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Unlikely Righteousness
Come journey and discover people from the Old Testament who bring new life to the well known stories. Featuring kings, slaves, midwives, murderers, and many others who demonstrate that anyone can do the right things!
120 pages, Paperback
Published July 2, 2016
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 13, 2025
As a Christian who reads the Bible, I have always felt like certain stories in the Bible were incomplete or not explained fully. So, when I picked up this, I wasn't sure what the author was trying to achieve until I started to read. The book answered some of the underlying questions I had in my heart concerning certain Biblical characters.
This book, Unlikely Righteousness by Tina Kowalski, focuses on specific characters in the Bible who were not spoken of enough but played critical roles in how most biblical events turned out.
The author starts with Cain, the older brother of Abel. In the Bible, it is recorded that Cain killed his younger brother due to jealousy. The author did not just give back to us what the Bible gave us; instead, the author went deeper, explaining how Cain misunderstood God's words and his thoughts when he realized the gravity of what he had done. The author also concentrates on the thought patterns of these characters and how they could apply to us in present times. The author always gave a moral lesson at the end of every story, and the one that stood out to me was that of the story of Cain, which was that God will always provide perfect justice irrespective of who is involved and how special you are to Him.
What stands out the most in this book is the amount of effort the author put into researching the pages of the Bible to come up with a clear picture of these characters. I like how the author sets different stories piece by piece to create a straightforward story of a particular character. So far, my favorite character was Laban; the author portrayed him as a businessman who knows how to seek out opportunities and how to make good use of them. Despite being a great businessman, the moral lesson of his story was that success based on deceit is temporary.
There is nothing I disliked about this book; the moral lessons stood out to me, and I had a lot to learn from every story. Having said this, I rate this book five out of five stars. I did come across a few errors while I read the book, but they were minor errors and did not detract from my reading experience. I recommend this book to Christians and Bible scholars.
January 23, 2025
Have you ever felt like you are in the background, overshadowed, or just plain overlooked? Well, this book is all about shining a light on those who get ignored, actually biblical characters, you know the ones whose lives were full of both big wins and epic stumbles. The author takes a fresh look at figures like Cain, Pharaoh, and Esau, digging deep into their struggles, hard choices, and the impact of their decisions.
It is not about sugarcoating the stories either, teh authour also their messy humanity, warts and all. But here is the beautiful twist: this becomes a reminder of God's endless love and a chance of redemption, even for the most complicated of lives. Going on a journey into their stories is like packing a bottomless bag full of wisdom, hope, and the message that seems to say, "Hey, even at the midst of a struggle, there is grace.
I had to give this book 5 stars because Leah's story is just so powerful. It is her resilience and faith that really hit home for me. Imagine being constantly compared to your sister, Rachel, whom everybody, including your husband Jacob, loves more; that is rough, right? But Leah does not let that define her.
So in the midst of this crazy situation where her dad, Laban, tricks Jacob into marrying her first, yeah, really weird start, Leah still manages to find her place within the story. Not the favorite of Jacob's, she still is his first wife and becomes the mom of six of his sons. One of them is Judah, who is kind of a big deal since he is in the direct family line to King David and then eventually Jesus Christ. Like, talk about leaving a legacy!
What I love most about Leah's story is how she leans into her relationship with God when life does not go as planned. She finds her strength and peace in Him, and that is what makes her story so relatable and inspiring. It is one of those reminders that even when you feel those moments unseen or less than, your worth is not from people; it is from something bigger. Leah's faith, perseverance, and quiet strength make her a total legend in the history of Israel.
It is not about sugarcoating the stories either, teh authour also their messy humanity, warts and all. But here is the beautiful twist: this becomes a reminder of God's endless love and a chance of redemption, even for the most complicated of lives. Going on a journey into their stories is like packing a bottomless bag full of wisdom, hope, and the message that seems to say, "Hey, even at the midst of a struggle, there is grace.
I had to give this book 5 stars because Leah's story is just so powerful. It is her resilience and faith that really hit home for me. Imagine being constantly compared to your sister, Rachel, whom everybody, including your husband Jacob, loves more; that is rough, right? But Leah does not let that define her.
