Review of Who Told You That You Were Naked?

Uniquekemmie · Post by **Uniquekemmie** » 02 Feb 2022, 23:02

[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 story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden is the first and most likely the most popular story in the Bible. Most people are quite familiar with it. We know how Adam and Eve lived in fellowship with God and what led to their being cast out of Eden. But what if there is a lot we do not know? In this simple and widely-told story lie mysteries, treasures, and myriads of essential lessons. What could have been going through the minds of our first parents when they ate the forbidden fruit? Was their misdeed really rebellion? What prompted their feeling of "nakedness"? What kind of death did they die? What if there were blessings embedded in God's judgment to them? What is sin and when was it first mentioned in the Bible? What amount of faith is necessary for us today as Christians?

Who told you that you were naked? by William E. Combs takes us back to Eden, shows us the occurrences through a different lens, and tells the story from a unique perspective. All these questions, and many more, are answered in the book, and as the title says, it is a refreshing reexamination of the garden of Eden. The book begins with Adam in the garden and his loneliness, which prompted God to create his helpmate, Eve. It goes on to talk about God's promises to them and His plans for newlyweds. Adam and Eve were deceived and fell, thereby committing sin and attracting the punishment of God. There is the examination of faith and its role in healing. Small faith and little faith are well explained and differentiated insightfully. The book further goes on to talk about Jesus as the only sinless son of Adam and how relevant his sacrifice is in fulfilling the righteousness of God and redeeming mankind. The book primarily expatiates on the concepts of sin, salvation, redemption, and faith. There is also the examination of living and walking in the way of the Lord, hearing from Him and following Him.

There are a lot of things that are intriguing about this book. One of them is how the author explains each concept explicitly and backs up every point with scriptural passages to give more insight and clarity to the reader. The author also gives short vignettes that help the reader connect and identify easily with the person discussed. This helps to understand each character better. The personal experiences and testimonies shared throughout the book are inspiring, as they provide extra spice and make the concepts so real and relatable. I find it amazing how the author goes a long way to explain every topic, idea, and significant word in the Bible passages. I especially love his explanation of the "nakedness" Adam and Eve felt after eating the fruit God commanded them not to eat. He also talks about sin as not just "a list of errant acts" but the knowledge of good and evil inherited from Adam. There is the inclusion of the views and analyses of commentators, theologians, and Bible scholars on the different topics, and this provides vast knowledge to the reader.

The only downside to this book, in my opinion, is the complexity that builds up near the end of the book. The theological terms and concepts became quite difficult for me to understand and keep up with. This would make it difficult for someone without a theological background or perspective to flow effortlessly. However, every other aspect of the book was superb.

I gladly give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. This is because the book is very well developed; the themes and concepts are built upon in a top-notch manner. Also, the book is professionally edited, as I discovered only two minor errors in my course of reading.

This book appeals mostly to Christians, who desire a refreshing reexamination of the garden of Eden and who seek a deeper understanding of the Bible, sin, faith, and redemption. It is, however, not restricted to Christians alone, but is also recommended to theologians, and generally, to all who want to learn about the Bible. Who told you that you were naked? is a soul-enriching and thought-provoking book that will open your heart and mind to the love and grace of God and will draw you closer into the loving arms of the Father.

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Who Told You That You Were Naked?
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