B Y T H E H I S TO R Y C H A N N E L P O R T U G A L . P U B L I S H E D B Y C L U B E DO AU TO R , L I S B O N

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intervention. According to historian Adriano Vasco Rodrigues, “we would not have Portugal’s independence, or the Portuguese territorial extension, were it not for the Templars’ aid. Portugal would not be Portugal if it was not for them.” (free translation) In almost two hundred years, the Templars stood for what everyone recognized at that time as true soldiers of Christ: men who naturally and without qualms committed themselves to a war as physical as it was spiritual. The white mantle, the red cross, and many other idiosyncrasies made the Templar a stirring icon that mixed heroic virtues with religious cause and fervor. Such zeal for the protection of holy places by the Order was essential in maintaining Christian factions in the Middle East, which nevertheless didn’t last long due to the unceasing efforts of Muslim states and to the sprawling schisms within the Christian nobility. The fall of crusade territories in Outremer and the negligence from many members of Templar Houses far from war dictated the beginning of the Order’s unexpected end. Despite its fame as defenders of the weak and downtrodden in dangerous, distant lands, the Templars quickly became the target of the greed and envy of the most powerful men of that time - men who made use of all their skill and influence to put a brutal, definite end to the Order. Jacques de Molay, the last Templar Grandmaster, was burned at the stake in 1314, after so many other of his knights had suffered the same fate. Although the Order of Solomon’s Temple had been disgraced, its memory was kept alive through wise monarchs who refused to punish the Templars or who, as was the case of King Denis of Portugal, restored the Order under a different name. All this and much more can be found in this comprehensive work featuring international historians and specialists such as Helen Nicholson and Alain Demurger. This book is fundamental to a better understanding of one of Medieval Era’s most powerful institutions and the way it impacted the Christendom of its time.

THE MELLIFLUOUS DOCTOR Through both Templários and The Spirit of Simplicity we get to know better one of the major figures of the Church in the Middle Ages: the one and only Bernard of Clairvaux. The “Mellifluous Doctor” – thus called by Pope Pius XII for the monk’s superb skills as a persuasive speaker and writer – was one of the most influent clergymen of the twelfth century, whose works and reforms were decisive for the Church. Bernard started his ecclesiastic life as a monk of the then recent Order of Cistercians, but his unswerving vision and spirit led him to play a monumental role in the order’s reform. Soon he gained the trust of both ecclesiastic and lay leaders as a wise mediator and a man of faith, being summoned by popes and great noblemen throughout his life, with the intent of settling conflicts either spiritual or political. One of the most reputed voices of his time, Bernard of Clairvaux maintained the religious fervor quite ablaze, exhorting Christians to defend the Holy Land through crusades and giving his full support to the founding of the first military order, that of the Knights Templar. Even after his death in 1174, his influence lasted for several centuries, and he continues to be a reference to Christians in our days.

DA N I E L G O M E S

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BEST OF

HONOURABLE MENTION

EDITORS’

CHOICE

C. S. LEWIS

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ERIC METAXAS

TIMOTHY SMITH

THE CHAMBERLAIN KEY

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God [But Were Afraid To Ask] – The Jesus Edition NICK VUJICIC

