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The Life of Our Lord

Written for His Children During the Years 1846 to 1849
By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: David Aikman
Length: 1 hr and 30 mins
Categories: Religion & Spirituality, Christianity
4.5 out of 5 stars (4 ratings)

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Summary

"I am very anxious that you should know something about the History of Jesus Christ. For everybody ought to know about Him. No one ever lived who was so good, so kind, so gentle, and so sorry for all people who did wrong, or were in any way ill or miserable, as He was.”

Charles Dickens wrote The Life of Our Lord around the same time he was finishing up David Copperfield, but to listeners raised on a diet of Dickensian wit and indignation, his rendering of Jesus' life may come as something of a surprise. You won't find even the shadow of a Micawber or a Mrs. Gamp anywhere in this brief volume; no Pecksniffs, Podsnaps, or Mulberries, either. Instead, Dickens approaches his subject with simple reverence, retelling the New Testament in a manner suitable for his own young children – who were, in fact, his only intended audience. Indeed, he strictly forbade publication of The Life of Our Lord during his lifetime and begged his sister to make sure that they "would never even hand the manuscript, or a copy of it, to anyone to take out of the house." It wasn't until the death of Dickens's last living son that the manuscript was finally published in 1934.

Public Domain (P)2011 Oasis

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Profile Image for Shannon
  • Shannon
  • 09-09-14

Wonderful way to share the story of Jesus

What did you love best about The Life of Our Lord?

The theology was simple so that a child could understand. Jesus came to help all people and he loves all his children.

What did you like best about this story?

It was faithful to the Bible account of the story.

What does David Aikman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He was an excellent narrator. I could have envisioned Charles Dickens reading this to his children.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I did.

1 person found this helpful

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  • Byron
  • 27-11-13

Definitely Dickens version of the gospel

THE LIFE OF OUR LORD by Charles Dickens is a short version of the Gospel as Dickens wrote it to his children. It definitely shows where Dickens was coming from in his other writings --doing good works and helping the poor will get you to Heaven. That was done very well in this little book. If he had acknowledged the complete divinity of Christ, and the necessity of salvation ONLY through Him, I would give this 5 stars. ( John 10:30- "I and my Father are one." & John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Amongst other verses). Unfortunately, he did ignore this most necessary truth. But if you acknowledge this additional necessary truth to this little book, it was quit a nicely done summary of the Gosples.

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  • Sophia
  • 18-12-19

So glad to find this gem!

It was very interesting to hear of Dickens’ faith in Christ in his own words. I’ve always enjoyed his books and suspected such a faith, but I had no idea how deep it went!

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  • Kat hamill
  • 04-11-18

So theologically incorrect, I was gobsmacked

In all transparency, in have only listened to 5 minutes of this book. In that 5 minutes, Charles Dickens manages to diminish Christ to a mere person, sidestepping completely His divinity no less than 4 times.
No mention of Mary’s divine conception.
The angels apparently told the shepherds to just go look at the child.
Jesus would grow to be so good and kind that God would love him ‘like’ a son.
We should use Jesus’ name in prayers because God would like that.
All the eye rolls for this book, I can’t bring myself to waste the next 1hour 25 minutes on it. Not at this point in my life. Maybe one day I’ll revisit it. Not today.

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  • MK
  • 02-02-13

Inspiring

What did you love best about The Life of Our Lord?

I was so happy to learn that Charles Dickens wrote this for his children. What a beautiful testament of his own personal convictions concerning faith and Christianity. How wonderful to encourage his own children and all who read this book to follow Jesus Christ's example to love God above all and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Life of Our Lord?

The appearance to doubting Thomas

Have you listened to any of David Aikman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The crucifixion

Any additional comments?

I loved the reading by David Aikman.