Have you read the Bible?

[Dancing Sky]

I tried to read the Bible a number of years ago. I started in Genesis, and by the time I got through the first few books, I decided that the Bible was utter nonsense and left Christianity.

Fast forward a decade and a half and I'm attempting to read the Bible once again. This time I've started with the New Testament, but I find that I still have many questions and doubts as I read it. I get so frustrated that I have to stop reading.

I was just wondering if anyone here has read the Bible from cover to cover. I would like to read the Bible in it's entirety, but I don't know if my fragile faith will survive. Any advice?

[Ninjakitten]

Haven't done the cover to cover thing. Something about the he begat him who begat him, and that whole lineage thing just doesn't hold my attention for very long. I have read a lot of it, though, and not just bits and pieces because I don't want to miss the context by just reading a verse and nothing around it. That's part of how Christianity got messed up in the first place!

[BlackMagicalCat]

I have,and I know it well.The words come alive to me,and feeds my soul.

I love the bible.

[Darklord_Kodiak]

Was in Catholic school for years so yes I have read it. To me it is just another book. I dont even own one anymore and would be hard pressed to ever touch it again. To each their own if it works for you go for it. If you believe it it must be true.

[leonora]

was bought up a catholic so was forced to read it from cover to cover as a kid. haven't read it since though!

[*Rain*]

I've read bits, there is compulsory religious education in the UK in which they cover the major world religions.

Here's a slightly more accessible version of the bible, you can buy the books or read it online.

http://www.thebricktestament.com/

[Guinivere]

I've been trying to go back and read it from cover to cover lately, but I'm having the hardest time having it keep me interested. Especially now that I don't hang onto every word in it like I used to anymore. I've never been able to read it cover to cover, even when I believed in it.

I am reading "The Witches' Bible" by the Ferrars also, and am enjoying that version immensely. I'm learning stuff about the different branches of Wicca that I didn't know before. The main thing I learned about them is how many exist. I had no idea there was so many different kinds, and they don't even name them all because there are so many of them that they take up a separate book just by themselves.

[SilverClaw]

It has been along time but yes I have read the bible from front to end and still even now after being away from Christianity for over 13 - 14 years there are parts of it I still refer to.

Well the only advice I can give is just set a time aside to read a chapter or so many verses a day and before you know it you will your way through it, if a part uspets you just take time away from it for awhile and try again.. that is the only thing I can think of in the way of advice.

[Christo Pagan]

I've read the Bible many times and find it to be a great source of spiritual wisdom. As far as giving advice, I couldn't tell you "how" to read the Bible as that really depends on what you're trying to glean from it. When I read it, I don't approach it as a literal history, but rather as mythology replete with symbolism (much like Jesus' parables).

[KEishin]

I enjoy going back and reading the Old Testament, but the New I was never able to get through, even as a kid. There are certain parts in either that are just plain odd, but it is overall a book worthy of reading in it's full context.

[aluokaloo]

I read a little bit.

[LostSheep]

I haven't read it through from cover to cover, i think the best way to look at it is as an anthology of a lot of unrelated stories, myths and teachings with the general theme of 'God' (or indeed 'Gods'.). If you treat some stories as having (probably) some historical accuracy (the earlier parts of the New Testament, in other words), and the Old Testament and Revelation as mythology in the same way as Greek mythology, then it's a collection of quite entertaining stories.

[Nova]

I read what was required in high school. Personally, I think instead of being assigned the Bible for three years we should've read from a different holy book each summer. I'm going to be nice and guess they probably just didn't have anyone qualified to teach any other books.

[gurlygurl2004]

I've chose other because I've never really read the bible except in church. And I was thinking lately with all the different interpretations of the bible I've gotten maybe I should start reading the good ol' King James Bible and maybe get a clearer mind and really make my own interpretations and maybe strenghthen my religion a little bit.

[Jenne]

Yes, I have read it literally cover-to-cover. And memorized a fair bit of it once upon a time.

[Janus109]

I grew up in a pentacostal church so I have read the Bible from cover to cover. There is a lot of truth in the Bible..just remember that the Bible has been translated many times..so some of the teachings are altered.

[Janus109]

I grew up in a pentacostal church so I have read the Bible from cover to cover. There is a lot of truth in the Bible..just remember that the Bible has been translated many times..so some of the teachings are altered.

[April]

I've never read it.

[Silver Ivy]

I have read certain parts ...

When I was a child I used to have children's bible of the old testament, so I have read most of that ...

I went to a Christian school for my whole education, so I have read some of the new testament too ...

I have never read from cover to cover, but that is a good idea .... :)

[Sage Rainsong]

Oh yes i went to catholic school in my life (from pre-school through college).

[Cyzarine]

I've read from cover to cover before. It was always something we did in our family. We would sit together and read the Bible, taking turns. So I have read it from cover to cover. Now, if I remember everything I had read is another thing.

[XanderAmon]

i'm not a "Christian Pagan", but I take a passing interesting Christianity since my mother is Catholic. Last year I took a course on the "Hebrew Bible" (not only the Torah, which is only the first 5 books) and enjoyed it immensely.

My favorite book is definitely Job. Oh, the debates one can get in about that story. :lol:

[Purrcatnip]

I've attempted to read it a couple of times, but its too hard for me. I get frustrated because it has soo many loopholes and contradictions, and alot of it to me seems really sexist or unfair. Not too dis the bible, for those that are christian. But without someone to help me go through it and explain their viewpoint on it... I just cant do it. Its seems completely fake to me.

[Verthandi]

I've read it every Lent for the past few years now. I think it helps if you've read explanations or historical interpretations of some of the parts. For example, the way Delilah is introduced pretty much means she's an independent woman. The next time I read that story, it was in a new light.

You can't read the Bible and expect it to make sense. It's just like any other text--religious or secular--it has to be taken with a grain of salt and you have to interpret it as you see is appropriate.

I don't care how old I am, I think I will always giggle like a little girl whenever I read Deuteronomy.

[equinox2]

I've read the whole thing. Reading what it actually says was one of the final things that got me out of Christianity. Nonetheless, I've since learned about the other gospels and other Christian scripture - it is possible to be Christian or Christo-pagan without revering any of the Bible. Besides, none of the books in the bible appear to be written by anyone who knew Jesus while Jesus was alive.

Summaries of the BIble can be useful, but be sure to compare them to the actual bible to see how much the author is changing the emphasis. One guide I found to accurate, though not one that glorifies the Bible is described in this review:

http://www.paganforums.org/showthread.php?t=116178

Verthandi wrote:

I've read it every Lent for the past few years now.

Whoa!!!!

The Bible is around 1600 to 2000 pages depending on how it's printed (and which Bible - Catholic Bibles have 7 more books). So that means, let's see, lent is about 50 days, so thats 1600/50 = about 30 pages a day, every day (and those are big, double column, small type, bible pages). Ouch. I spread it out over a year.


Take care-

[Marcasite]

I read the children's bible... all the stories condensed, understandable and interesting without any of the sordid bits.
er..does that count?

[kal]

i read it all as kid i was at church all the time till i was 12
then i had unanswerd questions and other thoughts on faith and belief,s
which led the way to the path i now follow :idea:

[Shanti]

i have read it several times, over many years.

The best way to describe my view is that to me it is very obvious that human hands and minds did the writing. Oh and its obvious the writers were all... men! ;)
i am glad the new testament was written 'long after' Jesus left this life, or he might have had a heck of a time editing it all. :)

[NgaioBC]

I was raised Catholic, and attended a Catholic church for many years (still do on occasion) so I am familar with most of the stories (they read them out in church a lot). I haven't, however, sat down and read them all word for word myself. I would probably recognize a biblical reference if I saw one, or remember a story if you gave me a brief description of it. I can't quote it or anything, but I'm familar with it. I take the Bible seriously, but not literally. It kind of has to be interpretive at this point or we'll all be in trouble :)

[NgaioBC]

i am glad the new testament was written 'long after' Jesus left this life, or he might have had a heck of a time editing it all. :)


Amen! lol. I found a really funny copy of the Bible once that was written entirely in tabloid form. It was hilarious! They had all the stories right, but the side comments had me rolling on the floor...

[FaeFollower]

Reading the Bible is one of the many things on my 'to do' list. It's been something of an ongoing project over the last year or so, but I'm barely through Genisis!

[wintermagick]

From cover to cover, baby! The funny thing is I never did it as a Christian (but then again I was never a serious hardcore Christian).

It made for interesting bits of history but answered nothing and really only left me further confused.

[Xirian]

I was just wondering if anyone here has read the Bible from cover to cover. I would like to read the Bible in it's entirety, but I don't know if my fragile faith will survive. Any advice?
I have read the bible cover to cover 3 times over my life time. It's an interesting read, just as I feel the Bhagavad Gita is also interesting. Many religious related books all have very interesting thoughts and ideals, that one can choose to relate to their spirituality or pass on.

I think the bible should be read simply because it is a fantastic read. It has all the essential elements of a best selling novel and some historical and geneologic information as well.

