Steve Levy and Paul Blackham worked on this book for a good number of years before it was published, and that is clear. The book, although relatively short and easy to understand, attempts a huge task: an overview of the Bible.
I have been to many Bible overview courses, and very often Jesus is mentioned in passing as the ‘Serpent Crusher’ in Genesis, and then disappears until Matthew 1. Now, I know that is because of brevity of time, but it does also betray an underlying attitude to the Old Testament.
Steve and Paul are clearly writing against this. But instead of writing a negative book that attacks, they have written a positive book that exalts Christ. And for that they must be commended.
The first thing I like about this book is its huge emphasis on Jesus. Their conviction comes out clearly in Part 1 (which I think is the worth reading even if you don’t have time to bother with the rest of the book). Part 1 is all about Jesus being the center of the Bible. Steve writes:
‘If we take Jesus out of the Old Testament it is little wonder it confuses us.’
This is their central hypothesis.
I’ll be honest, part 1 got me really excited. Excited to read the Bible, excited about Jesus, and excited that others could read the Bible and see Jesus.
The second good thing about this book is that it attempts to give an introduction to all the parts of the Bible. Now, it does cover pretty must all the Bible, but sometimes (due to the need for brevity I think), the authors tend to use bullet points that give the book a little bit of a text book feel. However, putting that aside, you do get a good overview of all the Bible (so it does do what it says it does).
The third good aspect of the book is that there are lots of illustrations. And to be honest, Levy has lived a sufficiently funny life to mine it for illustration gold. Illustrations have always been a strength of his, and that is clear in this book. At times, the book feels a bit like a Dale Ralf Davis commentary – lots and lots of great illustrations.
The fourth reason for liking this book are the good insights and explanations of certain Bible doctrines and occurrences. An example is the start of Part 9 where they explain about the Pharisees and the way the Gospels flow. Although short, the insights are real helps to get more out of the text.
The fifth positive is the amount of Bible in the book. To be honest, if all the bible quotations were taken out it would resemble a booklet! But the verses do a few things:
-Makes sure you actually read the references
-Saves you time looking them up
-Demonstrates how Bible based the book is
-Shows you that what they are saying is from the Bible
Ultimately, this book is great. You’ll start it and be hooked. The first few sections will bless you. You’ll probably slow down around the middle and get lost in all the book overviews that are thrown at you – that is where you’ll need a bit of perseverance and some hard work. However, by the Gospels, the pace picks back up and you’re hooked again by Acts.
If you have never read a Bible overview/introduction, this is the a good, solid and accessible place to start.
If you’ve read loads of them, just buy the book for Part 1 – I think I’ll read it again in the future and use it as a litmus test for my understanding of the Bible.
Finally, what of the controversy? Blackham helps out in the question and answer section at the end. This is a section that is very helpful. Blackham answers the question:
‘Is the revelation of God ‘progressive’?’
‘Yes.’
What is the issue then? Well, in the last appendix they have a wealth of quotes from Church history. Luther explains their position:
‘The faith of the fathers was directed at Christ who was to come, while ours rests in the Christ who has come’.
That is the big thing for Steve and Paul – the object of faith. They are just making sure that we trust in Christ, and understand that the Old Testament fathers trusted in Him too.
They are Christ centered.
So, what do you have to do to win one of the 2 copies that Christian Focus have given us?
Give a Bible overview in the style of Twitter (That’s 140 characters or less).
We’ll decide the winners on Monday.
(Entrants must be in the UK)
July 10, 2009 at 9:40 am
Beginning:God created everything. End: He’ll recreate everything. Middle: redeem creation by life, death, res & asc of His Son Jesus Christ.
July 10, 2009 at 11:25 am
God is very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very good
July 10, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Jesus
July 10, 2009 at 2:00 pm
‘He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, wheter thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through him and for him….He is the beginning the , the first born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.’(Colossians1:15-20)
(So yeah, Jesus)
July 10, 2009 at 2:57 pm
140 charecters Jamie? Something tells me you ain’t winning this time.
Entry No.2
@humanity – You gone get it. (Unless @JC gets it for you) #judgement
July 10, 2009 at 3:20 pm
ahhhr you mean characters not words. In that case…
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, wheter thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through him and for him.
July 10, 2009 at 4:42 pm
(@jamesturd – that’s still 44 too many.)
July 10, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I like you’re style JT. Criticise a book slightly for too much bullet-point use and then promptly proceed to invite contributions in that most lyrical and flowing of prose vehicles…twitter!
