Review by Olusegun11418 -- Who Told You That You Were Na...
Posted: 25 May 2018, 15:03
[Following is a volunteer review of "Who Told You That You Were Naked?" by William Combs.]

3 out of 4 stars
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William E. Combs (2016).Who Told You That You Were Naked?A Refreshing Reexamination Of The Garden Of Eden.Carpenter's Son Publishing,Franklin,Tennessee.242pp.ISBN 978-1-945507-23-6.$9.99
William E.Combs sets out to consider the origin of sin which he identifies as the primary factor responsible for the breakdown of law and order in our society seemingly over the years.He argues that the "gospel" is the only solution to this. As a Presbyterian minister with over forty-eight years experience in the ministry, a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Degrees as well as a strong affinity with Hebrew and Greek in which the Old Testament and the New Testament respectively were written, the writer emphasizes the importance of noting the first appearance of words and their contextual usage. This according to him, will bring the reader to a state of adequate understanding of the idea(s) been conveyed.
The book begins with a pictorial description of the Garden of Eden:its landscape,serenity and the vast economic resources available for consumption at its inception.The book continues in its first half to introduce the reader to the lifestyle of the first man in the garden;Adam. As the man carries out his responsibilities diligently among the green plants and the animals, it would soon be made obvious that the man is not yet complete in himself as God has to make a help meet for him. However, as complimentary as the woman is before God to the man,Comb explains that the simplicity of the couple was marred as a third party;the devil, visits them during one of their working hours. Unfortunately,the response of the couple to the serpent's subtile act is the beginning of the awful state of human living.
The above is not in any way different from what we experience today in the relationships we keep.Once there is a third party,we can always anticipate threat to our already existing relationships. Such threats ranges from hardship,frustration, disappointment,failure, regrets,pain to shifting of blames and making excuses among others. It is at this point in the discussion that Comb attempts once again to consider a possibility if any of the couple's redemption.This to him is necessary since the serenity of the environment,the peace and calmness in their souls are all gone and we have never been exempted from finding ourselves at that same position at one time or the other.Hence, the need for a closer examination what the way of redemption or rather the solution might seems like.
In lieu of the above,the writer,notes that the first occurrence of words as well as their contextual usage is a key factor towards an understanding of God's position in His dealings with men. Also,it serves as the basis of appreciating our response to God's means of redemption. William's style of simplicity in a persuasive way,picking his words carefully makes the writing amusing and the reading loving and compelling. In addition, the writer's ability to paint words pictures helps him to give life to the write-up,thereby making it relaxing and easy to associate with each point he attempts to drive home.
However, as one reads on in-between the lines,it can be said that the writer was bias to a certain degree.The primary of such is the writer's restriction to only one version of the Bible out of the many available versions.The effect of this is that certain understandings which would have enriched the reader were curtailed.Moreso, the writer's tone in the introduction seems vague to the category of reader not on familiar ground with the seasonal conditions available in the writer's geographical area as at the time of reading the book.This will create a vacuum and too many questions will arise in the mind of the reader as regards the writer's main idea been conveyed.
Generally,the book is a good recommendation for those who find themselves helpless in the face of a reoccurring situation besides those of the Christian faith who will want to remind themselves again of God's own way of making man right.The book could also be read by an individual or used as a text,alongside other related materials on the same subject matter, for a study group."I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars". This is due to its simplicity and the ability to build up in a definite and specific way,keeping the goal in mind.
******
Who Told You That You Were Naked?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Olusegun11418's review? Post a comment saying so!

3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
William E. Combs (2016).Who Told You That You Were Naked?A Refreshing Reexamination Of The Garden Of Eden.Carpenter's Son Publishing,Franklin,Tennessee.242pp.ISBN 978-1-945507-23-6.$9.99
William E.Combs sets out to consider the origin of sin which he identifies as the primary factor responsible for the breakdown of law and order in our society seemingly over the years.He argues that the "gospel" is the only solution to this. As a Presbyterian minister with over forty-eight years experience in the ministry, a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Degrees as well as a strong affinity with Hebrew and Greek in which the Old Testament and the New Testament respectively were written, the writer emphasizes the importance of noting the first appearance of words and their contextual usage. This according to him, will bring the reader to a state of adequate understanding of the idea(s) been conveyed.
The book begins with a pictorial description of the Garden of Eden:its landscape,serenity and the vast economic resources available for consumption at its inception.The book continues in its first half to introduce the reader to the lifestyle of the first man in the garden;Adam. As the man carries out his responsibilities diligently among the green plants and the animals, it would soon be made obvious that the man is not yet complete in himself as God has to make a help meet for him. However, as complimentary as the woman is before God to the man,Comb explains that the simplicity of the couple was marred as a third party;the devil, visits them during one of their working hours. Unfortunately,the response of the couple to the serpent's subtile act is the beginning of the awful state of human living.
The above is not in any way different from what we experience today in the relationships we keep.Once there is a third party,we can always anticipate threat to our already existing relationships. Such threats ranges from hardship,frustration, disappointment,failure, regrets,pain to shifting of blames and making excuses among others. It is at this point in the discussion that Comb attempts once again to consider a possibility if any of the couple's redemption.This to him is necessary since the serenity of the environment,the peace and calmness in their souls are all gone and we have never been exempted from finding ourselves at that same position at one time or the other.Hence, the need for a closer examination what the way of redemption or rather the solution might seems like.
In lieu of the above,the writer,notes that the first occurrence of words as well as their contextual usage is a key factor towards an understanding of God's position in His dealings with men. Also,it serves as the basis of appreciating our response to God's means of redemption. William's style of simplicity in a persuasive way,picking his words carefully makes the writing amusing and the reading loving and compelling. In addition, the writer's ability to paint words pictures helps him to give life to the write-up,thereby making it relaxing and easy to associate with each point he attempts to drive home.
However, as one reads on in-between the lines,it can be said that the writer was bias to a certain degree.The primary of such is the writer's restriction to only one version of the Bible out of the many available versions.The effect of this is that certain understandings which would have enriched the reader were curtailed.Moreso, the writer's tone in the introduction seems vague to the category of reader not on familiar ground with the seasonal conditions available in the writer's geographical area as at the time of reading the book.This will create a vacuum and too many questions will arise in the mind of the reader as regards the writer's main idea been conveyed.
Generally,the book is a good recommendation for those who find themselves helpless in the face of a reoccurring situation besides those of the Christian faith who will want to remind themselves again of God's own way of making man right.The book could also be read by an individual or used as a text,alongside other related materials on the same subject matter, for a study group."I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars". This is due to its simplicity and the ability to build up in a definite and specific way,keeping the goal in mind.
******
Who Told You That You Were Naked?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Olusegun11418's review? Post a comment saying so!