One True Story, One True God

Well written, briskly paced but never superficial, this is a flyover of Biblical Christianity from Genesis to Revelation that challenges our assumptions and opens our minds to the wisdom lurking in the first half of our Bibles. Respectful of other religions, yet confidently Christian, the author knows what he is talking about, having worked in other cultures for many years. Genesis speaks to our lives in 2021 just as cogently as it has spoken to every generation for 4000 years. Without losing the depth of the original Hebrew, the author makes it relevant to us, today, in our culture. Well done.

A friendly ice-breaking question on an airplane, gave Mark S Young the motivation to write "What the Bible is All About" (Our Daily Bread Publishing, 2021) and Christians around the world will be glad he took the time to write out an orderly, thoughtful and fully biblical answer.

As president of Denver Seminary, Young obviously has communicated the content of the Bible for years in various contexts. Young is no stranger to sharing his faith either, having served cross-culturally in evangelism and church planting. Yet as the tried to answer a stranger's question, he embarrassingly realized he couldn't give a short summary of what the most important book in his life was about.

In eleven readable and theologically rich chapters, Young answers this question methodically and clearly. Without getting into potential areas where Christians have differences of understanding, Young explains each element of the Bible's narrative. He weaves in a few illustrations to assist in the explanations, but does wander from the key focus of each chapter. While there is nothing particularly "new" about his answer, the way the author systematically unfolds the Bible's Grand Story is both powerful and practical. Chapter 11 itself has so many powerful quotes!

I highly recommend any Christian read this book so that you too can answer the question "What's the Bible all about anyway?" when an encounter takes place in the office, on the golf course, in an airplane or wherever. Furthermore, as a textbook for a Christian high school course introducing students to theology or as a first year college theology textbook, it is accessible (readable) and covers the core doctrines. It could also be used by churches for the same audiences.

The Bible has been used in various ways by various people. Therefore, people have assigned it various definitions. However, the author provides a well-written description of the Bible’s true purpose—a plan for redemption.

This would be excellent for personal study or group discussion.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher and Net Galley but the thoughts expressed are my own.

One True Story, One true God explains the concept of the bible.
Mark Young breaks the bible so you get the big idea of what the bible is about and how to go about reading it without fear.
This is perfect for beginners getting into reading the bible.