The Big Picture: Understanding the Story of the Bible

by Tommy Nelson

It is the most printed, translated, purchased, quoted, and revered book in the history of man. But oddly enough, it's the book most people - including many who revere it - don't understand very well. Few realize the true "story line" of the drama. The Bible is the story of God and His creation from "in the beginning" (Genesis 1:1) to "they shall reign forever" (Revelation 22:4). Its pages contain the most heart-rending of all tragedies, the most suspenseful of all mysteries, and the most gripping of all romances.

The Bible is alive. Its stories are rich in plot and characterization. Amazingly, the Bible is a story in which the author is the leading character, but the story exposes the heart of every reader - whether he or she is a hero or a villain.

The purpose of 'The Big Picture' is to present the wonderful and awful story of the Bible. Its message has changed (and continues to change) my life. I hope it changes yours too.

Genres: Christian, Christianity

255 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Tommy Nelson has served as the pastor of Denton Bible Church, located in Denton, Texas, since 1977. He is also a best-selling author (The Book of Romance, Better Love Now, A Life Well-Lived) and popular national marriage conference speaker. Nelson holds degrees in education and biblical studies and has been married to his wife Teresa for more than thirty years.

Reviews

[Betsy Strauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this big picture journey through the Bible. Tommy Nelson does an excellent job of zooming out and looking at the meta narrative of God’s story.

[Matt Mancini · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "The Big Picture," Tom Nelson lays out the story of God throughout history. This is a book that seeks to address the problem of "missing the forest for the trees" by zooming out and taking a high level look at God's Plan. Capital "P." The goal is to lay the foundation for and build the frame of biblical understanding so that all other biblical teaching (the trees) will have a context into which it fits.

I love Tommy Nelson. In fact, he's my very favorite bible teacher. There are few who can even come close to handling the Word with the same level of giftedness that Tom does.

With that in mind, I didn't really feel like this book lived up to the standard I've come to expect from Tom. Granted, the book was written quite some time ago, but concurrent with its writing, Tom preached a sermon series on the decree that parallels the outline of the book, and yet offers a level of detail and exposition that the book almost wholly lacks. So much so, in fact, that each chapter of the book reads like a mere teaser for the corresponding sermon.

In addition, the book could really use some additional editing. There are a number of places where the scripture references are wrong (though the content is correct), among other editing issues, though again, oddly enough, these problems don't seem to affect the sermons that parallel the chapters of the book.

I love Tom. And, by and large, I love Tom's books. And don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike this one. It's just that if you asked me whether I'd recommend it, I'd tell you to go to http://dbcmedia.org and type "decree" into the search field. Listen to the sermons. They are far better and more detailed than the book.

Now, you didn't ask. But do it anyway. Seriously. Go listen to them.

...why are you still here?

[Christal Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in a womens small group Christian book club. He quite litteraly give you his big picture and it helps to focus you and build a better understanding of GOD, HIS creation and HIS master plan. well thought out divinely inspired and a great read