Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm Into a Tool of Healing

By Zach W. Lambert

Book Overview

How can we read the Bible in ways that lead to healing and wholeness?

"A wide-ranging and cogent guide to seeing scripture in a new light. Disenchanted Christians will be energized."--Publishers Weekly

As a pastor for more than ten years, Zach Lambert has seen the Bible used countless times as something far from the "Good Book"--both in his own life and in the experiences of others. He has seen the Bible weaponized to subjugate women, justify racism, bash LGBTQ+ people, cover up abuse, and exclude people who speak out against these injustices.

If you've been hurt by harmful interpretations or feel disconnected from Scripture, this book offers a path forward to reclaim the Bible's life-giving message. This accessible resource will help you

● break free from harmful interpretations that distort Scripture's true message,
● develop Christ-centered reading practices,
● renew your relationship with Scripture,
● apply new frameworks to challenging Bible passages that have historically been misused to cause harm, and
● connect with Christians who embrace Scripture's call to abundant life for everyone.

In this compassionate guide, Lambert dismantles four common lenses for reading the Bible that lead to harm, then offers four new lenses that promote healing and wholeness. This book welcomes all Christians--regardless of background, doubts, or wounds--to reengage Scripture in life-giving ways.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158743668X
• ISBN13: 9781587436680
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Brazos Press
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Excellent resource for re engaging with scripture

I had come to a point in my journey that I wasn’t sure what to do with the Bible. I had seen it used for harm or control, this book was so timely. I love the way it is organized by looking at the harmful lenses then at more healthy lenses. I read it in two days and am reading it again. It will seriously be a highly used tool in my library.

Get back to reading your Bible

I have struggled lately with reading my Bible. The way Zach explains the different lens and that we all read the Bible through a different lens whether we know it or not, just clicked in my brain when I read it. Just being who you are, how you were raised and what area you are from make a lens through which you read the Bible. Having each of the lens' explained in depth is eye opening. I want to be a Jesus Christian and help people heal. This book is a great tool to help with that.