Unstoppable NICK VUJICIC

Give Me a Hug SAM STORMS

TOUGH TOPICS GREG BOYD & PAUL EDDY

MAURÍCIO ZÁGARI

O ENIGMA DA BÍBLIA DE GUTENBERG

ACROSS THE SPECTRUM GARY CHAPMAN

The Five Love Languages GREG KOUKL

THE STORY OF REALITY RICHARD FOSTER

Celebration of Discipline PAOLO SQUIZZATO

Elogio Della Vita Imperfetta AMY & CRAIG GROESCHEL

From This Day Forward

TIMOTHY KELLER

Prayer

WAYNE GRUDEM

The Poverty of Nations HENRI NOUWEN

The Return of the Prodigal Son DIETRICH BONHOEFFER

Discipleship

ED RENÉ KIVITZ

O LIVRO MAIS MALHUMORADO DA BÍBLIA

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EUGENE PETERSON

Tell It Slant

B I B L I O N CO M P E N D I U M - E N G L I S H V E R S I O N

C. S. LEWIS

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe EDITORIAL PRESENÇA

Issue # 5 SEP/OCT 2017

The second volume of The Chronicles of Narnia (the first in publication order) is an example of C. S. Lewis’ genius, which deftly transformed Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection into a fascinating tale. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tells the adventures of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, four siblings that arrive to

the magical world of Narnia and are charged with freeing its inhabitants from the evil White Witch. A story filled with drama, courage and redemption, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is for many people one of the finest children’s books of all-time, thus clearly deserving a place on our Top15.

ERIC METAXAS

Everything You Always Wanted TO

Know About God (But Were Afraid to Ask) – The Jesus Edition BAKER BOOKS

Issue # 4 JUL/AUG 2017

In a quite original and insightful way, Eric Metaxas invites the reader to find out who Jesus really is in his book Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God (But Were Afraid to Ask) – The Jesus Edition. Destined to an audience that is not at all familiar with Christ, the book describes Jesus

in great detail, in a “Q&A” style that makes the message more informal and appealing to the public. This work of Metaxas guarantees a place on our Top15, proving that biblical teaching can and should be a fun, captivating experience.

NICK VUJICIC

Unstoppable WATERBROOK press

Issue # 4 JUL/AUG 2017

Unstoppable tells us about some of the most critical moments in the life of Nick Vujicic, the famous Australian author and evangelist that was born with tetra-amelia (i. e., without arms or legs). In this motivational work, Nick explains how he was able to overcome

his condition through his faith in Christ, and how we too can overcome our obstacles. Our Top distinguishes this invigorating work for its message of faith and hope to those who are going through tough times in their lives.

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BEST OF

NICK VUJICIC

Give Me a Hug MUNDO CRISTÃO

Issue # 1 SUMMER 2016

The Australian evangelist Nick Vujicic stands apart from the other authors on our Top 15 by having not one but two works on this list. His children’s book Give Me a Hug tells us of Nick’s story, from his birth to this day. Nick highlights his struggle with tetra-amelia and the difficulties that arise on a

daily basis from this rare syndrome, as well as the role of faith in overcoming his condition and in “embracing” his qualities and opportunities. This is a children’s book with a strong and mature message, worthy of being present on our Top 15.

SAM STORMS

Tough Topics CROSSWAY

Issue # 4 JUL/AUG 2017

Sam Storms’ fearless book is in our Top 15, standing out by its biblical concept and rigor. The North-American pastor’s premise is simple: to analyze twenty-five of the trickiest themes in Christian theology and spirituality, according to what is written in the Scriptures. From the gifts of the Spirit

to tithing, Sam Storms examines each topic with absolute detail, calling upon numerous biblical passages to untangle these themes to the reader. With a broad and vital content for the Christian world, Tough Topics is certainly a Top 15 of the previous six issues.

GREG BOYD & PAUL EDDY

Across the Spectrum BAKER ACADEMIC

Issue # 3 WINTER 2016

Gregory A. Boyd and Paul R. Eddy are present in our Top with the book Across the Spectrum, a work of theology praised for its rigor and transparency. The book contends the panoply of views that divide Christians in several subjects such as the Creation, free will and baptism. This is, without a doubt,

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a work that edifies and preserves the Christian spirit, in which Boyd and Eddy demonstrate absolute respect for the existing variety of opinions and love for the truth, as few authors in this literary niche currently do.

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GARY CHAPMAN

The Five Love Languages nexo editorial

Issue # 3 WINTER 2016

The Five Love Languages of Gary Chapman became an international best-seller, for its simple approach, based on common cases, concludes that there are only five types of communicational language to be identified as ways of creating a healthy and long-lasting relationship in couples.

The secret lies in understanding what is the love language of the other half, and that will help the reader bond with his or her partner and understand the challenges of a couple’s life. A muchneeded book when love is also much needed.

GREG KOUKL

THE STORY OF REALITY ZONDERVAN

Issue # 3 WINTER 2016

It is a book of invaluable apologetic wisdom, as put by Tom Challies, the author who graciously allowed us to use his review, that Greg Koukl’s The Story of Reality tells the world’s history through a panoramic lens with five layers to it. The header fits the book perfectly: “How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important

that Happens in Between.” Challies adds that “Koukl structures his telling of the story of reality around five themes: God, Man, Jesus, Cross, and Resurrection,” showing that “the Bible makes sense of the entire world, that it forms the basis for a cohesive, coherent, satisfying worldview.”

RICHARD FOSTER

Celebration of Discipline HARPER COLLINS

Issue # 2 AUTUMN 2016

We stand before one of those books that should be in every person’s bookshelf, even if not a Christian. Celebration of Discipline is one of the most influent books in modern literature. Foster insists profusely throughout the book that life deserves to be enjoyed peacefully, in a simple way. Time has its own pace, and it must

be slow and silent. The reading too requires calm, study and meditation. Each discipline addressed here is a valuable tool to the progression in a long path of spiritual growth and in a unique relationship with God. Whether read solo or in a study group, this is a fundamental work, a must-read for everyone.

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BEST OF

PAOLO SQUIZZATO

Elogio Della Vita Imperfetta PAULINAS EDITORA

Issue # 2 AUTUMN 2016

Elogio Della Vita Imperfetta (Elogio da Imperfeição in the Portuguese version) is a short book of simple yet inspiring reading. Here the author exposes our natural weaknesses – our imperfection – without stopping us from reflecting on our reconciliation with God and with the world around us. Guiding us through a harmonious reading that

sympathizes with our flaws, he urges us to assume who we are and how we are, imperfect and sinful. Sqcuizzato takes us in a journey of reconciliation through love, forgiveness and mercy, first with ourselves, without futile justifications, showing us that there is a way out by relying on God.

TIMOTHY KELLER

Prayer EDITORA VIDA NOVA

Issue # 2 AUTUMN 2016

Tim Keller leads us to understand the basic pillars of a life centered on communion with God through prayer. Filled with annotations that enrich an already invaluable book, Keller makes us question our ways and habits of coming to God, the right moment, the adequate environment and the

waiting for a reply. It is an extremely useful and practical manual, steering the reader to a discovery of the joy that constitutes that close communion with God, constantly established upon biblical foundations and practical suggestions to reach the plenitude of such an unconditional surrender.

WAYNE GRUDEM & BARRY ASMUS

The Poverty of Nations CROSSWAY

Issue # 4 JUL/AUG 2017

As the pastor of Saddleback Church, Rick Warren, mentions in his foreword, “I’ve been waiting for a book like this for a long time.” Not that there aren’t other good books that cover this subject; some of those may be in the sources used by the authors, but this particular book needed to be written. Grudem and Asmus start the book by laying out the goal of this work: to propose a sustainable solution to the

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world’s poorest nations, based not only in their financial history but on biblical principles as well. The solution given by the college professors won’t turn the poor countries into rich ones, but it will help raising the quality of life for people in those countries by creating opportunities to the most disadvantaged, so that they too may prosper.

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HENRI NOUWEN

The Return of the Prodigal Son EDITORA A.O.

Issue # 1 SUMMER 2016

The Return of the Prodigal Son, published in Portuguese by Editorial A. O., is a powerful hymn to the humble healing through forgiveness, through reconciliation, through the unconditional permission we have to seek shelter in the arms of God Almighty. As we read the book, we are literally carried to the context of the parable of the prodigal son, but we are

confronted with our own behaviors toward such attitudes as resentment, insubordination or pride. Being that this is a work that bears the spiritual experience of Nouwen, with which the reader may identify by finding answers to personal dilemmas, it is also a great opportunity to appreciate the art and talent of Rembrandt.

