Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today

· Sold by Harper Collins
15 reviews
Ebook
256
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

Denominations from evangelical to mainline continue to experience deep divisions over universal social issues. The underlying debate isn’t about a particular social issue, but instead it is about the core of Christian faith: how we understand the nature of scripture and how we should approach biblical interpretation. The world’s bestselling, most-read, and most-loved book is also one of the most confusing. In Making Sense of the Bible, Adam Hamilton, one of the country’s leading pastors and Christian authors, provides a guide for understanding the Bible that addresses the hot-button issues that plague the church and cultural debate, and answers many of the questions frequently asked by Christians and non-Christians alike.

Did God really command Moses to put gay people to death? Did Jesus really teach that everyone who is not a Christian will be assigned to hell? Why would Paul command women to “keep silent in the church?” Were Adam and Eve real people? Is the book of Revelation really about the end times? Who decided which books made it into the scriptures and why? Is the Bible ever wrong? In approachable and inviting language, Hamilton addresses these often misunderstood biblical themes leading readers through a thoughtful Bible study to a deeper appreciation of the Bible so that we might hear God speak through it and find its words to be life-changing and life-giving.

For anyone wrestling with their faith, this book offers a clear path for making sense of the Bible’s most challenging passages.

  • The Nature of Scripture: Explore where the Bible came from, who decided which books were included, and whether its words are inerrant or inspired in this approachable guide.
  • Science and the Bible: Tackle the tough questions about Creation, evolution, and the Flood. Were Adam and Eve real people, and how do we reconcile the Bible with modern science?
  • Old Testament Violence: Confront the passages where God seems to command genocide and prescribe harsh punishments, seeking to understand them within their historical and theological context.
  • Women in the Church: Ask the hard questions about why Paul commanded women to "keep silent in the church" and what that means for Christians today.
  • Interpreting Challenging Verses: Examine what the Bible says about divisive topics like homosexuality and whether Jesus really taught that all non-Christians are assigned to hell.
Denominations from evangelical to mainline continue to experience deep divisions over universal social issues. The underlying debate isn’t about a particular social issue, but instead it is about the core of Christian faith: how we understand the nature of scripture and how we should approach bib...

Discover more

Ratings and reviews

15 reviews
Jennifer E
March 17, 2015
This book held my attention from the first page, clearly written and easy to understand. Thanks
2 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Marioco Ococo
August 29, 2016
I Really Love reading the book
Did you find this helpful?
Myint Niang
May 3, 2014
Manakwee
3 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?

About the author

Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City. Started in 1990 with four people, the church has grown to become the largest United Methodist Church in the United States with over 18,000 members. The church is well known for connecting with agnostics, skeptics, and spiritual seekers. In 2012, it was recognized as the most influential mainline church in America, and Hamilton was asked by the White House to deliver the sermon at the Obama inaugural prayer service. Hamilton, whose theological training includes an undergraduate degree from Oral Roberts University and a graduate degree from Southern Methodist University where he was honored for his work in social ethics, is the author of nineteen books. He has been married to his wife, LaVon, for thirty-one years and has two adult daughters.

Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City. Started in 1990 with four people, the church has grown to become the largest United Methodist Church in the United States with over 18,000 members. The church is well known for connecting with ...

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.