I’ve never read the bible, and no one in my immediate family (parents, step mom or siblings) has a bible. The bible is a book I’ve seen in Church pews when I attended mass with my grandmother as a child and when I attend weddings but it’s never a book I’ve actually picked up and read. My parents grew up in the Catholic Church and my mom shockingly enough has never read the bible either. She studied the history of the catholic religion and the catechism as required in her catholic school but never actually read the bible from cover to cover. My step mom’s dad was a Methodist minister and none of her siblings participate in any form of organized religion.
I took an introductory religion class in college but it focused on the history and brief teachings of the world’s largest religions but never drilled down into the details. I was talking to my step mom not too long ago and mentioned how the bible is referenced in literature, movies, songs, and now that religion is a hot button issue on the political circuit I’m feeling that my overall education is lacking. I’d love to understand what the references mean even if I don’t agree with them, so I got online and purchased the bible experience. I’ve taken to listening to books on CD to help the commute go by faster so why not the bible on CD.
No worries Hostess, I won’t try to set up my own cult and force you guys into it. Similar to how Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Salinger are required reading to give kids a well rounded education of the classics, the bible, the Koran and other religious texts should be included to give kids a point of reference when passages from those texts are mentioned in every day literature.
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14 comments:
I never really got into reading the Bible until I read two books. One was called Hidden Mysteries of the Bible which delved into the Eastern meanings of the characters' names and numeric symbolism and how they were related to the overall "meaning"of the stories.
The other was Don't Know Much About the Bible, which was actually a hilarious re-cap of the Bible from cover to cover.
Both of those peaked my interest in actually reading the book itself. Then the bible study classes that I attend at church are like history lessons, rather than praise and worship services, which also suit me and spark my interest. I'm such a nerd. Sue me.
My mother bought me the bible experience but I never took the time to listen to it. I can't imagine Blair Underwood as Jesus...especially since he's now that sexxxy Russian dude on Dirty, Sexy, Money.
Understanding Biblical principles is a one of the more difficult components of being a covert operative
When we were kids my mom would a read book with stories from the bible. It was written for children and a great way to introduce kids but keep it interesting. I've never read the bible from cover to cover, I've tried but get discouraged in all the lineage. I do know most of the stories though and I understand the lineage matters to future stories.
My cousin has Ph.D in Theology and has read the bible in its original language and he explained a lot of the political stuff to me during the gore/bush election. I'm familiar with the bible but they often lose me at election time.
I'm not dedicated enough to do the research myself, but I love it when biblical scholars get together and start debating religious history, missing books of the bible and politics.
Hopefully you'll share stuff you learn. Have fun.
Being a believer I have gone through the Bible...
And reading for Life and reading for a class was 2 different experiences...But it was well needed...
Nice post...
I'll keep you posted
Excellent choice to start your studying of the Bible. For future ease of reading or studying I would suggest the Good News Version or the new Message Bible. The Good News is easier reading, but stays along the traditional scriptural breakups. The Message bible is translated to read more like a novel.
And as a single woman, if Jesus is my keeper, Blair Underwood works for me. Oh, lawd forgive me. LOL
I read it from time to time ;)
I have practically no familiarity with the Bible. When I go to church and the pastor starts calling out books, I have to thumb through the entire Bible to find them. It's kinda embarrassing, but hey ...
I don't know that I would make the Bible required reading, however. I think the Bible is something best appreciated when a person seeks it out.
I couldn't resist. This sums it up for me.
B.I.B.L.E
A lot of people go to church every Sunday and don't read the bible. My family is deeply involved in the church. Growing up, I had lessons in Sunday School that required us to read the bible every week. When I started college, I really started intensely studying the bible. Being married to a person from the East has really given me insight on the things that I have learned and read. Best wishes on your journey.
Twas FABULOUS seeing you tonight Princess!
I don't read mine often enough, but I've done my fair share of reading in my day. I tried to read a chapter from the book of Psalms or Proverbs in the mornings for a while, but I couldn't stick to it. I admire people with that kind of dedication. The stories really are amazing. I'm a Christian, but I love learning about all religions, so I read as much historical stuff as I can too. I hope you enjoy it! Did you get the New or Old Testament of the Bible Experience?
@ Sugar - New Testament.
i've read the bible, not cover to cover, but a book here, a book there. i have favorite passages, favorite people, favorite lessons. in catholic school, i won the contest to memorize the names of the books in order. and it was mostly because of a bible stories book my dad gave me that i read over and over again. i thought that was common.
it wasn't til i was an adult that i came to know that some Christians, especially certain denominations, don't emphasize actually reading the bible in self or group study. that blew my mind. my family background is pentecostal - i'm not pentecostal myself, but i'm familiar with it and with catholicism from school. pentecostals emphasize the responsibility of the individual for their own knowledge and application of God's word. how would you understand what they're talking about in church without it? how would you consult the bible for guidance and wisdom without at least generally knowing what's in there and where to find it? otherwise, wouldn't someone just be trusting what other people told them about the bible?
i don't say this to be judging - it was just a culture clash i didn't understand. some folks might be concerned about how pentecostals don't baptize babies. i'm telling you all this denominational stuff is a doozie.
Sometimes, I feel like the only Black girl out here with NO Biblical knowledge. I remember an incident in high school when my British Lit teacher was referring to some Biblical imagery and took for granted that we all understood it. I got rather frustrated and had to raise my hand finally and say " I have NO idea what you are talking about! Where are you getting these things from?"
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