Theology for the Rest of Us: A User-Friendly Guide to Super Cool, Really Transformational Stuff About God and Why It Matters

by Lisa Harper, Brooke Ligertwood (Foreword)

Dive into Theology and Enjoy the Deep End of God's Love

Have you ever heard someone use a multisyllabic theological term and secretly thought, I have no idea what they're talking about--just give me Jesus? You're not alone. And you're exactly who this book was written for.

In Theology for the Rest of Us, Lisa Harper--theologian, Bible teacher, speaker, and host of the podcast Back Porch Theology--puts the cookies on the lower shelf. Drawing on her extensive seminary training and her gift for making complex ideas feel like a conversation with a brilliant friend, she walks you through the key concepts of Christianity with warmth, humor, and zero condescension. Because good theology isn't simply about learning--it's about living.
You'll discover what theologians actually mean--and why it matters for your daily life--when they talk
● Atonement -- what exactly Jesus accomplished on the cross, and why it's the hinge of everything
● Covenant -- how God has always been binding himself to his people across the entire sweep of Scripture
● Soteriology -- the doctrine of salvation, and what it means to be saved in the fullest biblical sense
● Eschatology -- what the Bible actually says about the end times, without the sensationalism
● Hermeneutics -- how to read and interpret Scripture well, so you can trust what you're reading
● The Trinity -- one God, three persons, and why this isn't a contradiction but the very heart of the Christian faith
● Spiritual gifts -- what they are, who has them, and how they function in the life of the church
● . . . and so much more, all grounded in Scripture and told through Lisa's signature storytelling

Theology for the Rest of Us will help you lean more fully into the unconditional love of Jesus, build a biblically sound belief system, and share the living hope of the Gospel with others.

Theology was always meant for the rest of us. Let Lisa show you why--and how much it changes everything.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian Living, Faith

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2026

About the author

Lisa Harper is a hilarious storyteller and theological scholar―a gifted communicator whose writing and speaking overflows with colorful, pop-culture references that connect the dots between the Bible era and modern life. “Her God-given ability to not merely teach the Word but package it in a way that stirs the heart and calls to action is incomparable” says Priscilla Shirer. For six years Lisa served as the director of Focus on the Family's national women's ministry where she created the popular Renewing the Heart conferences. The next six years found her serving on the local level as the women's ministry director at a large church in Nashville. As the author of eleven books, and a Masters of Theological Studies with honors from Covenant Seminary, she is now a sought-after Bible teacher and speaker. Lisa was on the Women of Faith national arena tour and speaks at many other large events as well as at hundreds of churches all over the world. Lisa describes her greatest accomplishment to date as getting to be Missy’s mama.

Reviews

[BookWoman_KZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the opportunity to listen to this advance listening copy (ALC) in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lisa Harper is a gifted storyteller, a self-proclaimed word nerd, and someone who has a beautiful way of making theology feel less intimidating and more like a conversation with a friend. Theology for the Rest of Us feels like a compilation of so many of things she’s discussed over the years on her Back Porch Theology podcast, all wrapped up in one approachable, engaging, and incredibly informative book.

I’ve been listening to Back Porch Theology practically since it began, and I’ve come to really appreciate Lisa’s down-to-earth approach to studying Scripture.

I particularly loved the chapter on the Dead Sea Scrolls. It’s one of those topics that leaves you in awe and makes you want to dig even deeper into Scripture and its history. One thing I kept thinking while listening was how much I would love to have a physical copy in front of me. This would be a fantastic immersive reading experience, listening to Lisa narrate while highlighting those little aha moments and nuggets of wisdom sprinkled throughout.

There is A LOT of information packed into this book, and because the chapters cover such a wide variety of topics, I think it’s best enjoyed slowly rather than rushed through. In fact, I think this would be an incredible resource for discipleship or mentoring. Working through a chapter at a time with someone, discussing what you’ve learned, and reflecting on how it deepens your understanding of God.

