3.5 Stars ✨

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy of The Bible Simplified by Zach Windahl, for an honest review.

This was exactly as described- The Bible Simplified. It goes through each book of the Bible and gives a quick summary of what is taking place within that time frame. In some cases, gives a tiny bit of historical background as well. I think this would be a good book for someone who is having trouble with the story as a whole, (putting the pieces together) or someone looking for a simple breakdown of the Bible. It’s a very easy read and doesn’t bog the reader down. I thought there were some things that could have been hashed out a little better or more in depth- but as a whole
this was a great beginner study guide to getting to know the order of things and learning the basic story of the Bible at surface level. Would recommend as a resource for study.

I would highly recommend this book to use as a resource when doing Bible reading. It starts at the beginning of the Old Tesemsnt and walks the reader through the entirety of the Bible to the end of the New Testament. This would be a great book for someone new to reading the Bible also someone who is more experienced.




I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Bible, Simplified by Zach Windahl
Learn the Story, Live the Story
Go from feeling lost with the Bible to becoming confident in your faith.
Feeling overwhelmed and confused by the Bible? Bestselling author Zach Windahl breaks down its entire storyline in The Bible, Simplified, making Scripture clear, accessible, and life-changing so you can gain confidence in your faith.
Bible and feel a deeper connection to God, but busyness, relationships, and everyday distractions seem to crowd out Bible reading most days. Not to mention it’s hard to know where to start—and deep down, you might even wonder if the Bible is relevant to your modern life. It’s overwhelming. It’s confusing. And it’s easy to feel frustrated on your faith journey.

Too often, you find yourself walking away from reading Scripture, feeling lost instead of encouraged, something Zach Windahl experienced firsthand. Even though he grew up going to church, his Bible often remained on the shelf. It wasn’t until he discovered the joy of reading the Bible that he became passionate about helping others do the same. In his relatable and easy-to-read style, Zach has simplified Scripture to help you—especially if you’re a new Christian—understand the Bible’s message in a way that’s approachable and life-changing.

In The Bible, Simplified, you will learn how to:

Understand the entire storyline of the Bible
Gain clarity and confidence in your faith
Incorporate the Bible’s teachings into your daily life
If you’re feeling lost with Scripture, this book will be your guide. You no longer need to be confused, disconnected, and overwhelmed in your faith. Take the first step to understanding God’s story—and your remarkable role in it.
The Bible Simplified. It goes through each book of the Bible and gives a quick summary of it.
Gives a little of historical background as well.
This book you will help you understanding the Bible better.
I recommend this book.
The Bible Simplified by Zach Windahl is a 5 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Zach Windahl.

This is a concise and thorough explanation of the Bible, the most read, but least understood book of all time (in my opinion). This is a great gift idea for a parent, a Sunday school teacher or anyone wanting to better understand the Bible. Add this to your collection of biblical references, I’m definitely adding it to mine.

I nice review of the Bible with new insights to ponder. A definite must read for anyone wishing to learn and understand more of the Bible

The Bible is no easy read. It can be mystifying and confusing. Forty authors wrote the 66 books over a period of 1,500 years. How does it all fit together to convey God's message?

Author Zach Windahl offers answers in The Bible, Simplified. He explains what the Bible is, how to read it, and how each book leads to Jesus.

Readers will appreciate Windahl's light and conversational writing style. He makes his points succinctly, making sure we understand what's happening and why it matters. He also provides a recap at the end of each chapter, which reinforces key takeaways.

I found his explanations of the Old Testament particularly helpful. The first half of the Bible can be challenging with its unfamiliar customs and culture. Windahl navigates each book deftly, striking the right balance of explanation and commentary to keep things clear.

A valuable lesson Windahl offers is the importance of context. Many of us view scripture through a Greek or Western mindset that focuses on logic and facts. The Hebrew or Eastern mindset values poetry, story, and symbolism. He doesn't ask us to change the way we think, but to open our minds to how people felt about God and Jesus in biblical times.

Windahl summarizes, "In the West, we view life with a Greek mindset, which is very different from the Eastern or Hebrew mindset that Jesus, the original audience, and the Bible's authors would have held. And we need to be aware of this when reading and interpreting Scripture."

Readers should note that some of their favorite Bible stories and characters are missing from Windahl's book. This is not meant as a criticism, however. The Bible, Simplified, means precisely that.

The book is an excellent study guide. It's a superb overview of Scripture that shows how the 66 books and 40 authors come together to tell the story of Jesus.

I received an advance reading copy from Netgalley.com.

This was an excellent book. It was well-written. I would highly recommend this book. It's very easy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Zach Windahl has crafted an incredibly accessible, thoughtful, and user-friendly guide to Scripture in The Bible Simplified. As someone familiar with biblical theology, I especially appreciated the book’s structure: each section ends with a one-sentence recap, a brief reflection on where Jesus shows up in the story, and a real-world application. It’s a simple format, but deeply effective—particularly for new believers who might feel overwhelmed trying to connect the dots.

Windahl takes the time to explain essential tools for understanding Scripture well: context, genre, authorship, and original audience. He emphasizes (rightly) that not all of the Bible should be read the same way, and certainly not as a flat textbook. This kind of clarity is so needed, especially for those who are trying to reconcile confusing or conflicting interpretations.

Even in more difficult books like Revelation, Windahl doesn't veer into sensationalism. Instead, he offers a grounded approach, reminding readers that “we have been in the end times for 2,000 years,” and that if our interpretation of prophecy doesn’t bring us closer to Jesus in worship, “we’ve missed the point completely.” That alone made the book worth reading.

While I would have loved a built-in Bible reading plan, I also appreciate how you can flip to any book of the Bible and find a concise, approachable summary with helpful commentary. It’s a flexible tool, not a rigid program.

One of Windahl’s strengths is his “middle of the road” approach to theology. In a time when so much biblical interpretation becomes polarized or niche, his aim is to reach the widest audience possible without watering anything down. He succeeds in making the Bible feel alive and relevant without falling into theological shallowness.

One of my favorite quotes from the book:
“The kingdom of God wasn’t taking over the old one with force and violence, but with peace and love and joy and an emphasis on holiness… It wouldn’t take over in a military fashion like the powers of the world always did.”

Overall, The Bible Simplified is exactly what it claims to be: approachable, clear, and deeply centered on Jesus. Whether you’re brand new to the Bible or looking for a fresh way to approach familiar texts, this book is a solid companion.

This book will be most helpful read slowly alongside the matching Scripture passage. It is clearly written and promises to be helpful in Bible study.

As someone who has repeatedly tried and failed to read and understand the Bible, Zach Windahl's, The Bible, Simplified, has made it an attainable goal.

The chapters are a great length to get the information across without feeling overwhelming. It is eloquently and respectfully written while using terms and structure easy enough to grasp. I can feel my confidence building in regard to my spirituality.

I will definitely be purchasing this as a companion and a resource tool.

Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this ARC.

This was a good introduction to what the Bible is, while giving us an overview of all the different books. As a Christian myself, I found this book useful in helping me navigate through some of the more “difficult” books.

This book is written in a way that makes reading it fun and by giving us context instead of just hard, cold, facts. It is a book which you can refer to again and again as you read through the Bible regularly.