GOD'S NATURE Sonlight Sunlight
"First there was Tozer... then Packer... now Russell has taken us further. "
~ Dr. Earl Radmacher, General Editor of the Nelson Study Bible / NKJV Study Bible
1 John 1:5
eBook ISBN:
978-1393359371
ASIN: B083L97PZV
Print Edition ISBN:979-8223228738
About 206 pages
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"AMAZON BEST SELLER"
Science and Scripture Align!
Fascinating parallels between natural light (the sun) and spiritual light (the Son of God) including: omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience, invisibility, immutability, immortality, holiness, self-existence, sovereignty, and the dual-nature of Christ on earth. Truly amazing insights and teaching.
This book is an updated version of the first two parts of the prior book “God Light” which won six book awards.• Gold Medal Winner, Christian Non-Fiction, Readers' Favorites Award• Best Book, Religion—Christianity, World Book Award• Winner, Religion—Non-Fiction, Beverly Hills Book Award
• First Place, Religion (Eastern/Western), Reader Views Award• Runner-Up, Religion—Christianity, USA Best Book Awards• Finalist, Book—Biblical Studies, The Word Guild (Canada)
REVIEWS: GOD'S NATURE Sonlight Sunlight
Alexandra Antipa (Germany) ~ A book which draws compelling parallels between natural and spiritual light. The author introduces us to profound Christian truths, offering a direct invitation to reflection. Are you ready to think and grow?
God is Light This is the inspirational statement on which the entire book is based. We dive into the universe of religion, discovering a series of short essays about light, both spiritual and physical. After reading each chapter, it is practically impossible not to fall prey to reverie, and think about your own take on life and how much light influences daily existence. I liked how the author described his work as “broad strokes of a brush," leaving it up to the reader to build on the original premise. Here we have a book that offers plenty of opportunities for personal study, prayer, and meditation. If you are looking for something to lift your spirit, read the beautiful poem the author’s five-year old granddaughter has written. Not surprisingly, it is entitled “God is Light”. Physical light versus spiritual light
“Will it be light or dark in Heaven?” This is the question the author’s daughter asks one day, and one I believe we have all asked ourselves. I enjoyed how the author has used anecdotes from his daily life as starting points for the discussion regarding physical and spiritual light.
The wealth of detail included in this book is astounding, whether we are talking about details concerning light as a physical phenomenon, or spirituality as the very thing that guides us through life. It is true that we have yet to fully comprehend how light affects us, despite the many theories proposed throughout time.
God is the only source of light, the author tells us, and by accepting this fact, we will enjoy a spiritual life. He is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient, and the “key to understanding either physical or spiritual light” is to observe what it can do. We cannot deny the dualistic nature of light, and it is a good thing we are aware of its presence – like many other things in life, it invites us to think about the mystery of our existence.
Throughout the book, the author approaches many important themes, including death and immortality. I liked the idea that the spiritual light coming from God brings man out of the darkness, and how the author quoted Plato to remind us the real tragedy is when we become afraid of the dark.
Verdict A beautiful book, which invites the reader to reflect on the influence of both physical and spiritual light. The author has done a great job in presenting a deep analysis of religious elements, but I also liked the introduction of theories about life and the numerous anecdotes borrowed from real life. The final line of the book sums the reading experience to perfection – “are you walking in the light or just living in the light?”
GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight ISBN: 978-1393359371 https://books2read.com/GodsNature
Reader Responses (to an earlier version)
☆☆☆☆☆ 5 out of 5 stars
jeanluc ~ This powerful, thought provoking book inspires as it amazes. Both scripturally and scientifically, Mr. Russell shows how the secrets of our universe are intimately connected with light and how light remarkably unlocks the truth about all things. While the author skillfully weaves his way through scripture and countless scientific theories, we can’t help but realize that God is light, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was the light of the world, and that we are children of light. And at every point of our reading journey through this book, we see the true vastness of creation. The book is set up invitingly, and the remarkable parallels of Sonlight and sunlight are clearly expressed. One seldom finds a scientific, Christian book so deeply researched and so well written. I would definitely recommend this book.
Dr. Earl Radmacher, Chancellor of Western Seminary ~ There is a tremendous need for a book on this subject. We have witnessed the publication of many books around the statement “God is Love,” but I cannot recall ever seeing one around the statement “God is Light.” It is important that these two attributes of God be brought into conjunction with each other because it is really impossible to discuss love intelligently without understanding light ...
First there was Tozer with "The Knowledge of the Holy," and then Packer gave us "Knowing God," and now Russell has taken us further.
(Dr. Radmacher is also the General Editor of the Nelson and New King James Study Bibles.)
Richard C. Halverson, Chaplain, U.S. Senate ~ It is must reading.