Of course, there should be doubt, when reading a semi-fictional book (and by that I mean, there are many stories in the bible that were not factual and were based on dreams and visions). That is the thing that keeps you going back to see what happens later, right? I don't think this book is the only book that one should live their lives by, I believe it was written as a guide for people of another time and was meant as an instrument of instruction and to provide a place for people to write their geneologically information or find out about their geneology. I think there are elements of this book that should be reflected on and possibly applied, but not everything.

When I read the "Mists of Avalon" I felt all sorts of feelings, but I wanted to read more to understand, and there are still some things about that book that I simply don't understand (in application to my own life) because I didn't live in that time period. I think this is also the case with the bible.

[BlackMagicalCat]

I have read the bible many times over,and instead of just reading the bible,the words have sunk into my heart,and have become a part of me.

Looking at a cake,does no one any good,until you eat the cake.

Thats what is meant by eating the word of life,or,the mana from heaven.
Eating Gods word does something to your inner person,and there is life in the words contained in the scriptures.

When it penetrates your heart,like a seed ,it springs forth and buds,and grows.But,the bible says sometimes the wicked one will come like a bird,and pluck the seed out of the ground,so it wont spring forth and grow.

Or,the weeds will spring up (worldly desires)and choke out the word,so it never grows to bear fruit.

Or the sun in its heat,will scorch it in the heat of the day(trials)and it doesnt grow.

The scriptures are like a seed,and when planted and watered,springs forth into life.

[Madjek]

Oh boy! I read it a looooooong time ago. I was brought up in a christian home and so was made to read it.
I remember trying to wrap my mind around it but I never could. I don't own one anymore and I don't think I'll ever read it again.

[Aidron]

As someone who was exposed to Christianity growing up, I've probably read some. What I've read I can't say as I honestly never grasped how to find anything in it. As a child I remember thinking it was absolutely infruriating the way the Bible was laid out, so I didn't invest much time in looking it over.

There's a few still around this house as well. One comes from my father's family, complete with birth, death and marriage records in the back... and it's about to fall apart it's so old. It's the second heaviest book in this house as well. But I'm not going to try and decipher the seemingly top-secret code of the Bible so I can read it.

[Storm Moon]

I've read some, but really didn't understand it that well, so I put it away.

[Astara Seague]

I read it in high school it was a requirement to graduate from the seminary:awilly:

[Toki Wartooth]

I've read bits and pieces. It's often bored me, especially because of those genealogy lines and whatnot, so I've only read parts that have caught my eye. I believe the only full book I've read is Revelations because it has things that stir up my imagination.

[Amber Wynd]

I read it in high school it was a requirement to graduate from the seminary:awilly:
Me too - had to read it to graduate from seminary. We spent one year studying the New Testament and one on the Old Testament. I still read it from time to time - just enough to have fun with the various Christian type missionaries who show up on my doorstep.

[Xerenity]

Favourite books are Revelation and Ecclesiastes. I am still reading through the Bible and learning different things. I tend to read about all religions and take from them what I deem important to my views on life.
The Bible is a great read and has some good values that we all share in every religion. As with everything in my live, I approach all with the "grain of salt" what is the truth and how can it be applied to my life this day or sometime later in my life.
Learning something new every day makes life interesting and fulfilling, The Bible is jsut another learning tool that can be used.

[AlAskendir]

I tried to read the Bible a number of years ago. I started in Genesis, and by the time I got through the first few books, I decided that the Bible was utter nonsense and left Christianity.

Fast forward a decade and a half and I'm attempting to read the Bible once again. This time I've started with the New Testament, but I find that I still have many questions and doubts as I read it. I get so frustrated that I have to stop reading.

I was just wondering if anyone here has read the Bible from cover to cover. I would like to read the Bible in it's entirety, but I don't know if my fragile faith will survive. Any advice?

What faith is yours? How could it be fragile? Start with the stories, Jacob, Joseph, Exodus, Joshua, Solomon, Samson, Ruth....... then get into Proverbs. When you get thru all of that, then dive into the later parts of the OT.

[Vincent Verthaine]

I've had that book rammed down my throat so many times I can't even look at it without breaking ourt in a cold sweat.

I have always found the book to be a 2000 yr old sleeping pill.

Funny thing is,I keep a couple in my library just because I collect books and for the same reason Amber Wynd stated

[Little Billy]

I have always found the book to be a 2000 yr old sleeping pill.


Are you kidding? It's all sex and violence. Makes Saving Private Ryan look like Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

[eldora_avalon]

I haven't read it cover to cover. I have read bits here and there.

The king james version is just about unreadable, as far as I'm concerned. There are so many newer translations, some of them even have notes in the margins. This helps when dealing with customs and traditions that you wouldn't be familiar with.

The Harlot by the Side of the Road is a good book about the bible. It takes a few of the bible stories that most people who have ever been in a church would be familiar with and shows the reader the skeletons in the closet.

In some ways it is just as interesting to look into which books got left out of the bible. The books that show Jesus as a feminist, that he regarded the make and female desciples(sp) to be equal, those all got left out. The earliest parts of the old testament started as oral traditions. Some of them have bits and pieces that are similar to other cultures in that region of the world. So in some ways it is an historical document, but not an exact history.

If you really want to read the bible, look for a version you are comfortable with. I forget what all the translations are, there's a few. You should be able to find one that makes sense to you.

[gurlygurl2004]

I've recently read the first 5-7 chapters of Genesis, it'll take me forever to read the whole thing cover to cover, and still take time to think and interpret it.

[wolf]

I am currently rereading the New Testament. I have read different translations. This time I'm reading the "Good as New" version approved by the current Archbishop of Canterbury, which is unusual to say the least.

I prefer the King James, but so far have been unable to find a good edition for cheap with the apocrypha. Yes, I know I can read it online, but my desktop computer isn't really easy to stick into my purse and carry around.

I have also recently read the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita, and The Tao Te Ching.

[Anyanka]

I've only read bits and pieces, like favorite verses and stories. I don't think i'd ever be able to finish reading the whole thing. Basically I wouldn't know where to begin.

[wolf]

Try the front page? That's how I do it.

Or get one of those "read the bible in a year" guides from the internet and follow their suggestions. If you do that, though, you skip around a lot.

[EmmaG]

I've read it cover-to-cover. I would recommend the Song of Songs and the Psalms, along with the Gospels for first reading. It's easier to understand for the most part. :hahugh:

[Cassie]

I haven't read it cover to cover. I have read bits here and there.

The king james version is just about unreadable, as far as I'm concerned. There are so many newer translations, some of them even have notes in the margins. This helps when dealing with customs and traditions that you wouldn't be familiar with.

The Harlot by the Side of the Road is a good book about the bible. It takes a few of the bible stories that most people who have ever been in a church would be familiar with and shows the reader the skeletons in the closet.

In some ways it is just as interesting to look into which books got left out of the bible. The books that show Jesus as a feminist, that he regarded the make and female desciples(sp) to be equal, those all got left out. The earliest parts of the old testament started as oral traditions. Some of them have bits and pieces that are similar to other cultures in that region of the world. So in some ways it is an historical document, but not an exact history.

If you really want to read the bible, look for a version you are comfortable with. I forget what all the translations are, there's a few. You should be able to find one that makes sense to you.

I agree with you in all aspects there. I will certainly look out for the book you mentioned.

I think I have read the whole of the New Testament and bits and pieces from the Old Testament. Partly because I went to church when I was younger and partly because I did biblical criticism as one of my courses at uni.

I find it a fascinating collection of books on many levels, but even more fascinating, as eldora_avalon pointed out, are some of the books that got left out of the Bible.

My favourite parts of the Bible are the Gospels of John, Mark and Luke and Genesis.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

I've read it twice, in two different version (Revised Standard and New Revised Standard). Some parts of it are frightfully dull (ie, Jeremiah, the first half of Numbers, and those bloody Psalms. They're so depressing). Other bits are really interesting - the Song of Solomon, the Proverbs, the building of the Temple, the Gospels (Matthew is my favourite) and Revelation.
Boring as it may be, it's still more fun than 'The Golden Bough'.

[fareeha]

I've read it once from cover to cover. I've done so many readings of bits and pieces of it that probably add up to another full reading. So I'm going to say I've read it twice.

[shuvanilu]

I have not read it cover to cover (the "begat" parts run a little long, yo!) But I have and still do study it. All religious works offer a part of the puzzle of truth.---shuvanilu

[Harmony Aurore]

When I was a kid, I received my first communion. As a gift, my parents gave me a little illustrated old testament and an illustrated new testament.

I read that from Cover to cover, but that's it. Now I'll read a few exerts every once in a while, but that's it. I can't really stand it.

[Cat]

I have read most of it at one time or another. There are certain parts I just skip because I can't get through them: the begats, all the OT laws, and the epistles. I'd like to read the epistles if I had a guide or soemthing to get through them, but I find the them opaque enough that I really need help with them. The other two are just pretty dull reading for me.

[coeur]

Lovely piece of literature.

[Caitlin.ann]

I've read some of the Bible. Mostly I've only read what I had to read in Sunday School.

