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From Garden to Glory: How Understanding God’s Story Changes Yours
Discover Your Place in God’s Grand Story
Many of us read the Bible without realizing that it is one story from beginning to end—a story about God’s great mission to redeem all things. From Genesis to Revelation, we see God’s heart in his redemptive plan for humanity—and how earnestly he desires for us to be a part of it!
From Garden to Glory invites you to experience the Bible as the beautiful story of God’s astounding love for you. In Courtney Doctor’s overview that spans from Eden to eternity, you will This engaging journey through God’s grand story of Scripture will deepen your gratitude and awe as you discover how the God of the Bible has stopped at nothing to bring you back to him!
Many of us read the Bible without realizing that it is one story from beginning to end—a story about God’s great mission to redeem all things. From Genesis to Revelation, we see God’s heart in his redemptive plan for humanity—and how earnestly he desires for us to be a part of it!
From Garden to Glory invites you to experience the Bible as the beautiful story of God’s astounding love for you. In Courtney Doctor’s overview that spans from Eden to eternity, you will This engaging journey through God’s grand story of Scripture will deepen your gratitude and awe as you discover how the God of the Bible has stopped at nothing to bring you back to him!
256 pages, Paperback
Published May 7, 2024
115 people are currently reading
825 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Doctor
20 books27 followersCourtney received her Master of Divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in 2013 and currently serves as the Director of Women's Ministry and Assimilation at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. She and her husband with four wonderful children and two amazing daughters-in-law. You can find out more about Courtney at www.courtneydoctor.org
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July 1, 2025This book offers a beautifully done overview of the grand story of Scripture. Courtney is an excellent Bible teacher! I’d love to re-read + it would be perfect for mentoring someone or studying with a group of friends.
May 4, 2024
Do you ever get overwhelmed with the idea of understanding the Bible or feel you really know what it is trying to tell you? I highly recommend Courtney Doctor’s book From Garden to Glory. She explains the story of creation, man’s fall from grace and God’s plan of redemption in an easy to understand format. The book guides us to a full understanding of why redemption is necessary and beyond that what believers can look forward to in Glory. The use of scripture, modern day movies and examples from her own life are helpful for reader’s to understand and relate to parts of God’s excellent plan. I enjoy how this book doesn’t end with the risen Christ on Easter morning, but it reminds us of the “so what” as to how we are called to respond in our daily living. I love how each chapter begins with memory scripture and prayer, and ends with the key points and discussion questions helping to make it personal.
Whether you’re a longtime follower of Christ, are new to your faith, or are exploring the Christian faith, this book is an excellent one to keep around and refer back to time and again.
Whether you’re a longtime follower of Christ, are new to your faith, or are exploring the Christian faith, this book is an excellent one to keep around and refer back to time and again.
June 24, 2025
A great resource for those new to the idea of the Bible as one big story, but also refreshing and encouraging to any believer. Doctor uses simple, clear language and contemporary metaphors and examples throughout. God’s great rescue plan for his people is on full display and we are invited not just to observe it, but to take part!
*Small note: the language in the final chapter on new creation/heaven could have been clearer (the term “heaven” is used as a bit of a catch all for the intermediate state and new creation, but she explains how she is using her terms), but I don’t think it takes away from the book as a whole.
*Small note: the language in the final chapter on new creation/heaven could have been clearer (the term “heaven” is used as a bit of a catch all for the intermediate state and new creation, but she explains how she is using her terms), but I don’t think it takes away from the book as a whole.
May 6, 2024
‘From Garden to Glory’ is accessible, engaging, and biblically and theologically rich without being “heady.” Courtney Doctor’s style is inviting and conversational, and draws the reader in to reflect on and apply the beauty of the biblical story. I appreciate that this book includes Scripture memory, prayers, discussion questions AND prompts for further study! There are so many ways to interact with the content whether individually or in a group. This book would be a helpful resource for those who are new to the Bible and biblical theology, and will also help those who are familiar with it to interact with it in fresh ways.
September 21, 2025
Accessible. Would be a great discipleship tool one to one or in a group.
October 8, 2024
Highly recommend for new converts or those seeking to learn how the Bible is one cohesive story. Extremely accessible and easy to read.
