My wife thinks I have too many books. With three loaded-down bookcases in our home, she’s probably right. But if we’re to take this atheist meme seriously, then I — a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, who many people believe is the Son of God — should only have one book. The Bible.
So how to explain me and so, SO many other Jesus followers around the world who have extensive fiction and non-fiction libraries cluttering up their homes?
I have biographies and books on Irish history (I’m a student of that country’s 1916-23 revolutionary period), Canadian history, photography, hockey and music. In addition, I have lots of books that help me better understand what it means to live and pray as a Jesus follower.
On the fiction front, I have most of novels written by Anne of Green Gables author L.M. Montgomery, Jan Karon, Star Trek writer Peter David and Canadian fantasy writer Guy Gavriel Kay.
I think you get my point. This atheist meme is a simplistic stereotype with little credibility. But it does make this subtle charge that’s worth exploring: Jesus followers are unthinking slaves to whatever the Bible says.
Maybe you, a person open to spirituality, find yourself agreeing with that claim. So why are there so many books written about the Bible? I’ll tell you why: because it’s open to so much exploration and interpretation. Consider just this point: The Bible says God created the world in six days. But what are days? Another part of the Bible says that to God, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. See what I mean?
My point is this: yes, some people are, indeed, unthinking slaves to whatever the Bible says. Just as some atheists are unthinking believers that all Jesus followers are less intelligent than atheists. But many aren’t.
If the claim made by the atheist meme resonates with you to the point of dismissing Jesus of Nazareth, then I hope this blog persuades you to reconsider your position.
There is all kinds of room for Jesus-following scientists, bus drivers, farmers, PhD candidates, journalists, waiters/waitresses, university professors and stay-at-home moms. That means there’s room for YOU — and I regard that as one of the many great things about following Jesus.
Interested? Yes or no, post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 