Atheist looking to read the Bible?

[Ensiferum]

Firstly, my apologies if this is posted in the wrong section.

I'm a fifteen-year-old atheist and recently I've been considering reading the Bible. I have no interest in being converted and I doubt it'll change my views on anything, I just wanted to try and read it assuming neither that it's really the word of God or that it's just a bunch of stories, but to act as though I've never heard of Jesus or the Bible before and go at it with an open mind.

The problem is that it's a huge and very confusing-looking book. I had a mini Gideon Bible once (no idea where is is now) that I briefly skimmed through and I've sat through readings at church services as a child without really paying attention and that's about it. At first I thought about reading it cover to cover but that would take ages and I don't really have time, seeing as I'm going to college after the summer and I'm planning to put a lot more focus on my studies (plus I'm reading a few other books right now) so I was wondering if someone could give me advice on how to approach this. Are there any specific parts on the Bible I should read, and any specific way in which I should read them? There also seems to be quite a few different types of Bibles too, for example the King James, the New King James, the New International... What's the difference and which once should I read?

Also, I'd really appreciate it if someone could direct me to a website where I could read the Bible for free, just for now, seeing as I don't have a lot of money to buy my own one yet, although I might hunt out my old Gideon one or see if my parents have got a copy lying in a cupboard somewhere.

Thanks.

 

[salida]

Go to: Online Bible.com

Let me know if you have any questions while your reading. It can be confusing to unbelievers because it a spiritual book.

 

[salida]

Why do u want to read it? Just curious?

 

[ebia]

Firstly, my apologies if this is posted in the wrong section.

I'm a fifteen-year-old atheist and recently I've been considering reading the Bible. I have no interest in being converted and I doubt it'll change my views on anything, I just wanted to try and read it assuming neither that it's really the word of God or that it's just a bunch of stories, but to act as though I've never heard of Jesus or the Bible before and go at it with an open mind.

The problem is that it's a huge and very confusing-looking book. I had a mini Gideon Bible once (no idea where is is now) that I briefly skimmed through and I've sat through readings at church services as a child without really paying attention and that's about it. At first I thought about reading it cover to cover but that would take ages and I don't really have time, seeing as I'm going to college after the summer and I'm planning to put a lot more focus on my studies (plus I'm reading a few other books right now) so I was wondering if someone could give me advice on how to approach this. Are there any specific parts on the Bible I should read, and any specific way in which I should read them?

Ideally one would read the whole thing, because its is an ongoing story with frequent references (direct and indirect) back to earlier parts of the story. But, recognising what you are saying, I would suggest reading
1. the first 4 chapters of Genesis - which gives you a sense of God's intention for creation and why creation doesn't live up to that, remembering that this is not history, but a story written to talk about the big truths of the world. Read the first chapter aloud (and chapter 5 if you get to that one).
2. read the Exodus story, which is the big event of the Old Testament, the defining event for the Jewish people, and provides the second big interpretive metaphor of the bible - redemption from slavery. Exodus Chapters 1-15 roughly.
3. read one of the four gospels - I would recommend Luke as the most accessable - to understand the story of Jesus.
4. If you get this far, read Acts of the Apostles - also written by Luke, it continues the story after Jesus ascension in the story of the earliest church (and is a good read).

There also seems to be quite a few different types of Bibles too, for example the King James, the New King James, the New International... What's the difference and which once should I read?

The bible is written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Translation into English involves making judgement calls about the style of English one is aiming for. I would steer clear of old translations like the King James unless you love 16th century English, but most modern translations are fine. Some go for more word-for-word precision, others go for more idea-for-idea precision and readibility.

Also, I'd really appreciate it if someone could direct me to a website where I could read the Bible for free, just for now, seeing as I don't have a lot of money to buy my own one yet, although I might hunt out my old Gideon one or see if my parents have got a copy lying in a cupboard somewhere.

NETBible: Matthew 1 is very good - you can even listen to the New Testament parts if you want.

 

[Chief117]

I would decide what you're interested in learning while reading the bible, then focus on those books. Here's my recommendation, assuming you want to know more about our background:

Genesis
Exodus
1 & 2 Samuel (pertaining to David)
Luke
Romans

The reason I pick those is as follows: Much of the Bible (even new testament) will reference the events of Genesis & Exodus. Those 2 books will capture the most important elements of Judaism & Christianity and set the backdrop of people & places that are mentioned in every other book of the Bible for you.

I pick 1 & 2 Samuel because David is another historical figure that is central to both Judaism and Christianity. His life is another that is mentioned repeatedly throughout the whole Bible (Old & New).

I pick Luke as 1 of the 4 "gospels," any of which I think would be good. I pick one because they really overlap a LOT. But this will give you the introduction of Jesus, his teachings and life, and the fundamentals of Christianity.

I pick Romans because it will really lay out what Christians believe. It is an extraordinarily difficult book to follow. Another alternative might be something like Hebrews, which also has a lot of doctrine and encouragement that defines our beliefs.

 

[Chief117]

If that doesn't work for you, here is my attempt to break down what each book might contain:

• Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
  Early history where God picks a people (Hebrews) and shows them who He is and how to live alongside him. Gen/Exodus cover the history, the next 3 kind of repeat the same stories with extra details & laws.
• Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Esther
  continuations of Hebrew history & events
• Samuels, Kings, & Chronicles
  The Hebrews reject God & want a king. These stories tell the history of these kings - most notably Saul, David, & Solomon. Chronicles I believe is a rehash of the earlier books.
• Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs
  "Wisdom" books or poetry or songs. No history or stories, but sayings of the wise, things to live by or strive toward. Many were written by David or Solomon.
• Almost all the rest of the OT
  Tell the stories of "prophets." Men who could hear God and who completed extraordinarily difficult tasks in politics or war, or stories of victory in God and moral fiber. Many contain prophecies that history has proven true, and some prophecies are still waiting to be fulfilled.
• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
  The "gospels" tell the story of Jesus' ministry and share some of his teachings.
• Romans, Hebrews
  "Doctrinal" books. Have a lot of interpretation & application of Jesus' teachings and how Christians should live.
• Revelations
  Prophetical book. Very symbolic and hard to follow. Describes visions of the end of days and Jesus' return to save believers & send away non-believers.
• The rest of the NT
  Pretty much historical accounts of how the Christian church started after Jesus' ascension to Heaven. Tells how they spread, the problems they faced, etc. Many of the books are actually letters the Apostles wrote to specific city churches to help them in their daily affairs.

 

[Jpark]

Never mind.

 

[razeontherock]

The main thing is: READ IT! 3 chapters a day for a year and you'll read it cover to cover, but I say don't just start at the beginning. I agree with starting with 1 of the Gospels; John is the last one, and starts "in the beginning." That goes right into Acts, and I say read through the rest of the New Testament. It's short, and will give you a much broader perspective of the first few books you already read. At any time pick up Proverbs (there are 31 so it's easy to read 1 / day) and Psalms from the Old Testament. Almost all of the Bible is Old Testament, and I will point out it's designed to conceal God, while the New Testament is designed to reveal God.

After you've read the whole New Testament, the Old Testament certainly gives much more understanding of it. King David wrote Psalms, (or at least most of them) and it's important to know he signifies Christ, but in an imperfect way. Isaiah (OT) is very rich, but a lot of the first half of it is gloom and doom.

Personally, I highly recommend a translation called "The Message." It's also helpful to compare different translations, if you're having trouble with a particular passage but don't get too hung up on that. There will be parts you simply won't find meaningful, at least for a while. Keep reading! Some websites compare like 20 some different translations for every verse, but I wouldn't suggest doing your reading from that.
Brace yourself for further in-depth study of certain passages, after an initial read-through.

 

[Celticflower]

If you would like to "start at the beginning" I sugest you choose a chronological Bible. By integrating the different books into a single timeline you may find it less confusing (esp. the prophets).