January 19, 2025
I feel bad for rating this book 3/5 as I think it could be a good resource for new believers, specifically youth (middle school-high school). It offers a brief overview of Scripture (Garden of Eden to Christ's second coming—final Glory) and practical reflection + discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
I, however, had a pretty difficult time getting through it. it's helpful and necessary to keep the Gospel simple, but this book seemed almost tooooo shallow and repetitive to me. the author neglected to elaborate on her points and frequently wrote "we'll get to that later" but never really seemed to. I'd maybe recommend this for a one-on-one study with youth, but wasn't too impressed overall.
I, however, had a pretty difficult time getting through it. it's helpful and necessary to keep the Gospel simple, but this book seemed almost tooooo shallow and repetitive to me. the author neglected to elaborate on her points and frequently wrote "we'll get to that later" but never really seemed to. I'd maybe recommend this for a one-on-one study with youth, but wasn't too impressed overall.
November 19, 2025
Gleanings:
Herman Bavinck, a Dutch theologian in the 1800s, summed it up this way: "The essence of the Christian religion is this, that the creation of the Father devastated by sin, is restored in the death of the Son of God, and re-created by the Holy Spirit into the kingdom of God."
The Author of this marvelous book is on his throne on every page and in every moment of every day.
after Adam and Eve's rebellion and sin, God was promising to do battle not against his children, but for them. This is our first glimpse of the gospel. And it is the good news that punishment will not be God's ultimate answer to sin, but redemption. God promised to defeat the one who had just defeated them.
Michael Williams | Sin and judgment is at best only half the story... The point is rather to communicate God's resolve to redeem in spite of fallen man, and that sin cannot thwart the promise made in the Garden. It is about grace, that God will protect the seed of the woman and will affect his plan to redeem in spite of sin's power and allure. Like all of Scripture, the story is about the faithfulness of God.
To live as a redeemed person is to live knowing that both the penalty and the power of sin have been broken.
Theologian Cornelius Plantinga: Christians have always measured sin, in part, by the suffering needed to atone for it. The ripping and writhing of a body on a cross, the bizarre metaphysical maneuver of using death to defeat death, the urgency of the summons to human beings to ally themselves with the events of Christ and with the person of these events, and then to make that person and those events the center of their lives— these things tell us that the main human trouble is desperately difficult to fix, even for God, and that sin is the longest-running of human emergencies?
David did not engage Goliath in a battle of life and death to show us how we, too, can fight giants-real or metaphorical.
After all, nine-foot-tall bullies are not an everyday occurrence for most of us. But we do all face giant fears and struggles that loom large over us. However, if I'm honest, even these metaphorical giants are as undefeatable to me as Goliath was to the Israelites.
Try as I might, I can't completely get rid of the sin in my life or the suffering that comes my way. And I certainly can't defeat my greatest enemy, death. We're more like the Israelites who were cowering in fear than like David, who marched courageously into battle. And, praise God, what was true for them is also true for us: The victory doesn't depend on us. We have a champion who did battle on our behalf.
…After David defeated Goliath, the men of Israel, who had been cowering in fear, ran after their champion, David. They followed the conquering hero onto the battlefield and received all the benefits of his victory. They did not fight the battle. They did not earn the victory. And yet, they received the rewards of that victory because David had won the battle for them. In a similar but greater way, you and I don't fight the battle for our salvation; Jesus was sent to do that. But we do run after him, receiving all the benefits his victory has secured.
Rob Peterson notes:
> Christians chose Christ's cross as their emblem. On the one hand, this is amazing because the cross spoke of crucifixion, which was regarded with horror in the ancient world...On the other hand, in light of Paul's sentiment, "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14), they chose well. Why? Because the cross describes where the work of salvation was accomplished.'
Isaiah 53:4-7 | Look at the pronouns. One singular person (he, him, his) would experience the unimaginable on behalf of many (our, we, us). He bear and carry our griefs and sorrows. He would be pierced, crushed, oppressed, and afflicted. He would have our iniquity laid on him. And, as a result, we would have peace, be healed, and, according to verse 11, be "accounted righteous." As Paul wrote in Romans, "As by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous" (5:19).
We are image bearers in all we do—as we cook, create, study, strategize, pray, play, think, teach, worship, work—in every area of life. However, we bear this image in a way that is marred by sin, so our image bearing is imperfect. That is why we must be re-created in the image of God.
the gospel itself bears fruit and multiplies image bearers. So one way we are to now be fruitful and multiply is by allowing the gospel to increase in us and by sharing it, and making disciples out of other image bearers as we do.
Like Adam and Eve, we have been given dominion. I had a professor ask me one time, "Who is flourishing because of your influence?" I now ask myself that question on a regular basis. Why? Because the reason we are given influence or dominion at all is for the flourishing of others. Dominion and influence are given so that the kingdom of God can grow by filling the earth with the knowledge of God and his Word. As this happens, disciples are made.
Who are we to be? Image bearers. What happens when we do this well? We bring the rule and reign of God to bear and the kingdom of God advances, filling the whole earth. As a result, people are blessed and all of creation flourishes... Let God use you to fill the earth with the knowledge and worship of him.
If we had to summarize God's command to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, it would be this: "Go and be a blessing." Or, as Chris Wright says, "go" for the purpose of being a blessing."
Our salvation is never for our sake alone.
the book of Leviticus contains rules and regulations about ritual cleansing and purity. These rules were given to the people so they would know how to approach the holy God who was now living in their midst. It is a book that loudly proclaims both the holiness of God and the need for God's people to be holy. It is set in the context of both the kingdom and mission of God. What does God's kingdom look like? It is a kingdom with a holy king and holy subjects (Exodus 19:6: "You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation"). How does that holiness serve the mission of God?
Sandra Richter | just as the old covenant Temple housed the Presence in order to make God available to saint and sinner alike and stood as a testimony to the nations that Yahweh dwelt among his people, so too the church. You and I, and we as the church, are designed to be that place which believer and unbeliever can come to find God. Moreover, our restored lives are God's testimony to the nations that he lives and dwells among us. And whereas the Temple was one building that could only be in one place, the church is an ever-expanding community that is slowly, steadily bringing the Presence to the farthest reaches of the world.
Albert Wolters explains that God does not give up on his creation: "[God] hangs onto his fallen original creation and salvages it. He refuses to abandon the work of his hands—in fact, he sacrifices his own Son to save his original project."
Randy Alcorn | God has never given up on his original creation. Yet somehow, we have managed to overlook an entire biblical vocabulary that makes this point clear. Reconcile. Redeem. Restore. Recover. Return. Renew. Regenerate. Resurrect. Each of these biblical words begins with the re-prefix, suggesting a return to an original condition that was ruined or lost.
God brings us back to the tree by way of another tree.
Herman Bavinck, a Dutch theologian in the 1800s, summed it up this way: "The essence of the Christian religion is this, that the creation of the Father devastated by sin, is restored in the death of the Son of God, and re-created by the Holy Spirit into the kingdom of God."
The Author of this marvelous book is on his throne on every page and in every moment of every day.
after Adam and Eve's rebellion and sin, God was promising to do battle not against his children, but for them. This is our first glimpse of the gospel. And it is the good news that punishment will not be God's ultimate answer to sin, but redemption. God promised to defeat the one who had just defeated them.
Michael Williams | Sin and judgment is at best only half the story... The point is rather to communicate God's resolve to redeem in spite of fallen man, and that sin cannot thwart the promise made in the Garden. It is about grace, that God will protect the seed of the woman and will affect his plan to redeem in spite of sin's power and allure. Like all of Scripture, the story is about the faithfulness of God.
To live as a redeemed person is to live knowing that both the penalty and the power of sin have been broken.
Theologian Cornelius Plantinga: Christians have always measured sin, in part, by the suffering needed to atone for it. The ripping and writhing of a body on a cross, the bizarre metaphysical maneuver of using death to defeat death, the urgency of the summons to human beings to ally themselves with the events of Christ and with the person of these events, and then to make that person and those events the center of their lives— these things tell us that the main human trouble is desperately difficult to fix, even for God, and that sin is the longest-running of human emergencies?
David did not engage Goliath in a battle of life and death to show us how we, too, can fight giants-real or metaphorical.
After all, nine-foot-tall bullies are not an everyday occurrence for most of us. But we do all face giant fears and struggles that loom large over us. However, if I'm honest, even these metaphorical giants are as undefeatable to me as Goliath was to the Israelites.
Try as I might, I can't completely get rid of the sin in my life or the suffering that comes my way. And I certainly can't defeat my greatest enemy, death. We're more like the Israelites who were cowering in fear than like David, who marched courageously into battle. And, praise God, what was true for them is also true for us: The victory doesn't depend on us. We have a champion who did battle on our behalf.
…After David defeated Goliath, the men of Israel, who had been cowering in fear, ran after their champion, David. They followed the conquering hero onto the battlefield and received all the benefits of his victory. They did not fight the battle. They did not earn the victory. And yet, they received the rewards of that victory because David had won the battle for them. In a similar but greater way, you and I don't fight the battle for our salvation; Jesus was sent to do that. But we do run after him, receiving all the benefits his victory has secured.
Rob Peterson notes:
> Christians chose Christ's cross as their emblem. On the one hand, this is amazing because the cross spoke of crucifixion, which was regarded with horror in the ancient world...On the other hand, in light of Paul's sentiment, "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14), they chose well. Why? Because the cross describes where the work of salvation was accomplished.'
Isaiah 53:4-7 | Look at the pronouns. One singular person (he, him, his) would experience the unimaginable on behalf of many (our, we, us). He bear and carry our griefs and sorrows. He would be pierced, crushed, oppressed, and afflicted. He would have our iniquity laid on him. And, as a result, we would have peace, be healed, and, according to verse 11, be "accounted righteous." As Paul wrote in Romans, "As by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous" (5:19).
We are image bearers in all we do—as we cook, create, study, strategize, pray, play, think, teach, worship, work—in every area of life. However, we bear this image in a way that is marred by sin, so our image bearing is imperfect. That is why we must be re-created in the image of God.
the gospel itself bears fruit and multiplies image bearers. So one way we are to now be fruitful and multiply is by allowing the gospel to increase in us and by sharing it, and making disciples out of other image bearers as we do.
Like Adam and Eve, we have been given dominion. I had a professor ask me one time, "Who is flourishing because of your influence?" I now ask myself that question on a regular basis. Why? Because the reason we are given influence or dominion at all is for the flourishing of others. Dominion and influence are given so that the kingdom of God can grow by filling the earth with the knowledge of God and his Word. As this happens, disciples are made.
Who are we to be? Image bearers. What happens when we do this well? We bring the rule and reign of God to bear and the kingdom of God advances, filling the whole earth. As a result, people are blessed and all of creation flourishes... Let God use you to fill the earth with the knowledge and worship of him.
If we had to summarize God's command to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, it would be this: "Go and be a blessing." Or, as Chris Wright says, "go" for the purpose of being a blessing."
Our salvation is never for our sake alone.
the book of Leviticus contains rules and regulations about ritual cleansing and purity. These rules were given to the people so they would know how to approach the holy God who was now living in their midst. It is a book that loudly proclaims both the holiness of God and the need for God's people to be holy. It is set in the context of both the kingdom and mission of God. What does God's kingdom look like? It is a kingdom with a holy king and holy subjects (Exodus 19:6: "You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation"). How does that holiness serve the mission of God?
Sandra Richter | just as the old covenant Temple housed the Presence in order to make God available to saint and sinner alike and stood as a testimony to the nations that Yahweh dwelt among his people, so too the church. You and I, and we as the church, are designed to be that place which believer and unbeliever can come to find God. Moreover, our restored lives are God's testimony to the nations that he lives and dwells among us. And whereas the Temple was one building that could only be in one place, the church is an ever-expanding community that is slowly, steadily bringing the Presence to the farthest reaches of the world.
Albert Wolters explains that God does not give up on his creation: "[God] hangs onto his fallen original creation and salvages it. He refuses to abandon the work of his hands—in fact, he sacrifices his own Son to save his original project."
Randy Alcorn | God has never given up on his original creation. Yet somehow, we have managed to overlook an entire biblical vocabulary that makes this point clear. Reconcile. Redeem. Restore. Recover. Return. Renew. Regenerate. Resurrect. Each of these biblical words begins with the re-prefix, suggesting a return to an original condition that was ruined or lost.
God brings us back to the tree by way of another tree.
April 30, 2024
As we get further and further from the time that the Bible was written, it feels as though the voices we hear speaking about the Bible often speak from a place of feelings. "I feel like God wouldn't do this or that." "I feel like God would do this." The Bible as a whole has become lost in translation for many people because it doesn't feel applicable anymore. Many believe that the stories are just stories and that a lot of it doesn't apply anymore.
What "From Garden to Glory" does is show how the Bible is living and active. We see the heart of our Father, from beginning to end. The stories are no longer just stories and all of it is applicable because the same God who breathed these words to life in the Bible is the same God over our lives today. This book is a bird's eye-view over the entirety of scripture to see the movement of our God drawing us nearer and nearer to himself.
