The Bible: Can it be Read as a Book?

blueskies

blueskies

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Recently, in a conversation with a good friend, I had cause to mention I was reading the Bible from cover to cover, as one might read any book. Reacting with some surprise my friend asked, “Can you even do that, can it be read as ‘a book’?”

He had not thought to read the Bible as one might read a novel or biography. In his thinking the Bible is primarily a reference book, like a dictionary or encyclopedia, in which you look up something specific when you want to know more about a particular subject.

Like many here as CFS I read the Bible most days. In addition to reading selected passages that are topical or relevant to whatever I’m encountering that day or week, I am concurrently reading the Bible through, sequentially, from start to finish. I do this because ‘The Book’ is always revealing something new to me this way, no matter how familiar I think I am with any given passage or theme.

I’m sure it was not always so, but perhaps the idea that the Bible is more than a reference book, but an actual text that can, and should, be read through, cover to cover, is an uncommon view these days.
 
I've always read the Bible as a book from cover to cover to start with. It's stories after all.

Some people don't read, they just flick or skim. They are truly missing out. The non-readers PRETEND to read, but I know they'd rather watch tv or listen to someone else read.
 
Good point blueskies
I love doing both a particular thing and assisting reading as a book.
Although I am unable to see well enough to read the bible. I listen to it on cd. I find I can remember it better that way too . Although I can't remenber chapter and verse, I do remember more of what it says by listening to it.

God Bless you brother.
 
blueskies said:
Recently, in a conversation with a good friend, I had cause to mention I was reading the Bible from cover to cover, as one might read any book. Reacting with some surprise my friend asked, “Can you even do that, can it be read as ‘a book’?”

He had not thought to read the Bible as one might read a novel or biography. In his thinking the Bible is primarily a reference book, like a dictionary or encyclopedia, in which you look up something specific when you want to know more about a particular subject.

Like many here as CFS I read the Bible most days. In addition to reading selected passages that are topical or relevant to whatever I’m encountering that day or week, I am concurrently reading the Bible through, sequentially, from start to finish. I do this because ‘The Book’ is always revealing something new to me this way, no matter how familiar I think I am with any given passage or theme.

I’m sure it was not always so, but perhaps the idea that the Bible is more than a reference book, but an actual text that can, and should, be read through, cover to cover, is an uncommon view these days.
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Hello blueskies;

Thank you for sharing your conversation with your friend which I also have been asked before.

I feel we are all unique in our study of the Bible. Some disciples will "read" the Bible for inspirational feeding, and others will actually "study" the Good Book as an important point of reference.

I can understand your friend approaching the Bible as a reference book. A couple of months ago I had a conversation with Musicmaster. Many disciples are Biblical theologians and others are Systematic theologians and from knowing our family here at CFS, there is a mixture of both and this effects their study of the Bible.

Various ways that individuals read the Bible is good in our personal growth in Christ.

I'm enjoying your posts and fellowship with you, brother. Keep writing.

God bless you, blueskies, and your family.
 
blueskies said:
Recently, in a conversation with a good friend, I had cause to mention I was reading the Bible from cover to cover, as one might read any book. Reacting with some surprise my friend asked, “Can you even do that, can it be read as ‘a book’?”

He had not thought to read the Bible as one might read a novel or biography. In his thinking the Bible is primarily a reference book, like a dictionary or encyclopedia, in which you look up something specific when you want to know more about a particular subject.

Like many here as CFS I read the Bible most days. In addition to reading selected passages that are topical or relevant to whatever I’m encountering that day or week, I am concurrently reading the Bible through, sequentially, from start to finish. I do this because ‘The Book’ is always revealing something new to me this way, no matter how familiar I think I am with any given passage or theme.

I’m sure it was not always so, but perhaps the idea that the Bible is more than a reference book, but an actual text that can, and should, be read through, cover to cover, is an uncommon view these days.
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Blueskies, you might like the God’s Word translation. Its layout is specifically designed for normal reading. Just google "God’s Word translation" to find out more.
 
blueskies said:
Recently, in a conversation with a good friend, I had cause to mention I was reading the Bible from cover to cover, as one might read any book. Reacting with some surprise my friend asked, “Can you even do that, can it be read as ‘a book’?”

He had not thought to read the Bible as one might read a novel or biography. In his thinking the Bible is primarily a reference book, like a dictionary or encyclopedia, in which you look up something specific when you want to know more about a particular subject.

Like many here as CFS I read the Bible most days. In addition to reading selected passages that are topical or relevant to whatever I’m encountering that day or week, I am concurrently reading the Bible through, sequentially, from start to finish. I do this because ‘The Book’ is always revealing something new to me this way, no matter how familiar I think I am with any given passage or theme.

I’m sure it was not always so, but perhaps the idea that the Bible is more than a reference book, but an actual text that can, and should, be read through, cover to cover, is an uncommon view these days.
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Agreed.
 
