The Invitation: A Simple Guide to the Bible

by Eugene H. Peterson

It’s easy to get lost in the Bible. With so many different books and interweaving stories, it can feel overwhelming. The Invitation is the resource to help you find your place in the Bible, get a better grasp on what you’re reading, and feel more at home in the Word of God. These short readings on every book and section of the Bible include important verses to commit to memory. A valuable resource for new believers, seminary students, and any Christian looking for a comprehensive yet concise understanding of the books of the Bible.Eugene Peterson, translator of The Message version of the Bible, is a gracious and insightful guide as you make your way through the Scriptures, pointing out the people, places, and things to pay particular attention to, reflecting on how these ancient words fit into your very contemporary life, and sharing verses that encapsulate what’s going on in the Bible book you’re reading to whet your appetite and enrich your understanding. An essential resource for every Bible reader, it is your trusted companion to regularly spark your love and understanding of God’s Word.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Theology, Christianity, Biblical Studies, Christian Living, Devotional

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 19, 2007

About the author

Eugene H. Peterson was a pastor, scholar, author, and poet. For many years he was James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also served as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. He had written over thirty books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language a contemporary translation of the Bible. After retiring from full-time teaching, Eugene and his wife Jan lived in the Big Sky Country of rural Montana. He died in October 2018.

Reviews

[Traci Rhoades · Rating 5 out of 5]

An introduction to scripture but also glimpses of the contemporary approach of The Message paraphrase. I've come to rely on Peterson's highly personal insight into scripture. This pastor was a gift to all of us.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I didn't love this book, it was the miracle book. It also centered a lot of reading time from March to June around Jesus, which is what I did need. My only complaint about tis book is that it's hard to read. Chapters are great and short at 2 pages for each book in the Bible, but the choice of words the author uses is over-complicated. So here's my story with this book: On Sunday, March 12th, Mike told me it's his turn for the devotional for the school board meeting on Thursday. He didn't even know what a devotional is and how to do it, but I told him they make devotional books and I'll bring one home for him from my library tomorrow to find one. Overnight, on Monday March 13th, my Grandma died. :( We were expecting it as she was peacefully taken care of in Hospice House. About an hour after I get the call from my dad while working that she died, I go out into the stacks to find Mike a devotional. Come to find out, with all the hundreds of Christian books we have at my library, none are actually devotionals. So I start browsing books, and despite nothing on the spine or title of this book hinting it's what Michael needs, I opened it up to the front cover. Lo and behold, there is an inscription from my Grandma: "To Colleen, with much Love, Grandma 2008". !!! Hours after she died, my Grandma is still with me, reminding me she is always with me, and reminding me to read and continue exploring my faith with Jesus. Books and Jesus were always super important to her. I don't remember her ever giving this book to me, but given I wasn't going to church in 2008, I see why I donated this book to my library sometime after I started in 2009. As it's seen several checkouts over the past 15 years. For that reason I cannot reclaim this book and take it out of circulation- others have found it useful. My Grandma is living on through me, through my library, through these books, and of course through our memories. The coincidences in this story is too ordered, this is not a chance of fate and chaos, but God providing order in the world through my Grandma. I love her and miss her and will always be grateful for her giving this book to me and me finding a home in my library.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway and am providing a voluntary review.

Eugene H. Peterson is probably my favorite author of all. I was excited to win this book in a giveaway. It is exactly what the title says it is: "A Simple Guide to the Bible."

What the editors have done here is pretty much give the introductions to the books of the Bible from Peterson's The Message, with some additional content, such as "A Verse to Remember" at the end of each introduction.

The introductions are informative and inspiring, and all attempt to, in some way, make the books of the Bible relevant to our lives today. What I did was to begin the book on January 1, as I began reading through my new C.S. Lewis Bible (which I will be finishing this coming Wednesday), reading each introduction as I got to a new book in the Bible. I found it to be very helpful.

Some of the books are combined in one introduction, such as 1 & 2 Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, as well as 1 & 2 Thessalonians. And we find 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus in one introduction. 1 & 2 Peter are together, and 1, 2, & 3 John are in one introduction.

This is a very useful tool to have as one reads through the Bible, or to consult if one is simply going to read one particular book. I like what the editors say in the intro to the book, itself: "These introductions are not to be studied so much as soaked in." I definitely agree with this.

And, if one so chooses, it could be read from cover to cover, in a few sittings.

I recommend this book to any serious student of the Bible.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what was expected.

The front cover states that it was a simple guide to the Bible and that's what it was. Each chapter is a 3-4 page thematic overview of each book of the Bible. I read it with the intention to use as a resource for discipleship. For a Christian who is active in Gods word already, you may not get much revelation from this book but it would be good for new christians who may want a general summary of each book. Also note, since the author is Eugene Peterson, all the scriptures that are quoted in this book are from The Message.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a Kindle version of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. The opinion I express in this review is my own.

Eugene H Peterson taught Biblical languages for a number of years before becoming a church pastor. As a pastor, he began to realize that his church (and I think this is true for most churches) was rather disinterested in reading the Bible and Bible study. He developed The Message Bible paraphrase as a “reading Bible”.

This book, The Invitation, is a compilation of the introductions written for each of the 66 books in the library of the Christian Bible. The overviews are brief and to the point. Even if one is reading a different translation or paraphrase to the Bible, this book gives the reader an outline to go by, a preview of what to expect.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend it as a study aid, especially to those who are new to Bible study.

[Jeremy J. Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this over the span of a couple of days. Very well done! If you're looking for a short primer of the entire Bible, through the lens of "The Message" Bible "re-written" or interpreted by the late Pastor, Eugene Peterson, I would recommend this. Audio book ran about 5 hours.

[Aletha Pagett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderful book is perfect for giving an overview of each book of the Bible before it's read. I received this e-book from Goodreads.

[Pat Roseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will make a good “reference” book as I read through the Bible.

[Daniel Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opens the mind to possibilities. Profoundly simple and yet gives space for understanding. Worth a read.

[Chris Frakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Peterson and his unique perspective on scripture. Short quick read but packed with deep thoughts.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

NOTE: I received a Kindle edition of this book from a GoodReads giveaway. The opinions in this review are my own.

I have enjoyed reading and listening to Eugene Peterson’s Message Bible. A few years ago, I listened to the Message as I traveled in my car. The introductions to each book of the Bible were very good. This collection pulls out the introductions that Mr. Peterson wrote for his modern-day translation of the Bible and puts them in one easily read handbook. It was great to read it straight through, but I could also see the benefit of reading a specific book’s introduction before reading and studying that book of the Bible. I think every Christian who has a serious desire to read and study Bible consider putting this book in their library.

[Thomas Kermes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read.

I will keep The Invitation next to the Message. I call The Message, my slap in the face Bible. Peterson is so direct. I love it and The Invitation as a guide.

I share it regularly with others.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This simple description of every book in the Bible was a great devotional read for me. Encouraging. Thought-provoking. Occasionally profound.