What do you think?
Rate this book
Biblical Imagination
Luke: The Gospel of Amazement
"His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him." Luke 2:33 "Everyone was amazed at all the things He was doing." Luke 9:43 "He went home, amazed at what had happened." Luke 24:12 From start to finish, the book of Luke is filled with amazement. Throughout the life and ministry of Jesus, those who met him were astonished by their encounter, from the shepherds at the nativity to the disciples at the empty tomb. With careful attention to detail, Michael Card embarks on an imaginative journey through the Gospel of Luke. He introduces us to Luke the historian and imagines his life as a Gentile, a doctor and a slave. Card explores Luke's compelling account of this dynamic rabbi who astounded his hearers with parables and paradoxes. What might Luke have experienced as he interviewed eyewitnesses of Jesus? What leads Luke to focus on the marginalized and the unlikely? Why does Luke include certain details that the other Gospel writers omit? Join Michael Card in the work of opening heart and mind to the "Gospel of Amazement."
268 pages, Hardcover
First published December 14, 2010
About the author
Michael Card
117 books104 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Michael Card (born April 11, 1957) is an American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host from Franklin, Tennessee. He is best known for his contributions in contemporary Christian music, which couple folk-style melodies and instrumentation with lyrics that stem from intensive study of the Bible. Since his debut in 1981, he has sold more than 4 million albums and has written 19 No. 1 singles.He has also authored several books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner A Sacred Sorrow.
http://www.michaelcard.com/#/about-mi...
Michael Card (born April 11, 1957) is an American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host from Franklin, Tennessee. He is best known for his contributions in contemporary Christian music, which couple folk-style melodies and instrumentation with lyrics that stem from intensive study of the Bible. Since his debut in 1981, he has sold more than 4 million albums and has written 19 No. 1 singles.He has also authored several books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner A Sacred Sorrow.
http://www.michaelcard.com/#/about-mi...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 15, 2012
Most recognize Michael Card as a singer and songwriter who gave the Church such classics as “El Shaddai” and “The Basin and the Towel”. In recent years, however, he has begun to direct his talents into writing prose. Luke: The Gospel of Amazement represents the first installment of a new collection of books on the Gospels: the Biblical Imagination Series.
Card’s approach in Luke is to read Scripture imaginatively. This is not to say that he “imagines” the content of Scripture, reading foreign concepts into the Word and making baseless non-contextual interpretations. Rather, he looks deeply at the context, mining the historical details, Luke’s personality and approach to writing, and the Old Testament sensibilities of first century Israel to put readers in the position of amazement at the coming of Christ that those who first witnessed it must have felt. His subtitle comes from Luke’s recurring use of the phrase “they were amazed…” (and other similar constructions); Only Luke’s gospel uses all five Greek terms that describe astonishment. Card states that he wants readers to sense the wonder of God’s work.
This approach results in a style of writing that I’ll call a “devotional commentary”. While insightful, it is not academic—-Card’s goal is not exegesis but observation. He wants to draw readers into a closer look at the life of Christ and a closer walk with Him. By the same token, the depth of his exploration is far above the level of most devotional material, relying on the Word itself for structure and direction and eschewing sentimentality and external stories.
The book itself is warm and immensely readable. Card brings his songwriter’s sensibility for cadence and brevity to each chapter, opening the text of Scripture with gentle exposition that lets the words and characters of Luke’s work shine through. As his music has helped give voice to the lessons of discipleship for a generation of believers, so Card’s books show great promise to encourage following Christ through faithful study of His Word.
Card’s approach in Luke is to read Scripture imaginatively. This is not to say that he “imagines” the content of Scripture, reading foreign concepts into the Word and making baseless non-contextual interpretations. Rather, he looks deeply at the context, mining the historical details, Luke’s personality and approach to writing, and the Old Testament sensibilities of first century Israel to put readers in the position of amazement at the coming of Christ that those who first witnessed it must have felt. His subtitle comes from Luke’s recurring use of the phrase “they were amazed…” (and other similar constructions); Only Luke’s gospel uses all five Greek terms that describe astonishment. Card states that he wants readers to sense the wonder of God’s work.
