Guarding the Treasure: How God's People Preserve God's Word

by Linda Finlayson

When a powerful king learned to read, his people came to understand the true value of God's Word. When a young scholar translated the Bible into English he risked his life to smuggle it into the country. When a young man turned down the challenge to fight for his country it meant there was one less soldier for America but one more to make sure that the people of Guatemala received Bibles. Then in 1982 a young woman peers intently towards the sky... an aeroplane is due with some precious cargo. This plane has boxes and to find out their contents go to chapter one! King Alfred; William Tyndale, Cameron Townsend and Jo Shetlar are all examples of Christian believers who Guarded the Treasure of God's word. Men and women like them have travelled far and wide, lived a life of danger and adventure and have even died because of the Bible. They did this so that others would hear about the only true salvation through Jesus Christ.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

There is an odd notion among school children that history is boring, just full of dates and events. But in fact history is really about people and their stories. Their stories range from dramatic adventures to examples of quiet courage, from those who chose to pursue the good and those who did not. What a treasure chest for a writer to choose from, especially for children.

I write biographies and true adventure stories for children partly to entertain and partly to teach. There's nothing wrong with a fast-paced tale to keep a child focused on a book, and if they can be learning about their Christian heritage at the same time, all the better. There are many men and women in church history who can act as inspiring examples to our children, and it is my hope to make them accessible through my books.

I have enjoyed working with children in schools, churches and children's clubs, and these ministry opportunities have inspired me to bring together my love of books, children and history.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow going and packed with information but I learned a lot reading Guarding the Treasure. It spans from the time of Moses to 1936, introducing the many people and events that paved the way for the King James Bible (and other variations) to come about.

Interspersed with the short chapters about individuals, are FYI pages about how a book is made in ancient times or where universities came from. You get a better understanding not just of how the Bible is coming about, but what the individuals who worked on it faced in their lives and the areas where they lived and worked.

I gained a deeper appreciation for my Bible, how it was put together, but also my freedom to read it and know for myself what God’s word says.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging book for kids on the history of how the Bible came to be and how God has worked through people to preserve, print, and translate it over the years. My son and I learned so much and have a better appreciation for the Bibles in our home and how blessed we are to own and read them!

[Kristie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to the kids and it was a wonderful book about how we got the Bible and the work of Bible translators through the ages

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guarding the Treasure is a good introduction to "How God's People Preserve God's Word." This book is filled with lots of interesting facts and includes a glossary, maps, illustrations, and an extensive bibliography. The author, Linda Finlayson, does an excellent job engaging her reader by alternating between informative and narrative text. My eight-year-old (an avid reader) promptly disappeared to read this book.

In Guarding the Treasure, Ms. Finlayson tells of the authors, translators, authorities, smugglers, linguists, teachers, missionaries, and others who God has used to bring His Word to people. Through history, Ms. Finlayson also gently acquaints her reader with ideological issues and raises questions that are still relevant today. For example, in 1564-1611, Richard Bancroft and Laurence Chaderton debated varying worship styles. Here's a peak at the discussion:

"Laurence shook his head and sat down in the only chair in the room. 'The Church of England is full of the same ceremonies and rituals that I grew up with in the Catholic Church. According to Calvin, we should worship God simply in spirit and truth, with praise, prayer, Scripture reading, preaching and the sacraments.'

'No, no!' Richard replied, punching the pillow for emphasis. 'God is holy, majestic and beyond our understanding. Would you come into his presence as if you were speaking to the butcher? We don't just stroll into the palace as if the Queen is of no importance. How much more should we approach God with all reverence and awe!'

"...Laurence gave a small smile and reached over to put a cloth marker in the book he had been reading. This debate between them was not new. Richard strongly believed that the Anglican Church was following the right way to worship God and especially because it had been ordained by their good queen, Elizabeth. But Laurence was more convinced that the simple Puritan approach was right. The church didn't need all the other ceremonies. Neither would give ground to the other as they enthusiastically debated the issue" (pg. 160-161).

Ms. Finlayson is sensitive to varying doctrinal positions and doesn't add personal commentary as she presents these types of secondary issues. As a result, you will be able to think through them with your children and discuss what the Bible says.

Although Guarding the Treasure brings to light sacrifices made by those who have gone before us, there is a more important reason to study history: to see God's faithfulness to all generations. He loves us so much that He has given us His Words and has preserved them for all of us. Even when the challenges seemed insurmountable by human standards (like getting 50 guys to put aside their differences to work on translating God's Word), God showed that nothing is impossible for Him. We can trust Him because He has always been faithful, and He never changes. We can speak the truth without fear, and we can make sacrifices, not because of who we are but because of who He is and what He has done for us in Christ!

In conclusion, Ms. Finlayson notes that the work of preserving God's Word is not done; we are part of the story. So far, God has used Wycliffe Bible Translators to translate the Bible into over 700 languages. "They estimate there are still over 2,000 languages without the Bible and Wycliffe Bible Translators plan, with God's help, to translate the Bible into every one of them" (pg. 213).

"But what is most important is that we, like Christians throughout history, value our Bibles just as they did long ago. We must read God's Word and obey it. The Bible has come to us through the mighty work of the Holy Spirit and the obedience of God's servants through the ages. We have been given a treasure, a precious and valuable book from the Creator of the universe and the One who loves us. It is the most important book in the world" (pg. 214).

Guarding the Treasure will teach your children to value and respect their Bibles. Although it was written for children aged 8-12, people of all ages will find it interesting and will be encouraged to read the Word daily and learn how God wants them to live their lives. I highly recommend this book!

*Many thanks to Christian Focus Publications for sending me a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion!

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

History and spread of the Bible.