An Honest Review of Just Love Story Bible: A Progressive Children's Story Bible
- Valerie
- Oct 31
- 17 min read
Updated: Nov 2
A deep look into the Just Love Story Bible and the concerning elements that Christian parents need to know.
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Catholic Church in Wittenberg, Germany. It was a challenge to the church establishment to remember and return to the truth and hope of the Gospel instead of the cultural institution of the Church.
Martin Luther’s firm stance was both a matter of conviction and, eventually, life and death for him. In the tense and ever-changing ‘cancel culture’ we’re in, I fear what I will put out in this post, but conviction won’t allow me to stay silent.
A recent Fox News post by Kristine Parks reported on a ‘Christian’ publishing company that has put together a progressive bible, aimed at focusing on social justice and diversity themes. Which, in concept, is not concerning, but as I continued reading, my soul shuddered.
The Bible itself is aimed at social justice, diversity, and inclusion of minorities without any alteration. I will admit, Children’s Bibles and even Christian art have done an injustice in properly representing the races and skin tones of Biblical figures.
With the verbiage and progressive claims made in Kristine Park’s and adjoining articles, I set out to read and put together my own thoughts and review of this new children’s storybook bible: The Just Love Story Bible by Jacqui Lewis and Shannon Daley-Harris.
My goal is information and awareness in representation of the BookWorthy Podcast’s goals and statement of beliefs. I do not intend to change the convictions you have honestly sought the Lord on, but to speak into the calling I’ve been given as a children’s author and a parent. If you are seeking more information on Christianity itself or books that the BookWorthy Podcast recommends, see the link at the end of this article.
Quick Links:
What is a storybook bible?
Laura White, a children’s resource specialist, says, “A storybook is a children's book that presents narratives from the Bible in a simplified and engaging manner, tailored for young readers.” A storybook bible isn’t exactly a bible, but it is usually the first step parents take to introduce the truth and wisdom of God’s Holy Word to children. It’s because of the power and truth of the Bible and what a follower of Christ believes in that we want to share it with our children.
The writers of the Just Love Storybook Bible (JLSB) mention in several of the introductions to a new section that the Bible is a collection of stories. Which is true, in part, but the sentences that follow take away from the authority of scripture. Statements that say the stories in the Bible are ‘imaginative storytelling’ (JLSB, pg. 19) or ‘made up’ (JLSB, pg. 141).
As followers of Christ, the Bible can’t be the source of truth, the authority of our faith (2 Timothy 3:16), but then say it’s imaginative storytelling. Or even that ‘how stories are told change over time and depend on who’s telling them (JLSB pg. 91).’
What we believe about the word and authority of the Bible is key to our faith.
If we can say that the story of Jonah is fake, or the flood never happened, then what is stopping ‘authorities’ in religious circles from saying that adultery or murder isn’t wrong? If we doubt or change one part of scripture, then we allow room for the ability to change all of it. And that is so dangerous, both for our faith and our culture.
At the Ark Encounter in Kentucky, there is a section dedicated to The Fairy Tale Ark and representations of Noah’s ark in children’s literature. On the wall of that exhibit (as of 2018) is this quote,
“If I can convince you the Flood was not real, then I can convince you that heaven and hell are not real.”
This is the real danger of a ‘storybook bible’ like this.
While the goal of The Just Love Story Bible by Jacqui Lewis and Shannon Daley-Harris may be to represent a more diverse representation of the cultures and people of the Bible, the media and verbiage within blur the lines between truth and lies.
This is the original temptation from Genesis 3. The enemy of our souls takes a truth God has given and blurs the lines between truth and a lie.
Lewis stated in an interview with Religion News Service that the goal of the storybook bible is, “to teach young people a theology of love and justice that we don’t have to unlearn”.
Which is interesting, because no child has to learn selfishness or sinfulness; we are born with that weight and imbalance in our own souls.
Learning to put others before ourselves and serve people no matter their age, race, or socio-economic standing is something the Bible itself has done exceedingly well, and is why the American nation was built on values based on the example of scripture.
What I like about the Just Love Story Bible:
Stories Highlighting Women:
What this children’s bible does a good job with is the inclusion of the stories that highlight women.
Stories such as the courageous midwives in Exodus 1:15-21, the five daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 27:1011, and that women were the first to see Jesus risen in Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18.
It is a beautiful thing to highlight stories that value women; they are often stories that are overlooked in the broad narrative we share with children.
Diverse Skin Tones
I do appreciate the diverse skin tones represented in the illustrations, which has been a flaw in the representation of Jesus and other biblical figures in the history of children’s biblical literature.
While stretching the idea that Jesus had skin and hair that is more representative of an African nation, it seems too far a swing in the opposite direction of Jesus with blue eyes and pale skin. Other representations of African tribal designs and clothing in the book are beautiful and eye-catching for children.
What I did not like about the Just Love Story Bible:
Word Choices
This Story Bible is geared toward children ages 4-10, as stated on its Amazon page. That is a very broad range of ages of different reading and comprehension levels, which does make word choices important, as well as the need to be cautious and intentional with the words used.
Words like ‘freedom movement’, ‘counter-cultural’, ‘oppression’, and ‘liberation’ are very advanced words seen throughout the Just Love Story Bible. When comparing these words to the Dale-Chall readability formula, many of these words fall in the upper echelon of readability, ranging from 5th-grade to 12th-grade reading levels. Many of the words and phrases in this Story Bible could be highly confusing for the younger readers in their target market.
Even my high school reading level teen struggled to grasp some of these words when I asked him about them.
One of the strangest phrases I struggled to comprehend was the phrase, ‘Good Trouble’. This comes up in the story about Jesus’s ministry and his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5)
“Love gets us into ‘good trouble’. Good trouble blesses us with happiness. When you get into good trouble, welcome to the movement.” (JLSB, pg. 202)
Even my liberal leaning friends had a hard time understanding what this was communicating to children. As a parent, it sends a mixed message, especially for those in the younger age range that this book is intended. Communicating clear representations of right and wrong to our children is a key goal of parenting. Even more so as a Christian parent, to give a clear communication that God’s ways and the Culture’s ways do not always align.
I do, as an adult, understand what Jacqui Lewis and Shannon Daley-Harris are attempting to communicate. That doing what is right doesn’t always mean it’s easy. There are often laws and actions taken that are against the Biblical truth we hold dear. When the time comes, we must decide whether to stand with God’s Word, even if the world disagrees with us. But I feel that this is not represented well in the language used and would be highly confusing for children ages 4-10.
Confusing Definitions
This piggybacks on much of what was said above, so I will give a sample of some of the definitions used to define common words in Biblical stories.
In talking about the different types of Psalms, the Psalms of Lament are mentioned. This word, Lament, is defined as ‘acts of resistance’ and ‘acts of defiance’, or ‘declarations-naming and claiming a vision of how God wants the world to be’ (JLSB pg. 118), which reads a lot like propaganda rather than an accurate representation of the Word.
To Lament, from the Merriam-Webster dictionary, states it is to mourn aloud, to express sorrow, mourning, or regret. Biblical scholar, Geoffrey W. Grogan, says that,
"The psalms of lament are a model of godly response to suffering. The Lord does not expect us to remain stoic when we face suffering. We can pour out our souls to the Lord. However, in the middle of our cry, we must remember God's loving care for us in the past so we can willingly trust Him with the future. With this type of response, we can renew our hope in the living Lord.” (Psalms pg. 10-33)
Both the dictionary definition and the work of biblical scholars seem to contradict what is represented in the Just Love story book regarding the word lament.
The lament psalms show us that God can handle our cries of injustice and pain; he hears us and weeps with us, but in the end, a lament psalm circles back to trusting in God and surrendering the outcomes to Him. Does surrender mean not acting? No. But it does mean seeking biblical counsel and information to know how to step into the hard places that need attention and action.
Another word that gets an odd twist is prophet (JLSB, pg. 126). The Just Love Story Bible defines a prophet as ‘people who speak God’s word to create change for a more just and loving world.’ Even as I read this, it felt awkward, so I had to turn again to the Webster definition, which has up to five variable definitions.