This approach results in a style of writing that I’ll call a “devotional commentary”. While insightful, it is not academic—-Card’s goal is not exegesis but observation. He wants to draw readers into a closer look at the life of Christ and a closer walk with Him. By the same token, the depth of his exploration is far above the level of most devotional material, relying on the Word itself for structure and direction and eschewing sentimentality and external stories.
The book itself is warm and immensely readable. Card brings his songwriter’s sensibility for cadence and brevity to each chapter, opening the text of Scripture with gentle exposition that lets the words and characters of Luke’s work shine through. As his music has helped give voice to the lessons of discipleship for a generation of believers, so Card’s books show great promise to encourage following Christ through faithful study of His Word.
April 20, 2025
3.5 stars. I didn’t like it as much as the book about John, but this was the first book in the series so I think he was finding his stride. Still enjoyable, readable, and interesting.
February 17, 2020
In the early days of Contemporary Christian Music, Michael Card was one of my favorite artists. His music always seemed to provide a refreshing insight into a familiar passage of Scripture. I'm not sure when I stumbled across this commentary he wrote, but the title intrigued me. I eventually ordered the Kindle version. I decided to pull it out to use in my daily quiet time. Card provides insights into the text by making the reader think about it through the lens of first century culture. He explains some aspects of Jewishness--although Luke is probably the least Jewish of the Gospels. This commentary does not explore textual criticism of passages nor does it argue theological differences. It is perfect for a layman's daily quiet time. The text presented in the commentary comes from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. (3.5 stars)
May 1, 2025
Read from cover to cover as sermon prep for a series on Luke (which spanned three years off and on). Card's works aren't the most in-depth scholarly works, but you can tell there is scholarship behind it and he is both a wordsmith and devoted to Scripture. His Biblical Imagination series is excellent for devotion and broad-stroke sermon prep.
December 19, 2023
Such a great read. I have always enjoyed Michael Cards music and am enjoying his books now. This was a wonderful add to my study of Luke alongside this past year’s Tabletalk magazine. It grounds you in the story of the gospel of Luke, in his imaginative way, it’s like seeing the gospel anew as the people then experienced His ministry.
The ending was powerful just as the disciples had their eyes opened after Jesus’ resurrection, i felt I understood better what it must have been like to see Jesus after all they had experienced together. How His resurrection and revelation of Himself prepared them for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Highly recommend though I wouldn’t say this is an academic resource, very useful for lay church goers, very accessible.
The ending was powerful just as the disciples had their eyes opened after Jesus’ resurrection, i felt I understood better what it must have been like to see Jesus after all they had experienced together. How His resurrection and revelation of Himself prepared them for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Highly recommend though I wouldn’t say this is an academic resource, very useful for lay church goers, very accessible.
July 18, 2012
I was hoping and expecting more from Michael Card. He does a fantastic job explaining his angle of imagination and his work on the authorship is well done along that angle. But the book is primarily a shallow commentary. I had hoped he would allow more of his artistic and imaginative angle to take us into he narrative. Instead we have somewhat of a disconnected commentary that doesn't do much to be unique or along the lines of his thesis
April 22, 2022
Good commentary and I appreciate that the actual Scriptures are included so you don't have to hop back and forth between your Bible and this book, but I feel like he could have gone more in-depth with some of it. Maybe that was not his purpose. Still very much worth reading.
April 6, 2014
Who doesn’t cherish the memories of gathering around together as a family either on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning to read the story of Jesus’ birth found in the Gospel of Luke. Furthermore, many have fond memories of participating in a church or school Christmas play for which the account of the birth of Jesus found in Luke’s Gospel formed the basis for the script. In the first installment of the outstanding Biblical Imagination Series by musician and author Michael Card rightly called Luke: The Gospel of Amazement, the reader is taken on a journey through the pages of the Gospel of Luke that takes the reader into the world of those who first encountered this carpenter from Nazareth, the Messiah sent to earth who changed the world and saved us from sin.
