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The Gospel of Being Human: How Asking Better Questions of the Bible Reveals Who We Are
What If Being Human Isn’t the Problem—but the Point?
Many Christians have been taught to see themselves as fundamentally broken—with a human nature defined by sin, separated from God, and constantly striving to be worthy. They have been taught that being human is something to overcome—that their deepest instincts, emotions, and desires are untrustworthy. But what if that’s not the whole story? What if God is inviting us to see our humanity as, in fact, very good news?
In The Gospel of Being Human, Marty Solomon (host of the BEMA podcast) and Reed Dent invite you on a journey of curiosity, attention, and wonder—asking better questions about who we really are and what Scripture actually says about our identity. As you go to God’s Word to explore ten common perspectives about sin, salvation, and our relationship with God, you’ll discover a more expansive and hopeful vision of what it means to be created in His image.
Explore ten common theological perspectives and examine how they shape our understanding of God, ourselves, and others.Learn how curiosity, attention, and wonder can transform your spiritual life and lead to a more vibrant relationship with God.Challenge the belief that humans are defined by sin—and discover how Scripture reveals our fundamental goodness as image-bearers of God.Reframe the gospel not as an escape from our humanness, but as a reclamation of what God called “very good” and an invitation to partner with God in restoring the world.Engage with timely conversations on faith deconstruction and reconstruction while holding onto a biblical faith that is both authentic and deeply rooted in Scripture.If you’ve ever felt like your faith was missing something—or wondered whether God’s good news is bigger than you’ve been told—The Gospel of Being Human offers an invitation to step into a fuller, richer understanding of who God has always intended you to be.
Many Christians have been taught to see themselves as fundamentally broken—with a human nature defined by sin, separated from God, and constantly striving to be worthy. They have been taught that being human is something to overcome—that their deepest instincts, emotions, and desires are untrustworthy. But what if that’s not the whole story? What if God is inviting us to see our humanity as, in fact, very good news?
In The Gospel of Being Human, Marty Solomon (host of the BEMA podcast) and Reed Dent invite you on a journey of curiosity, attention, and wonder—asking better questions about who we really are and what Scripture actually says about our identity. As you go to God’s Word to explore ten common perspectives about sin, salvation, and our relationship with God, you’ll discover a more expansive and hopeful vision of what it means to be created in His image.
Explore ten common theological perspectives and examine how they shape our understanding of God, ourselves, and others.Learn how curiosity, attention, and wonder can transform your spiritual life and lead to a more vibrant relationship with God.Challenge the belief that humans are defined by sin—and discover how Scripture reveals our fundamental goodness as image-bearers of God.Reframe the gospel not as an escape from our humanness, but as a reclamation of what God called “very good” and an invitation to partner with God in restoring the world.Engage with timely conversations on faith deconstruction and reconstruction while holding onto a biblical faith that is both authentic and deeply rooted in Scripture.If you’ve ever felt like your faith was missing something—or wondered whether God’s good news is bigger than you’ve been told—The Gospel of Being Human offers an invitation to step into a fuller, richer understanding of who God has always intended you to be.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2026
58 people are currently reading
820 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 6, 2026
So good! Teaching centered on a deep love of God and of people. I should reread chapters 3 and 6 daily.
takeaways I don’t want to forget:
- mercy for the wretched is the scandal of the gospel
- God is for the bad guys. He is for the flourishing of even those we despise. He longs to see the righteousness taste redemption and the wicked taste repentance.
- compassion grows when we approach others with curiosity, as image bearers shaped by complex stories. Being human means recognizing other humans as like us.
takeaways I don’t want to forget:
- mercy for the wretched is the scandal of the gospel
- God is for the bad guys. He is for the flourishing of even those we despise. He longs to see the righteousness taste redemption and the wicked taste repentance.
- compassion grows when we approach others with curiosity, as image bearers shaped by complex stories. Being human means recognizing other humans as like us.
March 28, 2026
Assumptions are often the enemy of truth. And they are almost always the killers of curiosity.
There’s an old story about three men encountering an elephant in the dark. One grabs the trunk and says, “It’s a snake.” Another feels the leg and says, “It’s a tree.” The third places his hands on the side and says, “You’re both wrong, it’s a wall.”
All three are convinced they are right. And yet all three are wrong.
Not because they are dishonest or because they are trying to deceive. But because they are working with partial perspectives of something much bigger than they can comprehend.
I’ve become convinced we often do the same thing with Scripture.
