Heroes or Villains by Jeannie Kendall 

'A gem of a book, thoughtfully and insightfully exploring the qualities we share with Bible characters'

Heroes or Villains
By Jeannie Kendall
Authentic
ISBN: 9781788932981
Reviewed by Moira Kleissner

 
 
We all think we know who the heroes and villains in the Bible are. I remember as a child in Sunday School having a series of lessons on “Heroes in the Bible.”

Are our ideas of heroes and villains actually true to the text, or do we skim over some traits? Was David really the great king and person we make him out to be or do we ignore some of his nastier personality traits; was Thomas really “doubting;” what about Jonah? 

This book may make the reader think twice about the nomenclatures we have given many Biblical characters. People are never one dimensional, even heroes in the Bible.
 
Jeannie Kendall is a Baptist minister who has been a church pastor, worked in counselling and is a former Spurgeon’s College President. She currently teaches on the Pastoral Supervision course at Spurgeon’s in London.
 
In each chapter a character speaks in his or her own voice, telling part of their story; this is followed by a relevant Bible passage; then a major character trait is explored – dissatisfaction, loyalty, mercy, power, betrayal and so on. There are thought- provoking reflective questions at the end of each chapter. Characters  covered include: Adam, Samson, David, Jezebel, Jonah, the Samaritan woman, Judas, Pilate, Thomas  - 20 in all.
 
The author’s exploration of each character, rather than a glib analysis overlooking the complexities of human nature, is refreshing. It can help us to understand how our own flawed personalities are reflected in the Biblical stories, thus giving us space to analyse who we are, the choices we make and why and how sometimes darker elements of our personalities need to be acknowledged and brought into God’s light.
 
The end of the book has an excellent up to date bibliography for further exploration and reading.
 
I really liked this book and it is providing an ideal reflective text over Lent. It is so refreshing to read about people in the Bible whose characters I have questioned over the years, allowing me to think more deeply about how these traits can be within us all, while yet remaining faithful to the Biblical text. The stories and insights can help us recognise that we all have choices to make, good and bad, and these choices can be influenced by our personalities. Thus leading the way to better self-understanding and a different and more reflective way of living the Christian life.

I can’t praise this book highly enough. A real gem.
 

Moira Kleissner is a retired Primary Deputy Head, storyteller, trainer and minister’s wife