Review by lfprokop -- Who Told You That You Were Naked?
Posted: 04 Sep 2018, 16:33
[Following is a volunteer review of "Who Told You That You Were Naked?" by William Combs.]
4 out of 4 stars
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The Introduction to this book offers great insight into the path down which the author is about to take you. The personal stories and illuminating analogies will not only inform but will delight as well. The author, William E. Combs, while taking poetic license to make his points, maintains a fidelity to the spirit of the Scriptures, if not exactly the letter. This book begins, as expected from the title, in the Garden of Eden and accompanies us on our informative journey to discover the truth and the real meaning of faith.
We begin our biblical trek looking down from above on the Garden of Eden where we find the first man, Adam, wandering through his surroundings discovering the magnificence of God’s creation. While much of the book should be considered as extra-biblical since the author adds his imagination to the narrative which immediately draws the reader into Adam’s world – to be made a part of it, the book in its entirety is an accurate and illuminating read. For example, we instantly feel a kinship with Adam as he observes a sea eagle swooping down to snatch a Mangar Carp from the water in mid-flight.
Shortly thereafter, the author introduces the first woman, Eve, to the reader, and we learn soon enough about Eve’s perceived weakness by succumbing to the persuasive eloquence of the serpent and eats the forbidden fruit.
We are constantly inside Adam’s head as he realizes what has happened, and how from that moment on, the couple have an almost tragic understanding that they were naked, and that their world has suddenly transformed from Paradise to a seemingly dystopian reality. We soon meet Cain and Abel and are there too drawn into the conflict that plagued them until Cain killed Abel in a fit of anger and hostility.
This rendering of the reexamination of Eden continues as a study of faith, healing, freedom, and salvation. While this book might not be for everyone and might not convince people to increase their Christian faith, it is a well-written, and easily-understood attempt at explaining the values of a relationship with God, along with the benefits of such a relationship.
I thoroughly enjoyed the skillful and masterful way in which the author paints his picture and draws the reader in from the very beginning. Combs uses words and phrases that are as easily understood by the theologian as well as the lay person who seeks to increase his biblical knowledge and understanding.
At times I was not thrilled with the author’s interpretation, as well-intended as he might have been. Having said that, as someone who considers himself well-read about religion and spirituality, the book was extremely well-written and will almost certainly increase one’s awareness and understanding of the bible.
I am rating this book 4 out of 4 stars and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy expanding their knowledge of God and His word. I must also mention the use of the author’s study questions which are found at the end of each chapter. These questions alone make this book an excellent source of enjoyable reading as well as a useful resource for individual and group bible studies.
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Who Told You That You Were Naked?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
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The Introduction to this book offers great insight into the path down which the author is about to take you. The personal stories and illuminating analogies will not only inform but will delight as well. The author, William E. Combs, while taking poetic license to make his points, maintains a fidelity to the spirit of the Scriptures, if not exactly the letter. This book begins, as expected from the title, in the Garden of Eden and accompanies us on our informative journey to discover the truth and the real meaning of faith.
We begin our biblical trek looking down from above on the Garden of Eden where we find the first man, Adam, wandering through his surroundings discovering the magnificence of God’s creation. While much of the book should be considered as extra-biblical since the author adds his imagination to the narrative which immediately draws the reader into Adam’s world – to be made a part of it, the book in its entirety is an accurate and illuminating read. For example, we instantly feel a kinship with Adam as he observes a sea eagle swooping down to snatch a Mangar Carp from the water in mid-flight.
Shortly thereafter, the author introduces the first woman, Eve, to the reader, and we learn soon enough about Eve’s perceived weakness by succumbing to the persuasive eloquence of the serpent and eats the forbidden fruit.
We are constantly inside Adam’s head as he realizes what has happened, and how from that moment on, the couple have an almost tragic understanding that they were naked, and that their world has suddenly transformed from Paradise to a seemingly dystopian reality. We soon meet Cain and Abel and are there too drawn into the conflict that plagued them until Cain killed Abel in a fit of anger and hostility.
This rendering of the reexamination of Eden continues as a study of faith, healing, freedom, and salvation. While this book might not be for everyone and might not convince people to increase their Christian faith, it is a well-written, and easily-understood attempt at explaining the values of a relationship with God, along with the benefits of such a relationship.
I thoroughly enjoyed the skillful and masterful way in which the author paints his picture and draws the reader in from the very beginning. Combs uses words and phrases that are as easily understood by the theologian as well as the lay person who seeks to increase his biblical knowledge and understanding.
At times I was not thrilled with the author’s interpretation, as well-intended as he might have been. Having said that, as someone who considers himself well-read about religion and spirituality, the book was extremely well-written and will almost certainly increase one’s awareness and understanding of the bible.
I am rating this book 4 out of 4 stars and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy expanding their knowledge of God and His word. I must also mention the use of the author’s study questions which are found at the end of each chapter. These questions alone make this book an excellent source of enjoyable reading as well as a useful resource for individual and group bible studies.
******
******
Who Told You That You Were Naked?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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