Book Review: One Perfect Life

One Perfect Life by John MacArthur

I have read One Perfect Life, Dr. John MacArthur’s book last year. This January, I got a chance to read again. I cannot make a scientific attempt to summarize it, but let me just give a simple review. I read an Indian Edition, 2013. It is the complete story of the Lord Jesus Christ – a blended harmony of the four Gospels account with other Scripture passages of the whole Bible.

I am impressed that the blending is based on the Gospel of Matthew, as Matthew is the first canonized book placed in the New Testament. Moreover, the book begins with the account of Genesis, and then pull in all important passages of the whole Bible: Genesis through Isaiah through Colossians through Revelation. It is interesting to see different authors of the Bible at different places at different times (over 1600 years) wrote about the same Person, and this book is the demonstration of their writings.

The Introduction clearly states that the objective of this book for the believer is to be sanctified, and for the non-believer to be saved. Thus making this book appealing to everyone. Some of the interesting things in this book are:

1.      The blended Scripture is interesting enough to read on and on (though 516 in pages), but the inclusion of footnotes is really a treat. Footnotes comprise 40-50 percent of the whole book. By the way, Dr. MacArthur is known for footnotes, not just in writings but in sermons and “Questions and Answers” times.

2.    The book is set chronologically, not just of the events at the time of Christ, but the accounts of the different writers (from Genesis to Revelation). The inclusion of the First Part “Anticipating the Lord Jesus Christ” and the Last Part “New Testament Reflections on the Gospel of Jesus Christ” in this book are very insightful and well thought-out!

3.    One will discover that the seeming discrepancies in the accounts of the different writers are just not true, rather it brings more light. Such as the story of Jesus commissioning the Twelve, regarding the things they should not take along with them (p.192), resurrection account (p.47-471)

4.    Also, one will be enamored to see that some of the seeming parallel stories are not the same story but a repetition such as the argument about the greatness, cleansing of Temple, washing of Jesus’s feet (p.160-161).

5.     Textual Criticisms are employed such as in the account of the “adulterous woman” (p. 256), “waiting for the moving of the water” in the story of a Lame man on the Sabbath (p. 121).

6.    The Historical settings are made available to have the clearest understanding of the story. Such as the “Coming Messiah” (p.30, 53), “eye of a needle” (p.335), widow’s mite (p.382).

7.     The Cultural Contexts which is necessary to help us understand the intent of the author is included. Such as the story of disciple plucking the heads of grain (p.127) mourning of Lazarus’s death (p.185), Jesus, Son of Mary (p.188), “take his cross and follow me” (p.194)

8.    The Geographical descriptions are just wonderful, as if one had been there, and know what the author is talking about. Such as the Sea of Galilee (p. 105, 178), the mount of Transfiguration (p.230),

9.    The authenticity, relevance, and sufficiency of the Bible confirmed in this book is mind-exhilarating. Such as Jacob’s well in the story of Samaritan Woman. “The spring is still active today” (p.95) the story of rich man and Lazarus (p.315).

10.                        Personally, the account of the Lord’s Supper is made clear to me in the footnotes such as the “dip” (p.405), “third cup” (p.411). Also. The footnotes serve a great light what (the occasion or event) made Jesus wash the disciple’s feet. The question and arguments about the greatness (p.407).

If I were to make a suggestion to the author is to include a Scriptural Index at the back. Of course, not necessary for the Gospels but the other books of the Bible, especially for the Old Testament.

My Final note: I have never read a book such as this. It is just second to the Bible because this book is completely the Scriptures except the footnotes given by the author. One may read Scripture from the Bible, but this book comes with the footnotes that exposit the text. Though no book can never substitute the Gospels of the Bible, this book is the greatest book I can pick up concerning the life of Jesus Christ. You do well if you read this book whoever you are!

Reading Through The Bible Is Not A Big Deal!

How many dresses have you bought in 2015? How many will you buy this year? How many phones have you used? How many exercise notes have you bought for you academic purpose? Or how many books have you bought and read them? Or, how many WhatsApp Posts, Facebook Comments, Blogs, SMS have you read? Lots and lots, and the number is hardly memorable.

