The Secular Case for Reading the Bible

Reader Comments
Back to blog

in facts He twist yo mind in any way He wants and no explation can take away His way of doing things
people how will never understand the bible are those with bad intentions because the one who explains it is the Holyspirit.a person in his own potential will never bring the meaning out clearly because the author is minised.
by God twisting some minds is to protect the power in His word, THE BIBLE.

NANTEZA K REBECCA 2:13AM March 10, 2009

I disagree heartily with many of Plotz's claims about the significance of the Bible. It most certainly is not "the first source of everything". Much of the tales in the old testament are rehashings of tales that came before, including the flood story. Our first written laws (that we know of) came from the Sumerians. Moral codes have existed long before anyone thought of the name Yahweh.
So yes, ignorance of this book is bad, especially for those of you who profess to subscribe to its teachings, but don't also be ignorant of the rest of human history, of what came before the Bible, and what humanity was thinking and doing elsewhere in the world.
It would be great if there could be an objective study of the Bible in school, preferably a comparative study which would include other great "holy" books. Unfortunately, there's just too much temptation for such a class to be exploited by some educators as a chance to proselytize, and of course there are the parents who would object to their precious snowflakes being exposed to "heathen, devil beliefs".
Visit YouMadeMeSayIt.blogspot.com

PhillyChief of DE 10:42AM March 07, 2009

It was not made clear just what is this one area of agreement between the diverse authors of the books that ended up selected to be included in which ever version of the Bible Dr. Shade is discussing.
I agree with Brad that the Bible sells lots of copies, and has lots given away. It still remains one of the least well read and understood of all books. It is more "read into" than genuinely read and studied. Many read their cultural, political, theological prejudices into the texts of the various books of their Bible.
Jeff draws a false contrast between reading for "literary value" and reading for "truths." In fact, I believe that if more people applied the skills of reading other classic texts--literary and otherwise--to the study of their Bibles, they would come a lot closer to discovering the truths to be found in those Bibles. By the way, it was well known long before the Torah was written that "it's wrong to murder, lie, cheat, steal." The problems have to do with that "etc.", which is where some less defensible notions show up.

Asinus Gravis of TX 12:48PM March 05, 2009

The Bible is a remarkable book for many reasons, not the least of which is the talking points it contains. Anyone, Christian or otherwise, who is dismayed by the antics of the religious right really ought to give the Bible a good read. There is just as much (if not more) in there about NOT being a bigoted d-bag as there is about what is and isn't a sin. Anyone who has an interest in arguing with these people really needs to give the Bible a good read to discover the holes in the logic that, for example, "The Bible says God hates fags," because, well, it doesn't.

Jocelyn 12:41PM March 05, 2009

Yes, I would agree with Plotz that there are several phrases, insults (that woman is such a Jezebel), literary devices, and ideas that we use today that come from the Bible; however, to look at it from this perspective would only demean its intended purpose. The Bible isn't something you put next to literary classics like the Odyssey, the Iliad, 1984, War and Peace, Dracula, etc. It deserves the top shelf, if not an entire book case, for itself. Honestly, how many books have writers (each with different backgrounds) on three continents, using at least three different languages, writing within a 1500 year period (give or take a century), and agreeing one controversial subject? Taking all that into consideration, it is easy to see why the Bible isn't "just another good book."

Dr. Shade of NC 9:37PM March 04, 2009

You won't find it on any best-seller lists, but the Bible is the most sold book year after year. Though the secular fraction has looked to eliminate any form of reference to how well the Bible sells throughout the world. This is an interesting take from a secular view on the merits of reading the Bible. More and more people are reading the Bible, to find hope, inspiration, and to find truth in the steps they take throughout this short life. In reading this short article, sounds like the Holy Spirit has planted a seed in the author, Plotz. God works in mysterious ways by grace alone, faith alone, and scripture alone. I hope people continue to read their Bibles and take the knowledge and formulate it into wisdom for the benefit of all of God's creation.

Brad of WI 5:51PM March 04, 2009

Students should not just read the Bible for its literary value. It also contains truths. For example, you know, it's wrong to murder, lie, cheat, steal, etc.

Jeff Brockmeier of CA 2:09PM March 04, 2009