Esoteric Christianity Made Simple is a work of non-fiction focusing on biblical themes and ideas with more of a critical eye and was penned by author Con Trong Bui. The work asks whether we should be examining the Bible as a literal work and a historical text or not, and produces some very interesting ideas and questions in relation to the way that people interpret it in the modern day. Reconceptualizing the Christian faith from its literal meanings, the author explores the metaphorical and moral ideas of the Bible instead with a fresh interpretation that leads to a new breed of spirituality and belief.

Whilst there will be some readers who believe in the exact wording of the ancient text at the foundation of all Christianity, those who are curious as to differing interpretations and wish to seek their own path to understanding the Bible could certainly learn a lot from the well-considered explorations of author Con Trong Bui. The concept of truth is well described, and the philosophical arguments are arranged in such a way that they can become accessible even to those who have no prior experience of critical thinking, theology or philosophy at all. I found many of the interpretations of the moral and metaphorical messages in the Bible to still be respectful to the text and the general message of Christianity, whilst also laying out some fundamental flaws and questioning them intelligently. Overall, Esoteric Christianity Made Simple offers exactly what it promises, and is a thought-provoking and enlightening read.

Esoteric Christianity Made Simple by Con Trong Bui is a philosophical non-fiction Christian guide to the Bible that confronts the understanding that most people have regarding the biblical text. Over the course of seven chapters, Bui starts from scratch by pulling back the veil of what we think we know and instead brings the reader back down to the absolute foundation, wherein most have misunderstood to the extent that the rest becomes almost contradictory. By starting with a blank canvas, Bui is able to slowly layer and rebuild the scripture in an accessible way, revealing a fresh point of view on the particulars for the benefit of readers who are new to Christianity and those who are not.

Esoteric Christianity has long been a form often misunderstood, and even more often confusing to those who believe the word of God through the Bible is meant to be taken at face value. The idea that not everyone is meant to have a full understanding of scripture does not always sit comfortably with people, making Con Trong Bui's Esoteric Christianity Made Simple an excellent fit for readers with an interest. It's evident the author has tirelessly researched scripture for the compilation of this book. The most interesting part to me was in chapter six, sub-chapter thirty, where Bui discusses the sin of omission as a “passive sin” and the cause and effect it has, despite most thinking it may not be a sin at all. I think this book will resonate well with readers who have an interest in theology, the philosophical side of it, and Christianity as a whole.

While the Bible is the most widely read book and never runs out of circulation, it is also one of the most misunderstood. From scholars to layman readers, each of us has our own interpretation of the passages and verses and what the underlying context is trying to convey, based on the situation we want to address. In Esoteric Christianity Made Simple by Con Trong Bui, he presents an exposition on the importance of being scrupulous in exploring scriptures as much as we can. He points out that our literal interpretation of the Bible tends to obscure the context that we seek. Mr. Bui reconciles related symbolic representations from different passages and what message is relayed that rings true in connecting the past to contemporary analysis. For the reader’s benefit, he chose the King James Version for analysis as he believes that it is relatively “free from doctrines, creeds, and denominations.”

Esoteric Christianity Made Simple is an apt title for the main idea of this book. One of the common problems associated with interpreting scriptures is the so-called “cherry-picking” of passages to suit one’s needs without cautious attention to detail. Con Trong Bui tackles the most common questions found in the Bible, and he provides the answers found in the scriptures along with his own analogies to make a point. For example, he uses an unspecified mathematical problem at the beginning of his book to state the ramifications of what could happen if the early steps in someone’s belief are stricken with errors. What you’ll get is a practical guide to an enlightening reading of the Bible that has no complications. This book is worth anyone’s time who wants to make a critical analysis of how scripture deconstruction can be simplified.

Esoteric Christianity Made Simple by Con Trong Bui challenges the way we read the Christian Scriptures. In this book, the author challenges some of the common beliefs that we have, starting from where God lives. For most Christians, it is easy to imagine a God who lives up there in the heavens while His creation lives on Earth. The author starts from the common understanding and misleading facts about the myth of creation in the book of Genesis and moves on to demonstrate how millions of Christians misinterpret the Bible. This book is a strong and critical analysis of some of the powerful texts in the Bible and the author challenges readers to look beyond the literal interpretation of the texts.

Con Trong Bui makes readers understand that there is more to the Bible than what popular tradition lets on and illustrates the spiritual depth of what Christians consider the word of God. But this book uncovers fallacies around the person of God, His Word, and where He is. The author explores different themes, including the birth of spiritual beings and, with relevant biblical references, shows readers deeper levels of meaning. Readers will understand the style in which some of the texts in the New Testament are composed. For instance, when using symbols like the lamb that was slain, parables like the seed that falls to the ground and dies, and analogies like when St. Paul states: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live.” Esoteric Christianity Made Simple offers a fresh perspective to reading and understanding the Scriptures and shows readers how often the word of God can be so easily misinterpreted. I felt challenged to rethink my faith and Christian beliefs as I read through this book. It is inspiring and hugely informative.