I have long been a fan of Michael Card’s musical career and have been aware of his ability to put pen to paper to fashion truly amazing lyrics that have addressed in a lyrical narrative manner through the years matters of great biblical importance. It has only been recently that I have discovered the concomitant book writing skills of Card, in particular his Biblical Imagination Series. Card’s treatment of the Gospel of Luke is scholarly yet accessible, in-depth without being overdone, and most importantly his effort engages the reader into the life and ministry of Jesus in a way that is often missing from many commentaries these days.
Card begins this book by examining what is known and what can be ascertained about Luke, the author of the Gospel being examined. It was interesting to read about the possibility of Luke being a slave, something I personally was not aware was an idea with some validity behind it. Card also notes the likelihood that Luke was a Gentile which bears some level of importance especially when considering the audience to which this particular Gospel was addressed. Additionally, something that a musician such as Card would pick up on, Luke seemed to enjoy songs given he relayed several singing events in the early chapters of his gospel by people such as Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon. These are all interesting background elements that help the reader understand who Luke the author was and why he included elements of the life of Christ in his Gospel that are not found in the other gospel accounts.
Before engaging the text of Luke, Card also analyzes the major themes of this gospel, rooting his discussion on the overarching aspect of the word amazement. He notes “There are five Greek words that can be translated “amazed”, and only Luke uses every one of them. Sometimes he uses two different worlds in the same sentence.” Card mentions that fact not as a throw away piece of information or something that can be used for Bible trivia. Conversely, he notes the reality that we must ask the question “Why am I not amazed” followed by the need as we read through the Gospel of Luke to “rediscover a sense of wonder and amazement at this remarkable, mysterious, amazing person called Jesus. With Luke, we might just begin to ask the world, “Is he not amazing?”
There is much to enjoy in Card’s treatment of Luke so I will endeavor to not a few highlights that stuck out to me as I worked through this book the first being the way in which Card expertly weaves in historical information about the passage in question as he examines what Luke is trying to get across. For example, in discussing the events of Luke 11:37-54, a passage where the Pharisees yet again try to trap Jesus with some finer point of the law, Card aptly outlines for the reader the two schools of Pharisaic thought during Jesus’ day, noting in particular “The Pharisees with whom Jesus continually locked horns, like the host of this meal, were the house of Shammai.” That type of information, while seemingly unimportant, is in reality quite valuable to know given the opposing school of Pharisaic thought, the school of Hillel, was often the one Jesus sided with the most thus creating a point of tension that must be noted in this particular pericope.
Another valuable aspect of Card’s effort is quite simply the manner in which he writes. He has the ability to take complex theological topics and to break them down in a way that truly drives right to the heart of what the biblical author is saying that most importantly does not lose the reader in translation. Card certainly shares a number of matters of Jewish history and thought as well as investigating word meanings such as shoshabin, the friend of the bridegroom who traditionally would escort the bride to the bridal chamber. Notably, while he shares that important background information, it is always with the intent of focusing the reader on the greater message being provided by Luke. Card does not waste words by going down rabbit trails with his thoughts or by sharing personal stories that little if anything to do with the text. His analysis is continuously purposeful while at the same time drawing the reader into the world of the first century to the point where you truly feel like you are right there listening to the words of Jesus.
Anyone desiring to understand the message found in the Gospel of Luke should read this book. Michael Card truly is a gifted writer and he wonderfully drives home the reality that the Gospel of Luke is one that outlines our amazing Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I highly recommend this book and the other two books currently available in this series as they are valuable for personal Bible study, personal devotions, small group Bible study or any other endeavor that has as its purpose the careful and purposeful examination of the Gospel of Luke.
I have long been a fan of Michael Card’s musical career and have been aware of his ability to put pen to paper to fashion truly amazing lyrics that have addressed in a lyrical narrative manner through the years matters of great biblical importance. It has only been recently that I have discovered the concomitant book writing skills of Card, in particular his Biblical Imagination Series. Card’s treatment of the Gospel of Luke is scholarly yet accessible, in-depth without being overdone, and most importantly his effort engages the reader into the life and ministry of Jesus in a way that is often missing from many commentaries these days.
Card begins this book by examining what is known and what can be ascertained about Luke, the author of the Gospel being examined. It was interesting to read about the possibility of Luke being a slave, something I personally was not aware was an idea with some validity behind it. Card also notes the likelihood that Luke was a Gentile which bears some level of importance especially when considering the audience to which this particular Gospel was addressed. Additionally, something that a musician such as Card would pick up on, Luke seemed to enjoy songs given he relayed several singing events in the early chapters of his gospel by people such as Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon. These are all interesting background elements that help the reader understand who Luke the author was and why he included elements of the life of Christ in his Gospel that are not found in the other gospel accounts.
Before engaging the text of Luke, Card also analyzes the major themes of this gospel, rooting his discussion on the overarching aspect of the word amazement. He notes “There are five Greek words that can be translated “amazed”, and only Luke uses every one of them. Sometimes he uses two different worlds in the same sentence.” Card mentions that fact not as a throw away piece of information or something that can be used for Bible trivia. Conversely, he notes the reality that we must ask the question “Why am I not amazed” followed by the need as we read through the Gospel of Luke to “rediscover a sense of wonder and amazement at this remarkable, mysterious, amazing person called Jesus. With Luke, we might just begin to ask the world, “Is he not amazing?”
There is much to enjoy in Card’s treatment of Luke so I will endeavor to not a few highlights that stuck out to me as I worked through this book the first being the way in which Card expertly weaves in historical information about the passage in question as he examines what Luke is trying to get across. For example, in discussing the events of Luke 11:37-54, a passage where the Pharisees yet again try to trap Jesus with some finer point of the law, Card aptly outlines for the reader the two schools of Pharisaic thought during Jesus’ day, noting in particular “The Pharisees with whom Jesus continually locked horns, like the host of this meal, were the house of Shammai.” That type of information, while seemingly unimportant, is in reality quite valuable to know given the opposing school of Pharisaic thought, the school of Hillel, was often the one Jesus sided with the most thus creating a point of tension that must be noted in this particular pericope.
Another valuable aspect of Card’s effort is quite simply the manner in which he writes. He has the ability to take complex theological topics and to break them down in a way that truly drives right to the heart of what the biblical author is saying that most importantly does not lose the reader in translation. Card certainly shares a number of matters of Jewish history and thought as well as investigating word meanings such as shoshabin, the friend of the bridegroom who traditionally would escort the bride to the bridal chamber. Notably, while he shares that important background information, it is always with the intent of focusing the reader on the greater message being provided by Luke. Card does not waste words by going down rabbit trails with his thoughts or by sharing personal stories that little if anything to do with the text. His analysis is continuously purposeful while at the same time drawing the reader into the world of the first century to the point where you truly feel like you are right there listening to the words of Jesus.
Anyone desiring to understand the message found in the Gospel of Luke should read this book. Michael Card truly is a gifted writer and he wonderfully drives home the reality that the Gospel of Luke is one that outlines our amazing Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I highly recommend this book and the other two books currently available in this series as they are valuable for personal Bible study, personal devotions, small group Bible study or any other endeavor that has as its purpose the careful and purposeful examination of the Gospel of Luke.
April 27, 2018
Part of my reading for the Good Book Club, studying Luke.
Breaking down the Book of Luke by chapter, Card looks at what's happening and links the passages back to each other and to the other Gospels, looking at the amazing things Jesus did while on Earth. It's really cool to see the angle that Card is going for--though he's more credulous about this being literal than I am--but it's not really new ground compared to other interpretations. It's more a highlighting of "hey, isn't this nifty?" instead of "here's this thing you may not have considered before.
I liked it, but not as much as some of the other books on Luke I've been reading lately as part of this. Worth a look for those studying along, however.
Breaking down the Book of Luke by chapter, Card looks at what's happening and links the passages back to each other and to the other Gospels, looking at the amazing things Jesus did while on Earth. It's really cool to see the angle that Card is going for--though he's more credulous about this being literal than I am--but it's not really new ground compared to other interpretations. It's more a highlighting of "hey, isn't this nifty?" instead of "here's this thing you may not have considered before.
