Many people find the Bible contemptible or, at best, irrelevant. And yet quite a few have purchased my book The Bible Reexamined. Some of those attended my just-completed class based on that book in the Lifelong Learning Program at Shepherd University.
They overcame prejudices.
I have some, too.
No offense to Mormons, but I wouldn’t attend a Lifelong Learning class at Shepherd University titled The Book of Mormon Reexamined.
No offense to Muslims, but I wouldn’t attend a class titled The Quran Reexamined.
And no offense to Taoists, but I wouldn’t attend a class titled The Book of I Ching Reexamined.
Oh, wait. I got ahead of myself there. I actually would attend that class. When it comes to wisdom, my bias is: The more ancient, the better. The I Ching is 2,500 years old.
And as it turns out, parts of the Bible are older than that! Considering its antiquity, I’m surprised the Bible doesn’t get more respect.
Okay, I know, I know. I know why it doesn’t.
It’s because the Bible is proclaimed as “the Word of God” yet condones slavery, the subjection of women, and genocide. Furthermore, the Bible—in the hands of certain preachers—is used to torment and terrify people.
Contemptible indeed!
I, too, once deemed the Bible as the Word of God.
And then—an epiphany: The Bible is merely a human product from an ancient culture.
I began reading the Bible as a cross-cultural experience, the way I read or listen to the songs, myths, and legends of the Iroquois, Navaho, Inuit, and Aztec peoples.
Some of those stories are bizarre. But I don’t ridicule or repudiate them. After all, none claim to be the infallible “Word of God” or a universal arbiter of morality.
So I listen nonjudgmentally and see what wisdom and insights those peculiar stories and songs convey, even though some elements may disgust me. Still, if I practice humility, silence my mind, and open my heart, I may learn something.
Psalm 37:1—10 (abridged)
Do not fret yourself because of evildoers;
For they shall soon wither like the grass.
Put your trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and feed on its riches.
Refrain from anger, leave rage alone;
do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.
For evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait upon the Lord shall possess the land.
Do not fret. Do good.
Photo credit: Shepherdstown Shares, Cari Simon’s sister Jeroentje de Jong-Overduin and son Brett pose with pantry coordinator Janelle with their donations.
