Reviewed by: Caleb Amick, a Professional Writing major at Taylor University

Introduction

Title: Inspired

Author: Rachel Held Evans

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: June 12, 2018

Format: Print

Length: 240 pages

OVERVIEW

What does it mean to say that the Bible is divinely inspired? Does it mean that every word is directly derived from God, or does it mean, as philosopher Qureshi once wrote, “God inspired specific men in history to write his words, using their experiences and language to convey his message. In other words, God masterfully used the speech of chosen men to convey exactly what he desired and has preserved that message through the millennia.”

Evans takes the second option, and spends her whole book expounding on how inspiration impacts the genres in scripture and how that impacts the lives of believers in Christ.

This book could challenge the views of those who tend to give more weight to literal interpretations of scripture, at least for some. For others, this book could be rejected outright as heresy, assuming it was denying the direct voice of God in every line of the Bible.

This book could help those of Orthodox faith to find deeper meaning in Scripture. It could help them to enjoy it more, to see it as a medium through which God breathes life into our circumstances. In other words, it could enhance their view of Scripture. The author takes quite a liberal, if not outright progressive, view of the faith, especially concerning very sensitive issues such as homosexual marriage, abortion, and feminism, which does not necessarily engulf the whole book, but does come across very strongly in parts of it. Also, if handled correctly, this book could bring about beneficial engagement of debate and conversation between those on the Right and those on the Left as far as the foundations of their faith and the support for their beliefs.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

3 stars

Suggested Audience

I would recommend this to adults who are strong and secure in their faith, who know what they believe and why, because the contents of this book can be very challenging to one’s thinking and pre-established elements of faith.  I would also recommend it for those who want to explore scripture from a different perspective.

Christian Impact

The contents of this book can be very challenging to one’s thinking and pre-established elements of faith.

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