Medium – Book
About the Book – Amanda Hope Haley discusses some of the most held pre-conceptions about stories and elements in the Bible and how they have come about. She deals firstly with the tradition that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute (she wasn’t – classic misogynist Pope move), then works through Creation and Evolution, the authors of the Books of the Bible, and how to tell the difference between a popular doctrine and what is actually in the Bible. She discusses in depth how the Bible was written, translated and transmitted, and how misconceptions may have come about due to historical readings and translating of the Biblical Texts.
My Rating – 4/5
My Thoughts – This was a book I heard promoted on one of my favourite Podcasts, ‘The Bible Binge’, which retells Biblical stories as if they were a book, film or TV show. It’s an excellent show and I have generally had quite good luck with books when I’ve bought ones recommended on the Podcast. This book was really interesting and was definitely one of the best, and most readable, Christian books that I have read in a while. Haley’s narrative style was excellent – very witty and informative, and I liked the way that she started each chapter with an illustration from her own life.
I particularly enjoyed (and recognised) her reflections on the two styles of sermon-making – both of which I have observed. The first was ‘proof-texting’ – the process of taking one Bible verse or section from the Bible and using it to make a preacher’s point. This is often used by those (generally male) preachers trying to stop women preaching in their church – or, as another example, is often seen in prosperity gospel style churches. The second was ‘exegesis’, the process of looking at a topic or theme using the whole of the Bible and all of the context, which is less concerned with getting the Bible to say what the sermon-maker wants it to say. I found this part of the book particularly powerful, and found myself this Sunday listening to our Church’s sermon with new ears. Definitely a recommended book, and one I will be passing around my family!
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