If the Bible feels impersonal or unrelatable to you right now or you find yourself relying on your feelings to sustain your faith, this book will show you just our personal God is and how personal His word is.
What "From Garden to Glory" does is show how the Bible is living and active. We see the heart of our Father, from beginning to end. The stories are no longer just stories and all of it is applicable because the same God who breathed these words to life in the Bible is the same God over our lives today. This book is a bird's eye-view over the entirety of scripture to see the movement of our God drawing us nearer and nearer to himself.
If the Bible feels impersonal or unrelatable to you right now or you find yourself relying on your feelings to sustain your faith, this book will show you just our personal God is and how personal His word is.
December 2, 2024
This was a very brief but informative overview of the Bible. The author didn’t elaborate very much on any of the points but I think she did a good job of laying a framework of theology. I think this would be a great book to go through with a group or one on one with a newer believer. There were discussion questions at the end of each chapter as well. I will keep this in mind and will probably recommend to girls in my small group.
September 16, 2025
From Garden to Glory not only provides an excellent overview of the biblical narrative, it also guides the reader into a great awareness of how to live fully into this divine story. The book also lends itself exceptionally well to being used for group study or as a resource for discipleship with engaging and thoughtful questions for discussion at the end of each chapter. I walked away with a sense of deep gratitude for this grand story of redemption I find myself in.
January 13, 2026
What a great book. It is so rare to find such great theology in a book that is so absurdly identifiable. Learning about God is not an academic pursuit- its a relational one. Courtney has shed such a beautiful light on the path of transforming the patterns of our hearts and minds in a way that shows us that everyone is welcome and able in this pursuit, and each and every aspect of our life is offered healing with a clearer picture of Christ.
April 29, 2024
I found this book to be a very well written and interesting. The author did an excellent job in condensing the Bible into a story that was understandable and depicting of God’s great love for each of us.
It was evident that Courtney’s knowledge and understanding of the Bible came from many hours, days, and years of study as well as a close personal relationship with God.
It was evident that Courtney’s knowledge and understanding of the Bible came from many hours, days, and years of study as well as a close personal relationship with God.
April 30, 2024
An accessible, clear and theologically rich explanation of how the Bible tells God’s story. If you are new to reading the Bible, this is book is for you. If you’ve been reading the Bible years, this book is for you. Filled with helpful illustrations, summaries and reflection questions, Courtney’s book points you back to Scripture and ultimately to Jesus! 100% recommend!
July 31, 2025
I feel bad giving this three stars! I had a hard time following along with the flow of things and just never felt like I grasped it. There were definitely great reminders in this book but just wasn’t my favorite!
August 17, 2025
This book is suggested for new believers. But I wouldn’t suggest it to a new believer unless they’re reading it alongside a believer who knows and has read much of the Bible. It’s slightly wordy in some chapters and can get pretty far deep into old covenants, which felt unnecessary to me. If you like theology and want to teach someone the Bible who is curious about it, great read for that!
November 23, 2025
This book was so good and reminding me that the whole "plot" of the Bible is God redeeming His creation. From the Fall to the New Earth God has been working to make everything right again and what a sweet thing that is to know!
December 30, 2024
Great overview of the metanarrative of scripture using helpful fairytale like analogies.
January 12, 2025
Great concept, well executed. A theological (don’t be afraid of this word) summary of the Bible’s story arc.
August 24, 2025
Gifted this to my mom for Mother’s Day, and we read it together. It would make a sweet read for a new or younger believer.
March 3, 2026
great book that starts in genesis and ends with revelation and very plainly explains the bible story! great for a newer christian especially if you struggle with understanding the bible!
March 10, 2026
A great overview of the biblical narrative!
November 14, 2024
I feel guilty giving this two stars because the content was generally orthodox and I love the girls I read and discussed it alongside. But yikes, I struggled through this book. It was shallow, repetitive, fluffy, and devoid of substance. It could work well as a middle school intro to biblical literacy; however, I would not recommend it to adults. I love the premise of helping us understand the narrative of Scripture, but it fell flat of that goal, in my opinion.
May 20, 2025
Small group book of the semester- not in love with this book- I felt it was pretty repetitive, and a lot of her own stories and references were pretty cheugy to say the least. Some good points though.
