Visual Word, The

The New Testament shouldn't be complicated. So why are we often confused?

Every Christian wants to love the Bible. But let's face it: we sometimes get lost in all the names, places, and doctrines that we find in its pages. Who wrote this epistle? Which book is about justification? Joy? Jesus? Aren't they all about him? The New Testament contains complex ideas and multiple genres. Keeping it straight can be hard to do. Wouldn't it be nice if somebody who understands the big picture would put it together for us in one place?

Biblical scholar and seminary professor Patrick Schreiner draws from his years of experience as a teacher to offer a simple and memorable way of understanding Scripture. And he doesn't do it by throwing big words at you. The contours of the New Testament and its underlying structure are depicted in visual format along with Schreiner's clear explanations. In The Visual Word, the Bible comes alive because you can see it pictured before your eyes. By taking a graphic approach, you'll notice connections you've never seen before. Gain insights you've missed all these years. And discover an overall pattern that makes each separate piece fall perfectly into place.

Don't settle for mere summaries of the New Testament. Let Schreiner's concise words and crisp images work together to help you encounter the Living Word in a fresh way.

Praise for The Visual Word

"The New Testament texts were produced with a high level of literary artistry, so it only makes sense that we use the arts to better understand them. This creative book is a wonderful visual exploration of the design and main themes of every New Testament book. Highly recommended!"
-TIM MACKIE, Cofounder of BibleProject

"Patrick Schreiner has undertaken to give us something desperately needed among modern-day Bible readers: context. And he has done so in a way that is accessible and memorable. Useful for both those wanting to teach and those wanting to learn, here is a tool for grasping the "big picture" of each New Testament book using, of all things, pictures. May it aid many in having not just ears to hear the Word in context, but also eyes to see."
-JEN WILKIN, Author and Bible teacher

"I've always wished I had a brilliant Bible tutor sitting beside me when I study God's Word. It's so easy to misunderstand the layers of truth because of confusion around connecting themes, people, and understanding crucial verses. Now, with Patrick Schreiner's new book, The Visual Word, we finally have that! It's a one-stop shop that outlines the New Testament books with brilliant visual illustrations and imagery that gets us into the main storyline of the Scriptures in a fresh way. Any time you read the New Testament, this is the book you should keep right next to your Bible to serve as a guide as you work through God's Word."
-LYSA TERKEURST, #1 New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries

"As continual learners of the Scripture and teachers as well, this resource will be much used in our home. To see the Word of God come to life through illustrations helps us not only remember them but also teach them better. We believe that seeing the whole of the book is a game-changer in understanding the message, and this book helps the reader see the context and message in a clear way. We are so grateful for this resource in our personal studies!"
-AARON AND JAMIE IVEY, Pastor at The Austin Stone Community Church; host of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast; authors of Complement: The Surprising Beauty of Choosing Together Over Separate in Marriage

"As a plane ride above the horizon helps you appreciate the place you call home, some books help you appreciate the big picture of God's wisdom in Scripture. The Visual Word is one of those books. This fascinating work stirs the reader with wonder in God's Word in a fresh way by combining succinct summaries and striking graphics that are not only creative but clear, faithful, memorable, and Christ-exalting. I highly commend it."
-J. GARRETT KELL, pastor, Del Ray Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA; author of Pure in Heart: Sexual Sin and the Promises of God

"When we're serious enough about the Bible to want to grasp the argument or storyline of a book, many of us need help to organize our thoughts. The Visual Word provides us with fabulous one-page diagrams that imprint the original author's organization and emphasis in our minds, leading us to greater understanding and more faithful interpretation and application."
-NANCY GUTHRIE, Author and Bible teacher

"I have never seen a book that allows one to see the outline/summary of each New Testament book with such clarity and artistic beauty as I find in The Visual Word. It's accessible and attractive enough for kids and students to read, but thorough enough for seminarians and pastors to use as well. I absolutely love the visual format and the short summaries that supplement the various artistic icons. Whether you are exploring the Christian faith, are new to the Christian faith, or are leading others into deeper understanding of the New Testament, I would encourage you to grab this resource, grab a Bible, and journey along with Schreiner and Benedetto. I will be recommending it to many others."
-TONY MERIDA, pastor for Preaching, Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, NC; dean of Grimké Seminary

"To combat biblical illiteracy we need resources to help readers better understand Scripture, but we also need resources that help readers love Scripture. The Visual Word is a resource that does both. Combining concise written summaries with beautiful illustrations, this book teaches the New Testament in a way that engages our mind and our heart. Truly unique and creatively presented, this is an exciting new tool to add to your Bible study toolbox."
-BRETT MCCRACKEN, senior editor at The Gospel Coalition; author of The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth World and Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community

"A good roadmap by a trustworthy guide is one of the best tools in navigating your way through unfamiliar or difficult terrain. That's not only true when it comes to visiting a physical place but also in studying literary and historical texts like the New Testament. In these brilliant pages, New Testament scholar Patrick Schreiner teams up with the gifted theological artist Anthony Benedetto to summarize every section of the New Testament, with each one complemented by an illustration that helps us see and remember the message at a glance. I love creative resources like this. I expect to use it for years to come. And I pray it is used far and wide to instruct and encourage the church today."
-JUSTIN TAYLOR, managing editor of the ESV Study Bible

"The Visual Word is one of the most exciting projects I've come across in a long time! I found myself engrossed in the visual outlines and imagery, pulling out my Bible to follow along, to see the broad contours of the narratives and logical flow of the arguments. This will become an excellent aid to believers who want to better understand the New Testament."
-TREVIN WAX, Senior vice president for Theology and Communications at Lifeway Christian Resources, general editor of The Gospel Project, and author of Rethink Your Self: The Power of Looking Up Before Looking In and This Is Our Time: Everyday Myths in Light of the Gospel

"Over the years many within the church have shifted away from a beautiful and compelling aesthetic to a more functional, utilitarian expression of the faith, and the church is lesser because of it. Patrick Schreiner gives the church a gift in The Visual Word by demonstrating the beauty of Scripture, not just in word but in visual form. I hope you will get a copy of The Visual Word and I think the Lord will use it to remind you of His beauty and the beauty of His Word."
-MICAH FRIES, Director of Engagement, GlocalNet; author of Leveling the Church

"What we need more than ever right now in our culture is scholars doing the work of deep biblical study coupled with a pastor's heart and artistic excellence. Sadly that's a rare combo these days, but Patrick knocks it out of the park with this one. His level of scholarship plus creativity is so engaging and enrapturing, and I can't wait to buy ten of these to hand out to friends!"
-JEFFERSON BETHKE, New York Times bestselling author of Take Back Your Family