Unlocking the Bible [Paperback]

David Pawson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2009

A unique overview of both the Old and New Testaments, from internationally acclaimed evangelical speaker and author, David Pawson. Unlocking the Bible opens up the word of God in a fresh and powerful way. Avoiding the small detail of verse by verse studies, it sets out the epic story of God and his people in Israel. The culture, historical background and people are introduced and the teaching applied to the modern world. Eight volumes have been brought into one compact and easy to use guide to cover both the Old and New Testaments in one massive omnibus edition. The Old Testament: The Maker's Instructions -- The five books of law A Land and A Kingdom -- Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings Poems of Worship and Wisdom -- Psalms, Song of Solomon, proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job Decline and Fall of an Empire -- Isaiah, Jeremiah and other prophets The Struggle to Survive -- Chronicles and prophets of exile The New Testament: The Hinge of History -- Mathew, Mark, Luke, John and acts The Thirteenth Apostle -- Paul and his letters Through Suffering to Glory -- Revelation, Hebrews, the letters of James, Peter and Jude Already an international best-seller, this new North American edition includes nearly 100 revisions and updates from the best-selling original; the first and only updated English language version in the world. The North American edition has been completely reformatted and resized, so it's easier to read and easier to handle, but nothing left out; a massive 1,119 pages!

Editorial Reviews

Review

For anyone who's ever scratched their heads trying to make sense of the bible, this is the book for you. David Pawson's clear, easy to follow, erudite prose opens up the bible. He doesn't pretend the bible is a simple document, but does shine a light on the text to make it easier to get to grips with. The book is filled with examples and stories, and it also tracks Pawson's own journey in trying to understand scripture. There's a great explanation of "Song of Songs", which Pawson says he avoided for years because it just seemed to be too carnal: about the sexual relationship between a man and a woman. To find out his refreshing conclusion about the Song of Solomon, buy this book! It's rare to find a commentary with so much humour in it. I haven't read it in order, but in random chapters as I've read the bible. This may not be the best way to read the book, but it's worked for me. This is one of those books that has helped me understand God's word better, and also (by extension) His character. I can't offer a better accolade than that. Mark Trudinger (Singapore) --Amazon UK

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview recommended for new believers, 18 Dec 2004 By A Customer This is really a very good book for the believer who hasn't done too much Bible studying and would give a good overview of intention and meaning of a whole book. The author points out and rightly so, that we tend to just focus on a short passage, rather than reading several chapters in order to get the context. The whole Bible was written for our instruction. I really enjoyed the section on Jonah and Job (although I think behemoth and leviathan are dinosaurs instead of hippopotamus and crocodile). He quotes a section, which really spoke to me: "You who treat this crown of writings as you treat no other book. Just a paragraph disjointed, just a crude impatient look. Try a worthier procedure, try a broad and steady view; you will kneel in awesome wonder, when you read the Bible through" This book will help you to do just that! --Amazon UK

What a fantastic book. written in great detail and humility, it takes you on a great learning experience of the whole bible. gives answers to questions that most modern preachers wouldn't touch with a bargepole. essential reading for all God loving, bible believing, on the way to being saved people. James Jones, United Kingdom --Amazon UK

About the Author

David Pawson occupies a key position among British Christian writers. His best known work, Unlocking the Bible, continues to be a worldwide bestseller in print, audio and video formats. Unlocking the Bible and other works such as The Normal Christian Birth have been called Pawson s legacy to the church. Pawson is known for accepting biblical text as the authoritative word of God while explaining its meaning and context in a practical and understandable language. Because he follows the teaching of Scripture where it clashes with church tradition, his books are often controversial. Today David speaks around the world and is received on God TV by millions of viewers in almost every country. Born in 1930, David, determined to become a farmer, began his career with a B.Sc. in agriculture at Durham University in England. He was surprised when God intervened and led him to become a Christian minister. Studying for an advanced degree in theology at Cambridge University, under the influence of liberal educators, Pawson lost his trust in the Bible and very nearly his faith in God. After a short spell in ministry for the Methodist church, he regained his trust in the infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible while a chaplain in the Royal Air Force of Great Britain. During this period he decided to preach the Bible systematically from start to finish. The results among the servicemen surprised both him and them, and confirmed to him Scripture s inspiration. Since then, his preaching has either been Bible study or topical studies based on a detailed, contextual examination of what the Bible says. As pastor of Guildford Baptist Church (the Millmead Centre), Pawson established a reputation among both evangelicals and charismatics as an effective and balanced expositor of the Bible. Under Pawson s ministry, Millmead became the largest Baptist church in Britain. The church was unusual in that attendance was double the membership number; people regularly came from London to hear Pawson preach. Cliff Richard, who had been baptized by Pawson, was a regular attendee. From here his teaching tapes - originally made for the church s sick and elderly members - became popular worldwide. Behind the communist Iron Curtain these tapes struck a chord with the persecuted church. Missionaries and spiritual leaders in far-off corners of the world, without the opportunity to sit under a regular teaching ministry, became a significant audience for Pawson s preaching. In the last forty years literally millions of David s messages on cassette tape (CD, DVD and MP3 today) have been distributed around the world. Pawson left Millmead in 1979 and engaged in an itinerant worldwide Bible teaching ministry, which has been his main work to the present. During this time he has written a number of books. He is a frequent speaker in the UK and throughout Europe; his speaking engagements have taken him to many parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Netherlands, Israel, Southeast Asia and the United States. David Pawson lives near Basingstoke, Hampshire in southern England with his wife Enid. In his 70s he remains busy with speaking engagements in Europe, the US and at the Festival of Tabernacles in Israel, which he was a pioneer in encouraging Christians to attend.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1119 pages
• Publisher: True Potential Publishing; North American edition (February 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982305907
• ISBN-13: 978-0982305904
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Insight and Gifted Teaching, May 3, 2010

By 

Shelly G. Schuman (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unlocking the Bible (Paperback)

David Pawson's ability to explain the purposes and significance of each book of the bible is an amazing gift. It is apparent he has divine inspiration. From the opening discussion of the book of Genesis through the detailed review of Revelation, David Pawson brings the books into focus through modern day references and inspirational stories. His teaching has created a deeper, more intensive love for God's Word in my heart ~ I go back to this book time and time again for fresh inspiration.

I recommend this book to every serious bible student.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding your belive in Context, April 4, 2010

By 

Guðbjörn Olafur Zophoniasson (Reykjavík Iceland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unlocking the Bible (Paperback)

This book has helped hundreds of people in my community to understand the bible like it was written, the insight and all the background information has opened up my understanding of the writers and my foundation for my believe. Jesus Christ is the son of God and David pawson explains in common language what it is all about. A book that you will use again and again as you grow in your faith and you seek for deeper knowledge

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must Have!, October 21, 2011

By 

S Bolin "Sandy" (Fredericksburg Va) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unlocking the Bible (Paperback)

What a Great Book. What a great teacher! So rich in Knowledge, Truth and Understanding. I love reading David Pawson along with my Bible. This is not a verse by verse breaksown of the scriptures, but history, culture and insight. Yes it is helping open the eyes of my understanding.