Have you ever actually read the Bible? Cover to cover? From Genesis “In the beginning” to Revelation’s “Amen, come Lord Jesus”?

Okay, but did it make sense to you? Did it speak to your heart and mind? Were you not disturbed by some of it? Offended?

Is it okay with you that the total destruction of some groups of people are recommended or that wives are told to keep silence? What about the acceptance of the rape of women or the condemnation of gays? Are you okay with those sections?

Me neither, but don’t throw the baby out with the bath water, as the saying goes. (What a horrible expression! Who thought of that one? It might be Biblical!)

When I was young, the Book of Job was my favorite. His anguish and loneliness, the dense cruelty of his judgmental friends who assumed his suffering must prove God’s disfavor, resonated with me in my adolescent angst.

As a young adult the poetic beauty of the Gospel According to John reflected a faith that had become for me ecstatic, intimate, like a vine grown from a branch, dependent on God’s presence.

Then I discovered the sensual poetry of the Song of Songs and wondered how a world religion based on the Bible, like Christianity, could have become so loath to appreciate our physical natures. The celebration of sexual love is so obvious, so wonderful. How could we have become so puritanical?

Oh, I know Paul thought it was better to be celibate, but he honestly believed Jesus was returning literally any day. Now we know that God’s days are a bit longer than ours. At least that’s my understanding of those first six days of creation.

The Bible is a rich and complex document full of the religious and spiritual yearnings, reflections and experiences of over 2,000 years of faithful people. It is worthy of study. It has much to recommend it. But do not demean its power by attempting to take it literally or as God’s final word to humanity.

God is still speaking. Scripture is meant to be understood within the context of its time, with a historical and critical eye. It can come to life sometimes in that way.

And sometimes passages must be set aside, rejected, when they do not match a deeper law, the law of love that defines a faith that is alive with compassion and justice and humility.

But do read the book, with commentaries and in conversation with others. Question your assumptions. Explore the Biblical heritage. Enrich your faith.