DIETRICH BONHOEFFER

THE COST OF Discipleship Touchstone

Issue # 1 SUMMER 2016

Bonhoeffer warns us about the laxation and the “inexpensiveness” of many believers in corresponding to the Christian message, going so far as to calling it “cheap grace,” and challenging us to question the carefree way in which we submit to Christ. Taking the Sermon on the Mount as

the core of his speech, he depicts the communion in discipleship. It’s a thought-provoking work, pushing us to act, to leave our comfort zone. It’s a dense and demanding book, but essential to anyone who really wishes to become a true disciple of Christ!

EUGENE PETERSON

Tell It Slant Eerdmans

Great teacher in the study of God’s Word, author of The Message, Eugene Peterson probes the deep wisdom coming from the many aspects of the language employed by Jesus, describing the different types of communication used by God for our own understanding. The author describes the prayer of Jesus on the

cross, his last seven words on the cross – seven prayers and only one sentence. No one Gospel tells them all. Peterson chose to present them in a harmonious sequence with an inner coherence. The seven prayers are real metaphors that we are invited to use on our daily prayers. Indispensable!

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ENIGMA

UNLOCKING THE GOD CODE TO REVEAL DIVINE MESSAGES IN THE BIBLE

THE AUTHOR

T I M OT H Y S M I T H

THE CHAMBERLAIN KEY

TIMOTHY P. SMITH, with Bob Hostetler

ne of the notable people who not only praises the work and the author’s laborious research, but also contributed to the author’s success in this endeavor, was no other than Eugene Ulrich. The chief editor of Biblical Dead Sea Scrolls is one of the three individuals with complete authority on this subject. Ulrich, WHO DEDICATED his life to the Hebrew Scriptures, the manuscripts and the Septuagint, not only confirmed the authenticity of Timothy P. Smith’s sources, namely those in the Masoretic Text (“tradition,” in Hebrew), based on the Codex Leningradensis – the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible – as well as the Aleppo Codex, though without most of the Pentateuch. The Masoretes noticed discrepancies between the Hebrew and the Aramaic, thus creating a codified matrix, making sure that each verse, word and letter were meticulously calculated, which conferred a rigorous consistency to the Masoretic text. It is universally accepted today as the authentic Hebrew Bible, having been elaborated

in Talmud schools between the seventh and tenth centuries AD, with the purpose of transmitting the true message of God to future generations. Throughout the book, Smith describes extensively his overall steps when it comes to the interpretation of archaic biblical texts, particularly verses 20-23 of Genesis 30, an interpretation whose authenticity is assured, not only by Ulrich, but by several other scholars who in some cases may have been largely surpassed by this self-taught investigator. By the exhaustive and elaborated way in which Smith describes encounters with “interested parties,” it seems he wants to use this work to also declare his absolute ownership over the facts mentioned here, which undou-

T H E C H A M B E R L A I N K E Y , B Y T I M OT H Y P. S M I T H , W I T H B O B H O S T E T L E R . P U B L I S H E D B Y Water B rook & M U L T N O M A H , CO L O R A DO S P R I N G S - U S A

