Books like Benjamin's Box: A Resurrection Story
Benjamin's Box: A Resurrection Story
I very much disliked this book. I understand the draw, and the reasoning behind it, but the whole thing is on rocky ground, and I'd much rather just read my kids the story straight from the gospels. It's certainly safer to do so.A few thoughts:The author inserted a kid into the story and had him interact with Jesus and the disciples (Judas, mostly) in a way that is dangerously close to adding to the Scriptures.The way Jesus is presented is contrary to the gospels. This book's all-loving all-forgiving Jesus is not the Man who came to bring "not peace, but a sword", and drove the money-changers out of the temple, and mocked the Pharisees.Lastly, the title character thought he was to blame for Jesus' death, and carried that guilt until he learned of the resurrection and felt that he was forgiven. This bothered me quite a bit. The kid didn't actually do anything wrong, but the narration is at best unclear about whether or not he's correct to feel guilty. He's implicated in Judas' crime, and I think that was a huge mistake. Kids need to have clear lines drawn about where responsibility begins & ends, lest they take guilt on themselves which is not theirs.