This book review of Howard G. and William D. Hendricks’s Living by the Book was written as part of Pastor Lane’s doctoral course work, and as such, it is written in a more formal, academic tone than the rest of this blog’s posts. Still, we hope the audience will find these academic book reviews useful, which is why we have published them for your reference.
Living by the Book is another classic book by Dr. Hendricks. I first read this work in college and then re-read it several years later, but have never read the 2nd edition. This book shaped my personal understanding of Bible reading early on and has continued to throughout my Christian walk. Four sections of this book breakdown what many consider to be an insurmountable undertaking: reading the Bible for personal understanding. The first section addresses the motivation behind, or the reasons many offer for not being able to understand as they read the Bible. Dr. Hendricks presents so many common objections and then graciously responds, leaving the reader with an openness to continue reading. As a concise argument for the value of personal Bible reading is then presented, the value of this book to help the reader and an introduction to familiarize the reader is provided. This first section is short and direct, but it is invaluable to invite the reader into deeper study of learning.
“Observation” is the second section of the book. One subheading summarizes best the point of this section, “There’s no limit to observation.” The author offers ten strategies and six things to look for in observation. The benefit he offers through the ten strategies gives the reader a different perspective in reading and a different focus for each time a passage is read. The strategies are helpful and connect the introduction of the book with the beginning readings of the text. I think the real genius in this process is that the author makes the process so attractive and easy that it becomes almost impossible for anyone to admit they cannot do it. This, in turn, creates greater motivation. Once the reader begins to find the elements that are emphasized, the next focus of this section, a greater confidence in reading is established.
“Interpretation” is the next section of the book. The author summarizes his meaning in this way, “God is not playing a game of hide-and-seek with you. He doesn’t invite you into his Word only to puzzle and confound you. He’s far more interested that you understand it than you are.” The most helpful portion of this section are the cautions and the keys. The author writes in such a way that is compelling and understandable, but is clear and simple. This clarity makes these easy to remember and not cumbersome in the reading process.
“Application” is the final section. The author states the value of this section when he says, “Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process.” I felt like the author slows down the reading process in this last section to take time and make sure the reader comprehends all that is being said and the power that it will have on life in transformation. He shows how truth not only affects one person, but a whole community of people and through them those around them. The four steps offered summarize well the work of reading the Bible for life application. The chapter on understanding the value of and looking for Biblical principles culminates the readers study to learn to look for larger principles through study and to help gain greater wisdom for life. Living by the Book, both in content and format, helps the reader to learn and practice the value of the author’s first sentence, “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.”
More book reviews by Pastor Lane