Christmas from the Back Side [Paperback]

J. Ellsworth Kalas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003

Take a look at Christmas from alternative angles.

Using an approach similar to his other BackSide books, Kalas crafts new insights into the scriptures of the Christmas story by looking at them from the back side

...taking unique starting points...creative re-telling from different views...examining the story through new lenses ...or looking through the eyes of a not-so-familiar character.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J. Ellsworth Kalas is professor of Homiletics and has been part of the faculty at Asbury Theological Seminary since 1993, after thirty-eight years as a United Methodist pastor and five years in evangelism with the World Methodist Council.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press; Student/Stdy Gde edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0687027063
• ISBN-13: 978-0687027064
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J. ELLSWORTH KALAS is professor of Homiletics and has been part of the faculty at Asbury Theological Seminary since 1993, after thirty-eight years as a United Methodist pastor and five years in evangelism with the World Methodist Council. He has been a presenter on DISCIPLE videos, is the author of the Christian Believer study, and has written more than thirty books, including the popular "Back Side" series and Longing to Pray: How the Psalms Teach Us to Talk with God.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 10, 2007

By 

Sharon Dietz - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Christmas from the Back Side (Paperback)

My study group found this book to be helpful and enriching. We used it as an Advent study. Kalas has an unique way of looking at Scripture from another angle. We have used several of J. Ellsworth Kalas' books in our study group. Kalas has a signature question in every study guide: What insights did you receive from this chapter? This gives each member of the group the opportunity to share personally. His work challenges us to look a little further in God's message.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful Guide for Advent Bible Study, January 11, 2007

By 

Linda S. Gwathmey "Director of Adult Ministries" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Christmas from the Back Side (Paperback)

J. Ellsworth Kalas has a knack for approaching familiar Scriptures "from the backside" in order to grab the attention of readers and small group participants. His Christmas From the Back Side is no acception. We used it in our church for a four-week book study on Wednesday nights during Advent. It invites readers to use their imagination and life experiences to think about major and minor characters, their motives, reactions, and circumstances. It brings home the underlying messages in a new way.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Typical Kalas, December 25, 2008

By 

Thomas M. Magee - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas from the Back Side (Paperback)

This book is great for Sunday Schools or small groups. He uses bible verses about Christmas to guide the book. Each chapter opens with particular verses about one aspect of the Christmas Story. His analysis is really good. No matter what your background I think this book will open your mind to Christmas. You will at least once have an "awe yes" moment while you read this book. He will get your mind turning for sure. The only reason I gave it three stars is because compared to his other books it has less "awe yes" moments than Kala's fans would expect. It will for sure give you a new tool to take a look at Christmas with.