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btedly deserve that Smith be given the glory due to his discoveries – deciphering codes, matrices and enigmatic sequences in the Bible. The author tells how he dedicated the last fifteen years unraveling that which he suggests – and backs up – is a complex system of communication, dissimulated in the old Scriptures, and that through investigation and research may lead to the deciphering of a code authored by God Himself, which may reveal divine messages hidden in the Bible. It is effectively surprising the coincidence of the facts thus described by Smith, and the specific casualty connected to himself and his genealog y, which ser ved as the starting point to the “odyssey” of a lifetime. From a natural tendency to examine antiquities, this descendant of a renowned family of constructors was led by a number of singular experiences to believe that he stood before an intricate puzzle, with a higher power guiding in his consecutive retrieval of new leads to complete the thick plot of matrices, strings and mathematical functions, which were certainly not his specialty. To better perceive what there was beyond those verses in Gen. 30 in relation to his family – now that he too was a father to six boys and one girl (the last of the seven children), just as had been with his father, and just as is depicted in the biblical passage – Timothy P. Smith learned from experiences among Native American communities, as well as conversations with scholars and scientists on this subject: to ascertain the existence of a sequence in the biblical text that can be decoded, that may take us to find a number of messages God prepared for His people and for a determined time, a time that may have come given Smith’s results. And yet, he claims this is but the tip of the iceberg. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN BIBLION #5

Twice as Good!

THE NEW ENGLISH VERSION NOW AVAILABLE!

www.biblion.pt

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Devotion WJK PRESS

ADVENT FOR EVERYONE N. T. WRIGHT “A Journey with the Apostles” is the subtitle given by N. T. Wright to a devotional specifically directed to the Advent season – four weeks of daily reading followed by the author’s own thoughts, helping the reader understand the preparation for Jesus’ birth. The Advent, the “Coming,” refers to Jesus’ arrival, and Christians live in hope of Christ’s second coming. The author, an expert of theological teaching as only he could be, wrote this brief devotional with the goal of instructing Christ’s followers to personify the Advent community (not to be misunderstood with “Adventist”). Wright elaborated this work so that believers may be “people of light in a dark world, people of hope in times and places of despair.” Advent for Everyone is not your common devotional, with a little reading and a prayer. Its structure requires dedicating of enough daily time to study what N. T. Wright transposes from the biblical passages, which are quite more than a short verse. Just as is his timbre, so Wright’s way of writing always strives to simplify his prose, smoothing its understanding. Attention is given on a weekly basis to the following themes of the season: thanksgiving, patience, humility and joy. Each daily segment ends with challenges of reflective introspection to the reader, or to discuss in Bible study groups. Highly recommended to people “who truly follow Jesus.”

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PAULINAS EDITORA

THE BREATH OF THE SOUL JOAN CHITTISTER The North American, award-winning author and Benedictine nun Joan Chittister is one of the most popular names of our day; not only by her books, which make a great emphasis on prayer, but also by her ministry as a world-class speaker. The Portuguese publication of The Breath of the Soul by Paulinas Editora actually incorporates two books: The Breath of the Soul and God’s Tender Mercy. The first one comprises forty-two reflections over time spent with God, which can help us acquire the right attitudes for prayer. In The Breath of the Soul, the author bases each section on a sentence from historical mentors in spirituality, from Julian of Norwich to Francis of Assisi, and then conferring her own personal

touch, complementing it with a daily mnemonic, before finishing with a portion of Scripture. She suggests that these lessons should be read without following a definite order, but according to the reader’s interests. The second, shorter part of this book delves into mercy, as well as the guilt and healing associated to it. According to the Portuguese publisher, this “2-in1” book format is totally reasonable as it allows a broader look to the author’s full work, which calls for a mature spiritual walk. Father Tolentino Mendonça praises Chittister as being a relevant author for those who seek inspiration and spirituality, “as was Thomas Merton in his time [read article on p. 29], or more recently, Henri Nouwen [p.20]”

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nals DAY-BY-DAY, ALL YEAR ROUND

ZONDERVAN

DAILY POWER CRAIG GROESCHEL There’s nothing like a lively and stimulating reading to shrug off that morning grogginess and start your day better; but it’s even better when the author places a special emphasis on facing the day. Craig Groeschel has gotten us familiar with his innovating dynamism, yet he surprises us by doing it through an unexpected format – the devotional. The morning reading advises calm and peaceful meditation, which is still possible with Daily Power as we read the biblical verse that starts us off on our time with God. As we move to Groeschel’s message,

the “power” of his arguments, of his encouraging words, of him taking us from the depths of our inertia to raise us to the top of human empowering, makes this daily practice a true “spiritual gym.” We can clearly see this project is well put together, with messages that are appropriate to each day. And to finish the session with an extra “push” – the “Power Lift” – Craig challenges the reader to speak in the face of God, improving the trust and dependency in Christ needed for the rest of the day.

