Rob Bell is one of the most effective communicators I know and I know a few. He has an incredible grasp on history and a clearly a good grasp of Biblical or ancient culture….or he has a fantastic researcher. I enjoy his writing and his audio presentations. So I was really looking forward to this book.

For the most part, it is as I expected, a great survey of Biblical themes and drawing from ancient stories mixed with a good understanding provides some lessons or themes which speak to our personal need for peace, hope, and love.

I really liked his chapter on why America can’t read the Bible – speaking to the nature of American culture and the similar to the oppressive empires who were in the role of ruling over Israel – Egypt, Philistine, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Roman. It was a very good chapter.

As I got towards the end of the book I found myself looking for the central theme, the most important theme of the Bible; redemption. Rob where is the chapter on the redemptive work of Jesus? Where is your good insight on God’s great restoration work of the Gospel?

I really enjoyed the book but finished it disappointed.