McClellan tackles a lot of controversial topics in this book: only one god; homosexuality; abortion; Jesus is God….and so on. One can appreciate his approach with regard to historical-critical analysis. In reading any of the essays, if approached with prior knowledge of the topic, a reader may wonder if the author is a “confidence man” in that he speaks untruths confidently and thus sounding authoritative. However, McClellan does show where the analysis is ambiguous and the conclusions can’t be certain. Likewise, he concludes the whole book by saying further information and analysis may change any summaries he’s put in this book.

While there are a very few core beliefs being explored here, most are not critical to a person’s critical basis for faith. There are single-digit issues worth dying for; many worth defending and a vast majority fall on the spectrum of discussing extensively to not worth mentioning. Many will find most of the chapters fall on nearer the spectrum point of “let’s talk a bit and then move on” because it doesn’t jeopardize the core beliefs. However, part of the author’s social media oeuvre is being people want to get hot and bothered about some pseudo-controversies (e.g is the logo for a highly caffeinated/energy drink the “mark of the beast”?).

If you find yourself in a lot of discussions around some of these topics—particularly with others of a non-Christian faith tradition—it might be helpful to have this reference around. It’s not comprehensive on all the difficult Hebrew and Greek scripture texts but it covers some topics not found elsewhere.

I’m appreciative of the publisher providing an advanced copy.

I became aware of Dan McClellan from a friend of mine who asked if i had watched his videos or listened to his podcast (which I had done neither). Significantly intrigued I watched several videos and listened to several of his Data over Dogma podcasts. I was immediately hooked, Dan's unique and scholarly perspectives on all things biblical was exactly what I had been searching for. The same old inerrant and literal views of the Bible had grown old and tired and frankly, no longer made any sense to me. I was looking for someone with a new (at keast to me) a different perspective on the Bible that went beyond so much of the everyday "I kearned everything i needed to know in Bible school" Christianity. Or the "Bible says it, I believe it and that's it! " that passes as Christianity.
If you are looking for a new perspective and a somewhat scholarly interpretation of what is actually in the Bible, this book is for you.
I guarantee it will challenge you and cause you to think and re-think all that you thought you knew.
If you are a regular viewer of his videos and a listener to his podcasts there will be no surpises in the book. However, I do find it convenient to finally have his perspective in written form. Does he occasionally get out to deep in the weeds? For me yes, but if you stick with it you find it well worth your time and effort.

Dan McClellan, making public scholarship cool again!

I’ve been a fan of Dan’s TikTok work for some time now, so I was obviously excited to dig in to his new book. <i>The Bible Says So</i> is laid out in a way that makes it so you can either read straight though or jump to a chapter according to your interest/question. Definitely plan to read it with a Bible next to you (NRSVue preferred, obviously) to get the most out of it.

While Dan does get fairly technical in most chapters, as is necessary for the subject matter, he continues to make the scholarship as accessible as possible for the lay Bible reader. Really, <i>The Bible Says So</i> serves as a deeper dive into many of the topics he regularly discusses on social media (see especially chapters 13 and 17). Seeing it all written out, with references to the relevant research as well as other historic literature (the footnotes alone are worth the purchase price), makes following his arguments that much easier—and his many fans already know he has a talent for communicating the minutiae of biblical scholarship and its implications for Bible readers.

Dan’s overarching argument is made clear through the book’s introduction and conclusion—that we are all of us negotiating with biblical texts. This will inevitably be hard to read for the most conservative Bible readers; as Dan aptly observes, “The reality is that there’s no such thing as a biblical literalist. Everyone who treats the Bible as an inspired and/or authoritative document negotiates with it. There is no other possible choice.” So, yeah, I don’t know that I would hand this to a literalist, because Dan certainly calls out the logical fallacies of this belief system, and if you know literalists you know they won’t hear it until they’re ready. But for anyone who is ready, and especially for the progressive Christian who wants to reckon with the Bible seriously, chapter 2 is absolutely essential reading for helping you to learn how to grapple with the historical-critical approach to reading. Dan’s tone is delightfully irreverent in the best way (I like it when he says that something is “pure and utter nonsense”—it just makes me feel good), but no argument can be made for his disrespecting the text itself. The Bible is, after all, his life’s work. He simply makes plain what the Bible is: Texts.

