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Who Told You That You Were Naked?: A Refreshing Reexamination of the Garden of Eden
The knowledge of good and evil we inherited from Adam is a dimension of our intellect so innate, so instinctual, so intuitive, so pervasive a way of responding to our everyday circumstances it is virtually impossible to avoid. Even though it is the wellspring of our transgressions, we are apt to overlook its devastating impact and view sin as a life-long list of errant acts, believing we can become better Christians by committing fewer of them. The purpose of this book is to reexamine how sin came into the world through Adam and how the Lord has redeemed us by His grace through faith from this formidable adversary -crouching at the door-.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2017
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June 5, 2022
Who Told You That You Were Naked? This was the question God asked Adam when the latter hid from Him during His visit. The Creator’s rebuke was not meant to shame the man, though. Rather, God intended to correct him from the grave sin he and Eve committed. Check out William E. Combs’ book and learn more about the fall of man through sin.
Who Told You That You Were Naked? is a non-fiction work. Written by the retired Presbyterian pastor, William E. Combs, the book is an exhortation for all Christian believers. It provides a comprehensive explanation of the fall of man and the impact of sin. It also aims to enlighten non-Christians and people who search for spirituality.
In this book, Combs brings his readers back to the beginning of humankind. He particularly leads them to the Garden of Eden. He explains the relationship between nakedness and the knowledge of good and evil. The nakedness the author repeatedly emphasizes does not literally refer to the unclothed person. Rather, he points out the vulnerability of man when it comes to temptations.
The Breaking of Relationship Between God and Man
Combs further expounds on God’s question to Adam. Who Told You That You Were Naked? contains a deeper meaning. But, it was neither meant to shame nor judge Adam and Eve. Rather, Combs reiterates, that temptation and the disobedience of the first couple hamstrung humanity’s relationship with God. He says that being naked is to be stripped of purity of thoughts and actions. The first couple’s realization of their nakedness marks the relational separation between the Creator and his creation. Consequently, this separation leads to humanity’s spiritual death.
Notwithstanding the severance, however, Combs says that God, in His unfathomable mercy, offers redemption. The author describes how this redemption works, as he says:
The Book and the Author
Who Told You That You Were Naked? is a knowledge-enriching book. It gives the reader a better perspective of Creation. Both Christians and non-believers can learn a lot from the propositions presented by the author. Backed with substantial knowledge of being a pastor, William E. Combs is an authority on the subject. His statements are also supported by several passages from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
Moreover, the author’s style of writing is straightforward and relatable to ordinary people. What I like the most in the book are the guide questions. They allow the readers to contemplate their own spiritual journey. Readers seeking spirituality and their life’s meaning may find Who Told You That You Were Naked? an enlightening tool.
So far, I haven’t found anything to dislike about this book. Who Told You That You Were Naked? is truly food for the soul.
Who Told You That You Were Naked?: The Rating
Overall, I give Who Told You That You Were Naked? a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The book is well-proofread, I didn’t notice any typographical and grammatical errors. It’s an ideal read for both Christians and non-Christians alike. Readers as young as 13 years old can learn a lot from William Combs’ propositions.
But, just a word of precaution! If you’re someone who wants a fast-read book, Who Told You That You Were Naked? is not for you. It contains elements that make you contemplate and pause to consider the author’s suggestions. Although his propositions are all for your own benefits.
NOTE: The above review is also posted in The Catalyst.
Who Told You That You Were Naked? is a non-fiction work. Written by the retired Presbyterian pastor, William E. Combs, the book is an exhortation for all Christian believers. It provides a comprehensive explanation of the fall of man and the impact of sin. It also aims to enlighten non-Christians and people who search for spirituality.
In this book, Combs brings his readers back to the beginning of humankind. He particularly leads them to the Garden of Eden. He explains the relationship between nakedness and the knowledge of good and evil. The nakedness the author repeatedly emphasizes does not literally refer to the unclothed person. Rather, he points out the vulnerability of man when it comes to temptations.
The Breaking of Relationship Between God and Man
Combs further expounds on God’s question to Adam. Who Told You That You Were Naked? contains a deeper meaning. But, it was neither meant to shame nor judge Adam and Eve. Rather, Combs reiterates, that temptation and the disobedience of the first couple hamstrung humanity’s relationship with God. He says that being naked is to be stripped of purity of thoughts and actions. The first couple’s realization of their nakedness marks the relational separation between the Creator and his creation. Consequently, this separation leads to humanity’s spiritual death.
Notwithstanding the severance, however, Combs says that God, in His unfathomable mercy, offers redemption. The author describes how this redemption works, as he says:
“The rebirth of our spirit is the entry into an ongoing relationship with the Lord through faith in Jesus Christ”.
The Book and the Author
Who Told You That You Were Naked? is a knowledge-enriching book. It gives the reader a better perspective of Creation. Both Christians and non-believers can learn a lot from the propositions presented by the author. Backed with substantial knowledge of being a pastor, William E. Combs is an authority on the subject. His statements are also supported by several passages from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
Moreover, the author’s style of writing is straightforward and relatable to ordinary people. What I like the most in the book are the guide questions. They allow the readers to contemplate their own spiritual journey. Readers seeking spirituality and their life’s meaning may find Who Told You That You Were Naked? an enlightening tool.
So far, I haven’t found anything to dislike about this book. Who Told You That You Were Naked? is truly food for the soul.
Who Told You That You Were Naked?: The Rating
Overall, I give Who Told You That You Were Naked? a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The book is well-proofread, I didn’t notice any typographical and grammatical errors. It’s an ideal read for both Christians and non-Christians alike. Readers as young as 13 years old can learn a lot from William Combs’ propositions.
But, just a word of precaution! If you’re someone who wants a fast-read book, Who Told You That You Were Naked? is not for you. It contains elements that make you contemplate and pause to consider the author’s suggestions. Although his propositions are all for your own benefits.
NOTE: The above review is also posted in The Catalyst.
July 18, 2017
As a small child I learned the story of the first man and woman created by God but my perception of the events in the Garden of Eden has changed as my Christian walk has continued and my knowledge has increased. I just read this book written by William E. Combs and it further challenges and deepens my understanding. "Who Told You That You Were Naked?" explores the story of Adam and Eve, their special time with God, their encounter with the serpent and the consequences for all mankind. He uses easy to understand language to paint word pictures to share his personal interpretation of this biblical occurence that introduced disobedience and the knowledge of good and evil into our world by the failure of Adam and Eve to follow God's instructions. Yes, it is Mr. Comb's interpretation but he does offer scripture to support his statements. And since Adam and Eve were certainly not the last to disobey God he lists many other Biblical characters as examples of people who have sinned and then received forgiveness because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
William E. Combs is a retired minister and he does share many personal experiences along with his own interpretation of Scripture but I like that each chapter of this book ends with discussion questions to help deepen our understanding and I also appreciate that there are end notes to further substantiate the author's statements.
I received a copy of this book from the author and The Book Club Network but this review is my personal opinion.
William E. Combs is a retired minister and he does share many personal experiences along with his own interpretation of Scripture but I like that each chapter of this book ends with discussion questions to help deepen our understanding and I also appreciate that there are end notes to further substantiate the author's statements.
