Reviews for The Birds Our Teachers
Review - Birds Our Teachers, The
Why I read the book: Somebody told me about this book a few years ago, but I wasn’t interested enough to go look for it. Then a coworker at Awana brought her copy and loaned it to me.
What I expected: I was hoping for some in-depth insight into how I could discover more about God by looking at birds. I have long viewed birds as evidence of God’s creativity. I also see them as an outpouring of His love for me because He made them for me to enjoy. I wanted to see the perspective of another Christian birder.
What the book was about: In 11 essays (faith, gratitude, shelter, etc.), the English pastor and author Stott looks at what the Bible has to say about birds and what birds have to say about living for God.
What I liked about the book: The book was illustrated by Stott’s own photographs, and many of these were impressive. Some of the essays, like the one on shelter, were very good. Stott quotes several verses (e.g. Psalm 91:1, 4) that talk about how God shelters us with His wings. He gives examples of birds that protect their young by hiding them under their wings.
What I didn’t like about the book: Some of the photographs were tiny and others had nothing whatsoever to do with the subject at hand. A few of the essays were goofy. For example, in the essay on love, he starts out by explaining that birds are incapable of love. Then he goes on at length with a description of the mating and nesting habits of a variety of birds — with a Woody Allen quote in the middle.
The most interesting quote: “It was Jesus Christ Himself in the Sermon on the Mount who told us to be bird-watchers! ‘Behold the fowls of the air’ is how the King James’ Version renders His command (Matthew 6:26). Translated into basic English, however, His instruction becomes ‘watch birds!’ So we have the highest possible authority for this activity. Moreover, He meant more than that we should notice them. For the Greek verb employed here means to fix the eyes on or take a good look at.”
Recommendation: It could work as a devotional if you’re not looking for something terribly deep. I wouldn’t recommend any strenuous effort to find it. In appearance and superficiality, it is more of a gift/coffee table type book
What I expected: I was hoping for some in-depth insight into how I could discover more about God by looking at birds. I have long viewed birds as evidence of God’s creativity. I also see them as an outpouring of His love for me because He made them for me to enjoy. I wanted to see the perspective of another Christian birder.
What the book was about: In 11 essays (faith, gratitude, shelter, etc.), the English pastor and author Stott looks at what the Bible has to say about birds and what birds have to say about living for God.
What I liked about the book: The book was illustrated by Stott’s own photographs, and many of these were impressive. Some of the essays, like the one on shelter, were very good. Stott quotes several verses (e.g. Psalm 91:1, 4) that talk about how God shelters us with His wings. He gives examples of birds that protect their young by hiding them under their wings.
What I didn’t like about the book: Some of the photographs were tiny and others had nothing whatsoever to do with the subject at hand. A few of the essays were goofy. For example, in the essay on love, he starts out by explaining that birds are incapable of love. Then he goes on at length with a description of the mating and nesting habits of a variety of birds — with a Woody Allen quote in the middle.
The most interesting quote: “It was Jesus Christ Himself in the Sermon on the Mount who told us to be bird-watchers! ‘Behold the fowls of the air’ is how the King James’ Version renders His command (Matthew 6:26). Translated into basic English, however, His instruction becomes ‘watch birds!’ So we have the highest possible authority for this activity. Moreover, He meant more than that we should notice them. For the Greek verb employed here means to fix the eyes on or take a good look at.”
Recommendation: It could work as a devotional if you’re not looking for something terribly deep. I wouldn’t recommend any strenuous effort to find it. In appearance and superficiality, it is more of a gift/coffee table type book
Reviewed by Roger on 2008-08-20 13:46:45