title: The Barnabas Way: An Unexpected Path to God
author: John D. Sloan
description: At a time when the Christian market is selling copies of The Prayer of Jabez in record numbers and masses are praying boldly for God's blessing to fall heavily upon their lives, this gentle book points to another path. Sloan observes that many Christians search for blessings first and God second. Yet he maintains that God's richest blessings come through serving the brokenhearted and battered; genuine favor rests upon those who are willing to see past the decay in order to sacrificially offer whatever comfort and care they can. Sloan sketches out a brief description of the biblical encourager Barnabas, who demonstrated a generous heart when he sold his real estate and gave the proceeds to the apostles. He showed courage in defending Paul among the skeptical followers of Christ and again took on the role of comrade and confidante when he made a stand for his fellow missionary cousin, John Mark. Barnabas continued his behind-the-scenes service to the end of his life. Sloan makes a sound case for emulating Barnabas, yet the text jumps around too disjointedly and the author's thoughts, while worthy, come across as hastily slapped together. Readers not familiar with the biblical character of Barnabas also have to wait until chapter four before they are given this pertinent background data. While Sloan's passion for service is heartfelt, it is regrettable that this information couldn't have been presented in a more flowing fashion.<br />Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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  Back to Methuselah
  
  
  PREFACE. The Infidel Half Century
  
  
    
    
  THE DAWN OF DARWINISM  
    
  THREE BLIND MICE  
    
  CIRCUMSTANTIAL SELECTION IN FINANCE  
    
  THE HOMEOPATHIC REACTION AGAINST DARWINISM  
    
  RELIGION AND ROMANCE  
    
  THE DANGER OF REACTION  
    
  A TOUCHSTONE FOR DOGMA  
    
  WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEGENDS  
    
  A LESSON FROM SCIENCE TO THE CHURCHES  
    
  THE RELIGIOUS ART OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY  
    
  THE ARTIST-PROPHETS  
    
  EVOLUTION IN THE THEATRE  
    
  MY OWN PART IN THE MATTER
  
  
  BACK TO METHUSELAH.
  
  [PART I. In the
  Beginning](Back%20to%20Methuselah_split_001.html#filepos183736)
  
  [ACT I](Back%20to%20Methuselah_split_001.html#filepos183811)
  
  [ACT II](Back%20to%20Methuselah_split_001.html#filepos222249)
  
  [PART II. The Gospel of the Brothers
  Barnabas](Back%20to%20Methuselah_split_002.html#filepos256590)
  
  [PART III. The Thing
  Happens](Back%20to%20Methuselah_split_003.html#filepos375770)
  
  [PART IV. Tragedy of an Elderly
  Gentleman](Back%20to%20Methuselah_sp