Review by mwi-cate -- Who Told You That You Were Naked?

Cate Mbevi · Post by **Cate Mbevi** » 28 Dec 2017, 05:21

[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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Who Told You That You Were Naked? by William E. Combs is a spiritual nonfiction book which reexamines the Garden of Eden, a story in the first book of the Bible which is Genesis. With analogies, humor, reenactment, testimonies, examples and above all an excellent theological insight, Combs illuminates the major point that all scripture tries to put forward not only in the book of Genesis but in the whole Bible. Combs’ book is a fresh glimpse into the heart of God where the revelation of God’s divine intention is so intense and transforming that Christianity becomes much more than just the fall and redemption of mankind.

Like many other people I was convinced that I knew too well the story of Adam and Eve. (Is it not about how our first parents disobeyed God then He angrily drove them out of the beautiful garden? Because of this all human beings became sinners for we inherit this sin from our parents and pass it to our children so God sent Jesus to redeem us from our sinful nature). While this is true, Combs explains that it is a very shallow concept to make a follower of Christ. Who Told You That You Were Naked? opens the eyes of a believer to see the real point of Genesis and consequently the whole Bible. He specifies that the story of the Garden of Eden is not simply about disobedience or rebellion. It is something more concrete that runs not only through the whole Bible but also through the different events, circumstances and encounters in our lives.

Understanding the letters and the epistles in the New Testament has not been easy because they contain a rather high theological language. I like the way Combs has drawn connections from the Garden of Eden to the Pauline literature making the later relatable, easy to understand and quite applicable in daily life. I also am grateful that biblical quotes are in the text. One does not have to stop in the middle of a page to look up scriptural references.

At first I did not like it where Combs says that he was a member in different churches but he did not feel a sense of belonging. That could be interpreted negatively to mean that those churches and their ministers are inadequate in the gospel ministry. I appreciate Combs for clarifying this in the end notes. It is my belief that salvation is not about denominations but rather God’s timing to draw one to Himself as well as that person’s positive response.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because it is professionally written and edited. Most importantly it is not just another sophisticated interpretation of the book of Genesis but a simple and practical one with inspirations that easily blend into our day to day relationship with Jesus. It is a book to be read meditatively again and again in order that its precious truths may sink in the heart. I feel the book is more suitable for believers who want to make their relationship with Jesus deeper than that of occasionally calling to mind all their sins then confessing them one by one.

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Who Told You That You Were Naked?
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Paul78 · Post by **Paul78** » 30 Dec 2017, 10:35

The matter of God's relationship with man isn't about religions nor denominations, it is all about the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, his death and resurrection.
Thanks for your informative review.

HouseOfAtticus · Post by **HouseOfAtticus** » 01 Jan 2018, 10:14

Thank you for this extensive review. I found it really helpful. I have read the book and I found it absolutely wonderful. To me it wasn't about religion.

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 02 Jan 2018, 21:37

Thanks for an interesting review. I really like your last statement that our relationship with Jesus is more than just confessing our sins. That is only the starting point. Well done. Very insightful.

Connie Otwani · Post by **Connie Otwani** » 19 Sep 2018, 04:52

Thanks for the informative review. I like that the book has the biblical quotations so there is no distractions looking up the references. I hope to get to read this book soon.