Holman's Old Testament Handbook: A Review and Giveaway

"The entirety of your word is truth" ~ Psalm 119:160a

I am always excited to present to you new resources that can inform and enrich your study of God's Word. So I was extra excited to get a chance to review a copy of Holman's Old Testament Handbook. So let's dive in...

About The Book

Immerse yourself in The Old Testament Handbook, an elegant, full-color Bible handbook that includes robust summary content, charts, maps, word studies, illustrations, and more for every Old Testament book of the Bible. Constructed with high-quality cloth cover materials and a sewn binding, the Old Testament Handbook is designed to last a lifetime as a valuable companion resource for Bible study, teaching, and ongoing discipleship.

The Old Testament Handbook features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

Features

• High-quality, foil-stamped cloth cover materials and Smyth-sewn binding meant to last a lifetime

Elegant full-color interior design, including maps, charts, illustrations, and other visual helps for every book of the Old Testament

More than 75 in-depth word studies of key words found in each Old Testament book

• A Ribbon marker for easy referencing between pages during study, teaching, or sharing

My Review

First of all, I just have to say that this is a beautiful book to behold. With its foil-stamped charcoal-colored cloth-over-board cover, it is a pleasure to hold in my hands! Not kidding...it's gorgeous! Even the pages with their thickness and buttery softness testify to the care that went into the making of this beauty. Many of the infographics within the book are worthy to be put in a frame and hung on your wall...but please don't. 

If you are a book lover, as I am, the quality of the material matters for those books that you retain for your reference bookshelves. This book was put together with the intent of repeated use over the years. 

There are so many features within this Handbook to love...

It begins with a letter from the publisher that contains the reason this book is so aesthetically pleasing to the senses. It has much to do with how the craftsmen and artisans of the Old Testament "were instructed to complete their tasks for the combined effect of both glory and beauty." Seriously, buy the book and read the intro for yourself. 

It goes on to give an introduction to the whole of the Old Testament as God's timely and inspired word as it explains the composition and canon of the Old Testament, the making of the Old Testament, God's Spirit in the guiding of the process, the reception of the Old Testament and why our canon is on target. 

Then comes the meat of the book... Each book begins with a genre indicator, a one-sentence summary, a book introduction, and an outline. Then follows various word studies, maps, and timelines where pertinent to each book. 

I really appreciate the charts and tables connecting Christ and key themes across Scripture as well as the infographics about key figures and events. 

If you are looking for a book to help you in your understanding of the Old Testament as you read through your Bible...or even to give you all the necessary context as you begin studying a book of the Old Testament this would be a great tool to have on your bookshelf. I highly recommend this handbook. 

You can purchase your copy of The Old Testament Handbook today at this link: 

The Old Testament Handbook  Oh...and with Christmas coming this would make a great gift! 

Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

#OldTestamentHandbookMIN #theoldtestamenthandbook #christianstandardbible #CSB #holmanhandbookseries #holmanhandbook #holmanbibles #othandbook @christianstandardbible @bhpub

Be sure to check out and enter my giveaway below before you go!

Giveaway

 I am NOT personally giving away a copy of The Old Testament Handbook but I do have a fun giveaway. You can enter the rafflecopter below to win a $10 Amazon gift card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pilgrim's Progress Movie Review and Giveaway!

Have you heard about the new movie coming out Easter Weekend? If not keep reading. I've had the privilege of viewing a pre-screening of the movie and I'm giving you a quick review here on the blog. Make sure you keep reading to the end of this post because I have an awesome giveaway too!!

Revelation Media and Fathom Events

About the book...

The Pilgrim's Progress. First published in 1678, this book has remained one of the most widely read Christian allegories still in print! More copies of this epic tale have been sold than any other Christian book, second only to the Bible.  It has been translated in more than 200 languages and has never been out of print. 

The author of the story, John Bunyan, was a pastor imprisoned for unauthorized
(not sanctioned by the Church of England) preaching of the gospel in small house meetings. During the 12 years of imprisonment, Bunyan wrote many books, one of which was The Pilgrim's Progress.  

It has been said that no-one just finds the book. But rather the book finds them. 

This powerful allegory gives us a tangible description of the spiritual journey a Christian must embark upon.  

It gives us a name for our struggle with doubt...even more, a place...a dungeon where lives the Giant Despair.  The Slough of Despond accurately gives a name to our times of discouragement and despair. Vanity Fair is a town that represents the indulgence of our own sinful desires. It gives a name to those who would walk beside us on our journey, Faithful and Hopeful. Each of these encounters and so many more in Bunyan's book give us a bird's eye view of what our spiritual journey requires, and in doing so brings hope and encouragement to the reader.
  

Throughout Christian's journey, the King sends reminders that he is not alone.

About the movie...

The movie is based on John Bunyan's epic masterpiece, The Pilgrim's Progress. A family-friendly feature-length CGI animated film and it is  coming to theaters Easter Weekend! April 18 & 20th. 

Check this site to find a theater near you: https://www.pilgrims.movie/theaters

Copyright Revelation Media and
Fathom Events

In watching the movie I was quickly drawn into Christian's journey. It is so rich in allegory, that I could not help but make comparisons of the obstacles that Christian encounters along his journey (to the Celestial City) with my own faith journey. Who would ever expect that an animated movie would bring about so much introspection? 

If you are looking for movies that give your children the courage to do the right thing...to stay true to the path that God has laid out for them, take them to see this movie.

I really enjoyed this movie and I think you will too. It is a vivid retelling of the original tale. I would recommend families watch it together and after the movie take some time to talk about Christian's journey. 

The Evil Apollyon will stop at nothing to keep Christian from the Celestial City.

Age appropriateness: I will say that this is probably not for very young(2-4 yrs) children as some of the scenes may be a bit intense, if not frightening, as there are times where it depicts the attacks on Christian...bringing to light the battle in the Spiritual realms as the attacks are demonic in nature.   

As for 5-6 years olds, it would depend on the sensitive nature and maturity of your child. For 7 year old to adults, I most definitely recommend going to see this movie.

The Hill of Salvation! Where Christian's burdens are released and his journey takes a turn.

Watch the Official movie trailer here and then scroll down to enter the giveaway!!
Trailer

Here's the giveaway...

• 6 Movie tickets!!! 2 movie tickets each to 3 separate winners!!! 
• A beautiful full-color coffee table style hardcover edition of The Pilgrim's Progress Illustrated Storybook($24.95 retail value)!! I have 3 copies to give away to 3 separate winners!!!

To enter leave a comment on this post. Then enter your info on the rafflecopter. I'll need your email to send your Fandango e-gift card for your tickets and to contact you to find out where to send the book. So...enter on the rafflecopter and then leave a comment in the comment section under this blog post. 

Enter info on the rafflecopter...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: only US-based giveaway winners are eligible due to Fandango limitations in Canada and outside the US

Oh...and if you have a group of 10 or more people, or if the movie is not scheduled to come to your town, the Group Tickets team can help you out. Just go to this link to fill out the form: GROUP TICKETS

See you at the movies!! 
#ThePilgrimsProgressL3

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