I received a copy of this book from the author and The Book Club Network but this review is my personal opinion.
June 19, 2017
I really enjoyed how the author told the story of Adam and Eve and brought out points that made things clearer . It is one of the Bible stories that most people have heard, but not really broke down into sections that help readers understand the significance of this story. I loved how the author said that instead of looking at what they did wrong " it might more appropriately be viewed as separation or alienation." When we sin do we feel naked? I thought about that question a lot. For me, when I do something that is not of God I do sense a feeling of nakedness. I feel vulnerable and not covered in His protectiveness.
The author goes into depth about other people in the Bible who had gone against God. I loved how he explained the scriptures and gave examples to help readers visualize what the Word is saying. The author does explain that he has taken some liberties in the retelling of some of the stories in the Bible. I found it refreshing to look at a different point of view and understand about where sin came come. So many of us do wrong things and then try to blame someone else for the deed. What would it be like if we owned what we did wrong ? What freedom would it bring?
One of my favorite chapters is when the author talks about anxiety. I have suffered from PTSD for a long time. Anxiety and depression is part of living with PTSD. It can keep you locked away so no one can get close to you. "Anxiety is signal we do not have a solution for a given situation." When the author talked about Christ's peace and that it "remains in our hearts and minds, guarding and protecting us from the worry and anxiety normally accompanying a stressful environment," it reminded me that I'm not alone. We try to solve things on our own instead of calling on Jesus to help us.
I loved that the author included study questions at the end of every chapter. It helps readers go deeper into the Word and reexamine the chapter and apply the questions to our walk with Christ. The book was well written and I found it to be very helpful. I look forward to more books from this very gifted author.
I received a copy of this book from the author and The BookClub Network. The review is my own opinion.
The author goes into depth about other people in the Bible who had gone against God. I loved how he explained the scriptures and gave examples to help readers visualize what the Word is saying. The author does explain that he has taken some liberties in the retelling of some of the stories in the Bible. I found it refreshing to look at a different point of view and understand about where sin came come. So many of us do wrong things and then try to blame someone else for the deed. What would it be like if we owned what we did wrong ? What freedom would it bring?
One of my favorite chapters is when the author talks about anxiety. I have suffered from PTSD for a long time. Anxiety and depression is part of living with PTSD. It can keep you locked away so no one can get close to you. "Anxiety is signal we do not have a solution for a given situation." When the author talked about Christ's peace and that it "remains in our hearts and minds, guarding and protecting us from the worry and anxiety normally accompanying a stressful environment," it reminded me that I'm not alone. We try to solve things on our own instead of calling on Jesus to help us.
I loved that the author included study questions at the end of every chapter. It helps readers go deeper into the Word and reexamine the chapter and apply the questions to our walk with Christ. The book was well written and I found it to be very helpful. I look forward to more books from this very gifted author.
I received a copy of this book from the author and The BookClub Network. The review is my own opinion.
June 16, 2017
We were sent a review copy of Who Told You That You Were Naked? free of charge for the purpose of writing this review.
Who Told You That You Were Naked? is a very well-written discussion of God’s grace and His plan for saving us from our sinful nature.
There are dramatizations used as illustrations of what might have happened that are not necessarily what did happen. The only fault we see with the book is that it isn’t always disclosed at the beginning of the dramatizations that it is only an illustration.
We feel that Who Told You That You Were Naked? is a great read for those who have a good grasp of their faith and are craving a little more understanding. It may be a bit confusing for those new to Christ.
Who Told You That You Were Naked? is very well-written and very well-researched. The author has a very keen grasp of theology and is very good with using other parts of the Bible to help readers understand what they are reading about in the Garden of Eden.
William E. Combs gives his readers great stories of how God spoke to him and others in his life in ways that made a great impact on him. Readers will see the Hand of God in these stories and His awesome power.
We give Who Told You That You Were Naked? all five stars. We think this is an important read and may well make a good text for a Bible study group in your church.
Grab two of your favorite translations of the Holy Bible, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and relax while you read and study Who Told You That You Were Naked?
Who Told You That You Were Naked? is a very well-written discussion of God’s grace and His plan for saving us from our sinful nature.
There are dramatizations used as illustrations of what might have happened that are not necessarily what did happen. The only fault we see with the book is that it isn’t always disclosed at the beginning of the dramatizations that it is only an illustration.
We feel that Who Told You That You Were Naked? is a great read for those who have a good grasp of their faith and are craving a little more understanding. It may be a bit confusing for those new to Christ.
Who Told You That You Were Naked? is very well-written and very well-researched. The author has a very keen grasp of theology and is very good with using other parts of the Bible to help readers understand what they are reading about in the Garden of Eden.
William E. Combs gives his readers great stories of how God spoke to him and others in his life in ways that made a great impact on him. Readers will see the Hand of God in these stories and His awesome power.
We give Who Told You That You Were Naked? all five stars. We think this is an important read and may well make a good text for a Bible study group in your church.
Grab two of your favorite translations of the Holy Bible, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and relax while you read and study Who Told You That You Were Naked?
May 12, 2017
A faith-based story/study with each chapter ending with discussion questions and Bible verse/chapter(s) to help. The author's writing technique is one that shows rather than tells; thus the reader gets to experience the environment, actions, and feelings along with the important historical figures.
Based on a five-star rating, I give it five stars!
1) Buy from the author in the future? Yes
2) Did it keep me intrigued? Yes
3) Story line adventurous, mysterious, and believable? Yes
4) Would I recommend to a family member/friend? Yes. A great Biblical study for all ages.
5) Did my idea of the book based on the cover remain the same after I read the book? Yes. The cover art looks, to me, like an apple in the Garden of Eden; the vessel of temptation and sin wrapped deceptively in beauty.
Based on a five-star rating, I give it five stars!
1) Buy from the author in the future? Yes
2) Did it keep me intrigued? Yes
3) Story line adventurous, mysterious, and believable? Yes
4) Would I recommend to a family member/friend? Yes. A great Biblical study for all ages.
5) Did my idea of the book based on the cover remain the same after I read the book? Yes. The cover art looks, to me, like an apple in the Garden of Eden; the vessel of temptation and sin wrapped deceptively in beauty.
December 9, 2017
I am thankful to have received a copy of this book from the pulisher. It is easy to read. It takes a familiar Biblical concept and makes you look at it from a different perspective. He did take some poetic liberty with the story of Adam, Eve, and the serpent as he points out, but the message is sound. I enjoyed the clear explanation of the gospel. I also enjoyed the personal testimonies included in each chapter.
February 26, 2018
I am a non-Christian. This doesn’t mean that I do not read works that focus on the Christian faith. I do, as I believe every faith has something good to teach each one of us. That’s how I took up Who Told You That You Were Naked? as my latest read. I completed the book within a week and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Honestly, there is just so much to learn and absorb in this book that renders it almost impossible to rush through any of the chapters. One thing I can tell you about this book is this: take your time to read it, take breaks in between to allow your mind to savor what was just revealed to you, and see how it applies to your personal situation in life. It really helps.
