Many Christians today experience Bible teaching in isolated, unconnected pieces, receiving little or no guidance into how these pieces form a coherent picture in Christ. How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens presents Christ as the central focus of each biblical book and the primary way the Bible relates to contemporary circumstances. Each book of the Bible has an identifiable theme ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Christ. Williams provides the following for his readers: * succinct statement of the theme of every biblical book * An explanation of how that theme finds its focus in Christ * A brief discussion of how the New Testament treats that theme as fulfilled in Christ * Suggestions for contemporary implications * Scripture memory electronic flashcards * A convenient summary chart An excellent tool for Bible teachers, ministry leaders, and students, How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens facilitates other Christian disciplines such as Bible reading, Scripture memory and evangelism. By demonstrating how each theme relates to living the Christian life, this book promises to be an invaluable guide for reading and understanding the Bible.
How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens
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About the Author
Michael Williams (PhD, University of Pennsylvania) is Professor of Old Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary and a member of the NIV Committee on Bible Translation. He is the author of Deception in Genesis and The Prophet and His Message, and editor and contributor of Mishneh Todah. His passion is to equip students with knowledge of the Old Testament and its languages so that they may grow in their comprehension and appreciation of redemptive history and be adequately prepared to promote and defend the faith through word and action. Michael resides in Grand Rapids, MI, with his wife, Dawn.
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After my conversion in the U. S. Navy (in a submarine beneath the North Atlantic!), I entered Columbia Bible College, where I received a B.A. (1985). This was followed by an M.A. in Religion at Westminster Theological Seminary (1987) and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania (1999). In 2000, I was ordained in the Christian Reformed Church, and since 1995 have been teaching at Calvin Theological Seminary. I have also taught courses at Westminster Theological Seminary, the University of Pennsylvania, and brief stints in Limuru, Kenya; Donetsk, Ukraine; and Warsaw, Poland. In addition to articles on Old Testament topics in various reference works and academic journals, and contributing to and editing "Mishneh Todah: Studies in Deuteronomy and Its Cultural Environment in Honor of Jeffrey H. Tigay" (2009); I have authored "Deception in Genesis: A Comprehensive Analysis of a Unique Biblical Phenomenon" (2001); "The Prophet and His Message: Reading Old Testament Prophecy Today" (2003); and, most recently, "How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Focused Reading of Scripture" (2012). My amazing wife, Dawn, and I enjoy hiking and all things outdoors.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By Jeff Tell
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A book that takes the reader through every book of the bible showing them how to understand the one grand plan of redemption, and how the bible is all about Jesus could be so good. I had very high hopes for this book. But I've been very disappointed in reading it. To be honest, I wonder if some of the glowing reviews are written about the actual book, or just about the idea of the book. I love the idea of this book, but I think the execution is poor.
I found the structure of the book to be needlessly restrictive. Each book of the bible is given one chapter, and with very few exceptions, each chapter is four pages long. (which means for a book attempting such a grand goal, its actually quite small) Each chapter gives two pages to an introduction/summary of the book, half a page to "the Jesus lens", half a page to "contemporary implications", and half a page to "hook questions." So the reality is that for each book, there are only two short paragraphs explaining how to read it through "the Jesus lens." It seems a bit arbitrary to impose such a strict template on the book. Why should a chapter explaining Isaiah be the same length as one explaining Ruth?
Secondly, and more seriously, the author never explains what exactly it means to read a book of the Bible "through the Jesus lens." Does it mean finding "types and shadows" in each book? Finding ways that each book "predicts" Christ? Or just finding a theme in each book that relates to Jesus? I believe wholeheartedly in the task of reading the OT (and the NT, for that matter) in a Christ-centered, Christ-exalting way. But I think separating each book into its own chapter without any bigger picture overview can actually distort the overall story of the bible rather than help us see it. I believe we read the OT "through the Jesus lens" by situating each book within the grand overarching narrative, but for Williams, many of the "Jesus lens" connections seemed tangential to the movement of the story.
Giving only two paragraphs to "the Jesus lens" for each chapter seems like an unfortunate choice. How can one explain how to read Exodus or Isaiah in a Christ-centered way in two paragraphs? Why does the Jesus lens for Genesis not include any mention of Genesis 3:15? Why does the chapter on Exodus not mention the passover lamb? Or Moses as lawgiver/mediator? Why does the chapter on Daniel not mention the son of man, or the stone cut without hands? In too many places, the Jesus lens seems only to pick up one theme from a book, relate that theme to Jesus, then move to application. This over-simplification doesn't really help the reader appreciate how the OT is part of Jesus' story, and teaches us about him.
I found the structure of the book to be needlessly restrictive. Each book of the bible is given one chapter, and with very few exceptions, each chapter is four pages long. (which means for a book attempting such a grand goal, its actually quite small) Each chapter gives two pages to an introduction/summary of the book, half a page to "the Jesus lens", half a page to "contemporary implications", and half a page to "hook questions." So the reality is that for each book, there are only two short paragraphs explaining how to read it through "the Jesus lens." It seems a bit arbitrary to impose such a strict template on the book. Why should a chapter explaining Isaiah be the same length as one explaining Ruth?
