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Genesis for Normal People: A Guide to the Most Controversial, Misunderstood, and Abused Book of the Bible
by
Peter Enns,
Jared Byas (Goodreads Author)
Given the fever-pitched controversies about evolution, Adam and Eve, and scientific evidence for the Flood, the average person might feel intimidated by the book of Genesis. But behind the heady debates is a terrific story—one that anyone can understand, and one that has gripped people for ages.
If you are not a Bible scholar but want to be able to read Genesis and underst...more
If you are not a Bible scholar but want to be able to read Genesis and underst...more
Kindle Edition, 100 pages
Published
April 9th 2012
by Patheos Press
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Peter Enns and Jared Byas have written a brief (104 pages plus an 18-page Guide for Group Discussions) guide to reading the entire book of Genesis as the story of the nation of Israel, as told through a later (post-exile) point of view, and on how to read it through ancient rather than modern eyes. Throughout the book, the authors point out how details of the biblical stories in Genesis reflect the realities of a later period of time.
The authors expand on the theme that the story of Adam and Eve...more
The authors expand on the theme that the story of Adam and Eve...more
This is a great little overview of the book of Genesis for anyone from pastors to, as the title says, "normal" people. Rather then getting sidetracked by questions of science and evolution, the authors put Genesis in its ancient context seeing it as the beginning of the story of Israel. Thus, Adam the first Israelite is faced with the same choices later Israel had. This ancient context also puts in focus the Babylonian exile, with Genesis 1 taking swipes at Babylonian religion ("You worship the...more
A very useful and thought provoking overview of Genesis with an emphasis on seeing the big picture; of understand why and when it was written and using that context and perspective to better understanding the book as a whole. This not only helps guard against viewing the book as a series of stories developed as "history" and all the modern connotations that brings for us today or as a morality primer or devotional guide where each story has a lesson to teach, etc. This is too often what evangeli...more
This is a fantastic little book. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in reading Genesis in it's cultural context. This book isn't meant to be exhaustive but rather and introduction to the mindset of the ancient Israelite. Therefore, this isn't really for people who are used to reading this type of literature, although you will still probably find it enjoyable. It is mainly for those who are curious or just starting to dig in. Some will find this will challenge their existing beliefs and...more
May 28, 2012
Don Bryant
is currently reading it
I recently read Peter Enns The Evolution of Adam. I was interested in how he would frame a book on Genesis alone. Just started the book, so I do not have much of an impression, except that it feels a bit too slangy at the first. But it might pick up.
Genesis continues to be a flash point in Evangelicalism. Since the 19th century theories on the authorship of Genesis, this book has been front and center in the defense of supernatural Christianity.
I have never been comfortable with seeking too muc...more
Genesis continues to be a flash point in Evangelicalism. Since the 19th century theories on the authorship of Genesis, this book has been front and center in the defense of supernatural Christianity.
I have never been comfortable with seeking too muc...more
This book is just what the title says it is - an easy to read, non-technical commentary on Genesis. Since it is not a technical work, the authors present their own interpretation and do not spend a lot of time analyzing other views. It is a well written and concise explanation of their view (the writing was excellent). This interpretation, which centers on Genesis being compiled into the book it is now during the Babylonian captivity and speaking primarily to the Jewish people of that time, is i...more
This is a great little book. 4.5 stars might be more accurate than a full 5. It's not perfect, but I think it's worth more than 4 stars. In fewer than 100 pages Enns skims through the entirety of Genesis, giving a birds-eye view of the story and plot-line. If the book has a serious shortcoming it's that Enns seems to focus so much on taking critical, non-traditional views on virtually everything. On one hand he does give a good introduction to often controversial issues, but in focusing so much...more
Genesis for Normal People by Peter Enns helps the reader to understand Genesis from the viewpoint of the ancient writer(s) written in ancient times for ancient peoples. As the first book in the Pentateuch of the Old Testament, Genesis introduces us to the people and themes that will carry the overall story of Israel throughout the first five books of the Bible. Enns keeps us in the right frame of mind to think like the ancient people and to understand Genesis as the buildup of a much larger stor...more
I'll give this short book 5 stars because, in my view, it succeeds in what it tries to accomplish. That is, it is a brief yet very helpful introduction to the book of Genesis. The authors have a great sense of humor and obviously enjoy what they are doing. This book provides some much needed perspective on Genesis. Will be loved by some and vilified by many.
Certainly useful for people who only read snippets of Bible and don't get any sense of the big story..... it is what it describes by the author.
Think a conversion with the authors
and you the reader asking: "So what's up with this old book that has not been written? But you try a few pages and then a couple hundred more And then with you say:" God this is soooi refreshing".
and you the reader asking: "So what's up with this old book that has not been written? But you try a few pages and then a couple hundred more And then with you say:" God this is soooi refreshing".
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"Great, basic, short intro to excellent ideas"
Really challenged my understanding of Genesis.
A must read introduction to Genesis. Not to be sidetracked in debates, the purpose of this book looks at what Genesis is and its understanding and purpose alongside the rest of the Torah and understood by the Ancient Israelites. It is very approachable in language and worth reading. Highly recommend in understanding how we should understand Genesis in comparison with the many ways it has been reduced in modern times.
Apr 23, 2013
Cassandra Septin
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Enns was formerly a professor of Old Testament and hermeneutics at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He holds a B.A. in behavioral science from Messiah College (1982), an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary (1989), and an M.A. (1993) and Ph.D. (1994) from Harvard University. Enns is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Institute for Biblical Re...more
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