{"product_id":"how-the-bible-actually-works-in-which-i-explain-how-an-ancient-ambiguous-and-diverse-book-leads-us-to-wisdom-rather-than-answers-and-why-thats-9780062686756","title":"How the Bible Actually Works: In Which I Explain How an Ancient, Ambiguous, and Diverse Book Leads Us to Wisdom Rather Than Answers--And Why That's","description":"\u003cp\u003eControversial evangelical Bible scholar, popular blogger and podcast host of The Bible for Normal People, and author of \u003cem\u003eThe Bible Tells Me So\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Sin of Certainty\u003c\/em\u003e explains that the Bible is not an instruction manual or rule book but a powerful learning tool that nurtures our spiritual growth by refusing to provide us with easy answers but instead forces us to acquire wisdom. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor many Christians, the Bible is a how-to manual filled with literal truths about belief that must be strictly followed. But the Bible is not static, Peter Enns argues. It does not hold easy answers to the perplexing questions and issues that confront us in our daily lives. Rather, the Bible is a dynamic instrument for study that not only offers an abundance of insights but provokes us to find our own answers to spiritual questions, cultivating God's wisdom within us. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The Bible becomes a confusing mess when we expect it to function as a rulebook for faith. But when we allow the Bible to determine our expectations, we see that Wisdom, not answers, is the Bible's true subject matter,\" writes Enns. This distinction, he points out, is important because when we come to the Bible expecting it to be a textbook intended by God to give us unwavering certainty about our faith, we are actually creating problems for ourselves. The Bible, in other words, really isn't the problem; having the wrong expectation is what interferes with our reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRather than considering the Bible as an ancient book weighed down with problems, flaws, and contradictions that must be defended by modern readers, Enns offers a vision of the holy scriptures as an inspired and empowering resource to help us better understand how to live as a person of faith today. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHow the Bible Actually Works\u003c\/em\u003e makes clear that there is no one right way to read the Bible. Moving us beyond the damaging idea that \"being right\" is the most important measure of faith, Enns's freeing approach to Bible study helps us to instead focus on pursuing enlightenment and building our relationship with God--which is exactly what the Bible was designed to do.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eEnns, Peter:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003ePeter Enns is the Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Enns speaks at schools, churches, and seminars across the country and is a frequent contributor to journals and encyclopedias. He is the author of several books, including \u003cem\u003eThe Sin of Certainty, \u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Bible Tells Me So, Inspiration\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eand Incarnation\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eThe Evolution of Adam\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperOne","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50613688566034,"sku":"9780062686756","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_3d9919c4-6151-4635-8880-c6fea35758c0.jpg?v=1732414233","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/how-the-bible-actually-works-in-which-i-explain-how-an-ancient-ambiguous-and-diverse-book-leads-us-to-wisdom-rather-than-answers-and-why-thats-9780062686756","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}