We read a story. We learn a Sunday school lesson. We hear a sermon or two. We hold tightly to what we’ve been taught—or to what we assume we already understand. And without realizing it, we can reduce sacred stories into smaller truths we can manage. We try to fit deep and complex realities into neat little boxes.
But Scripture is often doing something much bigger than our assumptions allow.
That’s one reason I’m excited about Marty Solomon and Reed Dent’s new book, The Gospel of Being Human. Drawing on the same contextual tools Marty introduced in Asking Better Questions of the Bible, this work invites readers to slow down, pay attention, and consider the possibility that our perspective may be incomplete—especially in the ways we understand ourselves, perceive God, imagine how God sees us, how we relate to one another, and how we live out the good news today.
I can honestly say this is both a challenging and deeply worthwhile read. You may not agree with every conclusion. That’s okay. But books like this remind us that curiosity, humility, and careful attention are not threats to faith. They are often the very things that deepen it.
(I received an advanced copy of this book as part of being in the book launch group)
There’s an old story about three men encountering an elephant in the dark. One grabs the trunk and says, “It’s a snake.” Another feels the leg and says, “It’s a tree.” The third places his hands on the side and says, “You’re both wrong, it’s a wall.”
All three are convinced they are right. And yet all three are wrong.
Not because they are dishonest or because they are trying to deceive. But because they are working with partial perspectives of something much bigger than they can comprehend.
I’ve become convinced we often do the same thing with Scripture.
We read a story. We learn a Sunday school lesson. We hear a sermon or two. We hold tightly to what we’ve been taught—or to what we assume we already understand. And without realizing it, we can reduce sacred stories into smaller truths we can manage. We try to fit deep and complex realities into neat little boxes.
But Scripture is often doing something much bigger than our assumptions allow.
That’s one reason I’m excited about Marty Solomon and Reed Dent’s new book, The Gospel of Being Human. Drawing on the same contextual tools Marty introduced in Asking Better Questions of the Bible, this work invites readers to slow down, pay attention, and consider the possibility that our perspective may be incomplete—especially in the ways we understand ourselves, perceive God, imagine how God sees us, how we relate to one another, and how we live out the good news today.
I can honestly say this is both a challenging and deeply worthwhile read. You may not agree with every conclusion. That’s okay. But books like this remind us that curiosity, humility, and careful attention are not threats to faith. They are often the very things that deepen it.
(I received an advanced copy of this book as part of being in the book launch group)
April 16, 2026
I love the framework of a Scottish cathedral that opens the book—a great cloud of witnesses, known and unknown, who are ultimately human in the same way we are. It’s overwhelming to think about, and yet a mere drop of the witness of the grand cosmic reality in which we live.
Do we have our origins as enemies of God? Not according to Scripture. The case is laid out thoroughly in this work. The analysis of the Romans Road, while not new to me, is an important thing to revisit. Those rigid, simple pathways I grew up with are still deep ruts in my spiritual life. It’s so much easier to limit God to something I can understand than to attempt to grasp how big God really is.
And apparently, I still have things to learn about Elijah.
Keep wrestling. Keep digging. Onward to Book III.
Do we have our origins as enemies of God? Not according to Scripture. The case is laid out thoroughly in this work. The analysis of the Romans Road, while not new to me, is an important thing to revisit. Those rigid, simple pathways I grew up with are still deep ruts in my spiritual life. It’s so much easier to limit God to something I can understand than to attempt to grasp how big God really is.
And apparently, I still have things to learn about Elijah.
Keep wrestling. Keep digging. Onward to Book III.
April 14, 2026
"of course he's not tame [...] but he's good"
I thought of Mr. Beaver's remarks concerning Aslan multiple times while reading this book. Marty and Reed probe deeply into the question, "What if the beauty of God's image and the very goodness of humanity is still true?"
To begin with - if you have not read "Asking Better Questions of the Bible," stop, go read it, and then come back here at a later time. **Bonus points if you are familiar with the Bema Discipleship Podcast and have read any Rabbi David Forman.**
Having grown up a PK and a kid in the church for always, I am very familiar with the sentiment, "there are no good people" and the concept of total depravity. I wrestled hard at the concept that my friend's mom believed adamantly that his baby sister, still in utero, was a terrible sinner already.
I also struggled with the fact that even though churches often said, "everyone is welcome," they usually meant, "most people who look like, act like, and think like us are welcome, provided they dress and behave appropriately." Especially, when comparing the words and deeds of those in church leadership when compared to Jesus' desire to eat with sinners and tax collectors.
Marty and Reed tread upon these questions. They grapple with familiar stories and seek to break free from the lullaby effect that years of Biblical exposure can bring.
They don't do so lightly.
They seek to expose our ability to act like, think like, walk like, talk like and smell like Jesus. Like the way our Father intended.
It's not tame.... but it's good.
I thought of Mr. Beaver's remarks concerning Aslan multiple times while reading this book. Marty and Reed probe deeply into the question, "What if the beauty of God's image and the very goodness of humanity is still true?"
To begin with - if you have not read "Asking Better Questions of the Bible," stop, go read it, and then come back here at a later time. **Bonus points if you are familiar with the Bema Discipleship Podcast and have read any Rabbi David Forman.**
Having grown up a PK and a kid in the church for always, I am very familiar with the sentiment, "there are no good people" and the concept of total depravity. I wrestled hard at the concept that my friend's mom believed adamantly that his baby sister, still in utero, was a terrible sinner already.
I also struggled with the fact that even though churches often said, "everyone is welcome," they usually meant, "most people who look like, act like, and think like us are welcome, provided they dress and behave appropriately." Especially, when comparing the words and deeds of those in church leadership when compared to Jesus' desire to eat with sinners and tax collectors.
Marty and Reed tread upon these questions. They grapple with familiar stories and seek to break free from the lullaby effect that years of Biblical exposure can bring.
They don't do so lightly.
They seek to expose our ability to act like, think like, walk like, talk like and smell like Jesus. Like the way our Father intended.
It's not tame.... but it's good.
April 7, 2026
Chapter 6 wrecked me. Full stop, ugly cried. It’s a truth I so desperately need to get through my thick skull, to break through to the other side of this “deconstruction” and start to rebuild. “He waits patiently for the righteous to learn compassion”. Rebuilding not with hammer power but with lamb power. Come and see ❤️
April 10, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. I feel like more people need to know that we’re perfectly imperfect humans. The whole point of grace is because we need/ needed it.
My favorite chapters Chapter 9 - “there’s something about finally getting all you wanted- becoming too comfortable and complacent with what you’ve been given- that turns out to be poisonous” this chapter spoke to me greatly. And not surprisingly I am filled with more questions 🤪
“Am I after intimacy or am I after what feels like success?” 👀
“Maybe there’s something necessary about the wandering that makes this kind of face to face intimacy with God possible in the first place”
“Faith was more about God getting me somewhere better than him being with me wherever it is I am now” - this one struck because I always am wishing I was better, acted more Christlike, followed the Spirit instead of my flesh more etc. there’s a voice of discontent always wanting to be better than who I am now, instead of peacefully at rest allowing His grace to bring me content where I am.
“Our heaven centric and blessing obsessed theology has made us impotent and frail as the people of God rather than like the vibrant and bright eyed Moses” 😢 it seems it’s quite difficult to not be on the backside of the curve in self serving madness. Thank God for His spirit that convicts and covers us with grace as we repent and turn toward him daily.
I don’t feel eloquent enough to even review the book in a way it deserves but I absolutely loved it! Highly recommend!
My favorite chapters Chapter 9 - “there’s something about finally getting all you wanted- becoming too comfortable and complacent with what you’ve been given- that turns out to be poisonous” this chapter spoke to me greatly. And not surprisingly I am filled with more questions 🤪
“Am I after intimacy or am I after what feels like success?” 👀
“Maybe there’s something necessary about the wandering that makes this kind of face to face intimacy with God possible in the first place”
“Faith was more about God getting me somewhere better than him being with me wherever it is I am now” - this one struck because I always am wishing I was better, acted more Christlike, followed the Spirit instead of my flesh more etc. there’s a voice of discontent always wanting to be better than who I am now, instead of peacefully at rest allowing His grace to bring me content where I am.
“Our heaven centric and blessing obsessed theology has made us impotent and frail as the people of God rather than like the vibrant and bright eyed Moses” 😢 it seems it’s quite difficult to not be on the backside of the curve in self serving madness. Thank God for His spirit that convicts and covers us with grace as we repent and turn toward him daily.
I don’t feel eloquent enough to even review the book in a way it deserves but I absolutely loved it! Highly recommend!
