Thou Shall Not Fear the Bible

It's remarkable to me how many books I've referenced in this new blog. For years, I categorically renounced all fiction. These days, I'm not a prolific reader, but I'm darn close to it (of fiction and non-fiction). I have a healthy reading apetitite--about three to five books a month depending on how busy I find myself. Maybe I'm getting all of my reading in before law school. (I was admitted to American this week, which is a good initial step toward my plans to attend law school--getting into one!)

Alas, I finished The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A.J. Jacobs a few moments ago. I had learned about the book through a NPR "Fresh Air" interview. After some digging, I was able to listen to a Bryant Park interview, just to hear his responses now that I've read it. A. J. doesn't reveal anything new in his interviews, but in my opinion is pretty modest about what he did, how he did it, and how well he was able to write about his experience.

Living Biblically could probably be the subject of a many blogs, though, I simply want to touch on a few personal highlights. First, it's laugh out loud funny. Jacobs fluctuates from subtle sarcasm to crude puns. Plenty of zingy analogies and self-conscience passages that remind you either of your own or life's general absurdities. It's his self-reflection that's hilarious, and he avoids, for the most part, quips about unusual Biblical practices or the Bible itself. A year is a long-time to be assuming a religious alter-ego, and I found lots to be amused by.

Anchoring all of his humor, however, is the context of his spiritual quest. Jacobs admits that he begins as a hopelessly secular, agnostic Jew, and remains honest throughout his experience. Does following the over 700 proscriptions of the Bible change a man? Absolutely. Does he "find religion"? I probably shouldn't answer this, but I can say that his concession is miredly complicated, like many of the lessons he shares in the book.

The heart of the book, and perhaps, this entry though, is that he obviously grows as a person from Biblical teachings. I was a mere reader--a passive player--in his Old and New Testament pursuit, yet I learned more about the Bible and its nuances in this book than I ever have. I've intentionally put myself in situations to learn about the Bible and didn't glean as much. And, among the teachings, there seems much more of which I agree or resonated, than that I disagreed or loathed.

Some liberal Christians or Red Letter Christians, refer Jesus Christ as at least a great moral teacher. In a similar vein, some liberal Jews offer the same idea about God, to which I can empatheize. I am obviously not Christian, Jewish, Muslim or otherwise belong to the Abrahamic tradition, yet there's tremendous wisdom that can be found in many holy books, especially the Torah. I'm inclined to see these teachings from a political lens, but even outside of important issues like poverty, capital punishment, and gay rights, I get it. The Old Testament addresses not only the life experience but the quality of our lives, too. I feel deeply informed.

I know it's tricky to seemingly boast about the "moral" teachings of the Bible, as if these teachings are not attached to a faith, or ascertained as Truth for others. But I believe it's the best that I can do from the outside looking into most popular faiths. I'm trying to reach beyond tolerance and acknowledge an appreciation for the values that we do share. I do believe in the Common Good and a Beloved Community, so as our society struggles with vital questions about how we are going to relate to others in the 21st century, I want to at least broaden my knowledge, and deepen my worldview. That is what this bestseller did for me and the universe, which is great. If I were to ever convert, I can begin to shift my thinking, and thank G-d for vicariously revealing herself just a little more to all of us. (And inspire me to do the work for myself.)

See ya,
R.