Customer Reviews

The Deuteronomy Project: A Journey Into the Mind of God

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Deuteronomy Project" by Richard B. Couser is an incredibly creative Bible study imbedded in a beautiful story. Don't allow yourself to be dissuaded from picking up this rather imposing book. The sheer size of it is enough to intimidate the most voracious reader of Christian fiction or intense student of scripture. If you give this book even half a chance, you will come away from the experience enriched!

Not only is there an intricately woven story, the entire text of the book of Deuteronomy is contained within the pages. There is a set of discussion/study questions in the back of the book that will assist in maximizing the benefits of learning Biblical truth from this fictional text. This book is a wonderful way to broaden your knowledge of Deuteronomy and how to study scripture, in general. "The Deuteronomy Project" belongs in every Bible student's library!

This book offers the most unique method for studying a book of the Bible that I have ever seen. Couser has taken the entire book of Deuteronomy and explained it by using dialoque between two main characters and several other characters within the book. Much of it is a conversation between Hal, a retired pastor, and Chris, a lawyer who persuades Hal to be his mentor.

Narrated by Chris, the book isn't a dry commentary on a book of the Bible, even though the entire book of Deuteronomy is quoted in the text. Instead, it's a creative way of teaching the reader about scripture without lecturing. There is enough dialogue and description to make the book read like a work of fiction and all of the interaction between the characters is fiction. However, there is no doubt that what Hal teaches to Chris is pure truth. Hal gives Chris reading assignments and then they discuss those passages in their next encounter. The reader participates as an observer of every discussion and every scripture that Chris reads with Hal. It's easy to imagine how beneficial it would be if we each had our own Hal, a mature Christian to explain difficult passages of scripture! For the reader who doesn't have a spiritual mentor, Hal will become one through Couser's work. The reader will walk away understanding use of repetition in scripture, carefully constructed patterns in the text, and the cultural backgrounds that flow throughout the passages.

The reader who is looking for a deeper understanding of Deuteronomy minus the sermon or dry theological commentary will love this book. It's long, and it's an in-depth analysis, so it isn't for the reader who has just ten minutes to read before bed each night. It's a work to be tackled by the brave reader who is up for a good thought-provoking read. The author obviously studied and knew scripture well. This review is a tribute to Couser's life, a life cut short by cancer, but a life that continues to bless many others through words that live on.

Richard Couser's new book will take you on a voyage you've never been on before - one that will change your life - one that will create hope and understanding in your spiritual life that God has intended for you from the beginning. You will come to know the love of God for you in ways that you've not known before - how much he cares for you - what he intends for you and what he wants for you. Blessings.

The Deuteronomy Project by Richard B. Couser follows two men as they study the book of Deuteronomy together. The main character Chris, is a lawyer and family man, who feels a lack of purpose in his life and the Bible studies he has been using are boring him. He is looking for a deeper meaning in the Word of God. Enter Hal. Hal is a retired pastor who mentors Chris in the study of Deuteronomy.

The book itself is excellent. The information given is wonderful. It is a Bible study in fiction form. I actually learned a lot. The characters are interesting. It fascinating to read how events in their lives help to create a better understanding of verses. Even though the book is fiction, it felt real.

My only complaint about The Deuteronomy Project is that it is slow moving and long. It is just over 500 pages and includes approximately 50 pages of Bible study questions to follow along with.

Overall very happy with the book and would recommend it to others.

The Deuteronomy Project by Richard B. Couser is an excellent indepth look at why the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy still matters to Christians today. The book is presented as a series of conversations between a retired pastor and a younger lawyer who is interested in how Deuteronomy is relevant. And that's a great question. I've read Deuteronomy three times, and some of the laws and songs seemed irrelevant to Christians today. But Couser writes about them in a way that ties them in to the New Testament, American laws today, and Christian life. He defines the subjects that matter most to God and how He wanted His followers to live. Each chapter covers a chapter in Deuteronomy and reproduces its text in entirety. For me, it really helped me understand just why God laid down certain rules, as well as what they mean to me today thousands of years later. His laws are still vital and true. Couser gives great insight into Moses and the Hebrew people as well. This is an excellent Bible study written in an accessible manner, perfect for groups or solo study.