[Ninjakitten]

I know I already answered, but I have to give an alternative answer:

Of course I haven't read it! I'm a Christian! I don't need to actually read it to know what it says :)

[Qumran]

I know I already answered, but I have to give an alternative answer:

Of course I haven't read it! I'm a Christian! I don't need to actually read it to know what it says :)

LOL...

the early church made it a sin to read or even own a Bible ... people were burned to death for it!! The greatest threat to the Church then were people who "knew too much" and who would be able to question or challenge the authority of the clergy based on what the Bible actually said as opposed to what the religious leaders were saying.

Knowledge is power. Ignorance is not bliss...it's slavery.

[Ninjakitten]

LOL...

the early church made it a sin to read or even own a Bible ... people were burned to death for it!! The greatest threat to the Church then were people who "knew too much" and who would be able to question or challenge the authority of the clergy based on what the Bible actually said as opposed to what the religious leaders were saying.

Knowledge is power. Ignorance is not bliss...it's slavery.


Well, I already admit to also being a witch, so I guess they have more than one "reason" to burn me :hahugh:

[Chibi-Fallon]

I'm listening to the Bible on mp3 currently. :lol:
I just finished my first book (Mark).
I've tried reading it before but I've always given up because it's just so dull and the words are always so tiny. 8O Listening to it is much easier.

[narniagal04]

Knowledge is power. Ignorance is not bliss...it's slavery.

Guess that's why God gave us free will... :hahugh:

I'm in the process of reading the whole Bible. I've read the entire NT and found it to be awesome and inspiring. I've read the OT through Ezra and am now starting on Nehemiah. Let me tell you, it took me a loooong time to get through Numbers and Leviticus and Deuteronomy...but I did! Whew...

[Agaliha]

All I've read to this day is: the four Gospels, parts of Genesis and scattered passages here and there.
I've read some Gnostic Gospels too.
I'm going to be reading the Wisdom of Solomon, because from what I read it applies to Sophia.

[CheshireEyes]

I only read the parts about me...

[Ninjakitten]

I only read the parts about me...


Are those the parts that talk about God? :)

[Incendia]

No.

[Skye]

To me the bible is just a book, if it is not interesting to you it will hard to read cover to cover. I am pagan, but I have still read it ....and it read like a dull history book....Good Luck

[Rowan Darkmoon]

I've read most of it, at one time or another, but it's never been all at once cover to cover because it get bored with the slow parts. That's pretty much how I read all books though, it's not usually in chronological order as I get bored and skip around. :lol:

[Semjaza]

I read the illustrated Children's Bible when I was little, and it was an okay read, from what I remember. I've attempted to read the Bible several times, usually getting lost after Genesis or skipping ahead to Revelation. :) Haven't had much luck getting through the Koran or the Torah or the Bhagavad Gita either, or even the Kitab-i-aqdas or Kitab-i-Iqan... Yeah, I'm a bit behind on my 'General Religion' reading...

Cheers,

Semjaza
FFFF

[wolf]

It takes some major intent not to skip around, I'll grant you that.

Last year I was on a big religious/spiritual reading kick and read The New Testament, The Koran, The Bhagavad Gita, The Tao Te Ching, The Way of the Pilgrim, a book of Sufi Poetry by Rumi, and a couple of others thrown in for flavoring, including my spiritual book with the best title ever ... After the Ecstacy, the Laundry by Jack Kornfeld. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553378295/sr=8-3/qid=1151644980/ref=pd_bbs_3/103-4016860-6077407?ie=UTF8)

Right now I'm slogging through the Old Testament, as well as a new "hip" (i.e., absurd) translation of the New Testament. I try to read at least a couple of chapters before bedtime.

When you don't treat it as a race to the finish, it goes down a lot easier.

[Brighid's Seeker]

I have read it cover to cover several times.

I own several translations of it. Greek and Hebrew Lexicons. Several other holy books, and inspirational texts....now I mostly go back to scriptures that I love, but I adore researching the scriptures.

[Bliss]

Like many of you I went to parochial school as well. but in my case I enjoyed reading the bible and spent long hours in the company of priests and nuns in the rectory during my free time. I recall using the good news bible and my favorite books being those inclusions from the apocrypha. It would mark the beginning of my spiritual quest.

I have found a combination of methods to be useful in getting through the bible, in particular the more difficult chapters. I thoroughly enjoyed employing audio recordings in conjunction with physical reading. The book really seemed to come alive. My favorite chapters are the Wisdom of Solomon, Book of Sirach, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Corinthians, and Psalms.

Best of luck to you! Feel free to contact me if you're seeking a reading partner.

~Bliss

:flowers:

[LadyWinter]

When bumping through life I decided I had better read the bible.....I grew up christian as many here did I am sure...and decided I was not fulfilled...Clearly I needed to read the bible to see why or why not I did or didnt believe in its message...After reading it through twice, and using a devotional study guide I came to a firm decision....The bible does not work for me...and pie goes well with big books.... (Okay that is two firm decisions...BUT I STAND BY THEM!):hehehehe:

[Lovehound]

Which version of the Bible?

I have a New American Standard, NIV, KJV and a St. Joseph's.

[ViolinGoddess]

Cover to cover baby!

Violin Goddess

[Neosnoia]

From cover to cover, a long long long long time ago.

However, I'm entering into a practice of "Lectio Divina" and hope (thought that is not the goal of LD) to read the entire thing again.

[Neosnoia]

Which version of the Bible?

I have a New American Standard, NIV, KJV and a St. Joseph's.

I just ordered a New Revised Standard in a small format to use for Lectio Divina. I really want an English Standard Version, but all the reviews I read on amazon say that the quality of the binding of the ESV (because of the publisher they use) is very poor. Great translation that will fall apart.

I want an NAS as well. Do you like it?

[Lovehound]

I tried to read the Bible a number of years ago. I started in Genesis, and by the time I got through the first few books, I decided that the Bible was utter nonsense and left Christianity.

Fast forward a decade and a half and I'm attempting to read the Bible once again. This time I've started with the New Testament, but I find that I still have many questions and doubts as I read it. I get so frustrated that I have to stop reading.

I was just wondering if anyone here has read the Bible from cover to cover. I would like to read the Bible in it's entirety, but I don't know if my fragile faith will survive. Any advice?

If you're going to read the Bible cover to cover, it's a good idea to have a guide to help you understand things as you come across them.

I have one book by Keith Ward called "What The Bible Really Teaches" and it explains how he thinks the fundamentalists get it completely wrong a lot of the time. Another good book to read is pretty much anything by Karen Armstrong (herself a former nun) but "In The Beginning" helps one to come to a new understanding of Genesis specifically.

See, the mistake that people make with the Bible is in thinking that it is one coherent document that is consistent from page 1 all the way to the end. In actuality it is a "library" of many books by many writers. Genesis itself was authored by at least two different hands, if not four.

Reading and really understanding the Bible requires a LOT of work and digging and translating and research and investigation. It is NOT easy.

But it IS hugely rewarding.

[Lovehound]

I just ordered a New Revised Standard in a small format to use for Lectio Divina. I really want an English Standard Version, but all the reviews I read on amazon say that the quality of the binding of the ESV (because of the publisher they use) is very poor. Great translation that will fall apart.

I want an NAS as well. Do you like it?

Well, it's OK, but I seldom use it. I mostly use the St. Joseph's because it is the Roman Catholic Bible with the Apocrypha included in it. It also has very good footnotes to help understand the text.

[Brighid's Seeker]

I have read KJV, NKJV, NIV, RSV, then I also have my Greek and Hebrew Lexicons as well as other reference books, but I did enjoy book by book references written by Max Lucado. The man has the ability to make the bible come alive and be touchable.

[Ryden]

In the process of reading it.

I would suggest reading a newer translation of the Bible, but not starting with Genesis. Personally, I started with the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of John (my favorite Gospel), then Romans (my favorite Pauline Epistle).

[StephanieAine]

I have read KJV, NKJV, NIV, RSV, then I also have my Greek and Hebrew Lexicons as well as other reference books, but I did enjoy book by book references written by Max Lucado. The man has the ability to make the bible come alive and be touchable.


<perk>


Now **that** is a response I *definitely* didn't expect to see here, LOL!


I wasn't going to respond to the thread because I thought my answer of "yes" would be too... I don't know... expected, I guess. But now that you said that, I want to add something other than just "yes."


In the next paragraph I'll give you the rundown of my Bibles and their versions/formats... then I'll say what I wanted to say about the thread question under discussion:


Like Brighid's Seeker, I have multiple Bibles in multiple formats/versions. Generally speaking, though, there are four main Bibles that stay at the hearthside because they're used constantly. One KJV; the others are NIV (because NIV is the one I trust most, aside from KJV, and it's more of a relaxed read).

As far as formats are concerned, all are study Bibles, but my favorite is the Ryrie Study Bible. I also have the Life Application and The Reformation Bible (the latter has a copy of many of the historic theological documents written since the Reformation, such as the Westminster Confession, including scripture references. Plus a full concordance. It's *thorough.*) The remaining Bibles - including Jewish texts such as the Torah, Pentateuch & Haftorahs - are in the bookcase.


About the question of the thread... I think I'm probably like most Christians who actively live their faith (as opposed to so-called 'cultural Christians' or 'Sunday Christians' who may not have a relationship with God but rather go to church because it's the thing they think they should do)...


