|
| 
 enlarge | Author: Max Lucado
Publisher: W Publishing
Category: Book
New (12) Used (13) from $0.40
Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 402549
Media: Paperback
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 0849919819
EAN: 9780849919817
ASIN: 0849919819
Publication Date: February 22, 2008
|
| Customer Reviews:
 A lovely reminder of God's love April 11, 2008
In this book, Max Lucado takes readers on a short tour of John 3:16--one of the best known and most beloved verses in the Bible.
As always, Lucado does a fine job of articulating God's love and longing for humanity. While some might consider "God loves you" a simplistic message, it is the heart of the gospel and a much-needed word of comfort and encouragement for today's increasingly fragmented society.
Suitable for both believers and seekers, the book includes a bonus 40-day devotional on the life of Chirst.
 Numbers of Hope is Lucado's stream of consciousness reflection of John 3:16 March 27, 2008
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
Max Lucado's 3:16: The Numbers of Hope tantalizes many a reader in Christian bookstores the world over. Lucado is an international bestselling author and knows how to pick a title.
3:16 is a reference to the sixteenth verse from the third chapter of John: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life" (RSV). Lucado, a minister at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, wrote a book appropriate for its intended audience of Caucasian, protestant babyboomers. He dissects 3:16 in the most obvious of ways. Much of the narrative consists of Lucado's personal opinion rather than those of scholars or biblical historians. Readers should expect a lengthy, off-the-cuff impressions of Lucado's 3:16.
It reminds me of C.S. Lewis, had he come of age in the 1980s and attended a megachurch. No one can deride Lucado's natural, simple prose--not altogether different from Ernest Hemmingway. The book is so conversational that it could be assumed much of 3:16 was borrowed from sermons at Oak Hills Church and conversations with parishioners.
What is lacking in 200 pages of a book centered on one verse of John is any historical context, theology or connection to the rest of the New Testament. Lucado's anecdotes range from mildly amusing to memorable, but how much more effective would the text be if he brought 3:16 to life in an intellectually forceful manner? Numbers of Hope need not have longer. Clever editing would have made room for two much-needed, substantive chapters within the small frame of this popcorn-fluff book.
Lucado is at his best when summarizing the life of Christ in the final third of the book. Every day mentioned in the Gospels is accounted for and placed in chronological order. The mystery is why the passage closes Numbers of Hope rather than introducing it.
Many a lay reader will love Lucado and all his work. He sheds a perspective on 3:16 that deserves consideration. A sprinkling of Greek words is spread throughout the book, just so we know that he has some grasp of the original languages--but not enough to really tell us anything unique. 3:16 is certainly one of the most powerful verses of the Bible. They deserve better treatment than Lucado delivers.
 Bringing words to life... February 17, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Max Lucado is one of my favorite Christian authors, in that he has a style of writing that takes you beyond the words and into the emotions of people and places. In 3:16: The Numbers of Hope, he uses the verse John 3:16 for a number of mini-sermons that place emphasis on each word and phrase of the verse. It's an excellent read, and forced me to stop and actually contemplate all that the verse means again...
Contents:
The Most Famous Conversation in the Bible; No One Like Him; Hope for the Hard Heart; When You Get Booted Out; The Only One and Only; The Heart He Offers; Heaven's "Whoever" Policy; Believe and Receive; God's Gracious Grip; Hell's Supreme Surprise; What Makes Heaven Heavenly; The Last Word on Life; The 3:16ed Life; Only Jesus - 40 Days with the Son; Notes
Lucado is able to break down the verse in ways that you might never think of. Each chapter starts off with a story from his life or some illustration from life that anyone can relate to. From there, he turns the illustration in a spiritual direction and shows how the words of John 3:16 in many ways encapsulates everything that the Bible teaches and stands for. To me, the best value comes from his ability to paint color with his words, to give us a scene from the Bible and bring the characters and the message to life in a way that brings fresh perspective. I guess since I've always had a hard time doing that on my own, I appreciate and value it all the more when I come across it in someone's writing. For non-Christians, this book will succinctly provide the message of the Gospel. For Christians, you'll once again be reminded in fresh ways of God's love...
An excellent read...
GREAT January 28, 2008
I gave this book to my 13 year old grandson...not an avid reader. He is reading it daily and has been moved by the way God is portrayed.He is a Christian who is learning God's ways.
My grandson also wears proudly the white wristband that came with the book.
The Other 3:16 January 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Max Lucado does an excellent job of expounding and amplifying on what many consider the most beloved verse in the Bible. It gives to us, who will receive it in faith believing, the plan of reconciling God with man, namely the gift of God's Son for the salvation of mankind. As a correlative verse to this esteemed text is another 3:16 found by the same writer in I John 3:16. It expands the Gospel verse to include what Christians should be committed to do; that is, "By this we know the love of God, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (fellow Christians)". These two verses embody the core of the Gospel message that Jesus summarized when he stated "You shall love the Lord our God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself". Again, thanks to Max Lucado for reminding us what is expected of us to trust in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior and what is expected of us as it relates to our fellow man. 3:16, now and forever!
|
|
|
Powered by CBN AssociateStore
| |
