In this enlightening debut, Bema podcast host Solomon seeks to help Christians engage more deeply with the Bible and, by extension, with God. Rejecting straightforward approaches to Bible study, Solomon argues that recognizing scriptural complexity helps believers appreciate “the bigness of God,” and that asking hard questions, rather than signifying disbelief, can engender a more vibrant faith. His plan involves getting readers to recognize they are “literary tourists” who are studying the Bible, and also that they are not its intended historical audience. As well, Solomon suggests viewing the text through an “ancient Eastern perspective” so as to appreciate it within the cultural context it was created and to better perceive the individual perspectives and agendas of its writers. He also helps readers tackle anxieties that can arise from serious study, acknowledging one might initially feel one’s regressed in biblical understanding or even unintentionally misled others spiritually in the past. Accessibly written and forthright (Solomon is frank about the struggles in his own process), this guide provides a useful spiritual toolbox to assist readers in broadening their Bible study, without being prescriptive or wedded to one philosophy. Christians seeking a fresh approach to scriptural study should give this a look.