It’s important also to note that Dan does not, as some try to say, only write what serves himself. He explains what the Bible actually says, calling out even the most well-meaning but incorrect interpretations. Writing about a particularly disturbing passage, he explains, “I don’t think insisting the authors actually meant something else entirely is a productive way to try to rehabilitate this passage, though. Nor do I think it’s consistent to dismiss the harmful ideology [found in this passage] as the product of the authors’ own time while simultaneously maintaining the inerrancy, inspiration, and authority of the words themselves. The words are simply wrong.” He returns to this idea throughout the book, explaining the ways that we might continue to negotiate with biblical texts while acknowledging, “Sometimes the Bible is the problem.”

In a world where we no longer have Rachel Held Evans to guide us, I like many other progressives am constantly seeking out voices to help me navigate my faith. (I’ve never been one to harbor any desire to meet my heroes, but what I would give to sit down and have a conversation with Dan!) While he may not be positioning himself as a faith leader, Dan McClellan stands out as one of the foremost voices helping us all understand this Book we love and struggle with.

I have been following Dan on TikTok for several years and was excited he was coming out with a book about the Bible for us lay folk. At the same time I was a little apprehensive that it would be more of a scholarly read because let’s face in, Dan has a big brain and uses a lot of words I don’t always understand. Unfortunately my apprehensions (for myself at least) turned out to be true and I ended up DNF’ing at 9 percent. I found the book to be very dry and I think the thing I love most about Dan’s teaching style: his personality and wit, got lost in the pages. I do think this book would be great for Bible scholars and people attending seminary, it just wasn’t for me.

Building on the themes he often addresses on Tiktok & Instagram, Dan McClellan’s new book aims to provide historical context to passages in the Bible that get used to discuss modern-day issues. This book covers topics like the creation of the Bible, slavery, abortion, child sacrifice, and homosexuality. Each chapter dives into what the original audience would have believed and how the issue would have been handled in biblical times.

To me, this book requires a solid understanding of the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible. The majority of the issues discussed are originally discussed in the OT and may or may not be addressed in the New Testament. Understanding the peoples of Israel & Judah, their journey into the promised land, their exile, and their return is key to being able to fully grasp the historical context McClellan is providing.

McClellan’s aim is to put “data over dogma” leaving aside his own beliefs to encourage an historical understanding of the Bible and to prevent the Bible’s weaponization against marginalized people groups. I think he does that well.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Dan McClellan for the ARC!

A Biblical scholar, whose focus is on the linguistics and translations, takes a look at several topics that are frequently discussed -- slavery, abortion, marriage, homosexuality, and more. Although I did find much of what the author explains very fascinating, this is not a book for the casual reader. His work is obviously very well researched, and that's sometimes the issue. His narrative is sometimes bogged down in the minutiae -- how individual words should be more accurately translated from the Hebrew or Greek, for example, I found myself skimming over much of these details. In any case, I found the topic fascinating and learned a great deal.

I honestly cannot speak highly enough about McClellan’s work. I was first introduced to him through TikTok and once I left the app, I really missed hearing what he had to say. I’m so grateful that he has been given a platform to speak about the Bible in this way because he is truly a scholar. I know for myself as a queer Black woman I have not only found his work to be incredibly informative and important but also reaffirming.

I received an electronic ARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.
McClellan offers his thoughts and researched opinions on what the Bible shares. He does not shy away from controversial topics and offers his interpretation for readers to review. The book allows readers to process their thoughts and choose to debate or accept the information shared. As he says in the Conclusion, his own biases are present. Though he quotes many sources, most fall in line to support his ideas with few references to those who offer different opinions. Others will appreciate this approach and do read other reviews for more thoughts.