A glance through the short blurb on the back cover of the book gives us some information about the author—William E. Combs. A retired Presbyterian minister, Bill Combs holds Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Fuller Theological Seminary. Leveraging his knowledge and experience in this book, the author reevaluates the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The key argument that the author makes is that—all our lives—we have misunderstood everything about “The Fall” and most of the message conveyed in the Bible. Our definition of “sin” is misplaced. No, sin isn’t a series of transgressions; rather, it is the knowledge we have inherited from Adam and Eve, which permits us to identify and analyze good and evil.
The book has just 10 chapters, each of which present a set of questions to us at the end that help us question our own understanding of the content of the chapters and also include open questions that we could discuss with a group of others interested in the subject. It is my personal opinion that asking ourselves these questions can increase our belief and our connection with God. Who knows, this might help us keep away from questioning his existence each time we encounter roadblocks in life!
Of all the sections in the book, my favorite was that which talked about the reason why God put the tree with the forbidden fruit right smack in the middle of the Garden. He could have chosen to not have that tree around in the first place and, thereby, completely uprooted (pun intended) all chanced of Adam and Eve succumbing to temptation. To top all of that, God also offered this couple the choice of path they could take in this matter—eat the fruit or continue to be his obedient creations. The author has inspired me to take some of the lessons offered in the book quite seriously and alter some of my own habits to have more faith in God every living minute of my life. It might sound easy, but I know it will be quite an uphill task. But then, I am positive.
One flaw I noticed in the grand scheme of the book is the author’s inclination to speculate. He makes some presumptions throughout some parts of the book about the biblical content that are instances of unadulterated conjecture. Most theories he presents in the book are absolutely impressive and convincing; however, these other theories have little in the form of substantiation to help us truly believe them.
Nevertheless, this book is brimming with wisdom and insight from the author. Therefore, I recommend it to all readers looking for a sound Christian faith book. In addition to the author’s point of view on the diverse aspects relating to Christianity, you will also come across some instances in the book where he describes some wonderful stories about how God communicated with him and his wife and how that transformed their lives completely. I found some minor spelling and grammar mistakes, but these issues certainly aren’t enough to stop me from rating this book 4 out of 5 stars.
November 2, 2017
I received this book in exchange for honest review.
Who Told You That You Were Naked?is a non-fiction Christian book by William E.Combs. This 242-page book published by Carpenter's Son Publishing is divided in 10 chapters that will enlighten the readers about what had taken place in the garden of Eden, its lasting consequences to mankind and that Salvation is available to everyone.
William E. Combs started with a vignette by reference to the book of Genesis concerning God created everything to be good and the first creation of man, Adam. The man Adam, who was looking for a companion but none suits him best until God created him a woman.The woman was created out of Adam. Adam was rejoiced! God then commanded both of them to be fruitful and to multiply the earth.
Adam conveyed a commandment of God to the woman that both of them may eat all the fruits in the garden except the fruits from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Nonetheless, the woman was deceived by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit that she may be wise like God to have the knowledge of good and evil; the woman gave to her husband and he ate it.
When they heard God is walking in the garden, they hid themselves. God was looking for them and Adam told God that he is hiding himself because he is naked. After their explanation to God on how they came to eat the forbidden fruit, God judged them accordingly. The first sin committed by them is what separated them from God, caused them to be banished from the Garden of Eden, and resulting the mankind to be born with the ability to sin.
The author did a good job in showing the correlation between the Old Testament and the New Testament i.e. faith. Faith that we are saved by the grace of God to reconcile us to a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. The initial step towards this reconciliation is to be born again not in physical but in spirit.
However, I would like to add what the author had missed. To be saved is not sufficient by merely believing and confessing as per Romans 10:9-10. But also to be to act in compliance of the Gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 read together with Romans 6:2-4. In Acts 2:36-42 is the answer of Apostle Peter in response to a question by the crowd on what they should do to best saved. Acts 2:38 is a prerequisite formula used by the Apostles to reach out to the 3 groups of unbelievers to be the partakers of the Body of Christ; to the Jews by Apostle Peter, to the Samaritans by Apostle Phillip, and to the Gentiles by Apostle Paul.
'Don't try to drive the darkness out- just turn on the Light'. This phrase caused me to think that instead of trying to find a good person, be that good person; and to never cease to do good works.
Additionally, the author even included his testimonies on how he first came to the knowledge of God. His testimonies are really edifying and encouraging that Salvation is available to everyone who would like to commit their lives to God. I'm impressed by the extra effort made by the author for setting out Study Questions for Discussions at the back of each chapter to test our level of understanding of the particular chapter that we may know on how much we have learnt.
This book is highly recommended to new Christians, to those who would like to know the basic principles of Christianity or what it takes to be a Christian, and to those who would like to refresh their understanding on the book of Genesis.
Who Told You That You Were Naked?is a non-fiction Christian book by William E.Combs. This 242-page book published by Carpenter's Son Publishing is divided in 10 chapters that will enlighten the readers about what had taken place in the garden of Eden, its lasting consequences to mankind and that Salvation is available to everyone.
William E. Combs started with a vignette by reference to the book of Genesis concerning God created everything to be good and the first creation of man, Adam. The man Adam, who was looking for a companion but none suits him best until God created him a woman.The woman was created out of Adam. Adam was rejoiced! God then commanded both of them to be fruitful and to multiply the earth.
Adam conveyed a commandment of God to the woman that both of them may eat all the fruits in the garden except the fruits from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Nonetheless, the woman was deceived by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit that she may be wise like God to have the knowledge of good and evil; the woman gave to her husband and he ate it.
When they heard God is walking in the garden, they hid themselves. God was looking for them and Adam told God that he is hiding himself because he is naked. After their explanation to God on how they came to eat the forbidden fruit, God judged them accordingly. The first sin committed by them is what separated them from God, caused them to be banished from the Garden of Eden, and resulting the mankind to be born with the ability to sin.
The author did a good job in showing the correlation between the Old Testament and the New Testament i.e. faith. Faith that we are saved by the grace of God to reconcile us to a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. The initial step towards this reconciliation is to be born again not in physical but in spirit.
However, I would like to add what the author had missed. To be saved is not sufficient by merely believing and confessing as per Romans 10:9-10. But also to be to act in compliance of the Gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 read together with Romans 6:2-4. In Acts 2:36-42 is the answer of Apostle Peter in response to a question by the crowd on what they should do to best saved. Acts 2:38 is a prerequisite formula used by the Apostles to reach out to the 3 groups of unbelievers to be the partakers of the Body of Christ; to the Jews by Apostle Peter, to the Samaritans by Apostle Phillip, and to the Gentiles by Apostle Paul.
'Don't try to drive the darkness out- just turn on the Light'. This phrase caused me to think that instead of trying to find a good person, be that good person; and to never cease to do good works.
Additionally, the author even included his testimonies on how he first came to the knowledge of God. His testimonies are really edifying and encouraging that Salvation is available to everyone who would like to commit their lives to God. I'm impressed by the extra effort made by the author for setting out Study Questions for Discussions at the back of each chapter to test our level of understanding of the particular chapter that we may know on how much we have learnt.
This book is highly recommended to new Christians, to those who would like to know the basic principles of Christianity or what it takes to be a Christian, and to those who would like to refresh their understanding on the book of Genesis.
