Does the book change your understanding of the Bible?

AntonelaMaria · Post by **AntonelaMaria** » 02 Aug 2019, 14:17

The author says "I have made every effort to keep the stories simple, straightforward, and free from fictionalizing and embellishment. I have also tried to tell each story as the scriptures tell it, while--at the same time--eliminating redundancy and cumbersome (and sometimes sordid) details." I find many instances where things are not the same as scripture. And that details the author eliminated or as he says are sordid are very important. Or at least to me and my understanding of the Bible.

So to answer your question...no this won't affect or change my understanding of the Bible. I found this to be his interpretation only. Maybe this book would be perfect for someone who is new to the Bible or someone who wants to learn more about Christianity and Jewish religion.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 02 Aug 2019, 23:41

Adedayo+23 wrote: ↑02 Aug 2019, 10:27 I think the book added a bit more context to some of the Bible passages. There's a new level of understanding that comes with that.

I feel the same way too. The book put a lot of passages in perspective and made them more understandable or even found a new theme to learn from them.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 02 Aug 2019, 23:44

Leah39 wrote: ↑02 Aug 2019, 14:06
Dan_Wellock wrote: ↑01 Aug 2019, 18:31 The book does not really change my understanding of the Bible. I have learned the doctrine with all of my heart, and the topics that the author discussed (at least the ones I agreed with) were ones that I were aware of. It was basically a summary of the Old Testament with some opinions mixed in. It was an ok read, but not an overly original one.
I love that you identified that it carried the author’s opinions. The summary made it sound like he was presenting a factual retelling, but from what I read, it was his take on the stories rather than a retelling in more modern language.

I agree, but his take was minimal and did not change the message of the passages but rather addeed context, additional themes, and a better understanding to them.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 02 Aug 2019, 23:46

AntonelaMaria wrote: ↑02 Aug 2019, 14:17 The author says "I have made every effort to keep the stories simple, straightforward, and free from fictionalizing and embellishment. I have also tried to tell each story as the scriptures tell it, while--at the same time--eliminating redundancy and cumbersome (and sometimes sordid) details." I find many instances where things are not the same as scripture. And that details the author eliminated or as he says are sordid are very important. Or at least to me and my understanding of the Bible.

So to answer your question...no this won't affect or change my understanding of the Bible. I found this to be his interpretation only. Maybe this book would be perfect for someone who is new to the Bible or someone who wants to learn more about Christianity and Jewish religion.

It would be a perfect book for those new to the bible or those who find deciphering the Old Testament cumbersome. The author'sinterpretation seeks to better the readers understanding of traditional scriptures.

kwame1977 · Post by **kwame1977** » 03 Aug 2019, 00:59

Absolutely! This book has done it all. I now understand the Bible from a different perspective. The author has actually done a good job. Thanks

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 03 Aug 2019, 05:26

kwame1977 wrote: ↑03 Aug 2019, 00:59 Absolutely! This book has done it all. I now understand the Bible from a different perspective. The author has actually done a good job. Thanks

The author aimed to broaden the understanding of the Old Testament of the Bible without taking anything out of the passages. His perspective was very helpful to me.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 03 Aug 2019, 08:37

Sam_Ibeh wrote: ↑02 Aug 2019, 08:24 If anything, some of the stories helped me understand some unwritten details. For instance, I haven't wrapped my head around figuring out the chronological arrangement of the Old Testament. But Reading this book helped me understand

I agree, the chronological order of the Old Testament is sometime tough to qrap one's head around but the author did an amazing job to write the passages in the correct order which helps in the understanding of the Bible.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 03 Aug 2019, 11:03

kwame1977 wrote: ↑03 Aug 2019, 00:59 Absolutely! This book has done it all. I now understand the Bible from a different perspective. The author has actually done a good job. Thanks

I agree, the author went above and beyond in his goal to make the Old Testament scripture more understandable. I gained a lot from this book.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 03 Aug 2019, 13:51

Fazzier wrote: ↑02 Aug 2019, 07:28 I haven't read the book yet but going by the reviews I've read, I hope this book will change, for better, my understanding of the Bible.

I hope you get to read the book and tell us if it had any effect on your understanding of the Old Testament scripture.

Benthic · Post by **Benthic** » 03 Aug 2019, 13:56

It really reminded me of the stories I used to hear as a child and it really was a refreshing experience to read this book.

Benthic · Post by **Benthic** » 03 Aug 2019, 14:38

ernest kafuna wrote: ↑01 Aug 2019, 13:35 The book as much as it caries its origin from the old testament,i dont believe it has the ability of changing ones believe in the bible though it might happen just depending on how strong ones knowledge and biblical foundation is.

True and this book really draws in young readers as well who always put off knowing scripture because of it being a little different to read

Laila Hashem · Post by **Laila Hashem** » 03 Aug 2019, 22:11

It absolutely did. Christain services are hauntingly beautiful, but I never experienced one that helped my understanding and view of the bible in this sense.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 03 Aug 2019, 22:13

Benthic wrote: ↑03 Aug 2019, 13:56 It really reminded me of the stories I used to hear as a child and it really was a refreshing experience to read this book.

It was amazing getting a new -and possibly broadened - perspective on well known passages from the Old Testament. It was refreshing for me too.

SandraDomR · Post by **SandraDomR** » 03 Aug 2019, 22:52

Even though I am not religious, I grew up Mexican Catholic and instead of bedtime stories I got Bible passages at night. In a way, the books allows you to see an easier way to interpret the Bible, but I honestly did not find anything as illuminating or really explanatory as I expected. Reading these different perspectives was refreshing in a way, but I ultimately believe that the Bible's interpretation is a very personal journey.

Lisyr · Post by **Lisyr** » 04 Aug 2019, 02:37

I have always loved the accounts of the Old Testament. Greenwood in his book simplifies the accounts using a story telling style. What struck me though while reading was that it stood out clearer to me that God promised Abraham that through his seed that the nations of the world would be blessed. The Lord God would accomplish this by multiplying Abraham's seed through Issaac the son of promise but I also noted that it was to Ishmael, also a son of Abraham, though not the promised heir that God said that He would make him a great nation. Another thing that stood out to me was the duration of years within events took place which is not stated in the actual bible text you would have to calculate it. This information gave me a better perspective of the timelines and ages of the Old Testament characters.