April 30, 2026
This book does not waste a word. As each chapter dives into questions about the nature of humanity, our relationship with God, and the nature of his calling for humanity, the chapters start to build on top of each other, and the ideas and realizations become more and more profound, hitting deeper and deeper. Many times I found myself in a place of awe and wonder at the goodness of God, and how he views and loves humanity. Marty and Reed helped me to put words to feelings that my heart has long been pondering, but had yet to realize fully.
In a refreshing way, this book is not solely about theology, as every chapter is also deeply rooted in practical application. Through humble, direct, and challenging reflections, Marty and Reed have rightly identified the core of many pressing issues in our world and within the church, and gracefully invite every single one of us (not “those people”, whoever they may be), to consider how we could potentially bring life to the places that need it most in our world today.
Though they confidently present a very poignant perspective throughout the book, they consistently leave ample space for the reader to wrestle with what they are reading, and to ultimately take it or leave it. They decide to let their words speak for themselves, and never suggest that their ideas are “the true Gospel”, and anything else is heresy. I have learned a lot of how to create that space when presenting my own perspectives to people from their work.
And to round it all out, after giving the reader many new ideas to consider, they help to chart out a potential path through a process of deconstruction and reconstruction, which was so refreshing and helpful. They did not prescribe what tenets of faith need to be there per-se, but offer wisdom in how to go about the reconstruction process well, and how to build something beautiful that can serve the church in its mission for eons to come.
I would highly recommend this book, as both the content, and the way it is presented, is extremely relevant for all of the problems we are facing today, both inside and outside of the church. If you want a book that can help point you in a direction for cultural healing in US, and maybe beyond, and how to think about the Gospel in a life giving way, give this book a read!
In a refreshing way, this book is not solely about theology, as every chapter is also deeply rooted in practical application. Through humble, direct, and challenging reflections, Marty and Reed have rightly identified the core of many pressing issues in our world and within the church, and gracefully invite every single one of us (not “those people”, whoever they may be), to consider how we could potentially bring life to the places that need it most in our world today.
Though they confidently present a very poignant perspective throughout the book, they consistently leave ample space for the reader to wrestle with what they are reading, and to ultimately take it or leave it. They decide to let their words speak for themselves, and never suggest that their ideas are “the true Gospel”, and anything else is heresy. I have learned a lot of how to create that space when presenting my own perspectives to people from their work.
And to round it all out, after giving the reader many new ideas to consider, they help to chart out a potential path through a process of deconstruction and reconstruction, which was so refreshing and helpful. They did not prescribe what tenets of faith need to be there per-se, but offer wisdom in how to go about the reconstruction process well, and how to build something beautiful that can serve the church in its mission for eons to come.
I would highly recommend this book, as both the content, and the way it is presented, is extremely relevant for all of the problems we are facing today, both inside and outside of the church. If you want a book that can help point you in a direction for cultural healing in US, and maybe beyond, and how to think about the Gospel in a life giving way, give this book a read!
April 11, 2026
Beginning of 2023 a small group of friends and myself started listening to and discussing the BEMA podcast- that was my introduction to Author Marty Solomon and also, eventually, to Author Reed Dent. What began as a journey of learning with curiosity and a new set of tools when reading the bible, led to a courageous reassessment of my long held religious beliefs. Ultimately, what emerged is wonder about God, the genius/perfection (only God) of the Bible and a newfound effort (boy, is it a work in progress) of trusting God and receiving the gift of love that conquers all. That brought me to having the opportunity to read The Gospel of Being Human, before it reached the masses.
Get your hands on this book. Whether you know it all (all things religious, that is) and want to be challenged, maybe you're searching for understanding of "humanity" or of a "higher power" outside yourself, or maybe you've been hurt by people or institutions that say the right things but you have that nagging feeling that it doesn't feel right, this book will remind you of the good. Good news about being you!
One of my favorite lines (I have many) from this book is in the last chapter which says "To be human means to be more than an animal. To be sure, we have that part of us. It is an aspect of our nature that Paul says wars inside us. But there's a war because it is not the only part of us. Our nature is more than sarx; we are also created to walk in the Spirit. That is what makes you human." I am continuing to discover that because God first loved me, I can also love being human and be grateful and celebrate God's work in and through humanity (me). Happy reading!
Get your hands on this book. Whether you know it all (all things religious, that is) and want to be challenged, maybe you're searching for understanding of "humanity" or of a "higher power" outside yourself, or maybe you've been hurt by people or institutions that say the right things but you have that nagging feeling that it doesn't feel right, this book will remind you of the good. Good news about being you!
