Review by Juliet144 -- Who Told You That You Were Naked?
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Juliet144
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Review by Juliet144 -- 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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This book is a sobering examination of the knowledge of good and evil, sin and death. Not only does the author assess the root of mankind's spiritual dilemma but he draws on the parallelism between Adam’s fall and Christ’s redemptive work. The book points out that what happened in the Garden of Eden is more than about a mere wrongful act- there was a deeper spiritual issue at work. In like manner, the remedy through Jesus Christ is not just confessional but transformative. This redemptive process through Jesus Christ ultimately leads to a lasting change in the receiver’s life. The writer not only delved into the theological aspects of the ‘fall’ and the gospel story but also captures the practical implications of these issues and the importance of having a clear understanding of them. Many readers will also appreciate the biblical enactments skillfully utilized by the writer. These enactments help to add life to many of the biblical scenarios mentioned and provide a much simpler explanation of the related biblical concepts.
A topic I found interesting was the different meanings of death and its consequential nature, as exposited by the author. Understanding the different types of deaths give clarity to what happened at the fall of Adam and Eve. I also appreciated the connection provided between the fall of Adam and Eve and the remedy provided through Jesus Christ. The author’s insights on the knowledge of good and evil may be new to some but it will challenge the reader to look beyond the familiar exposition on this issue and re-examine this issue in a new light. I definitely consider a book to be a worthy read if it encourages personal analysis and this book does just that. At the end of each chapter, the author provides thought-provoking questions on each topic. These questions challenge the reader’s understanding and personal interpretation of the issues discussed.
I like that the book not only invites the reader’s participation but it highlights personal testimonies, which I’ve found refreshing. These personal testimonies transitioned the reader’s thoughts beyond the dogmatic to the practical implications and results that can be achieved by embracing these theological perspectives. One will respect this book for its heavy use of scripture. This was another strong point that I picked up in this book. Continuous biblical references are used to support the theological positions taken. This is particularly helpful for those who are not familiar with these biblical texts.
On the other hand, although this book is an enlightening read, there are aspects that are not easy to grasp. Logical reasoning is at times employed and from my point of view, some of the author’s thoughts or interpretations are not easy to comprehend. Furthermore, a view of the author’s unconventional interpretations of scripture and biblical situations will be unfamiliar to the average Christian reader. At some points, the author applied deep theological concepts that will, perhaps, be considered a challenge for a new Bible beginner to comfortably follow. However, a person with at least a basic understanding of the issues covered in the book will appreciate the expanded views provided, as the author challenges conventional biblical thought on many instances, especially, as pertained to the Genesis story.
I would give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. Although my biblical understanding and interpretations are not perfectly aligned with that of the writer’s, I believe he did an excellent job in expressing his points to the more mature Christian reader and providing strong biblical references to convey and support his thoughts. I would recommend that this book is for persons who want to learn more about the foundational and fundamental principles of the Christian faith and is open to unconventional biblical expressions. I rate this book highly, as it provides a practical application to the reader. It covers fundamental aspects of the Christian faith and if applied can lead to a transformation in the life of the reader.
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Who Told You That You Were Naked?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Juliet144's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
This book is a sobering examination of the knowledge of good and evil, sin and death. Not only does the author assess the root of mankind's spiritual dilemma but he draws on the parallelism between Adam’s fall and Christ’s redemptive work. The book points out that what happened in the Garden of Eden is more than about a mere wrongful act- there was a deeper spiritual issue at work. In like manner, the remedy through Jesus Christ is not just confessional but transformative. This redemptive process through Jesus Christ ultimately leads to a lasting change in the receiver’s life. The writer not only delved into the theological aspects of the ‘fall’ and the gospel story but also captures the practical implications of these issues and the importance of having a clear understanding of them. Many readers will also appreciate the biblical enactments skillfully utilized by the writer. These enactments help to add life to many of the biblical scenarios mentioned and provide a much simpler explanation of the related biblical concepts.
A topic I found interesting was the different meanings of death and its consequential nature, as exposited by the author. Understanding the different types of deaths give clarity to what happened at the fall of Adam and Eve. I also appreciated the connection provided between the fall of Adam and Eve and the remedy provided through Jesus Christ. The author’s insights on the knowledge of good and evil may be new to some but it will challenge the reader to look beyond the familiar exposition on this issue and re-examine this issue in a new light. I definitely consider a book to be a worthy read if it encourages personal analysis and this book does just that. At the end of each chapter, the author provides thought-provoking questions on each topic. These questions challenge the reader’s understanding and personal interpretation of the issues discussed.
I like that the book not only invites the reader’s participation but it highlights personal testimonies, which I’ve found refreshing. These personal testimonies transitioned the reader’s thoughts beyond the dogmatic to the practical implications and results that can be achieved by embracing these theological perspectives. One will respect this book for its heavy use of scripture. This was another strong point that I picked up in this book. Continuous biblical references are used to support the theological positions taken. This is particularly helpful for those who are not familiar with these biblical texts.
On the other hand, although this book is an enlightening read, there are aspects that are not easy to grasp. Logical reasoning is at times employed and from my point of view, some of the author’s thoughts or interpretations are not easy to comprehend. Furthermore, a view of the author’s unconventional interpretations of scripture and biblical situations will be unfamiliar to the average Christian reader. At some points, the author applied deep theological concepts that will, perhaps, be considered a challenge for a new Bible beginner to comfortably follow. However, a person with at least a basic understanding of the issues covered in the book will appreciate the expanded views provided, as the author challenges conventional biblical thought on many instances, especially, as pertained to the Genesis story.
I would give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. Although my biblical understanding and interpretations are not perfectly aligned with that of the writer’s, I believe he did an excellent job in expressing his points to the more mature Christian reader and providing strong biblical references to convey and support his thoughts. I would recommend that this book is for persons who want to learn more about the foundational and fundamental principles of the Christian faith and is open to unconventional biblical expressions. I rate this book highly, as it provides a practical application to the reader. It covers fundamental aspects of the Christian faith and if applied can lead to a transformation in the life of the reader.
******
Who Told You That You Were Naked?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Juliet144's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: The Mindset by Ace Bowers