Prophet:
1- One who utters divinely inspired revelations, such as
a. The writer of one of the prophetic books of the Bible
b. One regarded by a group of followers as the final authoritative revealer of God’s will
2- one gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight
3- one who foretells future events
4- an effective or leading spokesman for a cause, doctrine, or group
5- a spiritual seer
It seems that the writers of the Just Love Story Bible focus primarily on the fourth definition, while my study and exposure to the word prophet suggest:
A prophet of the Bible was a messenger of God to communicate God’s plea to return to following God’s ways, a communication of the consequences of not following God’s ways, and the plan of restoration God has after the consequences of disobedience for the people of Israel and all people through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The last word, though there are more to consider, that I’ll focus on in this segment is Repent. Back to Webster we go.
1- to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life
2- to feel regret or contrition, to change one’s mind.
The story entitled Preparing the Way for Love (Matthew 3), which focuses on John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus, presents two differing definitions of repentance within the same story.
When talking about John the Baptist’s call for the Israelites to repent, the wording states, “Repent! Turn away from being mean and unkind and turn toward God and your neighbor with loving kindness.” This phrase suggests that Sin is defined as mean and unkind, which seems confusing. Because often with children, especially when it comes to what seems mean and unkind, it can be as simple as a misunderstanding as they learn social cues and go as far as physical and cyberbullying.
In teaching preschool storytelling at my home church, we define Sin as “anything we think, say, or do that does not honor God.” Having this clear definition of what sin is reminds us that all people of every tribe, tongue, nation, and time are capable of sinning, and we, in and of ourselves, cannot change our sinful nature. It is by the love and eternal grace of what Jesus did on the cross and the Holy Spirit he gifts to us when we call on him as savior. This alone grants us the ability to turn away from our sin nature and truly repent and seek forgiveness when sin is expressed in our everyday lives.
The second way repentance is defined in this story is mentioned when Jesus is being baptized. After the suggested definition of repent on the previous page, it turns to “Jesus wanted to be baptized like everyone else.” (JLSB, pg. 184)
I have several problems with this phrase, but I’ll stick with one here. This phrasing suggests that Jesus was swayed by peer pressure and not an obedience to God’s calling. It also suggests that Jesus needed to repent. If he needed to repent, then he sinned. If Jesus sinned, it would negate the sacrifice he made on the Cross on our behalf.
“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
No Sin Story
I asked my three children this open question: What would the bible be without the included stories of sin and the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, and they answered. “Without sin, the Bible would just be a bunch of stories; there’d be no point.”
I love how children can rationalize matter-of-factly; it’s one of the reasons I, as an author, intentionally write for children.
What my kids said is true: without the story of sin and the fall of man, the whole book is pointless. Without sin, we wouldn’t need a savior. Without sin, God wouldn’t need to choose a family to reveal himself to and to work through to bring about that salvation. Without sin, we wouldn’t have needed the Ten Commandments to show us our need for a savior and the wisdom of how to be in a relationship with God and with one another.
I don’t deny that the sin story is hard to explain to children. It’s hard to understand why God would make a rule, he knew we’d dishonor. That would separate us from him and break the good world he had made and allow death, toll, and suffering.
The story of the Fall of Humankind is imperative to understand God’s character and the rescue plan he set in motion the very moment he sorrowfully had to enact the consequence he set in place. With the sin story, we not only see what holiness is, we see what Godly justice and Godly love are, as well.
Images and Phrases Supporting a Cultural Lean.
Throughout the Just Love Story Bible, some phrases are both confusing, and terminology is often used in political activism with a lean toward progressive and liberal ideals. When we massage words to focus on a cultural ideal rather than resting on the truth, justice, and morals that have been preserved in the Bible, we enter dangerous territory, which I have mentioned several times in the article. Phrases like:
We just love, period (JLSB, pg. 199)
Different types of love (JLSB, pg. 219)
Love Revolution (JLSB, pg. 187)
New Rules (JLSB, pg. 217)
Making Earth like heaven is revolutionary (JLSB, pg. 223)
Misrepresentation of Scripture.