#TheologyfortheRestofUs #LisaHarper #NetGalley #RBmedia #BackPorchTheology #ChristianBooks #ChristianNonfiction #Theology #AudiobookReview #BookReview

[Chloe Theplotbycoco · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Theology for the Rest of Us means what the title implies: Major theological terms defined for those of us without seminary and theological degrees.
I was given the opportunity to listen to this book as an ALC, and I very much enjoyed myself while listening.
Lisa is an immersive storyteller, and many times I caught myself feeling as if I was sitting in a cozy den with her across from me, just chatting about life and gaining wisdom from her.
You will find yourself laughing, crying, and learning. Lisa is utterly relatable and mixes biblical texts with her life stories, and little tidbits about her sweet daughter and their journey through adoption and motherhood.
You will love this if you want to gain a deeper understanding of biblical concepts. This audiobook flew by, and it was extremely easy to understand the definitions that would otherwise go right over my head, as well as why each and every word Lisa defines is important and beneficial to further your study of the Bible.
My only issue was the audiobook made it hard for me to retain the lofty theological words because I wasn’t visually able to read them and see how they are spelled. So, if you are more of a hands-on learner, you should choose the physical book.

[Bossmanaries Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Theology for the Rest of Us by Lisa Harper

Lisa Harper is a new-to-me author, itinerant speaker, and preacher, but after listening to her narrate this book, I can confidently say she has my attention. In fact, she stirred something in me that had me reaching for my notes several times throughout the listen.

I found myself fully engaged, challenged, and persuaded to learn more, draw closer, and lean even further into Jesus. And that phrase, “Let the Lion of Judah out!” is a concept I do not want to forget. EVER! There is something powerful about that reminder, and it has stayed with me.

This book may not be for everyone, but I appreciated Harper’s fresh, accessible approach to some of theology’s more difficult principles and terminology. She makes you think, encourages you to dig deeper, and invites you to look at your faith through a different lens.

A sincere thank-you to RBmedia and Lisa Harper for providing the ALC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Stars)

#TheologyForTheRestOfUs #LisaHarper #NetGalley #RBmedia

Publication Date: November 10, 2026

[Ashley Yaggi · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I love that the audiobook was narrated by Lisa Harper herself. Having done a couple of her Bible studies, I was eager to dive into this book. This book is jam-packed with information. I love how Lisa breaks down major theological topics and makes them easy to understand for those of us who haven't been to seminary school. Because of how Lisa also interweaves her personal stories of motherhood and adoption into the text, I feel like this book is a conversation between friends rather than some stuffy old textbook. I plan to read this one again and go through it more slowly just because there are so many concepts she tackles. I believe both new and veteran Christians can take away something from this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy! All opinions are my own.

[Peregine · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

reivewed based on an advanced copy from Netgalley
Lisa Harper narrates her own book and does a good job at it. In fact, I think her southern accent and her tone are a vital part of the experience. The book is referred to a dictionary, but it is more like a devotional, with each word setting off a short sermon. It feels a little bit like Sunday school for adults. She draws on her experience of adopting a daughter from Haiti at age 50 as well as her extensive education. Some listeners might find it a bit too cutesy, but others will love it.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 0.25 out of 5]

The author appeared to be talking down to her readers, as if she were assuming they knew nothing. She had an extremely irritating habit of saying "Let's close" or "one more" several times in a chapter-- sometimes 10 or more pages before the end of the chapter. Some of what she had to say may be helpful to folks wanting to know more, but her way of presenting it is a reasl turn off.

[Hannah Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for an ALC of this book!

I absolutely love Lisa Harper and her method of how she teaches the Bible. She has such an intriguing way of speaking about the Bible in such a fascinating way. I love her approach in how she breaks down the Greek and how she is able to remain reverent while also throwing in her Lisa humor. You don’t need to possess a seminary or theology degree to have a genuine curiosity about the Bible. There are many themes and languages that are hard for the average person to study. I love how vibrant this book was with Lisa’s energy. She has such an exciting way about her in her podcast as well as her books. This was also an amazing audio book since Lisa narrated it. I love to hear her inflections and ease as she speaks!