One of my favorite lines (I have many) from this book is in the last chapter which says "To be human means to be more than an animal. To be sure, we have that part of us. It is an aspect of our nature that Paul says wars inside us. But there's a war because it is not the only part of us. Our nature is more than sarx; we are also created to walk in the Spirit. That is what makes you human." I am continuing to discover that because God first loved me, I can also love being human and be grateful and celebrate God's work in and through humanity (me). Happy reading!
April 8, 2026
Both Marty Solomon and Reed Dent have been hugely impactful on my faith and how I see myself in the narrative of God's story. While I have followed their teaching for years now this book was still fresh and insightful.
The concept of 1000:3 has always been among my favorite teachings and its placement in this book really helps get the ideas to resonate with people at all points in their faith journey I think.
To some, just hearing that God doesn't just want to smite you every waking moment is enough good news. However, the beauty and the richness of how true that is as it is traced through scripture and spelled out across these pages. Not only does he not want to smite you, he wants to partner with you and walk with you right where you are.
The book also shows that asking questions and fostering wonder don't destroy faith, they deepen it. Some of the flat platitudes and distilled doctrines fall so much shorter than the life God envisions for those whom he loves. The theological landscape this book explores is vast and deep yet every moment of it is rich and readable for anyone of any level.
This book is one I will revisit because the depths are so rich that a second pass will still not help me soak it all in much like their podcast.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who is feeling dry in their faith, struggling with big questions, doubting their worth to God, those who are deconstructing, and anyone that just wants to be inspired by what it means to be a partner with God. You will not be disappointed.
The concept of 1000:3 has always been among my favorite teachings and its placement in this book really helps get the ideas to resonate with people at all points in their faith journey I think.
To some, just hearing that God doesn't just want to smite you every waking moment is enough good news. However, the beauty and the richness of how true that is as it is traced through scripture and spelled out across these pages. Not only does he not want to smite you, he wants to partner with you and walk with you right where you are.
The book also shows that asking questions and fostering wonder don't destroy faith, they deepen it. Some of the flat platitudes and distilled doctrines fall so much shorter than the life God envisions for those whom he loves. The theological landscape this book explores is vast and deep yet every moment of it is rich and readable for anyone of any level.
This book is one I will revisit because the depths are so rich that a second pass will still not help me soak it all in much like their podcast.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who is feeling dry in their faith, struggling with big questions, doubting their worth to God, those who are deconstructing, and anyone that just wants to be inspired by what it means to be a partner with God. You will not be disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is one of those bittersweet ends to a book that is just so life-giving. The Gospel of Being Human was written to remind us that before the story was bad, before sin entered the world, the story was good. It is about our shared humanity and loving our neighbor, and it is a powerful reminder that the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is good news, not just for me or those I love, but for my deepest enemy, for “them.” For anyone looking for an engaging, thought-provoking read that challenges your perspective on the Text and its implications for your life, this is a worthwhile read. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
“God sees the whole truth of you from your beloved creation to your darkest moments—not just on a timeline from past to future, left to right, but all at once. He sees every face of the many-dimensional shape that is you simultaneously. And he doesn’t withhold forgiveness, doesn’t give up.”
“God waits patiently for the wicked to learn repentance. And he waits patiently for the righteous to learn compassion.”
“What appears to be utter weakness—the emptying, servant life and death of Jesus—turns out to be the only power that’s real. The kind of power that invites you, makes a way for you, gives itself to you, dies for you, always loves you, whether you accept it and submit to it or not.”
“God sees the whole truth of you from your beloved creation to your darkest moments—not just on a timeline from past to future, left to right, but all at once. He sees every face of the many-dimensional shape that is you simultaneously. And he doesn’t withhold forgiveness, doesn’t give up.”
“God waits patiently for the wicked to learn repentance. And he waits patiently for the righteous to learn compassion.”
“What appears to be utter weakness—the emptying, servant life and death of Jesus—turns out to be the only power that’s real. The kind of power that invites you, makes a way for you, gives itself to you, dies for you, always loves you, whether you accept it and submit to it or not.”
April 15, 2026
A short read, absolutely FILLED with gold.
This book pulls at the strings of a searching, curious, or broken heart, and does so with boldness and grace. Marty Solomon and Reed Dent have written something that speaks straight to the soul, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
For anyone who has grown up in a church culture heavy with shame, or quietly wrestled with fear about who they are to God, this book is a gift. Marty and Reed directly challenge the idea that God's love and wrath must be held in perfect balance, a belief many of us have absorbed without even realizing it! As he writes: "Not only is there not a single passage in the Bible that suggests that God's love and his wrath are in perfect balance, but there are passages that state quite the opposite." He unpacks how shame has often been used in church settings to manipulate and control, and contrasts that with the profound freedom of truly knowing who you are without fear. It’s a beautiful, liberating call to step into your identity as a reflection of God's love in the world.
This book genuinely changed my perspective and my confidence in how God sees me. It'll speak to any open heart, whether you're a lifelong believer, someone building on their faith, or simply someone searching for something more.
Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend.
This book pulls at the strings of a searching, curious, or broken heart, and does so with boldness and grace. Marty Solomon and Reed Dent have written something that speaks straight to the soul, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
For anyone who has grown up in a church culture heavy with shame, or quietly wrestled with fear about who they are to God, this book is a gift. Marty and Reed directly challenge the idea that God's love and wrath must be held in perfect balance, a belief many of us have absorbed without even realizing it! As he writes: "Not only is there not a single passage in the Bible that suggests that God's love and his wrath are in perfect balance, but there are passages that state quite the opposite." He unpacks how shame has often been used in church settings to manipulate and control, and contrasts that with the profound freedom of truly knowing who you are without fear. It’s a beautiful, liberating call to step into your identity as a reflection of God's love in the world.
This book genuinely changed my perspective and my confidence in how God sees me. It'll speak to any open heart, whether you're a lifelong believer, someone building on their faith, or simply someone searching for something more.
Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend.
April 26, 2026
What if I went on a date with my wife and all she did was obsess over why she shouldn’t be in the room with me?
That single thought has rocked my prayer life since reading this wonderful book. I struggle with prayer and that section in the book isn’t necessarily even about prayer, but it’s where it landed for me. I don’t really struggle with going to God when I’m in crisis, I struggle with going to Him when things are going well. In the mundane, in the day to day. I struggle with truly walking side by side with Him in the life of faith He invites us into.
If you’ve made it all the way through the main 5 sessions of the BEMA podcast, then this book is an invaluable resource to have in print of what I see as some of the most important teachings that really stand out from the podcast. But even for someone that has listened to every single podcast like me, there were some beautiful nuggets that truly changed the way I see God and relate to Him. I’m incredibly thankful for Marty Solomon, Reed Dent, and the entire team at BEMA.
That single thought has rocked my prayer life since reading this wonderful book. I struggle with prayer and that section in the book isn’t necessarily even about prayer, but it’s where it landed for me. I don’t really struggle with going to God when I’m in crisis, I struggle with going to Him when things are going well. In the mundane, in the day to day. I struggle with truly walking side by side with Him in the life of faith He invites us into.
If you’ve made it all the way through the main 5 sessions of the BEMA podcast, then this book is an invaluable resource to have in print of what I see as some of the most important teachings that really stand out from the podcast. But even for someone that has listened to every single podcast like me, there were some beautiful nuggets that truly changed the way I see God and relate to Him. I’m incredibly thankful for Marty Solomon, Reed Dent, and the entire team at BEMA.
April 11, 2026
Marty is back encouraging us to ask questions, making sure our beliefs are really OURS and Biblical. With historical and Jewish context, you’ll look at these selected Bible stories and see them in a new light. With some great stuff about how we view ourselves and others all through the God’s love.
“We don’t have enough room in this book to explore
every nuance of the theological frameworks we each might be bringing to the biblical text, but that is why our posture of curiosity is so important. Remember, considering a different perspective doesn’t mean you have to toss out everything you’ve ever believed, just like considering an idea from a new theologian or scholar doesn’t mean you must agree with everything
they’ve ever said or written. But it may turn out that these
invitations to be curious help you discover a path to a more comprehensive and congruent understanding of who God says you are in light of his Word.”
P 4, THE GOSPEL OF BEING HUMAN
“We don’t have enough room in this book to explore
every nuance of the theological frameworks we each might be bringing to the biblical text, but that is why our posture of curiosity is so important. Remember, considering a different perspective doesn’t mean you have to toss out everything you’ve ever believed, just like considering an idea from a new theologian or scholar doesn’t mean you must agree with everything
they’ve ever said or written. But it may turn out that these
invitations to be curious help you discover a path to a more comprehensive and congruent understanding of who God says you are in light of his Word.”