From my experience, the "norm" seems to be that Christians have read the Bible multiple times... uncountable times, really. It's not a situation where you sit down and read it straight through and consider it done, and then just use it as a reference book. If you've only read it once or twice or something, you really don't *get* it yet; it's something that you need to really delve into prayerfully and take your time with. With each prayerful reading, more of the meaning is illuminated.


Most people do read it cover-to-cover often, while simultaneously doing in-depth study of a particular section. That's why you'll often see people with multiple bookmarks, ribbons, and tabs in their Bibles; they're trying to keep track of what the heck they're doing.


I don't even know if I can say how many times I've read it cover to cover, but it would have to be well over 20 times, not including reading the entire text *not* in chronological order. If you're counting chronological order and mixed-up-out-of-order, wow, I can't even begin to guess.


For those of us who have a billion ribbons/bookmarks/notepapers marking various areas in our Bibles, I think the general process is to have a marker for ongoing chronological reading (basically, read straight through and when you're done, head back to Genesis and start over), and assign it a ribbon color... (I use the attached ribbon that is sewn into the Bible for the chronological reading; it makes it easier).


Then, using my own system as an example, have a bookmark or ribbon in a unique color or pattern to use for:
where you're studying currently during your private study time
where your most recent study was in a fellowship setting (meaning in a home prayer group, family setting, house church, organized church, or tv/radio/web lesson)... that's basically for the purpose of being able to review what you learned; I don't know if everyone else does that or if it's just me. I have a bad memory, so I need to do that
a ribbon in Psalms to use for prayer time
a ribbon in Proverbs for study - one chapter per day and you'll have read Proverbs in one month; keep repeating, and you'll learn all sorts of amazing things
a ribbon for use in hearth time, ceilidh or seanchai situations if you're a Celtic Christian or a parent who wants to share a certain teaching with your child
ribbons/markers for favorite passages you want to return to quickly, passages you need to study next, and anything else needed.
I also use plain fine-nib ballpoint pens to write my notes in the margins - and sometimes I use special highlighter pencils made especially for Bibles (because they're a special kind of colored pencil that won't smear or go through Bible paper). I prefer just using the ballpoint these days, though.


As far as references are concerned, I basically use my concordances in the back of my Bibles and my NIV Concordance, a couple of books I have on early Christianity (meaning during the earthly life of Jesus and the first couple hundred years after He resurrected), and the *amazing* footnotes in my Jewish texts.


This part is specifically to Brighid's Seeker - I hear about Max Lucado all the time but I've yet to read any of his books. If you wouldn't mind, could you send me a PM and tell me what you like about Lucado - unless you'd prefer to just respond here for others to benefit from, too (actually, that would probably be the better option, since others may need the info, now that I'm thinking of it)?

[WiccanGoddess]

Read the Bible for a 'mythology' assignment, but not fully. Some verses and psalms.

Never really intend to read it fully. It's too violent and vile.

[David19]

Never really intend to read it fully. It's too violent and vile.

That's what i like about some passages (like i've read parts on the internet that highlight the violence, although it was put on the internet to 'discredit' Christianity and Yahweh, i found it cool and it made Yahweh more realistic, than an 'all loving, pure 'good'' god).

Although there are some disgusting parts, like i was reading that apparantly, in the Old Testament and Torah, Yahweh says he'll curse the Hebrew's by making the mothers eat their own kids, placing a curse of piles on them, etc.

Ok, i admit it, i guess i'm just wierd, LOL!.

[StephanieAine]

Nice.

[wolf]

Never really intend to read it fully. It's too violent and vile.

Only through the first half ... actually, it's quite an education to read The Bible, seeing what it says to you, rather than what other people tell you you should get from it.

I read the KJV New Testament over the last half-year, and am now starting from "In the Beginning ..."

I also have a new 'hip' edition (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1903816734/sr=8-2/qid=1155877478/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-4016860-6077407?ie=UTF8) of the NT, which takes more than a bit of getting used to, that's very interesting in comparison to the more common version.

[Lahmi]

nicely put Stephanie Áine. :)

[StephanieAine]

Thank you, Lahmi. :-)

[Brighid's Seeker]

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I'm recovering from some health issues, awaiting test results, and waiting to see if a friend survived the attacks on Lebanon. Bit of a full plate.

Reading the bible for any purpose is not for the faint of heart. The world we currently live in is too violent and vile to live in if you can stand to watch the evening news or read what pops up on your news screen when you sign on to the internet. As far as I am concerned either in literature or historicly the bible proves that this has been the norm for quite some time.

BUT I have gone all tangety haven't I?

I don't generally like the concordences that come with my bibles which is why I ended up purchasing a Strong's Concordance for my KJV and I think for my NIV as well (They are both in storage right now). I have my Dad's Naves as well. Max Lucado has a study guide for each book of the bible and I have all of those. I can't think of the books of the bible to think of them, but I can put my hands on my bible and find anything I want.

I also read from the Lost Books of the Bible, and adore the Gospel of Mary Magdalene.

Why do I like Max Lucado? He made Christ so damned human. For the first time I considered how tired he must have been at times, how weary, how frustrated, and how he chose to keep going. It was really rather an amazing consideration. The man has a talent for making you reconsider the obvious. I always thought Jesus must have had a sense of humor, and he reflect that in his writing. So for me that rang true.

Hope that answered your questions.

Bright Blessings.

[Brightshores]

I voted "other." I haven't read the Bible cover-to-cover, but I've read much of it more than once, when I used to follow the Christian path. I can't specifically say I've read all of it... I'm sure I missed bits here and there in my studies. For example - I don't think I've read much of the Old Testament prophets, and the Letters of Paul make me angry when I read them, so I tend to avoid them. (No offense meant to those who admire Paul - I simply don't agree with his theology or his politics.) Now, I try to familiarize myself with many sacred texts, from the Bible to the Koran to the Tao Te Ching... I feel that knowledge of all sorts enriches my own path.


Reading the bible for any purpose is not for the faint of heart. The world we currently live in is too violent and vile to live in if you can stand to watch the evening news or read what pops up on your news screen when you sign on to the internet. As far as I am concerned either in literature or historicly the bible proves that this has been the norm for quite some time.


I agree. Yes, the Bible is quite violent in parts. But hey - did you ever read the Iliad? Greek mythology is hardly a haven of peace - are you familiar with the stories of the Fall of the House of Atreus, or Oedipus, or Medea? Norse mythology, where even the gods perish in a bloody war? Celtic mythology (Deirdre's tale comes to mind)? Some of it makes the nasty gory stuff you see on CSI and monster movies pale in comparison.

The truth is - violence is a part of human nature and has been a part of literature, both sacred and profane, for as long as tales have been told. It's not pretty, and it's certainly not something we "modern and civilized" people are necessarily comfortable with. That doesn't mean it's not part of our history, our culture, or our spiritual heritage. I think it's misleading to judge values and ethics of the distant past by those of the present day. Of course, as we find our spiritual paths in the present, we can (and should, IMO) take that part of the legacy and decide whether it is or is not something we wish to embrace.

[Celebornsbabysitter]

I've read most of it but there are bits I havn't read

[covenofkeys]

:woah::collapse::durrrr::twitch::ahhhh::hairraise_whistle_

[SSanf]

Of course, I have read the Bible. That's why I am not a Christian!

[covenofkeys]

well i did find it to be a little full of hypocrasies, must admit though, its the most bestest selling story book of all time! the most bought book.

[Bluewillow]

I've read most of it, and some parts many times over (when I was still of the Christian faith).

Some of what I have read is part of the reason that I left that faith.

[Lovehound]

Read the Bible for a 'mythology' assignment, but not fully. Some verses and psalms.

Never really intend to read it fully. It's too violent and vile.

I find this comment interesting because much of Pagan mythos and sacred literature is also "violent" - whether or not it's "vile" remains to be seen.

Think of some of the Graeco-Roman myths and stories - for example, Diana was bathing in a pool and old whatshisname (a hunter) was spying on her from the cover of the woods, but she saw him and in punishment turned him into a stag and he was hunted down and torn to bits by his own hunting hounds.

Or have a gander at the old Norse Eddas - read the Voluspa and the account of the Ragnarok. Very violent end.

Some of the Celtic stories are also very violent; CuChulainn killed another child when he himself was but a lad.

Seems to me on the violence level, there's little difference between pagan lore and Christian lore.

[Lovehound]

well i did find it to be a little full of hypocrasies, must admit though, its the most bestest selling story book of all time! the most bought book.

Hey, hypocrites need spiritual sustenance too. Maybe it'll encourage them to learn better!

[covenofkeys]

:yayah::alol::hahugh:

[acdb]

I have read the entire bible from cover-to-cover and am about to start the attempt of reading the Koran from cover-to-cover ... I find these texts very interesting, and I am reading them mainly from the point of view that they are all, in their own ways, correct.

Alex.

[Lady Aeris]

yes, i've read it- i think its good to read the bible, you gain knowledge about the Christian religion and reading the bible made me stay away from the church- im glad i read it. i think the Christians should.

[Against The Tide]

Raised as a christian catholic of course I've read the bible! Even when I managed to break away I read the bible. There's a lot of good in it if you don't interpret it too literally and it helps you understand other christians, their strengths and their faults.

I'd read the Koran if I could be arsed to buy a copy.