Dr. Joe Aldrich, past President, Multnomah Bible College & Biblical Seminary ~ He obviously is hitting on all twelve cylinders! What an exciting insight into Christ as the light of the world. Thank God for people like this who have the background to illuminate some of these Biblical concepts.
Ronald B. Allen, Th.D., Professor of Hebrew Scripture at Dallas Seminary ~ I was utterly fascinated ... I am impressed with the work that you have done, with the directionality it has ... I do believe that you have an important message which could be greatly used of the Spirit of God in the world today both among the Christian community and in pre-evangelism of the world.
Dr. Freeman L. Schmitt, Senior Pastor ~ The content is terrific ... This is a timely book ... There is so much content that many other books and articles could be written from small parts of it.
Maury J. Merrick, Optics Consultant (Technical Reviewer) ~ I got so involved in the subject and read with such great interest that I had trouble reading it critically for accuracy.
Evelyn Cox, homemaker ~ I find it most inspirational. I can't profess to knowing anything of physics, never having studied the subject: but the explicit way in which you describe it all – I feel I am able to understand ... You make the reader think, and that is a great talent.
Bobby Glasgow, inmate ~ I loved the book Sonlight / Sunlight! ... It is very well written and very understandable. Without seeming condescending or talking down to anyone he gets the point across. The Josh McDowell book, "Evidence That Demands a Verdict," is good too. ... as soon as I finish it I plan on reading Sonlight / Sunlight again. It's definitely the better of the two.
Elizabeth Hightower, Women's Ministries Leader ~ I read this book slowly, probably more slowly than I would have liked. I wanted to allow each chapter to sink in. I have anything but a scientific mind! I found myself saying out loud, “Wow, that's amazing,” many times. I worked through the technical only to be thrilled by the application at the end of each chapter. The parallel of God and His Son to the sun is brilliant! I know it’s in God's Word but you have brilliantly (yes, I said it again) explored His message and made it meaningful to an “un-brilliant” person such as myself! You have opened my eyes to the light around me. Yesterday, as I looked at the clouds casting shadows on the earth, I thought of the truths you have taught me. I look at ordinary things differently. I have already used many of the truths in my mentoring and find myself sharing your thoughts in everyday conversation. Thank you for the hours you spent in writing and the years you spent in developing this transcript. I love your teacher's heart and your heart after God. You are a blessing!
Richard C. Halverson, Chaplain, U.S. Senate ~ It is must reading.
Dr. Joe Aldrich, past President, Multnomah Bible College & Biblical Seminary ~ He obviously is hitting on all twelve cylinders! What an exciting insight into Christ as the light of the world. Thank God for people like this who have the background to illuminate some of these Biblical concepts.
Ronald B. Allen, Th.D., Professor of Hebrew Scripture at Dallas Seminary ~ I was utterly fascinated ... I am impressed with the work that you have done, with the directionality it has ... I do believe that you have an important message which could be greatly used of the Spirit of God in the world today both among the Christian community and in pre-evangelism of the world.
Dr. Freeman L. Schmitt, Senior Pastor ~ The content is terrific ... This is a timely book ... There is so much content that many other books and articles could be written from small parts of it.
Maury J. Merrick, Optics Consultant (Technical Reviewer) ~ I got so involved in the subject and read with such great interest that I had trouble reading it critically for accuracy.
Evelyn Cox, homemaker ~ I find it most inspirational. I can't profess to knowing anything of physics, never having studied the subject: but the explicit way in which you describe it all – I feel I am able to understand ... You make the reader think, and that is a great talent.
Bobby Glasgow, inmate ~ I loved the book Sonlight / Sunlight! ... It is very well written and very understandable. Without seeming condescending or talking down to anyone he gets the point across. The Josh McDowell book, "Evidence That Demands a Verdict," is good too. ... as soon as I finish it I plan on reading Sonlight / Sunlight again. It's definitely the better of the two.
Elizabeth Hightower, Women's Ministries Leader ~ I read this book slowly, probably more slowly than I would have liked. I wanted to allow each chapter to sink in. I have anything but a scientific mind! I found myself saying out loud, “Wow, that's amazing,” many times. I worked through the technical only to be thrilled by the application at the end of each chapter. The parallel of God and His Son to the sun is brilliant! I know it’s in God's Word but you have brilliantly (yes, I said it again) explored His message and made it meaningful to an “un-brilliant” person such as myself! You have opened my eyes to the light around me. Yesterday, as I looked at the clouds casting shadows on the earth, I thought of the truths you have taught me. I look at ordinary things differently. I have already used many of the truths in my mentoring and find myself sharing your thoughts in everyday conversation. Thank you for the hours you spent in writing and the years you spent in developing this transcript. I love your teacher's heart and your heart after God. You are a blessing!
