You Can Understand The Bible: A Practical And Illuminating Guide To Each Book In The Bible

by Peter Kreeft

Many people are often understandably intimidated or overwhelmed by the sheer size and complexity of the Bible. But now popular author and Boston College professor Peter Kreeft has written a clear road map of the Bible, focusing his keen insight and engaging wit on the core message of each book. It won't take long for you to understand why his guide to scripture has become a best-seller! Sparkling with intelligence and Kreeft's trademark humor, You Can Understand the Bible will transform dry study into spiritually satisfying adventures in God's Word. Regardless of how you approached- or didn't approach- the Bible before, you'll come away with a new appreciation of its depth and meaning. Kreeft also provides practical guidance for praying the scriptures every day, allowing the reader to delve into the messages of scripture in a manner that will surprise, delight, and reward.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Theology, Faith, Christian, Scripture, Nonfiction

328 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2005

About the author

Peter Kreeft is an American philosopher and prolific author of over eighty books on Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. A convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, his journey was shaped by his study of Church history, Gothic architecture, and Thomistic thought. He earned his BA from Calvin College, an MA and PhD from Fordham University, and pursued further studies at Yale. Since 1965, he has taught philosophy at Boston College and also at The King’s College. Kreeft is known for formulating “Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God” with Ronald K. Tacelli, featured in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics. A strong advocate for unity among Christians, he emphasizes shared belief in Christ over denominational differences.

Reviews

[Ramón S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book about the Bible for those who need a first approach to all the books in the catholic bible.
I recognize that I love the way Peter Kreeft explains things, I love his sense of humor and his way of teaching.
I will read this book again

[Kevin Estabrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been using this book for several years in my homily preparation. It gives clear and simple background to the books of the Bible.

[Julie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply brilliant.

[Bonita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not finished yet, but so far I am really enjoying this. There are a lot of tongue-in-cheek comments that are fun and often amusing. Very enlightening, too.

[Emerson John Tiu Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

...a good guide to understand the bible...

[David Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was aimed at a younger, Catholic audience and missed me by a mile. This does not mean that there is nothing valuable in it. I don't think Peter Kreeft could write, say, or think anything that did not contain several nuggets of wisdom. This book was the most Catholic of any of his books that I have read. What did I expect? He is a former Calvinist who converted to Catholicism and is a Philosophy Professor at a Catholic University. Most of his books are written for the general public and are accessible by all and sundry. I think I did gain a little insight into Catholic thinking and, as always, Kreeft is very quote worthy.

This is a useful book, but I can think of others (by Protestant authors, I admit my bias) that are even more useful. This is the kind of book Catholic parents would give their adolescent kids after graduating from catechism (does one graduate from catechism? I don't know.) Anyway, it was not the book I thought it was and it reminded me why I am not Catholic. I think they play somewhat fast and loose with Scripture, but so do many Protestants who like to read into the Bible their own end-time scenarios. Having said that, his chapter on Revelation, I thought, was particularly good and useful.

If you want to read something of his that is exemplary, I would recommend The Three Philosophies of Life which is a commentary of Ecclesiastes. Job and the Song of Songs. Truly excellent, but the kindle version is somewhat buggy and filled with annoying typos. Ignore the typos and concentrate on the content which is substantive and challenging.

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best compliment I can give this book is that it makes me want to read the Bible even more.

[Thomas Lehner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first one I have read by Peter Kreeft. I have read some articles written by him online and seen him speak on YouTube. This book absolutely lived up to the title. Mr. Kreeft structured the book so each chapter was a different book of the Bible (some Bible books were grouped into a single chapter). Each chapter explained the basic theme of said book. Each chapter also explains who wrote the book, its structure and format, who the intended audience was, what the book(s) meant to the Jewish audience and what the books means for the Catholic reader. It also gives pragmatic insight into how to apply the book to modern life, and how to make the book come alive for the imagination so the words become more than a story but the living Word of God. The book is intended for Catholic audience. Having been written by a former Presbyterian, Mr. Kreeft respectfully, details the common deficiencies found in Protestant interpretations of the books Biblical reader. I highly recommend this book as a quick go-to for your book shelf.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the worst ever, but it wasn't always as eye-opening as I wanted it to be.

[Sonia Bachamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

It clarifies several points about the bible. It will be more useful if you read a specific bible chapter and then read the corresponding chapter of this book.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have used this book more as a reference, hence the six years to read it. I finally decided to charge through the last half of the News Testament. It is usual Kreeft: not terribly fancy but very solid and jewels sprinkled throughout. Anyone reading the Bible could use this as a companion.

[Kati · Rating 1 out of 5]

A good friend gave J and I this book for Christmas, so I wanted to like it but it made me furious, instead. I found the author to be patronizing and I disagreed with most of his assertions, including his early assertion about how wrong and angry feminists are (insert grimace).

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good overall introduction to the Bible. It goes book by book and gives the background and details of the story of each book. Not super in depth, but a good starting point for Bible study.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great at providing an understanding of the Bible. My only complaint is that it didn't elaborate enough on some of the books.

[Charles Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books that survey the Bible are often snapshots, they try to be insightful and informative without giving away too much of the book you're supposed to focus on (i.e., the Bible). Kreeft has the added advantage that he writes cleverly, his turn of a phrase is often a quick spin and he makes the insights and informations illuminative. (Another "added" advantage is that, as a Catholic, Kreeft includes the Apocrypha, so that's instructional too.)

[James Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant incisive

A book to read to have a broader view of the works of Christ our Lord. The book gives a better understanding and meaning to your thoughts and ideas to be read when going through the Bible

[Mary Ellin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over and over again, bit by bit, every time I read a book of the Bible. Kreeft explains, interprets and enlightens in an accessible way.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended!

[cmcasadoiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Estupenda introducción para entender la Biblia

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kreeft does a wonderful job of keeping his explanations brief but still providing much food for thought and solid guidance in approaching the books of the Bible.

[Holy Spirit]

220.6 KRE

[Joseph Maimone · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just makes total sense. Easy to follow.

[Daniel Gutierrez · Rating 1 out of 5]

A previous edition of this work was one of the first I ever read on rules of Bible interpretation. This work suffers from much of it's applications of these 'objective formulas' of interpretation. Back when I had the same denominational affiliation as Segraves, I read everything he wrote I could get my hands on (outside of his Urshan biography). I no longer hold to his denominational distinctives, but I'm thankful for the formation he did provide.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read each chapter of this before reading the corresponding part in the Bible and definitely recommend it for that as it helped give lots of helpful context. Minus one star because Kreeft's writing style gets to me a little bit (reads a bit snarky and like a know-it-all to me).

[Arvin]

.

[Todd Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Seagraves is very knowledgable.

[Earl Pestano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must-Read!

[Michael Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Great book for beginners looking for solid, orthodox, and Catholic biblical interpretation. I would recommend this book for any one looking to learn more about the Bible.