Not What You Think: Why the Bible Might Be Nothing We Expected Yet Everything We Need

Not What You Think blows the dust off dated misperceptions of the Bible and engages the problems of this book head-on--the parts that make modern readers squeamish, skeptical, and uncertain.

If you're skeptical about the Bible, you're not alone. The Bible is seen by many contemporary readers as intolerant, outdated, out of step with societal norms at best, and a tool of oppression at worst.

In this earnest and illuminating read, millennial thought leaders and aspiring theologians Michael and Lauren McAfee are here to say: fair enough. But they're also here to raise a few questions of their own:

• What if we cleared the deck on our preconceptions of the Bible and encountered it anew?
• What if we came with the understanding that our questions are welcome?
• And what if the Bible presents less of a system to figure out, and more of a story to step into--a story with more surprising plot twists than we might think?

Michael and Lauren spent their childhoods in church and Sunday school, they spent part of their twenties finding their way in the world in New York City, and today they're shaping their careers while pursuing doctoral studies in theology and ethics. Along the way, they've had to wrangle very real questions--both their own, and of their friends--about why, where, and how the most controversial book in history fits in our world today.

Join Michael and Lauren as they explore the nature of the Bible--an ancient mosaic of story, literature, history, and poetry--and what it means for this generation and its relationship with God. Ultimately, Not What You Think is an invitation to come and see, and be surprised.

Michael McAfee is the president and founder of Inspire Experiences, a PhD student studying public theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an Oklahoma City Thunder fanatic. His greatest accomplishment in life is escaping the friend zone with Lauren when they were in high school. Michael and Lauren wrote a book on next-gen Bible engagement titled Not What You Think. They are covenant members of Council Road Baptist Church where Michael serves as one of the teaching pastors.

Lauren McAfee is the founder and visionary of Stand for Life and also serves as the ministry director at Hobby Lobby. Lauren is the author of Only One Life, Not What You Think, Legacy Study, and Created in the Image of God. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Ethics and Policy. Lauren previously worked for her father, Steve Green, while he founded Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, serving as curator, artifact collection manager, and director of community engagement. Lauren and Michael are happily married with two fierce and feminine girls, Zion and Zara.