We (referencing Jesus’ followers) are the resurrection (JLSB, pg. 267)
This phrase uses terminology like Jesus said in John 11:25a, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” But even if we are followers of Jesus, we do not become the resurrection and the life; only Jesus can be our Savior and grant eternal life. Saying that we are the resurrection puts us on equal ground with Jesus. Instead, because of our salvation, we are now, ‘we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which he has prepared for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Visions come from God’s dreams (JLSB, pg. 285)
This phrase is seen in the story of John’s Revelation about the future. It suggests to children that God sleeps, that he needs sleep, that he is no different than you and me. It doesn’t represent the sovereignty of God and suggests that what God says will happen may not happen.
While the book of Revelation is a tricky bit of scripture, it is both strange and inspiring. It is not so much a new revelation, but an explanation of Old Testament Prophesies in light of Jesus’ and God’s redemptive plan to heal the world our sin broke. It’s not so much that the visions given to John were an ideal dream God hopes for our human future, but it is the culmination of his plans from before the fall of man.
Rules of the Reign (JLBS pg. 216,217)
I consider myself not an expert by any means, but I’d say biblically literate at least, but I had no idea what this phrase meant when I came across it in the Lessons on Being First story in the Just Love Story Bible. This word reign appears when mentioning when James and John ask to sit at Jesus’ right hand when ‘God’s reign comes’. This is the first time the word is used in the entirety of the book, with no definition or clarification accompanying the phrase. The word ‘reign,’ a 4th-grade reading level word, is put to use without adequate explanation to the lower end of the kids this book is marketed to. The next time you see the word rules, it is in the last line, saying, ‘These are the new rules.’ This comes after a merging of Jesus and the Little Children (Mark 10:13-16) and a poor explanation of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)
Rewording God’s Word
In a multitude of the stories told within this Just Love Story Bible, the authors take a creative license to expand on interactions of characters that we are told about and not told exactly what was said by characters, such as: interactions between family members after Moses shared the Ten Commandments (JLBS pg. 77), dialogue with Shiphrah and Moses’ mother (JLSB pg. 45), even with Jesus’ words and teachings (JLSB pg. 207). These simplified dialogues and explanations of concrete ideas in scripture are expected in a Story Bible. But on several occasions, there are references to what God says in the Bible, and then it is reworded as something God has actually said. Such as:
JLBS: “Happy and blessed are the humble; they will take care of the earth.”
NET Bible: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
These two phrases have two completely different meanings. The phrase from the Just Love Story book suggests conservation and geopolitical concepts. Which, in essence, are not bad; we have been given the earth to care for and have dominion (rule) over what God has made. (Genesis1:26)
But the actual statement in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount above speaks of inheriting, not caring for the earth. Dr. Thomas L. Constable explains inheriting as:
“the privilege of faithful heirs (cf. 25:34). He or she can inherit because of who that person is, due to the relationship with the one bestowing the inheritance. Inheriting is a concept that the apostles wrote about and clarified (e.g., 1 Cor. 6:9; 15:50; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:23 24; Heb. 9:15; 12:23; 1 Pet. 1:3-4; et al).”
What is presented in the Just Love Story book is a dilution of God’s word; it is not taking the word inheritance and making it an easier concept to grasp, but completely reframing the meaning of the verse the story is meant to represent. This is dangerous when seeking to present a Storybook bible to children that misrepresents its intended source material.
This continues again in the same story, as it moves to the next beatitude.
JLBS: “Happy and blessed are those who thirst and hunger for justice; and they will be satisfied.” (pg. 202)
NET Bible: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. (Matthew5:6)
The phrase used in the Jesus Storybook Bible substitutes righteousness for justice, which, in their basic definition, are not the same thing.
