The Path: A Journey Through the Bible

by Forward Movement, David Creech (Editor)

The A Journey through the Bible is an opportunity to walk through the Bible in an easy and accessible format. The Path is the story of the Bible, excerpted and condensed from the New Revised Standard Version. The book lays out a clear trail, an easy-to-follow pathway, so that you can journey from one Bible story to the next and see how they connect to each other. As you read through The Path, you will see all of the major landmarks of the Bible’s story—and you will walk in the footsteps of faithful men and women who have done their best to follow God’s call. By exploring The Path, you will journey through the Bible step-by-step, experiencing an amazing 360-degree overview of the vast, sweeping story of God’s extraordinary love for ordinary people.

Genres: Religion

438 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2016

Reviews

[Kelley Kimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally went back and finished this one. It’s great. The major stories of the Bible in short story format. The commentary and suggested other readings make it as easy or as deep as you want to go. Highly recommend.

[Taylor Loy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall fantastic reduction of the biblical text, but it lacked a few things: we needed headers for where they got the scripture (for referencing in Bible studies) and there were a few passages I was surprised they excised.

Still, one of the most transformative studies I’ve ever led.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read, like Cliff notes. Gives a view of the Bible in a condensed abridged version. The Path was a good read.

[Kate Hornstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seemed like a good idea at the time: read this super-abbreviated version of the Bible during Lent. Um, Lent ended in April right? I just finished this. I always start out with high hopes: reading the Bible in "the language of today," just the important parts in a sort of more chronologically arranged version, that tie the genealogy of the figures in the Old Testament to Christ, and make it clearer than reading the confusing 4 books of the Gospel.

Every time I come back to the KJV. "Judge not lest ye be judged." "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." Even "Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man." You just can't get better than this! And yes I know this English translation was written to be read in huge Cathedrals. Yes, it's confusing! Yes, the language is dated! But it's awesome!

I thought they did a good job with the story of Noah which almost jumped off the page to me as I thought about climate change. And I had never realized Christ was a descendant of Rahab (a prostitue) oh my. This book really tries, but it was not for me.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in a bible study group. It’s the readers digest version of the Bible, with discussion questions. Enjoyed fellowship with my church friends, would prefer to read the actual bible. Not sure that counts as a spoiler LOL

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative way to study The Bible.

[Benjamin Rollins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Path is what my mom would call the "Reader's Digest version" of a book, in this case the Bible. It takes selected passages from the massive library that is the Hebrew and Christian canons and reprints them in one convenient place, all to show the overarching themes through scripture. I would say The Path mostly accomplishes its goal. The book toes the line between being devotional without being saccharine, and being critical without being cynical. Be prepared for more open-ended inquiry than dogmatism. What's more, the discussion questions and side commentary in the book were helpful discussion starters.

I only have one complaint about the book, but it's big enough for me to dock it two stars. The Path should have been a pamphlet. Hear me out, Forward Movement, if the point of the book is to help people get comfortable/familiar with reading the actual Bible, maybe have them open up their actual Bibles. Instead of reprinting redacted passages each chapter, you could just list the assigned readings at the beginning of the chapter and expect the reader to read them. That would let you expand your thought-provoking commentary and helpful discussion questions each chapter, but still reduce the size of the book by +90%. I admit, I could be wrong about this. Maybe your market wouldn't like it. If there's data showing the current format is more effective, I apologize. Forward Movement, let me know! From my current position, though, it seems like a no-brainer. 3/5 stars.