What the Bible Is All About: New International Version

by Henrietta C. Mears

Henrietta Mears classic bestseller takes readers on an excursion through the Scripture giving a big-picture view of God's love along with insightful commentary on every book of the Bible. This is a new updated and enriched edition.

Genres: Christian, Religion, Reference, Nonfiction, Christianity, Theology, Faith

720 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Jenny]

I stumbled on this book at Goodwill! There's got to be irony in that! Best $1 book GW treasure, but totally worth full price! It's simple to understand and by far the best Bible study guide, ever!

[Abbie Riddle]

WOW! This is my third What the Bible is All About and this is wonderful. The book is compact enough to carry with me in my bible bag so that it is handy for use in my Sunday School class and Youth girls class (I also carry What the Bible is All About young explorers edition for my Sunday School class). When we recieved this in the mail my two sons (age 3 and 7) sat down on the couch and began looking at it. As with all the books in this edition it is extremely thourough in the breakdown of each book. I really enjoyed the fact that it also includes a reading plan for reading the bible through in one or two years. A description of the purpose and historical setting of each book is given. Then the book is grouped into like themed chapters and are explained. My boys loved the color pictures while I enjoyed the very detailed and descriptive maps. I found it to be a useful resource, but also an excellent supplement to bible study. I am working through Psalms with my children and found the information in this book to be very helpful. I think it would be excellent for the home school parent who is teaching bible as part of the curriculum. This book is a place that children can go to search out biblical facts and to strengthen their knowledge of the scriptures and purpose behind each book. Knowing the history and circumstances surrounding a book of scripture often brings clearer meaning to that scripture making it easier to apply it to ones life. You do not have to be a theological seminary student to understand, enjoy and benefit from this book - it is written at a very basic level and meant to be used by everyday people like me who long to have a deeper meaning of the Holy Word.

Thank you Regal Publishing for this review copy.

[Cherop]

I enjoy reading chapters of this book that correspond to the Bible passages I am about to read. It gives me a better understanding of the times and content.

[Abbie Riddle]

This is the "big people" bible handbook. This is great to have as a resource especially for adults or older children. The younger children of the family will benefit from the What the Bible is All About Handbook for kids.

I especially liked this because if one wanted to one could read through this like a bible study, addressing each book as its own study. Each book has selected bible readings for an entire week - so that one could thoroughly study and pour through the scriptures to glean the truth from it and truly grow in one's spiritual walk. Each study of the book begins with a description of the author, the date the book was written and what was going on at the time, the purpose and summary. It then delves into the chapters of the book giving additional description of things going on in the book.

Very helpful is the fact that a dictionary is located in the back to help with words that are difficult.

Thank you Gospel Light for this review copy.

[Jamie Wylly]

My all-time favorite Bible Study Guide and companion.

[Annemarie]

This edition of Henrietta Mear's Classic Bible Commentary/companion is filled with interesting and historic pictures, but those images replace large sections of text available in previous editions.
In the mid-seventies they included much more of the original wording, only updating some of the language due it becoming dated. The older still copies, include some politically-incorrect analogies, but also a deep richness in her older style of English.

The concept of the Book is very useful for personal and group studies of the entire Bible, in sections that are manageable. (and you may read more than what's suggested) She has a great way of seeing the bigger picture throughout the books, and ties in Christ in every section. Especially great for newer believers or those reading through the entire Bible the first time.

[Carol]

Excellent resource for anyone studying the bible. Although originally published in 1953, Mears writing is easy to understand.

[Rachel Grepke]

This book is just what any Bible believing person should read! Gives an excellent overview of each book of the Bible, plus verses and thoughts that stand out. A great reference to go to.

[Emily]

For the past two years, this little book has been my constant companion while I studied the entire Bible for the first time. I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) and while our doctrine and interpretation of scripture is different, I absolutely loved reading about her Christian perspective and understanding the scriptures in a different way. I also LOVED all the historical notes, maps, introductions for each book of scripture, a little biography about each prophet, the symbols and explanation of parables, the word definitions, explanation of Jewish customs, and modern pictures of the Holy Land. This was a fantastic book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an easy but factual guide to accompany their scripture study!

[Terry Morgan]

Good overview of the entire Bible. It is solidly written,though if you want to go deeper in the Bible, I would recommend you supplement this book with others that would complement it. Mears touches on every book in the Bible, but doesn't go into a lot of detail with any of them.

