2007-01-15 00:31:10 · 15 answers · asked by Alyosha 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Good Question. First lets make sure we agree the Bible is a work of fiction. It will either be found in the religious section of a book store (which does not make it true) or the fiction section.
So my answer now becomes.
It is a matter of what you are hoping to find.
I studied the Bible for 4 years while growing up and found it all very interesting, some chapters more so than others.
My personal recommendation is the book of Psalms. I think you will find it very comforting, and what better book to apply to today's living standard than Psalms. My favorite verse is Psalms 120:1.. read it.. it is also the shortest verse in the whole Bible, but in my eyes the one with the most meaning.
But whatever anyone says, the fact that you are interested in reading any part of the Bible is truly a very good thing.
Enjoy
2007-01-15 01:10:11 · answer #1 · answered by Aunt Henny Penny 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you mean 'Which book is read most often?' then I don't know, but I bet it's Genesis, in that that's where most attempts to read the Bible get bogged down. Statistically, I wonder if it's more likely to be one of the Hebrew ones as opposed to one of the Greek ones, because while Christians read both, Jews tend not to read the latter, so that the set of readers of the Hebrew books comprises both Jews and Christians. And, for all I know, Muslims, when they aren't reading the Qur'an.
If you mean 'Which one is most worth reading?' then I can't answer that for you. But the Song of Songs (aka Song of Solomon) is a great collection of erotic love poetry, and the only book in the whole Bible that never once mentions God (have a look if you don't believe me). Despite this, religious people have tried for hundreds of years to convince us that it's allegorical in some way. It's not - it's about love and sex. Check it out.
The Bible has unfortunately been hijacked by the religions of the world, who want to tell us what it means without letting us work it out for ourselves, and also the anti-religious, who dismiss it as rubbish without having bothered to read it. It's a collection of myths and folktales and laws and (dubious) history and some great poetry, and some of it is a really good read. You don't have to be a believer to enjoy it. (I'm an atheist and I enjoy it - mostly the Hebrew bible, though. The Jesus story is moving all right but the ending, when he gets to come back and fly into the sky, is just too implausible for me. Then again, when Leviticus starts telling you that you can't wear two different types of fabric at the same time, you know it's losing touch with reality.)
Most underrated book: Judges. Judges 13-16 contains the Samson story, a fascinating little novella about a really unhappy and misunderstood guy. Or try Judges 19: the story of what happens to the concubine is one of the sickest and most upsetting pieces of brutality in the entire Bible. Judges in general is a gripping portrait of a society falling apart.
Most overrated book: Revelations. All that fire and brimstone and seventh seal stuff is just bad horror movie nonsense, if you ask me. You'll love it if you have Goth tendencies, but the story of the Flood is far stranger and more haunting.
2007-01-15 10:26:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what you're looking for. If you want to read a lot of action about Jesus, book of Mark. If you like poems, book of Psalms. If you like wise sayings, book of Proverbs. There's some cool stories in the Old Testament you can check out. The story of Joseph near the end of Genesis is a good read.
2007-01-15 08:37:56 · answer #3 · answered by Tachus Ischus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible isn't really a book you can judge or weigh by today's standards. What we have is a timeless Book, one which speaks to all peoples of all times, ages, cultures. No other does that. What else could we expect from a volume inspired by God? Had it been written by mere men, you would think that it would speak favorably or have a biased slant towards mankind, but instead it tells it like it is. Every book is needed, they all together form a seamless woven garment revealing God's plan. Take care.
2007-01-15 08:42:37 · answer #4 · answered by Jed 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my personal favorites are Romans, Psalms, and Proverbs. I recommend you get some sort of study guide to go with whatever book you choose to read. I have done that, and as a result I learn a lot more and it's much easier to understand. Check out christianbook.com
2007-01-15 16:07:09 · answer #5 · answered by Puff 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Today's standards would be to find the shortest book in the Bible. Attention span is all.
2007-01-15 08:34:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
My favorite book is James. It's just straight up to the point. Faith without works is dead.
My second fave is Song of Solomon aka Song of Songs.
My third fave is Ezekiel. It's trippy.
My favorite gospel is Mark cuz it's like the Star Wars action gospel.
2007-01-15 10:49:36 · answer #7 · answered by Globetrotter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
James
2007-01-15 08:34:15 · answer #8 · answered by mscrowbear 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By todays standards...Genesis is interesting. Infact, all of the Old Testament has some good reading in it.
2007-01-15 08:41:33 · answer #9 · answered by jan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Revelations
2007-01-15 08:38:26 · answer #10 · answered by . 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