[Lovehound]

I say if people ARE going to read the Bible, they will most likely need a little assistance in interpreting it. Marcus J. Borg is a good one for this - he has written several books on what he calls the "emerging paradigm" of Christianity. It's a paradigm that finds a third creative option, instead of the dualistic view of it's either all fact or all BS.

For him, there is a "historical - metaphorical" element of Biblical interpretation that reveals to the Bible reader a whole new depth and understanding of Scripture - especially the apocalyptic literature such as Revelation or parts of Daniel.

I suppose that's why I'm leaning more toward my Anglican faith these days. More and more, I'm seeing that one doesn't have to be absolutist about Christianity like the evangelicals say. Christianity itself doesn't necessarily advocate this, and neither does the Bible.

There's a lot more scope there than people realize. It's just a matter of not allowing the Jerry Falwells and whatnot of the world to define it for you.

[Cyzarine]

A bit off topic from the above post but I think I'm going to read the bible again. I don't know why but I have some urge to read it.

[Tanya]

cover to cover... its not fair to pour shit if you don't know what you are talking about

[TheWomanMonster]

I've read it cover to cover, a couple times over at least.
Kind of neccessary as I used to lead biblestudies for youth. :D

Some of the stories are interesting to me,
but Christianity was definately not the path for me to follow.

[RainInanna]

I keep meaning to read a newer translation but have so much reading to do already.

[NgaioBC]

A bit off topic from the above post but I think I'm going to read the bible again. I don't know why but I have some urge to read it.

I know! I've had that urge too lately. Not sure why since I haven't read sat down and read it in years. Maybe it's this thread ;)

[haruhi]

I have read the Bible cover to cover...mostly anyway. I think there are a few books in the Old Testament that I haven't read completely. My favourite part (being a History major) is the Old Testament, actually. My suggestion to anyone trying to read the Bible and having difficulty is to skim through the Old Testament, but don't linger. I participated in an Old Testament Bible study several years ago and everything there foretells or explains why something happens later but it takes a few readings to understand. The Bible isn't a book that you can just read and understand immediately.

It's been awhile since I've read the Bible at all. I suppose that when I stopped being Christian a year ago that I just unconsciously decided not to touch it again but...it is quite an intriguing book (again with me being a history major and all).

[satanscheerleader]

I did ten years of Catholic school. That would be a yes. :smileroll

[Solya]

I've also read it from cover to cover... currently re-reading most of it, but skipping past some books I don't find so interesting... :smile: It's an intriguing read and for me it's connected to my childhood. I used to stay up whenever I couldn't sleep (which was very often!) and read a part of my Bible before trying to get to sleep again. I grew up with its stories and for me reading it feels like I am honouring my ancestors. People like my grandmother set great store by their Roman Catholic faith and it feels like I connect more closely with the spirits of those who have passed before me if I read a part of the Bible.

[Chaos Hawk]

The first college I went to Survey of Hewbew Scripture was a required class. Our textbook was the bible. The professor was cool though, he taught us all about what it was actually saying, and how some phrases were slang terms and what it really meant.

[RoseKitten]

Nope, I've never read it. Never really felt the need to. *shrug*

[WitchyLady777]

I've read it several times, different versions even. I find the King James to be the most popular, but it's a difficult read for most people. You might get more out of it if you pick a more modern translation, like the New King James, less flowery language to confuse.

I'm partial to the Catholic Bible myself. I like having the extra books, Douay-Rhems, is nice, so is the Jerusalem, but New American Bible is the easiest read.

I find it helps to think of the Bible as a mini-library, a treasure book of sometimes connected stories written by an ancient people to try to explain things that they didn't really understand sometimes. I don't take it literally, but view it mostly as a collection of mostly Jewish myths with some historical basis in fact.

Reading the Bible is a bit like reading Shakespeare's plays or the Golden Bough, something I do every once in a while for the simple pleasure of reading the literature. Most of it doesn't apply to me, being Pagan girl and all, but I still enjoy the book as a splendid collection of stories...

[Ancient Wisdom]

Work in process.. I'm doing a great bible study, its called the quiet time companion and its a daily guide through the bible..:smile:

[Halstrom]

Why would I read the holy book of a religion that I'm vehemently opposed to.

[Myzterio]

Why would I read the holy book of a religion that I'm vehemently opposed to.
To batter argue against it, and to know why you're against it.

[Green Mantle]

Yes I have, many times. Before converting to paganism about a year ago, I went through a 5-year period where I was about as Christian as you can get. I read the Bible completely through about once every 2 months in that time span. I was obssessed with it. If I had a free moment, I was reading it. My constant daily prayer during that period was Lord, save my marriage and change me.... take away these abominable gay desires. Neither prayer was answered. When my marriage fell apart, I grew very bitter and rebelious. I decided that I no longer felt comfortable embracing a religion that could not embrace me.

[Ancient Wisdom]

Yes I have, many times. Before converting to paganism about a year ago, I went through a 5-year period where I was about as Christian as you can get. I read the Bible completely through about once every 2 months in that time span. I was obssessed with it. If I had a free moment, I was reading it. My constant daily prayer during that period was Lord, save my marriage and change me.... take away these abominable gay desires. Neither prayer was answered. When my marriage fell apart, I grew very bitter and rebelious. I decided that I no longer felt comfortable embracing a religion that could not embrace me.

:hugz:

[halfwaynowhere]

I had a children's book of bible stories that I used to read all the time as a kid. We had a children's bible, too, and i remember looking through it sometimes, but it was just some book that we had that seemed boring.
I've read some parts of the bible, mostly from going to bible study with a friend (i really love the community aspect of church, just can't stand the religious parts, lol). The parts that I've read just made me dislike the religion even more. Of course, it was always fun bringing up my arguments at the bible study sessions (everyone there was already aware of my beliefs, and still encouraged me to participate). I would read it just because, except I don't really see the need for it. I'm past the stage where I want to make arguments against christianity. I'm comfortable with my beliefs, and am comfortable with letting others have their own beliefs, no matter how ridiculous i may find them.

[LostSheep]

Why would I read the holy book of a religion that I'm vehemently opposed to.

Maybe you might begin to realise what it is about it that you're vehemently opposed to, and to put those aspects of it that you are opposed to in a context of the time and situation they were written in.

[Invidosa]

yup, during my conversion to paganism, and before when i was in catholic school. theres a lot of good reasons, there are some really good lessons to be read, and i find it facinating that you can find similar stories (esp. the old testament ones) across different pantheons.

[David19]

Why would I read the holy book of a religion that I'm vehemently opposed to.


To batter argue against it, and to know why you're against it.

QFT, exactly, if you're completely against it and hate it, then, shouldn't you actually understand it, or do you only hate it 'cause others tell you about all the negative things Christians and Christianity do?.

Personally, I don't understand this whole issue with Christianity, and Christians, that so many Pagans seem to have. I mean, the amount of time, some Pagans spend complaining about them, you'd think they'd have no time to actually practice their religion, worship their God(s), practice magic if they did, etc.

I think the author of whywiccanssuck.com needs to come back and put her site back up, only this time make it www.whypaganssuck.com (before anyone throws a hissy fit, and for those that don't know me, yes, I am Pagan, polytheistic, etc), it worked wonders for Wicca.

[David19]

In answer to the original question, no I haven't, but, once I get more of a grip on my own religion (and my own life in general), I'd like to, if only just 'cause it's one of the most famous pieces of literature. Although, personally, I think I'd read the Jewish Holy Books first, just 'cause I find them really interesting (not that the Christian Bible isn't).

[Owd Scrat]

Growing up in an extreme religious household with a Apostolic/Penecostal minister for a dad...

I have read tons and tons of the bible. Memorized tons of it as well, of course because I had too. Or else.

It took me a long time, but I can read it now and see much of the beauty, wisdom and knowledge in many passages.

A lot of it though.....:goodgrief

[QuietMouse]

I was brought up catholic and went to bible college as well so reading the bible was required. I don't read it anymore since i am no longer a Christian and want nothing to do with it. Nothing against those who do follow that path it is just not the path for me.

[Sollie]

I am currently re-reading the Bible. I've read various books and I've read the New Testament all the way through, give or take some. But I'm re-reading it cover to cover.

I think that regardless of how you feel about their worshippers, all religions should be studied before you say "That's wrong" or "I don't agree" or "This is for me!"

I agree with Gandhi: "I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

I am also in the midst of reading the Tao te Ching and studying paganism. When I get done with the Tao te Ching and the Bible, I plan to move on to the Kuran (Quran?).

[LostSheep]

i forget what I said originally now, but as it was a while back, I may have changed my mind since then. I've read the New Testament, since that seems the part most relevant now, concentrating on the Gospels and my favourite, Revelation, and what seem to me the more relevant parts of the OT - Genesis and Exodus (to establish the background), some of the more interesting prophets (which help to set the context for the arrival of the messiah), and the, more-or-less, historical books, and some of the more hard-to-classify parts like the Song of Songs.

[Louisvillian]

While not a Christian, I have attempted to read the Bible, both Old and New Testaments at different times, out of a want to understand the background to Judaism and Christianity's beliefs, and because I generally enjoy reading books and historically significant literary works. I read them as pieces of literature rather than as holy books, and that is how I analyse them.

