A review of A Graphic Life of Jesus the Christ and Facts on Acts (of Apostles) by Father Albert Joseph Mary Shamon
ISBN # 1-877678-41-4 and 1-882972-65-1
$9.95 and $ 8.95 respectively from Resource Connections to History
The introduction to A Graphic Life of Jesus the Christ, by Father Albert Shamon, states that to understand history one needs to understand the geography and chronology of events. Then Father Shamon goes on to answer two huge questions concerning Our Lord - why God chose that particular time and place to send His Son, our Savior. Father Shamon's purpose is "to study the incidents of the Gospels with their geography and chronology in mind, to see the whole picture!" He succeeds admirably and the book is off to a terrific start!
Father Shamon partitions his book into two parts. The Founding of the Kingdom covers the first seven chapters. It chronicles the beginning of the public ministry. Using maps and charts, the reader is able to follow the sequence of events easily. It concludes with Jesus naming Peter the rock on which He will build His Church.
The second part of the book chronicles the Redemption. Beginning with the Transfiguration, the eight chapters cover the end of our Lord's life on earth. The book concludes with the Resurrection. An appendix list the chronology of Jesus' life.
Father Shamon, in chapter 12, goes into detail explaining the Last Supper. He
illustrates why the Last Supper was a Passover meal. It is a fascinating look at the
roots of our Church. The 188 page book is filled with wonderful explanations of
the events of the Gospels.
A perfection companion to A Graphic Life of Jesus the Christ is Facts on Acts (of Apostles), also by Father Albert Shamon. It gives the Acts of Apostles the same approachable explanation as the Gospels were given by A Graphic Life of Jesus the Christ. There is one important difference between the books. Facts on Acts (of Apostles) includes the full text of the Acts from the Bible. Following each Bible section, Father Shamon has written a chapter explaining the scriptures. It is so convenient. No need to switch from Bible to book. It is an incredible aid to be able to read the scriptures and then the explanation in the same book.
The book is divided into fifteen chapters. It also contains three appendices: the Pontificate of St. Peter, Chronology for Acts, and a Chronology for the New Testament.Father Shamon begins by explaining who wrote the book of Acts and why it was written. Each chapter has two sections. First is the scripture. For example the first chapter contains the scripture Acts 1:1-26. The chapter accompanying it is entitled "The Promise of the Spirit". Some chapters cover more than one chapter of scripture.
Much as he did in A Graphic Life of Jesus the Christ, Father Shamon draws on
geography, chronology and history to clarify the scriptures and bring the reader to
a fuller understanding. Spring is a wonderful time to read this book since the Acts
of Apostles are read at Mass during the Easter season.
Both A Graphic Life of Jesus the Christ and Facts on Acts (of Apostles) are
fantastic books. Father Shamon has used his extensive knowledge of scriptures,
history and geography to bring the books of the Gospels and Acts to the average
layperson. I cannot recommend these two books highly enough. In bring the life of
our Lord and the birth of our Holy Faith to light, Father Shamon has helped
introduce readers to a fuller understanding of the scriptures.
It is available from:
Resources Connections to History
541-138th St.
Amery, WI 54001
Fax: 1-509-693-9495
website: http://www.rchistory.com/
email: orders@rchistory.com