Customer Reviews

The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have both of these books of lego illustrations and love them both.

These books are NOT satire! They are true, illustrated stories from the Bible. There's a difference between mocking something and being humorous, and I think the Brick Testament on the whole is very respectful of the Bible. I have no problem with illustrating the Holy Ghost in lego.

They're very faithful renditions of the words of the bible.

Yes, there is some blood - but how can you tell the TRUE story of christmas without Herod and the murdering of the firstborns? This isn't about Santa Claus and some commercialzed hijacking of the holiday. This is the true story of christmas, don't buy it if you're looking for rudolf and frosty.

I just got my copy of "The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas," and really got a kick out of it. Smith is very creative, and I'm still amazed at how he was able to render objects in Lego (frankincense! stockings! a manger! a Christmas tree!). It's a great Christmas gift (it'll fit in a stocking, too!), and good for teaching kids about the real story of Christmas. Bundle this book with a Lego set and you have an awesome gift where they can be inspired to create their own stories in Lego. A budding Brendan Powell Smith, if you will.

Regarding the appropriateness of this book for a younger audience, I went to a Catholic primary school (1st-6th grades), and I can tell you that there is *nothing* in "The Story of Christmas" that wasn't taught to us there. I like the idea of the Holy Ghost being rendered as a smiling ghost, because what better literal representation is there for a child to understand?

I'm sorry, but I must disagree with the reviewer below (Joshua C. Ternes "Good Guy")...this is not a waste of talent - it is a full embracing of talent. Not only is this book exceptionally well-photographed, it speaks the wonderful truth of the Bible. It is indeed not for children, any more than ANY visual re-telling of the Gospel would be, because the gospel has tragic events in it. But this book is an excellent tool for spreading the word. One can easily purchase a book for the purpose of handing it to someone who doesn't completely know the Gospel, and it will ensure that they read it.

For those that are not believers, they tend to not WANT to hear anything about the gospel (for numerous reasons), and this humorous - attractive - telling of the gospel breaks that barrier nicely.

I challenge the other Reviewer for Biblical basis against that.
I ask Joshua C. Ternes what he has done that has spread the good news so far?

I'll be honest-- I'm Jewish. So I'm more familiar with herring than Herod, and when someone says "Christmas tree" my first thought is, "Oh yeah, the bushy menorah." But even I have to admire the intersection of beauty and brilliance that is this book.

I've seen the New Testament before and comparing it to the Old Testament, well, you know what they say about sequels... But The Brick Testament is the first treatment of the subject that I can really appreciate. It's like those old Reese's Peanut Butter Cups commercials: "Hey, you got colorful interlocking blocks in my bible stories!" "Hey, you got bible stories in my colorful interlocking blocks!" In unison: "This is delicious!!!"

Well I don't recommend that you eat The Reverend's latest masterpiece but I do recommend that you thoroughly digest it. Does that seem like a paradox? Can you digest without eating? Well, it turns out you can and it's kind of like the miracle of communion wafers. Read this book and you'll understand what I mean.

Genius and giggles are tossed together in this new telling of the Christmas story. The "Reverend" Powell Smith lures a reader in with the seemingly innocent depiction of the Christmas story told in the quintessential medium of childhood--Lego Building Blocks. And then with the wit of a very adult scholar of Biblical text, treats the reader to an unexpurgated telling of the Christmas story. The juxtaposition of these disparate elements had me laughing out loud in line at the local bookstore and calling my partner over to enjoy the fun. Along with my delight at having found that rare treat of intelligent humor, I had found the perfect gift for almost everyone on my Christmas list.

This book tells the true story of how our lord came to live amongst us. While it includes brilliantly illustrated baby-in-a-manger images, it is also faithful to rest of the story, including King Herod's fear of the coming of the Messiah. Ideal for showing your children the significance of this world changing event -- more than just an excuse for opening presents -- in a medium that they'll understand. Highly recommended.

Purchased for my husband for Christmas. (He works with lego robotics) My kids keep taking off with it and he hasn't even had a chance to read it yet.
Really cool book.

...but he says that he likes the Stories from the Book of Genesis just a bit more, if only for the compelling depiction of the flood. Very true to the Bible, and with a touch of humor that can be appreciated by children and adults. A great re-telling of the Christmas story!

I've noticed that every time my son reads one of Brendan Powell Smith's books, he spends a lot more time at the Lego table afterwards. These books seem to spur his creative instincts, while reinforcing biblical truths.

I love this book and I have already bought 5 of them for friends and people at work. The photos are incredibly clever and funny, and they DO get you in the holiday spirit. (The shiny foil stamping on the title is a nice touch, too.) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

I bought this book (and the others by the same author) for my brother who is a huge Lego fan. He actually read them all and loved them, whereas before it was difficult to get him to read other books with kids' versions of Bible stories.