Book Review: Isaac Newton by Mitch Stokes

Isaac Newton, written by Mitch Stokes and published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, is part of the Christian Encounters series. The book is a biography of Isaac Newton. The reader learns that Newton was not only a great scientist and mathematician, but also a Christian. The biography describes Newton's theological studies as well as his scientific ones. The reader learns about Newton's birth after the death of his father, about his childhood and education, about his studies and experiments, but also if his intense interest in theology. Newton saw his scientific studies as a way to worship the Creator. He believed that as he studied God's creation he would learn to know God better. He had a deep love for God's Word, the Bible. It is commonly known that Newton was a Christian, but what is surprising to the reader in this biography is that Newton was also theologian, and that his scientific studies closely linked with his relationship with God.
The reader also learns that Newton was a private individual who craved solitude. This personality trait allowed him the time he needed for his studies, and many of his greatest discoveries were born of this solitude. Another result of Newton's solitary nature was his reluctance to publish some of his findings. He seemed to be more interested in the knowledge he gained than in public acclaim for his discoveries. Stokes" biography also describes some of the controversies that Newton's findings caused in the scientific community.
This biography gives us a glimpse of Newton's personality that most biographies do not. There are also clear explanations of some of his theories. To the casual reader, or one unschooled in mathematics and science, the explanations are challenging, but to one who is researching Newton's theories, the explanations are helpful and can be understood with perseverance. Stokes' biography of Isaac Newton is an excellent resource for the junior high or high school student. The information about his scientific work is helpful in the student's research. The insights into Newton's character will keep the student engaged in reading the book.

Book Review: Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh

Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God was written by Sheila Walsh and published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., copyright 2009, Nashville TN. It is a compelling account of what God does when people trust Him with all of their hearts. Walsh begins the first three chapters with her own testimony of how God brought her through a struggle with depression. She continually challenges the reader to trust God completely, reminding us that it is a greater challenge than we imagine. She also speaks of the her discovery that she is not the only one facing the kinds of trials she has experienced. In sharing her struggles with others, Sheila Walsh found that in so doing, she allowed them to share their own trials. In opening her heart to others in this way, she is able to minister to them and receive ministry from them as well.
In subsequent chapters, Walsh leads the reader into a study of men and women in the Bible who learned to trust God with various trials in their lives. Among the people studied are Anna, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, Saul of Tarsus, Tabitha, Gideon, Jospeh, Samson, Nicodemus, and Abraham. Mrs. Walsh herself studied the lives of these people in the Scriptures and each one's story ministered to her in a particular way. These chapters also include accounts from Mrs. Walsh's own life. The reader learns that many people, including those whose lives are chronicled in the Bible, faced difficulties in their own lives and learned to completely trust God. The concluding chapter reminds us that as believers in Christ, the end of our life's journey is Heaven.
Sheila Walsh exposes the pressure many feel to be "perfect", and reminds her readers that God loves them unconditionally and uses even their imperfections to refine them and make them more like Christ. Because of her openness about her own difficulties, she is able to speak powerfully to the reader. She reminds her readers that they are not alone in their trials, just as God taught her that she was not alone. At the end of the book, Mrs. Walsh includes a Bible study for each chapter of the book, with many thought-provoking comments and questions. The readers are encouraged that God is in control and will use everything in their lives to conform them to Christ's image.