“Subjects of Depth and Meat”

~ Book Review of “Jim Elliot” by Old Schoolhouse Magazine ~

Reproduced immediately below is one of the many positive reviews the book “Jim Elliot” has received.

Jim Elliot: A Christian Martyr Speaks to You

Edited by Robert Lloyd Russell

Review by: Hillary Harm for The Home School Magazine

The life and death of Jim Elliot is a story very familiar to believers around the world. Books have been written and movies made about the men who gave their lives in obedience to God's call in 1956.

Robert Lloyd Russell's book is not a book about Jim Elliot. It is, in a sense, a book written by Jim Elliot. As Mr. Russell explains in the opening chapter to this book, his family was well acquainted with the Elliot family when Mr. Russell was growing up, and he remained close to Jim Elliot's mother after Jim's death. In 1971, Mrs. Elliot gave Mr. Russell several recordings of talks Jim had done in 1950 and 1951. Mr. Russell transcribed the tapes, and compiled the transcriptions into a book.

The book is intended to be read by anyone 7th grade and older. Two of Jim Elliot's talks were to classes of 7th and 8th graders in a Christian School. The other two talks were primarily to audiences of adults.

I read this book alongside my eighth-grade son. Too many books written for teens seem to talk down to them or minimize issues. They tend to focus on issues such as getting along with peers or parents, self-esteem, or behavioral goals. (Purity, dating issues, etc.) Jim Elliot spoke to my son about spiritual desire and delighting in God. He discussed sin and its effects on the body and soul of a Christian. He did a character study on Peter, and also discussed Christ as a prophet. These are subjects of depth and meat that are not often placed in front of teens. We had several discussions about topics brought up in the book, and I think it encouraged my son to reach for a higher standard of spiritual discussion, not merely settling for simple topics.

The book is primarily transcripts of Jim Elliot's talks. The introductory chapter was meant to establish how Mr. Russell obtained the tapes, and provide a bit of background to them.

This book is one I would recommend. I enjoyed reading Mr. Elliot's talks and discussing the material with my teen, and appreciated the depth of the material.

Product Review by Hillary Harm, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

There is more information about the book Jim Elliot at the author’s website. 

You may order directly from Amazon or from Xulon Press. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

United in Christ

~ Looking Inside that “One Crowded Honda” ~

When the Spirit of God came upon the early Church we read, “they were all in one accord” (acts 2:1) which has prompted the comment, “it must have been one crowded Honda!” The disciples and the early church exhibited true unity.  

United in Prayer  ~  “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1:14). “So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: ‘Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them’” (Acts 4:24).

United in the Word of God  ~  “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did” (Acts 8:4-6).

United in Gathering Together for Fellowship  ~  “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2:46).

United in Witness and Action  ~  “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47). “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch” (Acts 5:12). 

United in Peace and Existing in True Unity  ~  “It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth” (Acts 15:25-27). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

The Deity of Christ, 3of3

~ 7 Testimonies to Christ Being the Son of God ~

Jesus Proclaimed His Sonship ~ “The high priest answered and said to Him, ‘I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven’” (Matthew 26:63b-64). 

The Father Affirmed His Sonship ~ “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:17).   

The Resurrection Declared His Sonship ~ “Declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4).   

Paul Preached His Sonship ~ “He [Paul] preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). 

Peter Confessed His Sonship ~ “Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:16).   

Demons Acknowledged His Sonship ~ “Whenever those possessed by demons caught sight of Him they would fall down before Him shrieking, ‘You are the Son of God!’” (Mark 3:11 TLB).

Disciples Believed His Sonship ~ “Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away…  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God’” (Matthew 14:22, 33).   

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 107

~ Messiah Is David’s Lord ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’” (Psalm 110:1). 

The Messiah  

“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?’ They said to Him, ‘The Son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How then does David in the Spirit call Him “Lord,” saying: “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, sill I make Your enemies Your footstool?” If David then calls Him “Lord,” how is He his Son?’ And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore” (Matthew 22:41-46).

“Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, ‘How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?  For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: “The Lord  said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” Therefore David himself calls Him “Lord;” how is He then his Son?’ And the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:35-37). 

“And He said to them, ‘How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” Therefore David calls Him “Lord;” how is He then his Son’?” (Luke 20:41-44).  

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Bible Answer, 1

~ Did You Get It Right?  ~   

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~~~~ bible answer ~~~~   

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question 1:  What book in the Bible does not contain the word “God”?

The question refers to the original manuscripts.  The answer which is given below is true for most English translations.  The word “God” does appear in some paraphrased and amplified Bibles.

answer:  The Book of Esther

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW