How to Read the Bible

by Richard Holloway, Simon Critchley (Series Editor)

“Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?”―The Book of Job The How to Read series provides a context and an explanation that will facilitate and enrich your understanding of texts vital to the canon. These books use excerpts from the major texts to explain essential topics, such as the definition and role of God in the Bible, the most influential book in human history.

The trouble with reading the Bible is that it claims to be God’s autobiography; so the first thing readers must do is decide what they understand about God and how they are going to interpret his role in the rambling library of books that claims his authorship. Richard Holloway offers a usefully dialectical approach to this central question that will allow unbelievers as well as believers to profit from a study of the most influential book in human history.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Theology, Spirituality, Philosophy, History, Literary Criticism

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2006

About the author

Richard Holloway is a Scottish writer, broadcaster and cleric. He was the Bishop of Edinburgh from 1986 to 2000 and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church from 1992 to 2000.

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, albeit that it covered ground which I was aware of and needed further insights to justify a five star rating. It emphasised the difference between the life of Jesus and the interpretation of that life by St. Paul. This for me is at the heart of the problem I have with Christian theology and the Church, too much of St Paul and not enough of the actual life, by example, of Jesus.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. He touches on a number of topics, but it doesn't often feel like he actually says anything. I did like that he talks in the introduction about not reading Bible stories and asking if they *literally* happened, but rather looking at the *meaning* of the stories. But then in the meat of the book, it feels like he strayed from that plan of attack, but also didn't really say much of substance. Don't get me wrong: he does explain the history of some of the Bible books, and does talk about some history, or explains some of the stories as parables, but just not to the extent I'd expect. So... eh. It was an okay book, with a few good sections.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a young adult and it was really meaningful to me. I'm not sure how I found it -- I feel like it was recommended by somebody or something. One part I remember is that the author said reading the Bible was something that called for eating chocolate. Not something like salad, but chocolate. I think it made me go make hot chocolate to sip when I read.

I did not and do not believe the Bible is nothing but an extremely significant cultural document written by people, but I still loved this book.

[Jarkko Laine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a part of my long process to try and understand Christianity and the Bible, so I will be able to decide this book's importance only after a lot of more thinking and reading. For now, however, it opened a lot more doors and ideas to explore, and did it in a very inspiring way, so I liked the book a lot.

[Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining perspective on the bible. His reference to other religious authorities and philosophers were really entertaining and provided me with new avenues to continue my private studies. On top of that he's just a good writer.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction into reading the Bible as literature. I have a degree in theology, and I learned an immense amount from this little book. Great stuff.

[Jo Suter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief but endlessly fascinating.