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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Book!!, January 20, 2009
This review is from: Keeping Holiday (Paperback)
I started and finished reading this book in one day and loved every minute of it! Much as in real life, Dylan realizes that there must be more to the Holiday celebration than presents, eating, & being with others. He longs to understand what the underlying "more" is, and sets out to find the missing element. On his journey, very key biblical elements are introduced, including the doctrine of election, God's sovereignty, His providential care, the folly of works salvation, and even the realization that salvation is not passed from generation to generation. I was very impressed with this book and highly recommend it!
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Pilgrim's Progress for Children, September 22, 2008
This review is from: Keeping Holiday (Paperback)
Not satisfied with what turns out to be a mere foretaste of the city of Holiday, two children Dylan and Clare set out on a journey to find the real one. Severe difficulties along the way do not deter their resolution, but on the contrary, not only solidify it, but also lead them to their true longing beyond living in the city; a greater longing to know the Founder. As they press on to find the Founder, however, over and over again, they are reminded by the people, talking inanimate objects and creatures they encounter that they do not find the Founder, but the Founder find them; He is not only the Founder, but also the Finder. The search for Holiday and its Founder reveals to them their own nature, the nature of the Founder Himself, the inhabitants of Holiday and the Founder's enemy; represented by the unsuspecting Mr. Smith.
In this story, Starr Meade teaches at least three cardinal Christian doctrines. First, the nature of gospel salvation; that is, salvation is initiated, acted and secured by God alone. The fact one seeks God is because God foreknew, i.e., fore-loved that person first before the foundation of the world. The linchpin of salvation is the atonement of sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, though she only vaguely alludes to this. Second, what Dylan and Clare go through illustrates a true persistent cross-bearing nature of the Christian life. This is tremendously necessary to answer the heresy of "Your Best Life Now" theology, whose effects not only ruin adults, but also potentially, if not already, children. Third, the sovereign providence and faithfulness of God who is not only the Creator of the universe but also the Ruler of it, who directs every person and event throughout history since the beginning of time with meticulous details, whose execution is guaranteed according to His immutable will.
If I were to offer some constructive criticism, it would be first, "Keeping Holiday" could have expanded the story to include a clearer illustration of the cross of Christ. Second, the description of the city of Holiday, if it were to represent heaven, sounds a little too worldly. And third, the ending is somewhat weak. Nevertheless, in case "The Pilgrim's Progress" is too difficult to grasp for young children, they can start by reading "Keeping Holiday" since there are some significant similarities between the two.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Story and Even Better Theological Teaching, January 12, 2009
This review is from: Keeping Holiday (Paperback)
First, it is a good story. Once our family started reading it, the kids were very eager to get back to it and find out what happened with Dylan and Clare and their quest.
Second, the theological truths Meade communicates are profound. There is a lot here that you won't find in other Christian children's book.
The comparison to Bunyan and Lewis is appropriate and becomes obvious as the story unfolds. However, don't expect writing and storytelling on the level of those classic authors. If you've ever read the "Magic Treehouse" series of books with your kids, the writing is about on that level. It is good, but I don't think people will be reading it 50 or 350 years from now.
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