Book Critic: Johan Brand
Introduction
Do you have struggles, connecting with the stories in the Bible? Perhaps you just can’t seem to understand how a good God allowed nations to demolish other nations – or, even worse – how he instructed them to do such things. Maybe the whole thing of being swallowed by a big fish and then being spit out alive just doesn’t ring true in your mind. And then there is the flood, and wars, and sacrifice, and punishment, and exile … the list does not seem to end. It could be that you have issues with the Bible being put on a pedestal, and you can’t seem to understand language such as “Word of God” or “inerrant” or “infallible” or “divinely inspired.” Let me put it like this … you are not alone! Millions of people have these questions, and if you are one of them, then you should totally read What Is the Bible?
Summary of Its Contents
Rob Bell, Sunday Times bestselling author of Velvet Elvis and Love Wins, digs deep into the Judeo-Christian Scriptures in showing how it is more relevant and revolutionary than one could ever imagine. He offers a clear and compelling argument for why one needs to perceive it from a new, fresh perspective. In What Is the Bible? the author provides answers and insights that clarifies the Bible’s great reputation within societies and cultures. He gives language on why it is such an essential and inspiring library of books to the lives of all humanity.
The book’s lengthy but startling subtitle summarises the book’s contents extremely accurately, How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything. With a conversational approach, Bell gladly engages struggles and topics that most people are usually frightened to address – particularly clergy and church leaders. He doesn’t hide from the text’s difficulty, rather, he invites his readers to be assured that no doubt or question they might ever encounter will or can scare God off – in fact, God welcomes them willingly. With What Is the Bible? the author recalls the Bible’s magic and reiterates its inspiration and influence to move and shape the lives of many.
Critical Evaluation
One of the most familiar critiques on the work of Rob Bell, is the fact that he typically asks numerous questions without offering answers. In my opinion, this critique is inapplicable to this particular book. Each chapter attempts to answer either a specified question, or there is an inferred question that the author addresses, as he takes in consideration the text’s complexity, as well as the intricacy of God and humanity.
Furthermore, one of the leading criticisms of Bell’s work often includes that he does not take Scripture seriously, or seriously enough. For one, I would argue that if any individual can devote writing a book of 322 pages, exclusively on the Bible, then the critiquing individuals seem to misunderstand his motives.
There are three subject-matters addressed in this book that might seem quite controversial in evangelical circles, and those topics touch on the Bible’s inerrancy, inspiration, and authority. Each of these subjects can be debated separately, however, they are closely linked to one another. Due to their intimate relation (referencing Bell’s first book, Velvet Elvis), they are oftentimes perceived as foundational “bricks” building a “wall” known as Christianity. For many individuals, when these “bricks” are challenged or removed, it can cause the entire wall to crumble down, leaving the Christian faith of no use. However, for many others, it can grant permission to deeply re-think these matters, and to such an extent that even questioning them could be a liberating opportunity.
On a different note … for anyone, finding themselves in the former camp, I encourage you to have a look at How Can the Bible Be Authoritative by N.T. Wright. This 25-page article introduces a comparable argument to Bell’s by arguing that Scripture is not the “Word of God” but rather, that it is the “Word of God” since the “Word of God” (Christ) decided to work in and through the people, poems, and pages within the Bible. Many Christians, especially in Protestant traditions, conflated the Bible to such an authoritative place, that it is the only platform through which God works. Hence, this kind of thinking led to Bell and Wright’s invitation towards readers to re-evaluate this approach.
Nothing that Bell addresses in this book is new (I would personally argue that it is the case with all his works). As one of the leading modern-day thinkers and communicators in the field of spirituality, Bell encourages his readers to engage deeply with the thoughts and questions that numerous intellectually growing individuals have had since the beginning of time. My only criticism of the book would be this … it would be extremely helpful if the book had footnotes, throughout, or perhaps a footnoted version could be made available. This would allow readers – who desire to explore Bell’s topics in more detail – to engage on a deeper level with the sources, drawn from in composing this book.
Conclusion
To date, I personally believe What Is the Bible? to be one of Rob Bell’s best works. This writing invites every individual to join the ongoing conversation (regardless of your traditional, cultural, or religious position). Bell once again challenged me to find language in articulating the intricacies of the Divine, and life in general, without merely minimising or glossing over it. As it did for me, I hope that this book will remind you that the Bible can teach us so much more in regards to spirituality and the world we live in. I’d like to conclude by quoting a segment, taken from the book’s official YouTube trailer,
Interviewer: “What about, uh, David and Goliath?”
Rob: “That’s in the book.”
Interviewer: “How about Revelation?”
Rob: “That’s in the book.”
Interviewer: “What about heaven?”
Rob: “That’s in … another book” (smiling).
Interviewer: “Calvinism?”
Rob: “That’s, wait … who?”
Interviewer: “Can I ask you about Jonah and the whale?”
Rob: “That’s in the book.”
Interviewer: “What about the Bible?”
Rob: “That’s in the book” (laughing).
Whether you are a Christian or not … if you are human, then this book is an essential for your bookshelf!
References
Bell R 2017. What Is the Bible? San Francisco, CA: HarperOne.
Wright NT 2020. How Can the Bible Be Authoritative? Online article. Accessed from https://ntwrightpage.com/2016/07/12/how-can-the-bible-be- authoritative/, 2020-07-08.
HarperOne (an imprint of HarperCollins) 2017. What Is the Bible? by Rob Bell. Online video. Accessed from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9guQ03yWfj0, 2020-07-08.
Really worth reading!