[Cindy]

If you have read the Bible through, this book is still for you. The well written and easy to read book is like the jelly in a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich. The book compliments the Bible. It doesn't take away but adds new insights that are behind the scenes and helps explain some of those historical questions we tend to ask as we read the Bible. I know I will re-read this book over and over. I found the book encouraging me to re-read some books of the Bible in a new light. I recommend this book for anyone studying the Bible or just wanting to have more insight to God's love letter to us.

[Brandon Current]

Keep as resource. Many Bible Handbooks attempt to be something of an abbreviated commentary, bible dictionary hybrid. I would prefer to use a regular commentary and dictionary. What I like about this handbook is it offers something different than regular reference tools already offer more in-depth. This book works as a sort of survey of the Old and New Testaments. It focuses on giving the purpose and summary meaning of the message of Scripture from a New Testament perspective.

[Elaine]

Gives a good overview of each book in the Bible and puts context around what the author was trying to get across. Doesn't replace the Bible, but it is a good tool to reference when you are reading the Bible.

[Susan Nichols]

My brain likes order. This book really helps keep things clear and concise. Dr. Mear explains each and every book in the bible. She did a great job giving a complete overview of the scriptures. This is a great book to have right along with your bible!

[Gina]

Excellent supplement to reading the bible. It definitely helps make the reading and study of the bible interesting, challenging & useful. The insight, knowledge and wisdom help to better see & hear! I recommend this to ANYONE studying the bible.

[Fastener Gal]

Okay...can't attempt to read the Bible without this book. Even though I have the Quest NIV version...I needed this to get me through. If you're gonna read the epic novel...you might need some help.

[Bill Tillman]

A real classic, wonderful read.

[Andy Mitchell]

The best Bible handbook I've ever read. Great insights, simple to understand.

[Margaret Metz]

Great to use for Bible studies. I bought a second one for my son when he got old enough so he could have it for his studies with me.

[Covenant Presbyterian Springfield Ohio]

Call Number: 220.6 MEA

Available.

[Margaret Metz]

We first got this for a Sunday School class. Now we have a couple different versions of it and have used it for several personal studies and homeschool as well. It's a great too for Bible study.

[Michael Locklear]

An excellent guide through each book of the Bible!

[Esther]

Probably the best info and summary I've read. I especially learned a lot from the chapter on Revelations.

[Kimberly McRae]

A good book by book synopsis of the topical information contained in the Bible.

[Dana]

A great resource book, I use it often in our homeschool studies, very clear and easy to use recommended by my Pastor and Bible Teacher. Good book to have when studying the Word of GOD.

[Jimmy Parker]

A great book to be read over and over again

[Rachel Weiss]

This book, "What the bible is all about" is about being brainwashed. It's quite laughable that we know more about God than about how dinosaurs lived. Educated people such as Stephen Hawkins know that the bible is garbage and to study it so hard is so foolish. It is my deepest wish that parents stop brainwashing their children. I wish that everyone born can choose to be free thinkers without having this crap shoved down their throats. Bible readers are hypocrites. They can condemn terrorists that fly planes into the world trade center because why? you are brainwashed to a lessor degree? Reading the bible does not make you a good person. It makes you a brainwashed person. To even write a commentary about a garbage book that turns people into mindless zombies is saddening. There is no Lord. There is no God. Wake up people! It is a fact that educated people are less likely to believe in God

[Laurie Wheeler]

Super analytical with details that weren't all that applicable. This was recommended by our homeschool curriculum for our Rhetoric studies, but I never assigned this book to my kids. My kids were already reading the Bible through for Awana club, and memorizing hundreds of verses, as well as attending church and Bible study. This book just seemed to be busy work for busy high school students.
Even for personal study I didn't find it helpful. Very dry with little application to better understanding the Bible.

[Colleen Yeany]

This is a classic for a reason. Each book of the Bible is given historical, cultural, and religious context. I do wish it would be fact checked and updated, as there has been a lot of archeological research since this was last revised. I also feel that Dr. Mears makes some opinion statements that are not well explained or supported by the ongoing discussion. I read this in conjunction with my year-long read throughout the Bible, and I was glad to have this guide as an introduction and summary of each book and its place in the entire Bible. I think it is a good starting point for Bible study.

[Bruce Dinsman]

Dr. Mears has always been a solid reference source. My wife and I have this in paperback and in our Kindle Library for easy reference. This is a good companion for and Bible Study course you have, giving background, culture and other insights to illuminate passages that may have been difficult for you.