Zach Windahl

First sentence: Raise your hand if you grew up going to church but still don't know the Bible. Or what if you're a new Christian but don't know where to begin. Or what if you're just curious about Jesus and figured the Bible is the best place to learn about him?

What you see is what you get, essentially, a simplified summary of the big picture of the Bible. The book contains forty chapters that present the basics of the Bible and the faith, emphasis on the Bible. I think the opening chapters show more are on the general basics of how to read the Bible and get started. I do think the last few chapters focus more on "what's next" or "next steps."

The chapters are arranged, I believe, with a chronological approach to understanding the big picture of the Bible. The focus is on SUMMARY and a simplified summary at that. It is not a Bible commentary. It doesn't deep dive into the details, or "go into the grass" if you will. It focuses on the 'big picture' basics of the Bible. What are the bare basics that would help a new reader to the Bible actually keep reading the Bible. Each chapter has shorter recaps and directs focus to Jesus. (Well, most of the chapters.)

I will say that this one does have a few theological biases. However, I think the biases lean towards what many believe. I hesitate to use the word majority because that would be mere speculation and theoretical. I just mean that while I personally found a few sentences to be questionable, I think, many readers will read past those sentences without blinking twice. The book does NOT hold to Reformed theology. If you're not sure what Reformed theology is, then likely you are not Reformed and it would not be an issue anyway. Reformed does refer in part to the views held by the Reformers--Protestant Reformation days.

Like any christian nonfiction book, if you read with discernment and judge everything against the Word of God, then this book would certainly be worth considering.

The primary audience is those new to reading the Bible. If you have read and studied the Bible, and, you are not a parent or Sunday School teacher, then, this one might not be the best fit for you. If you are a parent or Sunday School teacher, then, I think you could read this one to get ideas on how to 'teach' others how to read the Bible. show less