Book Review: Deeper Into the Word New Testament

Price:	$13.99
ISBN:	978-0-7642-0842-3
ISBN-10:	0-7642-0842-X
Dimensions:	5.5 x 8.5
Number of pages:	256
Publication Date:	Jan. 11
Formats:	Paperback

Through Bethany House Publishers I've been given the book Deeper into the Word: Reflections on 100 words from the New Testament by Keri Wyatt Kent for a review.

Keri Wyatt Kent is the author of Breathe and has written for both the Daily Herald (Chicago) and for Willow Creek Community Church. Keri speaks often on spiritual formation. She lives with her husband and two children in Illinois. Taken from the Bethany House Publishers site.

 Words can be confusing. Words can be twisted. Words can be powerful.Words are all around us. In this book Keri Wyatt Kent opens with the statement that "The Bible is God's Word but it is also full of words." Sometimes those words can be misunderstood and/or misconstrued. Kent tries to enlighten her readers by delving deeper into the meanings of the words as they were originally intended. She points out in her introduction that the first century Christians were Jewish- they lived by the Jewish faith, laws, etc. It is helpful to understand the words meanings if they are taken in a cultural context as well as a time context to understand how they are applicable today.

This book can be used as a daily devotional or as a reference. It's useful as both; read it daily and use it to look of words randomly. One thing I enjoyed about Mrs. Kent's writing is that there are a lot of references to other parts of Scriptures. A word is used in Matthew and again in Mark, see the meanings through the eyes of the first century Christians. And it is to be used concurrently with the Bible, not on its own. 

The 100 words that Mrs. Kent chose are the 'most important' according to her. Unfortunately some of the words I wished to read were not included (one being "God" or even "Lord"). It would be interesting if another book were published with the 'less important' words of the New Testament. But they might be the more controversial words also.

I received this book free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own. See more Disclosure/Policies.

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