BV BOOKS

THE LOVE DARE STEPHEN E ALEX KENDRICK From the movie Fireproof, a Christian cinematography hit with significant impact worldwide, comes the devotional series The Love Dare, especially dedicated to married couples facing a crisis, just like in the movie. This is one of the best tools for restoring relationships by nurturing trust and union between the husband and the wife. It is not about changing your partner to be who we desire him/ her to be, but about learning how to truly love. More than a feeling, love is also a decision. The Love Dare is meant to be followed

by the couple throughout forty days, with three daily elements. Each day hosts a healthy discussion about an aspect of love, as well as a challenge for the couple to devote themselves to, and ending with a blank space to register what they are learning, how they are reacting to the challenges and how each spouse is progressing through the program. Dare to love, unconditionally!

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SOCIETY

A S U S TA I N A B L E S O L U T I O N

For a

Better

World

Wayne Grudem & Barry Asmus

ust like Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, mentions in his foreword, “I’ve been waiting for a book like this for a long time.” Not that there aren’t other good books covering this subject; some are even used as sources by the authors, but this one really needed to be written. IN A PERFECT partnership a theologian, Wayne Grudem, and an economist, Barry Asmos, engaged in several conversations throughout the years, researched deeply about social and economical calamities, shared experiences and presented their ideas in seminaries. At the same time, investigators from around the world shared with them certain comments on the aspects that could lead to an entire nation’s prosperity or bankruptcy, with the authors having selected seventy-eight of those comments for this book. Grudem and Asmus start the book with their mission statement for this work: to propose a sustainable solution to poverty for the world’s poorest nations, based on their economic history as well as on biblical principles. The solution proposed by the two college professors won’t make the poor countries rich, but it does seek to raise the people’s quality of life,

creating opportunities for the most disadvantaged to see prosperity coming their way. Though it is not a unique propose, the difference with this approach is that, for the first time, it impacts the nation as a whole, combining a 200-year-long analysis of economical development, together with an examination of biblical teachings on economy and government politics. Unlike other works covering this subject, The Poverty of Nations was written in an accessible language, without the technical jargon of difficult comprehension. It is also directed to those in leadership positions, whether Christians or nonChristians, at governments, companies, NGO’s, and also to students – the leaders of tomorrow. Grounding their various arguments on the Word of God, the authors number the reasons why the poor should be supported, especially by their government leaders.

T H E P OV E R T Y O F N AT I O N S - A S U S TA I N A B L E S O L U T I O N , B Y WAY N E G R U D E M & B A R R Y A S M U S . P U B L I S H E D B Y C R O S S WAY , W H E ATO N , I L - U S A

52 COMPENDIUM 2017

SOCIETY

The authors exhaustively explain throughout four hundred pages what leads a country to a recessive spiral of debt, default, and (inevitably) poverty; what is the GDP, why certain measures (such as printing money) do not increase GDP, and how the production and value of goods and services is what matters to a nation. Once again, they seek to demonstrate how development is possible on a biblical basis, exploring the natural resources God made plentiful here on earth. Many examples alert for the dangers of foreign aid, claiming it is prejudicial and based on what the Bible says about depending on loans and donations, thus revealing the importance of productive work. The factors that influence a nation’s sensibility in a negative way are thoroughly examined, from loans obtained through entities always ready to lend with (long-term) interest, such as the IMF and the World Bank, to the drastic reduction of natural resources, as well as the deformed systems dependent on obsolete, anti-social practices, and to the states promoting equality and social welfare. Also observed are the pros and cons of regular economic systems, the moral advantages and biblical foundation of the free market, the

