Get the Whole Story of the Bible in One Sitting with “The Bible in Brief”

The idea started in my novel Lilli’s Song. Lilli becomes a Christian, and her youth leader hands her a booklet summarizing the Bible. While writing that scene, I wondered: Does a summary like that actually exist?

After the novel was published, the idea stuck with me. New believers sit in Bible studies and hear sermons, but they’re building without a blueprint. What if they could see the whole picture first – a foundation to build on?

So I wrote it. The Bible in Brief gives you the full arc of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, in a format you can finish in under two hours.

Here is a sample page from the book:

Who Is This For?

• New Christians wanting a clear starting point

• Long-time believers who want a tighter grasp of the big picture

• Non-Christians curious about what the Bible actually says

No theological training required. The core narrative is broken into short, digestible sections with illustrations throughout.

What You’ll Walk Away With

Answers to the questions people actually ask:

• How did the world come into existence?

• Who am I, and why am I here?

• Where did good and evil come from?

The Bible has outsold every book in history for a reason. But its size stops most people from reading it. The Bible in Brief removes that barrier. You get the essential events, key teachings, and the through-line of God’s story – all in one short read.

Here’s part of another page. David, the shepherd boy, faces the giant Goliath:

Where I Stand

You deserve to know up front: my reading of the Bible is traditional and literal.

Like all great literature, the Bible uses metaphors, analogies, symbols, and parables. But these devices enrich the text. You can tell when an author uses a metaphor and when they’re stating plain facts. The Bible works the same way.

I believe God created the world in six 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.

Some might call that naive. I look at our world – its vast populations of plants, animals, and people – and I can’t find a better explanation than the one given in Scripture.

A Note on History vs. Prophecy

The Bible in Brief focuses on the historical storyline. That storyline is remarkably clear. Events unfold in a logical sequence anyone can follow.

Prophecy is different.

Prophetic passages use heavy symbolism, layered meanings, and visions that reward careful study. From Ezekiel’s wheels within wheels to Daniel’s beasts, from Isaiah’s suffering servant to John’s Revelation – these texts operate on multiple levels and take years to unpack.

The good news: the historical narrative gives you the framework. Prophecy builds on top of it.

And here’s something worth noting: details in the storyline have a habit of showing up later in prophecy, lighting up passages that once seemed impossible to understand. You won’t need those connections to follow the history. But spotting them is one of the great rewards of reading Scripture closely.

What About the Literary Books?

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon sit somewhere between history and prophecy. Proverbs and Psalms are easy to love. Job and Ecclesiastes take more patience. And if you look closely at the Psalms, you’ll find prophetic threads woven throughout.

Why This Matters

Avoiding the Bible means missing the explanations and purposes it offers for life itself. The Bible in Brief gives you a starting point: the essential story, told simply, with links to go further whenever you’re ready.

If you want answers, clarity, or a fresh perspective on the most influential book ever written, start here.

Comments from Readers

“The illustrations are beautiful and well connected to their purpose. I encourage any Christian and especially non Christian to read this summary of the most important book known.”

“The Bible in Brief is a great resource for anyone looking to understand the Bible’s core messages without getting overwhelmed.”

“The Bible in Brief was just what I needed. I never understood exactly how all the pieces fit together, and this ebook helped me to finally ‘get it’.”

“I really loved this book and how it explained all the important parts of the Bible without all the detail that’s sometimes so hard to understand. Betty Johansen did a really great job and I would highly recommend this book.”

***

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