What do you think?
Rate this book
The Well That Washes What It Shows: An Invitation to Holy Scripture
Christianity Today
Book Awards Bible and Devotional Award of Merit (2025)
An accessible introduction to the Bible that brings together theological insight with pastoral concerns
In this distinctive introduction to the Bible, Jonathan Linebaugh illuminates Scripture's dual capacity for revealing human sinfulness and imparting divine love. Drawing on the language of the poet George Herbert, Linebaugh characterizes Scripture as "the well that washes what it shows"—that is, the living and active word that simultaneously reveals our need for Jesus and gives us Jesus.
Linebaugh begins by outlining Scripture's overall story, subject matter, and shape. He then provides a broad overview of the Old and New Testaments, followed by a case study of the book of Romans that demonstrates how to bring together theological, historical, exegetical, and devotional concerns when studying Scripture. Whereas many introductions to the Bible prioritize one of these concerns at the expense of the others, Linebaugh shows readers how to synthesize them. In so doing, he demonstrates how reading the Bible can be both generative and we attend to the gospel revealed in Scripture so that same gospel can be spoken afresh on the basis of Scripture. Grounded in Linebaugh's combined expertise as a theologian and experience as an ordained minister, The Well That Washes What It Shows is a valuable resource for pastors, seminary students, and anyone seeking to read Scripture in ways that engage both the mind and the heart.
An accessible introduction to the Bible that brings together theological insight with pastoral concerns
In this distinctive introduction to the Bible, Jonathan Linebaugh illuminates Scripture's dual capacity for revealing human sinfulness and imparting divine love. Drawing on the language of the poet George Herbert, Linebaugh characterizes Scripture as "the well that washes what it shows"—that is, the living and active word that simultaneously reveals our need for Jesus and gives us Jesus.
Linebaugh begins by outlining Scripture's overall story, subject matter, and shape. He then provides a broad overview of the Old and New Testaments, followed by a case study of the book of Romans that demonstrates how to bring together theological, historical, exegetical, and devotional concerns when studying Scripture. Whereas many introductions to the Bible prioritize one of these concerns at the expense of the others, Linebaugh shows readers how to synthesize them. In so doing, he demonstrates how reading the Bible can be both generative and we attend to the gospel revealed in Scripture so that same gospel can be spoken afresh on the basis of Scripture. Grounded in Linebaugh's combined expertise as a theologian and experience as an ordained minister, The Well That Washes What It Shows is a valuable resource for pastors, seminary students, and anyone seeking to read Scripture in ways that engage both the mind and the heart.
- GenresTheology
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 22, 2026
4.5
I think this is a fantastic introduction for that level 2 Christian that's interested in going deeper into the Bible.
I think this is a fantastic introduction for that level 2 Christian that's interested in going deeper into the Bible.
October 18, 2025
For Jews and Christians, Holy Scripture provides an authoritative witness to God's existence, presence, work, and more. For Christians, the Jewish scriptures form the first part of the Christian Scriptures. In other words, there is no Christian form of the Holy Scriptures that doesn't include what Christians traditionally call the Old Testament (also known as the Jewish Scriptures). In an age of biblical illiteracy, even in the church, we need accessible introductions to the Scriptures, especially ones that take on a pastoral vision. There is a place for critical study, but for many Christians —whether new to the faith or long-term members —something different is needed, something with a pastoral bent.
Jonathan A. Linebaugh offers a pastorally sensitive introduction to Holy Scripture in his book "The Well That Washes What It Shows (Eerdmans, 2025). He offers this book to readers as a word of consolation and hope, a word that provides a divine offer of forgiveness and love. Here he offers what Thomas Cranmer called "the 'comfortable words' of God's love in Jesus that gives hope to the hurting, ashamed, worn-out, and afraid (Book of Common Prayer). That is the pastoral side of the book. The second dimension of the book is Linebaugh's introduction to the Bible, which he hopes will offer what Paul calls "the gospel of the glory of Christ."
With these hopes and a sense of purpose in mind, Linebagh takes the reader on a journey through Scripture, beginning with three chapters on the Old Testament, following the organizing principles of the Jewish Tanakh, which is a bit different from our usual configuration. Then he offers three chapters on the New Testament, followed by a chapter using the Book of Romans "as an interpretive case study, theological synthesis, and pastoral bridge" (p. 3). Finally, Linebaugh concludes a chapter on "how to read the Bible with and as ministry to others," that is, Cranmer's "comfortable words."