This was more scholarly than I was expecting. Overall, the book wasn't what I thought it was going to be. The author did list some points to ponder regarding what those who wrote the Bible might have been thinking at the time it was written. It was a bit heavy at least for your average reader looking to just gain some basic insights into the Bible. If someone is looking for a more scholarly read, this might be a good fit for them. It would also be a good option for someone looking for more historical and scientific details on the Bible.

Definitely not for the average reader. Disappointing.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Dan McClellan’s The Bible Says So attempts to tackle one of the most debated and misunderstood texts in history, the Bible, through what he describes as a “data over dogma” approach. The premise of the book promises to provide a clearer, evidence-based understanding of what the Bible does or does not say on a range of socially significant issues, such as homosexuality, abortion, slavery, and more. However, while the book may be enlightening for some, it wasn’t quite the right fit for me.

For starters, I wasn’t the target audience for this book. I was expecting a more scholarly, neutral approach, where McClellan would delve deeply into historical and theological analysis. Instead, the book often feels more like a personal diary of someone working through their own confusion about the Bible’s teachings. McClellan’s approach blends personal reflections with his academic background, but this mix creates a tone that seems more like a social media post than a well-researched, scholarly exploration. The style might resonate more with casual readers who engage with religious debates on platforms like Twitter, but for those looking for a more academic or objective treatment of the Bible, this might fall short.

Another issue I had with the book is the heavy skewing of McClellan’s own religious beliefs. The “data over dogma” approach is an interesting idea, but I felt that the author’s personal views still played a significant role in shaping the narrative, making it feel more like a platform for his own opinions rather than an impartial exploration of biblical content. While the book does try to break down complex issues in an accessible manner, the intertwining of personal beliefs with data sometimes muddles the clarity.

I ADORE this book. I learned so much and it was so interesting. It was challenging but also sprinkled throughout were fun endnotes referring to all manner of pop culture to bring the levity. I learned about councils, rhetorical tools, old ways of conceptualizing divinity, and was fascinated the whole way through. If you’re curious about the Bible PICK THIS UP.

As someone who grew up with a Christian background (who no longer practices for personal reasons), this book gives you such a different perspective on religion. I kind of wish this was a book my family would be open-minded to reading, but I highly doubt it. I very much appreciate the historical aspect of this book and also being able to go back and forth and look at everything from a scientific POV. This book made me feel so many kinds of ways, and I wish this book was available when I was much younger. This is a book I would recommend to anyone who is interested in dipping their toes into religion or even to someone who is open-minded to exploring more of the scientific and historical parts of the Bible.

Thank you to SMP's Early Readers for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was slightly more scholarly than I was expecting, although that's on me and not the author, as he's very clear from the Introduction what his approach is (data over dogma, as it were). I found a lot of it really helpful in providing factual context as to our best guesses at what the authors of the Bible were actually thinking in any given passage. I was especially appreciative not only of his reasoning on why some of the talking points for conservatives are wrong, but also in detailing that yes, at the time, the folks who authored the Bible probably did think it was not only okay but recommended to use corporal punishment on children.

I think for me it was slightly too dense, but for the right audience, I think this is a really great resource.

3.5 stars rounded up, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I follow Dan's podcast, Data Over Dogma, so I am already familiar with some of his thoughts on the ways people interpret the Bible. I could hear him talking in my head as I read. :) I hope he plans to narrate this book himself. Dan doesn't approach the Bible as something written long ago and without merit. Instead, he tries to get readers/believers to think about what the authors meant when they wrote it and the time period they lived in. He focuses on translation decisions and how that impacts beliefs. This book is written in an easy to read style.

This book has given me a fresh perspective on how to approach the Bible. I truly enjoyed reading this, as it’s not my usual cup of tea.

I found Dan through my husband who found him on tik tok a. I was very excited to see he had a book coming out. This book was very interesting and matched Dan’s tik tok “style”. He provided a lot of interesting thoughts and historical context.