Who Told You That You Were Naked? by William Combs is an in-depth study into the creation of man, his fall and his redemption. William Combs takes you on a journey, scene by scene from the scriptures, revealing God’s intention for Adam, from the beginning.
Combs believes that “the Old Testament is sometimes viewed as a shadow of the truth revealed in the Gospels.” That is, with an understanding of what happened in Genesis (in the beginning), we get a better understanding (and revelation) of all of the scriptures, as well as God’s intent concerning them. And this is what Combs sets out to accomplish in the ten chapters of this book.
The first few chapters describe what a haven Eden was for Adam and Eve. Then, the temptation and fall of man. The fall is described not just as a physical change but as a change in identity that affects how man sees himself. It is the most heart-wrenching tale and I felt the loss most keenly, even if it was only through the eyes of Adam and Eve. He leads us on a journey of truth by taking us step-by-step from the garden of Eden to the New Testament. He also focused on faith and the role that faith plays in redemption. He expands on what faith is and what it means for salvation, as well as what happens when man is saved and what is required of him, hereon after.
The writer gives a revelation of the true impact of what actually went on in the Garden of Eden. He not only reveals them, but he also provides parallels in the New Testament that gives a clearer understanding and perspective of the events in Genesis.
The most pervasive thought in the book was that sin was not an act. Rather, it was a manner of thinking, or behaviour, that resulted in an act. Then, he speaks of rest and what it means for a believer. Going from Genesis to Revelations, he explains what rest meant for many patriarchs of Faith until the time of Jesus. He defines rest as God desires it to be, gives examples of rest and the ultimate symbol of rest.
What I liked most about this book was how the writer used story-telling to make the scenes from the Bible more relatable. It was easy to identify with an Adam who enjoys his solitude as he watches his reflection in the river. If you are very particular about exact retelling when referencing Bible stories, you might not like them so much. I, however, enjoyed them, as they gave the book a better flow that made it easier to read. This book is perfect for a person who wants a better understanding of the fall and redemption of man from a biblical perspective.
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