Publishers Weekly
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Data Over Dogma podcaster McClellan debuts with a smart and historically grounded look at what scripture says about some of Christianity’s most provocative questions. Drawing on the text and canonical sources, he unpacks the origins of what he argues are misconstrued symbols (the number 666 does not signify “the mark of the beast” but is more likely code for Roman emperor Nero, an infamous “persecutor of early Christians” around the time the number first appeared in scripture); debunks literalist readings (while the book of Proverbs supports corporal punishment for children, the practice should be considered a relic of the ancient world); and unravels the nuances of hot-button issues, arguing, for example, that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality because “the concept of sexual orientation” didn’t exist in ancient times—though it does prohibit same-sex intercourse. In the process, he perceptively examines how biblical tenets have been skewed or exploited by some believers to cloak their innate prejudices, which then become “identity markers” used to justify “authoritarianism and social dominance.” Combining fine-grained textual analysis with enlightening historical context, this is a valuable resource. (Apr.)

Library Journal
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Independent religion scholar McClellan draws from his popular TikTok account and expands upon it in this work, answering common questions many may have when discussing what the Bible actually says about a range of current issues. He starts each chapter with a summary of a viral video addressing the question at hand, and, with faith-based skepticism and a hint of irreverence, tackles what that video gets wrong or right about the text of the Bible. He explains how he reaches his conclusions, highlighting a variety of translations and Hebrew and Greek word studies to dissect and show his perspectives, referencing many other biblical scholars and their work, and pivoting away from how the Bible has been weaponized against marginalized groups. VERDICT At times it can be difficult to determine the audience McClellan hopes to reach, as the book's chapters vary in length and depth, leaving some readers to find it too verbose. The work will best serves readers hoping to resolve specific issues with how the Bible is used in arguments and defenses of particular beliefs.—Amanda Ray