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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Reading the Bible as Literature

Reading the Bible As Literature Event
Hosted by Roof Beam Reader

Number 14 on my Classics Club list is the Holy Bible, so imagine my delight when I heard that Roof Beam Reader is hosting a Reading the Bible as Literature Event next year. Despite repeated promises to myself that I will not sign up for any more year-long blogging events (I already have 3 and that's probably more than I can handle), I need to participate in this event. I have been watching for such an opportunity for a few years now, but whenever I find one, it is generally a very conservative or charismatic group - which I wouldn't fit into - or it's half-way done. Or, people are just crazy mean to each other. I have high hopes for this one.

This will be a literary reading of the Bible, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I have three four Bibles that I will be working from, since I think a serious study requires different translations and perspectives. My three four Bibles are: 

NRSV

ESV

And for help in concentration while reading the ESV...

ESV
NABRE

Unfortunately, delving into the Bible as I would like to this year will mean that my other non-fiction goals will be put on hold (other than the Little House Readalong). But I think it's worth it. Here's the reading plan that Roof Beam Reader has outlined: 

The Reading Plan

January: Genesis 1 through Exodus 40

February: Leviticus 1 through Deuteronomy 4

March: Deuteronomy 5 through 1 Samuel 17

April: 1 Samuel 18 through 1 Chronicles 2

May: 1 Chronicles 3 through Esther 10

June: Job 1 through Psalms 89

July: Psalms 90 through Isaiah 17

August: Isaiah 18 through Ezekiel 8

September: Ezekiel 9 through Zechariah 14

October: Malachi 1 through Luke 18

November: Luke 19 through 1 Corinthians 8


December: 1 Corinthians 9 through Revelations 22
I'm really excited about this, and hopefully I have the time to delve into it as I would wish without totally throwing off all my other reading plans. 

2 comments:

  1. This is a great project to embark upon.

    As you know I am an unbeliever. I do love reading the Bible and other Holy Books as literature and philosophy.

    Ot is interesting that you are using various translations. I have always stuck to the King James version but I was thinking of delving into another translation in the future.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, I'm pretty excited to start on this project. I DO like reading different translations of important works like this. I'm pretty much doing the same thing I did with Gilgamesh, only on a much, much larger scale. I wish I had time to do more, but I'll just have to re-study the Bible with other resources later.

      If I studied at my own pace and thoroughness, I'd never finish in 5 years, let alone one. :)

      I have listened to the KJV audio, but have never actually READ the Bible through. I was so jealous of Roof Beam Reader's Gustave Dore illustrated KJV, though, that I put it on my Christmas list. :)

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