I liked it, but not as much as some of the other books on Luke I've been reading lately as part of this. Worth a look for those studying along, however.
May 29, 2017
Michael Card did a great job of explaining the journey Christ and His disciples were on together during His ministry here on earth.I enjoyed using this as a basis for a bible study with a friend. I felt it left us with a better understanding and answered many of our questions.
November 10, 2018
I confess that this is not my favorite book by Michael Card. However, I did enjoy it and appreciated many of the points that he brought out. I think I was expecting something a little deeper in content or scope. However, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to others.
November 2, 2023
Another Wonderful Treatise by Michael Card
Michael Card is a man of deep faith, who provides deep and unique insight into Luke’s gospel. He always deepens my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Michael Card is a man of deep faith, who provides deep and unique insight into Luke’s gospel. He always deepens my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
March 16, 2019
Probably a nice introduction to the Book of Luke. I want more depth than this, but this is a start.
June 6, 2021
An Amazing in depth look at the Gospel of Luke.
July 25, 2022
Helpful reflections from Michael Card on the Gospel of Luke. Nothing earthshattering, but also very solid and of value. Easy to read. Text of Luke is included in the book.
September 23, 2023
I always appreciate Michael Card’s view and teaching. This was a great book to read devotionally.
Read
December 13, 2025A commentary on the Gospel of Luke, the gospel of Amazement.
March 2, 2022
Card has an amazing ability to pull themes and motifs together and bring the story of Jesus to life. I LOVED his view of women, the other, those who should get it (and don't), and those who should not get it (but to). It was a lovely book to have beside me as I read through Luke, helping to point out details we overlook and helping to cultivate my imagination around a story and person I thought I knew so well.
May 31, 2011
I won this book through goodreads first-reads!
Michael Card provides a conversational commentary to Luke: The Gospel of Amazement. The book is not a theological commentary but also does not lack scholarly insight.
As the commentary notes, Luke's perspective of the spiritual life is a journey. We journey with Luke as he tells his gospel story gleaned from edited eyewitness accounts. Everywhere people are amazed and astonished and in awe of the events surrounding Jesus. Card calls to our attention many perspectives we may not have seen - such as instances of the Holy Spirit at work, the many times Jesus prayed, and the possible understandings and misunderstandings of the disciples.
This book is the first of a gospel series by Card to reflect on "biblical imagination." Not "imaginary" understanding but rather imagination that acts as a vital bridge between the heart and mind. The many parables told by Jesus certainly need a measure of biblical (or holy) imagination to comprehend the depths of meaning.
Card's earlier translation and commentary on the Gospel of John (The Parable of Joy, 1995) also does a good job with biblical imagination and should be considered the first of this new biblical imagination series.
Both books are recommended as additional friendly and insightful commentaries that can help with better understanding (using some holy imagination) the gospels of Jesus.
Michael Card provides a conversational commentary to Luke: The Gospel of Amazement. The book is not a theological commentary but also does not lack scholarly insight.
As the commentary notes, Luke's perspective of the spiritual life is a journey. We journey with Luke as he tells his gospel story gleaned from edited eyewitness accounts. Everywhere people are amazed and astonished and in awe of the events surrounding Jesus. Card calls to our attention many perspectives we may not have seen - such as instances of the Holy Spirit at work, the many times Jesus prayed, and the possible understandings and misunderstandings of the disciples.
This book is the first of a gospel series by Card to reflect on "biblical imagination." Not "imaginary" understanding but rather imagination that acts as a vital bridge between the heart and mind. The many parables told by Jesus certainly need a measure of biblical (or holy) imagination to comprehend the depths of meaning.
Card's earlier translation and commentary on the Gospel of John (The Parable of Joy, 1995) also does a good job with biblical imagination and should be considered the first of this new biblical imagination series.
Both books are recommended as additional friendly and insightful commentaries that can help with better understanding (using some holy imagination) the gospels of Jesus.