I did not make it too far into the Old Testament; not to the end of it, at least, maybe halfway through. It's almost as badly written as Twilight; the thing reads off like a car instruction manual, and the protagonists are arguably outright villainous. It is generally clunky, sloppy at times, and has a wandering plot; additionally, it is often tediously repetitive and has numerous plot holes. It was too long, boring, and painful to read all the way through. But unlike Twilight, I was able to make it past the fifth page. :D
The New Testament is a marked improvement, and is easier to follow; while obviously repetitive, with the first four books rehashing the same story, at least it flows better, with few inconsistencies and plot holes, and the protagonists are at least pretty decent folks. I actually made it through most of it, but it was still too long to finish completely. Once I got to the Book of Revelation, it got really weird, mainly due to the sudden shift in tone and content; it's like going from Dune to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. So I put it down.

This does not disparage the Bible's place as a holy text for the religions that accept it as such; my analysis is entirely based off viewing it as a literary work (or series of works).

[David19]

While not a Christian, I have attempted to read the Bible, both Old and New Testaments at different times, out of a want to understand the background to Judaism and Christianity's beliefs, and because I generally enjoy reading books and historically significant literary works. I read them as pieces of literature rather than as holy books, and that is how I analyse them.

I did not make it too far into the Old Testament; not to the end of it, at least, maybe halfway through. It's almost as badly written as Twilight; the thing reads off like a car instruction manual, and the protagonists are arguably outright villainous. It is generally clunky, sloppy at times, and has a wandering plot; additionally, it is often tediously repetitive and has numerous plot holes. It was too long, boring, and painful to read all the way through. But unlike Twilight, I was able to make it past the fifth page. :D
The New Testament is a marked improvement, and is easier to follow; while obviously repetitive, with the first four books rehashing the same story, at least it flows better, with few inconsistencies and plot holes, and the protagonists are at least pretty decent folks. I actually made it through most of it, but it was still too long to finish completely. Once I got to the Book of Revelation, it got really weird, mainly due to the sudden shift in tone and content; it's like going from Dune to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. So I put it down.

This does not disparage the Bible's place as a holy text for the religions that accept it as such; my analysis is entirely based off viewing it as a literary work (or series of works).

I'd read it as a literary work too, just like I'd view any other literature, although, when you say Old Testament, do you mean you read the parts that are in the Christian Bible or Tanakh and the Torah (there is a difference)?.

[Cloaked Raven]

"Other" I basically studied it while attending Sunday School and sitting through church as a child.

Nowadays I don't even know where my Bible is... :smileroll

[Rawna Moon]

First do NOT read the KJV. Two reasons. 1) It's english is archaic and meanings in english have changed. 2) It's based on a textual tradition that is now known to be lousy. Conservatives insist on the KJV or new versions using the same lousy text because they have doctrines dependent on the lousy text.

You should get a modern translation that is based on the best textual scholarship. I think the best translation is one you'll never see mentioned in Fundamentalist, Pentecostal or Evangelical circles: the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). One thing that's really kewl about it is that it uses inclusive language when the original text was inclusive. The Greek word "Anthropos" means human. Conservative versions will translate it as "man." The NRSV will translate it as "human" or "person" or "one."

But you also want to get a version that's readable. The NRSV is still a bit churchy in its language. For just reading I'd recommend a different version and use the NRSV for ritual, study and worship. The best readable modern translation in my opinion is Today's English Version (TEV). If you can, try to get one that is in paragraph form instead of verse form. One that even leaves out the verse numbers would be best! (There are no verses or chapters in the original texts!)

So to sum up the first point: No KJV or other conservative versions, use the TEV and one that's in paragraph form.

Secondly, do not think of the Bible as a book. Think of it as a library with 66 books in it. In fact don't think of some of the books as actually books by one author. Some of them are actually collections of writings or oral histories and the "author" is actually an editor.

Psalms is a book of songs.

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings: some are simple sentences, some are extended writings.

Most of the prophets are collections of the sayings of the prophet not a book written by the prophet.

Chronicles is a collection of priestly records of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

The Samuels and Kings are collections of the royal family's records of the same period.

Large parts of Exodus and Numbers and almost all of Leviticus and Deuteronomy are collections of laws.

The rest of Exodus, Numbers, all of Genesis, Joshua and Judges are collections of oral histories. In oral histories geneologies are important, that's why they are there.

So keep this mindset as you read the Bible. Also remember the order of the books in our present Bible is not part of the original texts. So you don't have to read the books in order.

So, to sum up the second point. Realize the bible is 66 books with most of the books being collections themselves. The order in English Bible's is not part of the Bible.

Thirdly, I would suggest that you, as a Christian or someone wanting to make sense of a Christian faith, not think of the parts of the Bible as equal. I recommend a layered approach. The New Testament is more important than the Old Testament. The Gospels are more important than the rest of the New Testament. In the Gospels what Jesus teaches himself is more important than what the writer of the Gospel says about Jesus. In the rest of the New Testament the letters are more important than Acts and Revelation. In the letters the ones written to communities are more important than the ones written to individuals. (I John is written to communities and so is Hebrews). In the Old Testament the Books of Prophets are more important than the rest of the OT. (Daniel is NOT a prophet, it is an Apocalypse like Revelation but set in an oral history. Jonah is a parable.)

So how does this affect your reading of the Bible? It changes your understanding of what you're reading. When you read the NT you are reading books that tell you what Christianity is about. So you tell yourself, "This is what Christianity is." When you read the OT you are NOT reading books that tell you what Christianity is about. Instead you are reading books that tell you what Jesus and his listeners believed at the time. It's not what Christianity is about, it's what the context, in which Christianity occurred, is about. So tell yourself, "This is what people in Jesus' culture believed."

So you say to yourself when reading the history in the OT, "This is the history book that taught Jesus and the people around them about their history."

So to sum up the third part, when reading the Bible to inform Christianity relate to different parts in different ways.

Fourthly, even in the strictest Christian point of view, the Bible is understand to be written by human beings, even if it is also understood to be God's word. So don't approach it as if it is a supposed letter from God to you. It doesn't itself claim to be that. Instead it claims to be human writings in specific situations for specific purposes. Yes some of those writings are recording what the writer believed were messages from God. But the writer is not saying God took over his or her hand and wrote it. The writer is saying that Abraham heard God and God said something. The writer doesn't tell us how he or she got the story of what God said to Abraham. But by studying the story itself, we now know through modern scholarship, that the author got it through oral history. In other words those stories were campfire stories. As for the prophets, what everybody heard was a prophet talking. Either the prophet or someone who heard the prophet wrote it down later.

What does this mean? It means read it like you would any other writing of its style. That means you read entire books. Here's my suggestion. Take a book of the bible (other than Psalms or Proverbs) and read it in one sitting if you can. If you can't do it in one sitting, do it the same way you'd read another book. Keep reading in as many sittings as it takes until your done. Don't *ponder*, don't study, don't meditate. Skim stuff, esp geneologies and stuff like that. When you get to Chronicles you'll notice that entire chapters are lists of names. Skimming here might mean *skipping*! Also you might notice lots of accounts of different kings follow the same pattern. Once you recognize a pattern skim to the individual content in the pattern and then go on. Also put space between each book. Give yourself a break between Genesis and Exodus. Read your latest vampire romance instead of going right into Exodus.

So to sum up the fourth point, read the Bible in the same way you'd read any other writing, read fast, skim, skip, and take breaks between books.

My fifth point is sharing a suggested order which I'll do in separate posts along with suggested ideas of what kind of writing each book is and how to read that.

[Rawna Moon]

Read the OT before you read the NT. Why? Because it sets the context for the NT. But remember, your view of what Christianity is about will be set by the NT. Right now you're just getting the context.

First do the OT History. Remember these are mostly campfire stories. Read them as if each story had a prologue saying, "That night as we sat around the campfire, Old Jacob began a story. He said...." You can tell new stories in Genesis when it says something about a book of generations or "these are the descendants of.." Here's my suggested order:

1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Numbers
4. Joshua
5. Judges
6. Ruth
7. I Samuel
8. II Samuel
9. I Kings
10. II Kings
11. Daniel
12. Ezra
13. Nehemiah

Now I'd suggest you read the law. Do lots of skimming and skipping here. As you read this keep thinking, "I'm reading the law book of ancient Israel." Here's my suggested order:

1. Leviticus - the lawbook of the Temple
2. Deuteronomy - the lawbook of King Josiah's reforms.

Now you need a break from all that legalistic stuff. So read the Psalms. Remember this is ancient Israel's hymnbook without the musical notation.

Now you're ready for the Prophets. Most of us think the Prophets were about foretelling the future. That is NOT so. They were really about "forth telling." That means putting forward what God/Goddess thought about the present and what will happen if things don't change. As you read the Prophets I suggest you remember the History you've read and the Laws you've read for the context. What the prophets were doing was preaching sermons telling people what the law of God really required of them in their present situation or what God really wanted for them. So read them as a collection of sermons.

