by Geoffrey Schmitt

Created on: October 17, 2009   Last Updated: December 03, 2009

Even if you are a non-believer, there is much to enjoy in and learn from the Bible. There are family sagas of betrayal, jealousy, trial, and triumph. The stories are so good they have been retold again and again. One of the most popular Biblical movies is entitled, The Greatest Story Ever Told. The Bible contains many of the greatest stories (plural) ever told. You may have seen them at the cinema or even on Broadway. Joseph and His Technicolor Dream Coat, Jesus Christ, Superstar and Godspell come to mind. They all became movies. If you liked the movie, why not read the book?

The Bible is not only good literature, it is the under current of other good literature. Titles, like East of Eden, and Grapes of Wrath are only two. An article in the Montana Standard says it well.

Trying to understand American literature and history without some knowledge of the Bible is like trying to make sense of the ocean despite a complete ignorance of fish. (http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2005/05/15/newsop inion/hjjejeiejcfbhc.txt)

Regardless of your faith, the Bible contains much wisdom and advice for everyday living. The Golden Rule: Love your neighbor as yourself. Is one most people know. The book of Proverbs contains great advice from the importance of moderation in drinking to warnings about the consequences of excessive pride.

Some say we are in a new Post Christian era of history. One reason to agree with this view is the wide spread lack of familiarity with the Bible. In 1950, 60 or even 1970 you could reasonably expect most teens or even grade school children to know a wide range of Bible characters and stories. Not all could cite chapter and verse, but they knew the stories. This is no longer true. Many who read this article will not know Moses, Joshua, Rehab, and Ruth. Fewer still will know Ezekiel, Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, or even Mary.

In this new Post Christian era, many people have been left adrift to seek a spiritual path. Christianity may no longer be the expected, normative choice. However, it is still a choice and a good one. If you have had no exposure to Christianity and/or the Bible, it's time to read it for yourself. If your experience of Christianity has been unsatisfactory, disillusioning, shallow, judgmental, or worse, it is time to read the Bible for yourself. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Those who believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God have more reasons to read it. It is not just good literature, or good advice for daily living. It becomes for us the living word of God. We read it because God can use it to speak directly to us. If we read it honestly, its two edged sword brings us correction and inspiration. It gives us comfort and challenge. It helps us worship and leads us to service.

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