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Godbreathed: What It Really Means for the Bible to Be Divinely Inspired
Could there be good news in biblical imperfections?
What if the imperfections and contradictions in Scripture aren’t an accident? What if they were allowed to be there by the Holy Spirit in order to draw us beyond the literal words on the page and deeper into the spiritual truth God is trying to teach us? As provocative or unorthodox as that might sound, it is in fact a very ancient way of understanding what it means for the Bible to be divinely inspired. In this thorough and disarming book, author Zack Hunt explains how we got here and offers a practical and easily accessible approach for reading and understanding the Bible that doesn’t require a PhD in biblical languages.
As the disillusioned leave the Church in droves and the deconstructing search for better answers to eternal questions, this book repositions Scripture in the life of the Church to allow it to be what it was meant to be all along: a source of life, hope, and freedom for all. Godbreathed will reclaim the idea of biblical truth and reveal it to be not a list of beliefs to affirm or laws to be followed, but an invitation into a new way of living and loving on earth as it is in heaven.
What if the imperfections and contradictions in Scripture aren’t an accident? What if they were allowed to be there by the Holy Spirit in order to draw us beyond the literal words on the page and deeper into the spiritual truth God is trying to teach us? As provocative or unorthodox as that might sound, it is in fact a very ancient way of understanding what it means for the Bible to be divinely inspired. In this thorough and disarming book, author Zack Hunt explains how we got here and offers a practical and easily accessible approach for reading and understanding the Bible that doesn’t require a PhD in biblical languages.
As the disillusioned leave the Church in droves and the deconstructing search for better answers to eternal questions, this book repositions Scripture in the life of the Church to allow it to be what it was meant to be all along: a source of life, hope, and freedom for all. Godbreathed will reclaim the idea of biblical truth and reveal it to be not a list of beliefs to affirm or laws to be followed, but an invitation into a new way of living and loving on earth as it is in heaven.
192 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2023
25 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 4, 2023
One of the Best Books of 2023 - Godbreathed by Zack Hunt. Here is my review:
Zack Hunt's amazing book, Godbreathed, presents a refreshing perspective on the inspiration of Scripture, which challenges the problematic, harmful, and loveless understanding of Biblical Inerrancy. The book draws upon the insights of early Christian theologians (Origen and Augustine), offering a hermeneutical approach to Scripture that prioritizes love over legalism, providing a way to read the challenging passages in the Bible. Hunt's explanation of the meaning of "godbreathed", connecting it to the stories in scripture where God breathes life into humanity is particularly helpful. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible and how to embody the Story of God in our own lives.
Zack Hunt's amazing book, Godbreathed, presents a refreshing perspective on the inspiration of Scripture, which challenges the problematic, harmful, and loveless understanding of Biblical Inerrancy. The book draws upon the insights of early Christian theologians (Origen and Augustine), offering a hermeneutical approach to Scripture that prioritizes love over legalism, providing a way to read the challenging passages in the Bible. Hunt's explanation of the meaning of "godbreathed", connecting it to the stories in scripture where God breathes life into humanity is particularly helpful. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible and how to embody the Story of God in our own lives.
September 20, 2025
This really helped me put into words what I have formed as my beliefs about the Bible. I would say for those who are wrestling with what to make of this ancient “holy” book…read this book. It is truly a game changer. I am so glad I read it. It is the sort of book I will pickup and read again.
Update: 9/20/2025
I just finished reading this a second time. I love this book. My first review still stands.
Update: 9/20/2025
I just finished reading this a second time. I love this book. My first review still stands.
March 1, 2023
The principle concept presented by Godbreathed is the idea that the literal interpretation of the Bible, largely attributed to fundamentalists, has been toxic to the christian faith and the author is calling for a return to complex and rich exegesis that mines the spiritual truth of the stories that doesn’t depend on the inerrant historical facts there in. This is pitched as a return to Hebrew scriptural tradition … presumable something like a midrash … and may make the Protestant doctrine of Sola Scriptura problematic. If the reader subscribes to a tradition that mandates a literal reading of an inerrant Holy Bible, this book is not for you and is unlikely to change your mind. However, if the reading is struggling with resolving all of the apparent discrepancies and contradictions that a literal interpretation creates, this book provides some cover for the idea that such is actually okay and perhaps even intentional.
The first chapter advances that idea of treating the Bible and God as interchangeable (bible idolatry) and why that is dangerous to the inspired interpretation that comes from “wrestling” with the scripture. The next chapter covers how and when the Bible actually became canon and points to the fact that tradition actually came first. While there was an interesting hint about the conflation of masoretic disciple and the Christian belief of inerrancy, but I think much of that was poorly supported. That said, I thought the problem of using prooftext to weaponize scripture and such being counter productive was a solid observation in the next chapter. Chapter 4 highlights some of the common objections to literal exegesis and how such became the norm (faith vs science). While the title for chapter 5 was wierdly provocative, it also covers the unfortunately need for certitude that warps a lot of biblical interpretation (instead of allowing for the possibility of admitting that we don’t know). Finally the last three (3) chapters harken back to two early church fathers (Origen and Augustine) to examine their approach to scripture to eventually come up with a simple heuristic for Biblical interpretation … if your interpretation doesn’t not end with love … you got it wrong. Ultimately that is a sentiment I can get behind.
A Word About Words
1. Stop Worshiping This Book!
2. Richard Kiley Wrote The Bible
3. Born Again On The Boardwalk
4. Icarus
5. Cussin’ For Jesus
6. What If The Bible Is Wrong
7. The Bull Stamp
8. Can These Bones Live?
Acknowledgement
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Godbreathed #NetGalley
The first chapter advances that idea of treating the Bible and God as interchangeable (bible idolatry) and why that is dangerous to the inspired interpretation that comes from “wrestling” with the scripture. The next chapter covers how and when the Bible actually became canon and points to the fact that tradition actually came first. While there was an interesting hint about the conflation of masoretic disciple and the Christian belief of inerrancy, but I think much of that was poorly supported. That said, I thought the problem of using prooftext to weaponize scripture and such being counter productive was a solid observation in the next chapter. Chapter 4 highlights some of the common objections to literal exegesis and how such became the norm (faith vs science). While the title for chapter 5 was wierdly provocative, it also covers the unfortunately need for certitude that warps a lot of biblical interpretation (instead of allowing for the possibility of admitting that we don’t know). Finally the last three (3) chapters harken back to two early church fathers (Origen and Augustine) to examine their approach to scripture to eventually come up with a simple heuristic for Biblical interpretation … if your interpretation doesn’t not end with love … you got it wrong. Ultimately that is a sentiment I can get behind.
A Word About Words
1. Stop Worshiping This Book!
2. Richard Kiley Wrote The Bible
3. Born Again On The Boardwalk
4. Icarus
5. Cussin’ For Jesus
6. What If The Bible Is Wrong
7. The Bull Stamp
8. Can These Bones Live?
Acknowledgement
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Godbreathed #NetGalley
February 13, 2023
4.5 stars Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a beautiful ebenezer, a stone of remembrance, to the holy scriptures. It's a rallying cry to relinquish the hold of what is perceived untouchable pureness of the Bible in so many minds. The Bible itself has become an idol in many evangelical churches/parachurch organizations today.
Zack addresses the problem/fairly recent history of inerrancy and literalist interpretations of scripture, when first of all, that's likely not what the church has always believed, and secondly, the fact that the Bible was written and recorded by humans is in itself an interpretation of what happened, who G-d is, and what G-d is like. Yet, we do have a book of truth at our fingertips because of the Spirit which indwelt not only the storytellers, but us today.
The truth of the divinely inspired scriptures is not, in the modernist thought, necessarily always truth as fact (literal), rather truth as meaning and wisdom (this seems to be what other reviewers failed to grasp as a /huge/ point in the book). In spite of the biases we all bring when we open this book, an app, or play a recording, there's still wisdom for us today to discern and lead our lives in accordance with how the Spirit leads. The Bible is not the ultimate authority fundamentalism made it out to be, /G-d/ was, and is.
I will admit I am removing half a star because there are instances where the author, who talks a great deal about the mystery of G-d, speaks in absolutes (think terms like "all" "every" "always" which is frustrating to me in non-fiction literature) and comes off as condescending/leaves no room for error (ironic, huh?). Also, his anecdote about Paul cussing in Philippians is somewhat false and misleading in the sense that the word used, while it means "sh!+" today, wouldn't have been perceived as a swear word back then. It shows how interpreters have cleaned up/purposely chosen other words for English translations, but it's misleading to allow the audience to believe that it would've had the same shameful offensiveness to the sensibilities of the church in Philippi (Now, on the other hand, there's other examples of Paul making snotty comments to the churches that doesn't rankle American sensibilities). Bible interpretation for other cultures/languages works similarly.
This book is a beautiful ebenezer, a stone of remembrance, to the holy scriptures. It's a rallying cry to relinquish the hold of what is perceived untouchable pureness of the Bible in so many minds. The Bible itself has become an idol in many evangelical churches/parachurch organizations today.
Zack addresses the problem/fairly recent history of inerrancy and literalist interpretations of scripture, when first of all, that's likely not what the church has always believed, and secondly, the fact that the Bible was written and recorded by humans is in itself an interpretation of what happened, who G-d is, and what G-d is like. Yet, we do have a book of truth at our fingertips because of the Spirit which indwelt not only the storytellers, but us today.
The truth of the divinely inspired scriptures is not, in the modernist thought, necessarily always truth as fact (literal), rather truth as meaning and wisdom (this seems to be what other reviewers failed to grasp as a /huge/ point in the book). In spite of the biases we all bring when we open this book, an app, or play a recording, there's still wisdom for us today to discern and lead our lives in accordance with how the Spirit leads. The Bible is not the ultimate authority fundamentalism made it out to be, /G-d/ was, and is.
I will admit I am removing half a star because there are instances where the author, who talks a great deal about the mystery of G-d, speaks in absolutes (think terms like "all" "every" "always" which is frustrating to me in non-fiction literature) and comes off as condescending/leaves no room for error (ironic, huh?). Also, his anecdote about Paul cussing in Philippians is somewhat false and misleading in the sense that the word used, while it means "sh!+" today, wouldn't have been perceived as a swear word back then. It shows how interpreters have cleaned up/purposely chosen other words for English translations, but it's misleading to allow the audience to believe that it would've had the same shameful offensiveness to the sensibilities of the church in Philippi (Now, on the other hand, there's other examples of Paul making snotty comments to the churches that doesn't rankle American sensibilities). Bible interpretation for other cultures/languages works similarly.
August 11, 2023
First, let me tell you about Zack Hunt. He holds a graduate degree in theology from Trevecca Nazarene University and a graduate degree in Christian History from Yale Divinity School. I would venture to say, therefore, that he is a man who knows what he is talking about.
I don't even remember how I happened to come across this book, but I was impressed from the start. Having grown up in a fundamentalist church in the rural Ozarks of the 1960s, I had a few things instilled into me regarding Christianity and what the Christian faith is all about. It took me a while to begin seeing through the fog and begin realizing that God is not an asshole because that is how I thought of God when I was growing up. It took me a while to realize that it is not possible for God to simultaneously be pure and perfect Holy Love and an asshole. Yet, for much of my life, my interpretation of God was one of a punitive dictator rather than the core of Holy Love. Zack Hunt brings the concept of Christianity back to Love.
In this book, Mr. Hunt not only provides a beautiful education about Christian history, but about what God absolutely is not, and that is an asshole. He renders beautifully crafted writing that is easy to read, a rendition of Christianity that is far different from what I had thought when I was growing up. He embraces the discrepancies in the Bible and gives a new perspective on how those discrepancies might be interpreted. He identifies how idol worship is not necessarily something outside the church, but can be something within the church, as well. He references something very similar to part of the content in my novel, The Calling Dream, in which Pastor Dennison in his last sermon states, "Be careful that you do not make the church itself an idol before God."