February 12, 2026
A good summation and explanation of the main theme found in the Bible. Great starting point for anyone interested in what Christianity is actually about and how to approach the Bible. Also a wonderful encouragement and example on how to share the Gospel.
July 31, 2024
I’m rating this book at three stars, but that is mostly because I think I’m not the intended audience for it. As a long time believer who has spent a lot of time in the Word and in learning from others, I didn’t learn anything new here and found the repeated references/comparisons to movies to be shallow and rather distracting. But I could see it being a great fit for someone who is a new believer and perhaps has not read much of the Bible yet. The author uses clear terminology and it is quite readable. I liked the pages with questions to answer at the end of each chapter - I didn’t do them myself but they’d definitely be helpful to those to whom the material is new.
May 7, 2024
This book “is meant to be something like the beginning of a 500-piece puzzle, which enables you to put the edge pieces in place so that you can fill in the center later because you have the outline of the finished picture.” Using straight-forward, accessible language and warm personal illustrations throughout, Courtney Doctor takes us on a “30,000-foot view of the grand sweep of redemption.” We are left wanting more — and we are supposed to! Throughout each chapter, the main thread of the Bible’s storyline is followed so that the reader has a better understanding of how the Bible fits together as a whole. Doctor takes us from Genesis 1 in the Garden (Eden) to Revelation 22 where God’s people are with Him forever in Glory. What a helpful resource this will be, especially for those Christians like myself who did not grow up learning about the Bible as a single story from beginning to end. Even as a seasoned believer, I found new and thought-provoking connections that were made as the main thread was followed to its conclusion. Each chapter includes a suggested memory verse, as well as thoughtful questions to explore the material on your own or with a group. (For further study, the included bibliography is invaluable!)
One word of discretion as you read: It is clear by the language used throughout the book that Doctor (rightly) believes that the glorious promises given to God’s people in the Bible are given uniquely to God’s people. However, there are times when I felt more explicit clarification would have been helpful as Doctor explored these points. She uses the language of “we” regularly throughout her book (clarified to mean “[God’s] people” on p. 238 and elsewhere). However, this language can at times feel tricky, since (in spots where explicit clarification is not given) “we” could also include any reader of the book, irrespective of varying belief systems.
One word of discretion as you read: It is clear by the language used throughout the book that Doctor (rightly) believes that the glorious promises given to God’s people in the Bible are given uniquely to God’s people. However, there are times when I felt more explicit clarification would have been helpful as Doctor explored these points. She uses the language of “we” regularly throughout her book (clarified to mean “[God’s] people” on p. 238 and elsewhere). However, this language can at times feel tricky, since (in spots where explicit clarification is not given) “we” could also include any reader of the book, irrespective of varying belief systems.
March 14, 2026
As a believer myself this book was a refreshing way to read the amazing story of God's redemption power. it is not a super in-depth theological book but yet presents the story of God and His creation in a compelling and attractive way with truth and easy to understand language. I'm looking forward to pass this book along to my friends as well.
this book does contain further study content after each chapter if you'd like to go deeper personally and could also make a good group study book.
Three of my favourite quotes from the book:
"I had a professor ask me one time, 'who is flourishing because of your influence?' I now ask myself that question on a regular basis. Why? Because the reason we are given influence or dominion at all is for the flourishing of others. Dominion and influence are given so that the kingdom of God can grow by filling the earth with the knowledge of God and His Word. As this happens, disciples are made." (page 211)
" This mandate to mission should cause us to ask these questions: how do I participate, where do I go, and what do I do? If the call is to fill the earth and to be a blessing to all peoples, then we need to know what areas of life need to be redeemed. So we ask, what areas of life have been strained by sin? Has business been affected by sin? Politics? Art? Families? Education? Absolutely, on every count! And the list is endless. So where does God send his people? Into all areas?" (page 212)
"This story encompasses all of creation and every life that has ever been. And, at the same time, the Author of this story knows every hair on your head. He treasures you, made you with purpose, loves you, and is longing to dwell fully with you for all time. He is working all things together for your good and the good of his people. And he is calling you to take your place in this glorious story. His story is meant to change your story." (page 240)
this book does contain further study content after each chapter if you'd like to go deeper personally and could also make a good group study book.
Three of my favourite quotes from the book:
"I had a professor ask me one time, 'who is flourishing because of your influence?' I now ask myself that question on a regular basis. Why? Because the reason we are given influence or dominion at all is for the flourishing of others. Dominion and influence are given so that the kingdom of God can grow by filling the earth with the knowledge of God and His Word. As this happens, disciples are made." (page 211)
" This mandate to mission should cause us to ask these questions: how do I participate, where do I go, and what do I do? If the call is to fill the earth and to be a blessing to all peoples, then we need to know what areas of life need to be redeemed. So we ask, what areas of life have been strained by sin? Has business been affected by sin? Politics? Art? Families? Education? Absolutely, on every count! And the list is endless. So where does God send his people? Into all areas?" (page 212)
"This story encompasses all of creation and every life that has ever been. And, at the same time, the Author of this story knows every hair on your head. He treasures you, made you with purpose, loves you, and is longing to dwell fully with you for all time. He is working all things together for your good and the good of his people. And he is calling you to take your place in this glorious story. His story is meant to change your story." (page 240)
July 11, 2024
As you read Courtney Doctor’s book, it doesn’t take long to notice that she is a good storyteller. Even better than the stories Courtney tells, is the story she describes in her book from “From Garden to Glory.” We read of the amazing storyline of God’s redeeming work – the “story that resolves into glory – the glory we long for, the glory we were made for.”
Courtney does not leave us wondering why she’s written this book. Her introduction tells the purpose for this book: that the Bible will become less mysterious and more loved, that the reader’s hunger for the Word of God will grow; that those who read will understand their own significance in the light of God’s story, and that our God will be exalted, proclaimed, and worshipped! Alone, these goals are enough to encourage you to read! Courtney accomplishes her goal and then some.
While Courtney does a great job of recounting the story of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, I especially loved the format of the book. Courtney knows what should accompany our reading and understanding of Scripture. She begins each chapter with a suggested verse to memorize and then follows that with another verse to pray. She’s teaching us even at the beginning of the chapter what’s important – memorizing God’s Word and praying it. At the end of each chapter is her summary of points to remember, followed by discussion questions and more questions for further study for those who want to keep studying. This is the perfect format for Bible study included in this important book which helps us understand the big story of the Bible. I highly recommend Courtney Doctor’s “From Garden to Glory”!
Courtney does not leave us wondering why she’s written this book. Her introduction tells the purpose for this book: that the Bible will become less mysterious and more loved, that the reader’s hunger for the Word of God will grow; that those who read will understand their own significance in the light of God’s story, and that our God will be exalted, proclaimed, and worshipped! Alone, these goals are enough to encourage you to read! Courtney accomplishes her goal and then some.
While Courtney does a great job of recounting the story of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, I especially loved the format of the book. Courtney knows what should accompany our reading and understanding of Scripture. She begins each chapter with a suggested verse to memorize and then follows that with another verse to pray. She’s teaching us even at the beginning of the chapter what’s important – memorizing God’s Word and praying it. At the end of each chapter is her summary of points to remember, followed by discussion questions and more questions for further study for those who want to keep studying. This is the perfect format for Bible study included in this important book which helps us understand the big story of the Bible. I highly recommend Courtney Doctor’s “From Garden to Glory”!
March 8, 2025
I won’t lie at first I wasn’t sure if I was going to really get into this book… a little fear that it might be a repeat of info that I’ve already known and heard many times. And while a little bit of that might be true, it is such a fresh perspective! Once you hit chapter 2, from there till the end, I absolutely loved all of it!
In a way it reminds me of the children’s storybook Bible… I love how the author puts a fresh perspective on some of the Bible stories, with insights into them in a different view than most people tell them; usually looking at them in such a grace filled, Jesus and God honoring way ! In that same way, Garden to Glory, also takes biblical stories/truth from Genesis all the way through, and with great insight, weaves a beautiful tapestry of God’s story! I loved some of her deep nuggets that she brought forth. You obviously don’t hit everything from Genesis through Revelation, but it is such a great overview! This is definitely something I would give as a gift or recommend!
In a way it reminds me of the children’s storybook Bible… I love how the author puts a fresh perspective on some of the Bible stories, with insights into them in a different view than most people tell them; usually looking at them in such a grace filled, Jesus and God honoring way ! In that same way, Garden to Glory, also takes biblical stories/truth from Genesis all the way through, and with great insight, weaves a beautiful tapestry of God’s story! I loved some of her deep nuggets that she brought forth. You obviously don’t hit everything from Genesis through Revelation, but it is such a great overview! This is definitely something I would give as a gift or recommend!
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