Let me start by telling you where I got the idea of writing The Bible in Brief. In my book Lilli’s Song, Lilli receives Jesus as her Savior. The next Sunday, the youth leader at the church she attends gives her a booklet, summarizing the Bible. As I was writing those words, I didn’t know if such a summary exists.
Once Lilli’s Song was finished and published, I thought about that summary sometimes. It seemed to me such a thing would be helpful for new believers. As they’re going to Bible studies or listening to sermons, wouldn’t they learn a lot faster if they could quickly get the “whole picture” of the Bible? It could be a foundation to build on.
One day, I decided to quit thinking about it and just write it. The result is The Bible in Brief. I wrote it on a really cool platform called Sqribble and published it on an associated platform called Sqrindle.
Once the book was finished, I realized it could help other people, as well as new believers. It is a quick way to get the picture of the whole Bible. And it is written in digestible chunks with illustrations.
For example, here’s one page from The Bible in Brief.
About The Bible in Brief
Are you curious about the Bible but feel overwhelmed by its sheer length and complexity? Do you find yourself wondering about life’s big questions—like the origins of the world, the nature of good and evil, or the purpose of our existence? If so, The Bible in Brief: A Historical Summary of God’s Story from the Beginning to the End of Time is the perfect ebook for you.
A Quick Journey Through the Ages
The Bible in Brief offers a unique opportunity to skim through the vast history of the Earth in just a couple of hours. From Genesis to Revelation, this ebook condenses the Bible’s rich tapestry into an accessible format that you can enjoy in one sitting. It’s a journey that could change your life by providing a deeper understanding of the world’s most influential book.
Why The Bible?
The Bible is not just the highest-selling book in history; it’s a foundational text that has shaped cultures, ethics, and worldviews for millennia. However, its complexity often deters people from reading it. The Bible in Brief aims to bridge that gap, offering a concise yet comprehensive overview that answers some of life’s most profound questions:
∙ How did the world come into existence?
∙ Who am I, and why am I here?
∙ What are the origins of good and evil?
This ebook provides an enlightening summary, focusing on the key events and teachings that have made the Bible a timeless guide for millions.
Who Should Read This Book?
Whether you’re a new Christian seeking to grasp the basics, a long-time believer wanting a clearer overview, or a non-Christian curious about the Bible’s teachings, this ebook is for you. It strips away the intimidation factor of the Bible’s length and presents the core narrative in a way that’s both engaging and easy to understand.
Here’s part of another page. David, the shepherd boy, faces the giant Goliath.
A Brief Yet Impactful Read
While the ebook is concise, it doesn’t skimp on the essential details that illuminate God’s story and its relevance to our lives. You can read through it in under two hours, making it a perfect companion for a quiet evening or a weekend read. If you’re inclined to delve deeper, clickable links provide opportunities to explore outside material, extending your journey beyond the pages of the book.
A Traditional Viewpoint
I believe it’s only fair to tell you up-front that my understanding of the Bible is traditional and literal. Like all great literature, it includes metaphors, analogies, symbols, parables, etc. But these literary devices enrich the text; they don’t confuse it. You can tell when your favorite author is applying a metaphor and when he/she is relating the plain facts of the narrative.
It’s the same with the Bible. And my interpretation reflects this approach. I believe God created the world in six days and flooded it in 40 days. I believe Jonah spent three days inside a big fish. I believe angels and demons are active in our world. And I believe Jesus Christ defeated death.
You may assume my beliefs indicate I’m backward or naive. You’re wrong. I look around at our amazing world with its vast populations of plants, animals, and humans and know we all had to come from somewhere. I can’t find a better explanation than the one in the Bible.
Narrative vs. Prophecy
I don’t want to mislead or confuse you. In my comments above, I was thinking about the parts of the Bible I focused on in The Bible in Brief – the history. The historical narrative of the Bible follows a remarkably clear and accessible storyline. Events unfold in a logical sequence that readers can follow without theological training.
Prophecy is another story.
The prophetic literature of Scripture presents an entirely different challenge to the reader. Filled with rich symbolism, apocalyptic imagery, and layered meanings, biblical prophecy often speaks in metaphors and visions that require careful study and interpretation. From Ezekiel’s wheels within wheels to Daniel’s beasts rising from the sea, from Isaiah’s suffering servant to John’s Revelation with its seven seals and bowls of wrath, prophetic passages demand patience and deep reflection to unlock their treasures. These texts often operate on multiple levels of meaning – immediate historical context, messianic fulfillment, and future eschatological reality – making them a lifelong study for serious students of Scripture.
This distinction between biblical history and prophecy explains why many readers find the storyline of Scripture encouraging and accessible while simultaneously feeling overwhelmed by its prophetic passages. The historical narrative provides the foundation and framework for understanding God’s character and plan, while prophecy offers profound insights into God’s purposes that reward those willing to dig deeper into their mysteries and symbolic language.
And here’s a little secret. You should pay close attention to details in the storyline because they have a way of showing up in prophecy and enlightening mysterious passages. Missing those details won’t keep you from understanding the basic history of the Bible. But it is a lot of fun to connect, for example, an event in Revelation to a historical detail in the Old Testament.
And Then There’s Literature
The books of literature – Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon – are generally easier to understand than prophecy. However, they are less forthright than the historical books. I have always struggled to understand Job, especially. Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon are also challenging. Proverbs and Psalms are easy to understand – and to love! – but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a lot of prophecy hidden in the Psalms.
A Gateway to Deeper Understanding
Avoiding the Bible means missing out on the explanations and purposes it offers for life itself. The Bible in Brief provides a gateway to understanding these profound insights, helping you make wise decisions and offering the promise of a life filled with meaning and purpose.
So why wait? Embark on a journey through The Bible in Brief and discover the essence of God’s story, from the creation of the world to the ultimate destiny of humanity. Whether you’re seeking answers, inspiration, or a fresh perspective, this ebook has something valuable to offer.
Link to the ebook on Sqrindle: The Bible in Brief
Or scan the QR Code to go to The Bible in Brief.
as
Hard copy versions are available on Amazon:
Paperback: The Bible in Brief
Hardcover: The Bible in Brief
***
Here are links to my blog indexes, so please click one and keep reading!
My Books, Workbooks, and Fun Books
Knowing the Unknowable One
Opening the Treasure Chest
Walking Heart-to-Heart with God
Walking Heart-to-Heart with Each Other
Fighting the Good Fight of Faith
Christian Mysteries: Why I Love Them!
List of Some Nonfiction Books You Don’t Want to Miss
Index of Assorted Topics