#nowreading
“What’s the difference between an atheist and a Christian you ask? For starters, the average atheist has read the Bible from start to finish.”
Whoa, did that take you aback? I found it online and it took me aback like you have no idea. And the reason it did is because there is actually some truth in it.
Let’s face it, most of us read the Bible selectively. In fact, the only reason we know most things in it is because of our CRE lessons back in primary school. That is why we know there was Habakkuk or the Pentecost. High school gave us more though some of us ended up dropping the subject because it was quite hard to answer the questions according to the set marking scheme. Does it mean that if the teacher thinks that Jesus’ parable was meant to teach this and not that then it is the right interpretation?
Why do we opt to listen to someone else’s interpretation instead of reading the Bible ourselves and letting its truth get to us at a personal level?
Why are we so quick to buy the latest books by renowned Christians instead of reading the primary source which is probably lying around in various versions at home? (These are great books by the way, just a thought).
Why do we go around branding people as false prophets and we do not know the first thing Jesus said about them?
Why are we so quick to believe those that say that the Bible is a collection of fairy tales, legends like any other, based on some historical truth blown out of proportion?
I am writing this to myself too because I should be the last to point fingers on this issue. I will not sit around and wait for someone to chew the food for me and give me the broken down mash that is easier to swallow, like rural mothers do to their little suckling ones. I will read the Bible earnestly, not one verse, not one chapter but each book. It does not even make sense that I claim to be improving on my reading culture if I cannot read the bestseller as ardently as I read the rest of the books.
Ultimately it is not just reading it that will matter but living by it. Even Eli from the movie admitted that he got so caught up protecting the Bible in that ‘post-apocalyptic’ world that he forgot to live by it.
Then I will be in a position to know who the false prophet is and who the true prophet is. As of now, I cannot say I am so sure. All I know is that, like Paul, I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (2 Timothy 1:11).
I do not want to be the Christian who cannot defend my faith because I have no idea what I believe or why I believe.
Quoting yet another tweet I saw “To most Christians, the bible is like a Software License. Nobody actually reads it. They just scroll to the bottom and click “I agree.””
I rest my case.
Great read, insightful (I like this word) and so true. People like Mak’Omondi never dropped C.R.E they did it to form 4 got A’s (straight ones) have tried going through the whole Bible and Ended at Joshua, born and raised in a Christian family, acknowledging the importance of living by the word and always attending church I must admit I have fallen short a great deal.
We all have. It’s what we do when we realize it that matters.
This is true in my experience. I come from a catholic family and I think I probably know the most about the bible and the history of its (and Christianity’s) creation. Ironically, I’m the atheist, and it was reading the bible closely and looking into its history that ended my faith. I think besides reading the bible itself, theists ought to look into the history of the faith too (outside of what the bible says) and not from the perspective that it’s all true at the outset of the investigation. Real critical reflection on a doctrine ought to begin without a firm belief, or disbelief, in that doctrine.
I agree, one has to be open-minded. Nevertheless, belief is crucial.
belief is crucial for what? the investigation? An investigation into the truth of a proposition or set of propositions cannot be based upon the assumption of its or their truth. That’s question begging really
In life. Truth is never relative thus belief in a doctrine does not make it true or false. It then follows that one can believe in something and still find out it was false while still in the state of belief. What I am saying is, you cannot drop a belief simply because you want to investigate it. Investigate then drop. What will you be living for then with neither truth or belief?
Deep stuff.
🙂
An interesting post. Reading the Bible from cover to cover is often enough the best way to make an atheist. Just saying.
It is also the best way to make a Christian too. Funny enough.
As for giving the Bible a wide berth, this reminds me of a certain parent whose kids used to ‘take’ her coins without her authority. She resolved to be hiding her money in between the pages of the Bible. Why? Her kids never read the Bible.
I read it several times. Nice piece.
Thank you