How the Bible Actually Works: In Which I Explain How An Ancient, Ambiguous, and Diverse Book Leads Us to Wisdom Rather Than Answers?and Why That's Great News
Language: English
Published by HarperOne, 2019
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Broad Street Books, Branchville, NJ, U.S.A.Broad Street Books
AbeBooks seller since October 16, 2008
Condition: Used - As new
£ 14.71
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Signed and inscribed by author on first page. Hardcover with dust jacket. Book is in excellent condition, text is unmarked and pages are tight.
Seller Inventory # 66382
- Title
- How the Bible Actually Works: In Which I Explain How An Ancient, Ambiguous, and Diverse Book Leads Us to Wisdom Rather Than Answers?and Why That's Great News
- Author
- Enns, Peter
- Publisher
- HarperOne
- Publication year
- 2019
- Condition
- Like New
- Binding
- hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0062686747
- ISBN 13
- 9780062686749
- Item weight
- 16 ounces
- Dimensions
- 6x0x9
Controversial evangelical Bible scholar, popular blogger and podcast host of The Bible for Normal People, and author of The Bible Tells Me So and The Sin of Certainty explains that the Bible is not an instruction manual or rule book but a powerful learning tool that nurtures our spiritual growth by refusing to provide us with easy answers but instead forces us to acquire wisdom.
For many Christians, the Bible is a how-to manual filled with literal truths about belief that must be strictly followed. But the Bible is not static, Peter Enns argues. It does not hold easy answers to the perplexing questions and issues that confront us in our daily lives. Rather, the Bible is a dynamic instrument for study that not only offers an abundance of insights but provokes us to find our own answers to spiritual questions, cultivating God&;s wisdom within us.
&;The Bible becomes a confusing mess when we expect it to function as a rulebook for faith. But when we allow the Bible to determine our expectations, we see that Wisdom, not answers, is the Bible&;s true subject matter,&; writes Enns. This distinction, he points out, is important because when we come to the Bible expecting it to be a textbook intended by God to give us unwavering certainty about our faith, we are actually creating problems for ourselves. The Bible, in other words, really isn&;t the problem; having the wrong expectation is what interferes with our reading.
Rather than considering the Bible as an ancient book weighed down with problems, flaws, and contradictions that must be defended by modern readers, Enns offers a vision of the holy scriptures as an inspired and empowering resource to help us better understand how to live as a person of faith today.
How the Bible Actually Works makes clear that there is no one right way to read the Bible. Moving us beyond the damaging idea that &;being right&; is the most important measure of faith, Enns&;s freeing approach to Bible study helps us to instead focus on pursuing enlightenment and building our relationship with God&;which is exactly what the Bible was designed to do.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
"This book is an oasis of insight in a desert of deconstruction. I learned more from the introduction here than most books. Pete Enns shows us what to do after we give up on the Bible, and how this ancient, ambiguous, and diverse book remains uniquely useful to modern people."--Mike McHargue, co-founder of The Liturgists and host of Ask Science Mike
"Seldom will you encounter such a fine combination of historical scholarship, interesting reading, and clever humor in one Biblical study. And then filled with faith and hope besides! Peter Enns does it again!"--Fr.Richard Rohr, author of Falling Upward
"Brilliant, wise, sarcastic, and disarmingly profound. If you've ever found yourself frustrated with the bible, wondering not only what it is but what it's for and how to read it, let alone why bother, then allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite bible teachers."--Sarah Bessey, author of Out of Sorts and Jesus Feminist
"A rare combination: sophisticated and accessible, serious and witty, provocative and precise. It's also an honest book, giving voice to sincere questions and doubts. An important contribution to the conversation about how to faithfully interpret Scripture."--Peter Wehner, Contributing Opinion Writer, New York Times; senior fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center; former senior White House adviser
"Using wisdom as his touchstone informs and enlivens Enns' exploration. . . . Though his subject matter is serious, his writing is sprightly and cheerfully enlivened by his occasional snark and sarcasm. The book will find a general readership intrigued by the insight and, yes, the wisdom he offers."--Booklist
"Enns challenges Christians to reconsider the true purpose of the Bible. Far from diminishing the value of the Bible, these variations make readers reflect on their own situations and reconsider connections. Approachable and well-reasoned, Enns's book will find an audience with Christians seeking a broader understanding of Scripture."--Publishers Weekly
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Broad Street Books
Branchville, NJ, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 16, 2008
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 14 business days | 2 to 5 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 3.73 | £ 11.27 |
Payment methods
Store description
We run a small book shop. If you have any questions about a particular book, please feel free to ask. Thanks for checking out my shop ...
Specialty
Military History, Avation, Religion, Art, Photography, Medieval HistorySeller's business information
Broad Street Books
NJ, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
We guarantee the condition of every book as it's described on the Abebooks web
sites. If you're
dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if
the order hasn't
arrived, you're eligible for a refund within 30 days of the estimated delivery
date. If you've changed
your mind about a book that you've ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a
question link to contact
us and we'll respond within 2 business days.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Broad Street Books, Branchville, New Jersey, U.S.A., +1 862-268-5184, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.