What about this? How many Bibles have you bought? How many times have you read it through? Certainly Christian must answer this boldly. We Christians seem to love the Bible so much that we hardly use it; or are we deceived, for we do not live out? Non-Christian like Mahatma Gandhi and Man Mohan Singh read the Bible and quoted it. On the other hand, many book-reading professing Christians seem to be more familiar with the story of Jesus depicted in Dan Brown’s Novel than the actual story written in the pages of the Scriptures.

Let me tell you few things about Bible to encourage you reading it, and in doing so, your love for Christ will grow deeper. Also that you will not be ashamed of your faith, but be equipped to answer who ask you. In fact, reading the Bible REGULARLY is a must for Christian. Also, none can be saved without knowing or hearing the words of the Bible. So there is no excuse for anyone who seeks after God. It is true that the Bible is the best-selling book and the most influential book of all times for centuries. That alone should draw anyone to read the Bible. We Christians, testify that “any book can inform,

Bible is not a very big book! It is not that much difficult to read through as most people think! You can finish reading the Bible in 70 – 100 hours, depending on how slow or fast you read it. Yes, you can read Genesis through Revelation in 1 week if you invest your time like you have done in reading novels, or like the time you spend in your studies, or like the time you spend in social networking sites. So any book reader can finish it in a week easily.

The Bible has 66 books in it. Some books are just a one-page book. Few books like Psalms will take you longer to read it through. So, reading 1 book each a day might not be a wise thing! If you spend 1 hour a day in Bible you can complete reading it in 3 months. There are many Christians who read like that – 4 times in a year, three months each time.

Bible has 1189 Chapters. Old Testament has 929, and the New Testament has 260. Each chapter is a page long on average. Psalm 117 is the shortest, and the longest chapter of the Bible is Psalm 119. Reading a chapter a day will not let you through the Bible in a year! If you read 3 chapters of Old Testament, and 1 chapter of New Testament a day you will be able to walk through the Bible in a Year. Just do a simple Math!

My experience of Bible reading tells me that if you spend 15 – 20 minutes each day you will be able to read through the Bible in a year. 15 – 20 Minutes will amount to 4 chapters (3 OT and 1 NT). If you spend 1 hour each day you will get through 4 times a year. 1 hour reading Bible will accomplish you 10 – 15 chapters, depending on the length of the individual chapters.

Spending 15 – 20 minutes is not a big deal even for children! Yes, Reading through Bible once a year is not difficult. There are over 200 different Bible versions in the English language. Reading different version each year is a wonderful discovery. Buying New Bible each year is not costly. Some Bibles are free of cost, others cost just below 300 rupees. Only Fancy and Exhaustive Study Bible cost much.

I have been reading the Bible consistently and curiously and joyously since 2005. I started reading it for achievement, “I have read it!” but as days passed on, I realized, I have to read all the time. I will never reach the summit to say “It’s done! I have read it.” I have read through some of the most popular version once or twice. This year I am reading English Standard Version.

As the New Year sets in, some of you must be having the resolution to read more books. Make sure you include Bible. I heard that Isaac Newton, the Scientist read the Bible more than any other books. Charles Spurgeon said of John Bunyan (the author of Pilgrim’s Progress,) that if you cut him, he will bleed Bibline. Book-reader knows if you read books you can have an efficient literary conversation, but Bible-reader knows if you read Bible you can have conversations for all matters of life and beyond.

New Year 2016 has come!

Hello!

God is faithful! That is the testimony of every Christian, no matter what! Like the Israelite we need to raise up an Ebenezer, "a stone of help" to remind us the faithfulness of God. "Thus far God has helped us," and will continue to help.

Was 2015 a hard year, and you are feeling discouraged or intimidated as the new challenges of the New Year 2016 coming? Recall the faithfulness of God like the Psalmist, Jeremiah, and Isaiah. Lamentation 3: 18, 21 reads, "And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope."