This is in response to Imone's comment from the 2nd Vampire blog. Here was her full comment/question and it was a good one:
"I really wanna say something, but I don't wanna offend anyone. Jesus knows my heart, so here it goes... Maybe if the Bible was as intresting as Twilight (not with fake stuff like Vampires, but with how easy it is to follow and understand) we would have more youth on fire for Christ...I understand that The Holy Bible is a manual on which the foundation of millions of people is placed-- but why is it so wrong to re-write, no-- wrong word...Re-translate the Bible to how we can understand it? I've had, total to date 12 youth Bibles, and all they do is kiddy-fye it. Accessability, and simplicity, is what we lack in the Bible, that's present in Twilight. That's why people are in love with it, and not the Bible. Ye's, and Thou's, require work to understand sometimes. Twilight doesn't."
I thought the Bible was boring for most of my life and there are a few reasons why. Some of it had to do with the fact that I had gone to church for as long as I could remember and had heard all the stories a million times. There's also the translation issue you bring up. Some translations are so old that they don't even make sense today because we don't use those words anymore. The other big issue has been my own heart. I'll tackle those three and you guys can jump in with your thoughts.
1) The church overload issue - When you hear the same things over and over again you just eventually tune out - you guys probably do it in school all the time. The sad thing is that there are some amazing stories in the Bible and tuning out means you'll never discover them for yourselves. I have learned (and I tend to be a slow learner) that when I make the effort and dig in on my own, looking for Jesus, He starts opening up mysteries to me that I miss when I just let someone else spoon feed me.
2) The translation issue - I think this is a two-parter. First is the difficulty of finding a translation that's understandable but not too dumbed-down. And it's not wrong to translate the Bible in a language people can understand as long as they have stayed true to the original text. You might want to check out the New Century Version which is also available in a magazine format called Revolve.
Second is the fact that people are reading less today than in the past and because of that our ability to read books with depth is almost shot. Books like the Twilight series are considered "light" reading and need little to no deep thinking to understand. They feed on our emotions, which is exciting, but we don't have to really think much. On the other hand, the Bible is about as deep as it gets. So if you try to go from popular literature to the Bible, it's like trying to jump from your first ever swim meet to the Olympics in one big leap. You're not going to make it. Try moving from what you're reading now to The Lord of The Rings series or Pride and Prejudice as a warm up. Those books are AMAZING and have a lot more detail and twists and turns, so your brain gets more of a work out. And read just a little bit of the Bible each day to see how much you can get out of it if you really try. Start in Daniel - I had a crush on him for a while...seriously.
3) The heart issue - To be honest, my biggest problem was that I just didn't care that much about the Bible and what it had to say because there were more exciting things going on around me. What I now know is that there's nothing more exciting going on than Jesus, and the Bible is where He shows Himself to me the most if I let Him. Only He can help us understand things too wonderful for our small minds, so ask Him for help. Ephesians 1:16-17 says "I always remember you in my prayers, asking the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you will know him better. " My personal opinion is that He didn't make it easy because He wants us to be dependent on Him and to care enough that we make the effort.
So keep asking, seeking, and knocking and you will find. It's a promise (Matthew 7:7) and He hasn't gone back on a promise yet.
Thoughts?
Comments (16)
Nothing is as exciting as being in a relationship with and hearing from God and following Him as He leads you in your calling or purpose in life. The Spirit-filled life is like being in a video game only it's not pretend. Life becomes supernatural when you accept Jesus as Savior but the real adventure begins when you seek Him and allow Him to be Lord over your life. Pray to love Him through His Word! Seek and you'll find that Jesus is the party!
Posted by Dana | December 1, 2008 2:15 PM
Ah. I was going to comment on starting to read the Bible in Daniel before I read that comment on him. Really. And if you want a little 12-year-old girl's opinion, then I think that Pride and Prejudice is an AMAZING read and I recommend it. An easier way to read the Bible, I have found, is to find a One-Year Bible. You read a passage a day, and by one year, you've read the Bible. It's amazing! And I enjoy the Living Bible version- it's so simple to understand sometimes I laugh at the things it says. Yet it's still the Bible. That is a little twelve-year-old girl's opinion.
Posted by Emily K | December 1, 2008 6:12 PM
I attended a conference this November called the Revolve Tour and bought the Revolve Devotional Bible there (not to be confused with the BibleZine talked about in the article). It's in the New Century Version and is the best bible I have ever read. It's written for teen girls, and I love reading it. If you think the bible is boring, this bible will definitely change your mind (it did for me!)!