I found this book to be absolutely fascinating and when I had to put it down, found myself looking forward to the next time that I could pick it up and read it. That is not an experience that I usually have with non-fiction books. I would consider this book an absolute MUST-READ, and I am happy to endorse it and give it five stars!
I don't even remember how I happened to come across this book, but I was impressed from the start. Having grown up in a fundamentalist church in the rural Ozarks of the 1960s, I had a few things instilled into me regarding Christianity and what the Christian faith is all about. It took me a while to begin seeing through the fog and begin realizing that God is not an asshole because that is how I thought of God when I was growing up. It took me a while to realize that it is not possible for God to simultaneously be pure and perfect Holy Love and an asshole. Yet, for much of my life, my interpretation of God was one of a punitive dictator rather than the core of Holy Love. Zack Hunt brings the concept of Christianity back to Love.
In this book, Mr. Hunt not only provides a beautiful education about Christian history, but about what God absolutely is not, and that is an asshole. He renders beautifully crafted writing that is easy to read, a rendition of Christianity that is far different from what I had thought when I was growing up. He embraces the discrepancies in the Bible and gives a new perspective on how those discrepancies might be interpreted. He identifies how idol worship is not necessarily something outside the church, but can be something within the church, as well. He references something very similar to part of the content in my novel, The Calling Dream, in which Pastor Dennison in his last sermon states, "Be careful that you do not make the church itself an idol before God."
I found this book to be absolutely fascinating and when I had to put it down, found myself looking forward to the next time that I could pick it up and read it. That is not an experience that I usually have with non-fiction books. I would consider this book an absolute MUST-READ, and I am happy to endorse it and give it five stars!
February 14, 2023
While I should have stopped at the end of page one, I made it 63% before calling it quits. Unfortunately, there were too many strawman arguments and false statements for me to believe anything else written in this book, so I put it down.
The page-one showstopper was of course when he mentioned his intent to use she/her pronouns for the Holy Spirit. The pronouns for each member of the Trinity are not debatable, no matter what kind of "long tradition" Mr. Hunt would like to cite. The Bible says (something I'll continue to say even though the author thinks this is a problematic phrase) what God's pronouns are, and it's clear they're masculine.
After that, it was one false argument after another. The author would build up a case against something that wasn't even what "fundamentalists" claim (and it's clear he thinks they're some kind of enemy, which was made even more evident when I read reviews of his other book). I truly went into this openminded, earnestly hoping to learn more about the word of God. And while some things were actually interesting and I did find a couple of points I could agree with, most of it reeked of "progressive" Christianity, which is hardly Christianity at all.
Mr. Hunt argues in this book that biblical inerrancy is anti-Christ. That we aren't meant to take everything the Bible says literally (which I agree with to a point - some genres mean things aren't literal), that the truths of the myths and their morals should be sufficient.
But why believe in a book as your roadmap if you can't believe what's in it? Why believe in a God who'd allow His word to be full of errors? Why even push for this kind of thinking if you care about Jesus and His people? How can we believe Jesus' teachings when He spoke of Noah and Jonah as real people, yet we're supposed to be okay with those stories having been perhaps allegorical?
It doesn't make sense.
This whole thing was an absolute no for me. Perhaps one day I will attempt to finish this one. But honestly, all it did was feel harmful to the faith. I'd like to take some of these ideas to my pastor and see what he thinks, but I already know I don't agree with most of what I read on a factual, provable basis, so I'll probably disregard the rest of this. There are much better books out there to grow stronger in the faith, when this one makes our faith look weak and irrelevant thanks to poor contextual comprehension that could have easily been avoided.
