Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today
Here is a comprehensive narrative summary of Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today by Adam Hamilton, followed by a chapter-by-chapter review based on available outlines, chapter listings, and critical summaries.
Narrative Summary
Making Sense of the Bible is a thoughtful, accessible journey through the nature, content, and meaning of the Christian Scriptures aimed at readers wrestling with confusion, questions, or doubts about the Bible. Hamilton invites readers to imagine sitting with him over a conversation about what the Bible actually is, how it came to be, and why it still matters. At the heart of his approach is the conviction that the Bible is not a simplistic rulebook, an owner’s manual, a science textbook, or a divining tool but an ancient collection of writings that has shaped faith, culture, and personal transformation across centuries.
Hamilton begins by exploring foundational questions about the Bible’s origins, the historical and cultural contexts in which its books were written, and how decisions were made about which writings to include in the canon. He emphasizes that the Bible reflects multiple literary genres, voices, and historical moments, and therefore must be read with attention to context. Drawing on both scholarship and personal pastoral experience, he guides readers in understanding how the Scriptures are inspired yet also shaped by human authors, and he encourages a balanced approach to interpretation that avoids both rigid literalism and dismissive skepticism.
As the book unfolds, Hamilton confronts some of the Bible’s most difficult and controversial passages and themes. He discusses complex topics such as violence in the Old Testament, the relationship between biblical creation narratives and modern science, the role of women in the church, and what Scripture actually says about human sexuality. In each case he approaches the text with historical awareness and a desire to understand the deeper theological and ethical implications, showing readers that wrestling with these issues can deepen rather than diminish faith.
Throughout the narrative Hamilton underscores that Jesus Christ remains the central and definitive revelation of God, the lens through which all Scripture should be understood. He urges readers to listen for God’s voice in the text, recognizing both its divine inspiration and its rootedness in human experience. Ultimately, Hamilton’s goal is to help readers discover that engaging honestly with the Bible, its stories, challenges, and promises, can be life-changing and life-giving in the contemporary world.
Chapter-by-Chapter Review
This chapter summary is based on chapter lists and descriptions from available sources and reviewer outlines.
Part One: Foundational Questions About the Bible
Part Two: Wrestling with Challenging Passages and Questions
11. Science, the Bible, and the Creation Stories – Hamilton considers how to understand the Genesis creation accounts in light of modern scientific knowledge, suggesting that the Bible’s purpose is theological rather than scientific.
12. Old Testament Violence and God’s Character – A sensitive look at troubling passages of violence in the Old Testament, exploring historical context and theological interpretation.
13. Sex and the Bible – Hamilton addresses questions about what Scripture says regarding human sexuality, including passages traditionally used in debates about homosexuality.
14. Women in the Church – This chapter examines passages concerning the role of women in the church, inviting readers to consider cultural context and contemporary implications.
15. Hell and Salvation – Discussion of what Jesus and the New Testament actually teach about judgment, salvation, and who is included in God’s mercy.
16. Revelation and the End Times – Hamilton unpacks the apocalyptic imagery of Revelation, emphasizing its message of hope and ultimate victory rather than literal predictions.
17. How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth – The concluding chapter offers practical guidance for engaging Scripture thoughtfully through context, prayer, community study, and personal reflection.