"Better Ways to Read the Bible" Book Review
A few thoughts after reading Zach W. Lambert’s new book
I’ve been waiting patiently for Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm into a Book of Healing to release for a long time. I actually pre-ordered it back in June when I got the promotional email, and it did not disappoint!
My first introduction to Zach Lambert, apart from social media, happened one night on a Zoom event that he was helping host for David Gushee. Gushee had just released The Moral Teachings of Jesus, and I’m always interested in what he has to say so I was excited to take part. During that meeting I asked a question that pushed back against some wording Gushee used (shocking, I know! It’s the D.Min. student in me.), and Zach graciously stayed on with me after the meeting to discuss it.
It’s moments like these that stick with people, you know? I mean, to paraphrase Journey, I’m just a rural girl, livin’ in a lonely Church world… in Canada. Up here in the “Great White North,” that is currently experiencing one of its driest summers in a long time, I get a different perspective simply based on national leadership.
That being said, some (many?) of the teachings trickle over the border, and can be found in fundamental/conservative churches here. Therefore, I was happy to finally be able to open this book. I read it in less than a day, and I couldn’t wait to share a review of it!
Please note, part of my educational training is learning how to critique… well, everything. This is not me being critical or a criticism of Lambert’s hard work. It’s simply me allowing myself to think differently, and that’s okay.
“Regardless of our racial or cultural heritage, we all have biases—lenses through which we interpret the Bible. That’s not the problem. The problem is pretending that one group of people doesn’t bring any biases to their Scripture reading while everyone else does” (30).
What This Book is About
Lambert identifies four lenses that aid in the “weaponization” of Scripture (4):
The Literalism Lens - Aka a “plain reading” of Scripture or biblical inerrancy.
The Apocalypse Lens - Popular among the Left Behind believers, or those who are all “hellfire and brimstone.”
The Moralism Lens - The Bible is a rulebook that must be followed.
The Hierarchy Lens - Submit, submit, submit… this lens is the biggest impetus behind women in the church, and patriarchy.
He then offers four new lenses that can be applied to promote healing and growth.
The Jesus Lens - Taking “a posture of humble curiosity” (124).
The Context Lens - Recognizing the intended audience to the best of our ability, understanding the genre we’re reading, and acknowledging that some writings were meant for a specific time and place.
The Flourishing Lens - Seeking justice for the marginalized, and oppressed.
The Fruitfulness Lens - What is the result of your interpretation? Is the fruit healthy, or poisonous?
“We’ve treated this ancient, diverse collection of literature like a rule book, a history book, or a scientific textbook tailored to a reader in twenty-first-century America. It’s no wonder so many of us struggle with the Bible or have left it behind completely” (19).
What I liked…
The history lesson that demonstrated the impact of the Enlightenment on reading the Bible. Like how we read for logic and information, not formation. It made my little spiritual director’s heart soar! In Shaped by the Word, Robert Mulholland (2023, 55-57) shares how informational reading,
Wants to read as much as possible, as quickly as possible.
Is linear, and misses the deeper meaning of the passage.
Treats the Bible like something “out there” we desire to control or manipulate.
Is analytical, critical, and judgmental.
Seeks to problem solve.
Speaking of history… The history behind the doctrine of inerrancy, and the influence of the Chicago Statement. Why is this important? Lambert shares that 97% of the signers were White men (41). What happened to the diversity of God’s Kingdom? Finally, don’t forget the history and impact of the Left Behind movement, and a “hellfire and brimstone” reading of Scripture. If you’re looking for a way to engage the apocalyptic lens you may have been taught, this chapter is great!
In Chapter 1 Lambert shares an extensive list of people that influence him now. Not only did I recognize a lot of names, I learned some new ones, too! (My TBR may never recover.) This is an amazing way for you to connect with authors that may help you understand Christianity outside the box you’ve been taught. Dig through it, and find some resources that are helpful for you.
God bless him for taking on the “go and sin no more” passage. People love to throw out there when they read Scripture with the black and white lens of moralism, and it can be difficult to engage well with. I was so happy to see how much time he spent on it. From pages 86 to 91!
