And Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything

Rob Bell’s recently released book, What is the Bible?, is one of the most interesting books I have read in some time on the Bible for those who have looked back again at the Bible or who might actually be looking at it for the first time. Neither is odd in contemporary American culture. In that sense, he has updated the work of Marcus Borg. I have followed the career of Rob Bell since I heard some of his sermons from a Michigan Church where he was a pastor and from the NOOMA Series which to my mind is unparalleled in its ability to address challenging theological issues with grace, nonchalance, and wisdom. The same somewhat funky style is found in his latest work, and that is indeed important to the means of communication.
That same spirit is present in What is the Bible? Rob Bell could certainly be labelled a “seeker.” In conservative circles that would not necessarily be a compliment. For Bell, it is actually the space from which he writes and the space from which he hopes to engage his reading audience. This new books shows his wide reading in biblical scholarship and in theology, and it also shows his own engagement with the text—his own wrestling with meaning in the text. Some of his topics include how to understand Noah, Abraham, Jonah, violence, miracles, methods of interpretation, etc. His handling of the story of the woman taken in the act of adultery is exemplary in analysis. His use and insistence of looking at Jesus through Jewish eyes and perspectives of Jesus’ era provide some new clues for analysis. New Testament scholars have been using the insights on contemporary Judaism (Second Temple Period) since the work of E.P. Sanders.

The person who critiques his book should likely be one who finds direct assistance in his work. That means that a seminary professor or professor of religious studies is not his audience. A seminary professor of professor of religious studies can, however, marvel at the transformation through which Bell has gone through his career. The book consists of 43 chapters, most of which an average person could reading with reflection in 10 minutes each. The style is oriented toward thinking—the stream of consciousness—but also with a desire to find a wholeness through reflection. His topics include well-known stories from the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament. In the final section, he includes some commentary and recognition of what it means to interpret texts. What I found most interesting is that his questions regarding why the community would have preserved these stories and what the stories meant in the context of community drive his analysis. Anyone who has ever taken an academically oriented course in biblical studies knows that context, context, context is vital to understanding. Bell shows that aspect well.

Many people have been hurt by biblical interpretations within conservative religious communities. in particular. Bell is keenly aware of that challenge. Bell seeks not to condemn that problem, but to suggest again that people give the Biblical text a fresh look. Some conservative evangelical types “wrote off” Bell in his last book. They might want to look at this book. What is the Bible? provides not only a number of very powerful readings of texts, but it also suggests a way of going forward for those interested in reclaiming the biblical text after narrow readings have been rejected, and it suggests some lines of departure for those who simply regarded these texts as antique and barbaric.

Bell's book represents an important way forward for those who have no background in biblical studies. He knows how to pique curiosity. He also knows how to follow up with valuable reading suggestions.

Incredible book. Everyone who considers themselves a person of faith should read this book for it is the story within and behind the text that is real value of the Bible. Rob Bell's method for bringing out that message and his thoughtful insight are invaluable for understanding the full measure of God's love for the world.

Powerful, vulnerable, exciting. This book does so many things right. I doubt any reader will agree with 100% of it. But overall, it think Bell does an excellent job of making the Bible an invitation rather than an out-of-date-tome (which most of Christianity has made it). Highly recommend you pick this up!

Really interesting read - Bell's style is a little bit hard to follow if you want to really study the book, but it's incredibly engaging and funny. I used this as a summer book study for my bible study at church (I'm a pastor). He introduces the idea of exegesis - diving deeper into the language, culture, and history of a passage to help find meaning, which is great - but may be hard for folks that have never tried this with an ancient or sacred text. (For example, one of my folks was confused by Abraham's story in general, and Bell really focuses on that particular bit in Genesis and assumes a basic knowledge of where Abraham falls in the Bible and that he's considered the Father of three major faith groups.) . Anyway - it opened up new vistas for my little group, and I'm really glad I chose it for the summer reading. BTW I both read the book and listened to it on Audible - cannot recommend listening Bell read his own book enough! He's hilarious and his voice makes it truly come to life.

If you're content with the understanding of the Bible you grew up with look elsewhere. If you have an open mind and a searching heart that seeks to understand the ancient collection of writings known as the Bible, look no further.

If you're content with the understanding of the Bible you grew up with look elsewhere. If you have an open mind and a searching heart that seeks to understand the ancient collection of writings known as the Bible, look no further.

Probably his most personal book to date. He takes you through a step by step process of understanding HOW to read this complicated book. Lots of books tell you what to think and why whereas Rob tells you how. Brilliant!

Got this book on Kindle and Audible and I absolutely love it. Rob Bell never ceases to amaze me with his incredible story-telling and talent of making even the extraordinarily complicated seem simple and understandable. Great book for anyone!

Very interesting and informative view on the Bible. Rob Bell has great historic knowledge that puts the events in the Bible in perspective. He lets the reader know what the context of the events mean to the current day reader. A must read for anyone interested in the Bible.

Rob Bell's writing always gets me excited about who God is and how I can have better relations with Him. I have always had trouble reading the Bible without being consumed by unhealthy feelings of condemnation which, of course, are not from God (Romans 8:1). Sure, sometimes when I read a particular chapter or passage in this book I have to wonder if Rob Bell was on crack (I kid about the drugs part) when he wrote them because I don't see what he sees, but the book on the whole brings new light and encouragement to my life. I hope to one day be able to pick up the Bible and read it without letting irrational terror cloud my brain. Maybe I will try it today :-)

Objective look at reading the Bible in context - the context of whether the individual book was prose or poetry, history or allegory. Bell points out that many references were obvious to the people at the time of the writing but are now lost on modern readers. The Bible has many books and many authors. The Bible was not written last year in modern American English. Thus, Bell points out the fallacy of picking up the Bible and reading it literally with no knowledge of who wrote the particular passage, who the intended audience was, the point that the author was trying to make, or whether the passage is poetry or prose, which are obviously to be read very differently. Bell also demonstrates the danger of a reader going to the Bible to find a passage that allegedly supports a preconceived notion of what the Bible should say.

The questions learn you to ask more questions and to be comfortable with enduring life with these unanswered phrases. If you don't know where or how to start reading the bible, then this book will change you.

Brilliant, real and authentic inspiration of The Bible and how The Bible is still very relevant about today, here, now. That God's Plan for us is so much bigger than we imagined and that Everything... EVERYTHING, every thing points to Jesus and His example in Everything. And that God Almighty, Hosanna is a loving, compassionate For All and Every One, kind of God. -Ann Hyland

Bible Contriversy seems to be Rob Bell's trademark. This book is an interesting read but will jar more conservative Christians. However, his stance on the need to view the Scripture in its cultural context causes one to think in a less subjective manner. Itf one wants intellectual stimulation, Bell's book will give it. This book is not for the new Christians or one who is not willing to examine a different prespective of how to study the Bible. However, if one wishes some stimulation this is a good starting point. As a former professor of Theology, I find much to disagree with in the book. At the same time, I found it opened new avenues of thought on my part.

Rob Bell continues to relate Jesus as a Hebrew speaking in the context of the time He was walking on earth. So much of modern day teaching on the sayings of Jesus are in error because of inaccurate interpretations of the words Jesus spoke. "What Is the Bible?" is, in my opinion, a good read for beginner, intermediate, and advanced Bible study for any one looking for a clearer interpretation of the words spoken and then written about Jesus and the Hebrew world he lived in.