I suggest you read them in chronological order, not in the order they're in the Bible:

1) Amos
2) Hosea
3) Micah
4) Habakkuk
5) Isaiah 1-39 (Isaiah is probably 2 books)
6) Haggai
7) Zephaniah
8) Obadiah
9) Jeremiah + Lamentations
10) Ezekiel
11) Isaiah 40-66 (Called Deutero-Isaiah by Scholars)
12) Haggai
13 Joel
14) Malachi

Then I'd read the parables (ie fiction w/ message). These are stories written to convey some message that is a deeper truth. Originally they didn't claim to be history. They were written hundreds of years after the events in them. We know that because the themes with which they deal are themes dealt with by Jews after Alexander conquered them.

1) Job, set around the time of Abraham. Think of it as an episode of "Supernatural".
2) Esther, set during the Persian Empire. Think of it as a Romance Novel.
3) Jonah, set after the destruction of Israel but before Ninevah, the capital of Assyria, was destroyed by the Babylonians. Think of this as a short play in the tradition of "Waiting for Godot" or "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead."

Now I'd read the Wisdom literature. For us Witches or those interested in Witchcraft, these are the books where we get into Sophia and the Divine Wisdom! Think of these books as the insights of the wise. Some is common wisdom. Some is uncommon wisdom. I'd suggest this order:

1) Proverbs - positive wisdom
2) Ecclesiastes -cynical wisdom
3) Song of Songs -mystical wisdom (this is a play about love between Solomon and Sheba, but metaphorically about love between YHWH and Israel and between YHWH and the individual believer.)

Now I'd go back and skim the alternative history (and I mean SKIM). There's little new here, so focus on how it has a different point of view from the previous history. This is the priest's point of view of why Israel and Judah were destroyed. The order is simple:

1) I Chronicles
2) II Chronicles

Finally I'd finish with the OT apocalypses. Apocalypses were common writings in the ancient world. We only have three in the Bible, these two and the Revelation. Apocalypses seem to predict the future, and they do some of that, but the real point is to "draw back the curtain" and reveal what is really going on in the world now. It may look like a war between two countries, but it's really a spiritual battle between angels and demons. Apocalypses use lots and lots of coded symbolism because they were written for oppressed people ready to give up in the face of oppressors. The code is so the oppressors will have no idea what the writing is saying. The point is to give hope and courage to the oppressed. Note, these writings will have a tendency to us vs them, black and white, good vs evil. Why? Because the folk they were written to lived in a reality that seemed that way. Think of a code written during the Holocaust. You won't find much good about Nazis in it. Here's my suggested order:

1) Zechariah- written when a small band of Jews returning from exile were trying to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple and were despairing due to enemies all around.
2) Daniel- written when the Greek King of Syria after Alexander's Conquest was trying to turn Jews into Greeks and defiled the temple. It's set in the time of the Babylonian captivity. The stories are either based on oral tradition or are parables, that is fiction intended to convey a message that is true. (like Jonah, Job and Esther).

I'll do the NT in another post

[roguetamlin]

I've read big chunks of the Bible and took a History of Christianity Class in college. And I was a Sunday School teacher. :smile:

[Amythyst]

Yes, several times in several different versions, cover to cover.

[Darth Brooks]

I've read the NIV Bible and the Tanakh from cover to cover. There are lots of parts that make me fall asleep, but there are lots of other parts which interest me. I like the stories that have to do with animals - the talking snake in Eden, Noah's ark, Jonah and the giant fish, Balaam's donkey, etc - the best. I have never made it all the way through the King James Bible, however, because I just can't seem to stomach it.

[Rawna Moon]

I'm not going to suggest you read the NT in its biblical order. Again, that order is something that was made up years later. I also think its a mistake to read the gospels together. Each Gospel was written to not just tell us about the history of Jesus, but to tell us something Theological about Jesus and us. Each one has a slightly different take on that message and so it's good to give them space.

I am going to mix up, in my suggestion, the Gospels, the letters and Acts. So let me first describe how I think each should be read.

How to read a Gospel: Gospels are collections of stories from oral histories and even from previous written sources. It's clear that both Matthew and Luke used Mark to get material. It's also clear they used a source of Jesus' teachings that is now lost. It's called Q. The point for us is to realize that each little story in a Gospel is its own thing. So when reading the stories don't assume you're getting a biography of Jesus. Instead your getting tales of Jesus. Think of it like this, even when the little story doesn't say it, it starts with, "One time or other Jesus....(did or taught something)." Also try to keep in mind that the author told the story or teaching because it would help the readers in their situation. So you need to think about Jesus' context in the story but also the context of the people it was written for 30 to a 100 years later.

Remember the letters are just that: letters. A specific person wrote to a specific person or group at a specific time about specific things. You are reading someone else's mail.

We are pretty certain that Paul of Tarsus wrote Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, and Phillipians. Scholars are divided on if Paul wrote Colossians and Philemon. Most think he didn't write Ephesians.

Only literalistic, inerrantist, fundamentalists think he wrote the letters to Timothy and Titus. Anyone who values modern scholarship is convinced Paul did not write those letters. They may have been based on snippets of real letters, but were probably written 60 to 70 years after Paul died by people in Pauline chuches.

I think Paul did write Colossians and Philemon later in life. I think Ephesians was written by Luke as an example of a letter by Paul. Luke was an associate and student of Paul. I & II Peter most likely were not written by Peter but decades after his death by people in Pauline chuches but who also were influenced by Petrine churches.

A lot of folk hate Paul because Fundamentalists misuse him and misunderstand him. Also they think he wrote the letters to Timothy and Titus. Remember this when reading Paul...he is passionate. He gets angry that people want to use Christianity to exclude others. He gets angry that people want to say some Christians are better than others. He gets angry that some want to say God/Goddess will only love us if we follow a bunch of laws.

Notice a few things about Paul. He is writing to people who already have a deep relationship to him. He was their pastor. Don't forget that. Also, notice that Paul never assumes people should obey him because he says so. He always tries to CONVINCE others using the story of Jesus, OT passages and reason. Don't buy the garbage that Paul was anti-women or anti-gay. Remember the worst passages against women were not written by Paul, they are in the letters to Timothy and Titus. Remember that Paul worked with powerful women like Prisca. Remember that Paul is speaking to people within a patriarchal context. From that context you can see he was moving them towards egalitarianism. Also, whatever the thing is with Paul saying in 1 Corinthians that "your women should keep silent in your churches" remember that earlier in the book he talks about how women should cover their head (a cultural modesty) when they PROPHESY or PRAY in church. So whatever the silence is he is referring to, it didn't include prophesying (ie Preaching) or Praying. As to the anti-gay stuff? Paul never really said what it appears he said. That's a whole another issue. Just trust me on this for now, okay? He's not saying in Romans that Homosexuals are evil, he's saying that any kind of sex outside love is demeaning. Finally...did you know Paul never mentions hell? NEVER. I get my universalism from Paul. So when you read a letter from Paul remember he is passionate, he's their pastor, he's out to protect the weak being mistreated by the strong, he believes everyone is saved by Jesus, he believes we aren't saved by being goody-goody, and he's actually pro-woman.

The letters of John seem to be written by a totally different Christian tradition than the Pauline one. I don't think the Apostle John wrote these letters. The author claims to be the Elder. Obviously the Elder is from the same tradition that the Gospel of John came out of. (Not Revelation, though, very different.) It helps me to think of these writings as coming from a community, probably in Alexandria and Egypt, founded by either the Apostle John or Mary Magdalene. The Elder is the clear leader of this community some years after John and/or Mary have died. The Elder also is the pastor of the people he or she writes to and is seen as their leader.

James was the brother of Jesus. It's pretty certain he wrote his letter. Think of it as wisdom literature in the form of a letter.

Hebrews is not a letter. It reads like a written sermon. I believe it is a work of Prisca, the woman who was a leader in the ancient church and a protege of Paul. I think she wrote it long after Paul was gone. Read this as a sermon by one of Paul's closest friends.

Revelation is apocalyptic, like what I wrote about Daniel and Zechariah. It seems bloodthirsty but what its really about is God/Goddess judgement on the evil Roman oppression on the poor and the weak. Read it like you'd read Daniel. Think of Jews in Death Camps crying for justice.

Acts is a continuation of Luke. It's point is to establish how Paul is the legitimate Apostle of Jesus to the Gentiles. So read it the way you'd read Luke.

So now the actual order:

The Marcan Tradition:

1) Mark. This was the first Gospel written so read it first. Mark was another companion of Paul and also of Peter. He was not a disciple of Jesus, but was involved with the church early on. Barnabas was his uncle. Some think he was the rich young man, the young man following from a distance who lost his cloak when Jesus was arrested, and the owner of the upper room. But then the book doesn't claim to be written by Mark. That's something later people thought. Oh well.
2) Galatians. This is one of the earliest things written by Paul. The context is that some people who claim to represent Peter are saying non-Jews have to become Jews to be saved. Boy does Paul get angry.
3) Phillipians. This is another early letter of Paul.
4) I Peter. Now we're into later Pauline thinking by Paul's followers who like Mark were influenced by both Paul and Peter. We probably have some actual working out of some of Peter's concerns later in his ministry.
5) II Peter. This is by a different person than I Peter. I doubt we have any of Peter or Paul's actual concerns here, but the concerns of a generation that was mentored by those mentored by Paul and Peter.

