4 out of 4 stars
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Who Told You That You Were Naked? Is described by author William Combs as:
It begins with a brief, engaging introduction that transports the reader back in time to the author’s childhood and his first experience with finding light in the darkness. This simple theme carries on into each subsequent chapter and takes the reader on a journey of discovery that completely lives up to the author’s claim that your perspective will be “forever changed” by what you learn. I was spellbound by the author’s effortless ability to break down complex theological arguments and present them in a way that was easy to digest and also compelling. I wouldn’t generally classify a non-fiction book as a page-turner, but this author’s extensive knowledge of biblical lore, thematics, and engaging storytelling left me eager to begin each new chapter—even as my mind was buzzing with the exciting revelations I had learned from the last.a refreshing re-examination of one tumultuous afternoon in the Garden of Eden [that] will forever change the way you look at sin and salvation.
Each of the 10 chapters is jamb-packed with revelatory lessons and concepts the author wishes to convey by utilizing a variety of techniques that keep you interested and never bored. The brief vignettes are well-written and descriptive, allowing you to feel as if you are present; watching, feeling and experiencing Adam’s, Eve’s and others’ thoughts and emotions. The author’s commentary helps explain the illustration in each vignette and key points of his argument via relevant scriptural passages that tie it all together. Later on he replaces vignettes with personal testimonies, and connects his earlier concepts to the teachings of Jesus. The author expertly explores and enlightens you to both Old and New Testament concepts such as sin and faith—topics we think we understand but really don’t—and provides an informative critique of traditional theological arguments by exposing the flaws in modern interpretations of scripture that pervades the church.
I was initially thrown off by the very first vignette which describes a hypothetical “day in the life” of Adam, his thoughts, feelings, and activities. I thought maybe this approach risked being problematic for the author and could be misconstrued by other theologians and wannabe Bible experts as “adding to” the Bible, which the Bible explicitly warns against. However, upon further reading, I could think of no better way for the author to introduce his perspective of the events in Genesis—and how that contrasts with typical theological interpretations—than to read a snippet of engaging prose.
The first six chapters all build up to an epic climax in chapter seven. This is the highlight of the book because you finally see how everything comes together. It is so well written it felt like I had discovered a secret Bible decoder that transformed my entire perspective and, just like the introduction promised, enlightened the darkness of my biblical understanding. Not only that, I felt like I had discovered a deeper understanding of myself and my relationship with God; this was both an unexpected development and an added bonus.
Each chapter ends with a list of study questions that remind the reader of the topics discussed and encourage deeper thought on the subject; they also help reveal gaps in your understanding of the chapter which can simplify finding areas you need to review. The text is very professionally edited; I only noticed two small typos, but was otherwise very impressed with the layout and readability. The endnotes are also well worth reading as they provide the author’s abundant research and additional commentary he couldn’t fit in the book. The final three chapters add additional details and advice for how to implement your newfound perspective into your life, and in the end acts as a form of spiritual rebirth by the time you reach the last page.
Who Told You That You Were Naked? sets a high bar for itself, but does not disappoint. I rate it a 4 out of 4 stars. Theologians, church leaders and truth-seekers alike should all invest their time in this amazing, transformative piece of biblical education. The author is clearly knowledgeable—as his theological degrees can attest—but his approach is friendly, easy to understand and engaging in its creativity. This book is well worth re-reading for the wealth of information it reveals and should be a part of every Bible enthusiasts’ shelf.
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Who Told You That You Were Naked?
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