The Divine Visitor

Hayford, denominational president of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and host of the daily radio show ""Living Way,"" opens this book with a quick look at the popularity of Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ, which, he says, ""did not tell the whole story. It left us feeling more sorrowful than celebrative."" Hayford takes a different approach by focusing on all aspects of Jesus' three-decade ""visit"" to the earth, starting with the story's beginning (why would God want to come to earth as a baby? Why did humanity need rescuing in the first place?) and carrying the saga through Jesus' ministry, crucifixion and resurrection. In Hayford's view, understanding Christ's passion is but one part of understanding his entire mission. Readers can tell that Hayford is first and foremost a pastor; each short chapter adopts a breezy homiletical style, complete with folksy anecdotes and well-trod sermon illustrations. He seems to have a particular affinity for inspiring real-life stories in which someone recovers from a life-threatening injury or trauma. The final chapter discusses how Christ's triumph over death means not only that Christians need not fear death, but that they can also experience release when confronting spiritual bondage, depression and despair.