Living Well: Inspired by the Story Behind the Bible

In poignant reflections on iconic biblical passages, Living Well: Inspired by the Story behind the Bible draws on the latest research about the Bible’s origins to inspire the personal lives of people today. To offer meaningful guidance for daily life, Living Well shows how the biblical writers told their stories to help people in ancient times cope with problems like those in modern society. In stories from Genesis through Deuteronomy, Living Well identifies a key point of the narrative, conveys why it mattered to the people writing the story, and relates it to contemporary life. To help readers link the stories to their own circumstances, the book includes Jewish, Christian, and secular views; historical, sociological, and psychological perspectives; and personal narrative. As the author relates the stories to her life, she finds inspiration to overcome humble origins and childhood abuse, to avoid debilitating efforts to forgive destructive conduct, and to live with greater generosity. The book includes questions for personal reflection and group discussion, inviting conversations in faith communities, classrooms, and book groups.

Amid a successful career as a corporate lawyer in New York City, Starr Tomczak went to seminary to study how the Bible was written. Listed in New York Super Lawyers and Who’s Who Legal, she has a BA from Carleton College, a JD from New York University Law School, and an MDiv from Union Theological Seminary in New York City.