systems that promote the people’s liberty and what those who restrain (even subjugate) their people obtain from it. They show how personal and social value, responsibility and merit can be promoted, how egotistical and materialist factors can be inverted for the common good, thus encouraging solidarity and avoiding greater evils such as corruption. It objectively creates the basis for an equitable, productive society. Particular attention is given to cases of how a just political and judicial system can contribute to the nation’s development, leading to a number of social benefits, such as the freedom to choose a profession, founding companies or having access to power resources, and at the same promoting equality and freedom among people – even freedom of wealth – regardless of race, religion or condition. The best praise for this book comes from Pr. Warren: “Don’t just read this book. Study it! Reread it and make notes, then put it into practice and teach it to others. It could change the world.” At Saddleback Church, this book was used in the formation of their missionary teams spread across 200 countries. O R I G I N A L L Y P U B L I S H E D I N B I B L I O N #4

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T R AV E L

THE WILDER TRAIL

The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder AUTHOR OF “Little House on the Prairie” SERIES

ComMemoraTING THE 150TH anniversary of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s birth, her daughter Marta McDowell, who teaches historical landscaping and horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden, effected an exhaustive research among material of that age and now, original documents and a n n o t a t i o n s, photos and i l l u s t r a t i o n s, which elaborate in a single work the trail covered by the Ingalls and the sylvan heritage developed in each place. Over the couT H E W O R L D O F L AU R A INGALLS WILDER rse of several American states, from the woods of Wisconsin, passing by the north of New York, the Native American territories in Kansas, the creeks of Iowa and Minnesota, and the plains of South Dakota, all the way to the Great Plains and the Ozarks, in Missouri. It’s a true pilgrimage through the iconic places where the author of Little House on the Prairie passed by.

The author, a specialist in gardening, describes exhaustively throughout the book each stage of Laura’s life, in childhood like is seen on the TV series as well as in her adult life, always with the themes of agricultural culture, botany and rural work in the background, abundantly illustrated with images, maps, and drawings. She even dedicates a brief chapter on how to replicate a garden from those described by Laura in her writings, whether the reader has a small flowerbed in the lawn or an estate with several square miles. The second part of this work is dedicated to a suggested guided tour through the regions that made part of Laura’s ninety years of life, which she regularly visited with her husband, Almanzo, with suggestions of “green” attractions appropriate to those who share the “tin can tourist” lifestyle. This is a route prepared for the fans of the outdoor life that Laura appreciated so much, the fields, the flowers, the plants, the houses and the farms. The tourist should take the due time to venture into the nature, observing the local flora, but the animals, the birds and the landscape as well. McDowell takes into account the meaning each stop had in the life of Laura Ingalls, and provides alternatives to wonderful strolls through the Wilder Trail – the trail that Laura left us as her legacy through her literary work. PA U L O S É R G I O G O M E S

T H E W O R L D O F L AU R A I N G A L L S W I L D E R , B Y M A R TA M C DOW E L L . P U B L I S H E D B Y T I M B E R P R E S S , P O R T L A N D , U S A

54 COMPENDIUM 2017

ho does not recall the series Little House on the Prairie, which told the story of a family of settlers that in the nineteenth century traversed the fresh territories of the American Midwest in search of sustenance and prosperity? In fact, the harshness of the time was such that the adventure was a permanent fight for survival.

C H R I S T Y AWA R D S

NOMINATED FOR 2017’S CHRISTY AWARDS

MIRIAM MESU ANDREWS C R E D I T S : WAT E R B R OO K P R E S S , A D I V I S I O N O F P E N G U I N R A N DO M H O U S E L L C © 2 0 1 7 . U S E D B Y P E R M I S S I O N

author of

THE PHARAOH’S DAUGHTER

n another exclusive, Biblion offers its readers a review to one of the books nominated for the current edition of the North American “Academy Awards” of Christian Literature – the Christy Awards. Miriam, by Mesu Andrews, has been picked as one of three contestants in the category “Historical.”

