Review by book worm1 -- Who Told You That You Were Naked?

[book worm1]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Who Told You That You Were Naked?" by William Combs.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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William E. Combs’ book, Who Told You That You Were Naked, takes the Christian reader on a journey towards knowledge and understanding as he explores an alternative perception of original sin and our relationship with God. Who Told You You Were Naked is not a book to be quickly read and dismissed. The book is meant to be savored and examined. I like this book because it is thought provoking as well because not everyone will agree with his suggestions. Combs uses text boxes, anecdotes, study questions, testimonies and dramatizations throughout the book to compel the reader to consider what are sin, good, evil, knowledge and relationship.

Combs’ book is an erudite discourse designed to encourage readers to embrace new ideas. Combs challenges the traditional concept of original sin by suggesting that Adam and Eve are not rebelling against God. Rather, their disobedience is a result of them looking for a closer relationship with God. Combs uses various stories and quotes to show readers that the journey of faith means building a new relationship with God.

Combs also examines what it means to be born again and how “finding peace and rest in God” can help us fight sin which is presented as an "adversary crouching at the door". Combs examines how translations of original Biblical text can change the meaning of text and suggests that in doing so it changes our relationship to the text itself. Sometimes the amount of information is overwhelming for the layperson to follow but I personally like the challenge.

I like that Combs has written a book in which the purpose is to bring readers into a new relationship with God by guiding us on a journey of discovery. He is not dictating a new reality. Instead he leads a discussion formed around text history, testimonials and his own faith journey in hopes of inspiring readers to begin their own transformation of faith. This book requires reader participation in order be fully effective. I found myself in dialogue with this author, through the study questions that he asks at the end of each chapter and, in doing so, felt growth in my understanding of the themes presented.

I rate this book with four out of four stars. I would read this book several more times and still find something new to consider because of the scope of the book. Combs brings readers into a dialogue about God, with God, and with each other. I would pass this book on to my circle of friends in my Christian community. It is meant to be shared and discovered. Who Told You That You Were Naked will appeal to Christian readers who are interested in challenging and expanding their knowledge and beliefs. It will not appeal to readers who only want their own ideas reinforced.

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Who Told You That You Were Naked?
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