The page-one showstopper was of course when he mentioned his intent to use she/her pronouns for the Holy Spirit. The pronouns for each member of the Trinity are not debatable, no matter what kind of "long tradition" Mr. Hunt would like to cite. The Bible says (something I'll continue to say even though the author thinks this is a problematic phrase) what God's pronouns are, and it's clear they're masculine.
After that, it was one false argument after another. The author would build up a case against something that wasn't even what "fundamentalists" claim (and it's clear he thinks they're some kind of enemy, which was made even more evident when I read reviews of his other book). I truly went into this openminded, earnestly hoping to learn more about the word of God. And while some things were actually interesting and I did find a couple of points I could agree with, most of it reeked of "progressive" Christianity, which is hardly Christianity at all.
Mr. Hunt argues in this book that biblical inerrancy is anti-Christ. That we aren't meant to take everything the Bible says literally (which I agree with to a point - some genres mean things aren't literal), that the truths of the myths and their morals should be sufficient.
But why believe in a book as your roadmap if you can't believe what's in it? Why believe in a God who'd allow His word to be full of errors? Why even push for this kind of thinking if you care about Jesus and His people? How can we believe Jesus' teachings when He spoke of Noah and Jonah as real people, yet we're supposed to be okay with those stories having been perhaps allegorical?
It doesn't make sense.
This whole thing was an absolute no for me. Perhaps one day I will attempt to finish this one. But honestly, all it did was feel harmful to the faith. I'd like to take some of these ideas to my pastor and see what he thinks, but I already know I don't agree with most of what I read on a factual, provable basis, so I'll probably disregard the rest of this. There are much better books out there to grow stronger in the faith, when this one makes our faith look weak and irrelevant thanks to poor contextual comprehension that could have easily been avoided.
May 9, 2023
Godbreathed by Zack Hunt
As reviewed by Helen Wallbank, Stephentown, NY
My adivise: Don’t ignore this book just because it’s about the Bible! For those of us who seek a spiritual life, it just may reignite our passion for this collection of maddening, yet endearing, poetry and prose.
Godbreathed, authored by Zack Hunt, reintroduces us to a source many have felt the need to leave behind thanks to decades of “ Christian “ teachings.
Zack Hunt is no slouch. His theological pedigree is impressive. He is a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University. He has both a graduate degree in Theology and a graduate degree in Christian History from Yale Divinity School. Zack has been on the front lines of preaching and ministry for over 20 years, has written a previous book, Unraptured, and continues to write articles about the daily entanglements of faith and politics.
Within Godbreathed we follow the evolution of a young evangelical Zack as he studies the actual development of the book he adores. We are introduced to ancient Biblical scholars, including Origen and Augustine, and recognize that contradictions and apparent flaws have been the essence of the Bible's message since its inception.
And Yes! There is Good, even Great, News along this journey.
“the gospel isn’t good news because it’s perfect. It’s good news because it breathes new life into a world of death, and we don’t have to be perfect to proclaim that message. “ Godbreathed, Zack Hunt, loc 1997
You will not regret walking this path of Biblical discovery with Zack. It has strengthened my faith and reignited my passion for wrestling against the current “ Christian “ campaign of misinterpretation and condemnation. Give it a read. I believe even the faithful will find a reaffirming message.
As reviewed by Helen Wallbank, Stephentown, NY
My adivise: Don’t ignore this book just because it’s about the Bible! For those of us who seek a spiritual life, it just may reignite our passion for this collection of maddening, yet endearing, poetry and prose.
Godbreathed, authored by Zack Hunt, reintroduces us to a source many have felt the need to leave behind thanks to decades of “ Christian “ teachings.
Zack Hunt is no slouch. His theological pedigree is impressive. He is a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University. He has both a graduate degree in Theology and a graduate degree in Christian History from Yale Divinity School. Zack has been on the front lines of preaching and ministry for over 20 years, has written a previous book, Unraptured, and continues to write articles about the daily entanglements of faith and politics.
