O príncipe e a taça de veneno

by R.C. Sproul

Neste conto cativante, o teólogo e pastor R. C. Sproul apresenta, de forma clara e fácil, importantes conceitos bíblicos para as crianças. Através de ricas metáforas, O príncipe e a taça de veneno conta a história da obediência de Jesus ao beber o terrível cálice da ira de Deus que lhe custou um alto preço: humilhação, sofrimento e morte. As crianças aprenderão sobre a vitória de Cristo e o grande bem que resultou de sua obediência ao Pai. As ricas ilustrações de Justin Gerard irão prender a atenção das crianças, enquanto uma seção de perguntas com referências bíblicas, ao final do livro, ajudarão os pais a ensinarem seus filhos sobre as grandes verdades que estão por trás desta emocionante história.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Christian, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Theology, Christianity

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Danette · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Calvin's 7th birthday from the Howards.

I can't tell you how much I love this book. I especially love to read it aloud to the children around Resurrection Sunday.

4/15/17 Read with Julia.
3/14/21 Read with my preschool class
4/3/22 Read with my preschool class
4/22/22 Read with Julia
5/8/22 Read with the primary class
4/2/23 Read with my preschool class
3/3/24 Read with my preschool class
4/19/25 Read with Julia

[Parker James Lipetska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes this is a children’s book and yes I cried reading it.

[Matthew Manchester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please bear with me as I try to parse my thoughts. This review is longer than expected for a kids' book but it triggered me.

SUMMARY

I always feel awkward reviewing a Sproul book because (1) he's no longer alive and (2) I'm not nearly as smart and learned as he was. However, I love stories and fiction. I love words and what they convey. I'm more like John Piper than Sproul in that way. Stories aren't just a means to an end. Words can be beautiful, in and of themselves.

The premise of this story is a child wondering why her medicine tastes so bad. So of course we're gonna talk about the sufferings of Christ.

Side-note: Does every Sproul kids' book start with a child asking their parent something, and the parent say "ask your grandfather" (who is a Sproul like character)? Sproul writes a story about a grandfather telling a story to a child, every-time. But no "middle narrator" is needed.

THE GOOD

The gospel is clear. While the story isn't imaginative, it recounts the story of salvation. It just replaces the tree in the garden with a fountain in a park.

I found the pacing of the story better than any other Sproul (kids') book I've read. It also wasn't as wordy as some of his other titles.

THE CHALLENGES

I've mentioned before:

The more I read children's books, there are three areas of focus that these books tend to miss:
1. The rhythm, flow, and pacing of the story
2. The simplicity and imagination of the words on the page
3. The engagement of the art

In my opinion, this book passes the first point, but fails on the second and third points.

Again, the premise of this story is a child wondering why her medicine tastes so bad. Sproul has the grandfather state at the ending summary of the book:

“I want you to remember that we get sick because of our sinfulness. That’s why the medicine that makes our bodies well usually looks and tastes bad.”

I just can't.

It might as well be ---
Kid: "Mommy, why does it hurt so much when you slam your fingers in a doorway?"
Mom: "Because you're a sinner, honey."

That's such a minimal view of pain, unpleasantness, and sin. To go a step farther, it feels dismissive.

Also, kids' medicine taste good for the most part, so the book seems to be answering a question very few kids are asking.

As for the story itself, I found it to be quite unimaginative and bland. It doesn't make narrative sense. I've been realizing more and more that only the Bible can make sense of its own narrative. The whys and hows are important and it takes the whole Bible to make sense of the Bible's story. There are big logical/narrative holes in this story (even for a kids book) and Sproul seems to imply "well, you know the Bible story so just use that to fill in the holes." That is not good/great writing.

CONCLUSION

Reading this book, I've realized the pro/con of (solely) reading theology books. I am willing to bet that Sproul rarely read fiction and when he did read fiction, it was probably The Pilgrim's Progress or a book like it with explicit Christian metaphors.

This is closer to a catechism book than a children's book.

Personally, I feel these are children's books for adults, not for kids. There's so much beauty and common grace found in fiction and creative writing. I wish more of it was applied here.

Knowing theology doesn't mean you know how to tell a gripping story.

2.5 stars, rounded up.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars ✨

Children’s Fiction

When Ella gets sick and has to take yucky medicine, she wonders why something that will help her get well has to taste so bad. When she puts the question to Grandpa, he tells her the story of a great King and His subjects who enjoyed wonderful times together―until the people rebelled against the King and drank from a forbidden well.

Loved this so much, such a beautiful allegory- highly recommend!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It's the only way to heal our people."

After all this time, I have finally gotten around to reading R.C. Sproul's The Prince's Poison Cup.

I was surprised to find it as an audiobook on Hoopla, and more so by its production. There was music, sound effects, and the author himself did a great job with his delivery.

The story itself is a retelling of the Gospel. It was fun listening to Sproul read while following along with the book and taking in the beautiful illustrations.

[Abigail Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the audio book on hoopla that is read by R. C. It’s great fun.

[Troy Nevitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story for kids to see the king of life who makes a plan to heal his hateful subjects in an act of great love.

[Tirzah · Rating 3 out of 5]

After sitting on my to read list for the longest time, I finally requested a library copy and read The Prince's Poison Cup. The book layout and illustrations are appealing, designed in a way that gives a medieval, fairy tale feel. The story is a clear allegory of the fall of man and his redemption through Jesus's death. There are discussion questions at the back of the book for parents/guardians and children.

I recommend to Christian families, particularly ones with young children. This gentle story may help youngsters better understand the sometimes complex nature of sin and redemption. I also recommend to non Christian families, too who want to perceive it as a good fairy tale read aloud, setting aside the religious aspect if they so choose.

For pure bragging purposes, I must add I listened to author's son, R. C. Sproul, Jr. at a conference many moons ago.

[Bambi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true gospel tool for children. Read it to my Sunday School class of 6-9 year-olds and they were engaged throughout the story, asked great questions and even connected some of the redemption “dots” themselves. Every home should have this book in it!

[myla]

pretty sure this slightly traumatized me as a child

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

June 23, 2024 * 4 stars

[Bobby James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the gospel in fantasy mode. But super boring.

[Scott Seney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. Jesus took the cup that I deserved.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it! Truly I do. But as wonderful and delightful a tale as it is, written and illustrated so beautifully, I found that lingering disappointment that the analogy falls short, as this Prince only "heals". For the rich biblical theology RC Sproul holds to, I found this lacking, as the bible clearly states we are dead in our sins. On the flip side the clearness of the hearts being stone then turned to softened hearts of flesh is true to biblical accounts.

And so I am conflicted, I wish to give it 5 stars because Sprouls children's books are some of my favorites, I can only muster 4 1/2. I would highly recommend this book, but must be honest enough to admit it has short comings.

[Arin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review here: http://lunchboxsw.wordpress.com/2011/...

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 5 out of 5]

The five star rating is from Julia. I really enjoyed the allegory. Julia enjoyed figuring out what each element stood for.

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

My eyes are still healing from this trauma.

I didnt realize it was a religious parable to teach Christian morals until it was too late.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the story, 3 for illustrations. I love the cover, so I was disappointed that the inside illustrations were not up to the same standards. Many of the pictures were dark and difficult to decipher. This was a big let down for me, also why I think it would not work well in a group storytelling setting.

Aside from that, the story is well thought out and told in a way that would make a child really think about Jesus' sacrifice for us.

[Rlsommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obvious parallels

The parallels to the mission of Christ to save man are a little to obvious but it is still a pleasant story and a good reminder for the kids (and us) of what God accomplished through the Son’s sacrifice and obedience. Also accurately portrays that those who come to to drink are first changed so as to desire the drink.

[Vanessa Cardim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um dos meus livros cristãos infantis favoritos neste momento. Além de utilizar várias referências bíblicas, é um livro que nos aponta sempre para Cristo de uma forma que as crianças conseguem compreender. Amo a forma como foi escrito e amo ler e reler. As ilustrações são perfeitas e os meninos amam!

[Stephen Lay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, there's nothing that special here. It is an adequate and faithful allegory to God's redemptive work of sending his son for us, but it would probably only be suitable for young children. It had nothing of the depth of insight of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, but for a 16 minute read, you can't expect that much.

tl;dr It's a quaint allegory about Jesus suitable for small children.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When his granddaughter struggles to take yucky medicine, a grandfather tells a story of a prince who willingly drank a cup full of poison to save his people. This book tells a fine allegorical story that parallels what Christ has done. Includes discussion questions and Scripture verses in the back for parents and children.

[Sam Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss Sproul's presence in evangelicalism so much. I read this to my kids (7 and 4) last weekend and it does a good job at conveying substitutionary atonement in a way that kids can grasp. This won't be my last of his children's books that we try out!

[Sara Lyma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Para crianças e juniores , uma leitura perfeita para ser feita a noite , proximo a cama , na hora de dormir , da pra ler de uma vez so , as ilustracoes são lindas , com certeza marcara a vida de muitos pequeninos e seus pais tambem , eu recomendo muito .

[Dan Mingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife has been telling me to read this kids book. Sprout does an excellent job of telling the gospel story a little bit different for kids. What I like the most is that he then walks the parents and kids right through the gospel message and how his story correlates. Great little kids book.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it be your will Lord, let this cup pass from me but if not, not my will but yours be done.
Such a sweet story mirroring what The King of Kings did by taking on the cup of wrath for those who are thirsty.
Love this story💕

[Paul Head · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good illustrations and an interesting take on Genesis. However, simplifying Calvinism to appear in a children’s book makes God appear even more capricious and arbitrary than what adult Calvinism usually tries to keep within the bounds of a hidden will.

[Mary Tiginyanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are able to listen to the audiobook version, I recommend it. It’s read by R.C. Sproul. I can imagine him reading this story to his grandchildren. It’s such a sweet, poignant illustration of the Gospel.

[Krem · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible book, especially for children.
I guess if your goal is to make your child obedient servant, who does not think for themselves, it is a good book for you.
Also this book tells your child in plain text that they are a SINNER???? WTF

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful story.