Title: Phenomenal Vision Eyesight to Life Sight
Author: Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson, Optometrist
Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc
ISBN: 978-1098054465
Genre: Non-Fiction/Health
Pages: 118
Reviewed by: Barbara Bamberger Scott
Pacific Book Review
An expert in physical human vision, author Leonidas A. Johnson expounds his belief in what is possible when we use our spiritual vision in combination with mental acuity to transform our lives.
Dr. Johnson begins by explaining the complex and rather miraculous human eye, a tiny orb capable of turning waves of light into a picture of the world in all its many aspects. He lists and describes the dysfunctions of physical eyesight – myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (double vision), strabismus (crossed vision), all of which cause distorted physical vision – and eye diseases glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataract, all of which may lead to blindness. He notes that the physical structure of the eye includes its connection to the brain, meaning that the mind will use what the eye sees to make judgments and draw conclusions. The mind then becomes the bridge between the physical and the spiritual. He describes the correspondences between physical and mental vision before moving on to the area of spiritual understanding.
Spiritual vision can be clear and pure, or troubled by such deficits as nearsighted perspective, in which we see the matters closest to us clearly but perceive higher realities as distant and blurred. The opposite could be spiritual farsightedness: being highly aware of etheric visions but neglecting the tasks and the people assigned to our care in the near, physical realm. For each of the dysfunctions and diseases of the physical eye, he draws apt comparisons to similar problems with spiritual vision.
Dr. Johnson is both a licensed optometrist of worldwide experience, and a licensed minister, active in church and missionary work. He draws heavily on each of these strengths and skills in the organization of this highly readable guide. He has created colorful graphics and readily understandable diagrams to support his thesis, and uses the method of comparison as a significant function in making his points. He also relies on numerous biblical quotations, regarding vision of the spiritual kind to be intrinsically related to his Christian faith. His writing is succinct and intelligent, with some quotations from songs, both popular and traditional, to enliven the narrative with both humor and inspiration.
In Phenomenal Vision Eyesight to Life Sight, his perception of the linkage between physical, mental and physical sight is credibly drawn and offers a new, easily accessible way to examine one’s life and faith.