Cosia said:
Although I am unable to see well enough to read the bible. I listen to it on cd. I find I can remember it better that way too . Although I can't remenber chapter and verse, I do remember more of what it says by listening to it.
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Yes, the ears are another path to our inner being aren’t they? The ears compliment the eyes in comprehension and memory for me also.

There is a free Bible app that I’ve sometimes used to listen to the KJV when my eyes are too tired to cooperate. The readers voice is very resonate and the cadence soothing. It can be so calming and soothing at times, particularly at night, that I drift off with the peace it brings.
God Bless you and your eyes.
 
Hi blueskies
Exactly the same thing happens to me. When I qwake I have to restart from the beginning of the cd again.
I sometimes listen to the bible at Bible Gateway too.
God Bless you too brother and your eyes.
 
Cosia said:
Good point blueskies
I love doing both a particular thing and assisting reading as a book.
Although I am unable to see well enough to read the bible. I listen to it on cd. I find I can remember it better that way too . Although I can't remenber chapter and verse, I do remember more of what it says by listening to it.
God Bless you brother.
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blueskies said:
Yes, the ears are another path to our inner being aren’t they? The ears compliment the eyes in comprehension and memory for me also.
There is a free Bible app that I’ve sometimes used to listen to the KJV when my eyes are too tired to cooperate. The readers voice is very resonate and the cadence soothing. It can be so calming and soothing at times, particularly at night, that I drift off with the peace it brings.
God Bless you and your eyes.
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Dear Cosia;

My heart was broken when I read your post but I'm also encouraged. You do so much here to serve the Lord and are visible almost daily. I know this takes a lot of reading.

At my age I'm now wearing three prescribed pair of glass, one for reading, another for the computer and my progressives for normal wearing. This year I noticed my vision is better with my progressives when I drive and watch TV.

I'm happy to hear blueskies' testimonies of listening to the Bible from cds, bible apps and Bible Gateway which I have an account.

I feel this thread is more than The Bible: Can it be Read as a Book?, but areas that can aid us in reading and studying the Bible.

God bless you, brother and sister, and thank you.
 
Yes, the bible is the best known and most purchased book ever.

I have read it chronologically many times, it's history flows in its books. It's books can be individual little books as well and parts 1 & 2. There is much to find in his word and anyway we can put it in our hearts the Spirit will use to remind and bless us.

Personally I study either by topic or verse but on occasion by book.
 
Way back when I was in community college (early 1980's), I took note of efforts to bring the Bible into the curriculum in ways that did not violate interpretations law that precluded religious instruction in publicly funded schools. There were such courses as "the Bible as Literature".

As a new believer then I was ambivalent then, feeling that they were going out of their way to take God out of the Bible.

While I still feel that the selections detailed in the syllabus as well as the point of view mentioned in course descriptions, would be ones focusing less on the Bible as God's dealing with His people and more of a stunted narrative, I now feel that anything placing the sacred text in the hands of people to be a very positive thing. I do note that on campus student led Bible studies posted invitations on bulletin boards close to the class rooms used for these courses.
 
Siloam said:
Way back when I was in community college (early 1980's), I took note of efforts to bring the Bible into the curriculum in ways that did not violate interpretations law that precluded religious instruction in publicly funded schools. There were such courses as "the Bible as Literature".

As a new believer then I was ambivalent then, feeling that they were going out of their way to take God out of the Bible.

While I still feel that the selections detailed in the syllabus as well as the point of view mentioned in course descriptions, would be ones focusing less on the Bible as God's dealing with His people and more of a stunted narrative, I now feel that anything placing the sacred text in the hands of people to be a very positive thing. I do note that on campus student led Bible studies posted invitations on bulletin boards close to the class rooms used for these courses.
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Hello Siloam;

When you mentioned Bible study on campuses in the early 80s and today, I remember the turnout was pretty huge. I wish I could remember the translation that was used but it was so long ago.

I have heard and read from individuals who took religious studies to add to their degree or masters. Does anyone know if these religious studies are from a secular understanding, or are they comparable to Christian studies taken at seminary?

God bless you, brother and thank you. I always enjoy your sharing.
 
Its much quicker for me to read the Bible silently than read it out loud.
And it's much better to study the Bible by reading rather than to listen to it.

I know some people can only learn by hearing someone else read it, but most people are not blind that they need audio bibles. They are blessed with vision and literacy and can read the words.

It's just some don't take the time and prefer to listen to someone else. But that actually does take longer!!! I don't know how many hours it takes to read the entire Bible from cover to cover, but, it would probably take half or even as quarter long to read it silently. Plus if you have your own copy, you don't need to get up to go to church and sit in a hard pew at the back of a drafty building and maybe hear the same passage from last week. You can easily read the Bible in bed!!

The other thing is, when you read, you can go back to it easily by bookmarking the page. You can re-read passages that you want to read. With listening to someone else read it, they need to read scripture clearly. Though the annoying thing is, people that read the Bible out loud start inserting their own opinions into what the scripture says. so you might only get one or two verses when you could have read the entire chapter in the same time it took them to read it out loud.
 
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