Perhaps you’ve never read a Bible and, based on what you’ve heard from others, never want to even touch one.
You’ve lived with the satisfyingly vague notion that there’s some kind of creator out there and, if you manage to do more good than bad, you’ll get entry to whatever coming’s next.
And yet, here you are, reading a blog examining a book that apparently still leaves you curious. So give me a few moments to do my imperfect best to explain the Bible and encourage you to give it some consideration.
First of all, it’s absolutely NOT a novel. While the Bible contains narrative sections, it also has historical accounts, poetry, legal codes, letters and prophetic writings.
Plus, novels are usually written by one or two people; the Bible is written by dozens of people in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic — the language of Jesus of Nazareth, who many people believe is the Son of God — and Greek) over thousands of years.
Despite all these authors and all that time, the Bible has consistent themes:
- The universe, this planet and everything on it are God’s creation
- Humanity is the crowning touch of God’s creation because we were made aware of ourselves and aware of our creator.
- Through the bad things we’ve done and the good things we’ve failed to do, humanity has walked away from the love and care of our creator.
- God ceaselessly invites us back to Him — first through passionate men (called prophets) endowed with unique knowledge/experience of God, then through the life, teachings, miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
The last point is critical, because Jesus told anyone willing to listen: “You must be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” So there it is; when this life ends, you’ll need to be perfect to get past the bouncer at the ‘pearly gates’.
Well, that’s a problem, isn’t it? Since no one can ever get close to perfection, how can even one of us get to Heaven?
The answer is Jesus. When He allowed Himself to be arrested on false charges, convicted and put to death, Jesus paid the penalty for every wrong thing done by His followers, and every right thing we’ve failed to do.
After that, God saw — and continues to see — His Son’s followers just as He sees Jesus: perfect in every way. The result is when Jesus followers end this life, the bouncer ushers them into a joyous eternity with God.
Just as important, when people like YOU invite Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour, He comes into your heart IMMEDIATELY and begins making you more like the person God created you to be.
All this is in the Bible for you to discover. What about the “murder, corruption, homophobia, bestiality, incest and cruelty”? Well, the bible absolutely isn’t “full” of that stuff as the meme creator suggests, but they are there. Why? Because the Bible is about REALITY.
It doesn’t sugar-coat the often horrific behaviour of humanity. The Bible lays it all out so it’s plain to see why we are in a bad way and why/how Jesus can and does fix that for everyone who follows Him.
So how about you? Are you willing to at least read a few Bible chapters now and then? Yes or no, post your comments below and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 
I have read the bible. Cover to cover and have read the gospels several times. (and still do from time to time)
“It doesn’t sugar-coat the often horrific behaviour of humanity”
Neither the vile behaviour of your god, Yahweh who is depicted in the Old Testament as a genocidal, meglomaniacal monster who endorses (and in some instances commands) slavery, rape, murder, incest, and misogyny to name a few of his unsavory characteristics.
My personal research is ongoing and so far I have come to realise the bible is little more than historical fiction and geopolitical foundation myth.
Do you still wish to have a conversation, Frank?
If so, please go ahead.
Thanks for your comment. While everyone is welcome to visit Frank’s Cottage, it’s meant for people who are open to spirituality. You’ve told me you’re an atheist, which means you’re NOT open to spirituality. So why waste your time?
The Bible is mythology.
Dangerous mythology.
Books with talking animals, giants, a global flood, and a man who lived in a fish for three days are not about reality.
Grow up.
Thanks for your comment. While everyone is welcome to visit Frank’s Cottage, it’s meant for people who are open to spirituality. You’ve told me you’re an atheist, which means you’re NOT open to spirituality. So why waste your time?
He is trying to convince you that basing your whole world view on one book isn’t the best idea.
Thanks for clarifying. I appreciate it.
I’m on my eighth year of reading the Bible all the way through, and I’m still learning something new each time I open up its pages, Frank. Definitely, every chapter is a love letter from God to all humanity. I hope and pray that more people will come to Jesus through reading God’s eternal Word. Blessings!