Mesu Andrews has specialized in giving life to female biblical characters through her novel series “Treasures of the Nile,” as has happened in previous literary successes such as Love Amid Love Amid the the Ashes Ashes an and d The T h e Pharaoh’s P h a ra o h ’s Daughter. Daughter. One who’s very knowledgeable about the Scriptures, Andrews introduces to us in this fictional book several biblical figures that we thought we knew. The rigor of the descriptions, the character’s d e t a i l , t he p lo t ’s d e pth ,

it all takes us back to Exodus, where dire events for the the people people of of Israel Israelwere wereoccurring occuring in Egypt. Egypt.penosos para o povo de Israel. Though o Embora herseu name nome is seja not pouco commonly mencionado mentioned na Bíblia, in the Miriam Bible, Miriam tem um plays papel a key fundarole mental na fuga dos Israelitas, in the Hebrews’ escape from perseguidos peloofexército do the persecution Pharaoh’s Faraó. A sister irmãofdeMoses Moisés, army. The and uma profetisa que dos a prophetess thatcuidava took care escravos às mãos dosunder egípcios, of the slaves while the foi afligida por was inúmeras yoke of Egypt struckmaby leitas, acabando many ills, dying atpor the morrer end of já noyears finalcrossing dos 40the anos de forty desert travessia errante. incessantly.

M I R I A M , B Y M E S U A N D R E W S . P U B L I S H E D B Y WAT E R B R OO K , CO L O R A DO S P R I N G S - E UA

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Alojamento

Cat Reg. Localização

Quarto

Duplo

Supl. Individual

Reveillon

Estalagem Monte Verde

APA

Funchal

Standard

599 €

120 €

Hotel Santa Cruz Village

APA

Santa Cruz

Standard

639 €

175 €

100€*

Hotel Jardins d'Ajuda

APA

Funchal

Vista Montanha

755 €

240 €

120 €

Hotel Four Views Baía

APA

Funchal

Vista Montanha

871 €

200 €

APA

Funchal

Quarto vista mar

971 €

200 €

Supl. Partida Porto: 10€, por pessoa

Reduções para 3ª cama (todos os hoteis) Adulto (12 ou + anos): 10% redução sobre a base + taxas (33€ por pessoa). Criança 2/11 anos: 25% redução sobre a base + taxas | 50% redução no preço de Reveillon.

Partidas de Lisboa 28 Dez - Lisboa/Funchal - TP9137 - 16h30/18h15 01 Jan - Funchal/Lisboa - TP9002- 20h55/22h35 29 Dez - Lisboa/Funchal - TP9137 - 18h35/20h20 02 Jan - Funchal/Lisboa - TP9002- 20h55/22h35

Partidas do Porto 28 Dez - Porto/Funchal - TP9138 - 22h10/00h05 01 Jan - Funchal/Porto - TP9003- 15h35/17h30 29 Dez - Porto/Funchal - TP9138 - 22h10/00h05 02 Jan - Funchal/Porto - TP9003- 15h35/17h30

O preço inclui: Voo TAP Lisboa ou Porto/Funchal/Lisboa ou Porto; transferes aeroporto/hotel/aeroporto; estadia de 4 noites no hotel seleccionado e regime indicado. Não inclui: Despesas de reserva (30€ por processo); seguro de viagem – opcional - consulte–nos. Suplemento de partida do Porto.

56 COMPENDIUM 2017

599€ Desde

Nota: O reveillon no Hotel Santa Cruz Village inclui transporte, após o jantar, de e para o Funchal para assistir ao fogo de artificio.

HALCON.PT

707 200 201

Halcon Viagens e Turismo – Av. Júlio Dinis, 2 – 3º Esq – 1050 Lisboa – Reg. Cons. Com. Porto nº46485/900420 Capital Social 99.760€ - NIF 502 332 123 | RNAVT 2281