Secondly, and more seriously, the author never explains what exactly it means to read a book of the Bible "through the Jesus lens." Does it mean finding "types and shadows" in each book? Finding ways that each book "predicts" Christ? Or just finding a theme in each book that relates to Jesus? I believe wholeheartedly in the task of reading the OT (and the NT, for that matter) in a Christ-centered, Christ-exalting way. But I think separating each book into its own chapter without any bigger picture overview can actually distort the overall story of the bible rather than help us see it. I believe we read the OT "through the Jesus lens" by situating each book within the grand overarching narrative, but for Williams, many of the "Jesus lens" connections seemed tangential to the movement of the story.
Giving only two paragraphs to "the Jesus lens" for each chapter seems like an unfortunate choice. How can one explain how to read Exodus or Isaiah in a Christ-centered way in two paragraphs? Why does the Jesus lens for Genesis not include any mention of Genesis 3:15? Why does the chapter on Exodus not mention the passover lamb? Or Moses as lawgiver/mediator? Why does the chapter on Daniel not mention the son of man, or the stone cut without hands? In too many places, the Jesus lens seems only to pick up one theme from a book, relate that theme to Jesus, then move to application. This over-simplification doesn't really help the reader appreciate how the OT is part of Jesus' story, and teaches us about him.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been waiting for a book like this to be written for a long time. In 1999 in a Doctor of Ministry course at Westminster Theological Seminary I was convicted and convinced that all Bible study, teaching, counseling, discipleship, and preaching must be done with Christ at the center of it all, if it's to be deemed "Christian." Jesus Himself said, "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them the things concerning himself" in Luke 24:27 on the road to Emmaus. Ever since that time I have sought to read resources that would help me understand and interpret the Scriptures in light of the fact that all of the Scriptures - according to Jesus - are about Him. Yet, the mind-blowing thing to me is how few preachers and Bible teachers ever even get to Christ - unless he is a "tag on" at the end of a lesson or sermon (if that).
I am really excited about this book. Michael Williams has written an easy to read guide that is focused on how to read the Scriptures with a focus on Jesus. In 62 short chapters (about 4-6 pages per chapter) Williams covers the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. In each chapter there is an introduction to all the Scriptures showing the historical redemptive development that leads us to Jesus. He then gives a short theme for each book. Each chapter has a Scripture memory passage, followed by "the Jesus lens" section, and then contemporary implications from the book discussed, and "hook questions."
The back of the book has a helpful series of charts containing five sections of each book of the Bible with a title for each book, the theme, the Christ-focus of the book, the implications, and the key questions that "hook" you. I am going to make it one of my goals to memorize the charts, along with the memory verses for each book of the Bible by putting them on flash cards. I will be consulting this book regularly and can already say with almost absolute certainty that this will be in my top ten for 2012 (of the 150 books I will read and review this year).
Thank you Michael Williams for your gift to everyone who has been waiting for a book like this: a book that answers what the key theme of each book of the Bible is; a book that shows how all of the Scriptures point to Jesus; and a book that gives us the practical implications of Jesus at the center of the Bible and our very lives. I hope that this book will launch a plethora of books in this genre that help lovers of Christ see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, and passionately worship and declare Him so much more from the Scriptures than is currently practiced.
I am really excited about this book. Michael Williams has written an easy to read guide that is focused on how to read the Scriptures with a focus on Jesus. In 62 short chapters (about 4-6 pages per chapter) Williams covers the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. In each chapter there is an introduction to all the Scriptures showing the historical redemptive development that leads us to Jesus. He then gives a short theme for each book. Each chapter has a Scripture memory passage, followed by "the Jesus lens" section, and then contemporary implications from the book discussed, and "hook questions."
The back of the book has a helpful series of charts containing five sections of each book of the Bible with a title for each book, the theme, the Christ-focus of the book, the implications, and the key questions that "hook" you. I am going to make it one of my goals to memorize the charts, along with the memory verses for each book of the Bible by putting them on flash cards. I will be consulting this book regularly and can already say with almost absolute certainty that this will be in my top ten for 2012 (of the 150 books I will read and review this year).
Thank you Michael Williams for your gift to everyone who has been waiting for a book like this: a book that answers what the key theme of each book of the Bible is; a book that shows how all of the Scriptures point to Jesus; and a book that gives us the practical implications of Jesus at the center of the Bible and our very lives. I hope that this book will launch a plethora of books in this genre that help lovers of Christ see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, and passionately worship and declare Him so much more from the Scriptures than is currently practiced.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Lk. 24:27, ESV). Oh how I wish I were one of the two men with Jesus on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection. I would have gladly taken Jesus stern remarks in the previous two verses to hear Jesus explain to me ever so clearly how all of the Old Testament spoke of and towards Him.
While abuse can occur in this regards, there can be no serious denial of the fact that the authors of all 66 books of the Bible are a consistent witness to the reality that Jesus is at the heart and center of all of Scripture. While the Old Testament is pointing forward and the New Testament is looking back at the cross, it is the person on the cross that makes it so significant. It is Jesus that runs through Scripture and his name is whispered and shouted from every book.