Justice: the maintenance or administration of what is just, especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments
Righteousness: 1) acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin 2) morally right or justifiable
While Merriam-Webster does list justice and righteousness as synonyms, it’s important to look at the context and author of the Beatitude text. The Soniclight Notes Commentary communicates this about Matthew 5:6,
Matthew always used the term "righteousness" in the sense of personal fidelity to God and His will (3:15; cf. Ps. 42:1-2; 63:1; Amos 8:11-14). He never used it of imputed righteousness: justification. Therefore, the righteousness that the blessed hunger and thirst for is not salvation. It is personal holiness and, extending this desire more broadly, it is the desire that holiness may characterize all people.
I have come to understand that biblical righteousness means to be in right standing, or a right relationship with God. Which is only possible through, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)
While a man-made thesaurus might classify the two words as synonyms, I do not feel the words are synonyms in the context of the Beatitudes being represented in this story selection within the Just Love Story Bible. Mostly because the words used are not clearly defined within the story or in an included glossary of words within the book.
The final example I will highlight is the story about The Lord’s Prayer.
JLBS: “Jesus said, ‘Our Parent in heaven, may your name be considered holy. May your reign come’.” (pg. 223)
NET Bible: “So pray this way: Our Father[c] in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come…” (Matthew 6:8-10)
In part, I do understand why ‘Our Father’ was changed to ‘Our Parent’. I recognize that not everyone in this world has a positive gut response when they encounter the word, Father. As well as the lean of this book seeks to reach out to those seeking to combine a biblical lifestyle with those who make specific lifestyle choices.
However, in doing this, it takes away from the sweetness of the word and what it says about God’s character and his love for those who were fatherless or lacked a positive male role model in their lives.
In the footnotes associated with the NET bible Verse above, it has this to say about the use of the word Father:
God is addressed in terms of intimacy (Father). The original Semitic term here was probably Abba. The term is a little unusual in a personal prayer to God. Although it is a term of endearment used in the family circle, it is not the exact equivalent of “Daddy” (as is sometimes popularly suggested). However, it does suggest a close, familial relationship. See also the note on Abba at Rom 8:15.
Within the Psalms, especially, it speaks to God’s heart for the fatherless.
Psalm 10:14: You have taken notice, for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering. The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you; you deliver the fatherless.
Psalm 10:18: You defend the fatherless and oppressed, so that mere mortals may no longer terrorize them.
Psalm 68:5: He is a father to the fatherless and an advocate for the widows. God rules from his holy dwelling place.
If any of these verses cause you questions or pain, please seek out the benefits of counseling, Care/Recovery ministry, or a Re: generation program in your area.
One of the authors had this to say about her version of the Lord’s prayer in regards to the original Aramaic language. Jacqui Lewis says, “I ended up writing Abba Parent in the Lord’s prayer so young people can imagine the ones who have same gender loving parents, or the ones who only have one parent. But how the prayer is worded and the conceptually dense following paragraph about the word Abba, is separated visually and contextually on the page, making it a challenge to blend those two ideas of Parent and Abba Parent. If this was the author’s goal.
In Conclusion:
Due to my concerns listed above, I do caution families to stay clear of this particular story bible. It also raises a concern for books that come from a publisher that would allow a project to reach publication and production of material that does not represent the truth, power, and authority of God’s word, as has been done in the Just Love Story Bible.
In the last couple of years, I have seen a rising trend of blurring the line between Biblical truth and cultural trends in churches, families, books, and even books from publishers that claim a Christian worldview.
There is a big difference in approaching people with love and respect and that of supporting choices that are in direct contrast to God’s word.
The bible doesn’t need to adjust based on our present culture. Culture needs to return to the truths of God’s word because God’s word shows us what is best for our culture, country, hearts, minds, and souls.
We must proceed with caution, as parents and Christians. One of the reasons I started the BookWorthy Podcast so as to raise awareness and help Christian parents be informed about the books our kids are reading. You should diligently look for misrepresentation of scripture, especially in storybook Bibles intended for children.
The battlefield for our Children’s minds is ramping up. Be ready and aware of what your kids are consuming in books, shows, and online media.
What others are saying about the Just Love Story Bible
Storybooks that represent scripture and diversity well:
Looking for more Bibles and Devotionals for children, birth to teens?
Thank you so much for this informative and spoken in love book review.