So in the midst of this crazy situation where her dad, Laban, tricks Jacob into marrying her first, yeah, really weird start, Leah still manages to find her place within the story. Not the favorite of Jacob's, she still is his first wife and becomes the mom of six of his sons. One of them is Judah, who is kind of a big deal since he is in the direct family line to King David and then eventually Jesus Christ. Like, talk about leaving a legacy!
What I love most about Leah's story is how she leans into her relationship with God when life does not go as planned. She finds her strength and peace in Him, and that is what makes her story so relatable and inspiring. It is one of those reminders that even when you feel those moments unseen or less than, your worth is not from people; it is from something bigger. Leah's faith, perseverance, and quiet strength make her a total legend in the history of Israel.
January 24, 2025
This book is a wholly new look at some of the most well-known stories of the Bible but, rather than the typical heroes versus villains story, dives into the messy middle of those complex and flawed characters that we do not always talk about. It's about what was going on in their heads: the struggles, the tough choices, the "What do I do now?" moments that shape lives.
Okay, let me tell you there is this character I absolutely love. Pharaoh’s daughter. She is just incredible, and her story? Oh man, it hits you right in the feels. Picture this: she is strolling along the Nile River one day when she spots this little basket floating in the water. Inside? A baby. Moses. Abandoned because of her dad’s ruthless decree to kill all Hebrew baby boys.
Now, let us pause for a second; this is her father’s command. Like, the Pharaoh. The big boss. Disobeying him is no small thing, but does she hesitate? Nope. She sees this tiny, helpless baby and decides to save him. Not just save him but raise him as her own. That is gutsy. That is compassion on a whole other level. She is risking her own safety, going against everything she was taught, and all because she could not turn a blind eye.
What blows my mind is how her one choice sets off this chain reaction, and because she decided to do the right thing, Moses grows up to become a leader and free an entire nation from slavery. Just let that sink in for a moment, her courage changed the course of history. It is proof that even one act of kindness can have a ripple effect you would never expect. The way the author portrayed her courage is nothing short of 5 stars. And honestly? That kind of courage is what the world needs more of.
Okay, let me tell you there is this character I absolutely love. Pharaoh’s daughter. She is just incredible, and her story? Oh man, it hits you right in the feels. Picture this: she is strolling along the Nile River one day when she spots this little basket floating in the water. Inside? A baby. Moses. Abandoned because of her dad’s ruthless decree to kill all Hebrew baby boys.
Now, let us pause for a second; this is her father’s command. Like, the Pharaoh. The big boss. Disobeying him is no small thing, but does she hesitate? Nope. She sees this tiny, helpless baby and decides to save him. Not just save him but raise him as her own. That is gutsy. That is compassion on a whole other level. She is risking her own safety, going against everything she was taught, and all because she could not turn a blind eye.
What blows my mind is how her one choice sets off this chain reaction, and because she decided to do the right thing, Moses grows up to become a leader and free an entire nation from slavery. Just let that sink in for a moment, her courage changed the course of history. It is proof that even one act of kindness can have a ripple effect you would never expect. The way the author portrayed her courage is nothing short of 5 stars. And honestly? That kind of courage is what the world needs more of.
March 28, 2025
wish I could give more stars...
...I really do, because obviously the author spent a lot of time on this book, and she has a pretty good imagination. The premise of the book is good. She writes, "this book is dedicated to those people I consider to be the unsung heroes of the Bible." That would include people like Hagar, Laban, Leah, the Israelite midwives, etc. My problem is that the author draws conclusions about some of the characters which are just not supported by the Bible. To reach those conclusions, she turned to the Book of Mormon as well as "modern day apostles and prophets." (If you are looking for a Christian book based on Scripture, this is not it.) For example, in writing about Cain, the author states that "God had left specific instructions on how the sacrifices were to be done and Cain ignored them." Then later: "Adam and and Eve would have taught this to their children ..." The problem is that according to the Bible, those "specific instructions" were not given for another 2500 years.
Another issue with the book is that it seriously needs an editor. Multiple times do we find the word "lead" when it should have been "led." Once the word "formally" was found when it should have been "formerly." Numerous run-on sentences and missing punctuation just left me wishing someone had been available to give it at least a glance.
The footnotes throughout the text do not link to the footnotes in the back, though if you click on the end footnotes they will take you to the appropriate spot in the text.
I am certainly not trying to be unkind here. The book has potential but some of the conclusions reached just do not have Biblical support, the formatting needs tweaking and it needs an editor.
...I really do, because obviously the author spent a lot of time on this book, and she has a pretty good imagination. The premise of the book is good. She writes, "this book is dedicated to those people I consider to be the unsung heroes of the Bible." That would include people like Hagar, Laban, Leah, the Israelite midwives, etc. My problem is that the author draws conclusions about some of the characters which are just not supported by the Bible. To reach those conclusions, she turned to the Book of Mormon as well as "modern day apostles and prophets." (If you are looking for a Christian book based on Scripture, this is not it.) For example, in writing about Cain, the author states that "God had left specific instructions on how the sacrifices were to be done and Cain ignored them." Then later: "Adam and and Eve would have taught this to their children ..." The problem is that according to the Bible, those "specific instructions" were not given for another 2500 years.
Another issue with the book is that it seriously needs an editor. Multiple times do we find the word "lead" when it should have been "led." Once the word "formally" was found when it should have been "formerly." Numerous run-on sentences and missing punctuation just left me wishing someone had been available to give it at least a glance.
The footnotes throughout the text do not link to the footnotes in the back, though if you click on the end footnotes they will take you to the appropriate spot in the text.
I am certainly not trying to be unkind here. The book has potential but some of the conclusions reached just do not have Biblical support, the formatting needs tweaking and it needs an editor.
February 5, 2025
Unlikely Righteousness, written by Tina Kowalski, explores lesser-known figures from the Bible who did not fit the mold of famous heroes like David or Moses or classic villains like Pharaoh and Judas. These Bible personalities inhabited the gray zone between believing in God and making mistakes that affected the course of their lives.
The author shows how individuals demonstrated surprising righteousness regardless of their past and current situations. Regrettably, through testing times, some demonstrated strong faith, yet among those others committed significant errors.
Reading this book taught me how we frequently miss seeing people who do not receive attention both in Scripture and real life.
The book maintains good order throughout its content while remaining simple to understand. The conversational writing style of the author enables easy understanding of all presented stories as well.
The author also presents ideas through friendly language that remains easy to understand with no complicated wording. Throughout the book, the narrative progresses smoothly while a combination of biblical narratives with analytical perspectives and personal reflections maintains reader engagement.
Anyone interested in experiencing a fresh perspective on the Bible should read this book. It provides insightful perspectives that will interest both those devoted to religious study and beginners in faith, as well as people seeking information about obscure biblical characters.
I recommended giving it a read. It urges readers to go past famous biblical characters who deserve our attention. I actually had a great moment with it.
The author shows how individuals demonstrated surprising righteousness regardless of their past and current situations. Regrettably, through testing times, some demonstrated strong faith, yet among those others committed significant errors.
Reading this book taught me how we frequently miss seeing people who do not receive attention both in Scripture and real life.
The book maintains good order throughout its content while remaining simple to understand. The conversational writing style of the author enables easy understanding of all presented stories as well.
The author also presents ideas through friendly language that remains easy to understand with no complicated wording. Throughout the book, the narrative progresses smoothly while a combination of biblical narratives with analytical perspectives and personal reflections maintains reader engagement.
Anyone interested in experiencing a fresh perspective on the Bible should read this book. It provides insightful perspectives that will interest both those devoted to religious study and beginners in faith, as well as people seeking information about obscure biblical characters.
I recommended giving it a read. It urges readers to go past famous biblical characters who deserve our attention. I actually had a great moment with it.
February 9, 2025
Unlikely Righteousness by Tina Kowalski introduces biblical figures who resided in historical margins along with those whose faults led to misconceptions about their role in God's work. Through their success stories and moments of defeat, the author uncovers essential teachings about enduring life's challenges and asking forgiveness while demonstrating God's unlimited love.
Reading the book feels satisfying throughout. And the author delivers on her commitment to study underappreciated biblical characters while sharing meaningful insights and observations. The conclusions feel complete, leaving readers inspired and reflective.
Adult readers of any age will find this book to be both enlightening and reflective. It also provides valuable insights through its questions to serve people exploring their faith at any level, from personal study to group study.
