Bible for Blockheads, The [Paperback]

Douglas Connelly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

If you have a hard time making sense of the Bible, The Bible for Blockheads is for you. It will transform what might seem like gobbledygook into incredible significance -- enough to change your life. It can do that because the Bible is more amazing than you've ever dreamed, packed with riches, and making sense of it is no mystery. You'll even have fun as you learn! The Bible for Blockheads helps you: - Discover how the Bible's message unfolds from start to finish - Learn how the Bible developed over many centuries - Familiarize yourself with the main divisions of the Bible and its 66 individual books - Find out proven principles for accurately interpreting what you read - Acquaint yourself with important people, places, and events of the Bible - Learn key biblical terms and discover the different types of literature represented in the Scriptures - Get a handle on the Bible's historical and cultural background - Discover why the Bible among all books is called 'God's Word'

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This "user-friendly" introduction to the BibleAlike Larry Richards's The Bible: God's Word for the Biblically Inept (LJ 2/15/99)Ais for those embarking on Bible study for the first time. A brief introduction presents an overview of the Bible, its history, and approaches to studying it; each chapter contains a summary of a biblical book and is sprinkled with historical and archaeological tidbits; five "Tool Time" essays, placed throughout the volume, introduce readers to commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, and atlases. Organized in a pleasing, easy-to-navigate manner, the book is casually pastoral and at times humorousAat one point, for example, Connelly (pastor of Cross Church in Flint, MI) asks of Queen Esther, "What's a nice Jewish girl like you doing in a place like this?" But, although he sometimes mentions a range of competing biblical interpretations, theologically Connelly is firmly conservative. And while this book would be more or less suitable for most academic libraries, its devotional orientation make it most appropriate for church libraries.ACraig W. Beard, Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham Lib.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Do you think Job is another word for employment? Orpah is a talk show host? John 3:16 is a restroom on the third floor? You need The Bible for Blockheads: a user-friendly guide to making the Bible easier to understand—and more fun!

If you have a hard time making sense of the Bible, The Bible for Blockheads is for you. It will transform what might seem like gobbledegook into incredible significance—enough to change your life. Because the Bible is more amazing than you’ve ever dreamed, packed with riches, but making sense of it is no mystery. You’ll have fun as you learn! The Bible for Blockheads helps you: ? Discover how the Bible’s message unfolds from start to finish ? Learn how the Bible developed over many centuries ? Familiarize yourself with the main divisions of the Bible and its 66 individual books ? Find out proven principles for accurately interpreting what you read ? Acquaint yourself with important people, places, and events of the Bible ? Learn key biblical terms and discover the different types of literature represented in the Scriptures ? Get a handle on the Bible’s historical and cultural background ? Discover why the Bible among all books is called “God’s Word”

With plenty of eye-catching graphics and an engaging, easy-to-use format, The Bible for Blockheads will make your Bible reading easier, more enjoyable, and more life-changing. [Box—show appropriate icons.] Icons steer you to fast, helpful information! People of the Bible spotlights key Bible characters. Tool Time gives you helpful tips and resources for studying the Bible. Digging Deeper helps you get to the meaning of Bible passages. Walk the Walk helps you apply the Bible to your life. Points to Remember brings out key points to keep in mind as you read. Footprints in the Sand uncovers fascinating archaeological information. Download Verses gives you important Bible verses to memorize. Help Files helps you “debug” questions and sticking points in your reading -- Publisher

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; annotated edition edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310222672
• ISBN-13: 978-0310222675
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas Connelly (M.Div. and M.Th., Grace Theological Seminary) is senior pastor at Parkside Community Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan. A writer and speaker, Connelly has written books and Bible study guides, including Encountering Jesus, Good & Evil, Miracles and Heaven, all from InterVarsity Press. Other books include The Bible for Blockheads and The Book of Revelation for Blockheads (both by Zondervan), and Wisdom for Life's Journey and Wisdom for the Easter Journey, (both by Jossey-Bass).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple but not Simplistic, January 21, 2000

By 

Greg Meyer (Cordova, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bible for Blockheads, The (Paperback)

With a title like "Bible for Blockheads," you might tend to think this book is a bit too dumbed down for all but the totally biblically illiterate. And though it's true that a newcomer to the Bible can immediately profit from this book, it has much more to offer than first meets the eye.

Connelly is sensitive to the historical and literary context of each book, letting it speak for itself and address the original audience's concerns, rather than simply supporting church dogma. Sure, it has cute pictures and avoids technical theological language, but behind its simplicity lies a rather profound understanding of the nature and purpose of a biblical text.

A refreshingly straightforward everyman's guide to the Bible.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Covers Three Big Bases, December 21, 1999

By 

Johnny Connelly - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bible for Blockheads, The (Paperback)

Accurate, clear and enjoyable. Three ingredients necessary for cutting through the fog of yesteryear's grandiloquent, ho-hum reference works.

Connelly offers a general overview of each Bible book and sets a context allowing the passage to make sense. He provides the skeleton on which the story comes to life to reveal the intended meaning of the authors to farmers, kings and surfers.

In covering the big three bases, Connelly has hit a home run with "The Bible for Blockheads".

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really great bible book., May 16, 2003

By 

Hello Kitty Ellen (Appleton, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bible for Blockheads, The (Paperback)

This book has a great layout, with little columns off to the side featuring bits of extra info. The print is large and the layout is uncluttered, so even though there's lots of ground to cover, you can skim thru without getting a headache. Each chapter has a good amount of information, not too much to bore the reader and not too little to make it not worth reading. Written in a carefree but informative style.