Book shows respect for the unchurched

This is one of the most refreshing resources for seekers I have come across in a long time. It is written for those who are honestly seeking to understand what authentic faith is but have little or no previous exposure to the Bible.

It is not a book of theology. Mature Christians who read this book might look for the common phrases and concepts that will tell them the writer is "orthodox". But that is not the purpose of this book. It is written to introduce a seeker to the riches of the Bible.

Gantt is a master of the metaphor. The first part of the book gives an overview that explains how it has been put together. He provides reference points for understanding what to expect of the different sections. For example: "the Bible's narratives don't so much tug at you to turn the pages as they dig in their heels to make you stop and think" (p. 14).

He likens the ordering of the books to how we hold a hand of cards: we arrange them by suit, in descending or ascending order. "The essential thing is not which order, but that there's order." That language and approach will be understood by seekers. Gantt does an excellent work of keeping the main things the main things. Permit me a lengthy quote to reassure you of his high view of Scripture and the brilliance of his ability to communicate with seekers:

I am not second guessing every passage, telling you to take this seriously but not that. Bible scholars can get defensive about the Bible. They realize certain things are hard for the modern mind to accept and try to compensate by telling the reader what can be regarded as trustworthy and what can't. As a result, the poor reader is bombarded by archaeological facts and scholarly theories, and thus loses track of which lines are supposed to be reliable and which aren't. I think it's far better to take the text at face value and let it speak for itself. When a book lacks integrity, most readers are discriminating enough to notice it. If the Bible lacked integrity, it would have passed from the scene long ago." (p. 47)

The second part of the book includes an easy-to-read summary of each book of the Bible. Part three concludes with helpful comments on how to understand the Bible; how to read with a view to doing; and how to avoid the extremes of mysticism or skepticism.

I look forward to a new generation of resources, like this one, that are written with respect and consideration for the unchurched.

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