I’m still editing my entry…!
July 10, 2009 at 4:46 pm
sorry…pulled the rug from under my feet there with some shocking grammar – of course I meant “your” style.
July 10, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I think Dai’s entry has got be a winner.
I’d nick Paul’s phrasing (good idea Jamie) and say “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
Not that I’m hopeful but from Monday evening I will be in the UK once again.
July 10, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Before I give my Bible Overview I would just like to clarify what I mean by the phrases I use. Before time began God existed in a perfect relationship with Himself between the three Persons of the Trinity, but was gracious enough to create mankind to experience the joy and righteousness of God in a relationship with Him. However man sinned and hence God’s righteousness was reviled by man and the relationship was broken between God and man. To be in a close relationship with a Holy God again it meant that a righteousness was required by man – a perfect righteousness. The standard of God’s perfect righteousness was revealed through His law, His Word through His Prophets, and in these last days His Son Jesus, Who Himself is the Righteousness of God. Through His righteous life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection Jesus has made a way for mankind to be reconciled to God through faith in Him and to receive the gift of His own righteousness and eternal life, which is knowing God in a relationship again. People who don’t receive this gift, reject this gift by default. God’s righteousness is now being revealed through the preaching of His Gospel, and the regenerated, transformed lives of His people who have received His gift of righteousness and walk worthy of His calling through the power of God the Holy Spirit. When the Gospel has been preached to all nations Jesus will return to get those who have His righteousness through faith and they will dwell with Him forever in a place where Righteousness reigns! So condensing all this here is my Bible Overview:
Righteousness in relationship
Righteousness reviled
Righteousness required
Righteousness revealed
Righteousness received/rejected
Righteousness reigns!
If your not counting spaces as characters then this is 139!
July 10, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Hmmm, Twitter does count spaces…but does JT?
July 10, 2009 at 10:51 pm
God reigns supreme
All made from nothing
Pronounced ‘very good’
Sentence of death
Death of death
New life in Christ
God reigns supreme
July 10, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Two separate acrostics.
I felt poetry was a good way to use the 140 characters, even if my poetry’s no great shakes!
If I’m not allowed two entries, pleae just decide which is better!
Creation ex nihilo
Humanity His beloved
Rash act of first father
I am in Adam
Second Adam punished
This is One Great Hope
Just God, then
Everything else – good.
Sin enters.
Universal death and decay.
Salvation accomplished and applied.
July 11, 2009 at 2:38 pm
third time hopeful
For by him (JESUS) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible – all things were created through him and for him. All to glorify Him.
Hope thats better Sammy.
July 11, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Honestly? Is this a wind up? Why don’t you check yourself before you try. Only 12 characters over (if we exclude Jesus, do you really want to do that?)
July 11, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Ok just in case spaces are counted as characters (I don’t think spaces have much character personally) then here is my abbreviated version:
1) Righteousness(Rt.) in relationship
2) Rt. reviled 51
3) Rt. required
4) Rt. revealed 81
5) Rt. a)received b)rejected – If a) see 1)
6) Rt. reigns!
July 11, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Arghh i’m really sorry about the numbers after 2) and 4) that was me counting the characters to make sure it was ok! Here is the ‘clean’ version:
1) Righteousness(Rt.) in relationship
2) Rt. reviled
3) Rt. required
4) Rt. revealed
5) Rt. a)received b)rejected – If a) see 1)
6) Rt. reigns!
July 13, 2009 at 6:56 am
And the winners are…
Mr Dai H for his great and refreshing insight: Jesus! I think in light of the book review – that is a great answer.
The other winner?
Dorcas! I love both your entries – especially the second. Thanks for a creative entry.
If you email your contacts to me I’ll pop the books in the post asap.
ammanfordchurchpastor@googlemail.com
Thanks to everyone else for their entries.
July 13, 2009 at 8:42 am
Wow! I haven’t won anything for years!!
As I already have a copy of the book I just wanted to explain what I’ll be doing with this copy. There’s a young mum off the estate here who has recently become a Christian and is so hungry for the truth it’s incredible (and humbling!) She has already read the entire Bible in just 2 months and has put loads of little post-it notes in the pages – colour-coded for encouraging verses and confusing verses that she’d like help with! Just last week she was asking questions about the Old Testament, so this is such a ‘timely’ prize! I would have bought her a copy of Bible Overview if I hadn’t won because it’s a great book and perfect for where she’s at – but God bless the ProGnosis – they get to be part of the blessing too!
Thanks guys…