P 4, THE GOSPEL OF BEING HUMAN
May 4, 2026
**AUDIO BOOK**
I actually finished this a while ago but didn't log it since "technically" I didn't finish it since the final "chapter" was the audio description of a table containing all the bullet points that end each chapter already. Completionist/Obbsessive tendancies aside, I figured I'll actually log this now.
Good "listen" for sure! I think I maybe prefer the first of Marty's books to this one, but only because there was more enjoyable intellectual stimulation over a wide range of topics in his first book. This one is more personally streching and applicable, however I do think he takes some leaps in his arguments that I wish he spent more time on. That isn't to say that his conclusions/questions are wrong, just that I wish he had spent more time on walking me through them. A good and challenging book that wrestles with some important issues for Christians (and everyone). The concluding chapter really brings it all together.
I'll likely return to this at some point.
I actually finished this a while ago but didn't log it since "technically" I didn't finish it since the final "chapter" was the audio description of a table containing all the bullet points that end each chapter already. Completionist/Obbsessive tendancies aside, I figured I'll actually log this now.
Good "listen" for sure! I think I maybe prefer the first of Marty's books to this one, but only because there was more enjoyable intellectual stimulation over a wide range of topics in his first book. This one is more personally streching and applicable, however I do think he takes some leaps in his arguments that I wish he spent more time on. That isn't to say that his conclusions/questions are wrong, just that I wish he had spent more time on walking me through them. A good and challenging book that wrestles with some important issues for Christians (and everyone). The concluding chapter really brings it all together.
I'll likely return to this at some point.
April 14, 2026
This book is easy to read while provoking such changing thoughts that are rooted in the Word! BEMA (which the authors founded and are a part of) is my husband and my favorite resource for practical application of what got a showcasing through His word!! Every time I read a chapter, there are so many takeaways. I might as well read the book out loud to whoever I’m talking about it too lol! As a mom of four little kids, my reading time is sparse and this book is well worth that precious time.
‘Are we able to bear the name of the compassionate Christ and still have nothing but hate for another human being? If not, how do we close the gap between "us” and "them"? This is an essential question because it is only at the point where they meet—where "them" becomes "us"— that compassion can truly open up.’
‘Are we able to bear the name of the compassionate Christ and still have nothing but hate for another human being? If not, how do we close the gap between "us” and "them"? This is an essential question because it is only at the point where they meet—where "them" becomes "us"— that compassion can truly open up.’
Review of advance copy
This book offers such a refreshing and hopeful perspective on faith and what it truly means to be human. Instead of focusing on brokenness, it beautifully reframes the gospel as an invitation to embrace our humanity as something God called “very good.”
The authors do an incredible job of challenging common assumptions about sin, identity, and our relationship with God while staying deeply rooted in Scripture. Their emphasis on curiosity, wonder, and asking better questions really stood out to me—it made my faith feel more alive and meaningful.
This book is both thought-provoking and encouraging. It’s perfect for anyone wrestling with their faith, going through deconstruction, or simply wanting a deeper, more expansive understanding of God and themselves. Highly recommend!
The authors do an incredible job of challenging common assumptions about sin, identity, and our relationship with God while staying deeply rooted in Scripture. Their emphasis on curiosity, wonder, and asking better questions really stood out to me—it made my faith feel more alive and meaningful.
This book is both thought-provoking and encouraging. It’s perfect for anyone wrestling with their faith, going through deconstruction, or simply wanting a deeper, more expansive understanding of God and themselves. Highly recommend!
April 8, 2026
This is such a beautiful book. Marty and Reid invite us to examine what it means to be human, not as the world around us tries to define but by asking what is God’s posture toward us; not one of wrath but one of love, one that invites us in to His purpose and His story. They encourage us to ask better questions and turn to scripture to see how God himself speaks about us and to approach the Word with a “posture of curiosity, attention, and wonder along the way”. It is a thought provoking journey that will encourage, challenge, and grow you. I highly recommend you pick this up and start asking better questions today!
April 23, 2026
I’m not sure this book revealed who I am (as promised on the cover), but Marty Solomon and Reed Dent recommended good questions I’d never thought to ask about common Sunday school passages of the Bible. I appreciated them presenting the implications of there being multiple answers to some of those questions. My primary takeaway from this book will be how they reframed Moses’ burning bush, calling us to stare at the spiritual conundrums of our life longer and from more vantage points. The text bogged down too often in hypothetical vignettes, but that might be a rabbinical tradition. The chart in the appendix makes for a great summary of the book.
