Why I Don’t Like the Bible

I continuously find in my life that I don’t like the Bible. Oh sure, I like to say that I like the Bible, and I proudly consider myself [loosely] within the category of sola scriptura. I study it and teach it and all that good stuff. But when it boils down to it, I just don’t like it. I keep saying it because I keep having to remind myself that the subconscious reality betrays the words that come from my mouth.

I’ll tell you what I like. I like books about the Bible–theology books, church history books, books on Christianity and culture. All of these books are based on what people think the Bible means. It removes me from actually picking up that thing we call Holy Scripture and reading it. I tell you what else I like. I like Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I like to go way down deep into the individual words and what they mean and where they come from and the significance of the way they are put together in sentences in the Bible. I find that fun (some people might think I’m a big dork, and they’d probably be correct). But I still don’t like the Bible.

All of those things remove me from the Bible. It’s hard to think of digging into the original languages and fighting through the jungle of syntax and being removed from the Bible, but it’s true. It’s still hard to see how a book written about what the Bible means really removes you from the Bible, but again, it’s true. It’s like a scientist studying brain waves–they’ve gone beyond looking at the person. It’s becomes so technical that they are no longer working with the person, but on the person. Or the latter is like a psychologist studying the DSM–they are studying theories, but they’ve yet to get in the mix and really work with a person. It’s entirely impersonal and theoretical.

That’s where I am with the Bible. I’ve really been trying to figure out just why I feel this way. I think I may know. I find myself understanding what Tony Jones meant when he referred to the Bible as a “f***ing scary book.” Like most people, I would personally choose a different phrase, but I see exactly what he means. The Bible is a tough book. The Bible is a hard book to digest, and it seems that many of the writers of the Bible meant it that way.

I was talking with Courtney about why it’s so hard to really dive into the Bible. Certain scholars have noted how great the Bible is in a literary sense. There are cases of that where it is true. Hebrew poetry for instance is basically unparalleled throughout the world. But for the most part, the Bible is not a great work of literature. You read the narrative(s) in the Bible and you walk away asking a million questions. Seemingly important details are left out. Sometimes you’re left wanting to know just one question: “Why?” Many times there is a complete lack of flow throughout the narrative texts. Or, if a certain passage has a good flow, it still has a hard transition from passage to passage. It’s not an easy read, just on that surface level.

But I think the real reason I don’t like the Bible goes back to what Tony Jones said. The Bible is subversive. I really don’t like the way we’ve overused words like subversive and revolution (and others), ultimately stripping them of all meaning. I think some people want to make Jesus or the Bible subversive in ways that were never intended. But the Bible is subversive. Jones points out in that article that the Bible challenges us–challenges our assumptions and our comforts. The Bible doesn’t allow me to really read it and remain as I am. When you really read the Bible you only have two options–change it or change you.

I’m pretty sure this is what Brian McLaren meant when he wrote (I forget which book) about letting the Bible read you. This is what Hebrews 4:12 is really getting at. We’ve tamed that verse to use it in our debates over inerrancy and biblical authority. But if I’m reading it correctly, it’s a warning passage. The verse is saying “be careful when you pick up the Word of God. It’s like a big sword–it’ll cut you to pieces.” Just like looking at a kid who picks up a knife, you take it away and tell them that this useful tool can hurt them. They don’t need to play with it. One day, when they are ready, they can use it for its intended purposes. But for now, put it back. I think that’s exactly what the Hebrews passage is saying. “This book is for people who are ready. Don’t take it flippantly. Don’t play with it. It’ll hurt you if you do.”

And I think that is why I don’t like the Bible. It’s a lot less painful to let someone else read it and tell me their thoughts. It’s a lot tamer at that point. It’s a lot less painful to stress over the details of Greek and Hebrew grammar, getting into the debates entailed there too. It’s much more fun to debate with someone, trying to prove you’re correct in your thinking, than to simply let the Bible read you and tear you to pieces. I don’t like that. I don’t like being told I’m wrong and need to change something. I don’t like not being god. But the Bible won’t let me sit there. The Bible reminds me that I’m not god, that I’m not the center of the universe. It reminds me that I’m supposed to put myself last and bow down before my Creator. it reminds me that my thoughts, actions, words and beliefs fall far short of what God expects. So I put it back on the shelf and pick up a theology book and get lost in that. I only go back to pick it up when I need something out of it–homework, Bible study lesson, whatever. Or when I read it, I allow myself to stay at the superficial level. Or I read passages that teach me things I’ve already learned. It’s easier, less painful. I don’t like the Bible–it requires much more of me than I really want to give.