Matt McAvoy Book Review

If I’m being completely honest, and I mean no disrespect by this whatsoever, but I often find books about Scripture and biblical interpretation hard to digest and often even incoherent; I simply don’t follow them.  However, Zachary’s book is something of a refreshing change from this.  Rather than simply preaching God’s word as interpreted by the author (although that will come shortly), first and foremost I would consider this rather more of an autobiographical project.  Zachary is pouring his heart, his life and his experiences, good and bad, onto the page, perhaps for a partly cathartic experience, but more, it seems, to make sense of his life story, and how he came to find God and interpret His word.  It is fair to say, I think, that whilst the author has come tremendously far in his psychological and emotional self-actualization, I think there is still some way for him to go, as his demons (if Zachary will excuse the expression) still attempt to control him.  For Zachary, I hope his faith is stronger – and I’m in no doubt that it is.  I applaud him for his efforts – for what little my knowledge of his subject has to offer.

What therefore ensues is the narrative of how Zachary came to realize he had a calling to present twelve distinct lessons of the Jewish Bible, which for the most part of this book he then goes on to do, interspersing the respective lessons with his own backstory, as something of a lived-experience credential.  Here is where his book differs from others in the genre; interpreting Scripture can of course be incredibly subjective, and a little alienating for atheist readers, but it’s fair to say that this author does a tremendous job of very coherently and articulately presenting his case in a way which is incredibly easy to follow, digest and understand – even if I will personally never quite comprehend the subject area, I think.  The point is that Zachary is a writer at heart, which he shares late in the book, and felt compelled to use his vocation to fulfil his mission, unlike many to whom the objective comes first, with no writing experience; you do feel that, in the absence of such an eloquent and capable aptitude for writing, this author may have chosen a different media through which to share his message.  The result is a book which is easy to follow and actually quite entertaining the read.  I’m not sure it will convert anybody and I’m sure that isn’t the author’s intention, but it will certainly endear you to him and his writing style.  He presents an entertaining case, without the brimstone on one hand, and without gushing the word of God’s love (although of course, the latter is there to the extent one would expect).  I think, rathermore, this is simply a book, which will benefit believers and non-believers in different ways.  Zachary admits his mistakes, and they are clear to see, yet you will find yourself rooting for him to come good. 

As far as books on faith and sermon go, you can do a great deal worse; this is one which is universally agreeable, I think, and that is a rare thing.