Read It As A Story; Then Decide How It Will Impact You

This Beautiful Book: An Exploration of the Bible’s Incredible Story Line and Why it Matters Today

Author: Steve Green, with Bill High

Publisher: Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI., 2019

This is a book that the son of billionaire entrepreneur David Green did not have to write in order to put bread on his table. Steve Green wrote it because he is deeply passionate about the subject. That passion was self-discovered. And Steve wants to make sure millions more have the opportunity to make that same discovery.

Green was moved to write the book for several reasons which he shares in the introduction. One of those was that his own study of the Bible let him see it as one continuous story with each chapter and book woven intrinsically into the whole. And what he saw was beautiful.  Another reason was that he noticed that while still the number one seller of all time, more and more people were ignorant of the Bible’s content and story. He wanted to try and change that – at least for his readers.

His style is most refreshing. He takes nothing for granted. And forces nothing on the reader.  All he asks is that you consider the Bible as a story – just like you would any other book. And let the story impact you in whatever way it does. He often admits and shares the same questions and thoughts that come to his mind as he believes would come to yours. He admits there are differences of opinion – between believers and non-believers in the Bible, but also among believers themselves.

I found the read most enjoyable. It has much for those that have never held a Bible in their hands and a good bit for those that have studied it for years. With reference to how he came to enjoy the musical Les Misérables, Green shows us how we need to both see the big picture of the Bible story by paying attention to some of the most innocuous details. His account of the story of Mephibosheth is a case in point.

Green does an excellent job of simplifying the big picture of the Bible for his readers. He identifies just five major characters – Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah and Jesus. He gives us the approximate timing of their physical existence in big round numbers. He doesn’t want us quibbling over certain details.

There is a great chapter on “Letting God Be God” in which he shares the main attributes of God taken right from the story itself. Two more chapters cover the Rescue Plan that God has established for His people and clearly describes the roles played in that Plan by some of the other key players like Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. The chapter on Mysterious Messengers gives a great lesson with superb content on prophecy and prophets and what they’re all about, as well as how to tell the good guys from the bad guys.

And while we’re at it – reading the Bible as a Beautiful Story that is – and knowing that most story readers like poetry and words of wisdom, he touches on the Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes while focusing on the Psalms, Proverbs, and Job.  He saves two chapters for the role of Christ, the Bible’s main character and the last chapter for the Bible’s Claims.  This is so well written that even people who sit under the leadership of preachers weekly need to check it out.

At the very end of the book, he shares with his readers what his personal conclusion on whether the Bible is a great story, a Beautiful Book, and nothing more, or whether it is true. Admitting that many millions fall on both sides of the decision, he invites his readers to pick a side.

As I read this book, I thought about its potential uses, aside from what Green intended – that you and I would be challenged to get into the Bible itself, or as a minimum understand what it is all about.

These uses include having the book as a great companion to any Alpha Program that a church may offer.  It would make a great follow-up read to anyone taking that program.

It would also serve as a great “first resource” for churches to hand out to new believers.  It could be distributed as an Easter and/or Christmas gift to those twice-a-year visitors to your church. Finally, I think it’s a great resource for parents and grandparents to hand out, for co-workers to share; for friends to read and discuss. I’m sure, once you read it, you can come up with your own unique use.

One thing is for sure, Steve Green, with the help of his co-writer, Bill High, managed to accomplish their goal of having more people think about the Beautiful Book in a new and refreshing way.

Highly recommended.

n  Ken B. Godevenos, President, Accord Resolutions Services Inc., Toronto, Ontario, January 5, 2020, www.accordconsulting.com

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