Pause for a second…
It took me a long time to unlearn some teachings, and find my voice. That’s why I appreciate when people like Zach Lambert, Dr. Andrew J. Bauman, Sheila Wray-Gregoire… and many more challenge them. I say this because if you’re not ready to debate theology or biblical interpretation, that’s okay. There are great resources out there to point people to.
”Jesus chastised folks who weaponized Scripture and elevated it above love of neighbor. He repeatedly denounced those who used sacred texts to divide rather than unite, incite violence rather than make peace, and exclude rather than include” (25).
Continuing on…
Have you heard of liberation theology? I hadn’t until I attended seminary for my Master’s, so I was almost giddy when Lambert went into the background, and importance, of this very special theology. I also loved that he returns to it in the development of his “Flourishing Lens” (Ch. 9). He practices what he’s preaching about Acts 6. Love it!
Lambert’s honest pushback on the belief that deconstruction is something we voluntarily go through really resonated with me. From experience, research, and conversations, deconstruction is a crisis of faith because what we were taught doesn’t match what we experience. It can be incredibly dark, and lonely. That’s also why the list in Chapter 1 is helpful.
Of all the chapters, I think Chapter 10 will get the most trolling, and (maybe optimistically on my part) the most discussion because Lambert walks purposefully into affirming theology. Whether the discussions are fruitful or not remains to be seen. In my own research I’ve come across most of what he shares - from the 1946 Bible translation, to clobber verses, to eunuchs. That being said, this is a great cursory overview of an incredibly large, and in many situations, harmful topic.
When we exclude the people God tells us to include, we miss out on the gifts and talents they bring; we miss out on the unique ways in which they bear God’s image; and we miss out on the fruit of the Spirit they express (186).
Gentle Pushback…
When I first read the title, and it included the word “Better” (also in the subtitle of chapter 2) I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. I typically find myself walking a tightrope between the Mainline Church, the Evangelical Church, the Post-Evangelical church… and I attend an Anabaptist church. For me, this means that I’m hyper aware of words that may come across through a competitive lens (i.e. “They’re not ‘real’ Christians because…). However, when I realized the comparison he was using between harmful teachings, and a healing perspective, I understand the reasoning behind the word. See? Gracious Tension - it’s not as easy as it looks!
I love what Lambert is attempting to do in this book, and I have one struggle that comes out of my own research. All the passages that Lambert refers to are ones that are expected, and argued against, by those who hold opposite views. Unfortunately, it’s what we have to work with until new information comes to light. Even then, will it matter? That’s the struggle with interpretation… it’s up for… interpretation (I’ll see myself out now.)
“… if our biblical interpretation isn’t producing more love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in us and through us, then our interpretation is not being led by the Spirit of Jesus” (170).
Overall Thoughts
I love how Lambert has a well-rounded mix of personal stories, shared stories, Bible stories, other theologies, and historical information. Those last two are key, I feel strongly that many Christians have a narrow experience of their faith, and little knowledge of Church history.
Better Ways to Read the Bible is full of insight. If you’re wrestling and seeking answers, it offers a valuable resource filled with information. That being said, while gathering information certainly has its place, our Western culture often emphasizes it at the expense of formational reading. By all means, read the book and take in what it offers—and I also encourage you to seek out a spiritual director who can guide you into the deeper practice of reading Scripture formationally as well.
This is an incredibly accessible read. It addresses big topics in a way that anyone can understand, not just scholars and academics. If you have questions, Better Ways to Read the Bible will offer answers.
Reference List
Please note that any links to Amazon are part of the Amazon Affiliate program, and I receive a small compensation.
Gushee, David. 2024. The Moral Teachings of Jesus: Radical Instruction in the Will of God. Eugene, OR: Cascade.
Lambert, Zach W. 2025. Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm into a Book of Healing. Grand Rapids: Brazos.
Mulholland, M. Robert. 2023 Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation - Anniversary Edition. Nashville: Upper Room.
Thanks for taking the time to read the book and write this thoughtful review! Glad you (mostly) liked it ☺️