"We build because he does".
Charlie March is a self proclaimed accidental author-an indirect development due to years of trade related academics and an in depth Biblical “search for identity”. With a PhD in archaeology, he is more than qualified to present the basic fundamentals of building and how it applies to God’s over all plan, yet it’s his love of the subject that keeps you plugged in. His approach is a combination of wit, strong Biblical references and support and an ingrained passion for the art of construction.
His insights are particularly impressive as he reveals that in nature, there is without a doubt a creator. God, the original master builder set in motion a sequence of ‘projects’ as they relate to mankind, giving indisputable evidence that there is intentional order to the universe. Just as “in the beginning” is the precursor to creation, it hails the blueprint of God and not some cosmic disaster. In the same manner, the end of time as we know it will be choreographed. God will engineer the final moments through events in nature-they won’t be just another unfortunate natural disaster, seemingly independent of any reasoning. God does nothing haphazardly. For instance, the dimensions of the ark that Noah built and the blueprints for the Ark of the Covenant had precise measurements. March, however, does not limit his dissertation to Biblical construction. He sets the stage for the presentation of the ultimate building project-Heaven.
The paramount framework to this foundation is the revelation that ‘wisdom builds her house’. Everything God has orchestrated stems from infinite wisdom. This detail has its greatest shining moment when you realize it is not irony that Jesus, a carpenter, died and still bears scars from, the infliction of nails to his hands. This event alone demonstrates order, wisdom and the definition of an intentional plan.
March has written an impressive trade-style textbook that even this editor from Atlanta with zero knowledge in the field of archaeology or construction could appreciate. It is surprising how many engineering examples there are mentioned in the Bible, and even more amazing that for the inexperienced, it is easy to understand the illustrations. Perhaps it is because March makes the topic relevant. The chapter titled The Babel Job (or better known by my self appointed subtitle-When Building Projects Go Wrong) emphasizes how relevance is pervasive throughout the book. It is a prime example of what each chapter communicates-relevant information from a topic some would keep accessible only to skilled professionals.
I am presuming March knew his critics would try to stereotype his work, though. He sums it up beautifully when he courts the reader within the first few pages. "A Carpenter's View of the Bible is for anyone who has ever attempted to make anything with their hands and possesses a comprehension or an apprehension of God”. I think that includes just about everyone.
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Pleasant Word-A Division of WinePress Publishing (August 16, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414117639
ISBN-13: 978-1414117638
Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
Note-A copy of A Carpenter's View Of The Bible was provided by Pleasant Word for review.