The presentation features a readable font set against an uncluttered layout. Each section maintains clear titles, which allows readers to track their progress.
The reflective questions found at the conclusion of each chapter provide readers an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the presented lessons.
The narrative guidance in this book combines stories with individual reflections to create an effective storytelling format. Through this writing style, readers can intensify their character analysis without losing touch with biblical stories.
I highly recommend Unlikely Righteousness to anyone looking to deepen their faith or gain fresh insights into lesser-known Bible characters. Its thoughtful lessons and relatable writing make it an inspiring and meaningful read.
Reading the book feels satisfying throughout. And the author delivers on her commitment to study underappreciated biblical characters while sharing meaningful insights and observations. The conclusions feel complete, leaving readers inspired and reflective.
Adult readers of any age will find this book to be both enlightening and reflective. It also provides valuable insights through its questions to serve people exploring their faith at any level, from personal study to group study.
The presentation features a readable font set against an uncluttered layout. Each section maintains clear titles, which allows readers to track their progress.
The reflective questions found at the conclusion of each chapter provide readers an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the presented lessons.
The narrative guidance in this book combines stories with individual reflections to create an effective storytelling format. Through this writing style, readers can intensify their character analysis without losing touch with biblical stories.
I highly recommend Unlikely Righteousness to anyone looking to deepen their faith or gain fresh insights into lesser-known Bible characters. Its thoughtful lessons and relatable writing make it an inspiring and meaningful read.
November 7, 2024
Having grown up in a Christian home with a strong church allegiance and having attended a Christian elementary school, the stories Kowalski includes in her book, UNLIKELY RIGHTEOUSNESS, are very familiar stories for me. However, Kowalski delves into each story and humanizes each character so the reader can become involved in their thoughts and actions and internalize them in a way I’d never done before. The author uses texts from the Bible but also interjects her thoughts on probable activities and behaviors in the gaps to the story, making her text read almost like a historical manuscript. Each character’s story ends with valuable lessons the reader can learn from the life of the Old Testament individual. When so often Christians now dwell on reading the New Testament, UNLIKELY RIGHTEOUSNESS, show us the other side of the coin and how the stories about the Old Testament saints can still be applied to our lives today. Kowalski does a great job of fleshing out the truths of faith, love and forgiveness as applied in these stories. She also shows how God has allowed some sins for the sake of his Omniscient plan. If you need a refresher course on these Old Testament stories, UNLIKELY RIGHTEOUSNESS is a great book to do just that.
March 25, 2025
Unlikely Righteousness by Tina Kowalski (LDS) tells the stories of biblical characters that we may not have given thought to. The way the author tells the stories, brings us back to events and people who may have been overlooked or downplayed among much larger, "more important" stories and offers a perspective that is both thought provoking and enlightening.
The author creates a smooth narrative that makes the biblical characters such as the midwives who defied the Pharaoh, Cain, Shechem, and Esau (to name a few) appear real in our minds and weaves great storytelling in with lessons. The stories were engaging and informative, and I wanted more.
As a practicing United Methodist Christian, I wasn't sure if the author's views would mesh with mine, but I got a lot out of this book.
I will be purchasing a paperback copy to provide to my Pastor's wife to see if she wants to add this to our book club list!
The author creates a smooth narrative that makes the biblical characters such as the midwives who defied the Pharaoh, Cain, Shechem, and Esau (to name a few) appear real in our minds and weaves great storytelling in with lessons. The stories were engaging and informative, and I wanted more.
As a practicing United Methodist Christian, I wasn't sure if the author's views would mesh with mine, but I got a lot out of this book.
I will be purchasing a paperback copy to provide to my Pastor's wife to see if she wants to add this to our book club list!
March 24, 2025
This was a great read! Interesting to delve more into the biblical people. The author has an unusual perspective regarding lesser known or unnamed children of God. She presents practical applications to personal life. I really enjoyed the warnings and lessons from people history has defined in a negative way; however, the actions they took show later generations what not to do and WHY not to do it.
March 24, 2025
A great read as the popes from the Bible are brought to life in this wonderful collection. It is told in a way you will love and get caught up in
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I was wowed
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I was wowed
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews