Review by Lexybrawn -- Who Told You That You Were Naked?
-
Lexybrawn
- Posts: 4
- Joined: 21 Dec 2018, 02:41
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lexybrawn.html
- Latest Review: Who Told You That You Were Naked? by William Combs
Review by Lexybrawn -- 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
Share This Review
Who Told You That You Were Naked by William E. Combs is indeed a refreshing reexamination of the incidents that took place in the biblical Garden of Eden between the Serpent, Adam and Eve. With some dramatic flourish, Combs takes apart what he considers to be the import of the nakedness the parents of the human race felt when they ate of the forbidden fruit of good and evil, and the boomerang effect it has had on human beings since then as the forces of darkness seek to overcome that of light.
Starting from the premise that Adam and Eve's act were not intended as rebellion against God but as acts of children wanting to be like their parents(in this case God), Combs adds that God’s pronouncements against them was not a curse but a way of gifting them with the capacity to survive the consequences their action would bring. This train of thought is a radical shift from what many christains may believe. The author holds that eating the fruit made them realize their inadequacies and begin to worry incessantly about them, hence their need to cover their nakedness. This nakedness, according to Coombs was not just physical but was relational and spiritual as well, a situation which he calls physical, relational and spiritual death. These ‘deaths' he concluded is the wellspring of all sins. However, there is hope for life through the redemptive work of Christ, the second Adam.
The book is written with a dramatic flourish as Combs brought to bear lively depictions of what transpired in the garden. To illustrate and deepen understanding of the concepts he was trying to explain, he many times, invented realistic fictional materials not explicitly stated in the Bible, but which nevertheless helped to put across his points splendidly. Many times I found myself imagining scenes from the pictures he painted with words. Imagery is a powerful tool and Combs masterfully used it for impact in the book. Audiences would find it a more interesting read for this singular feature.
Also, there is a gradual lead-in process in the book, where the author takes his time to lay a solid background that would build understanding for the readers before taking them into more deeper and esoteric planes. And even while explaining the deeper things, there is a calculated attempt to keep the language honest and simple, so the reader is not lost in 'mysticism'. And then, there is the book’s chronology which I enjoyed very much. The 10 chapters in the book, starting from the first were superbly linked in thought till the end, making it coherent and I dare say, even logical in it’s line of thought.
Who Told You That You Were Naked is a spiritual book and should hold great appeal for a christain audience. Christains who want to grow their understanding of what transpired in the opening chapters of the biblical book of Genesis would gain much insight from this book. And for any others from other religions other than christainity, or lovers of the mystical, this book is highly recommended.
This professionally edited book is devoid of typographical errors and grammatically sound. With it’s airy pages, it’s easy on the eyes and makes for pleasant reading. And with the content also exceptional in my opinion, I have no hesitations rating the book 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Who Told You That You Were Naked?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Lexybrawn's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Who Told You That You Were Naked by William E. Combs is indeed a refreshing reexamination of the incidents that took place in the biblical Garden of Eden between the Serpent, Adam and Eve. With some dramatic flourish, Combs takes apart what he considers to be the import of the nakedness the parents of the human race felt when they ate of the forbidden fruit of good and evil, and the boomerang effect it has had on human beings since then as the forces of darkness seek to overcome that of light.
Starting from the premise that Adam and Eve's act were not intended as rebellion against God but as acts of children wanting to be like their parents(in this case God), Combs adds that God’s pronouncements against them was not a curse but a way of gifting them with the capacity to survive the consequences their action would bring. This train of thought is a radical shift from what many christains may believe. The author holds that eating the fruit made them realize their inadequacies and begin to worry incessantly about them, hence their need to cover their nakedness. This nakedness, according to Coombs was not just physical but was relational and spiritual as well, a situation which he calls physical, relational and spiritual death. These ‘deaths' he concluded is the wellspring of all sins. However, there is hope for life through the redemptive work of Christ, the second Adam.
The book is written with a dramatic flourish as Combs brought to bear lively depictions of what transpired in the garden. To illustrate and deepen understanding of the concepts he was trying to explain, he many times, invented realistic fictional materials not explicitly stated in the Bible, but which nevertheless helped to put across his points splendidly. Many times I found myself imagining scenes from the pictures he painted with words. Imagery is a powerful tool and Combs masterfully used it for impact in the book. Audiences would find it a more interesting read for this singular feature.
Also, there is a gradual lead-in process in the book, where the author takes his time to lay a solid background that would build understanding for the readers before taking them into more deeper and esoteric planes. And even while explaining the deeper things, there is a calculated attempt to keep the language honest and simple, so the reader is not lost in 'mysticism'. And then, there is the book’s chronology which I enjoyed very much. The 10 chapters in the book, starting from the first were superbly linked in thought till the end, making it coherent and I dare say, even logical in it’s line of thought.
Who Told You That You Were Naked is a spiritual book and should hold great appeal for a christain audience. Christains who want to grow their understanding of what transpired in the opening chapters of the biblical book of Genesis would gain much insight from this book. And for any others from other religions other than christainity, or lovers of the mystical, this book is highly recommended.
This professionally edited book is devoid of typographical errors and grammatically sound. With it’s airy pages, it’s easy on the eyes and makes for pleasant reading. And with the content also exceptional in my opinion, I have no hesitations rating the book 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Who Told You That You Were Naked?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Lexybrawn's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Who Told You That You Were Naked? by William Combs
