BOOK REVIEW: CHAPTER & VERSE: CROSSWORDS AND OTHER PUZZLES ~ GENESIS, BOOK ONE ~ BY T.J. JOHNSON
Xulon Press, ISBN # 9781604773200
Available through author’s website at www.hayneskid.com , Amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble
Review by Dennis Moore
November 29, 2009 (San Diego) -- TJ Johnson, a Bible teacher at Bayview Church in San Diego, sums up the genesis of her inspiration for writing a book of Biblical crossword puzzles.
“These puzzles are designed as an alternative way to introduce pertinent and interesting facts concerning a particular chapter or Biblical period," she said. "I have used some of them in the course of teaching Bible classes at the church I attend in San Diego, California. They provide a way of reviewing what you’ve read to reinforce those facts in your memory. The puzzles are instructional and entertaining, and they remind us that it’s okay for Christians to have fun even when we’re studying God’s Word.”
With that in mind, TJ Johnson’s series on Bible verse and instruction was born: Chapter & Verse, Crosswords And Other Puzzles ~Genesis, Book One~.
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, and the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1,2). Everyone knows this as the beginning chapter of the Bible, but in Johnson’s Chapter & Verse, Crosswords And Other Puzzles, ~Genesis, Book One~, she frames it in such a way that it leaves an indelible imprint on our minds and souls. On page 4, 16(down): she states; “_______ was upon the face of the deep.” Of course, we know that “darkness” was upon the face of the deep. Throughout her book, the crossword puzzles get more complex, but that is her intent--to test and reinforce readers’ knowledge of the Bible.
“Abram was ninety-nine years old when God changed his name to Abraham; Invoked the covenant of circumcision; Promised Isaac, the son born to Sarah; Blessed Abraham, and established An Everlasting covenant to Isaac, and his seed.” (from Genesis 17). I must confess, as a Christian, I am not as knowledgeable and familiar with those biblical facts. Perhaps, this book will help. Johnson’s “Chapter & Verse” helps me with that, by stating on page 52, 40(Across): “Abraham wanted to ______ land to bury Sarah, not take it as a gift.” We now know, through Johnson’s book that Abraham wanted to buy land to bury Sarah.
To the most well versed in Bible teachings and scripture, Chapter & Verse, Crosswords And Other Puzzles ~Genesis, Book One`, serves to reinforced what we thought we knew about the Bible. This book, the first in a series from this transplanted Texan, leads us into her second book; The Genesis Men, Adam & Sons.
Johnson's books make ideal gifts for Christians on your gift list who want to learn more about the Bible. For additional information, visit the author's website at www.hayneskid.com.
Dennis Moore is a writer and author, and a member of the San Diego Writers/Editors Guild. He is also the President of a consulting, marketing and promotions company in San Diego, Contracts & Agency, LLC. Mr. Moore is President of his Church, Bethel A.M.E., Prison Ministry