Controversial evangelical Bible scholar, popular blogger and podcast host of The Bible for Normal People, and author of The Bible Tells Me So and The Sin of Certainty explains that the Bible is not an instruction manual or rule book but a powerful learning tool that nurtures our spiritual growth by refusing to provide us with easy answers but instead forces us to acquire wisdom. For many … wisdom.
For many Christians, the Bible is a how-to manual filled with literal truths about belief that must be strictly followed. But the Bible is not static, Peter Enns argues. It does not hold easy answers to the perplexing questions and issues that confront us in our daily lives. Rather, the Bible is a dynamic instrument for study that not only offers an abundance of insights but provokes us to find our own answers to spiritual questions, cultivating God’s wisdom within us.
“The Bible becomes a confusing mess when we expect it to function as a rulebook for faith. But when we allow the Bible to determine our expectations, we see that Wisdom, not answers, is the Bible’s true subject matter,” writes Enns. This distinction, he points out, is important because when we come to the Bible expecting it to be a textbook intended by God to give us unwavering certainty about our faith, we are actually creating problems for ourselves. The Bible, in other words, really isn’t the problem; having the wrong expectation is what interferes with our reading.
Rather than considering the Bible as an ancient book weighed down with problems, flaws, and contradictions that must be defended by modern readers, Enns offers a vision of the holy scriptures as an inspired and empowering resource to help us better understand how to live as a person of faith today.
How the Bible Actually Works makes clear that there is no one right way to read the Bible. Moving us beyond the damaging idea that “being right” is the most important measure of faith, Enns’s freeing approach to Bible study helps us to instead focus on pursuing enlightenment and building our relationship with God—which is exactly what the Bible was designed to do.
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Seldom will you encounter such a fine combination of historical scholarship, interesting reading, and clever humor in one Biblical study. And then filled with faith and hope besides! Peter Enns does it again!
Brilliant, wise, sarcastic, and disarmingly profound. If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with the bible, wondering not only what it is but what it’s for and how to read it, let alone why bother, then allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite bible teachers.
Inviting, accessible, lively, provocative and best of all, highly educational, Peter Enns new book will clear up many misunderstandings you have about the most important book in the world and, in the process, move you closer to the book’s ultimate focus: God.
This book is an oasis of insight in a desert of deconstruction. I learned more from the introduction here than most books. Pete Enns shows us what to do after we give up on the Bible, and how this ancient, ambiguous, and diverse book remains uniquely useful to modern people.
This was my first time reading a Pete Enns book. Let me preface by saying that “How The Bible Actually Works” is not surface level. This book will require thought, introspection, time in Scripture and a willingness to get out of your comfort zone.
As I have not read Pete’s work before, I didn’t know what to expect, but I found myself learning more about how Biblical culture and diversity affected the written record of the Scriptures. This meant taking stock of how these writers lived and their ponderings as to the best way to share the stories passed down to them or events they had seen themselves as firsthand eyewitnesses. In doing so, we see their own personal perspectives and narratives shining through the books they contributed to.
Pete has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, highlighted by footnotes scattered throughout the book. It’s nice to have a bit of levity when you’re reading about ancient texts. 😉 Pete is an intelligent writer, and although at times I felt the book might be a bit over my head, he often breaks down information that seems hard to grasp at first. His attention to detail, specific translation of well known passages in Scripture and how they might differ from the writer’s own primary language gave insights as to why our own understanding of those words could be confused.
While I might not agree with everything in the book, I think this is a good example of listening to points of view that might differ from my own. Knowing and gleaning from what those in the faith community have researched (and come to their own conclusions on) is a way to not only stretch our understanding of Scripture, but a necessary part of “working out your faith with fear and trembling.”(Philippians 2:12) I did enjoy the book and found myself being drawn back to Scripture to see it with new eyes, which I believe is the mark of a worthwhile book. I do think that this book would be difficult to understand for those still forming their own faith, as there is a lot of reference to the Old Testament and ancient texts. (When I was a new Christian, I can say that would have been overwhelming for me to grasp right away, and for this book, Pete camps out a lot in the OT. )
Pete’s primary point in the book is supporting his opinion (due to his years of study on Scripture)that he feels the Bible as a whole should be thought of as a book of wisdom, much like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. He expounds on this by walking the reader through the reasons why he believes this and referencing ancient texts and readings.
I was part of an early reader group with #harperone and all opinions are my own. I appreciate the chance to read early. I think that this has encouraged me to read more of Pete’s work to see what I think of it, too!
#wiseBible #howtheBibleactuallyworks #harperonepartner