July 11, 2011
Imagination is a gift from God. With it we realize our creative potential. In this commentary, Michael Card informs our imagination to help us creatively think through the Gospel according to Luke. Card does not recreate the stories by adding new characters or plot twists. Rather he recreates them in our mind much the same way a historical film does with period speech and dress.In this book, Card lends to the reader his research into the grand narrative of the Gospel. As he expounds on the text, you are drawn into the sights and sounds (if you use your imagination) of Jesus’ culture. You will learn some of the Jewish and Roman customs that will bring the narrative into sharp focus. I found myself at several points imagining I was there with the disciples, stumbling over Jesus’ teachings and thinking about the content of the parables as if I was hearing them for the first time.
This commentary is devotional in nature and does not delve deeply into textual issues or theological nuances. It does not need to. Michael Card leads you, the proverbial horse, to the water and even makes the water seem appealing. But the drinking is up to you. This commentary includes the complete text of Luke from the Holman Christian Standard Bible . I highly recommend this commentary as a devotional companion as you read or study through the Gospel according to Luke.
This commentary is devotional in nature and does not delve deeply into textual issues or theological nuances. It does not need to. Michael Card leads you, the proverbial horse, to the water and even makes the water seem appealing. But the drinking is up to you. This commentary includes the complete text of Luke from the Holman Christian Standard Bible . I highly recommend this commentary as a devotional companion as you read or study through the Gospel according to Luke.
May 14, 2011
This is a commentary on the gospel of Luke. This was an interesting way to look at Luke. I had never really thought about the number of people who showed amazement in the gospel of Luke.
I found this to be a very good book. It gave me a new way to look at a book of the Bible that I have read many times. I think that it has helped me understand the Gospel of Luke better than I did before. This author took the time to help others read the Bible with a mindset of amazement and love.
It tells of how Jesus and Luke seemed to find the people who should not have got it and did get it and compared them to those who should have got it and didn’t get it. It was very interesting to see how the sinners and tax collectors understood Jesus and what He came for while the religious leaders of the time just didn’t get it. Jesus had come for all people but the religious leaders didn’t want Him as He was. They wanted to get rid of Him so that they could remain in power. They feared Him and what He could do to them.
I found this to be a unique way to look at the Gospel of Luke. I got this book as a goodreads giveaway and enjoyed it immensely.
I found this to be a very good book. It gave me a new way to look at a book of the Bible that I have read many times. I think that it has helped me understand the Gospel of Luke better than I did before. This author took the time to help others read the Bible with a mindset of amazement and love.
It tells of how Jesus and Luke seemed to find the people who should not have got it and did get it and compared them to those who should have got it and didn’t get it. It was very interesting to see how the sinners and tax collectors understood Jesus and what He came for while the religious leaders of the time just didn’t get it. Jesus had come for all people but the religious leaders didn’t want Him as He was. They wanted to get rid of Him so that they could remain in power. They feared Him and what He could do to them.
I found this to be a unique way to look at the Gospel of Luke. I got this book as a goodreads giveaway and enjoyed it immensely.
May 24, 2011
I received this advance copy from Goodreads and found this to be a really "amazing" type of Bible-study read. The author was able to open my eyes to the actual author of the Gospel according to the writer, St. Luke. I was able to envision the time in which he wrote and the observations and possible reasons for specifics he wrote, as a physician/doctor back in that time, with comparisons to the writings of Matthew, Mark & John. Michael Card manages to prompt the reader to use one's imagination while reading Luke's words (with his own insights to what was, through historical research, and to what might have been, through his own imagination, going on at each juncture and chapter). I'm excited now to read Mr. Card's upcoming books on the other three Gospel writers in future masterpieces. Never before have I been able to imagine the scenes (and to place myself within their midst) and actually feel part of the experience in a living, breathing Bible. Well done, Michael Card! You've won another fan and have encouraged my faith to new levels I might never have before experienced! A truly AMAZING piece of writing.
June 18, 2011
Michael Card offers his perspective of the gospels with the Gospel according to Luke along with his assumptions of some of the history behind how the gospel came to be in todays literature. He chooses to focus the book almost as a combination of both sermon and wider generic understanding and appeal.
