The Book of Love (a better way to read the Bible)

The Book of Love introduces a ‘better way to read the Bible’. If you’ve ever been put off by stories of violence, animal sacrifice and ‘hell and damnation’, this is the book to help you see beyond certain parables. To discover the bold compassionate meaning of the Good Book.

Drawing from personal experience, theological insight and psychological depths, the author challenges the fear-based approach to Scripture, offering an alternative one through the lens of love – God’s love for us, and His call to love one another.

The book journeys through his own faith journey, to a sweeping exploration of the Scriptures, the Gospels and writings of the early church. Along the way he addresses all the difficult questions that often come up.

The Bible is not a rulebook or weapon. But a story of Divine love that calls us to mercy, justice and grace. This book is both a critique of harmful religious interpretations, and a hopeful vision for a more loving, inclusive and transformative truth.

Richard Beck is professor of psychology at a Texas university in the USA. He leads a weekly Bible study for inmates, at a maximum security prison.

Having a ‘large following’ is a sure sign that you’re not going to encounter authentic Christian content. If you doubt this, ask the influencer to call out the evil at work in their audience. They will not do so, for that would hurt their gig and their pocketbook.

Now compare all that to Jesus.

In John 6, Jesus is on the cusp of audience capture. He’s just fed the multitude. And experiencing this the people hope to make Jesus king. But Jesus runs from the crowd. He withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Fan service is not his gig.  Jesus drives the crowds away.

Narrow is his way.

And only few find it.