Title: Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again
Author: Rachel Held Evans
First published June 12, 2018
236 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780718022310 (ISBN10: 0718022319)
Rating: 4.39
Overview
In Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, Rachel Held Evans takes readers on a personal journey to rediscover the Bible. Tackling tough questions about what it means to be “inspired,” Evans dives into familiar Bible stories with fresh perspectives, weaving together memoir, poetry, and even a screenplay.
With a masterful way with words and an unflinching honesty, Evans invites readers to join her in the process of doubting, imagining, and debating the mysteries of Scripture. Through it all, she shows us that the Bible is not a static text, but a living and dynamic work that can equip and inspire us to join in God’s work of love and redemption in the world.
About the Author
Rachel Held Evans was a talented writer whose books resonated with readers all over the world. Born and raised in Dayton, Tennessee, where the historic Scopes Monkey Trial took place in 1925, Rachel explored faith, doubt, and life in the Bible Belt through her work.
Her thought-provoking ideas and unique perspectives gained attention from major news outlets, including The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Christianity Today. Rachel’s writing also appeared in popular publications like Slate, The Huffington Post, and the CNN Belief Blog.
She even made appearances on NPR, The BBC, The Today Show, and The View.
Rachel’s passion for sharing her message led her to speak at numerous churches, conferences, and colleges throughout the country. Her impact on the world of literature and faith will continue to inspire readers for years to come.
Editoral Review
In her poignant and thought-provoking book, Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, Rachel Held Evans renews our passion for the Bible and dares us to re-examine our beliefs. First published on June 12, 2018, this book has been a game-changer in the spiritual genre.
With her gifted storytelling and compassionate tone, Evans strikes a chord with readers, laying bare the questions we have all asked at some point in our lives about Christianity and the Bible. Evans’ book aims to inspire readers to find a fresh, authentic way to read, understand and obey the Bible.
Her writing style is a blend of memoir, cultural critique, and theology, and she unearths a wealth of insights into the often-thorny interplay between religious tradition, life, and culture. In her first-person account, Evans shares some of the difficulties and complexities she has encountered while wrestling with the Bible in her own life, and how she was able to overcome them.
Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again is much more than a memoir, as it delves into the historical and cultural significance of the scriptures. The Bible becomes a sounding board for issues that affect humanity in the present, and Evans’ skillful writing connects the dots between ancient wisdom and modern-day challenges.
She makes sense of the Bible through attractive prose with an endearing mix of humor and seriousness, reliability, and self-revelation that grips the reader. Evans’ writing is like nothing you’ve ever read before, and her trenchant voice is a refreshing tonic in a genre that has sometimes succumbed to the tired tropes of ideological conformity.
In her book, Evans’ writing is emotive, motivational, and transcendent, bringing to life a world that has long since passed but whose impacts we still feel to this day. Although the book is immensely captivating, it does have a few flaws.
While Evans writes with candidness and great passion, some readers may find her conclusions one-sided and may struggle to reconcile their own points of view with hers. The book itself is particularly focused on personal experiences, and this may not be everyone’s preference.
Overall, Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again is an engaging, well-written, and thought-provoking read, one that would benefit anyone looking for a fresh perspective on the Bible. This book will especially resonate with those who feel distant from their faith and have associated the Bible with feelings of inadequacy or shame.
For all its flaws, this book deserves a rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, as Evans manages to negotiate complex themes with grace and ease. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible and the Christian faith in these times.