July 4, 2018
Who Told You That You Were Naked? by William E. Combs is a study in Combs' interpretation of the story in Genesis of what most Christians refer to as original sin. After Adam and Eve have eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, though God forbade them to do so, they hide from God as they hear him approaching. When Adam tells God they are hiding because they are ashamed as they are naked God asks "who told you that you were naked?" As any Bible student understands, God knows the answer since he is omnipotent. What we must ask ourselves is how do we interpret this question and how do we interpret the actions God takes following this conversation. God had told Adam that when he and Eve ate of the fruit of that tree they would die, but scripture records they live for many years to come.
Combs takes on a different interpretation than most commentaries I have read and even explains why he does not completely accept those commentaries. He draws a thread from this point forward in scripture through time into the New Testament and man's relationship to Jesus Christ so many hundreds of years after the incident in the Garden of Eden. Combs proposes the consequences of the action of these first humans is something different altogether than poisoning a bloodline with sin.
Using quite an imagination Combs creates stories to guide the reader into his vision of what could have been happening in the lives of Adam before Eve arrives and thus why she is so easily misled by the serpent about that tree. There are some other stories mingled in throughout the book as well and some will make you chuckle.
Word studies are important when studying the Bible. Combs notes that the original language of the Old and New Testaments was certainly not English and the original languages often used several words for which we only have one word to use in our English language. This means the translations do not necessarily convey the correct meaning of the statement if we only look at the English word. He suggests a good Bible Dictionary when reading his book and studying the Bible.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I found the stories a bit distracting and even misleading if you are not really familiar with scripture. Sometimes it felt like he was just trying to be cute. I got a bit lost in trying to follow some of his points and some of the chapters seemed disconnected from the rest of the storyline. I did appreciate him including the scriptures he referenced in the texts of the chapters as opposed to adding as a footnote or just relying on the reader to stop reading the book to look up the references and then go back to follow his point. It is professionally edited and I only found two errors in the text. Overall a good book to study and provide thought for students of the Bible. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter which can be helpful for a small group study.
Combs takes on a different interpretation than most commentaries I have read and even explains why he does not completely accept those commentaries. He draws a thread from this point forward in scripture through time into the New Testament and man's relationship to Jesus Christ so many hundreds of years after the incident in the Garden of Eden. Combs proposes the consequences of the action of these first humans is something different altogether than poisoning a bloodline with sin.
Using quite an imagination Combs creates stories to guide the reader into his vision of what could have been happening in the lives of Adam before Eve arrives and thus why she is so easily misled by the serpent about that tree. There are some other stories mingled in throughout the book as well and some will make you chuckle.
Word studies are important when studying the Bible. Combs notes that the original language of the Old and New Testaments was certainly not English and the original languages often used several words for which we only have one word to use in our English language. This means the translations do not necessarily convey the correct meaning of the statement if we only look at the English word. He suggests a good Bible Dictionary when reading his book and studying the Bible.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I found the stories a bit distracting and even misleading if you are not really familiar with scripture. Sometimes it felt like he was just trying to be cute. I got a bit lost in trying to follow some of his points and some of the chapters seemed disconnected from the rest of the storyline. I did appreciate him including the scriptures he referenced in the texts of the chapters as opposed to adding as a footnote or just relying on the reader to stop reading the book to look up the references and then go back to follow his point. It is professionally edited and I only found two errors in the text. Overall a good book to study and provide thought for students of the Bible. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter which can be helpful for a small group study.
September 21, 2017
This is a book review for Who Told You That You Were Naked?: A Refreshing Reexamination of the Garden of Eden by William E. Combs. This book is great to have at Bible studies as it encourages people to develop critical thinking skills when reading the Bible stories of Adam and Eve and others. The author used personal experiences to help illustrate his points, as well as provided study questions for the discussion of the bible verses.
I feel that asking ourselves the study discussion questions can lead us to strengthen our faith and our relationship with God. Along with the critical reflection of selected bible stories (primarily of Adam and Eve), this is why I am rating this book 3 out of 4 stars — or if based on a rating of 5 stars, this book deserves 4 stars as I believe some readers would not give a book with a 3-star review a second look.
I recommend this book to Christians, especially those who are struggling with their faith. However, even some who are struggling with their faith may also struggle with the content of the book. For some, the author's personal stories can be difficult to grasp, as each story requires complete faith in the powers of God.
Just a word of caution, if you are easily offended by religious books, it may be advisable for you to not read further. Religion is one of the most heated debates in the world that can quickly turn political, which is why many people try to avoid this sensitive subject. Religion continues to be an elephant in the room. For example, there are instances where prayers and the mention of God are forbidden in learning institutions. Hopefully, this will change as people acknowledge the importance to have God in our lives.
In a book review, a person may state his or her favorite character or scene, but for this book, it is hard for me to choose any favorites. As someone who has attended Catholic schools for twelve years, I was taught teachings of the Catholic Bible. For me and for many Christians, every story in the Bible deepens our connection with God. This connection is a lot like the connection one feels with a character or scene when reading a book.
I also respect that people may have different beliefs. This is why I have read atheist and pagan books because I believe that if I want to understand something, I need to learn everything about it. I also believe that religion is a personal choice and should never be forced onto anyone.
A person who reads a religious book must attempt to think outside the box and be reminded that no-one has the right to judge others. People with religious prejudice or closed minds would not enjoy this book. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and ignite their faith in Christianity, and has an open heart to be taken on unforgettable journey.
I feel that asking ourselves the study discussion questions can lead us to strengthen our faith and our relationship with God. Along with the critical reflection of selected bible stories (primarily of Adam and Eve), this is why I am rating this book 3 out of 4 stars — or if based on a rating of 5 stars, this book deserves 4 stars as I believe some readers would not give a book with a 3-star review a second look.
I recommend this book to Christians, especially those who are struggling with their faith. However, even some who are struggling with their faith may also struggle with the content of the book. For some, the author's personal stories can be difficult to grasp, as each story requires complete faith in the powers of God.
Just a word of caution, if you are easily offended by religious books, it may be advisable for you to not read further. Religion is one of the most heated debates in the world that can quickly turn political, which is why many people try to avoid this sensitive subject. Religion continues to be an elephant in the room. For example, there are instances where prayers and the mention of God are forbidden in learning institutions. Hopefully, this will change as people acknowledge the importance to have God in our lives.
In a book review, a person may state his or her favorite character or scene, but for this book, it is hard for me to choose any favorites. As someone who has attended Catholic schools for twelve years, I was taught teachings of the Catholic Bible. For me and for many Christians, every story in the Bible deepens our connection with God. This connection is a lot like the connection one feels with a character or scene when reading a book.
I also respect that people may have different beliefs. This is why I have read atheist and pagan books because I believe that if I want to understand something, I need to learn everything about it. I also believe that religion is a personal choice and should never be forced onto anyone.
A person who reads a religious book must attempt to think outside the box and be reminded that no-one has the right to judge others. People with religious prejudice or closed minds would not enjoy this book. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and ignite their faith in Christianity, and has an open heart to be taken on unforgettable journey.
February 1, 2018
Who Told You That You Were Naked is an analysis of the beginnings of the Bible. William E. Combs gives the reader his interpretation of some of the early passages of the Old Testament. Having never read a spiritual book before, I was interested in broadening my reading and giving it a go.
It mainly focuses on the story of Adam and Eve leaving the Garden of Eden and Cain killing his brother Abel. There are also references to other well known biblical stories such as the building of the ark and the parting of the sea. Although I didn’t grow up in an overly religious family I did know all of these stories and I think having the basic understanding of these helped when reading the book. However there were a couple of references to passages of the Bible, which I didn’t understand and that made it more difficult to appreciate those sections.
I found someone else’s analysis really intriguing to read. This might be partly because I write analysis pieces too (however mine are on book characters – a very different theme). I enjoyed looking at how the language was interpreted from Hebrew and how slightly different interpretations read very differently. Combs drew unique conclusions from the original text that I haven’t read before.
It was also interesting to read how Combs rewrote small sections of the Bible to make them make more sense to the reader. I particularly enjoyed the beginning description of Adam and the lamb.
The layout of the book, however, was largely unappealing. The text was inconsistent with both font and size; although this was clearly intended to separate different sections, it made the book feel unfinished and messy. The “Comic Sans” font was one of the ones used: this looked very childlike and didn’t fit the theme of the book.
The book reads as if it has been written for a “Religious Education” lesson or for a Sunday school. At the end of every chapter there are questions for discussion, which are similar to the ones my teachers set each lesson to check we’d been reading. While I didn’t write out my answers to these like I would have done in class they did make me think more about the chapters.
Overall I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed reading Combs’ analysis and thought it shed a new light on a well-known topic but mid way through the book it became rather preachy. Before chapter seven there was analysis and description but after I felt like Combs’ was trying to convert the reader to believe the same as him. There were references to his own life frequently but also sections that tried to persuade me to make my own promises and commitments to God. This dropped the book from a three to a two star rating because I enjoy books that give you things to think about not ones that tell you what to think.
Check out my reviews on my blog: https://thelittlelibraryx.com
It mainly focuses on the story of Adam and Eve leaving the Garden of Eden and Cain killing his brother Abel. There are also references to other well known biblical stories such as the building of the ark and the parting of the sea. Although I didn’t grow up in an overly religious family I did know all of these stories and I think having the basic understanding of these helped when reading the book. However there were a couple of references to passages of the Bible, which I didn’t understand and that made it more difficult to appreciate those sections.
I found someone else’s analysis really intriguing to read. This might be partly because I write analysis pieces too (however mine are on book characters – a very different theme). I enjoyed looking at how the language was interpreted from Hebrew and how slightly different interpretations read very differently. Combs drew unique conclusions from the original text that I haven’t read before.
It was also interesting to read how Combs rewrote small sections of the Bible to make them make more sense to the reader. I particularly enjoyed the beginning description of Adam and the lamb.
The layout of the book, however, was largely unappealing. The text was inconsistent with both font and size; although this was clearly intended to separate different sections, it made the book feel unfinished and messy. The “Comic Sans” font was one of the ones used: this looked very childlike and didn’t fit the theme of the book.
The book reads as if it has been written for a “Religious Education” lesson or for a Sunday school. At the end of every chapter there are questions for discussion, which are similar to the ones my teachers set each lesson to check we’d been reading. While I didn’t write out my answers to these like I would have done in class they did make me think more about the chapters.
Overall I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed reading Combs’ analysis and thought it shed a new light on a well-known topic but mid way through the book it became rather preachy. Before chapter seven there was analysis and description but after I felt like Combs’ was trying to convert the reader to believe the same as him. There were references to his own life frequently but also sections that tried to persuade me to make my own promises and commitments to God. This dropped the book from a three to a two star rating because I enjoy books that give you things to think about not ones that tell you what to think.
Check out my reviews on my blog: https://thelittlelibraryx.com
March 4, 2018
William E. Combs introduces his nonfiction book, [i]Who Told You That You Were Naked?[/i], with an anecdote that demonstrates the limit of human perception in contrast to all of the wonders God has created and properly sets the tone for the book.
In the first chapter, Adam’s life before Eve is fleshed out somewhat so that the audience can better relate to him. Combs analyzes that prior to eating the forbidden fruit Adam is ignorant of the true imbalance of Eden, and explains that the transgression of eating said fruit is the cause of all subsequent human sin. The author pours his attention evenly on every distinct word choice, turn of phrase, or symbolism, and how they relate to us now. His analysis of Genesis and other select passages from the bible use knowledge beyond the given text, allowing for a more holistic understanding that expands into everyday use without being overly religious. For the casual reader, the text reads like a sermon for Christian mass, except more detailed in focus and analysis.
I rate this [b]four out of four stars[/b] for the thorough analysis and the impartial tone used throughout the book. Yes, the author very clearly has his biases, but he writes his stance in such a way that get's the reader to question why they agree or disagree with his opinion. Taking any amount of time to seriously consider any of the post-chapter questions prompt the reader to form an opinion. Combs’ ongoing commentary invites the reader to contemplate nuance in a text previously thought to fit neatly into the right-or-wrong dichotomy. He also does not make any assumptions about the reader's knowledge of the bible, which makes this text very approachable for anyone of any faith.
After providing consistent textual evidence to support his views followed by his subsequent analysis, Combs furthers the conversation by adding several questions pertaining to the aforementioned topics at the end of every chapter. The reader can participate with the text at any level they choose, which makes this book remarkable in my eyes because I feel that faith should be a product forged from self-discovery, rather than blind acceptance (I realize the irony that my definition is at odds with Combs).
[b]Naked[/b] is a great place to start an educated conversation about faith and religion due to its innate power for introspection. The text is constantly questioning the bible and encourages the reader to as well.
In the first chapter, Adam’s life before Eve is fleshed out somewhat so that the audience can better relate to him. Combs analyzes that prior to eating the forbidden fruit Adam is ignorant of the true imbalance of Eden, and explains that the transgression of eating said fruit is the cause of all subsequent human sin. The author pours his attention evenly on every distinct word choice, turn of phrase, or symbolism, and how they relate to us now. His analysis of Genesis and other select passages from the bible use knowledge beyond the given text, allowing for a more holistic understanding that expands into everyday use without being overly religious. For the casual reader, the text reads like a sermon for Christian mass, except more detailed in focus and analysis.
I rate this [b]four out of four stars[/b] for the thorough analysis and the impartial tone used throughout the book. Yes, the author very clearly has his biases, but he writes his stance in such a way that get's the reader to question why they agree or disagree with his opinion. Taking any amount of time to seriously consider any of the post-chapter questions prompt the reader to form an opinion. Combs’ ongoing commentary invites the reader to contemplate nuance in a text previously thought to fit neatly into the right-or-wrong dichotomy. He also does not make any assumptions about the reader's knowledge of the bible, which makes this text very approachable for anyone of any faith.
After providing consistent textual evidence to support his views followed by his subsequent analysis, Combs furthers the conversation by adding several questions pertaining to the aforementioned topics at the end of every chapter. The reader can participate with the text at any level they choose, which makes this book remarkable in my eyes because I feel that faith should be a product forged from self-discovery, rather than blind acceptance (I realize the irony that my definition is at odds with Combs).
[b]Naked[/b] is a great place to start an educated conversation about faith and religion due to its innate power for introspection. The text is constantly questioning the bible and encourages the reader to as well.