Posted by Jenna | December 1, 2008 7:08 PM
Hey guys, it's me again.
okay. I get a little scatter- brained when I read this stuff, so bare with me.
I agree with the fact that when you hear repetitive things over and over again, they lose value. I have experienced this multiple times. But in addition to this, I wonder-- SHOULD people be able to take the pleasure out of the Bible, and Bible stories?
I'm sure these stories were once something awesome and EASILY UNDERSTOOD. But now, in this day and age, not so. Also, while we're throwing out names of types of Bilbes to read, why don't we all google Adam McCain. Watch him on YouTube, and you'll see what the Bible could be. He simply tells the Bible from an updated viewpoint-- and it's awesome. I, however do not agree with the fact that God made the Bible hard to understand because he wants us to work for his fruit. This is only partially true; (hince us living in a world full of free will, and sin) but you gotta remember-- at one time the Bible WAS up to date and easily comprehended. The fact that it's stayed the same all these years is no one's fault but our own.
I agree with the fact that the Bible is deep. I guess it kinda has to be. But just because something is complex dosn't mean that only a selected few should get to understand it. I've read the Bible (not all of it) verse by verse (my mother's attempt to save my soul early-- I thank her for it now), and to this day, I can pick up a Bible, read something in it, and not understand. I don't think it's a matter of 'light' or heavy reading that makes things readable, but the SIMPLICITY of it. Fixing a car can be complicated, but there's tools, and SIMPLE manuals to tell you how.
And thirdly-- Yes. The heart matters tremendously. I admit, there was a time in my life that I didn't wanna even hear the word 'God'. It made me flinch. And I would like to truthfully be able to say that "if we open our hearts, and TRY HARDER to understand ancient script written before Christ was even born-- we'd understand the Bible". But that's not so. That'd be something similar to opening a book of equations WANTING, AND WILLING to learn it... But still. It just wouldn't happen.
Posted by Imone | December 2, 2008 10:51 AM
It's amazing how cool God's word can be when we really focus on it. I totally understand the person's frustrations although i don't agree with her proposed solution. I have spent many a year frustrated over the confusing words in the Bible. If you are a nything like me, the thought of getting up and reading the Bible makes you want to go back to bed...so i came up with a solution.
I am by nature a researcher, so the prospect of getting out my Bible just to read for a half-hour and even worse just sit still to think about it for awhile was daunting. I hated the idea of it and up to about a year ago didn't even have an interest in the Bible anyway.
Once i attended a class about how to disect the Bible and understand the cultural aspects and such, I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT! It was amazing all that's in there, it's not just a standard on which a religion is built on, it's living and breathing.
Now that i realize how interesting it is, i DON'T read it for a half-hour a day, i don't do devos...the very concept i think squelches the coolness that is God's word. Instead, i take about 3 hours on a Saturday to research! I study the greek words, the Hebrew culture, and i read commentaries like the are going out of style. I Know it's a bit unconventional, but it's cool!
So remember that the Bible was not originally written to us...the culture was so different, of course the Bible is hard to understand. And don't be discouraged if it's hard to read the Bible and get something from it, you may just need a diffderent way to study God's word. If people realized this, i think the Bible COULD be just as interesting as Twilight, without the harmful side affects.
Posted by Olivia | December 2, 2008 3:22 PM
I'm going to throw this into the mix. It has to do with whether or not God's word has always been easily understood. In Mark 4, the disciples ask Jesus about the stories or parables He tells because even they don't understand them. He has to explain himself over and over with them and even gets on them sometimes for not understanding. So the word hasn't always been easy to understand and most often needs God Himself to break it down for us. But don't give up!! I have read the Bible over and over in my life and thought I was getting nothing out of it, only to have a passage make perfect sense when I needed it most. Jesus Himself calls it the "mystery of the Kingdom of God" and mysteries, by nature, are never easy to understand. If you guys are interested in digging deeper, check out Warren Wiersbe's commentaries. They are wonderful and read like a letter from a friend instead of a boring commentary.
Posted by Jamie | December 4, 2008 1:43 PM
Ok, recently my dad challenged us to have a quiet time with God four days a week for a year. I had been trying to develop a habit of having a quiet time in the Word for a long time but could never really seem to keep it going.
