Steve Green - This Beautiful Book: An Exploration of the Bibles Incredible Story Line and Why It Matters Today

Few people have done more to shine a light on the beauty of the Bible than Steve Green. His passion, vision, and sheer tenacity for exposing the magnificence of Scripture have reshaped American culture and given future generations a firm foundation on which to build their faith.

DAVID AND JASON BENHAM, AUTHORS, SPEAKERS, ENTREPRENEURS

Steve loves the Bible. In his new work, he helps us to gain an even greater appreciation for what God says in his written message to us, the Bible. I highly recommend This Beautiful Book to you.

GREG LAURIE, PASTOR, HARVEST CHURCH; EVANGELIST, HARVEST CRUSADES

Steve has once again produced a work that illuminates the Bible. This Beautiful Book provides the narrative of the Bible to its readers in a thoughtful, digestible way.

CARLY FIORINA, FOUNDER, CARLY FIORINA ENTERPRISES

In spite of the fact that biblical stories may be offensive to the sensibilities of many in our increasingly thin-skinned culture, Steve helps us understand why and how the Bible remains relevant and even transformational for so many.

BYRON R. JOHNSON, PROFESSOR, BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

In this captivating and creative retelling of the biblical story, Steve unfolds the beauty of historys bestselling workthe book that changed history and changes lives. This Beautiful Book is an engaging overview of the Bible for both new and longtime readers.

RAVI ZACHARIAS, AUTHOR AND SPEAKER

Steve uses small words to tell a big storymy kind of readclarity for a first-rate cause.

JERRY PATTENGALE, AUTHOR, IS THE BIBLE AT FAULT?

Helpful. Inspiring. A great tool to help us grow in our understanding of Gods Word. Steve helps us realize that Scripture tells one overarching story, centered on the work and person of Jesus, and helps us to see how good God is and how great his love is for us.

LOUIE GIGLIO, PASTOR, PASSION CITY CHURCH; AUTHOR, NOT FORSAKEN

Heres a majestic and personal tour of the most influential book in historya creative and comprehensive guide to unlocking the Bibles magnificent story of redemption and hope. Highly recommended!

LEE STROBEL, AUTHOR, THE CASE FOR CHRIST AND THE CASE FOR FAITH

Steve introduces the reader to the big story of the Bible and shows his passion for helping readers who are unfamiliar with the Good Book. Bravo!

ERIC METAXAS, AUTHOR; HOST, ERIC METAXAS RADIO SHOW

This is the tremendous contribution of Steve and Bill in This Beautiful Book: they take seriously biblical scholarship but effectively provide the reader with a larger narrative, an understandable introduction, and a sincere call to engage the beautiful story of the Bible.

L. RANDOLPH LOWRY, PRESIDENT, LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY

ZONDERVAN

This Beautiful Book

Copyright 2019 by Steve Green and William High

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

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ISBN 978-0-310-35602-8 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-310-35613-4 (audio)

ISBN 978-0-310-35611-0 (ebook)

Epub Edition September 2019 9780310356110

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Any internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Author is represented by the Christopher Ferebee Agency, www.christopherferebee.com.

Cover design: James W. Hall IV

Cover illustration: aleabievsasha / Depositphotos

Interior design: Emily Ghattas

Printed in the United States of America

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Please note that the endnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication

To my six children, their spouses, and their

children, and all who are yet to come. There

is nothing more I would like to leave you

than the story this book summarizes.

CONTENTS

Whats your favorite movie or play? For some people, it might be Star Wars or something classic like Its a Wonderful Life. If its a Broadway musical, I suspect some might think of Les Misrables. Except for meat least at first.

I used to travel to NYC once a year on a business trip. When it was possible for my wife, Jackie, to join me, wed do our best to attend a Broadway play. One year, we decided to see Les Misrables, a story set during a time of rebellion in France when the common man was fighting for what was right. I had heard about the story and understood it to be a good one. Some of our friends said it was one of their favorites. I didnt know the story but decided to go anyway.

At the intermission of the play, I was confused.

What were the names of the main characters again? I asked my wife. Not only did I have trouble remembering the characters names, but I couldnt tell who was who.

It was a musical, and I admit I have never been accused of being highly cultured, but I was having a hard time following the story line. There was this guy named Jean Valjean and another guy named Javert, and I couldnt distinguish between the two, especially when they were singing their names.

During the intermission, we noticed a bit of the story line that was given in the playbill. That was helpful. Jackie and I were still trying to read the plotline when the lights went off for the second act.

After we left the theater, I felt disappointed with the evening. I didnt have a clue to what I had just seen.

Not wanting to give up on the story, I decided to watch the movie. I was not going to try the book, as that would be too much of a commitment, especially if I wound up not liking the story. After watching the movie for an hour and a half, I discovered that I loved the story. Now that I knew the story, I wondered if I would enjoy the Broadway play.

On our next trip to NYC, Jackie and I once again attended Les Misrables, and what do you knowI was able to follow the story line, and I loved it. It is one of my all-time favorite Broadway plays. Weve returned several times to see it.

Now when friends ask me for a Broadway musical recommendation, I always suggest Les Misrables if its playing. I also suggest they at least watch one of the movie versions if theyre not familiar with the story, because it made a world of difference for me.