The Bible

[WICKES]

I am going to read the Bible (King James). It is so important as a foundation for understanding western literature, painting and music that I can't put it off. I am going to read at least:

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Job
The Gospels

What else should I read? Which of Paul's letters for example?

[aabbcc]

Regarding Tanakh (=OT), you cannot go wrong if you read the entire Torah (Pentateuch) first. After that, I would suggest Ruth, Samuel (at least II), Kings (at least I), Esther and Job (possibly also Judith); Ecclestiastes and Canticle of Canticles; and Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

Regarding NT, I would suggest John, Corinthias (I), Hebrews and Revelation.

Of course, both is only a personal view of what would be "culturally" most important, and not a believer's point of view.
This (http://mb-soft.com/believe/txs/bibcontn.htm) is one of the sites where you can see Bible contents and glimpse through each part of the Bible and what is it about, so you can add other things you consider important.

Good luck. :)

[RichardHresko]

I am going to read the Bible (King James). It is so important as a foundation for understanding western literature, painting and music that I can't put it off. I am going to read at least:

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Job
The Gospels

What else should I read? Which of Paul's letters for example?

The most important of Paul's letters for the development of Christian theology are probably I Corinthians and Romans.

As far as the Gospels go, I would suggest starting with the oldest (Mark) and then look at John. I am NOT saying Matthew and Luke are bad, but if there is a time constraint Mark is the basis for the other two Synoptic Gispels, and John gives a different perspective.

[WICKES]

Regarding Tanakh (=OT), you cannot go wrong if you read the entire Torah (Pentateuch) first.

Thanks for the posts guys. What is the Torah exactly? Is it Genesis , Exodua and Leviticus?

[aabbcc]

What is the Torah exactly? Is it Genesis , Exodua and Leviticus?
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

[dzebra]

In the New Testament, I suggest reading at least a bit from all the different writers. From Paul, perhaps Romans and 1st Corinthians; from Peter, both 1st and 2nd Peter are short; from James, the book of James; from John, 1st John. The author of Hebrews is unknown, but it's good.

And if you like following the story of the early Church right after Jesus leaves, then the book of Acts tells that. Acts was written by Luke, so if you read the gospel of Luke, then that flows right into Acts.

So maybe Luke, then Acts, then Romans, then 1st Corinthians, then Hebrews, then 1st and 2nd Peter, then James, then 1st John. Half of those are really short.

[DeadAsDreams]

Make sure you read Ecclestiastes, Romans, and At least one of the Gospels about Jesus. Reading all would be the best glimpse of the heart of christianity.

[wilbur lim]

The Bible is inevitably an achaic book,but it has a raft of meaningful pasages.I love it.

[El Viejo]

You might as well bite the bullet and read cover to cover. Parts will be a slog, but that way you'll have the whole foundation stone.

I'm with you on choosing the KJV. The NASB is easier to read but comparatively dull, and the NIV seems like a novelization.

Afterwards, I suggest:

Lewis's "Mere Christianity"
Twain's "Letters From The Earth"
Potok's "The Chosen"
Friedman's "Who Wrote The Bible?"

[mosimo]

El Viejo is correct in many ways the newer translations of the Bible are loosing the depth that can be found in the KJV. The use of language in the KJV allows for one's imagination to wrap around the words. Nevertheless if you have any difficulty understanding the older form of English you might be forced to find a newer version because word meanings and uses have changed.

[hellsapoppin]

Reading the Bible can at times be tedious. Therefore, it would be best to read commentaries that analyze chapters within it. Of course, writers will have different interpretations of the chapters and this is due to denomination biases.

www.blueletterbible.org offers good comments from various sources.

[DeadAsDreams]

Reading the Bible can at times be tedious. Therefore, it would be best to read commentaries that analyze chapters within it. Of course, writers will have different interpretations of the chapters and this is due to denomination biases.

www.blueletterbible.org offers good comments from various sources.

Thats like saying that since reading takes a while you should just read the spark notes for everything.

[JBI]

I recommend Mark, Mathew, Proverbs, Ecclesiastics, Revelation and Kings be added. I also recommend flipping Leviticus for Numbers, as Leviticus is primarily concerned with that which is somewhat non-existent in the majority of Christian worship, and lacks much of a narrative.

In truth, one must read the Pentateuch, or Torah as it is called by Jews, I would say Joshua through Ezekiel, and if you want, the final 12th of the Nevi'im, which contains Jonah and other minor figures, in addition to the main focal points of the New Testament mentioned above. Proverbs, Psalms, and Ecclesiastics are perhaps the best quote fodder, but lack the "biblical story" aspects of the rest of the books.

In truth, I would need to go on a book by book basis, and in fact, all of the books in the Bible deserve at least one go through, as they are almost as quoted as Shakespeare.

[idiosynchrissy]

I definitely think you should read Revelations as it is both culturally significant in many texts and, in my opinion, a very interesting read full of symbolism and unique imagery.

[togre]

Just adding to what has been said already:

Read Romans. It was written by Paul as his introduction to the believers in Rome. He wanted to use Rome as a base for missionary work in Western Europe and so wrote a rather thorough letter laying out the heart of the faith shared by himself and the Roman Christians. It differs from his other epistles in that it isn't addressing a specific issue at a specific congregation (although the other epistles are valuable too).