The Bible is unreadable

[atiguhya padma]

Thank you Logos for clearing that matter up. And thank you SoundofMusic for your understanding. I was merely stating that if you read the bible then I would recommend that you read it in conjunction with a dictionary or encyclopedia of mythology. That should then place biblical claims in a larger global mythological perspective. Virgil, I accept your apologies. It is interesting to note that your comments were directed by your perception of my prejudices but maybe should be directed towards your own?

Some of the books of the Bible, like the Book of Job, work quite well as literature. Many of the psalms are half decent poetry too, but the vast majority of the Bible verges on being unreadable.

I agree. Interestingly, most of the claims to decent literature in the bible, if not all, refer to the Old Testament. Though books like Kings and Chronicles are terribly tedious, sometimes equivalent to reading the telephone book. And anyone familiar with scientific literature will find Genesis extremely primitive.

[JCamilo]

I wonder when a book does not work as literature...
The gospels are quite fine pieces of narratives. Included the use of Jesus as some short of Scherazad, with stories within frames, references to previous books (obviously the OT), and a wide range of metaphorical constructions that work so fine that we still use it today. Book of Revelations is a great example of allegorical poetry.
The letters are among the most important literary epistolar works we have...
In the OT there is the legal books, if anything they should be those wrongly accused of not working as literature...

[soundofmusic]

Thank you Logos for clearing that matter up. And thank you SoundofMusic for your understandin

You're very welcome. Sorry for refering to you as "she". I have enjoyed your insightful postings!

[Virgil]

Virgil, I accept your apologies. It is interesting to note that your comments were directed by your perception of my prejudices but maybe should be directed towards your own?
.

I've seen your comments regarding religion in the past. I know your prejudices.

[soundofmusic]

I've seen your comments regarding religion in the past. I know your prejudices.

It was very admirable of you to review your thoughts. It takes a very open person to do that.

I wonder when a book does not work as literature...
The gospels are quite fine pieces of narratives. Included the use of Jesus as some short of Scherazad, with stories within frames, references to previous books (obviously the OT), and a wide range of metaphorical constructions that work so fine that we still use it today. Book of Revelations is a great example of allegorical poetry.
The letters are among the most important literary epistolar works we have...
In the OT there is the legal books, if anything they should be those wrongly accused of not working as literature...

What a fascinating breakdown of the different styles of biblical literature. I loved the old testament stories as a child; but was disappointed reading them as an adult (I hadn't realized how much my imagination had added). A fundamentalist childhood made Revelations the worst of "Boogey Man" tales. I think I will "give it another go" with your insight...

[blazeofglory]

I have gone thru both the Old Testament and the New Testament and of course I like the stories of the Bible, and some chapters like Sermons on the Mounts, proverbs are really fascinating, in point of fact they are full of words of wisdom, and I always got impressed by the teachings in the Sermons on the Mounts, but at times some chapters are really hard to understand or commit to memory. Some chapters are revealing and others are rather evocative. There are family lineages, tales of ancestry. Save a few chapters most are difficult to read. I think the Bible was written at different epochs, and some are uninteresting. There are accounts of ancestral accounts that dull the reader.
The Bible is praise owing mainly to its sacredness; considered a great sacred text and consecrated the voice of God. Barring this we find some chapters unmoving. There are other greater sacred texts, more exhaustive philosophically, spiritually like the Mahabharata. Of course what I said may infuriate some Christian friends but I am speaking objectively. There are countless words of wisdom in the Bible, no doubt but the words in the Mahabharata are all the wiser.

[soundofmusic]

[QUOTE=blazeofglory;798211]I have gone thru both the Old Testament and the New Testament and of course I like the stories of the Bible, and There are countless words of wisdom in the Bible, no doubt but the words in the Mahabharata are all the wiser.[/QUOT

We are all here to learn from each other. So no one should take offense from your opinion. I'm glad you mentioned the Mahabharata, I enjoyed the parts I read. The story, itself, seemed very dramatic and colorful and the lessons were easily understood.

[tailor STATELY]

The Family Home Evening group I attend on Monday nights has lately been studying the O.T. at mine [partially because of this thread] and others' requests. We're at the point where Jacob, Isaac's younger son, has hoodwinked his Father-in-law (and reconciled) and is off to start his own life with his growing family.

With others in the group, an all 'empty nester' group, more 'versed' in the Bible than I (not too difficult) it has really helped me with understanding some of the nuances that I hadn't really 'seen'.

Thanks to all who have contributed links and comments - they have been a real help.

[753c]

Thank you Logos for clearing that matter up. And thank you SoundofMusic for your understanding. I was merely stating that if you read the bible then I would recommend that you read it in conjunction with a dictionary or encyclopedia of mythology. That should then place biblical claims in a larger global mythological perspective. Virgil, I accept your apologies. It is interesting to note that your comments were directed by your perception of my prejudices but maybe should be directed towards your own?



I agree. Interestingly, most of the claims to decent literature in the bible, if not all, refer to the Old Testament. Though books like Kings and Chronicles are terribly tedious, sometimes equivalent to reading the telephone book. And anyone familiar with scientific literature will find Genesis extremely primitive.

I humbly disagree. In my opinion the stories of Elijah and Elisha in the books of the Kings are exciting, adventurous, touching and thought provoking. Marks of great literature.
And BTW, if a book being considered primitive when compared with "scientific literature" contributes to it's being unreadable..... There are a lot of classics in trouble!
Respectfully yours,
753C

[blazeofglory]

[QUOTE=soundofmusic;799857]

I have gone thru both the Old Testament and the New Testament and of course I like the stories of the Bible, and There are countless words of wisdom in the Bible, no doubt but the words in the Mahabharata are all the wiser.[/QUOT

We are all here to learn from each other. So no one should take offense from your opinion. I'm glad you mentioned the Mahabharata, I enjoyed the parts I read. The story, itself, seemed very dramatic and colorful and the lessons were easily understood.

I am glad that you have read the Mahabharata. May I know whose translation of the Magabharata?

[gbrekken]

far reaching this has become. I'm not going to get "hanged" on contradictions in our understanding of what is written, nor on mis-translations. The tools I mentioned are for those who are "workmen" of the words in The Word, to assist in obtaining the original intentions of such in their entirety. Ever set the gospels side by side chronologically to the minute? Even a novice might see something new about the number of Peter's denials, and though I know the meaning of heri-keri, I don't know how to spell it. The flaw lies within me, hence I seek proof of the flawless, not the elevation of my ego, intellect or opinion.

[ennison]

I've been fortunate to read the books of the Bible in other than English and clearly the Bible ain't unreadable as it's widely read

[Virgil]

I've been fortunate to read the books of the Bible in other than English and clearly the Bible ain't unreadable as it's widely read

Good point Ennison. It's really quite readable even in English, however the popularity of the King James Version has created a certain view of the language. Whatever the merits and demerits of the KJV are, it has had a negative effect on the readability.

[atiguhya padma]

Anything is readable. The point is the bible, and many other scriptures, are often only a pleasure to read for those with a conservative mindset. As a work of literature, for many like me, the bible is weary, tired and only inspiring to those who are out of touch with the current times. It may be a source for better literature, but it is a tedious text for a modern world.

[soundofmusic]

Do most people, apart from their faith, enjoy reading the bible? I loved hearing the stories of the bible as a child. As an adult, I sometimes find it an effort to "plow through the scriptures". It is not a matter of language; not in, at least, the same way that the "Paradise Lost", the "Canterbury Tales" or Goethe are. It is not a matter of belief, for many of the same accounts are reflected in other texts around the world.
What are your thoughts?