Reviewed by: Elijah Oates, a professional writing major at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana

Introduction

Title: THE POETIC SCRIPTURES OF JOHN: God’s Word in Rhythm & Rhyme

Author: Michael D. Wester

Publisher: WestBow Press

Publication Date: 2016

Format: Print book

Length: 238 pages

OVERVIEW

Michael D. Wester has created something unique with his book, The Poetic Scriptures of John: God’s Word in Rhythm and Rhyme. It is a collection of five biblical books, originally penned by John the Apostle, rewritten as poetry. Each verse is reimagined as a couplet or quatrain and presented in a consistent ABCB rhyme scheme. That is to say, the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme.

Such an undertaking could have easily resulted in absurdity, but, for the most part, Wester manages to present an enjoyable, easy to follow script that does the source material justice. A few lines come off as forced or exaggerated, but they are few and far between.

Of the five adapted books (John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation), Revelation stands out. The way in which it is presented makes the book much more comprehensible to lay readers than the original text, which many folks find challenging to read and comprehend.

By no means should Wester’s work replace Scripture, but it is an original perspective on John’s writings that is certainly worth experiencing.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

4 stars

Suggested Audience

Any Christian student or adult should be able to read and enjoy this book, although younger readers might struggle. Also note that this book may not be suitable for any sort of intensive theological study. It does adhere to the original Scripture verses, but by no means is it meant to replace them.

Christian Impact

This collection of poetry provides a fresh and wholly unique perspective on John’s writings. It may be able to help those that struggle to delve into Scripture by presenting it in an accessible, enjoyable manner, especially concerning Revelation.

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