Here is the fruit of a lifetime of study and ministry by one of the most prominent Bible teachers of the last forty years. It is a rich compendium and overview of the Bible, its sixty-six books being covered in a simple, straightforward and orderly way. I would suggest that this book should be obtained by all those who read their Bible, and be used regularly as they make their way through its books. The meaning of the Bible, the sweep of its history, unlocking the story of God’s relationship with His people and the implications for our lives are all present in this long volume of over thirteen hundred pages. There are explanations of cultural and historical background and the spiritual significance of important events. It is not meant simply for scholars, in fact such might turn their noses up a bit at its apparent superficiality as it swiftly moves through the Bible books. However, it is David Pawsons’ intention to make available a wealth of material able to be read and absorbed by those who are not scholars. The author throughout his lifetime of ministry has availed himself of multitudes of sources, commentaries and other overviews of the Bible and he admits that he cannot remember many of them. He excuses himself that he cannot recall them but he passes on the riches he has gleaned from those many sources and as he has waited on God and prepared for his global ministry of teaching. It is my understanding that a man named Andy Peck has taken the material of David Pawson and suitably edited it so that we can have it in this form. Originally, I believe that there were several more detailed volumes written and published and these did not find a ready reading public and so the present volume was commissioned by the publisher and revised again in 2007. The intention of the author is that through these introductions to the books of the Bible the reader will get to know and love them and will come to know and love the subject of the books even the Lord Himself the more. Apparently these are the result of series of studies produced some years ago and made available on Video and as one person finished viewing that series they were heard to say “I know so much more about the Bible now, but the biggest thing was that I felt the heart of God as never before”. Now that is a testimony to the fact that God is the author of these studies and His Spirit working through them and I believe that they will do exactly that for those who make use of this book as they read their Bible.
