Review of Snatched Up to Heaven!
Posted: 30 Aug 2024, 07:00
[Following is a volunteer review of "Snatched Up to Heaven!" by Jemima Paul and Arvind Paul.]
"Snatched Up to Heaven!" by Jemima Paul and Arvind Paul is a Christian children's book that explores concepts of heaven and hell through the dreams of two young sisters, Priyanka and Deepika. The book examines the dreams of Priyanka and Deepika, in which they describe their observations of heaven and hell. Their dreams include vivid descriptions of angels and demons, lush gardens, and a flaming underworld. Jemima and Arvind Paul, the parents of Priyanka and Deepika, provide interpretations of these dreams alongside relevant passages from scripture, suggesting that the dreams could be divinely prophetic in nature.
One notable strength of the book is its structured organization. The authors present the girls' dreams first, followed by scriptural references, and then offer theological interpretations. This arrangement helps readers understand how the dreams relate to the Bible. Another strength is the use of archetypal language in the dreams, with descriptions of rainbows and butterflies, flowing water, and lush vegetation. Biblical authors often used similar language and imagery when discussing supernatural concepts. This use of figurative language creates a faithful and authentic depiction for readers. I also appreciated the vivid and detailed imagery of each dream and the book’s frequent references to Bible passages.
As for the shortcomings of this book, some aspects of the story may be contentious. Certain scriptural interpretations in the book may not align with contemporary biblical scholarship. For instance, the book references Isaiah 14:13 to suggest that heaven is located beyond the stars; however, most Old Testament scholars interpret “the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north” as referring to Mt. Tsaphon. In Hebrew, “North” is translated from “Tsaphon,” and Mt. Tsaphon was historically known as a meeting place of God's divine assembly. Ancient Israelites understood this location to be on earth, atop Mt. Tsaphon, rather than in deep space, as the book suggests. Additionally, the book’s interpretation of “The satan” in the Book of Job as “Satan” is questionable, as “The satan” in the Old Testament can also refer to the Angel of the Lord. Contemporary biblical scholarship generally agrees that Satan, “The Evil One,” does not actually appear in the Book of Job. These issues suggest that this book may be more suitable for lay audiences rather than for more academically oriented Christians and raise questions about the accuracy of the authors' interpretations.
Despite these issues, "Snatched Up to Heaven!" remains an enjoyable read. The book appears to be professionally edited and provides an engaging experience for general audiences. The rich imagery and thought-provoking interpretations of scripture kept me interested throughout. While there are differing interpretations of scripture, which are common in theological and hermeneutical discussions, these differences do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the book. For these reasons, I am giving "Snatched Up to Heaven!" 5 out of 5 stars.
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Snatched Up to Heaven!
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
"Snatched Up to Heaven!" by Jemima Paul and Arvind Paul is a Christian children's book that explores concepts of heaven and hell through the dreams of two young sisters, Priyanka and Deepika. The book examines the dreams of Priyanka and Deepika, in which they describe their observations of heaven and hell. Their dreams include vivid descriptions of angels and demons, lush gardens, and a flaming underworld. Jemima and Arvind Paul, the parents of Priyanka and Deepika, provide interpretations of these dreams alongside relevant passages from scripture, suggesting that the dreams could be divinely prophetic in nature.
One notable strength of the book is its structured organization. The authors present the girls' dreams first, followed by scriptural references, and then offer theological interpretations. This arrangement helps readers understand how the dreams relate to the Bible. Another strength is the use of archetypal language in the dreams, with descriptions of rainbows and butterflies, flowing water, and lush vegetation. Biblical authors often used similar language and imagery when discussing supernatural concepts. This use of figurative language creates a faithful and authentic depiction for readers. I also appreciated the vivid and detailed imagery of each dream and the book’s frequent references to Bible passages.
As for the shortcomings of this book, some aspects of the story may be contentious. Certain scriptural interpretations in the book may not align with contemporary biblical scholarship. For instance, the book references Isaiah 14:13 to suggest that heaven is located beyond the stars; however, most Old Testament scholars interpret “the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north” as referring to Mt. Tsaphon. In Hebrew, “North” is translated from “Tsaphon,” and Mt. Tsaphon was historically known as a meeting place of God's divine assembly. Ancient Israelites understood this location to be on earth, atop Mt. Tsaphon, rather than in deep space, as the book suggests. Additionally, the book’s interpretation of “The satan” in the Book of Job as “Satan” is questionable, as “The satan” in the Old Testament can also refer to the Angel of the Lord. Contemporary biblical scholarship generally agrees that Satan, “The Evil One,” does not actually appear in the Book of Job. These issues suggest that this book may be more suitable for lay audiences rather than for more academically oriented Christians and raise questions about the accuracy of the authors' interpretations.
Despite these issues, "Snatched Up to Heaven!" remains an enjoyable read. The book appears to be professionally edited and provides an engaging experience for general audiences. The rich imagery and thought-provoking interpretations of scripture kept me interested throughout. While there are differing interpretations of scripture, which are common in theological and hermeneutical discussions, these differences do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the book. For these reasons, I am giving "Snatched Up to Heaven!" 5 out of 5 stars.
******
Snatched Up to Heaven!
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
