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People ask me for my top tips for reading the Bible and I never know what to say because the things that most helped me aren't things you can throw out as "tips" - like?
"Come to it fresh with literally no preconceived ideas as to what any of it says"
"Have a Literature degree"
"Come to it fresh with literally no preconceived ideas as to what any of it says"
"Have a Literature degree"
But I do want to help people who come to me for help, so, aside from the above ridiculous things, my top tips for reading the Bible are as follows:
Consider what translation you have - the KJV is beautiful but it's not exactly easy reading if you're not used to the words and style of 1600's English.
The Bible isn't the easiest book out there as it is, no need to complicate it with an unfamiliar syntax. I recommend the NRSV.
The Bible isn't the easiest book out there as it is, no need to complicate it with an unfamiliar syntax. I recommend the NRSV.
When I announced my intention to read the Bible for the first time, a friend told me to read the New Testament first. And it was a bloody good suggestion. The New Testament is structured a lot more like the narratives we're used to from novels, unlike the Old Testament.
When you DO read the Old Testament, don't be afraid or ashamed to look up a summary of each book as you reach it.
The Bible can be considered almost like one great big story - there's a continuity and narrative arc to it, being clear as to what's going on is important.
The Bible can be considered almost like one great big story - there's a continuity and narrative arc to it, being clear as to what's going on is important.
Finally, when reading the Bible, always consider "WHY" Why did they feel a need to write this down? To preserve it for the ages? None of this is an accident. You don't record and pass down something for literally thousands of years, through change and tragedy, just for the Lolz.
For every bit of the Bible, always think: What are they trying to say here? And what does that tell us about the people and society that thought it was important enough to keep? And then try and expand that out, if you can, to reflect upon your own understanding of your faith.
Bonus Bible reading tip: if you want, keep an eye out for all the contradictions within the Bible. It's full of them and it's good to consider them and what they say about the change and evolution of faith and tradition - and it can help challenge us as we consider our faith now.