While there are a number of books presently that address the issue of Jesus in all of Scripture, there are none so simple and striking as Michael Williams newest book How to Read the Bible Through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Focused Reading of Scripture. In less than 300 pages Williams covers each book of the Bible in four pages as he draws our attention to how each book reveals its Jesus centeredness. This is the Jesus lens.
Each chapter begins by stating the books main theme and then in two or three paragraphs gives a brief overview of the book showing how this theme is woven throughout the book. Within this section one verses is suggested as the main verse than encapsulates the theme of the book.
Following the overview is The Jesus Lens section. In just one to two paragraphs Williams clearly shows the reader how the central theme of the book is connected to Jesus. Williams does not look in to find what is not there but rather, as Jesus did with the two men on the road to
From here Williams takes a walk from the text to today by showing us the contemporary implications of this Christ-focused reading of Scripture. Because Scripture was written to people in their own world and contemporary setting and Jesus is its focus, it goes without saying that what was relevant concerning Jesus to the original hearers and recipients is in fact relevant to everyone after them.Emmaus, explains how each book points to and back to Jesus.
Finally, closely tied to the application section, each chapter closes with Hook Questions. These questions are designed to get the reader thinking about how to connect the Christ-centered message and implications of each book into their own lives.
At the end of the book there is a helpful chart of all 66 books of the Bible with each books theme, Jesus-focus, implications and hook questions. Reading through these few pages will make the Jesus-focused lens of Scripture all the more clear.
While abuse can occur in this regards, there can be no serious denial of the fact that the authors of all 66 books of the Bible are a consistent witness to the reality that Jesus is at the heart and center of all of Scripture. While the Old Testament is pointing forward and the New Testament is looking back at the cross, it is the person on the cross that makes it so significant. It is Jesus that runs through Scripture and his name is whispered and shouted from every book.
While there are a number of books presently that address the issue of Jesus in all of Scripture, there are none so simple and striking as Michael Williams newest book How to Read the Bible Through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Focused Reading of Scripture. In less than 300 pages Williams covers each book of the Bible in four pages as he draws our attention to how each book reveals its Jesus centeredness. This is the Jesus lens.
Each chapter begins by stating the books main theme and then in two or three paragraphs gives a brief overview of the book showing how this theme is woven throughout the book. Within this section one verses is suggested as the main verse than encapsulates the theme of the book.
Following the overview is The Jesus Lens section. In just one to two paragraphs Williams clearly shows the reader how the central theme of the book is connected to Jesus. Williams does not look in to find what is not there but rather, as Jesus did with the two men on the road to
From here Williams takes a walk from the text to today by showing us the contemporary implications of this Christ-focused reading of Scripture. Because Scripture was written to people in their own world and contemporary setting and Jesus is its focus, it goes without saying that what was relevant concerning Jesus to the original hearers and recipients is in fact relevant to everyone after them.Emmaus, explains how each book points to and back to Jesus.
Finally, closely tied to the application section, each chapter closes with Hook Questions. These questions are designed to get the reader thinking about how to connect the Christ-centered message and implications of each book into their own lives.
At the end of the book there is a helpful chart of all 66 books of the Bible with each books theme, Jesus-focus, implications and hook questions. Reading through these few pages will make the Jesus-focused lens of Scripture all the more clear.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good place to start
Good intro to reading the bible with Jesus as the center. It is not a very deep book but gives a good enough overview to get the big idea. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Heath
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Snapshot of God's Redemptive Plan
The short summaries, with a focus on Jesus, bring a more clear understanding of the overall understanding of God's word and our place in the Story. Read more
Published 3 months ago by George W. Roby
4.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful Resource
It is one of Jesus' more audacious claims--that all of the Scriptures testify to him. As Jesus appealed to the religious authorities of his day and as he exposed their ignorance,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Tim Challies
3.0 out of 5 stars
Useful for small groups or a Sunday school class
I am one of many people who received a review copy of Michael Williams' new book How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens from Zondervan in order to participate in a blog tour. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Brian C. Leport
5.0 out of 5 stars
how to read the bible
this is a great book it will help you understand the bible in a different light to help you get more out of it to help you in your spirital journey, to better understand God and... Read more
Published 10 months ago by scott allen dawson
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Myopic Lens
Before I get into my review and share my opinion, I think it fair to list a few of the technical specifics of this book. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Jeffrey Borden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredibly Helpful Book on Christocentric Bible Study
The whole Bible is about Jesus, but that can be difficult to see because Jesus doesn't actually appear on the scene in the Bible until the New Testament. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Tom Farr
2.0 out of 5 stars
Lacks depth expected in a "how to"
This is the third in a series of "How to Read the Bible" books, joining volumes jointly written by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. Read more
Published 14 months ago by TimC
4.0 out of 5 stars
For introductory students, gives some ideas about how the Bible fits...
This book seems appropriate for beginning students who would like to see how the OT carries a New Testament message. Read more
Published 14 months ago by JJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good introduction to the Christ-centered nature of Scripture
Recent years have seen been an increase in quality books addressing the Christ-centered nature of Scripture. Following in this tradition, Dr. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Dave J. Jenkins
