BOOK REVIEW: A little confusion over Lucado’s student edition “Promise Book” …

There’s a reason why pastor and author, Max Lucado, has more than 130 million “products” in print — it’s because you can usually count on fine quality writing and reliable biblical insights. But one of his new book “products” slightly confused me.

I had the opportunity to review “Unshakable Hope: Student Edition – Promise Book” (published by Thomas Nelson). When I saw the offering, I liked the idea of students reading about the unshakable hope we have in Christ, and about the reliability of His promises. So I selected the book, and discovered it does, indeed, contain Lucado’s fine quality writing and reliable biblical insights.

But I was slightly confused …

It became obvious to me this book is supposedly related to a larger book that isn’t a devotional. As I searched my memory, I thought I recalled seeing a book by Lucado called “Unshakable Hope,” and sure enough, he had written such a book that was the precursor for this offering. However, nowhere in “Unshakable Hope: Student Edition – Promise Book” does it ever mention the original book. It also never clarifies who is meant by “student” in “Student Edition” — is the book intended for high school students, college students, or both? It would be wise to include in this book some understanding of its relationship to any original book, and who precisely this book is intended for.

With that said, this book can stand on its own. Even though it’s referred to as a “Promise Book,” it really is a devotional focusing on some of God’s promises. The layout of each “chapter” is simple: you begin with a key scripture verse, then have a devotional writing that’s no more than two pages long. That is followed by “God’s Promises For You,” which is a listing of a few additional scriptures related to the current “promise,” and then comes “Think and Respond,” which are about four questions pertaining to the topic. Personally, I didn’t find a lot of the questions to be all that sharp or helpful. The chapter then concludes with “My Promise to God,” which is some type of promise readers are encouraged to make to God relating to the promise of God they just read about.

I find this book can be recommended only because Lucado consistently provides quality writing and sound biblical insights, and because there is value in “students” learning about some of the promises of God and how we can trust all that He says. Beyond that, there’s nothing remarkable about this book.

Scotty

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”