August 11, 2017
Who Told You That You Were Naked?, by William E. Combs, is an in-depth look at the events around the Garden of Eden. Using Bible verses, the author also gives his interpretation as to some possibilities of what Adam and Eve could have been thinking or going through. The author points out that Paul uses four words to describe Adam's actions, sin, transgression, trespass and disobedience. Sin, is to do wrong, make a mistake or miss the way. Transgression applies to sin in it's relationship with the law. Eve was deceived by the serpent, resulting in violating God's command. Because she was deceived, this was not a premeditated action. Adam made a mistake that violated his relationship with God. Trespass is a wrong course of action, transgression or sin against God. And disobedience is an unwillingness to hear.
I enjoyed reading this book and taking a deeper look at what the circumstances could have been like in the Garden of Eden. I also liked how the author looked at others in the Bible and how the sin past down from Adam and Eve affected them. I especially enjoyed the last chapter of the book, where the author explains that the Bible we are reading in someone's interpretation of the original version and some words or meanings may not be able to be interpreted the same. The author ends the book with a reminder that as Christians we are to deny ourselves, take up His cross and follow God.
This is not a quick read book, rather it is a book to be read over time. This would be a great book to be used in a bible study. There are ten chapters, each ending with questions to dwell on and think about to gain more from this book and the Bible.
I received a copy of this book from the author through Book Club and I have written my honest review.
I enjoyed reading this book and taking a deeper look at what the circumstances could have been like in the Garden of Eden. I also liked how the author looked at others in the Bible and how the sin past down from Adam and Eve affected them. I especially enjoyed the last chapter of the book, where the author explains that the Bible we are reading in someone's interpretation of the original version and some words or meanings may not be able to be interpreted the same. The author ends the book with a reminder that as Christians we are to deny ourselves, take up His cross and follow God.
This is not a quick read book, rather it is a book to be read over time. This would be a great book to be used in a bible study. There are ten chapters, each ending with questions to dwell on and think about to gain more from this book and the Bible.
I received a copy of this book from the author through Book Club and I have written my honest review.
August 12, 2017
Who Told You That You Were Naked? A Refreshing Reexamination of the Garden of Eden, by William E. Combs. This is a book that contains ten chapters, each chapter is filled with Scripture, insights from the author, personal stories, and study questions for discussion.
I liked how Combs explained about why God put the tree in the middle of the Garden. He could have just as easily not put that temptation in the way. Also, Adam and Eve could have chosen not to eat the forbidden fruit, but God allowed them to choose which path to follow. The one of obedience or the one of sin. Choosing to disobey God created all sorts of feelings that Adam and Eve had never dealt with before…shame, fear, knowledge of good and evil. I think God would have preferred to spare them from these feelings, but it was their choice. Learning faith can be tough.
This book is filled with wisdom and insight from William combs. He explains faith, sin, death, truth, salvation and many other concepts in an easy to read 200 page book. He introduces us to other folks in the Bible that dealt with sin, and how God offered His grace and forgiveness. This book reminds the reader that Jesus and His sacrifice is the reason we have complete forgiveness. This is a great read for the new Christian or the experienced one.
I received this book from The Book Club Network and the author in exchange for my honest review.
I liked how Combs explained about why God put the tree in the middle of the Garden. He could have just as easily not put that temptation in the way. Also, Adam and Eve could have chosen not to eat the forbidden fruit, but God allowed them to choose which path to follow. The one of obedience or the one of sin. Choosing to disobey God created all sorts of feelings that Adam and Eve had never dealt with before…shame, fear, knowledge of good and evil. I think God would have preferred to spare them from these feelings, but it was their choice. Learning faith can be tough.
This book is filled with wisdom and insight from William combs. He explains faith, sin, death, truth, salvation and many other concepts in an easy to read 200 page book. He introduces us to other folks in the Bible that dealt with sin, and how God offered His grace and forgiveness. This book reminds the reader that Jesus and His sacrifice is the reason we have complete forgiveness. This is a great read for the new Christian or the experienced one.
I received this book from The Book Club Network and the author in exchange for my honest review.
August 21, 2017
Who Told You That You Were Naked? by William E. Combs is an interesting, in-depth look at Adam and Eve, their circumstance, and the consequences for them, their sons, and us. The author then examines faith, redemption, and the walk of a Christian—including the opposition of the adversary.
His perspective on this well-known story provides much to think about. The book also clearly provides the plan of salvation and discusses “Little-Faith” and Real Faith, “Sinners” or “Good People” and society’s mindset that salvation is not needed.
Personal testimonies from the author and others add to the information and insights that he presents. The end of each chapter includes thought-provoking study questions upon which to reflect and delve deeper. This would be appropriate for Bible study groups, SS classes, or for individuals who want to deepen their understanding. I recommend this book that I received through TBCN in exchange for an honest review. A unique presentation concerning the Garden of Eden.
His perspective on this well-known story provides much to think about. The book also clearly provides the plan of salvation and discusses “Little-Faith” and Real Faith, “Sinners” or “Good People” and society’s mindset that salvation is not needed.
Personal testimonies from the author and others add to the information and insights that he presents. The end of each chapter includes thought-provoking study questions upon which to reflect and delve deeper. This would be appropriate for Bible study groups, SS classes, or for individuals who want to deepen their understanding. I recommend this book that I received through TBCN in exchange for an honest review. A unique presentation concerning the Garden of Eden.
August 17, 2017
I received this book in exchange for an honest review, but I cannot post my full review here. However, I will briefly share some of my thoughts on this book.
As someone that has not read widely in this area, I felt that this book was a good introduction. It is split into ten sections, each raising a number of interesting points that encourages the reader to think more deeply. I especially liked the discussion questions the author included at the end of each chapter.
This book furthered my understanding on several topics, one of the greatest being sin. I realized that sin can be viewed not just as a list of transgressions, but it can also be viewed as taking the wrong path.
I give this book four out of five stars, and I recommend it to anyone looking to begin studying the bible in greater detail.
As someone that has not read widely in this area, I felt that this book was a good introduction. It is split into ten sections, each raising a number of interesting points that encourages the reader to think more deeply. I especially liked the discussion questions the author included at the end of each chapter.
This book furthered my understanding on several topics, one of the greatest being sin. I realized that sin can be viewed not just as a list of transgressions, but it can also be viewed as taking the wrong path.
I give this book four out of five stars, and I recommend it to anyone looking to begin studying the bible in greater detail.
July 24, 2017
A very good Christian book about the beginning and nature of sin, and how it affected humanity. The author started the story with the Garden of Eden, and Adam and Eve's disobedience. It was very interesting to read his deep explanations of the story, and helping a reader to understand its significance.
The testimonies of faith were very powerful, and contributed to my better understanding of the message. I always enjoy reading about life experiences, and different choices people make. Here they worked perfectly for me.
Another part of the book I loved were Study Questions for Discussion after every chapter. It helped me re-examine main points of each part, and contributed to my better understanding of the issue.
Highly recommended for readers looking for a good Christian faith book.
The testimonies of faith were very powerful, and contributed to my better understanding of the message. I always enjoy reading about life experiences, and different choices people make. Here they worked perfectly for me.
Another part of the book I loved were Study Questions for Discussion after every chapter. It helped me re-examine main points of each part, and contributed to my better understanding of the issue.
