Well Versed: Biblical Answers to Today's Tough Issues

by James L. Garlow

What should a Christian say when confronted with today's burning political questions? How can a person of faith use the Bible as a resource when navigating controversial cultures issues?

Skyline Church Pastor James L. Garlow presents Well-Versed, the ultimate scripture-based guide for Christians looking for answers, reassurance, and resources on the issues of today. (Topics include: Israel, Social Justice, Sexual Identity, Debt, Taxes, Abortion, Bioethics, the Role of Government, War, Islam, Entertainment, and more.)

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Religion

330 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2016

About the author

Jim Garlow is an American evangelical leader, author, and former Senior Pastor of Skyline Church in La Mesa, California. Known for his outspoken political activism and theological conservatism, Garlow has played a prominent role in efforts to influence public policy from the pulpit, particularly through his leadership in the "pulpit freedom" movement. He was instrumental in mobilizing religious support for California’s Proposition 8 and later served as chairman of Renewing American Leadership, a nonprofit founded by Newt Gingrich.
A frequent commentator on social and political issues, Garlow advocates for a return to what he calls “authentically biblical” Christianity and has urged evangelicals to abandon the term “evangelical” altogether. He has controversially equated political disengagement among Christians with moral failures of the past and maintains that biblical values must guide political decisions. He has publicly supported Donald Trump and collaborated with figures like Glenn Beck, despite criticism over interfaith alliances.
In addition to his activism, Garlow has authored numerous books, including the New York Times best-seller Cracking DaVinci’s Code. He holds advanced degrees from Drew University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Asbury Theological Seminary, and has served as a professor at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Following the death of his first wife, Carol, in 2013, Garlow married Rosemary Schindler in 2014. Together, they have a blended family of eight children and nine grandchildren.

Reviews

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this introduction to having a biblical world view on today's hot-button topics. Garlow does an excellent job laying out the biblical principles that are the underpinning of our nation's history. Short videos and discussion questions are available on his website. This book is accessible to middle school students, but probably would be more of interest to high school students and adults.

My only caveat is that there is some doctrinal error (i.e. the rapture) in the very last chapter.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, love the verse referencing throughout

[Davy Bennett]

Got the updated version, his new book ReVersed, at Church today. Garlow was guest preacher, 2nd visit ... or 3rd. Houston area.

He does know his facts.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be refreshing and enlightening as Dr. Garlow addressed a number of the issues in our nation today. He does not put them under a microscope and deal with every minute detail, but he covers the key aspects of the issues to help us understand them from a biblical perspective. So many who attempt to provide answers get in your face as if they can bludgeon everyone else into their way of seeing things. I appreciate his humble, compassionate, respectful attitude and believe even those who disagree can read the book and learn from it. Many who hold the same position as him can learn a lot about how to express themselves better in the marketplace. We need to know what we believe, be able to express it clearly, and to stand firm on biblical truth. What we think matters very little to those around us if we are unable to speak the truth in a manner that is understandable and supportable. Dr. Garlow has years of experience in pulpit ministry and in standing in the public square to address the problems we face. We need to know right from wrong no matter what our various affiliations may be. I strongly recommend this book.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while I read a book about current issues to keep me well-informed as a Christian and as a pastor. I picked up this book because I was interested in most of the subject matter of the author wanted to cover. I found the table of contents to be quite thorough in the amount of area it would cover.

Each of the seven parts of the book cover a different region of society from politics to family life to volatile issues of sexuality. I gained a lot of insight about these topics. I think a lot of times Christians need to simply be knowledgeable about a subject.

This was a very comprehensive and helpful read. I enjoyed how the author covered each perspective without telling me what to do or how to think. He was a factual in his approach. If you do not know what’s happening in the world today, or are afraid to talk with someone about these issues, you need to read this book and keep informed about our world today.

[Mark Youngkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Jim Garlow of Skyline Church in San Diego has covered a variety of moral and public issues in this verse and attempted to provide a biblical point of view to each of them. Linking the Bible to each issue works better with some topics than it does with others, but Garlow's views are well considered and forthrightly presented.

The book's short chapters make it especially useful as a resource after the book is read. I recommend this as a way of thinking biblically about the news.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is more of a survey course on tough issues. Through it, you have a guide to going deeper into any one issue. Because I had studied many of the issues in the book, I was comfortable with the higher-level analysis included in the book. However, if I was new to any of these issues, I would definitely want to do more extensive research using the scripture references and commentaries. As a quick reference tool, this book is a gold mine.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent summary of many common problems we see and experience in today's American culture ... and succinct and logical and well referenced Biblical responses to them.

The author, pastor and radio broadcaster Dr. Jim Garlow, says: "The real division in America is not Right vs. Left but right vs wrong. And in that dispute, God's Word is the definitive authority."

This is a pretty quick read, a whole section of end notes in the back to identify his sources. I recommend it!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider the Bible to be the infallible Word of God which He has protected and inspired over the centuries. Garlow goes through many current and ongoing social and political matters and pulls from the Scriptures the words that pertain to these issues. I know what I believe and this gave me the background for what I believe. I took copious notes.

[Jerry Kolwinska · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good discussion of many current issues and the biblical understanding we need to give an answer to our friends and neighbors.

I appreciate his positions, though I don’t fully agree with all of them, still I would recommend this to anyone seeking a bible-based discussion of current issues.

[Monty L Shindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ignorance is not bliss!

It’s crucial to stay in tune with the times and to focus on the truth. Biblical truth provides the solutions after God’s own heart, not the evil hearts of men. Refresh your heart and learn how to fathom the tough issues that we all wish would just go away.

[Mark Youngkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Jim Garlow of Skyline Church in San Diego has covered a variety of moral and public issues in this verse and attempted to provide a biblical point of view to each of them. Linking the Bible to each issue works better with some topics than it does with others, but Garlow's views are well considered and forthrightly presented.

The book's short chapters make it especially useful as a resource after the book is read. I recommend this as a way of thinking biblically about the news.

[Ginger Snaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will drop some truth bombs on ya. If you're easily offended you should know going in that he tells it as it is. I'm not saying don't read it, I'm just saying get thyself prepared beforehand. This book was published in 2016, and I wish there was an updated version. It would be very interesting to hear his take on the craziness we've got going on post-covid.

[Michael K.]

I found this book to be well written and very informative on the issues which it touched. An excellent resource to refer to or to use as a group study. Well worth the time to read as it was an easy and fairly quick read!

[Thad Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on Biblical answers for all of today's hottest social topics.

[Betsy Ludwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian should read this book to be able to have sound Biblical truth.
A faith builder and strengthener.

[Kathleen Meacham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly pertinent -excellent tie-ins to the bible.

[Caroline Keys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good application of Biblical truth on modern issues