The real Jesus wants to set you free. Addressing some of the controversial Scriptures about brokenness, suffering, what it means to be a "victim," and more, Rebecca Davis untwists Scriptures by looking at word meaning, context, and the heart of God for His people. You can learn what God really thinks about brokenness and suffering, knowing that if you follow and love the Lord, He does not abuse you. Along the way, you may develop a deeper appreciation for who our God is and what He has done for you. Scriptures can be untwisted. You can rise up from spiritual abuse and walk in the freedom of Christ.
As in the first four "Untwisting Scriptures" books, the author shows us how common scriptures and teachings (in this book--about brokenness and suffering) have been twisted to put burdens in the oppressed instead of the freedom and joy that can be found in Christ. It's easy to read and encouraging.
The Untwisting Scriptures books have consistently been a breath of fresh air as I navigate my relationship to the Bible. This fifth book is no exception, and tackles such pertinent information (and misinformation) related to brokenness and suffering.
Right from the get-go, in chapter 1, we explore the question of whether God consumes and crushes his people. Rebecca takes the space to look at the comprehensive use of those concepts throughout Scripture - not just single texts that support a specific theory - and the truth is then illuminated with such clarity. God doesn’t crush his people, he crushed his son for the sake of his people being whole. This was such a healing idea for me right from the start, and laid such an important foundation for the rest of the book. Over and over throughout the book, we get to benefit from the thorough study of Scripture that Rebecca has done.
Rebecca references her other writing when she has already addressed a topic so that the reader can dive further into the ideas where they have interest. What that means is that there is no filler in this book - we get concise, Bible-supported, and thought-provoking writing on the specific topics chosen for this volume.
The summary of Untwisted Truth at the end of each chapter is very helpful. I found myself highlighting the summaries so that I can come back to refresh my memory on these impactful truths.
I am so grateful for this series of books. As Rebecca so often states throughout the book (and in the title of her blog): “Here’s the Joy” for those who believe in God. And for those of us who are untangling the ways scripture has been used in our life, that joy is what I believe we are truly looking for.
This series has been very helpful for me. I thought this book was better than the other one I read (about submission and authority). I have been learning and re-learning a lot of the theology that I thought was so set in my mind and I read this book at the perfect time.
Davis explains to us that following Christ means living in freedom and joy, and that suffering is not a requirement for that to happen. If we do suffer, we can be assured that Christ will be glorified. But Christ can also be glorified in our joy.
She also talks about the wrong definition of brokenness many Christians have and helps to show us that we should be broken over our sin as opposed to broken because we are human.
So many helpful clarifications and lots of Scripture that is shown in context to provide better meanings. I also gleaned a lot from the testimonials; they can be heartbreaking but most of them show hope as well. Hope in a God who frees us and doesn't break us.
Praise God that women are ready to answer His call and present clear and ordered Bible studies. Like so many with my background, I have been frustrated at how the Bible has been "replaced" by spiritual leaders who claim to teach Scripture but instead teach their own brand of "Christianity" by offering personal insights backed by out-of-context verses--many of which say the opposite of what that leader claims. The result has been sincere Christians kept in a state of artificial infancy with zero critical thinking skills and the belief that if someone challenges their leader's harmful teachings, it must be "persecution."
In Untwisting Scriptures: Brokenness and Suffering, Rebecca H. Davis compares the various Scriptural instances of brokenness to popular teachings. Her insights consider the context of the passage, the original language and translation of the word, and the historical background (including who is being addressed and why). This book is an excellent addition to one's daily devotions.
In my interactions with Rebecca and in reading her books, I continue to be amazed at what the Holy Spirit tells her and she passes onto us. Page 16- after emphasizing what we all learned…break my heart for you Oh Lord…”Do you see that it is the very ones who do not have hard hearts, whose hearts are tender toward the Lord, who are the only ones who pray sincerely for God to ‘break them’? It is the hardhearted~the ones who don’t pray anything like that~who need it.” AMEN. Thank you. Thank you from all of us who experienced spiritual abuse, from all of us raised with religious legalism, from all of us seeking to recover! Rebecca’s books are a beacon of light in an abuse filled world.
This book was very helpful and encouraging. I would highly recommend it. The chapters talked about how to find the truth in regards to suffering. God doesn't cause suffering but he is very present with us in the midst of suffering. We shouldn't seek to suffer to be more Godly, but we should allow God to comfort and meet us in our times of suffering. This would be helpful to anyone who is going through a variety of difficult times and suffering.
As a trauma healing facilitator, this book hits the nail on the head of all the junk we were fed for years in "church." So many can not heal because they are taught to believe lies on top of their suffering. Now there is hope beyond the double dose of abuse!
Rebecca Davis did it again. This is the first one that has been more geared to my childhood stuff instead of everything from being in a patriarchal church. I am so grateful for her books they all have brought me so much healing in so much.
Book 5 was one of the best books I have read this year. The way Rebecca uses people’s stories and the Bible to untwist the lies being taught in the churches is refreshing.