The Beloved Disciple

June 16, 2003
Popular Bible teacher and author Moore (A Heart Like His; Jesus the One and Only) expands her repertoire of biblical studies as she focuses on "the disciple whom Jesus loved": the apostle John. John alone, she reminds readers, stayed near to watch Jesus crucified, and tradition asserts that he also received the honor of penning the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. John was likewise numbered among the privileged witnesses of Jesus' transfiguration and the resurrection of Jairus's daughter. After this cursory introduction to John's life, Moore goes into great detail describing both minor and major life occurrences from John's vantage point. From his humble beginnings as a fisherman, to his calling as a disciple and the tradition of his eventual exile on Patmos, Moore dredges deep for biblical exposition—perhaps too deep. Moore herself admits to being wordy, and she is; during much of the book, readers may strain to discern how John fits into her latest tangent. Not until the last third of the text does Moore focus on John's writings with single-minded clarity, offering carefully crafted expositions of his biblical letters to the seven churches in Revelation. Moore gives pep talks throughout, urging readers to dig for the divine; sadly, many will find themselves yawning as they attempt to comply.