Book Details:
- Author: Ed Stewart
- Category: Devotionals
- Publisher: Harvest House (2009)
- Binding: softcover
- Page count: 412
- ISBN#: 0736921621
Recommendation:
- Review Date: 07/23/09 by Bob Hayton
- Rating: Recommended
Review:
In the second century after Christ, the Diatessaron was a popular Christian book which took the four Gospels and combined them into one single story of Christ. This year, I’ve been reading a fascinating devotional book based on the same principle, Jesus 365, A Devotional: Experiencing the Four Gospels as One Single Story compiled by Ed Stewart (Harvest House). If you’ve been a Christian long enough, you’ve probably seen a Harmony of the Gospels. This book, takes that idea of a harmony to another level. The four Gospel accounts are carefully blended into one continuous narrative.
The book is a daily devotional, with 365 separate readings, each with a memorable or devotional quote at the bottom of the page. Each day’s reading also includes the Biblical references which are used for that selection. Sprinkled throughout the book are occasional explanations of the editorial decisions made regarding the chronology of this harmony as well as brief descriptions of Jewish feasts, tax collectors and other details about the life and times of Jesus.
The book advocates a unique position on the length of Christ’s ministry, opting for a four year ministry rather than the traditional three year view. A detailed defense of a four year ministry is included in the book.
Each day’s reading is given a number rather than a date. This makes it easy to just read through as a story rather than only one page a day, like a typical devotional. When reading more than a page at the time, I find myself skipping the devotional thoughts to pay attention more to the Biblical accounts of Christ.
This book certainly shouldn’t replace a careful reading of each of the four Gospels. God gave us four accounts of Christ, not one. However, there is still much devotional benefit in reading the full story together in one book. The early Christians prized their Diatessaron, and you will prize this book too. It may open your eyes to a clearer view of Jesus’ glory.
Author Info:
Ed Stewart, a former pastor and church curriculum editor, has been a full time Christian writer for more than 20 years. He has authored four novels and collaborated on nearly 50 fiction and non–fiction books with Christian leaders such as Josh McDowell, Neil Anderson, Steve Arterburn, and Henry Cloud. Ed and his wife Carol live near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Bible scholar Johnston Cheney spent 23 years compiling this blended version of the Gospels, which originally reached prominence in 1969 under the title The Life of Christ in Stereo. To Cheney’s extensive knowledge of the Gospel’s original Greek and existing translations was added the theological and textual expertise of Stanley Ellisen, ThD, Professor of Biblical Literature at Western Seminary, who collaborated closely with Cheney during the final three years of his work. Ellisen also assisted in the current edition of the Bible text, Jesus Christ, The Greatest Life, which was compiled by R.A. “Bob” Meltebeke, DMin, and which he, along with his wife, S.E. Meltebeke, provided for use in Jesus 365.
Disclaimer:
This book was provided by Harvest House Publishers for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
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