I don't know what happened, but this time it's different. I find myself craving to read the Bible every day, all the time. I read it at lunch, before class starts, on the bus...
It really is amazing how much just taking the time to listen to what God says has an effect on you. Because I graduated from a teeny-tiny, private middle school to a WHOA really big high school, it's made me stronger. I kind of feel bad for my friends who are still going to private Christian schools because even though they get a regular Bible class, they don't have anything compelling them to have a regular quiet time.
I think it's weird, but I have to admit that the transfer from my world to the real world has definitely made me stronger in my relationship with God.
Posted by Bailey | December 6, 2008 10:00 AM
I was told that if you're a first time reader you should start with the new testament. So I did and I found it really hard to motivate myself to read it, but once I hit John, Romans and Ephesians I really began to enjoy the bible and now I love reading it. It gives me some peace in my day. My only problem is falling asleep before I get to read it. Also, for a while i became really dispirited and stopped reading it and I can tell you I didn't feel good. I feel so happy when I read it, not reading was terrible. If you stick at it, you understand more and it comes alive to you. James is a-MAZ-ing. Full o flife advice.
Posted by janet | December 8, 2008 5:34 PM
This is very important to leave the bible the way it is . Mostly, because eventhough it may have some challenging words.. The bible says "God wouldn't put more on us than we could bear" and using a dictionary for some words and other sources. Also you could ask your pastor about these special questions that you have that are puzzleing to you. The bible has more impact if it has been in its original translation so that you could know thoroughly..:}
Posted by Sherice | December 8, 2008 8:51 PM
I have a hard time reading the bible, and i agree that sometimes it can be REALLY hard to understand. but whenever i read i open up my heart and i tell God to talk to me. No matter how confusing the passage may be, God never fails to get the message across!
Posted by Katie | December 10, 2008 7:23 AM
caity
i have 2 new testaments, one in the original english and a more modern version. i find that reading them allongside each other makes the older 1 easier to understand, but you still get the complete depth that is sometimes missed in the more modern versions.
try it. it worked for me, i dunno if it would be good for anyone else. :)
Posted by caity | December 18, 2008 10:58 PM
I know someone who has struggled with the same issue for years! Reading and re-reading scriptures to no avail! At least in his opinion...he would tell me "I read my Bible and it just doesn't stick." The thing is that even if you don't think you are getting anything out of it, you are! I have heard him ministering to people many times, quoting scriptures and referencing Bible stories. Yet, to him, he doesn't "get it" because he can't quote people's names and what they did. So, he may not win a Bible trivia game, but when it comes down to it, God's Word is being hid in his heart and it comes out when needed!
So, to that all who struggle with this issue -keep persevering. Trust God to honor your obedience to study His Word...His Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).
11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.It will accomplish all I want it to,and it will prosper everywhere I send it. Isaiah 55:11 (NLT)
PS - I like The New Living Translation.
Posted by Tricia | December 19, 2008 4:26 PM
When the bible seems boring I usually stop and take a break think about it a little and start reading again. I have an NIV and my friend has an ESV both very excellent translations but they still can get a little tiresome. My friend and I have come up with a plan we read a couple of chapters and just meditate I also use a devotional book written by Pastor Bob Coy and that also gives me new insight, understanding, and it gets me excited about getting into the word.
Posted by Linda | December 23, 2008 10:28 PM
Well I haven't actually read the entire Bible, but it is an amazing tool through life...I usually read on what I need help on...like getting closer to God or help on loving my enemies...If I go one day without reading my Bible, I'm grumpy and ill, and I feel like I'm getting no where in life...my Bible is like my BEST friend...It goes everywhere with me...my friend's house, to school...
Oh yeah I love the TEEN STUDY BIBLE...
and my favorite verses are from Proverbs 24:26 "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." and 2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith not by sight."
Posted by Payge | July 30, 2010 12:25 AM
I totally agree with that. There is also this Bible you can get that's New International but it has a ton of comments and examples of woman in the Bible that explain according to how it applys to our culture. There 52 examples so you can read one and the passage about her and, whala! weekly devotions. By the way, The lord of the Rings is a great read. I read it over the summer because my mom told me, and I was hooked.
Posted by Shannon | November 29, 2010 9:09 PM
My Bible is the NIV (new international version) and is called TrueImages. It is made for teen girls, and is super easy to read, with comments, challenges, and bible studies off to the side. I highly recommend it.
Posted by Rachel | July 23, 2011 8:30 PM