What readers will need to remember while viewing his book is that this is only one of millions of perspectives and reviews of the same gospel and to accept that everyone is entitled to his or her own unique opinion of the gospels. It helped me take a turn at further understanding or defending any of my own opinions about what is being taught or discussed throughout the gospels to people of today. Yet at the same time Card has helped in further understanding current or new ideas being brought forth from the same text.
What readers will need to remember while viewing his book is that this is only one of millions of perspectives and reviews of the same gospel and to accept that everyone is entitled to his or her own unique opinion of the gospels. It helped me take a turn at further understanding or defending any of my own opinions about what is being taught or discussed throughout the gospels to people of today. Yet at the same time Card has helped in further understanding current or new ideas being brought forth from the same text.
July 16, 2015
This is something of a commentary on the book of Luke, but as I read it, it struck me more as a Charlotte Mason-style narration. Each section of the Scripture is presented, then Michael Card ruminates. Sometimes his thoughts are just a telling back of the events and aren't especially interesting. More often, he brings historical context to the table, plus some of his own imaginings, and suggests some ways of looking at the account that might challenge you to think outside the box a little bit—almost always in a good way, though. Rarely did I feel like Card was stretching to make a point. The book was full of "wow, that's interesting!" moments. I've put the rest of the series on my wish list.
August 20, 2011
I am not very religious at all, but I have always been interested in reading the Bible. In this book, the author takes the Gospel of Luke, and breaks it down into manageable chunks (never more than 1 page and usually less). He explains the meanings of the passage. Michael Card keeps your interest in the Bible verses, and he is very good at tying it all together so that you also have an understanding of the big picure (how the events in the gospel relate to what is going on during that historical time period, etc). I found it very fascinating. I would be interested in reading other gospels, etc that Michael Card explains like this.
July 17, 2011
Short review: Very good devotional style commentary on Luke. Card does a good job writing for devotional or lay focused reading while still bringing in good insights from his academic background. I will look forward to reading additional books in this series by Card.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/luke-card/
By the way, this is the first book that I read on my iPad2. Still really prefer the kindle, but I tend to read my bible on iPad and since I was reading this devotionally, I read it on the iPad.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/luke-card/
By the way, this is the first book that I read on my iPad2. Still really prefer the kindle, but I tend to read my bible on iPad and since I was reading this devotionally, I read it on the iPad.
January 4, 2012
Incredibly accessible and refreshing look at the Gospel of Luke. Card takes a sort of unpolished, undisciplined approach to his commentary which allows him to explore potential themes and motivations that might not get visited in a more structured setting. His desire is to really allow us the opportunity to enter in to the life and mind of the writer, and his knowledge bridged with his creative voice is filled with great insight. I know that it has helped me to read Luke's Gospel with a new set of eyes.
February 17, 2016
This is a very nice translation/narrative commentary of the book of Luke. It's broken down by chapter, and each chapter is further broken down into bite-sized pieces. If I'd timed this better I could probably have read small enough chunks to read the Christmas story during Advent and the Crucifixion during Holy Week--maybe another year.
Michael Card does well to, as he puts it, engage with the imagination, while not losing sight of truth. We are invited to be amazed with the people who encounter Jesus, and wrestle with the questions and statements he makes.
Michael Card does well to, as he puts it, engage with the imagination, while not losing sight of truth. We are invited to be amazed with the people who encounter Jesus, and wrestle with the questions and statements he makes.
January 2, 2013
I've read this before and am currently taking a group of high school girls through it as a Bible study guide. Mike has a wonderful skill of bringing the reader through the biblical texts from an 'informed imagination'. In this gospel, one main theme Mike points out is how amazed people constantly were...but not those who should have been. Paradoxically, those who should have been amazed oftentimes were not. This book will challenge the reader to see the gospel of Luke in a whole new light.
January 20, 2016
I’ve been reading this slowly, over the course of a year, as a devotional, and I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s more like a commentary than a devotional, but a more succinct one than an average commentary. It’s broken up into very short sections, which makes it easy to read in bite-size pieces. I was surprised to discover that there details about the context he pointed out that I hadn’t yet absorbed, and thoroughly enjoyed this slow walk through the gospel of Luke.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews