Having read William H. Marty's previous book, "The World of Jesus", I was quite curious of his current book, "The Jesus Story: Everything that Happens in the New Testament in Plain English", and needless to say, I have been very impressed with his work.
For a quick background, Dr. William H. Marty is a Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute and ha behind his name, two textbooks, "Surveying the New Testament" and "Survey of the Old Testament". With this, Dr. Marty, provides to the layman reader, works that are very easy to read, but with a depth that really brings both the new Christian, the maturing Christian and the mature Christian, books that provide a detail background in both the Old Testament and New Testament, and focusing on the prime subject, Jesus.
In the book, "The Jesus Story: Everything that Happens in the New Testament in Plain English", Dr. Marty once again brings to reader, back to the Bible, and following in order, the introduction of Jesus through His birth to what happen to the Church body after Jesus left.
What draws me to Dr. Marty's book is the depth of knowledge that he gives to the reader as is obvious not just by his credentials but by his ability to translate what he knows to us, the reader, in a way that doesn't talk down to us, shares the knowledge of the Scriptures to us and at the same time, weaves a story that really drew me in with his style of writing that is conversational and informative.
Between discussing the rich cultural background of the times that the New Testament is set in with the theological relevance that will encourage and uplift the Christian believer, Dr. Marty never fails in delivering to the reader, a masterful tale that draws them ever deeper into the bible, particularly the New Testament.
This is one of many books by Dr.Marty that I would highly recommend, be it in ebook form or in hard copy form to keep on ones shelf and use to enrich one's bible reading.
The paperback runs at 151 pages, but is filled with biblical truth that will keep the reader hanging on to each chapter that runs from the Birth and Childhood of Jesus to such topics as The Story of the Church in Acts.
Dr.Marty brings the college courses to everyone and opens up the bible, particularly the New Testament in a new way and light that still holds strong to the Biblical truths of the Bible and providing readers with a refreshing new look to Jesus's world and His story.
"The Jesus Story: Everything that Happens in the New Testament in Plain English" is everything that a good reference book on God's word should be about and a book that needs to be on everyone's shelf.