Rhyming Gospels

by Bernard Williams

Hannibal, Missouri is known around the world as the "hometown of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn." That's because Mark Twain, the author of the Tom Sawyer adventures, lived there. It is a colorful little town, filled with quaint and charming houses and people--none more interesting than Bernard Williams, a retired professor of political science at Hannibal-LaGrange College and former mayor of the city. For more decades than anyone can remember, Williams has been putting everything that comes his way into rhyme. When he was a young professor, students at Hannibal-LaGrange remember him as the fellow who could put dress codes, parking regulations and chapel announcements into rhyme. Over the years Williams developed a reputation for being the poet laureate of Hannibal. And even today, deep into his retirement years, Williams is noted for his sharp wit expressed in rhyme. That was one of the reasons Dr. Larry L. Lewis, when he was president of Hannibal-LaGrange College, suggested to Williams that he consider putting the New Testament into rhyme. "This had never been done, and I felt such an effort would be well received by English speakers throughout the world," Lewis said. Not one to turn down a challenge, Williams set about turning the Gospels According to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John into poetry. The result is The Rhyming Gospels which is now in its second printing. Due to continuing demand and its popularity, Hannibal Books released the new printing in March 2001. Due to popular request, a special presentation page has been added, making it more convenience to give as a gift. Here's a sample of the Bible set to
Matthew 1:18-20: "The birth of Jesus came like
Joseph throught he'd been deceived.
For although engaged to Mary
He found she had conceived. A righteous man was Joseph,
To serve God he did aspire.
He balked to marry her,
but to Disgrace her had no desire. An angel spoke in a dream.
This message he
'Joseph, take Mary as your wife,
For by the Spirit she's conceived. And another from Luke 18:1: "He told to them a parable,
That they should always pray,
And should not be discouraged if
Not answered right away." Christian bookstores today are filled with numerous new versions of the Bible, but none are as fun and daring as this one. The Rhyming Gospels is a must for anyone wanting to enjoy the gospel stories from a truly creative perspective. Order your copy today. In fact, order several as gifts. The presentation page in the reprint makes giving this book as a gift quite simple.

172 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

About the author

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Reviews

[Joshua Marcengill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh! I can't imagine how valuable this little book would be if you had kids! It could also really help with the memorization of these wonderful four gospels. As a bonus, everyone-without a permanent lemon face-would smile when you quoted from it. Beautiful and refreshing! I just loved how fun it is and will be referencing it from now on.