Josh McDowell is a fascinating writer.

God-Breathed is divided into two sections. The first section is "The Power of Scripture." The second section is "The Reliability of Scripture." Both sections share a common goal: McDowell is seeking to persuade readers--believers and/or skeptics--that "we can experience the power of God's Word as revealed in the Bible, because it's reliable."

He writes, "To truly sense the power of Scripture is to be captivated by its Author and to develop a true love for him and a longing to know the deep meaning of the words he has recorded for you."

The first section focuses on how the Bible is a living book, on the Bible's true purpose and its continuing relevance. It also discusses Bible interpretation. How to do it right, and how to avoid doing it wrong.

The second section focuses on the reliability of Scripture and how it passes three tests:

the bibliographical test: determining whether the text of the historical record has been transmitted accurately the external evidence test: determining whether the historical record has been verified or affirmed by data outside itself the internal evidence test: determining how the historical record stands up to the test of internal validity

Five chapters focus on the Bible's reliability. The fourteenth chapter tackles the question: "Are Writings From Other Religions Considered Scripture?" The final chapter is perhaps my favorite. It is "How the Bible Can Come Alive In Your Life."

The book is good. Its partly about the power of Scripture and why it's so important for believers to read and understand the Bible. Its partly about proving the Bible is reliable and passes all the tests.

I'm very much interested in books about the Bible, how to read it, how to interpret it, why it's important and unique. I'm not as interested in the apologetics side of it.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. The author spoke a lot of truths and opened my eyes to certain things about scripture. Even though I had heard/learned about things mentioned before, the way he presented and talked about the reliability of scripture, and the way it was copied so that it stayed accurate, was fascinating. I also loved the chapter on how to read the scripture and not to pull things out of context. A great read and I'm glad I read it. I definitely recommend it if you are looking for this type of book.

*I received a complimentary e-copy via netgalley for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions express are my own.*

God-Breathed The Undeniable Power and Reliability of Scripture by Josh McDowell

Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Shiloh Run PressChristian, Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date Apr 15, 2015

Josh McDowell talks about how at nineteen he left college and went to Europe to disprove Christianity when he came across a rare handwritten portion of John from the third century. 

McDowell goes on to talk about the power of words if you use them properly.  In the same way careless words can destroy a person.

In the following Chapters he delves into the Scripture.  McDowell points out that every Chapter of the Bible carries it’s own message. 

This book would be great either for individual study or for group study.

Five out of five Stars

Happy Reading