Within Godbreathed we follow the evolution of a young evangelical Zack as he studies the actual development of the book he adores. We are introduced to ancient Biblical scholars, including Origen and Augustine, and recognize that contradictions and apparent flaws have been the essence of the Bible's message since its inception.
And Yes! There is Good, even Great, News along this journey.
“the gospel isn’t good news because it’s perfect. It’s good news because it breathes new life into a world of death, and we don’t have to be perfect to proclaim that message. “ Godbreathed, Zack Hunt, loc 1997
You will not regret walking this path of Biblical discovery with Zack. It has strengthened my faith and reignited my passion for wrestling against the current “ Christian “ campaign of misinterpretation and condemnation. Give it a read. I believe even the faithful will find a reaffirming message.
May 9, 2023
In “Godbreathed”, Zack Hunt has done Christians, non-Christians, and questioners a tremendous service. He describes the history of how fundamentalism “evolved”, as did the relatively recent notion of Biblical literal inerrancy, only in the last 10% of the centuries since Christ walked the earth.
But even more than what he says the Bible is NOT, is what the Bible IS.
The real question is not “is the Bible the literal word of God, which you must believe in order to avoid hell?” but “is the Bible God-inspired? Spirit-filled? Godbreathed? And can anyone, Christian or non-Christian alike, derive inspiration and meaning from its pages?” Zack Hunt has shown abundantly that the second question is the one that is true.
Hunt has done his due diligence, and then some. With copious references and footnotes, he exposes the fact that the books of the Bible changed and evolved over the centuries; there is not and never has been one settled version. He also raises the possibility that errors may have been intentionally left in order for readers to dig for the deeper messages within.
Most importantly, Hunt’s book illustrates that the overarching theme and highest priority of the Scriptures is love of God and neighbor. If something in the Bible contradicts Love, then that thing is errant.
Godbreathed makes me want to re-read the Bible with new eyes, and hunt for the love Easter eggs which are hidden in plain sight. Thank you, Zack, for this breath of fresh air.
But even more than what he says the Bible is NOT, is what the Bible IS.
The real question is not “is the Bible the literal word of God, which you must believe in order to avoid hell?” but “is the Bible God-inspired? Spirit-filled? Godbreathed? And can anyone, Christian or non-Christian alike, derive inspiration and meaning from its pages?” Zack Hunt has shown abundantly that the second question is the one that is true.
Hunt has done his due diligence, and then some. With copious references and footnotes, he exposes the fact that the books of the Bible changed and evolved over the centuries; there is not and never has been one settled version. He also raises the possibility that errors may have been intentionally left in order for readers to dig for the deeper messages within.
Most importantly, Hunt’s book illustrates that the overarching theme and highest priority of the Scriptures is love of God and neighbor. If something in the Bible contradicts Love, then that thing is errant.
Godbreathed makes me want to re-read the Bible with new eyes, and hunt for the love Easter eggs which are hidden in plain sight. Thank you, Zack, for this breath of fresh air.
May 9, 2023
Even as a pastor in a mainline congregation, I am reminded almost daily of the ways in which American Christians of every stripe are inevitably (and sometimes unknowingly) influenced by fundamentalism and biblical literalism. It’s in the air we breath, and, as Zack Hunt so rightly points out, it has too often poisoned the spirit of the faith we proclaim and turned it into something legalistic, abusive, or even idolatrous. Godbreathed articulates, in an insightful and accessible way, much of what I have found myself saying and doing in Bible studies and sermons in an effort to help free my own congregants from the chains of bibliolatry, help them tell a better Christian story, and help them filter the loving spirit of God’s word from loveless interpretations or applications of it. This book will be a valuable resource for any pastor/church group hoping to introduce folks to the idea that there is a way to read the Bible beyond literalism—a way that is not only more historically faithful and more intellectually honest, but is more life-giving and more loving, too.
