Book Review: Walk by James L. Nicodem
Book Review: Walk by James L. Nicodem
How to Apply the Bible
Walk is part of a four part series of books intended to help believers understand God’s word and put it into practice. This book is the fourth one, all about application in our lives. (The other three covering the topics of grasping the Bible’s storyline, the reliability of the Bible’s text and correct interpretation of the Bible.) Although part of a series it works perfectly well as a stand-alone book.
This book held true to its subtitle in teaching the reader how to apply the Bible. That was its main focus and it was extremely well done on that point.
Mr. Nicodem gives you an easy-to-remember “formula” for getting the most out of your scripture reading using the acronym COMA. (C=context, O= observation, M= message, A=application) The author was thorough in explaining each piece of this puzzle and included five samples of this method in action. Also included were study guide questions at the end of each chapter.
Overall I found this author pleasant to read and not at all arrogant or condemning in tone. The author was very knowledgeable on this topic and knew how to pass it on in a way that was easy to grasp. I am seriously considering purchasing one or more of his other books in this series.
The one thing I would question would be his quote on the aim (or purpose or goal) of why God illumines scripture to us, which is, “The aim of being illuminated by God’s Word is to apply what you’ve learned to your life.” (p. 38) Although it totally fits with the goal of this book I’m not sure it is the best or highest goal you can or should have for reading the Word. It is indeed multiple times or even exponentially better than the alternate goal he cites, that is, for merely knowledge. But I propose another goal that is on top of or at least in addition to this one that Mr. Nicodem has. It is to get to know God better, that is, to get to know the author of the Bible in a real relationship.
The author by not saying that or any other goal for reading the Word at least implied (by omission) then, that his is the only goal that is suitable. Not only do I think my goal is better, there are still other ways that I approach scripture that he does not mention at all, like using the Psalms in praise or worship, finding a promise that addresses a particular in the moment concern, looking for guidance for a relationship problem or looking for wisdom for making a decision, to name a few. (Never mind memorization or meditation.)
All that does in no way diminish all the good stuff about how to apply the Bible for yourself, that this book contains. But the readers should keep these other issues in mind as they read it, that this is just one way to approach the Bible, albeit a very good one.
Anyone who wants to get more out their Bible reading and especially if you have a desire in applying what you find therein, will love this book.
To purchase your own copy of this book go here:Walk: How to Apply the Bible (Bible Savvy Series)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Moody Publishers through their blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Other book reviews you may like:
Meditate and Declare by Lynn Dehnke
How Do We Know the Bible Is True? by Ken Ham and Bodie Hodge
Bible Translations by John Rataczak
Ten Steps to a Closer Walk with God by David M. Showers
To see ALL my Christian book reviews go here.
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