Part One focuses on "The Old Testament" in three chapters. Note the Jewish order: Chapter 1 focuses on "The Law (Torah). Chapter 2 explores "The Prophets (Nevi'im). Here, it is important to note that the "Prophets" include the familiar Major Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, but not Daniel, along with the Book of the Twelve (Minor Prophets). It also includes what are known as the historical books -- Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings (known as the "Former Prophets). Finally, he introduces readers to "The Writings (Ketuvim). This category includes the Wisdom literature, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel. In his chapter, he focuses on the wisdom traditions and the Psalms.
Part two focuses on the New Testament, beginning with a chapter on "The Gospels" (Chapter 4). Here, he wants to emphasize the Gospels as good news. The Gospel is the message, not just the four gospels and Acts. He reminds us that while the four Gospels share the message differently, they preach just one gospel, and that is the good news of Jesus. The second chapter in this section (Chapter 5) focuses on "The Letters (and Life of Paul). He emphasizes what he believes is Paul's only sermon -- "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (p. 91). He also recognizes that Paul's letters are, for the most part, pastoral interventions dealing with crises popping up in congregations he founded, though a few, such as Romans and Colossians, speak to churches he didn't found. He appears to treat the Pastoral Epistles as Pauline. But overall, this is a helpful, pastorally directed overview of Paul's message. Chapter 6, "Hebrews to Revelation," focuses on the remaining books of the New Testament, though he focuses largely on Hebrews and Revelation, while mentioning the letters of John, Jude, James, and the letters of Peter. Hebrews and Revelation are the two longest books in this section and are both somewhat mysterious.
Parts 3 and 4 have one chapter each. Part 3 is titled "Case Study and Synthesis." It focuses its attention on "Paul's Letter to the Romans" (Chapter 7). The focus here is pastoral, not critical analysis. The message he finds there is summed up in three words: Word, Faith, and Love. That is, "the word of Christ creates the faith that clings to it, and this faith is active in love" (p. 154). This leads us to the final section (Part 4), "Ministers of the Word," which contains one chapter, chapter 8, "Comfortable Words." Here, Linebaugh brings things full circle, suggesting that the biblical message, the good news, offers what Cranmer called "Comfortable Words." He asks a question for pastors, can "ministers of the Word give any comfort--- any hope?" (p. 160). For Linebaugh, scripture brings to the people a word from God, the ultimate word is one of hope and comfort. Though it does include diagnoses of sin that need to be addressed, such that as the title implies, scripture is "The Well That Washes What it shows."
Jonathan A. Linebaugh offers a pastorally sensitive introduction to Holy Scripture in his book "The Well That Washes What It Shows (Eerdmans, 2025). He offers this book to readers as a word of consolation and hope, a word that provides a divine offer of forgiveness and love. Here he offers what Thomas Cranmer called "the 'comfortable words' of God's love in Jesus that gives hope to the hurting, ashamed, worn-out, and afraid (Book of Common Prayer). That is the pastoral side of the book. The second dimension of the book is Linebaugh's introduction to the Bible, which he hopes will offer what Paul calls "the gospel of the glory of Christ."
With these hopes and a sense of purpose in mind, Linebagh takes the reader on a journey through Scripture, beginning with three chapters on the Old Testament, following the organizing principles of the Jewish Tanakh, which is a bit different from our usual configuration. Then he offers three chapters on the New Testament, followed by a chapter using the Book of Romans "as an interpretive case study, theological synthesis, and pastoral bridge" (p. 3). Finally, Linebaugh concludes a chapter on "how to read the Bible with and as ministry to others," that is, Cranmer's "comfortable words."
Part One focuses on "The Old Testament" in three chapters. Note the Jewish order: Chapter 1 focuses on "The Law (Torah). Chapter 2 explores "The Prophets (Nevi'im). Here, it is important to note that the "Prophets" include the familiar Major Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, but not Daniel, along with the Book of the Twelve (Minor Prophets). It also includes what are known as the historical books -- Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings (known as the "Former Prophets). Finally, he introduces readers to "The Writings (Ketuvim). This category includes the Wisdom literature, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel. In his chapter, he focuses on the wisdom traditions and the Psalms.
Part two focuses on the New Testament, beginning with a chapter on "The Gospels" (Chapter 4). Here, he wants to emphasize the Gospels as good news. The Gospel is the message, not just the four gospels and Acts. He reminds us that while the four Gospels share the message differently, they preach just one gospel, and that is the good news of Jesus. The second chapter in this section (Chapter 5) focuses on "The Letters (and Life of Paul). He emphasizes what he believes is Paul's only sermon -- "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (p. 91). He also recognizes that Paul's letters are, for the most part, pastoral interventions dealing with crises popping up in congregations he founded, though a few, such as Romans and Colossians, speak to churches he didn't found. He appears to treat the Pastoral Epistles as Pauline. But overall, this is a helpful, pastorally directed overview of Paul's message. Chapter 6, "Hebrews to Revelation," focuses on the remaining books of the New Testament, though he focuses largely on Hebrews and Revelation, while mentioning the letters of John, Jude, James, and the letters of Peter. Hebrews and Revelation are the two longest books in this section and are both somewhat mysterious.
Parts 3 and 4 have one chapter each. Part 3 is titled "Case Study and Synthesis." It focuses its attention on "Paul's Letter to the Romans" (Chapter 7). The focus here is pastoral, not critical analysis. The message he finds there is summed up in three words: Word, Faith, and Love. That is, "the word of Christ creates the faith that clings to it, and this faith is active in love" (p. 154). This leads us to the final section (Part 4), "Ministers of the Word," which contains one chapter, chapter 8, "Comfortable Words." Here, Linebaugh brings things full circle, suggesting that the biblical message, the good news, offers what Cranmer called "Comfortable Words." He asks a question for pastors, can "ministers of the Word give any comfort--- any hope?" (p. 160). For Linebaugh, scripture brings to the people a word from God, the ultimate word is one of hope and comfort. Though it does include diagnoses of sin that need to be addressed, such that as the title implies, scripture is "The Well That Washes What it shows."
March 24, 2026
Summary: An invitation introducing the Bible as both revealing human sin and God’s cleansing work in Christ.
This was one book that had my attention from the very title. What an interesting image: the well that washes what it shows! I can see a well serving to wash something. But how does a well show? I found a clue in the George Herbert poem “The Holy Scriptures I,” from which this phrase is drawn. The preceding line says “That mends the lookers eyes: this is the well/That washes what it shows.”
What Herbert is saying and Linebaugh as well, is that scripture both opens our eyes to our sin but also offers the blessed assurance of God’s cleansing love, poured out in Christ. For Linebaugh, this is the story and shape that defines Holy Scripture. In this introduction to reading the scriptures, he will trace this idea from Genesis to Revelation
The book devotes three chapters each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Then Linebaugh devotes a chapter to a study of Romans, bringing together theological, historical, exegetical, and devotional concerns. Finally, he explores the question of how scripture may be a comfort to one.
His approach to the Old Testament is to follow the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible: the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi’im), and the Writings (Ketuvim). He briefly highlights themes of each book, offers helpful charts, timelines, and maps. He features the shift in Genesis from the world to a single family, that of Abraham and the themes of obedience and blessing and disobedience and curse in Deuteronomy. Linebaugh then traces the failure of Israel in the Prophets and Writings. Also, he shows God’s promises to restore despite their sin.
Turning to the New Testament, the three chapters in this section treat the Gospels, Acts and the Pauline letters, and Hebrews to Revelation. Again, he offers brief summaries and helpful charts. For example, he charts the parallels between Israel’s history and the life of Jesus. Then he shows the distinctive focus of each gospel. With Acts and Paul’s letters, he draws out the apostolic and pastoral pattern of Paul’s work. The section on Hebrews to Revelation focuses on the two longest books that bookend this collection. Specifically, in Hebrews he focuses on the confession of Jesus Christ–>Warning and Judgement–>Confession of Jesus Christ pattern. Then in Revelation, he emphasizes the “unveiling” aspect of the book, specifically the unveiling of the Lamb and his victory. Linebaugh notes scripture’s wonderful bookends of garden, river, and tree of life in Genesis and Revelation!
His study of Romans underscores both the disclosure of human sin and the redemptive work of Christ, even through the pain of Israel’s current rejection, opening the way to the Gentiles but ultimately offering hope for all. He concludes with how those who have been renewed should live, shaped by the word, through faith expressed in love. Linebaugh’s final chapter explores how we may minister comfort through this word as we seek to understand:
Who we are ministering to
Which word they need, that of showing or washing
What we may say as we listen to the Word, the person, and our own lives.
What set this book apart from other biblical introductions for me was first of all the clear theme Linebaugh traces through scripture. In addition, I found his concise overviews helpful in not overwhelming new readers with a mass of detail. Finally, Linebaugh’s writing is accessible, yet literate, and filled with the grandeur of its subject. One senses that this is a man captivated with Holy Scripture who would be delighted if we shared that love.
Thus, this is a book filled with pastoral insight for those who care for God’s people. Equally, it is an inviting resource for those new to scripture. It’s clear that Linebaugh loves to tell the story of “the well that washes what it shows.”
_______________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.
This was one book that had my attention from the very title. What an interesting image: the well that washes what it shows! I can see a well serving to wash something. But how does a well show? I found a clue in the George Herbert poem “The Holy Scriptures I,” from which this phrase is drawn. The preceding line says “That mends the lookers eyes: this is the well/That washes what it shows.”
What Herbert is saying and Linebaugh as well, is that scripture both opens our eyes to our sin but also offers the blessed assurance of God’s cleansing love, poured out in Christ. For Linebaugh, this is the story and shape that defines Holy Scripture. In this introduction to reading the scriptures, he will trace this idea from Genesis to Revelation
The book devotes three chapters each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Then Linebaugh devotes a chapter to a study of Romans, bringing together theological, historical, exegetical, and devotional concerns. Finally, he explores the question of how scripture may be a comfort to one.
His approach to the Old Testament is to follow the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible: the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi’im), and the Writings (Ketuvim). He briefly highlights themes of each book, offers helpful charts, timelines, and maps. He features the shift in Genesis from the world to a single family, that of Abraham and the themes of obedience and blessing and disobedience and curse in Deuteronomy. Linebaugh then traces the failure of Israel in the Prophets and Writings. Also, he shows God’s promises to restore despite their sin.
Turning to the New Testament, the three chapters in this section treat the Gospels, Acts and the Pauline letters, and Hebrews to Revelation. Again, he offers brief summaries and helpful charts. For example, he charts the parallels between Israel’s history and the life of Jesus. Then he shows the distinctive focus of each gospel. With Acts and Paul’s letters, he draws out the apostolic and pastoral pattern of Paul’s work. The section on Hebrews to Revelation focuses on the two longest books that bookend this collection. Specifically, in Hebrews he focuses on the confession of Jesus Christ–>Warning and Judgement–>Confession of Jesus Christ pattern. Then in Revelation, he emphasizes the “unveiling” aspect of the book, specifically the unveiling of the Lamb and his victory. Linebaugh notes scripture’s wonderful bookends of garden, river, and tree of life in Genesis and Revelation!
His study of Romans underscores both the disclosure of human sin and the redemptive work of Christ, even through the pain of Israel’s current rejection, opening the way to the Gentiles but ultimately offering hope for all. He concludes with how those who have been renewed should live, shaped by the word, through faith expressed in love. Linebaugh’s final chapter explores how we may minister comfort through this word as we seek to understand:
Who we are ministering to
Which word they need, that of showing or washing
What we may say as we listen to the Word, the person, and our own lives.
What set this book apart from other biblical introductions for me was first of all the clear theme Linebaugh traces through scripture. In addition, I found his concise overviews helpful in not overwhelming new readers with a mass of detail. Finally, Linebaugh’s writing is accessible, yet literate, and filled with the grandeur of its subject. One senses that this is a man captivated with Holy Scripture who would be delighted if we shared that love.
Thus, this is a book filled with pastoral insight for those who care for God’s people. Equally, it is an inviting resource for those new to scripture. It’s clear that Linebaugh loves to tell the story of “the well that washes what it shows.”
_______________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.
Read
March 16, 2026Solid primer on Holy Scripture. Probably going to be my go-to recommendation for people looking to start thinking deeper about the Bible qua Holy Scripture.
Pros: leans heavily into Anglican liturgics and theology. Very good pastoral applications. Good appropriation of Luther. A dash of engagement with Greco-Roman literature. He hits all his classics.
Cons: probably over-cites authors and musicians. I can't fault Jono too much—I do the same thing. But I think he probably loses some people with all the citations, and how they relate. You have to be willing to let them wash over you instead of always understanding their context. I think some people will get lost in the weeds here.
Pros: leans heavily into Anglican liturgics and theology. Very good pastoral applications. Good appropriation of Luther. A dash of engagement with Greco-Roman literature. He hits all his classics.
Cons: probably over-cites authors and musicians. I can't fault Jono too much—I do the same thing. But I think he probably loses some people with all the citations, and how they relate. You have to be willing to let them wash over you instead of always understanding their context. I think some people will get lost in the weeds here.
September 9, 2025
Jonathan Linebaugh has given us a gem of a book with "The Well That Washes What It Shows". The first half of the book is retelling of the biblical story from Genesis to Revelation through the lens of the Law-Gospel hermeneutic. The second half contains a deeper exposition of Paul's letter to the Romans and then a reflection on how the Scriptures act as "Comfortable Words" to give forgiveness, peace, new life, and hope to sinners and sufferers. This is a great book to give to anyone who wants to better understand what the Scriptures are about and, more importantly, what God does through them.
March 5, 2026
This book was amazing. Will confess I only read half of it. We had Lineabugh come and speak to our session and it was so so good. This book made me love scripture more, but more importantly it pointed me to Jesus and showed me His love for me. Would highly recommend to anyone.
February 24, 2026
The author describes it best “an introduction that functions as an invitation: take up and read Holy Scripture.”
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews