3 out of 4 stars
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Few phrases are more easily recognized or loaded with meaning than the title of Craig A. Mims's book, In the Beginning. In 108 standard pages, Mims explores the details and delves deep into the theological lessons present in the creation narrative of the Holy Bible. Although the creation of the world is one of the most frequently debated topics between Christians and secularists, this book is not a defense of creation but a study that presupposes that the Biblical text is true. This perspective may deter readers who do not agree with the author's beliefs but for anyone curious about the Christian perspective, this book is a well written, clear, and in-depth look into not only the creation story but the character and attributes of the God who made all things.
This study focusses on the purpose of creation rather than science. Mims works through the creation story slowly and carefully, exploring the account from a fresh perspective. Where many Sunday school lessons and sermons simply teach the story as a history lesson, Mims presents numerous cross-references that relate back to the creation narrative, providing further insight and supporting the understanding of God's sovereign plan.
One aspect of creation I had not considered before reading this book is the creation of time. While some of the author's statements were clearly speculative, I enjoyed thinking through the implications of the passages cited. For me, this added a layer of depth to the mystery of God and His ways that I am sure I will ponder over and over. I also greatly appreciate the number of verses and passages that were written out in the text of the book. This made it much easier to read through the book as I did not need to stop and look up references to verify the author's statements.
The greatest weakness in this book was undoubtedly the editing. For a short book, there were clearly far too many errors such as incorrect verb tenses or incorrect articles. These were not really problematic to reading and enjoying the book's content, but did decrease the overall quality. The length of the background information concerning Moses and the writing of the book of Genesis seemed a bit excessive to me, but I can understand the purpose behind it. After a slow start, the rest of the book remains focused and engaging.
I am giving this book 3 out of 4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am disappointed that I am unable to give it a perfect score because of the editing. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to take an in-depth look at the Biblical creation narrative. This book would work well for both personal and group study.
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In The Beginning
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