My sister-in-law, who has been away from church for quite some time, is looking for a book that interprets/explains, etc. the bible. Hopefully that makes sense. Anyway, she had never heard of Charlie Kirk until his death and after watching his videos she had a wake up moment. Me and the wife are very happy that she wants a book like this and will be thrilled if it leads her back to church.

I drew her name for Christmas and need help from the crew here.
Thanks in advance.

Although I strongly doubt they are what you have in mind, and are not “explanations” per se, for detailed and scholarly discussions about the Bibles, the many books by Dr. Bart Ehrman are excellent to learn about various texts, who wrote them, when, etc.

Ehrman is a self-described evangelical Christian turned agnostic then atheist who is a college professor of religious studies. I have read several of his books, including one at present, and have learned a great deal about early Christianity.

Thank you Sir.

Sounds like you're looking for a study or reference bible. There are many on the market. I have a NIV Study Bible and a NAS Reference Bible. Both are useful when trying to navigate the King James version which I currently choose to read.

Not trying to piss in anyone's Wheaties here, but I would never rely on someone who left their religion to adhere to the total opposite belief system, but then writes on that previous religion as an income stream.

As a reference to Bart Ehrman, there is a YouTube channel that refutes him & Dan McClellan, both whom are well known Biblical skeptics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGEs4Pk0Jjs

I've liked Dennis Prager's breakdown on Genesis, Exodus & Numbers but they're individual tomes rather than an overall Bible view.


Testify has some excellent explanation on Biblical subjects, but isn't book form, obviously.

https://www.youtube.com/@TestifyApologetics

quote:

Originally posted by soflaac:


I've liked Dennis Prager's breakdown on Genesis, Exodus & Numbers but they're individual tomes rather than an overall Bible view.


Testify has some excellent explanation on Biblical subjects, but isn't book form, obviously.

https://www.youtube.com/@TestifyApologetics

While I have no doubt Praeger’s breakdown is solid, you do know he’s Jewish and not a Christian, right?

So Praeger would miss the protoevangelical message of the promise of the Messiah when God was judging Adam and Eve when God said the seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head even as the serpent bruises His heel. God mentioning the seed of the woman should stand out because it’s the man who has traditionally carried the seed, thus referencing the virgin birth.

The request for a book to explain the Bible in the context of Charlie Kirk is throwing me off. Normally, that would point to a study Bible like John MacArthur or the Thompson chain reference book.

There are books on individual books of the Bible. I suggest you start her off with one of those and a nice Bible.

I would also encourage her to try simply reading from the New Testament on her own, asking God to explain it to her. I tell people that the Bible is the only book that, when you open it to read it, the Author shows up.

You might consider "The Five Books of Moses" by Robert Alter.
Translation and commentary from the original Hebrew. Its a
big book at 1000 pages with equal parts text and commentary.
Very enlightening and also the companion study book for
Hillsdale College classes on Genesis and Exodus.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:

While I have no doubt Praeger’s breakdown is solid, you do know he’s Jewish and not a Christian, right?

I'm aware of this and still choose to read his Biblical account rather than Ehrman or McClellan who both use their education and experience to cloak their anti-Christian ideology, yes.

I do agree with you on the John MacArthur suggestion, though no longer with us his teachings are solid.

First make sure she has a good Bible in a translation she can read and understand.

My next recommendation would be a book about Jesus, not about the Bible. We do not read the Bible to understand the Bible. We read the Bible to understand God/Jesus.

An old standard apologetics book like Lee Strobel’s “The Case for Christ” is where I’d look.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:

An old standard apologetics book like Lee Strobel’s “The Case for Christ” is where I’d look.

This ^^

Thank you all.

Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters — by Timothy Keller, 2009.

I read that book in 2010. It was a page-turner for me. Keller shows how to identify "idols" in our lives — the things we pursue thinking they will satisfy us, yet leave us empty without God.

Just wondering if anyone has read Bear Grylls “The Greatest Story Ever Told” book? And what they actually thought about it. Thanks in advance.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

I found this to help me with background and info on the Bible

https://www.amazon.com/Rose-Bi...ishing/dp/1596365692


I also am a fan of the blue letter bible for an online resource, particularly David Guzic’s study guides

https://www.blueletterbible.or...ntaries/guzik_david/

I agree with some of the others having a reference Bible is helpful with a recommendation towards the NASB '95 version. It is easier to read,more in common English somewhat and does not take anything away from the source material we have.

Trying to read a book about the Bible, without actually reading from it, can have major issues and cause some to stumble even further away. There are many books out there that can trip you up and turn you from the truth.

Zondervan Handbook To The Bible. I have this one. It's been useful.

Can't say anything about the new Charlie Kirk book but it's coming out now for Christmas.

https://x.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/s.../1998154369423065422

I use the Enduring Word Bible Commentary. I have the app on my iPad and iPhone.

Enduring Word