Highly recommended for readers looking for a good Christian faith book.
May 20, 2018
An interesting if not unreliable read. "Who Told You That You Were Naked?" is more of a personal reflection on the Garden of Eden as opposed to a scholarly examination. With unnecessary personal anecdotes throughout and fictionalised interactions between Adam and Eve, little in this text can be considered factual. At the same time, important details within the Genisis' stories are omitted to suit the author and the tale he creates.
This definitely isn't one I would recommend for those that are looking for an academic, unbiased and reliable examination of the Garden of Eden.
This definitely isn't one I would recommend for those that are looking for an academic, unbiased and reliable examination of the Garden of Eden.
December 18, 2017
I won this book through Goodreads. Really interesting and thought provoking. Lots of new information and new ways of seeing things.
July 17, 2019
Check out my full review here:
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
April 9, 2017
Who Told You That You Were Naked; A Refreshing Reexamination of the Garden of Eden by William E. Combs. As you will read in his bio, William likes to paint word pictures so that people can better relate to the biblical stories. He mentions in the book that he takes some liberties with the retelling of the story to make it relatable. William shares a new perspective of the events in the Garden of Eden in a thought provoking and a non-antagonistic way. He provides study questions at the end of each chapter. I envision a very lively discussion if this book is used in a bible study. Maybe because it is Easter time my favorite chapter was 6 where Jesus redeems us through His death. I also think Chapter 8 is such a good reminder that ‘we do not wrestle against flesh and blood’. As often we are blaming the person or situation that has caused us problems.
William uses personal stories and scripture references throughout the book to further support his points.
I received this book from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
William uses personal stories and scripture references throughout the book to further support his points.
I received this book from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
April 12, 2017
Who Told You That You Were Naked? by Willam E. Combs is a compelling look at the critical building blocks of Christianity—sin, salvation, and faith. Beginning at the beginning of time, the author, using word pictures, conjectures what life in the Garden of Eden was like for Adam and Eve and their relationship with the Creator. Combs discusses the word sin, the several translational meanings as in sin, transgression, trespass and disobedience and the importance of understanding the nuances in terms of the act of Eve and Adam eating of the forbidden tree. As the author continues with his exegetical look at these building blocks he writes of the transformational work of Christ in our lives—transforming those who confess and believe in the work of Jesus Christ from those who are enslaved to the law of sin to those who walk through faith in the freedom of the righteousness of Christ. He concludes the book with the importance of understanding that the root of our sin is our mental capacity to discern good and evil—so that we can indeed die to sin and walk in the way of Christ. Who Told You That You Were Naked is theologically sound and thoroughly based in scripture. Each scripture reference (and there are many) used is written out in the text. The author also uses some personal experiences to help clarify his points and at the end of each chapter is a list of study questions for discussion, making this a great resource for a group study. All in all a book not to be read quickly (unlike my method of reading fiction—in one eye and out the other!); it is thought-provoking and inspirationally challenging.
I won a copy of this book from the author through Book Fun network. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own.
I won a copy of this book from the author through Book Fun network. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own.
May 3, 2017
Yet again I am putting my own beliefs and thoughts about what I know about God and Jesus.
You truly cant push your beliefs onto someone else unless you are willing to fight and prove to
them on why you believe why you believe that their is a god. There are two good points of observations that can truly be made at this point.... the first one is that the author did declare it to be a particularly instructive and striking with the Genesis narrative does not contain any terminology for sin. I feel that we all have our own thoughts and ideas about God and Jesus and for me I rather not get into a heated debeta with someone about this and I do not feel like pushing my own beliefs onto anyone.
Quote:
God Voice
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own
understanding, in all your ways acknownledge him, and he
will make straight your paths ( Proverbs 3:5 )
You truly cant push your beliefs onto someone else unless you are willing to fight and prove to
them on why you believe why you believe that their is a god. There are two good points of observations that can truly be made at this point.... the first one is that the author did declare it to be a particularly instructive and striking with the Genesis narrative does not contain any terminology for sin. I feel that we all have our own thoughts and ideas about God and Jesus and for me I rather not get into a heated debeta with someone about this and I do not feel like pushing my own beliefs onto anyone.
Quote:
God Voice
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own
understanding, in all your ways acknownledge him, and he
will make straight your paths ( Proverbs 3:5 )
May 3, 2017
One of the things that I have come to learn when discussing the Bible is that people interpret things differently. This book is another example of exactly that concept. As a retired Presbyterian minister Combs wants to help his reader understand his view of what occurred in the Garden of Eden. He explains the implications of Eve eating from the Tree of Knowledge at the urging of the serpent.
Combs goes on to explain how that one simple act opened the world up to the concept of sin. He delves into how prior to the eating of the fruit what was once not noticeable became suddenly apparent. The key example of this is the nakedness of both Adam and Eve. Combs explains how suddenly they felt the need to cover themselves and felt ashamed.
He incorporates a number of biblical passages, and explains them for context as well as explaining individual words are their meanings in the bible. To add to the understanding of the book Combs includes study questions at the end of the chapters. He also includes personal accounts of events in his life, his wife’s life, and the lives of others who experienced the power of God first hand.
This book offers an interesting take on biblical passages. One can learn more about faith, sin, salvation and other things related to the Garden of Eden. I will admit some of the personal testimony included caused me to wonder if Combs didn’t take some liberties with those events. One key incident was when his wife felt compelled to open the door when at home and what followed after. I’ve never heard testimony such as that, nor have I heard testimony related to what used to keep Combs and his wife up on Saturday nights. Those two stories almost seemed like they came from a scary movie but were fascinating to read. Overall a very interesting book that provides some interesting insight into the bible.
Combs goes on to explain how that one simple act opened the world up to the concept of sin. He delves into how prior to the eating of the fruit what was once not noticeable became suddenly apparent. The key example of this is the nakedness of both Adam and Eve. Combs explains how suddenly they felt the need to cover themselves and felt ashamed.
He incorporates a number of biblical passages, and explains them for context as well as explaining individual words are their meanings in the bible. To add to the understanding of the book Combs includes study questions at the end of the chapters. He also includes personal accounts of events in his life, his wife’s life, and the lives of others who experienced the power of God first hand.
This book offers an interesting take on biblical passages. One can learn more about faith, sin, salvation and other things related to the Garden of Eden. I will admit some of the personal testimony included caused me to wonder if Combs didn’t take some liberties with those events. One key incident was when his wife felt compelled to open the door when at home and what followed after. I’ve never heard testimony such as that, nor have I heard testimony related to what used to keep Combs and his wife up on Saturday nights. Those two stories almost seemed like they came from a scary movie but were fascinating to read. Overall a very interesting book that provides some interesting insight into the bible.
Read
May 15, 2018The author of this book did an amazing job. After reading this book, I have a whole new perspective about the Garden of Eden, the fall of man into sin and how to overcome sin.
The author clearly illustrated with scriptures how sin came into the world and how to overcome sin which is by the help of the Holy Spirit.
This book is refreshing and goes a long way to aid a Christian's walk with the Lord. It opens your eyes to the various dimensions to overcome sin, challenges and grow.
The books unveils several challenges and demonic attacks that a good Christian can go through but he/she can overcome because in the name of Jesus.
