How does one sum up a 45 day marathon of reading? I’ve spent some time reviewing all of my notes on every single book in the Bible and am left with a lot of feelings that I’m still processing. I’m now part of a very small group of Americans who’ve read the Bible cover to cover. But that’s not why I did it. I’ve read all of the good, bizarre, unnerving, bad, and glorious stories contained within. But that’s also not why I did it. I think if I had to sum up the real reasons for reading this collection of texts, it was to seek understanding. Understanding of Judaism, Christianity, of American and Western culture, and of my own relationship to the Bible. I think that last part is the real deal. I now have a much closer relationship to this book than before — and I feel like I can begin to reclaim it, for myself, from the abyss of fundamentalism, Christian nationalism, evangelical mega church McJesus, zionism, alt-right conservatism, and anyone else who would weaponize this text. And yet, while it may sound like I’m judging people who belong to those groups, I’m instead hoping for them to be freed from the grips of abusive religion. Their actions — diminishing the worth and dignity of LGBTQ persons, racism, nationalism, prosperity gospel, anything that creates further divides — need to be accounted for. But I feel like the Bible has shown me time and time again that there is always room for people to redeem themselves.

For me, the reclaiming continues. Paraphrasing the late Rachel Held Evans, if I wanted to seek out hatred and destruction in this book, I would find it. Instead, I’m looking for hope in a world in need of it. I’m looking for love. I’m looking for a human narrative that ultimately, sometimes painstakingly so, reaches for justice and grace. This book is still relevant. To anyone who would say otherwise, that’s an argument I’m not interested in. Sorry (not really). There may come a day when it isn’t relevant, but right now, it is inseparable from what is in our midst in the West.

The way I approached this journey was similar to the way I practice Zen. These stories, poems, songs, parables, histories, wisdom tales, laments, etc — were like koans. Not riddles, but companions for living. I found myself circling the walls of Jericho with Joshua. Of realizing the times I was like King Hezekiah. Of yearning for the courage of Esther and Judith. Of seeking humility like Ruth. I found Jesus of Nazareth to be as worthy a companion as the prophet Daniel or the Israelites returning from exile. There are moments I’ve been Paul — persecuting people in my midst only to have a change of heart and dedicate myself even more deeply to a cause of grace. I’ve wanted the seas to boil and plagues to unfold as in Revelation…so that a new Earth could emerge.

The Bible, if read literally, is a dead text. But when it is journeyed with, like with an old friend on a long hike, it comes alive. Stories are shared. New stories are created. Observations and wisdom and joy emerge. I’m grateful I journeyed with this book. If only every Jew and Christian did so as well in the spirit of curiosity and understanding. if only everyone who decried the text did likewise.

It’ll take a while to process all of this. But I’m also going to actively reflect on it — maybe in a sermon — maybe in a Bible study class for the congregation I serve. Maybe elsewhere. I need time to not only reflect but to inwardly digest everything that this book is. I laughed, I cringed, I was riveted, angered, joyful, everything. I got to partake of a deeply human drama. So the reflection continues.

Five Books That Impacted Me from the Hebrew Scriptures
1. Daniel 2. Joshua 3. First & Second Samuel 4. Esther 5. First & Second Chronicles

Five Books That Impacted Me from the Apocrypha
1. Tobit 2. Azariah, Susanna, & Bel and the Dragon 3. Judith 4. Second Maccabees 5. Letter of Jeremiah

Five Books I Could Live Without from the Hebrew Scriptures & Apocrypha
1. Ezekiel 2. Greek Additions to Esther 3. First & Second Kings 4. Fourth Maccabees 5. Second Esdras

Five Books That Impacted Me from the Christian Scriptures
1. Acts of the Apostles 2. Gospel of Luke 3. Hebrews 4. Philippians 5. James

Five Books I Could Live Without from the Christian Scriptures
1. First John 2. Second John 3. Third John 4. First Peter 5. Second Peter

Five Books I Want to Revisit Not Listed Above
1. Romans 2. Gospel of John 3. Psalms 4. Proverbs 5. Ruth

So, What’s Next?

This experiment was both a challenge and delight. I don’t quite know what other gifts it will give me in my life, but I know I’ve been impacted deeply. So, I want to continue that. There are several sacred texts amongst the world’s religions — and I want to read them. I already have my second text picked and will begin tomorrow. Here’s a list of possible sacred texts I want to read and reflect on, in no particular order.

Continuing the Discipline
It’s a long list and could keep me busy for years. Plus, there’s probably a bunch of texts I’m not listing. Some of them I will take significant care when I read and reflect on them. For example, The Holy Piby is a book not written for me. I am a white male and it is expressly written for black people practicing Rastafarianism. My intent in reflecting on a book such as that will be to lift up things I notice without judgement, appropriation, or cultural colonization. Not all of these books will have the same cultural familiarity as the Bible, so I will be mindful of that. My goal here is personal edification and understanding of the sacred texts of the world’s religions. Period.

There are some books I won’t read, maybe even some on that list. Perhaps I’ll start reading and realize that it isn’t something I’m called to reflect on. I reserve that right. I’m also really curious what I’ll discover and add to the list. I think for my own sanity, I’ll slow down the process of reading some of these or broaden the timelines. The Bible was a specific experiment and I enjoyed the rigor of that discipline. This can still be a discipline, but one that gives space for reading other books in my life. I’m excited about this — and I realize that makes me a total nerd. I’m proud to be a nerd. Always have been. On to the next sacred text…

This post is part of a lager series where I read the entirety of Hebrew & Christian scriptures in 45 days. Take a look a the original post for more info, as well as links to other reflections on this journey.