The Lucan Tradition:

1) Luke. Luke was not a disciple of Jesus. He enters the story on Paul's second missionary trip as a traveling doctor who stays with Paul. Either this Gospel was written by Luke, or the author used some of Luke's writings in preparing the Acts. Either way we have a man solidly in the Pauline tradition. This clearly was written after the fall of the temple.
2) Acts. Luke clearly intended this to be volume 2.
3) Ephesians. I think of this as volume 3. Presented as a letter, modeled on Paul's letter to the Colossians, its actually an extended presentation of Paul's theology. The actual language is very similar to Luke's writings and especially Paul's speeches in Luke's writings. Think of this as Paul's biographer's presentation of Paul's theology and think of it as part of Acts. Think of it this way, at the beginning it says, "O Theophilus. In the previous two works I told you all Jesus did and how his message was taken by Paul to the Gentiles and to Rome itself. As you know, Paul wrote letters to the churches he served. This is what he wrote to one of them when he was in Rome."
4) Philemon. Paul appears to have sent Onesimus, a run away slave from Philemon, back to Philemon in the city of Colossae. Philemon was a believer in the church there and Paul wanted to be sure he received Onesimus as family and not as a slave.
5) Colossians. Paul probably sent Onesimus back there to Colossae because he needed him to carry this letter to the church there. So that's why he had to write Philemon in the first place. This may have been the last letter actually written by Paul. This is Paul's mature Theology. It is very mystical and about the Cosmic Christ and the unity of humanity in Christ. Read his instructions to wives, husbands, children, parents, slaves and masters in the patriarchal context, not the 21st Century context. In the original context Paul is calling us to egalitarianism. See how Luke built on this actual letter for his example!

The Matthean Tradition:

1) Matthew. The author here, associated with the disciple Matthew in tradition, most likely was not a disciple of Jesus. He also was unaware of Luke's gospel. Most likely he wrote in the 80s, long after the destruction of the temple. He's writing when Christianity is separating from Judaism as a distinct religion. His concern is showing that Jesus' teaching is the true fulfillment of the OT's law and not the rabbinic Judaism that is kicking Christians out of the synagogue.
2) Romans. This is the only actual letter of Paul that was written to people in a church he hadn't started, instead it was led by people from churches he'd started previously. This letter than is more like an essay by Paul than a letter, even though it is wrapped by personal stuff since he knew people there. He is addressing the same concern as Matthew had later. How does Christianity and Judaism fit together.
3) 1 Corinthians. There was a strong connection between Corinth and Rome. Think of Corinth as Las Vegas and Rome as Los Angeles, or better yet, think of Rome as a combination of New York and Washington D.C. and Corinth as Atlantic City. The main people in Rome that Paul knew where his followers in Corinth. Paul wrote to Corinth right around the same time he wrote to Rome. Things were bad in Corinth and it doesn't seem Paul's writings fixed things. The best people in Corinth, Prisca and Aquilla, left and went to Rome. Paul's letter here is a response to problems they were experiencing. It's confusing because sometimes what we read is not actually what Paul thinks, but a long quotation from a letter to him before he responds. How do we know what's what? We don't. So do the best you can. Also realize this is actually II Corinthians. The real I Corinthians has been lost. ::frown::
4) II Corinthians 10-13 & 6:11-7:1. Oh boy. This letter is a hodgepodge. It's pretty accepted that what we have hear are fragments of two letters that have been stitched together by later copyists into one letter. Chapters 10-13 then would be part of what was the actual III Corinthians. Was 6:11-7:1 also part of that III Corinthians or part of a different letter? Whatever, it does not belong with most of chapters 1-9. Plus, is this even Paul's writing or the quotation he is responding to? It sure doesn't sound like the Paul we've met before. Whatever, Paul here is tearing his hair out trying to fix things in Corinth. It seems later on he regrets some of the stuff he writes. (Wow, kind of puts the kabosh on the idea that Paul thought he was writing the inerrant word of God, doesn't it?)
5) II Corinthians 1:1-6:10, 7:2-9:15. This is all we have left of Paul's last letter to the church that broke his heart, IV Corinthians. In the end Paul's compassion won over his passion. Here is doing his best to comfort his flock as well as call them to help the poor in Jerusalem.
6) Hebrews. Since I'm convinced that Paul's biggest advocate in Corinth and Rome wrote this sermon, its seems like a good time to read it. Even if I'm wrong, why not read this as if Prisca, a strong woman, wrote it?

More Pauline Tradition vs. Jacobean Wisdom
1) 1 Thessalonians & II Thessalonians. These are very early Paul, during his second missionary trip, probably his second and third letters. He is dealing with some various specific problems. Some extremists were saying that since Jesus saves us from our sins that means the real holy people will sin like crazy. The little church was ripped apart and Paul had heard gossip it no longer existed. Also people were getting freaked out because they were afraid if people died before Jesus came they wouldn't get to be in the kingdom. Then they started freaking out the other way about the second coming. Notice that here Paul seems to believe that those who reject Jesus will be eternally destroyed in the Last Judgement, not sent to eternal hell. Later on, as you've already seen, he comes to believe all are saved in Christ.
2) I Timothy. Again, this is NOT Paul's writing, but writings of folk half a century after his death who were the heirs of Paul's traditions. Some of Paul's radicalness has been lost. Oh well.
3) II Timothy. Same as the first. Oh well. It doesn't mean there isn't good stuff here.
4) Titus. Last of these "pastoral" letters that say they're from Paul but aren't. To us this sounds like a hoax. In the ancient world it was an accepted way to teach.
5) James. With the Thessalonian letters and the Pastorals we see how Pauline thinking could go astray, by those who misinterpreted it at the start and by later followers. James is the balance that's needed. He isn't disagreeing with Paul. He's disagreeing with misinterpretations.
6) Jude. More of Jacobean thinking, probably by a protege of James. The same way the pastorals claim to be Pauline, this claims to be by another brother of Jesus, Jude. Hey Jude!

The Revelation. This one is by itself. Although a lot of Christians seem to pay attention to only this book, you should know it's the one that almost didn't make it in the NT. Whatever you do, don't try taking this literally. Think of it as a dream. Think of it as symbolic to communicate something about the situation of the seven churches in Asia it is addressed to. Think of it as showing the difference between what is happening on earth and what is happening in heaven. Treat it like a Beatles' song. "I am he as you are he and we are all together." "Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine. ...and then you get naked." What does it all mean? Who cares. Focus on the stuff that makes sense instead of the stuff that doesn't and you might get a different experience of this book.

The Johanine Tradition.

1) John. I know. People say start with this book. I say end with it. It's so different than the other gospels. It and its companion letters are the ONLY books in the NT that aren't from the Pauline tradition or like James & Jude in relation with the Pauline tradition. I place this tradition in Egypt centering in Alexandria because when Alexandrian Christianity comes into focus around 200 it is so similar to this tradition. Plus some of the concepts from this tradition, like the Logos, were already in Alexandrian Judaism. There's a good chance that the book of John was originally shorter by one chapter, it didn't have chapter 21. There's a good chance it was written by Mary Magdalene who was the "disciple Jesus loved" and was actually Jesus' wife. The Traditional view is that it was written by John the Apostle. A scholarly view is that John the Apostle had a protege also named John, and that John wrote it based on what John the Apostle taught him. That John then would be John the Elder who wrote the letters too. Whatever, someone then added the last chapter to identify the author of the gospel as the disciple whom Jesus loved. If it was originally written by Mary M, then the revisions to make it seem the disciple Jesus loved was a separate person from Mary were made when the last chapter was added. Personally I think the Alexandrian community and its other Egyptian offshoots, were founded by the Apostle John, Mary the Mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. I don't know who wrote the Gospel, but I'm sure the same person wrote the letters. Read this Gospel as the "interior" history of Jesus. The other Gospels tell us what happened. This one tells us what it all meant.
2) I John. This letter is a companion letter to the Gospel. It is a commentary. So now that you've read John's Gospel, read what John tells us about how to live.
3) II John & III John. There's not much here different than I John.

YOU DID IT!

That was the easy part. Now you have to figure out what all this stuff, all this history, law, poetry, wisdom, preaching, story, fiction, philosophy, code and teaching means for you. Do you believe part of it? Which parts? If you believe all of it how do you deal with the different ideas? What do you do with some of the horrible stuff commanded in the OT? What do you do with the anti-women stuff in the pastorals? What do you do with the torture of non-believers in hell in Jesus' parables and Revelation? What about Paul's changing views?

[muninnskiss]

I read it cover to cover and enjoyed it. I've only read bits and pieces since, though.

FFF
~Muninn's Kiss

[swapmeetmomma]

Okay I dont know if anyone has said this, I read the first 2 pages and decided to reply. Ive read quite a bit of the bible and Ive heard from many different people, some who have read the bible cover to cover, and some who only read it here and there, that you should always start in the gospels. Mark Matthew Luke and John. These books explain what Jesus did in his time here, his crucifixion, and his ressurection. They also have many parables, and stories that have great life lessons. Hope I helped!

[Nesta]

I've read the bible right through, I used to really enjoy it when I was very young. :weirdsmil