Generally, every sentence is well articulated and each paragraph is well phrased and packed with a message which is highlighted for emphasis purposes.
Through the various chapters,the author gives a vivid explanation which leaves the reader in no doubt at all.
The entrance of sin into the world not by the act of eating the forbidden fruit because the forbidden fruit only brought about knowledge, perception, understanding which led to misunderstanding this can be seen when Adam failed to answer the question asked by God.
The author goes ahead to state that, sin came into the world as a result of a person's thoughts and actions there after, this was exhausively explained in the CAIN and ABEL scenario in the Bible.
The author does not leave us wondering what next now that we have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.
He goes ahead to tell us in his book that there is redemption for us. Which comes through the Blood of Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit sent to us by the Father (God)
To overcome we have to live by the word of God, this is well articulated in subsequent chapters.
To drive the point home and make us understand that what he the writer is writing about is not alien and strange he goes ahead to quote real life experiences he has experienced along with his wife which he overcame through the word of God.
He quotes various scriptures that will help the reader know that he whom God has set free is free indeed.
The author arranges the book in a fashion in which the information he is trying to pass across can be understood, he first explains the scenario in the garden, the scenario with Cain and Abel and then the New Testament in which he finally reveals to us the type of life we can lead in Christ Jesus.
I would rate this book 3 out of 4 because it contains the enlightenment we need in the Christendom, like the author said it makes you view sin and salvation different and he was true to his words.
"Who Told you That you were naked" is a Manual everyone needs to study, it is for studying not just reading. It is for transformation and it is a weapon for overcoming
This was a good read
The author clearly illustrated with scriptures how sin came into the world and how to overcome sin which is by the help of the Holy Spirit.
This book is refreshing and goes a long way to aid a Christian's walk with the Lord. It opens your eyes to the various dimensions to overcome sin, challenges and grow.
The books unveils several challenges and demonic attacks that a good Christian can go through but he/she can overcome because in the name of Jesus.
Generally, every sentence is well articulated and each paragraph is well phrased and packed with a message which is highlighted for emphasis purposes.
Through the various chapters,the author gives a vivid explanation which leaves the reader in no doubt at all.
The entrance of sin into the world not by the act of eating the forbidden fruit because the forbidden fruit only brought about knowledge, perception, understanding which led to misunderstanding this can be seen when Adam failed to answer the question asked by God.
The author goes ahead to state that, sin came into the world as a result of a person's thoughts and actions there after, this was exhausively explained in the CAIN and ABEL scenario in the Bible.
The author does not leave us wondering what next now that we have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.
He goes ahead to tell us in his book that there is redemption for us. Which comes through the Blood of Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit sent to us by the Father (God)
To overcome we have to live by the word of God, this is well articulated in subsequent chapters.
To drive the point home and make us understand that what he the writer is writing about is not alien and strange he goes ahead to quote real life experiences he has experienced along with his wife which he overcame through the word of God.
He quotes various scriptures that will help the reader know that he whom God has set free is free indeed.
The author arranges the book in a fashion in which the information he is trying to pass across can be understood, he first explains the scenario in the garden, the scenario with Cain and Abel and then the New Testament in which he finally reveals to us the type of life we can lead in Christ Jesus.
I would rate this book 3 out of 4 because it contains the enlightenment we need in the Christendom, like the author said it makes you view sin and salvation different and he was true to his words.
"Who Told you That you were naked" is a Manual everyone needs to study, it is for studying not just reading. It is for transformation and it is a weapon for overcoming
This was a good read
May 23, 2018
Who Told You That You Were Naked? by William Combs is an in-depth study into the creation of man, his fall and his redemption. William Combs takes you on a journey, scene by scene from the scriptures, revealing God's intention for Adam, from the beginning.
Combs believes that "the Old Testament is sometimes viewed as a shadow of the truth revealed in the Gospels." That is, with an understanding of what happened in Genesis (in the beginning), we get a better understanding (and revelation) of all of the scriptures, as well as God's intent concerning them. And this is what Combs sets out to accomplish in the ten chapters of this book.
The first few chapters describe what a haven Eden was for Adam and Eve. Then, the temptation and fall of man. The fall is described not just as a physical change but as a change in identity that affects how man sees himself. It is the most heart-wrenching tale and I felt the loss most keenly, even if it was only through the eyes of Adam and Eve. He leads us on a journey of truth by taking us step-by-step from the garden of Eden to the New Testament. He also focused on faith and the role that faith plays in redemption. He expands on what faith is and what it means for salvation, as well as what happens when man is saved and what is required of him, hereon after.
The writer gives a revelation of the true impact of what actually went on in the Garden of Eden. He not only reveals them, but he also provides parallels in the New Testament that gives a clearer understanding and perspective of the events in Genesis.
The most pervasive thought in the book was that sin was not an act. Rather, it was a manner of thinking, or behaviour, that resulted in an act. Then, he speaks of rest and what it means for a believer. Going from Genesis to Revelations, he explains what rest meant for many patriarchs of Faith until the time of Jesus. He defines rest as God desires it to be, gives examples of rest and the ultimate symbol of rest.
What I liked most about this book was how the writer used story-telling to make the scenes from the Bible more relatable. It was easy to identify with an Adam who enjoys his solitude as he watches his reflection in the river. If you are very particular about exact retelling when referencing Bible stories, you might not like them so much. I, however, enjoyed them, as they gave the book a better flow that made it easier to read. This book is perfect for a person who wants a better understanding of the fall and redemption of man from a biblical perspective.
Combs believes that "the Old Testament is sometimes viewed as a shadow of the truth revealed in the Gospels." That is, with an understanding of what happened in Genesis (in the beginning), we get a better understanding (and revelation) of all of the scriptures, as well as God's intent concerning them. And this is what Combs sets out to accomplish in the ten chapters of this book.
The first few chapters describe what a haven Eden was for Adam and Eve. Then, the temptation and fall of man. The fall is described not just as a physical change but as a change in identity that affects how man sees himself. It is the most heart-wrenching tale and I felt the loss most keenly, even if it was only through the eyes of Adam and Eve. He leads us on a journey of truth by taking us step-by-step from the garden of Eden to the New Testament. He also focused on faith and the role that faith plays in redemption. He expands on what faith is and what it means for salvation, as well as what happens when man is saved and what is required of him, hereon after.
The writer gives a revelation of the true impact of what actually went on in the Garden of Eden. He not only reveals them, but he also provides parallels in the New Testament that gives a clearer understanding and perspective of the events in Genesis.
The most pervasive thought in the book was that sin was not an act. Rather, it was a manner of thinking, or behaviour, that resulted in an act. Then, he speaks of rest and what it means for a believer. Going from Genesis to Revelations, he explains what rest meant for many patriarchs of Faith until the time of Jesus. He defines rest as God desires it to be, gives examples of rest and the ultimate symbol of rest.
What I liked most about this book was how the writer used story-telling to make the scenes from the Bible more relatable. It was easy to identify with an Adam who enjoys his solitude as he watches his reflection in the river. If you are very particular about exact retelling when referencing Bible stories, you might not like them so much. I, however, enjoyed them, as they gave the book a better flow that made it easier to read. This book is perfect for a person who wants a better understanding of the fall and redemption of man from a biblical perspective.
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