July 12, 2023
Is American Christianity dead? Fundamentalism and Biblical idolatry are contributing to the ruin of true Christianity, Hunt purports. Such a great, thought-provoking book that helps spell out some really *big* problems in our country. 2 points that stuck with me:
1) The Bible is not meant to be a literal history and scientific text, nor is it perfect. It is also not meant to be inerrant (and Hunt provides a wonderful explanation for this!) - it is not meant to stand on its own as a literal guidebook.
2) The Bible is being weaponized in order to judge, to separate, and even to enact laws in our country. Part of the problem is in interpretation and translation of the Bible - who is doing it and to what end. Hunt says the Bible is not a legal code...but instead demonstrates the importance of remembering the Bible in the end is about LOVE.
Fundamentalism is dangerous; we have the opportunity to reclaim the true meaning and beauty of the Bible and share Christ's love fully. Such a great little book!
1) The Bible is not meant to be a literal history and scientific text, nor is it perfect. It is also not meant to be inerrant (and Hunt provides a wonderful explanation for this!) - it is not meant to stand on its own as a literal guidebook.
2) The Bible is being weaponized in order to judge, to separate, and even to enact laws in our country. Part of the problem is in interpretation and translation of the Bible - who is doing it and to what end. Hunt says the Bible is not a legal code...but instead demonstrates the importance of remembering the Bible in the end is about LOVE.
Fundamentalism is dangerous; we have the opportunity to reclaim the true meaning and beauty of the Bible and share Christ's love fully. Such a great little book!
July 18, 2023
I made so many highlights in the first three-quarters of this book that it is difficult for me to decide which parts are the most meaningful! It's worth saying that although I always have good intentions to read and finish nonfiction, my follow-through is dismal. Usually, I set those aside in order to dive into fiction. But it is to Hunt's credit that I did finish Godbreathed!
There were parts of this book that resonated with me -- it is as if Zack Hunt lifted the lid off the top of my brain, peered in, and saw exactly what I was thinking! Did this book help me grow my faith? At the very least, it helped me see that I don't have to give up my faith because I no longer "believe in" the Bible as an inerrant guidebook to heaven. It also helped me see that I am not a heretic doomed to the blazing fires of hell because I question the truly awful, immoral content and confusing contradictions found within the Bible's pages.
Godbreathed has been an inspiring step in my deconstruction journey. I no longer feel banished in the wilderness, and it is refreshing to find pockets of the church where hard questions are not only allowed, but are welcomed and affirmed.
There were parts of this book that resonated with me -- it is as if Zack Hunt lifted the lid off the top of my brain, peered in, and saw exactly what I was thinking! Did this book help me grow my faith? At the very least, it helped me see that I don't have to give up my faith because I no longer "believe in" the Bible as an inerrant guidebook to heaven. It also helped me see that I am not a heretic doomed to the blazing fires of hell because I question the truly awful, immoral content and confusing contradictions found within the Bible's pages.
Godbreathed has been an inspiring step in my deconstruction journey. I no longer feel banished in the wilderness, and it is refreshing to find pockets of the church where hard questions are not only allowed, but are welcomed and affirmed.
May 9, 2023
As someone that has been deconstructing from fundamentalist, high control religion this book was a literal breath of fresh air. As a pastor, for over 20 years, I wish that I could have read this years ago! It would have saved me so much time and stress.
Zack's style is easy to read and never made me feel like I had to put walls up. He walks you through church history and theology but doesn't make it feel like you need a degree to understand. I very much appreciated his wit and personality throughout the book.
If you are looking for something to help free you from the restraints of evangelicalism, I cannot recommend Godbreathed enough.
Zack's style is easy to read and never made me feel like I had to put walls up. He walks you through church history and theology but doesn't make it feel like you need a degree to understand. I very much appreciated his wit and personality throughout the book.
If you are looking for something to help free you from the restraints of evangelicalism, I cannot recommend Godbreathed enough.
