The Bible for Grown-Ups: A New Look at the Good Book

by Simon Loveday

The Bible for Grown-Ups neither requires, nor rejects, belief. It sets out to help intelligent adults make sense of the Bible – a book that is too large to swallow whole, yet too important in our history and culture to spit out.Why do the creation stories in Genesis contradict each other? Did the Exodus really happen? Was King David a historical figure? Why is Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus so different from Luke’s? Why was St Paul so rude about St Peter?Every Biblical author wrote for their own time, and their own audience. In short, nothing in the Bible is quite what it seems.Literary critic Simon Loveday’s book – a labour of love that has taken over a decade to write – is a thrilling read, for Christians and anyone else, which will overturn everything you thought you knew about the Good Book.Simon Loveday trained as an anthropologist and a literary critic, teaching at UEA and Oxford. He also edited the psychological journal Typeface and wrote The Romances of John Fowles. He now lectures at Keele University and lives in Wells, Somerset. (He enjoys long train journeys.) He is a keen cyclist and former Chair of the Wells Festival of Literature.‘Loveday’s case is that the mantle of historical truth and divine authority has placed upon the Bible an intolerable weight, crushing it as a creative work of immense imaginative and inspirational power. His argument is both fascinating and persuasive.’ Matthew Parris The Times

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, History, Christianity, Spirituality, Faith

320 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Brian Clegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your immediate thought on seeing a book about the Bible is 'I'm not religious, so it's not for me,' don't worry - it still could be. Without doubt, the Bible has had a huge impact on the world - and, Simon Loveday reminds us - in some forms, notably the Authorised Version (King James Bible), it is also an impressive piece of literature and a big part of our cultural heritage.

What Loveday sets out to do is to see how the Bible was put together, telling us why it is in the form it is and helping us understand the combination of different types of literature that don't really correspond to modern day forms - and he does this very well. This book is to biblical scholarship what popular science is to science. Loveday is not trying to come up with a new and different analysis of the Bible, but rather to help the vast majority of us (both Christians and non-Christians) who really don't understand its geo-political context, what is historical and what is more mythical in nature, and how the whole thing was assembled.

I found the book fascinating, whether we're getting a feel for the timescales of writing the different parts of the Old Testament, or the reasons for the very different approaches taken by the writers of the New Testament. Again, while it's nothing new, Loveday makes it clear that writers at the time the various parts of the Bible were composed were not in the business of writing about facts but about what they saw as truths. This meant they would be far freer and looser with 'history' than we would now, because it was the message that was important, not the factual accuracy. (This should both placate those who dismiss the whole thing because of its inconsistencies, of which there are many, and should totally dismiss the idea of the Bible being literally the word of God - though adherents of either camp aren't great on listening to reason.)

Perhaps the most dramatic message that comes through is that because different parts were written by different authors with widely varying agendas, it's impossible to use the Bible alone as a guide to living your life - because it will encourage you to many totally contradictory actions. It can only be used in this way subject to interpretation and mentally editing out the bits you don't like - something anyone who claims to base their way of life on the Bible without any interpretation needs to consider.

I would have given the book five stars, but after two cracking sections (one on each Testament), the final section of the book, which tries to pull everything together and to give an appreciation of the Bible as literature is relatively weak, so we don't get the best of conclusions - but The Bible for Grownups is well worth reading for those first two sections (which account for 197 of the 260 main text pages). If you are a believer, this book will help you understand the basis of your faith better - if you aren't, it will provide a better understanding of the nature of this remarkable collection of writings.

[Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absence of Evidence is not Evidence of Absence. A fantastic premise for a book for a world trying to make sense of so much religious rhetoric. Unfortunately, Mr. Loveday repetitively falls prey to the logic fallacy of lack of evidence equating to proof something didn’t happen. Using Mr. Loveday’s logic I could state that he doesn’t exist - as we’ve never met. One such example from the book from page 81 the author says Jesus was born and raised in Nazareth. To emphasis his point he then goes on to say on page 95 that “Jesus is challenged on this point (place of birth) in John’s Gospel (John 7:41-52), and can’t give an adequate response; Mark makes no mention of it at all.” Jesus was not asked for a response in John, nor did Mark record anything about Jesus’ birth. The author carries this point further on page 96 where he’s attempting to create a discrepancy between Luke and Matthew’s birth location. Both agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but the author isn’t content with that and says that according to the Gospel of Matthew - Mary and Joseph lived in Bethlehem while Luke says they went there for a Roman census thus creating the “conflict”. Nowhere does Matthew say Mary and Joseph lived in Bethlehem. Unfortunately, the author repetitively believes that lack of evidence provides permission for him to create his own. If you’re genuinely seeking to understand the Bible as a grownup I’d recommend any books by Ravi Zacharias.

[Roger · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is an easy-to-read breakdown of the history of the creation of the Bible. It is not a theological work in any great way, nor is it a work that attempts to tear down faith. Simon Loveday has used a limited number of sources, and the King James version of the Bible, to show us how and why the good book was created, and how the politics and history of the Jews in Judea and Israel affected what was written, how it was written, and what was excluded from the book.

The beauty of this book is that Loveday has given the reader a relatively easy to digest version of current Bible scholarship and shows us when each book was written (sometimes who wrote it!), and how editors and "redactors" have changed what was originally written to suit their purposes. He also shows us occasions where a mis-translation has had a big effect on the course of belief.

In his discussion of the New Testament, Loveday explains how it was the letters of Paul that were the first part of that book to be written, with the Gospels coming afterwards when the developing Church needed something written down to guide them. In fact Loveday writes that it was Paul who created what we know as the Christian Church today, not Jesus. One thing that I think is important that Loveday mentions is that the New Testament as we know it today wasn't in existence before about 350AD, even though most of the writings it contains were written hundreds of years before. The Gospels were written, especially Matthew and Luke, to ensure that the life of Jesus fulfilled the prophetic predictions of the Old Testament. So, the Bible isn't history, but it is an attempt to uncover truth, and the way it was written and constructed should make the reader wary of taking it too literally, although the messages of the New Testament are clear.

In the final section of the work Loveday shows us the literary qualities of the Bible, something that was quite different to the other literature (Roman and Greek) of the time, and how the Bible introduced the idea of character development into writing, and so arguably set the course for the development of literature as we know it today.

Like the curate's egg, The Bible for Grown-ups is good in parts.

Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/

[Ian Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and at times challenging book. Simon Loveday has a difficult, if not impossible task of being impartial. In fairness I feel he has tried his best, but to me there was a few elements of heavy handedness in its treatment.

Arguably I would say looking at elements of the bible without the context of faith is like having a meal without a vital ingredient and I would accept that my point of view was going to skew the way this book is read.

No doubt this has been well researched and structured and has many valid points that some would rather ignore. (as has been done for centuries)
I would certainly recommend this for anyone looking to put some deeper context into what has been written in the Bible, but would recommend you be prepared that you may not necessarily like what is being said and have to be accepting of different view points if you're going to make the most of this book.

[Rich Lambe · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book itself is ok. I get the feeling Simon used a lot of other people's research when writing this. However he done a very good job of collating (or curating) the material together into a decent book/argument.
My issues are:
- He presents a very biased review with only one side (Christianity bashing is popular at the minute), he sometimes uses inconsistent language (is this for 'lay people' or the common Joe?).
Conclusion: good (not great) for a general basic on anti-christian apologetics but if this is your area of interest then use it as a jumping off point only.

[Hugo Heij · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whether you are a Christian or not, this book isn't very clear and helpful. In the first half of the book the author tries to prove that most of the stuff that is described in the bible can't be proven with historical or archaeological evidence, to continue in the second half of the book to find discrepancies in the bible. I find this a bit strange if you first have proven the bible is not based on evidence.

Anyway, read it for yourself and make up your own mind. I think there are better ways to use your time...

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"fascinating and persuasive" is the comment by Matthew Parris on the front of this book. I couldn't put this better myself. wonderfully written to be as accessible as possible, Simon Loveday explores the bible examining various themes such as history, authorship,context and meaning. I think this will be an interesting read for both believers, agnostics and atheists. take from it what you will. recommended

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What Jesus had to say about the good life--though inspirational--often contradicts what is taught elsewhere in the New Testament, and sometimes indeed what Jesus himself says. The Bible can be used to support many different positions and teachings, but it cannot tell us how to choose between them. We have to do that ourselves.” (pg. 198)

As I have written many times before, the Bible is not a reliable text. We don’t know who wrote each of its parts. It has been translated over and over again, from Greek and Hebrew to various forms of English (not to mention other languages). It has been edited again and again, then interpreted by different communities and traditions until, at last, the book I have sitting on my desk becomes something so complicated, compromised, and impenetrable that I can’t help but wonder about its value at all.

This author of this book is a literary critic, and he approaches the Bible with the tools literary criticism, and not the eyes of faith. His writing is very accessible, and respectful, but it is damning.

The Old Testament: written by six or seven different authors over several thousand years. Stitched together by (it is believed) the prophet Ezra and given to us in its current form. It is contradictory and inconsistent. The God of the Old Testament is not loving or kind. He is a real bastard, to be honest. The stories, poems, wise sayings, myths, and histories in the Old Testament are about a culture that no longer exists practicing a religion that no longer exists speaking a language that no longer exists. Not exactly a good basis for modern decision making.

The New Testament: Four gospel writers, at varying times, decades after the death of Jesus, each with his own point of view, agenda, and particular style. Mark wrote for those who believed Jesus was coming right back. Matthew and Luke had (it is believed) a copy of the sayings of Jesus in Aramaic, along with a copy of Mark and their own imaginations. John is like some hippy-trippy cosmic space muffin guy whose writing reminds me of Timothy Leary. And Paul, in particular, who almost single-handedly created Christianity, is an unreliable figure. We have taken his opinion as fact, and based large parts of the Christian tradition on his ideas and insights. Was that a good idea? is it a good idea now?

Buried under all of this is Jesus, a radical rabbi, who proposed the peaceable kingdom; the kingdom of God, and who called to his fellow Jews to reform themselves for the betterment of the world. His communal, agricultural, and peaceful message (when it wasn’t violent) has largely been buried under 2,000 years of culture, tradition, and history. If I could have one book-wish, it would be to read the Q document; the 220 original sayings of Jesus. Scholars can sort of reverse-engineer Luke and Matthew to get at what they might have been. They are beautiful.

So why read this giant, flawed, complex, confusing mash-up? What value is there? First, the language is beautiful, and has entered into our culture in a way that no other book has. “The writing is on the wall,” “my brother’s keeper,” “love thy neighbors as thyself,” “the Lord is my shepherd…” and on and on. Second, the stories are something that binds us together, culturally. Noah’s Ark, Easter Sunday, King David’s folly, Esther's bravery, Peter’s betrayal, Uriah’s courage, and many other examples of stories and myths that cast our flawed natures into the bright light of our consciences. These stories matter; they have value. They can teach us and warn us and guide us and inspire us. They are us. And we are them.

I do not take a single word of the Bible literally, but as the Episcopal scholar Marcus Borg once wrote, “a myth is something that never was but always is.” These myths and stories and lessons matter, still, even if they are not true.

But “what is truth?” someone in the Bible famously asked? I still don’t know the answer.

I should become a Quaker.

[Jason Pettus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm posting the last of my 2017 reads here this month without reviews, so that they'll count towards this year's Goodreads Reading Challenge. Full review coming in early 2018.

[Bron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It's not a religious book, it's about how the bible came to be written, what we know about the authors, what was happening in the world at the time of writing and to what extent the major events can be confirmed by historical or archaeological records. This might give the impression that it's a bit dry and academic, but it's not. It's very readable, with a bit of a British slant (eg British popular tv shows being cited as comparisons). There's an important discussion around the mid point that shows how much of the anti jewish feeling displayed in the Christian world is down to a mistaken reading of the gospels.
The author claims that he didn't set out to challenge or confirm anyone's faith. Even so, he reaches the conclusion that much of the bible is not historically true. The final section examining the concept of the bible as a vision, rather than an account of events was quite uplifting.

[Menno Beek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Problem with books like this is, if you've read some in the field, a new one in the same somewhat small field will look repetitive because stuff gets, well, repeated. And around half through the book the author somewhat gets carried away by his findings, taking big steps where its hard to follow him, because he has lost touch with his subject, and is looking into the shiny surface of his own pretty thoughts. Het gets back on track around three quarters and then says some useful stuff again.

[Lorna McFadyean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Not perfect. Will probably refer to again, though. I'd give it 3.5 🌟

[Book-Social · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a confession to make, I’ve never read the Bible. I’ve tried: I was given a children’s version (all tracing paper thin 400 pages) as a thank you for being a bridesmaid. I’ve picked it up once or twice but have never gotten past the seventh day. So when I stumbled upon The Bible for Grown-Ups and read the line:

“[The Bible is] a book too large to swallow whole, yet too important in our history and culture to spit out.”

I thought I would give it a go and see if I did better with an adult version.

Author Loveday starts off with a helpful guide as to the structure of the Bible. The differences between the Old and New Testament and the various ‘books’ within each. Which was all good. He then goes on to provide a historical context for the book, what was going on in the world when it was written. Again, all good. Loveday then poses several questions such as: What morality does the Old Testament teach? Does the Old Testament predict a crucified messiah? And even, Who did Jesus think he was?

I found this structure surprising. I had thought I was going to read a book that explained the stories in the Bible in a way that gave me an understanding of it without having to struggle through it. Instead as I read I became more and more confused as Gentiles, Pharisees and Sumerians were added into the mix. Loveday was more interested in who wrote the Bible, when and why as opposed to why the Red Sea parted for Moses.

Perhaps it was my expectations of the book that lead to me feeling disillusioned. I expected to find out who Ruth was, where Bathsheeba fitted into the story and why David had to fight Goliath. Instead I was left wading through mud as Loveday questioned whether Jesus was born from a virgin womb and whether both Luke and Matthew would have believed this. It wasn’t what I wanted to read and for that reason it disappointed.

If anyone knows of any good books that explain the Bible to a literary appreciator rather than a religious person please let me know. I haven’t given up all hope of one day having ‘read’ the Bible.

[Chris Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and relatively easy read that takes on a big task - how to understand the Bible in around 250 pages. There are a few of these types of books around - the difference with this one is that the author is trying to be as objective as possible, without reference to the faith (or absence of faith) of the reader. Some would say that this is missing the point of what the Bible is about, but it does allow Loveday to take a step back from the text and look dispassionately at important issues around historicity and myth, what we can know about the origins of both Old and New Testaments, what the discipline of literary criticism/appreciation might have to offer to readers and what the overall messages are. As I say, a big task!
Theological types will no doubt have numerous points that appear to them as oversimplification (I spotted a couple) but for me this was a helpful summary of how a non-literal, more literary understanding of the Bible can be helpful to Christians and non-Christians alike.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish that more people read this book, especially those who base their lives on what they think the Bible teaches. Loveday divides his subject into three parts: Old Testament, New Testament, and "A Vision of Freedom," about other ways to read and use the Bible. Loveday carefully explains what we do and don't know about the Bible -- which events happened, which events definitely did not, how we know, and what we know only in part. He explains that the writers of the Bible did not write with the intention of creating a historical record, but a guidebook to spiritual truth. His writing style is clear, open, and easy to follow. He tackles a massive subject knowing that he cannot produce a massive tome, but a readable book for sensible people who want to know about this book which has affected so many lives.

