The Golden Lamps

“There was nothing we could do to change the outcome of the battle!” “Would you have changed the outcome if you could?” the nobleman asked softly. “Aye, sir, we could,” a dozen voices chorused. “If this battle takes place before the Castle of Hope is completed the outcome will be just as you have witnessed, and it will be too late to change it,” Sir Wisdom quietly told the men.

Book: The Golden Lamps by Ed Dunlop, Cross and Crown Publishing, 2006

Genre: Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls, but primarily boys 11-20

Subjects: Faith, Greed, Popularity, Pride

Summary: Their community is in great danger from Argamor’s dark knights. They have no castle to hide behind, no swords, no trained knights. If it weren’t for Emmanuel’s miraculous intervention they would not have survived the last attack. Their wise leader petitions the King for a castle and swords, and their good King gladly sends a master builder and his workers to help the villagers build a castle. But before too long, a golden lamp that makes the bearer wealthy and prosperous, is discovered and the man who discovered it, eagerly and willingly abandons his work to the pursuit of wealth. Then another lamp is found, and another and another. Soon all but a few villagers have completely abandoned the building of the castle to pursue wealth. The King sends Prince Josiah to encourage the villagers to leave the distractions and focus back on the King’s work. If they won’t listen, they will have no defense against Argamor’s knights upon their next attack and their children will be taken away and their village destroyed!

Notes: This is an excellent allegory. It is a series that shows pictures of the Christian walk, the beginning book talking about salvation, the ending book talking about Christ’s return. Each book in the middle uses simple allegorical concepts to show glimpses of what it means to be a child of God and follow Him. This book deals with the distraction of wealth. The characters lose sight of the things that are truly important as they pursue wealth and status and constantly strive for more.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 – Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.