Overview
This summary provides one-sentence overviews for each of the 66 books of the Protestant Bible, clarifying their central themes and narratives for easy reference.
Old Testament Books – The Torah (Law of Moses)
- Genesis: Explains the origins of God's relationship with the world and the nation of Israel.
- Exodus: God delivers Israel from Egyptian slavery and establishes a special covenant with them.
- Leviticus: God gives Israel specific instructions for worship and ritual purity.
- Numbers: Israel's lack of faith leads to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
- Deuteronomy: Moses recaps laws and instructs Israel on loving and obeying God in the Promised Land.
Historical Books (Joshua–Esther)
- Joshua: Joshua leads Israel to conquer Canaan and distributes the land among tribes.
- Judges: Israel repeatedly turns from God, is oppressed, calls for help, and is saved by judges.
- Ruth: Two widows find hope in Israel, leading to King David's lineage.
- 1 Samuel: Israel demands a king, who ultimately disappoints them.
- 2 Samuel: David becomes king, known as a man after God's heart.
- 1 Kings: Israel prospers under Solomon but later splits and its kings turn away from God.
- 2 Kings: Both kingdoms reject God and fall to foreign empires.
- 1 Chronicles: Traces Israel's history from Adam to King David and the Temple's commissioning.
- 2 Chronicles: Solomon builds the Temple; Judah is eventually exiled and the Temple destroyed.
- Ezra: Israelites rebuild the Temple, and Ezra restores law observance.
- Nehemiah: Nehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls.
- Esther: Esther intervenes to save Israel from a genocidal plot.
Poetry & Wisdom Books (Job–Song of Solomon)
- Job: Job's suffering prompts a debate on why bad things happen to the righteous.
- Psalms: Collection of 150 songs of worship and prayer.
- Proverbs: Sayings guiding wise, just living.
- Ecclesiastes: Philosophical reflections on the meaning of life.
- Song of Solomon: Celebration of love and marriage.
Major & Minor Prophets (Isaiah–Malachi)
- Isaiah: Warns of judgment but foretells a coming savior.
- Jeremiah: Warns of Babylonian exile and faces opposition.
- Lamentations: Dirges mourning Jerusalem's destruction.
- Ezekiel: Ezekiel warns Israel and calls for justice.
- Daniel: Daniel rises to prominence and has visions of Israel's future.
- Hosea: Hosea's marriage symbolizes God's relationship with unfaithful Israel.
- Joel: Locust plague as judgment with warnings for surrounding nations.
- Amos: Amos condemns injustice in Israel.
- Obadiah: Edom is warned of judgment for plundering Jerusalem.
- Jonah: Jonah flees God's call, then preaches to Nineveh after being swallowed by a fish.
- Micah: Micah denounces injustice and predicts future righteous rule.
- Nahum: Prophesies doom for Nineveh.
- Habakkuk: Habakkuk questions God's use of violent nations for judgment.
- Zephaniah: Judgment and future restoration for Israel and its neighbors.
- Haggai: Rebukes for neglecting Temple restoration.
- Zechariah: Calls for Israel’s return and reveals prophetic visions.
- Malachi: Rebukes Israel’s unfaithfulness; calls for spiritual renewal.
New Testament Books – The Gospels & Acts
- Matthew: Focuses on Jesus as the true king of the Jews.
- Mark: Emphasizes Jesus' authority and servanthood in a concise narrative.
- Luke: Compiles eyewitness accounts for a thorough biography of Jesus.
- John: Shares signs and miracles so readers may believe in Jesus.
- Acts: Chronicles the spread of the gospel and the church's early growth.
Paul’s Epistles (Romans–Philemon)
- Romans: Explains how the gospel works to the Roman churches.
- 1 Corinthians: Addresses church problems and Christian conduct.
- 2 Corinthians: Offers reconciliation and addresses concerns.
- Galatians: Defends salvation by faith, not by law.
- Ephesians: Teaches on living in grace, peace, and love.
- Philippians: Encourages joy in Christ.
- Colossians: Explores identity in Christ and spiritual growth.
- 1 Thessalonians: Commends the church and urges greater faith, hope, love.
- 2 Thessalonians: Teaches perseverance until Jesus' return.
- 1 Timothy: Pastoral instructions for church leadership.
- 2 Timothy: Urges Timothy to persist in preaching.
- Titus: Advises on leading counter-cultural churches.
- Philemon: Pleads for a runaway slave to be welcomed as a brother.
General Epistles (Hebrews–Jude)
- Hebrews: Encourages steadfast faith in Christ amid persecution.
- James: Stresses active faith through good works.
- 1 Peter: Encourages faithfulness under persecution.
- 2 Peter: Warns against false teachers and urges remembrance of truth.
- 1 John: Stresses obedience, love, and doctrinal clarity.
- 2 John: Brief teaching on truth, love, and obedience.
- 3 John: Brief letter on Christian fellowship.
- Jude: Urges Christians to defend the faith against intruders.
Revelation
- John sees visions of past, present, and future events, revealing ultimate victory and hope.