A Walk Through the Bible

by Lesslie Newbigin

One of the most renowned theologians of our time tells the story of the Bible in a way that everyone can understand. Shortly before he died in 1998, Lesslie Newbigin recorded a series of eight radio addresses on basic themes and central figures in the Bible. These addresses, which form the basis of this book, affirm the Bible as the story of the history of humankind. Newbigin invites readers to join him on a journey from Genesis through Revelation, introducing the great biblical figures along the way - Abraham, Moses, Noah, the prophets, Paul, and of course, Jesus. His characteristically lucid prose, reflecting a lifetime of faithful teaching and preaching, both challenges and inspires the reader to a deeper level of Christian discipleship. This authoritative, powerful summary of the Bible story is indispensable reading for individuals, teachers, clergy, and adult study groups. Lesslie Newbigin was a founding bishop of the Church of South India and associate general secretary of the World Council of Churches. He authored numerous books, including Proper Confidence: Faith, Doubt, and Certainty in Christian Discipleship; The Gospel in a Pluralist Society; and Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and Western Culture.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1999

About the author

Bishop James Edward Lesslie Newbigin was a British theologian, missiologist, missionary and author. Though originally ordained within the Church of Scotland, Newbigin spent much of his career serving as a missionary in India and became affiliated with the Church of South India and the United Reformed Church, becoming one of the Church of South India's first bishops. A prolific author who wrote on a wide range of theological topics, Newbigin is best known for his contributions to missiology and ecclesiology. He is also known for his involvement in both the dialogue regarding ecumenism and the Gospel and Our Culture movement. Many scholars also believe his work laid the foundations for the contemporary missional church movement, and it is said his stature and range is comparable to the "Fathers of the Church".

Reviews

[Scott Kohler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more a booklet than a book, with eight brief chapters based on a series of radio addresses Newbigin gave outlining the story of the Bible in plain language. I read this as I was preparing a sermon telling the story of Scripture as a whole, and I was interested to see different ways others have told that story. Newbigin’s approach is able to touch on more details than a single sermon can, and although there are no surprises here I did find it helpful. He makes space for the election of Israel and the challenge of Israel’s life with God, and moves with ease into the prophets’ messages both of correction and promise, so that the coming of Jesus is set in a fairly well-articulated context. His closing thoughts, on the way the Bible story invites us into a third way that differs from either seeing our lives as contributing to a historic project in which we won’t share or focusing on a personal spiritual fulfillment that jettisons history and the created world, brought the book to a strong finish.

I imagine A Walk Through the Bible would be very helpful to beginning Bible readers or long-time Christians looking for help keeping the big picture before their eyes.

[Joe Haack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is as short as an article. I loved it. I don't share Newbigin's views on some dating/authorship issues, but found his overview very inspiring.

Favorite quote:
"And even in our readings of the Bible in church, we tend to look at only very short passages which reinforces the impression that the Bible is a collection of nuggets of wisdom from which we can choose what we find helpful. But in that case, of course, it is not the Bible itself that decides what is worth reading: we decide in advance. The Bible is not our authority" (12).

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lesslie did a great job taking the reader on a very broad overview of the Bible from cover to cover. Sometimes, growing up in Christian culture, you get lost in the nitty gritty details and only see the Bible under a magnifying glass. This is a great reminder of the overarching story. OR if you are a brand new Christian and you are overwhelmed with what the Bible talks about, and don’t know how to make sense of it, this is a great starter read.

[Bruce Stopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read of less than 85 pages that tells the big story of the Bible from beginning to end, from Creation to New Creation, arranging various books of the Bible in chronological order. Refreshing to see the big picture and then consider where I for into the scheme of things.

[Joshua Revelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Walk Through the Bible is, as you would expect, a very brief overview of the Bible, introducing some of its key figures, events, and concepts. I found it delightful to read but not particularly illuminating.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you looking for more than a walk through the bible? Don't read this. You looking for a walk through the bible? There is no better guide than Mr. Newbigin.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple quick overview of the Bible. I enjoyed the section about the New Testament the best—had some good perspectives!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good missional reading of scripture. Short, sweet, and insightful. His barthianism isn't great though.

[Spencer Falk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool little book

[Nate Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read for school, but I actually enjoyed it. Nothing groundbreaking but a good, very quick synopsis of the Bible from a scoped out view.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise and clearly written little treatise outlining the story of the Bible and how it reflects and expounds God’s purposes in history.

[Dee Kohler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful but not awesome.

[Timothy Hoiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

In A Walk Through the Bible (Barefoot Ministries), the print version of a series of radio talks, Newbigin presents the Bible as one story that offers a unique account of history and “enables us to understand our own lives as part of that story.”

This is especially crucial, he says, because humans have tended to go in one of two directions in making sense of life. On the one hand have been those who have seen individual human beings as expendable contributors to some ideological project. “The logic of this,” Newbigin says, “has been developed with terrible precision in some of the movements of the twentieth century in which millions of men and women have been sacrificed for the sake of some ideology, some vision of a perfect society in the future.”

- See more at: http://tjhoiland.com/wordpress/2012/0...

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short and simple overview of the Bible's historical context. A lot of it was more of the same -- essentially an explanation from the Christian perspective of how the Old Testament points to Christ's death and resurrection. I did learn that there were more rulers and changes of power exerting control over the nation of Israel than I can really keep track of.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great read. Short, profound yet very accessible. Helps the reader get a big picture of the whole Bible and it's themes. Newbigin comes from a missionary background in India, yet a strong theological foundation, helping people with little or no understanding of a Christian worldview grasp it in its entirety.

[Winn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started well. I had high hopes. I like Newbigin a lot - and I love the idea here. It just went flat about halfway through. This was originally given as a series of radio lectures. I think that would have been better.

[Wesley Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, short, and accessible telling of the biblical narrative. Newbigin makes his own interpretative choices, as we all must. But his choices are generous, allowing freedom for dialogue. I'd consider this a great resource for group reading, catalytic for good conversation.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this brief description of the bible. Newbigin does so well what many of us seek to do, which is to invite me and others to see ourselves as integral participants in God's story. It is well worth the hour investment.

[Andrew Canavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine in many ways, but not as great as some of Newbigin's other books. For an introduction to the storyline of Scripture that is really great, albeit longer, check out D.A. Carson's The God Who Is There.

[Julian · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent, simple and easily understandable walk through the Bible

[Hlee4424 · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.75