My As Light Is Sown blog is running a weekly commentary on my experience and thoughts arising in reading the Bible straight-through, from Genesis to Revelation. It’s a wildly varied collection of writings.
But if I’d have to pick my top ten books? Here’s a stab.
- Gospel of John: I’m intrigued by a counterargument running through the text that identifies Christ as the Holy Spirit more than Jesus. You’ll have to wait for the post to see my reasoning. The book is also called the “Quaker gospel,” giving me an extra interest.
- Genesis: It’s a bang-bang-bang way to begin the chronology, with human desires and conflicts at the fore, even that far back in antiquity. Much of the book would make a great soap opera, but for me, it’s more primal and fundamental than that. Although it often seems to be a telling of patriarchy, keep an eye on the women. And don’t blame Eve when the ball starts rolling.
- The Psalms: This collection of heartfelt poems, many of them written anonymously in the guise of King David, span a range of deep emotion. They’re rich enough that the Eastern Orthodox read six in their entirety each Sunday – the same six.
- Ruth: The whole story explodes into fullness on a single word – Moabite. But what an incredible love story.
- Song of Songs: This is an incredible poem of illicit love. Forget the argument about it’s being an allegory about divine concern and all that. What is religion without passion? Leave it at that.
- Esther: Again, a complex soap opera is unleashed here. The bad guys don’t get any worse. By the way, “chamberlains” in the King James translation masks a bigger meaning – they’re eunuchs, who play a surprisingly big role throughout the Hebrew Bible.
- Revelation: Read this as poetry, not dystopian doom or a blueprint for human destruction.
- Ezekiel: I was surprised by how psychedelic this book is. Whoa!
- Tobit: The Apocrypha, not included in most Protestant or Hebrew Bibles, has some lovely stories. This is one. Like Susannah, also from the collection, it tells of injustice, suffering, and ultimate redemption.
- Epistle of James: The epistles, most of them attributed to Paul, are a specialty unto themselves. As the brother of Jesus and a leader of the Essenes, though, James has special authority.
~*~
What would you add to the list?
While I like your list, the first three that came to my mind were Proverbs (for timeless wisdom), Ecclesiastes (timeless wisdom and a healthy look at the world and God’s sovereignty) and Job (when things look bleak, God is still in control).
Mind you, “favorite” can change depending on my circumstances on any given day.
All three, Wisdom books! I’m currently reading Robert Alter’s “The Art of Biblical Poetics,” which has some vibrant examination of their workings. Have you seen it?
Very good article so I am going to reblog this one for you.
Reblogged this on Truth Troubles.
James. First book of the bible I read in one sitting. I have always found it a touchstone. When I get out of reading scripture and want to return to it I start with James the Just.
Yes, a remarkable book. Thanks!
Hebrews – such a clear commendation of faith in Christ – I always find myself coming back to it when I’m writing anything
As a fellow writer, it’s nice to hear what others use as touchstones. This one works in more ways than one, too.