[Joseph Millo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Freedom that restores to us our own creative powers, that reminds us that we have created the gods to which we bow down, is hard work and requires discipline and a readiness to accept the responsibility that it brings for our own actions and their consequences. The Bible has been made into an instrument of divine tyranny, but like all great works of culture, it is a work of the human imagination. Properly understood it celebrates our recapture of our own imaginings. Its message is the appeal of Tennyson’s ageing but vigorous Ulysses to his faithful crew:
‘Come, my friends
‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world …’”

[Debi Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the back cover of this book says, "'The Bible for Grown-Ups' neither requires, nor rejects, belief. It sets out to help intelligent adults make sense of the Bible..." It succeeds beyond expectations. I've been looking for a book like this for a long time - a book that doesn't use the Bible to justify a religious system, but a book that examines the Bible as literature.

[Carol Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book to swallow whole. It is well researched and thought provoking. It challenged me to study further and at times disagree. But for those who struggle with the literal interpretation often offered in the pulpit, who want to look deeper, it is well worth a read.

[Ms Fiona Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book, and up to almost the mid way point, I wasn't convinced I'd enjoy it. But by the end the author had made some very interesting points about how we read the Bible. I'd definitely recommend to anyone interested in learning more about the Bible.

[Nathan Boler · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting UK researcher perspective on the Bible, its authors, historical accuracy, timelines, and redefinitions of certain words such as truth. Plenty of challenging/conflicting views--I especially enjoyed Loveday's points about author biases based on location and lineage.

[Nicola Royan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is informative and engaging about the construction and uses of the Bible.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally the book I've been searching for. Simon Loveday keeps it real and reachable. This book serves as a nice biblical overview for those of us who don't know which end is up. Personally, it is the first book of this genre from which I took notes.

He offers historical content and context, then hits the reader with biblical contradictions, written falsehoods, and other anomalies. As the book progresses, it becomes more and more clear that Loveday is writing both a literary criticism and a call to common sense. He's relatively unemotional about it and doesn't seem invested in the outcome, which is why I liked it. Had this writing been persuasive, I'd have lost interest.

I diverge from the author when he engages in typical black & white thinking. On page 124-125 he writes: "If there is a stern, judgemental, selective Jesus...there is also a mild, forgiving, inclusive Jesus. ... Which is the real Jesus? Indeed, which is the real God? Who knows - but what we do know is that the New Testament offers both, and they can't both be true." Disagree. They can both be true. Depending on the level of evil/ineptitude/corruption/unawareness Jesus was facing in those around him, I can believe he had a shortened temper with some folks that he didn't need to have with others. The darker, more evil the intentions, the firmer he may have needed to be. (Says the former teacher, who used these same tactics depending on the student.)

The dialog on Pilate was really interesting. The Bible paints him as thoughtful and contemplative, but writers of the day (Josephus, Tacitus, Philo) tell of a capriciously violent man. The dialog on Jesus is even more spicy. Bible-centered Christians would likely disavow this book before the halfway mark, although I didn't get the idea Loveday was going out of his way to be blasphemous. He's just laying it all out there.

I dig this book because I like to to be aware of all angles. Just admit yes, there are discrepancies in the Bible and here's how I am moving forward making sense of it anyway. Biblical contradictions are not mutually exclusive of belief in God or Jesus as Savior.

FAVORITE QUOTE: ...to pretend that we are the prisoners of our past rather than the makers of our own future. Freedom that restores to us our own creative powers, that reminds us that we have created the gods to which we bow down, is hard work and requires discipline and a readiness to accept the responsibility that it brings for our own actions and their consequences. Boom.

[Tony Fitzpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read the bible cover to cover, using one of those “365 day reading plans”. It was very hard going. The stories are fine, the narrative of history is interesting, but the genealogy and rules (notably in the Old Testament) are deadly boring to read. This book attempts not to speak to the religious aspect of the bible, but to try and describe why it is the way it is, why there are contradictions, why much of the history within it lacks any back up contemporary evidence, and what we are to make of the many conflicting 1st century political dynamics that had a hand in its construction. He focuses instead on understanding the many synonyms, symbolisms and metaphors in the bible. In this, notably in the first half of the book where it describes the structure and historical sequencing of the authorship of the bible it is very good. I learnt a lot, not to make me question my faith, but more to understand the rationale behind the way in which teachings and history are presented. You don’t have to believe that Christ was visited by shepherds to accept that he was the Messiah, but he helps to understand why Luke inserted that story in the birth narrative, fixing His birth as less of the coming of a king but more of the arrival of someone to bring salvation to ordinary people. The story would also have played out better to the occupying Romans at 100AD. The second half of the book was less successful, analysing some key passages for clues as to their construction and dynamic. Interesting read.
Published May 2017. Read on Kindle.

[Elliott Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book seems to fall under the genre of "religion" and "faith"; Loveday makes an active effort to interrogate the narrative of the bible in a group of texts, leaving the theological arguments to scholars.

This approach allows Loveday to scrap a lot of the parts I personally always found difficult to grasp with the bible, by categorically (but not insensitively) stating that most of both the Old and New Testaments are wildly historically inaccurate. He persuades the reader that to think of it in a literal sense destroys the beauty of what the gospels were trying to achieve.

Breaking the book(s) down into strengths (symbolism, metaphorical lessons) and weaknesses (contradictions, historical muddiness) helps the reader get over a lot of the intellectual humps I personally think a lot of people run into during religious lessons and Sunday school.

A confident author with an approachable style, excellent in-depth and thorough research and a smattering of well placed humour makes this an altogether enjoyable read.

[The Small Escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much of this book is proper interesting for people who know very little (like me) but want to find out more about the truth - as much as there can be - behind the Bible. I didn't know, for example, that the first part of the OT had five authors, and it's quite clear which person wrote which bit.

On the other hand, some of it I felt could use a little editing to make things clearer. It was also fairly obvious that the author's not a Christian, which I didn't see as a problem per se, and I liked the informal tone of the book. However, I do feel that with questions of faith one has to tread carefully, and some of his remarks came across as a little flippant.

Good as a general overview, and with some really excellent pieces of information. However, I've just started reading Jesus the Zealot (which Loveday quotes extensively from) and that is so amazing I'm giving this book four stars, by way of comparison. Recommended all the same.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible overview of the Bible that definitely helped make clear some things for me. It has a lot of interesting points and factoids and is an engaging read. It doesn't pick a side in either the atheist/believer camps, which means it's neither condescending of the Bible and those who believe it, nor is it a smooshy lovefest of how inarguably great the Bible is.

If I had one criticism, it would be that it's a bit New Testament heavy. The writing about the Old Testament is a little sparse and has a feeling of, "Oh, was that it?"

Would definitely like to read again in the future.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the somewhat naff title, I really enjoyed this analysis of the bible which I read in one day, exploring its historical veracity, who wrote it, its themes and other interesting observations. Whilst necessarily selective (as any analysis of the bible has to be), I would have still liked a comparative look at prior religions such as Mithraism and Paganism from which it may have borrowed many of its themes. That and the fact that it tiptoes around believers somewhat, detracts from what is otherwise a fascinating book.

[Andy Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loveday sees the Bible as a vital artefact in Western culture but one whose power is vitiated by the claims made on it for divine inspiration and historical accuracy. He tries to explain the myths and the inconsistencies, working efficiently through both Old and New Testaments and ends with satisfying examples of the contribution that a literary critical approach can provide to our understanding of the good book.

[Daniel Clemence · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem with this book is that it makes claims about things with having zero citations for them. For example, he claims that it is probably true that Moses didn't exist. There are plenty of archeologists who made that claim, so cite them. Another claim is that David wasn't a real person. Whilst historians believe that the accounts of David in the Bible were exaggerated, archeology proves his existence.

Overall lots of claims without evidence to back them up. At least use citations.

[Michael Lindgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awful title; terrific book

This outstanding and accessible work of biblical hermeneutics has been saddled with a dismal and misleading title, which is a shame. (Who in their right mind thinks the Bible is "for" children?) This is a clear and deeply illuminating guide to the provenance, history, and major themes of testaments old and new. Lucid and engaging.