Our generation is learning (again) that the Bible is a story. It is more than that, of course, but it is at least that. And we cannot understand the Bible well unless we know its story – where it started, where it’s going, and how it gets there.
God has treated this generation with an explosion of biblical scholarship to trace out this story in its many varied yet inter-related themes, and we’ve been treated to enough of it now to make its way to the “street level.” That’s what Chris Bruno wants to accomplish in his new The Whole Story of the Bible in 16 Verses. In each successive chapter he expounds, in context, 16 representative verses (well, sometimes more than one) that, in turn, capture the unfolding story of Scripture – all in just over 100 pages of text. The result is a brief, simple, yet substantive overview of Scripture.
Table of Contents
Part 1
The Time Is Coming
Chapter 1
Creation (Genesis 1:31)
Chapter 2
Human Beings (Genesis 1:27–28)
Chapter 3
The Fall (Genesis 3:6–7)
Chapter 4
Redemption Promised (Genesis 3:15)
Chapter 5
Abraham (Genesis 12:2–3)
Chapter 6
Judah the King (Genesis 49:10)
Chapter 7
The Passover Lamb (Exodus 12:23)
Chapter 8
King David (2 Samuel 7:12–13)
Chapter 9
The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:6)
Chapter 10
Resurrection Promised (Ezekiel 37:3–5)
Chapter 11
New Creation (Isaiah 65:17)
Part 2
The Time Has Come
Chapter 12
Fulfillment! (Mark 1:14–15)
Chapter 13
The Cross (John 19:30)
Chapter 14
Resurrection (Romans 1:3–4)
Chapter 15
Justification (Romans 3:21–26)
Chapter 16
Glory (Revelation 21:1–4)
Where to Go Next
Notes
General Index
Scripture Index
Summary
Bruno summarizes the story like this:
God created a kingdom, and he is the King, but he made human beings to represent him in that kingdom. Adam and Eve rejected this call, which led to sin and death. But God promised to defeat the Serpent through the seed of the woman, who is also the seed of Abraham. Through Abraham’s family, and specifically Judah’s royal seed, David, the covenant blessings would come to the world. Because all people were guilty and deserved death, the sacrifices of the Mosaic law revealed more clearly their need for a substitute—the suffering servant. Through the servant and the work of the Spirit, God would establish a new covenant and give lasting life to his people in the new heavens and new earth.
Jesus is the One through whom all of these promises find fulfillment, first in his sacrificial death as a necessary and just payment for sin and then in his victorious resurrection and reign as King. This great story will find its culmination when the redeemed from every tribe, tongue, and nation gather in the new creation to live with God forever.
Recommendation
This book was a great idea, and it’s a wonderful resource that new and old Christians will enjoy. Excellent for evangelistic use, Sunday schools, and small groups. Buy it by the box-full, and hand them out at your church.
Fred Zaspel