December 24, 2025
Man. I wish I could get every person with whom I study the Bible to read this book. Zack Hunt thoroughly confronts how American evangelicals have turned the Bible into an idol—a placeholder for Yahweh that it was never meant to be. He also proves how both literalists and leftists have used the pages of Scripture as a Rorschach test—how we shape the Bible in our own image to love and hate the things we do. He explains how far from inerrant the Good Book is and how accepting its errors frees readers from mental gymnastics. I was intrigued by how many different Biblical canons (not just translations) there are and how new the doctrine of inerrancy is in the timeline of the church.
March 30, 2025
This book was a wonderful reminder that to be a Christian means to love God and love people, and the Bible shouldn’t be used as a weapon for hate and exclusion. I occasionally wished that there was more introduction and explanation of terms such as inerrancy and fundamentalism to make it a little easier to read for someone who has little to no background in Christian tradition besides a few gen ed courses during college. Take some time to read the last two chapters to learn how to be godbreathed people with a godbreathed book to proclaim the good news to all.
May 25, 2023
Very interesting and informative book on the Bible and what it means to be inspired. The author covers the topic of inerrancy and how the Bible has been used in both bad and good ways over the years. If you have questions about the Bible and some of the seemingly contradictions; if you wonder about inerrancy and what being inspired means, this book will give you some good answers to think about and consider.
August 1, 2023
Any Christian struggling with the American church in 2023 should read this book. Zack discusses seemingly complex issues and takes the reader on a journey that reveals the solutions really aren't complex at all.
June 25, 2023
Zach Hunt challenges the fundamentalist belief in the inerrancy of the Bible, but fully embraces the deep spiritual truths to which the Bible points. Well-written and and thought-provoking.
July 10, 2023
Y’all, this book is not nearly as scary as the bombastic billboards in Nashville make it out to be. It’s really good and gives a great breakdown on biblical authority etc
July 16, 2023
Great Read
I highlighted so much of this book. It’s that good. So very well reasoned and interestingly presented. Now, to read it again!
I highlighted so much of this book. It’s that good. So very well reasoned and interestingly presented. Now, to read it again!
October 17, 2023
Well done. Excellent for new people curious about the Bible's origins. A fresh review for those of us who have been on this path for a while.
January 1, 2024
I love the spirit of curiosity in this book. Zack Hunt does a good job of posing questions that call the reader to dig deep. I don’t love the conversational tone of the book—the author seamlessly presents both fact and opinion as if they are equal, which is a struggle for me when it comes to this subject.
Hunt’s writing style is easygoing and entertaining, but this book isn’t something you just pick up for a light read. He poses the question: What if Scripture can be true without being perfect? And he lays out his thoughts in a way that feels accessible.
I needed more sources. Appealing to my curiosity is wonderful, and I think that we should approach the Bible with curiosity. But a lot of the material was dripping with negative sentiment and the same overconfidence that the author condemns in the fundamentalist movement. Of course, my issue isn’t that he has those feelings, it’s that an emotional argument doesn’t seem (to me) to be the right way to approach the intended audience—people who came from conservative fundamentalist backgrounds.
Ultimately, I have mixed feelings. This book made me think a lot. I appreciated a lot of what Hunt had to say. But I can’t take his word for it, and I think that’s why I wish the book was more source-heavy. I would like to dig in for myself. And maybe that’s the point?
Hunt’s writing style is easygoing and entertaining, but this book isn’t something you just pick up for a light read. He poses the question: What if Scripture can be true without being perfect? And he lays out his thoughts in a way that feels accessible.
I needed more sources. Appealing to my curiosity is wonderful, and I think that we should approach the Bible with curiosity. But a lot of the material was dripping with negative sentiment and the same overconfidence that the author condemns in the fundamentalist movement. Of course, my issue isn’t that he has those feelings, it’s that an emotional argument doesn’t seem (to me) to be the right way to approach the intended audience—people who came from conservative fundamentalist backgrounds.
Ultimately, I have mixed feelings. This book made me think a lot. I appreciated a lot of what Hunt had to say. But I can’t take his word for it, and I think that’s why I wish the book was more source-heavy. I would like to dig in for myself. And maybe that’s the point?
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