April 11, 2026
Do you wonder why you are here? What can you possibly contribute that's worth anything? Is there more to life than holding your breath until you get to heaven? Do you keep searching for the right equation that makes life work and make sense? Have too many voices told you that God is too holy for you and your messy life? That He's far away and pouring out His wrath until you get your life together then you can partner with Him? This book will give you new and refreshing answers to the hard questions you are afraid to ask out loud...
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced copy
What does it mean to be part of the kingdom of God?
Solomon’s second book invites a curious reexamination of our faith and theology. Not to abandon them, but to make our lived faith stronger and Biblical and rooted in how God made us — humans!
He posits curiosity as a healthy spiritual practice — in fact it’s one way God uniquely created humans with this “curiosity tool.” It’s one way God invited us to be part of his Kingdom and work bringing heaven to earth.
What does it mean to be part of the kingdom of God?
Solomon’s second book invites a curious reexamination of our faith and theology. Not to abandon them, but to make our lived faith stronger and Biblical and rooted in how God made us — humans!
He posits curiosity as a healthy spiritual practice — in fact it’s one way God uniquely created humans with this “curiosity tool.” It’s one way God invited us to be part of his Kingdom and work bringing heaven to earth.
May 6, 2026
Love it; asking better questions; what does it mean to be human, wrestling with the text. Nothing in here was surprising to me as I have listened to Marty’s podcast for a long time, I read one of the reviews talking about wanting it to go more in depth than where he went, I would suggest for those readers that they check out the podcast as much of what he talking about is referenced and studied from the text itself.
November 9, 2025
The Gospel presented here is indeed good news for the self-righteous and shame-filled alike. Whether you are new to the Scriptures or a life-long student, this book closely examines some of our most entrenched assumptions about God, illuminating the story of divine love and allowing the Bible to speak on its own terms.
April 11, 2026
The Gospel of Being Human is one of the books that help me to see Christianity as a way of loving others rather than just having more knowledge about the Bible. I like the way that the authors were able to take the stories in the Bible about some of our heroes, and then humanize them in a way that made them more relatable to our lives.
April 11, 2026
Amazing next installment by Marty. If you have heard him before or listened to BEMA, many of the overarching concepts should feel familiar.
I think that Chapter 6 on Jonah has been the concept from Marty’s teachings that have changed most in me as a Christian over the past few years.
“What, in the end, do (I) hope for my worst enemy?”
I think that Chapter 6 on Jonah has been the concept from Marty’s teachings that have changed most in me as a Christian over the past few years.
“What, in the end, do (I) hope for my worst enemy?”
April 10, 2026
To paraphrase St Augustine quite a bit, this book is shallow enough for someone new to studying the Bible not to drown, yet deep enough for a scholar to swim. Compelling and provocative insights on every page.
Chapter 5 alone is worth the price of the book!
Chapter 5 alone is worth the price of the book!
April 17, 2026
Thank you, Marty and Reed, for an excellent survey of how our theology has turned us away from seeing ourselves as fallible, real, extent human beings. This and the first book in the series are so great at unlocking a lot of unasked questions in such a well-guided way
April 24, 2026
For any who would benefit from a reaffirmation that God’s primary posture towards us is one of Love, and any who have not spent time exploring the manifold ways in which that particular truth transforms our understanding of identity and purpose, this book is a good ‘un.
April 8, 2026
Solomon and Dent set out to shift how we understand the way God sees us, and finish by insisting that we take what we've learned about our belovedness and apply it to everyone we meet, even those we consider our enemies. This is an important book for a Christian in such a time as this.
April 14, 2026
A much better overview of what the Bible is About
I really enjoyed this overview of the entire Bible and what it is all about. Much of what the authors address, I had begun questioning long ago. It is a healthy discussion that Bible teachers and studies would do well to think through. It is not deconstructionist to ask questions beyond the theological constructs we have built. I personally really enjoyed this one.
I really enjoyed this overview of the entire Bible and what it is all about. Much of what the authors address, I had begun questioning long ago. It is a healthy discussion that Bible teachers and studies would do well to think through. It is not deconstructionist to ask questions beyond the theological constructs we have built. I personally really enjoyed this one.
April 19, 2026
You out did yourself Marty. All glory be to God for the good work He is doing through your life. Thank you.
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