{"id":23354,"date":"2018-12-14T04:15:26","date_gmt":"2018-12-14T12:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ordinary-fan.flywheelsites.com\/?p=23354"},"modified":"2021-09-24T20:21:29","modified_gmt":"2021-09-25T03:21:29","slug":"special-god-by-julie-mililli","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/redeemedreader.com\/special-god-by-julie-mililli\/","title":{"rendered":"Special God by Julie Mililli"},"content":{"rendered":"

Special God sets out to explain biblical theological concepts to young children and those with special needs.<\/em><\/p>\n

Special God<\/em><\/strong> by Julie Mililli, design by Matt Stevens.\u00a0 Crossway, 2018, 59 pages including grossary.\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reading Level<\/strong>: Picture book, ages 4-8<\/p>\n

Recommended for<\/strong>: ages 5-8 as a read-aloud, 7-10 for independent reading<\/p>\n

In the Introduction, the author recounts her search for a clear introduction to Christian theology for her daughter, a developmentally-challenged girl adopted out of a third-world orphanage.\u00a0 Many of the books she encountered included cultural or familial references, or illustrations and figures of speech her daughter wouldn\u2019t understand.\u00a0 Her failure to find what she was looking for led to\u00a0Special God<\/em>, an introduction to theology written with special-needs children in mind.\u00a0 Though handsomely produced it includes no pictures, just simple graphic representations of such concepts as sin, death and separation.\u00a0 A glance at the contents gives an idea of the conceptual arc: \u201cGod is Holy,\u201d \u201cJesus Instead of You,\u201d \u201cPhysical and Spiritual Body,\u201d \u201cMystery,\u201d \u201cEternal Life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most of these terms are explained effectively; the closest we might ever be able to express pure theology for a 6-year-old.\u00a0 The explanation of God\u2019s holiness is one of the best I\u2019ve read for any age: \u201cHe is set apart all by himself . . . He is the best and the most of all things that are good and true.\u201d\u00a0 Elsewhere, what theologians call double imputation<\/em> is beautifully stated as, \u201cJesus took all the sin you had, and he gave you all the holiness that he has.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other expressions could have used a bit of editing: \u201c[God] has chosen to put your needs above his own\u201d implies that God has needs, which I\u2019m sure the author didn\u2019t mean but could have be expressed some other way.\u00a0 I take issue also with, \u201cYou will never be perfect, and you will always be a sinner.\u201d\u00a0 What about in heaven?\u00a0 Another chapter describes redemption this way: \u201cJesus, who never sinned, will get blamed . . . because of that sin, Jesus will be separated from God instead of you . . . Jesus won\u2019t be separated from God forever, and he won\u2019t be punished forever . . .\u201d\u00a0 The plan of salvation is presented here as though it were still in the future\u2014on the drawing board, so to speak\u2014but the tense might be confusing for a child (since it was for me!).\u00a0 Still, this would be a useful addition to a church library or a family with special needs children\u2014and maybe not too late to add to your gift list.<\/p>\n

Cautions<\/strong>: None<\/p>\n

Overall rating: 4.25<\/strong> (out of 5)<\/p>\n