The time has come where I really must write the review for this book. I have been putting it off. Why? Because I can’t seem to find the right words to describe the beautiful and sacred feeling I had when reading it. It has truly touched me in a profound way.
The Miracles of Jesus by Eric D. Huntsman combines historical context and literary analysis with doctrinal insights to explore the meaning and symbolism of Christ’s miracles. We are able to see how the miracles apply to us in a very real and personal way. The miracles are categorized into five chapters: Power over the Elements, Healing the Sick, Casting out Devils, Causing the Blind to See and the Deaf to Hear, and Raising the Dead.
At the beginning of each chapter is a sidebar listing the miracles and where they can be found in the four Gospels. Exquisite paintings by masters such as James Tissot, Ivan Aivazovsky, Francois Boucher and others accompany the text as do photographs of the Holy Land many taken by the author. Another wonderful addition to the book are hymns with a short story about the author of the hymns and what they were trying to convey. Huntsman explains the reason for this addition,
Because of the power of such music to engender feelings of worship and gratitude, musical reflections, particularly on well-loved hymns and folk songs, appear throughout this book to help the reader feel to some extent what the original recipients of Jesus’ miracles must have experienced.
As someone who loves music I very much appreciate the special touch these musical selections bring to my study and reading of the book.
I do not consider myself a scholar by any means but I do love to learn about words and their roots. Huntsman is a biblical scholar and teaches the meaning of many Greek and Hebrew words and phrases from which the Bible was translated. It is so helpful to see what the original meant and how it actually changes what I thought a particular scripture was saying.
I have learned so much reading this book! I need to do it again and take my time, slow down and truly study the scriptures, drink it all in and apply the miracles of Jesus to my own life and experiences.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is wanting to further their study of Jesus Christ and the miracles He wrought as the Son of God.
About the Author
ERIC D. HUNTSMAN is an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University, where he serves as the coordinator of the Ancient Near Eastern Studies program in the Kennedy Center for International Studies and is affiliated with the Classics program. After graduating from BYU in classical Greek and Latin, he earned a Ph.D. in ancient history from the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the BYU faculty in 1994.
The author of the acclaimed God So Loved the World: The Final Days of the Savior’s Life and Good Tidings of Great Joy: An Advent Celebration of the Savior’s Birth, both from Deseret Book, Dr. Huntsman has also published numerous articles on the New Testament and the writings of John.
He served as a full-time missionary in the Thailand Bangkok Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as a bishop in Provo, Utah. Brother Huntsman is an ordinance worker in the Provo Utah Temple and sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He and his wife, Elaine Scott Huntsman, are the parents of two children.
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of The Miracles of Jesus by Deseret Book to review. All opinions are my own.
I read his easter book and we used it for a unit study during Easter week. It was _awesome_. I agree, the music makes it even better. And I would love to do his advent book too, as we have been celebrating Advent the last couple years. He is a great writer and it helps make the holidays so much more meaningful to have more knowledge about them, for me AND my kids! Thanks for posting this review; I’ll have to check out this book too!