The Complete Idiots Guide to The Bible [Paperback]

Maureen Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1994

You're no idiot, of course. You know what the Book of Genesis is, or at least that it is about Adam, Eve, and an apple. But when it comes to sitting down and understanding the full significance of the Bible, you feel as helpless as Noah without an Ark. Don't try swimming for shore just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible offers accessible summaries and interpretations of everything you'll find in the Bible, from "In the beginning" to the last "Amen." You'll learn all about patriarchs and matriarchs, kings and kingdoms, prophets and losses, and the good news of Jesus Christ. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (1994)
• ISBN-10: 0028627288
• ISBN-13: 978-0028627281
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #670,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Biblical Highlights Without All The Thees and Thous..., April 22, 2006

By 

Book Knurd "You'll Poke Your Eye Out!" (Paradise) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

If you were ever interested in reading the bible from front to back but never did because it can be such a daunting task, then this book might be your answer.

It's an easy to read Reader's Digest version of the Bible that reads like a modern/popular novel. Consequently most of the significant events, figures and some of the intrepretions are covered, but don't expect alot of detail. For that kind of discussion, you're going to have to go to the bible or a more scholarly based reference source.

Which brings up a great point...This book was not intended as a stand-alone replacement for the Bible. On the contrary, to get the most from this book I suggest you read it in conjunction with the Bible. As you complete a section in Idiot's, read the corresponding material in the Bible. From Idiot's you get a simplistic understanding that can then be used to help digest the related passages in the Bible.

A word of warning, the author's make light of many situtations so if you're a Bible purist this may put you off a bit. Its all done in the name of good fun, but sometimes it seems a bit out of place. Not a big issue...

I found the book to be of real value to me from the standpoint that by reading it I gained a perspective that I hadn't had in a long time. Like most people, I've read the Bible but it's been a long time since I've tackled it from front to back. By reading Idiot's I was able to get a better understanding of the flow of the book. A nice side-benefit for me.

This is a nice book for someone with a limited knowledge of the Bible and looking to get their feet wet. Also, it will work well for someone who is in the early stages of a study of the Bible. The authors take care in providing an objective recounting of biblical stories and events, so don't expect an analysis of the meanings. But what is provided can serve as a starting point in a quest to give a critical interepretation of the bible.

68 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best I've seen, June 7, 1999

By 

Thomas W. Craighead (Clio, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiots Guide to The Bible (Paperback)

I'm pastor of a church reaching out to folks who have only been Christians for a short time, and who have tons of problems. I have been searching for something to introduce them to the Bible quickly. This book is it! I love it. People will read it, discuss it, use it. I am going to standardize on it, presenting a copy to every convert during our New Christians' Training program we call First Class. I had a hard time putting it down, myself, and I have two graduate degrees, the better part of another, and have been a pastor in mission situations for more than 40 years.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible made me an idiot no more, April 9, 2000

By 

STEPHEN J. SMITH - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiots Guide to The Bible (Paperback)

This book is wonderfully written in a somewhat humorous vein that made the Bible a very interesting story. This book answered many, many questions that I had over the years and brought the Bible to me in a more objective and practical viewpoint. I highly recommend this book for everyone who is or has been confused by the Bible and for anyone who is seeking faith. A VERY well put together book that should be a textbook for Sunday Schools everywhere.