God’s Greatest Gift (book review) – very engaging but theology falls short

God’s Greatest Gift
Author: Deborah Burch
Picture Book: unpaged
Language: English
ISBN 13: 978-0-9796477-7-2
Publisher: God’s Greatest Gift, LLC
List price: $17.95

Reviewed By: Janice D. Green

Rating:

I am struggling to write a review for this book. It is lively, engaging, well written and tough enough to endure rough treatment at the hands of young children. Little ones will love this book as at the end they become the star. It will surely become a favorite to many. And it has received a bronze medal through the Independent Publisher Book Awards.

But I have a problem with the underlying theology of the book. According to this author, God’s greatest gift is the child reading the book. I cannot accept this and don’t feel it is good for children to be led to believe they are the center of the universe. God’s greatest gift is his Son, Jesus the Christ.

I value the need for good self-esteem, but this book carries it over the top. Children need honest feedback if they are to have healthy self-concepts, yet our children today are being fed such an inflated diet of high self-esteem that they have lost touch with reality and along with it their sense of responsibility.

Furthermore, from a spiritual perspective, if you tell children they are the center of the universe, how can you expect them to embrace the One who truly is the center of the universe.

Children are among God’s greatest gifts, but not THE greatest gift. There are those who will insist that using the superlative form of great needn’t be taken all this seriously. But somehow that doesn’t seem very professional for a writer either, nor does it value the need for helping a child to understand our language.

I normally opt out of reviewing books that I can’t give a positive review. However, in this situation I agreed to review it and am required to follow through with a review. I accepted the book with the understanding that it was a Christian book, published by a member of the Christian Small Publishers Association, so I must review it accordingly.

This review was written by Janice D. Green, author of The First Christmas.

I received the book God’s Greatest Gift free from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comments

God’s Greatest Gift (book review) – very engaging but theology falls short — 12 Comments

Linda McQuinn Carlblom on November 10, 2014 at 10:26 am said:

I would have to agree with you on this, Janice. Jesus is the greatest gift ever given. No child, no matter how wonderful, could ever surpass that great gift! Thanks for an honest review.

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- Janice D. Green on November 10, 2014 at 11:20 am said:
  
  Thank you Linda.
  
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booksbycorine on November 10, 2014 at 10:40 am said:

Thank you for the honest review. I know it is not easy to give feedback but it is often times necessary. Your review will help others know exactly what they are getting when purchasing this book.

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- Janice D. Green on November 10, 2014 at 11:20 am said:
  
  Thank you Corine.
  
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Crystal Bowman on November 10, 2014 at 11:49 am said:

Thanks for this review, Janice. I appreciate your honesty and input. Some of the best-selling Christian books today have watered-down theology and it bothers me. An author can give positive messages and build a child’s self-esteem yet still give the praise and glory to the greatest gift of all–our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

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- Janice D. Green on November 10, 2014 at 2:14 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Crystal. I too am very bothered by the diluted theology found in some Christian books at all age levels.
  
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Ava Pennington on November 10, 2014 at 12:07 pm said:

This website has come to be a trusted source for parents, grandparents, and others who work with children. I so appreciate the integrity that compelled you to stay true to who we are and what we believe. We are indeed CHRISTIAN Children’s Authors and must not ever compromise that!

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- Janice D. Green on November 10, 2014 at 3:45 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much Ava. I hope more and more parents and grandparents will find us here.
  
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Cheryl C. Malandrinos on November 10, 2014 at 2:35 pm said:

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book, Janice. I understand where you are coming from and totally agree–Jesus is the greatest gift the world has ever known.

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- Janice D. Green on November 10, 2014 at 3:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks Cheryl.
  
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Terri on November 10, 2014 at 10:04 pm said:

Greetings,

Although I do agree with what you have said. I caution you to make sure you hear Holy Spirit. Most times our opinions come from our life history and experiences.

See it from God’s perspective and consider the specific demographics/assignment this book may be targeting.

Not every child has been fed a healthy dose of self-esteem, image or worth.

This is a children’s book, the age group and genre of the book alone implies the great need to teach our children who they are in God and how much He loves them. He indeed is the center of the universe, as His beloved, created in His image, I don’t think God would mind this colorful impartation of His truth. We are absolutely first in His eyes the center of this earthly universe.

Theology has it’s place but I think we should always leave room for Holy Spirit and let complete His perfect work.

Just something to think about,

Many blessings,

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- Janice D. Green on November 10, 2014 at 10:13 pm said:
  
  Thank you Terri for your thoughtful response. Yes, there are many who have not been given the positive feedback needed for healthy self-esteem. We must leave this book in the hands of the Holy Spirit and pray that the children who read and/or listen to it will hear it the way God would have them to understand it.
  
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