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The King Without a Shadow
"Why do we have Shadows? Where do they come from?" the little boy asked the Great King. That started the King wondering about shadows. He discovered that there was only one King without a shadow—One so great there was no darkness in him.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
R.C. Sproul
590 books1,744 followersDr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.
Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.
He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.
Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 7, 2018
4.5 stars. Dr Sproul’s children’s books are treasures. This one taught on the attributes of God’s holiness and purity, as well as explaining that God does not have a physical body and thus he does not cast a shadow. This is a longish book for little ones...it probably took a total of 30-40 minutes to read through it leisurely, and a few pages could have been broken up better with some more illustrations.
October 18, 2010
Reformed theologian R.C. Sproul is the chairman of Ligonier Ministries and the host of the Christian radio program Renewing Your Mind. He has written many theological works, and this is his first book for children. In this story, a young boy seeks an audience with his king to ask two important question: Where do shadows come from, and where do they go when they leave? This provokes the king to try to rid himself of his shadow, and in his search for knowledge he discovers a deeper wisdom than simply the way light and darkness relate: he learns that sin is a shadow on the human soul, that every soul is shadowed, but that there is one King who has no shadow because He is perfectly holy. The king joyfully tells the young boy this truth, sending him on a quest to find this King himself.
The story is beautifully illustrated with paintings of a king who bears a striking resemblance to Dr. Sproul himself, and the young boy with his friends closely resemble the grandchildren pictured on the flyleaf of the book. It is a rare pleasure to find such a deeply-developed Christian lesson, crafted carefully and lovingly for the third generation. Although it doesn't have the dramatic action of The Squire and the Scroll or The Prince's Poison Cup, it does provide a gently reflective meditation on God's character, with enough of a story to provide a satisfying reading experience.
It is probably best suited to an older elementary audience, and could make an especially enjoyable family devotional reading.
The story is beautifully illustrated with paintings of a king who bears a striking resemblance to Dr. Sproul himself, and the young boy with his friends closely resemble the grandchildren pictured on the flyleaf of the book. It is a rare pleasure to find such a deeply-developed Christian lesson, crafted carefully and lovingly for the third generation. Although it doesn't have the dramatic action of The Squire and the Scroll or The Prince's Poison Cup, it does provide a gently reflective meditation on God's character, with enough of a story to provide a satisfying reading experience.
It is probably best suited to an older elementary audience, and could make an especially enjoyable family devotional reading.
May 11, 2021
This is a book by R.C Sproul, a theologian and pastor who embarked on writing children's books at some point in his career. The book is about a king of a Kingdom who is greeted by a boy with a puppy who comes to the king to ask him a question. The boy asks about shadows - 1) what are shadows/where do they come from? and 2) what happens when to shadows when we can no longer see them? Intrigued, the king asks his wise man to uncover the answer to these questions. The wise men give the King an explanation but the king leaves wondering if a person could be without a shadow. The king wanted to be a king without a shadow. The wise men direct the king to a man in a cave who tells the king about another King with no shadow. We find out that this Kind is God because God has no body, is a spirit, is holy and pure so even his soul has no darkness to form a shadow.
The king relays the information about the King with no shadow to the boy who brings his dog and siblings along for the experience. The King tells him what the wise men told him about the science of shadows but with zeal shares about the King with no shadow and tells the children that they should be eager to "seek the great King with no shadow." The king tells the children that in speaking with this great King, the boy will never worry about shadows again.
The book is great! I rate it a 4/5 namely because I get lost in the woods theologically by the talk about the darkness in our souls causing a shadow. Maybe I am thinking too deeply about this (as someone who is a connoisseur of science) but that lack of clarity I would imagine might relay to the little ears. Other than that, a phenomenal book. Who knew this was a book I grew up with! Only after rummaging through my old childhood books did I learn this. I would hope that the book left an impression on me then as it has now and I hope it would for children I hope to read this to.
The king relays the information about the King with no shadow to the boy who brings his dog and siblings along for the experience. The King tells him what the wise men told him about the science of shadows but with zeal shares about the King with no shadow and tells the children that they should be eager to "seek the great King with no shadow." The king tells the children that in speaking with this great King, the boy will never worry about shadows again.
The book is great! I rate it a 4/5 namely because I get lost in the woods theologically by the talk about the darkness in our souls causing a shadow. Maybe I am thinking too deeply about this (as someone who is a connoisseur of science) but that lack of clarity I would imagine might relay to the little ears. Other than that, a phenomenal book. Who knew this was a book I grew up with! Only after rummaging through my old childhood books did I learn this. I would hope that the book left an impression on me then as it has now and I hope it would for children I hope to read this to.
May 26, 2020
This book is a wonderful book that I am recommending to Lightlab’s readers (lightlabetc.com/more-books). It describes several concepts related to light, while narrating a story about a King who wanted to get rid of His shadow. It is very entertaining and children will not tire from reading it many times.
January 3, 2022
This was the first time I had read one of R.C. Sproul's children's books. I loved how he portrayed God's holiness. My 2nd grader and 6th grader were able to understand a lot of the book, but it went over my 3 year old's head. He still liked the part where it talked about shadows because that's something that he can easily related to.
September 20, 2018
It's a good story with many layers of meaning. Children will be interested in the story even before they can understand the true meaning of a King with no shadow. The illustrations are beautiful. I would recommend it to everyone.
June 9, 2018
Definitely for mid-upper elementary comprehension level and above. An interesting parable illustrating God’s holiness. Good book for discussion with children.
September 23, 2021
The best R. C. Sproul children’s book I’ve read.
September 21, 2022
Such a great read aloud with children. Great reminder of our Holy King with no darkness
April 12, 2016
I enjoyed this book immensely! A wonderful children's story book teaching about Christ our King in a fun imaginative way. I am really like RC Sprouls children's books. My 2 1/2 year old son sat through this entire book and my 7 month old was pretty wiggly but sat through it too. I enjoyed the illustrations as well.
March 16, 2011
Another great tool for communicating the beauty and holiness of God to children.
July 13, 2012
I will read it to my daughter over and over when she is old enough to understand.
April 15, 2017
The King Without a Shadow will capture the imagination of not only children, but adults alike. Theology interwoven with physics. Children will love learning about the truths of Scripture and about the beauty of God's world.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews