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14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible
The Bible is God’s masterpiece and gift to you—claim it for all that it’s worth. The Bible is the most read book in all the world. But many of us get stuck in a rut when it comes to approaching it. Rather than feeling inspired and energized, we feel confused, disenchanted, or removed. Bible scholar and lover of God’s Word James Coakley wants to share fourteen invaluable strategies that will bring our Scripture study to life. The Bible is historical, true, and it’s also great literature. The Artist who created the universe has also gifted us with His Word, which is beautifully designed and full of creativity. The same riveting techniques that modern authors use in their books were also used by Biblical authors long ago. Coakley opens our eyes to the dramatic and poetical ways God communicates to us. Readers will acquire practical strategies to engage in God’s Word and general guidelines that will keep them on track. The literary skills mentioned in this book don’t require advanced training—just a desire to open and receive the gift of God’s Word. Would you like to unearth new treasure and insight whenever you open your Bible? Coakley promises an exciting ride and invigorating time in God’s eternal, life-changing Word!
208 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2023
44 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 10, 2023
When I came across this book in Moody Publishers new review program I was so excited! I have been slowly working through this book for the last several weeks during my Bible study time and it has been so good! I’ve read quite a few books on studying the Bible thanks to my undergrad and seminary courses so I didn’t have high expectations going into this book, but they were blown away! This book is filled with little details to watch for in scripture and it was perfect for someone looking to freshen up their Bible Study! Most of the suggestions were new to me and were so fun to study for myself!
Each chapter almost feels like a choose your own adventure in that it introduces you to a concept, expands upon it with clear examples in scripture (and even some other works of literature that use the same devices) but then invites you to study deeper for yourself! Every chapter has examples for you to try out on your own but then also points you to more Bible study books you can use to further your study (I love a good resources list!!).
Now don’t go into this expecting a detailed breakdown on how to study the Bible. This is designed to build on top of that. If you are looking for a book that teaches you how to study the Bible I would recommend Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin or Grasping God’s Word by Hayes and Duvall.
Special thanks to Moody Publishers for allowing me to check out this book and share it with others!
Each chapter almost feels like a choose your own adventure in that it introduces you to a concept, expands upon it with clear examples in scripture (and even some other works of literature that use the same devices) but then invites you to study deeper for yourself! Every chapter has examples for you to try out on your own but then also points you to more Bible study books you can use to further your study (I love a good resources list!!).
Now don’t go into this expecting a detailed breakdown on how to study the Bible. This is designed to build on top of that. If you are looking for a book that teaches you how to study the Bible I would recommend Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin or Grasping God’s Word by Hayes and Duvall.
Special thanks to Moody Publishers for allowing me to check out this book and share it with others!
November 8, 2023
Accessible
Fresh
Helpful
Useful
I already bought a couple copies for gifts…
Fresh
Helpful
Useful
I already bought a couple copies for gifts…
August 28, 2023
14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible offers a crash course in literary analysis for lay readers who want to get more out of their Bible study. Coakley offers 14 techniques which can be seen as variations on the same principle - pay attention to subtle connections that the author may have wanted you to make but which are not overtly stated in the text. Each chapter has a summary of the technique, examples from literature and modern media, and several case studies from the Bible, along with suggestions for other passages where the reader can apply the technique. Coakley is writing from a faithful perspective, and so he also discusses spiritual lessons that the Biblical authors are highlighting through their use of repetition and foregrounding (though I would not consider this book a "devotional" as such).
The purpose of this book is not to be a comprehensive commentary on the Bible, nor does it even attempt to introduce different schools of thought in Biblical hermeneutics, but someone who started with this book would find that it gave them a good "Heads Up!" for reading more in-depth Bible commentaries.
There are two important caveats with any literary analysis of the Bible, and I appreciate that Coakley reminds the reader of both throughout. First, reading between the lines to determine author intent is always going to be subjective to some extent. The point is to present a plausible case for how the author may have wanted us to approach a given event or character, not to have a knockdown argument for our analysis and certainly not to overshadow the literal meaning of the text. This anticipates what could be a criticism of the book - that some of the connections Coakley draws seem tenuous, even as others are highly compelling. Second, Coakley repeatedly emphasizes that to treat the Bible as literature is not the same as treating it like fiction. Even on a high view of Scripture, one can affirm that the Biblical authors chose to include certain historical details over others in order to frame their narrative in a particular way.
The purpose of this book is not to be a comprehensive commentary on the Bible, nor does it even attempt to introduce different schools of thought in Biblical hermeneutics, but someone who started with this book would find that it gave them a good "Heads Up!" for reading more in-depth Bible commentaries.
There are two important caveats with any literary analysis of the Bible, and I appreciate that Coakley reminds the reader of both throughout. First, reading between the lines to determine author intent is always going to be subjective to some extent. The point is to present a plausible case for how the author may have wanted us to approach a given event or character, not to have a knockdown argument for our analysis and certainly not to overshadow the literal meaning of the text. This anticipates what could be a criticism of the book - that some of the connections Coakley draws seem tenuous, even as others are highly compelling. Second, Coakley repeatedly emphasizes that to treat the Bible as literature is not the same as treating it like fiction. Even on a high view of Scripture, one can affirm that the Biblical authors chose to include certain historical details over others in order to frame their narrative in a particular way.
January 2, 2025
overall solid- a good re-introduction into reading the Bible and a good breakdown of "tips"! made me very happy as a future english teacher. that being said, it felt a bit repetitive or common sense at points.
July 1, 2023
I often enjoy doing Bible studies where we zoom in on certain chapters, books, or topics within the Word. Sometimes though, I need to challenge myself and branch out into doing my own personal readings of the Bible, without the commentary and questions that a study book provides. But… I feel a little lost sometimes in how to get started! That is where this new volume published by Moody and written by James F. Coakley comes into play, and is such a great help to me. “14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible” is a treasure trove of insight, wisdom, and practicality that helped me take my personal reading (and enjoyment) of God’s Word to the next level!
This book is so enjoyable to read, with practical steps to implement right away. It also gives examples from other works of literature, and also famous movies, to drive home the principal being taught. Some of the fourteen strategies are simple, such as “First Impressions” where we identify what the author the biblical author shares about a character’s first words, actions, and physical description. On the other hand, some are much more complex literary devices, such as “X Marks the Spot” where the author “organized their material (into) repeat words, phrases, or concepts inversely around a center in order to shape the overall structure of books, sections, episodes, speeches, or even individual verses. This technique, known as ‘chiasm’, is based on the Greek letter ‘chi’…”. Complicated but fascinating, isn’t it?!
Without question I recommend this book to anyone looking to bring their daily Bible reading to life, to add vivid color and exciting new ways of spotlighting truths we may have read dozens of times but never viewed with quite the lenses that Mr. Coakley offers to provide for our toolboxes. Definitely check this title out for yourself, and you may as well grab a copy or two for your friends and family to read as well!
***I received a copy of this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.
This book is so enjoyable to read, with practical steps to implement right away. It also gives examples from other works of literature, and also famous movies, to drive home the principal being taught. Some of the fourteen strategies are simple, such as “First Impressions” where we identify what the author the biblical author shares about a character’s first words, actions, and physical description. On the other hand, some are much more complex literary devices, such as “X Marks the Spot” where the author “organized their material (into) repeat words, phrases, or concepts inversely around a center in order to shape the overall structure of books, sections, episodes, speeches, or even individual verses. This technique, known as ‘chiasm’, is based on the Greek letter ‘chi’…”. Complicated but fascinating, isn’t it?!
Without question I recommend this book to anyone looking to bring their daily Bible reading to life, to add vivid color and exciting new ways of spotlighting truths we may have read dozens of times but never viewed with quite the lenses that Mr. Coakley offers to provide for our toolboxes. Definitely check this title out for yourself, and you may as well grab a copy or two for your friends and family to read as well!
***I received a copy of this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.
April 18, 2023
This is one of those books I already know I'll be buying a lot of copies of to give to people. It's tremendously helpful and enjoyable. If you've ever been left scratching your head about a passage of the Bible, or you just want to get clearer insight into what the Scripture is communicating, get this book. It will help you see the age-old meaning with sharper eyes. 14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible is the rare book that communicates scholarly depth in layman's terms that are easy to understand and apply. The chapters are short and give a lot of great examples. This book could easily be used for a Bible study group, and would prove insightful for first-time readers of the Bible and seasoned pastors alike. If you are looking to freshen up your personal devotional reading, this would be a great book to use as a devotional book as well. Trust me: buy several copies. You're going to want to give them away and still have one for yourself.
September 26, 2024
As the title suggests, the author gives 14 strategies to use while reading the Bible. For each one he gives an explanation along with examples from both Biblical and nonbiblical sources. He also gives passages for you to look at on your own to practice each technique. The chapters are short and easily understandable by the lay person. Will be using this as a resource as I study on my own and prepare to teach.
September 7, 2024
Disappointing
I didn't get a lot out of this book. I was hoping for something I could implement, but I didn't find it in this book. Th chapter were a bit complicated. The last chapter in the book was by far the best
I didn't get a lot out of this book. I was hoping for something I could implement, but I didn't find it in this book. Th chapter were a bit complicated. The last chapter in the book was by far the best
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November 15, 2025It was time for another nonfiction and this one has been sitting on my desk staring at me. Since I am once again reading the Bible through in year (following the M'Cheyne Reading plan this year) I thought it may be fun to read this and see how it can help me delve even deeper.
September 1, 2023
A very helpful, easy-to-understand book with useful tools to help the reader better understand the Bible. I highly recommend it!
December 9, 2023
Really bad.
March 1, 2024
DNF
Started and liked what I saw but it didn’t pull me back in
Started and liked what I saw but it didn’t pull me back in
September 2, 2024
This book deepens your appreciation for the beauty and depth of the Bible. Any book that does this is a good one!
December 21, 2024
This book is kind of like drinking from a firehose of information about ways dig deeper into your Bible reading. Definitely one to keep and look back in for reference!
June 30, 2024
This is a great book for those who have spent a lifetime in Bible study. It speaks to me as an English teacher because it gives suggestions for reading the Bible that I would give my students to use for any literature study. The author is well organized, giving non-biblical as well as biblical examples before suggesting passages for the reader to try independently. This would be a great tool for group Bible studies.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews