Review by k79mt1 -- Who Told You That You Were Naked?
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k79mt1
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- Latest Review: Who Told You That You Were Naked? by William Combs
Review by k79mt1 -- Who Told You That You Were Naked?
[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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It’s easy to assume the Biblical story of the fall of man and the idea of original sin are unquestionably accepted in the Christian world. William E. Combs, author and retired Presbyterian minister, asks readers to look again at the story of Adam and Eve and to consider drawing different conclusions about how sin entered the world and what that means for our restoration to God.
The book Who Told You That You Were Naked: A Refreshing Reexamination of the Garden of Eden begins by examining life in the garden of Eden before humanity took a downhill turn. Combs takes his readers from the Old Testament to the New Testament, asking that they rethink everything they thought they knew. One of his first questions: What does it mean to be naked? Is it a strictly physical state or a larger issue of fear?
Combs is of course referring to Adam and Eve’s need to cover themselves after eating fruit off the forbidden tree. It’s a testament to his writing that this book can be read by a nonbeliever, a new believer, or someone who has been a Christian for years and still challenge the way they think. It will also be understandable to any reader due to the author's careful explanations. The writing is broken into easy-to-digest parts while still offering more than just basic information.
Combs’ writing style brings to life stories many of us have grown up hearing. His use of vignettes, imagined and admittedly not based in actual historical fact, breathe life into Biblical text. He takes the reader out of what they think they already know and offers imagery that helps them see Biblical figures as actual people impacted by daily life, just like we are. He then returns to discussion about the Bible story in the given chapter in a more scholarly tone.
Combs offers context and translations of words that have their origins in other languages.This essential step gives deeper understanding and takes care of many careless interpretations readers may have accepted from past readings that didn’t give necessary background information.
Each chapter is punctuated by study questions. These in-depth queries can be discussed with a group or wrestled with individually, and they help cement the prior chapter’s information in the mind of the reader.
This book offers depth: a deeper view of death, sin, and relationships. Combs explores the idea of nakedness as a vulnerability that we have to diligently arm ourselves against, with God as our guide. His view of what happened in the garden has more of a positive psychology feel than a strictly black and white, people-are-bad slant.
I rate this book a 4 out of 4 because of the unique yet supported viewpoint it offers. Even those who don’t agree with Combs’ conclusion will be able to see how he came to it and appreciate the thought he put into the process.
His goal is to make the story of God’s love more accessible and real to all, presenting to us a God who loves us, an adversary who tricks us, and a world where we can’t be perfectly clothed without the care of the Almighty. Was Eve wrong to want to be like God, her deity and example? Or was she tricked, turning her good motive into something that would forever change the course of humanity? That’s what Combs asks us to explore, and he takes us on a beautiful journey in an attempt to find the answer.
******
Who Told You That You Were Naked?
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4 out of 4 stars
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It’s easy to assume the Biblical story of the fall of man and the idea of original sin are unquestionably accepted in the Christian world. William E. Combs, author and retired Presbyterian minister, asks readers to look again at the story of Adam and Eve and to consider drawing different conclusions about how sin entered the world and what that means for our restoration to God.
The book Who Told You That You Were Naked: A Refreshing Reexamination of the Garden of Eden begins by examining life in the garden of Eden before humanity took a downhill turn. Combs takes his readers from the Old Testament to the New Testament, asking that they rethink everything they thought they knew. One of his first questions: What does it mean to be naked? Is it a strictly physical state or a larger issue of fear?
Combs is of course referring to Adam and Eve’s need to cover themselves after eating fruit off the forbidden tree. It’s a testament to his writing that this book can be read by a nonbeliever, a new believer, or someone who has been a Christian for years and still challenge the way they think. It will also be understandable to any reader due to the author's careful explanations. The writing is broken into easy-to-digest parts while still offering more than just basic information.
Combs’ writing style brings to life stories many of us have grown up hearing. His use of vignettes, imagined and admittedly not based in actual historical fact, breathe life into Biblical text. He takes the reader out of what they think they already know and offers imagery that helps them see Biblical figures as actual people impacted by daily life, just like we are. He then returns to discussion about the Bible story in the given chapter in a more scholarly tone.
Combs offers context and translations of words that have their origins in other languages.This essential step gives deeper understanding and takes care of many careless interpretations readers may have accepted from past readings that didn’t give necessary background information.
Each chapter is punctuated by study questions. These in-depth queries can be discussed with a group or wrestled with individually, and they help cement the prior chapter’s information in the mind of the reader.
This book offers depth: a deeper view of death, sin, and relationships. Combs explores the idea of nakedness as a vulnerability that we have to diligently arm ourselves against, with God as our guide. His view of what happened in the garden has more of a positive psychology feel than a strictly black and white, people-are-bad slant.
I rate this book a 4 out of 4 because of the unique yet supported viewpoint it offers. Even those who don’t agree with Combs’ conclusion will be able to see how he came to it and appreciate the thought he put into the process.
His goal is to make the story of God’s love more accessible and real to all, presenting to us a God who loves us, an adversary who tricks us, and a world where we can’t be perfectly clothed without the care of the Almighty. Was Eve wrong to want to be like God, her deity and example? Or was she tricked, turning her good motive into something that would forever change the course of humanity? That’s what Combs asks us to explore, and he takes us on a beautiful journey in an attempt to find the answer.
******
Who Told You That You Were Naked?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Latest Review: Who Told You That You Were Naked? by William Combs
