Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The Bible and Literature


From a 1931 textbook Good Reading For High School – English Writers, page 166 The Bible. “In addition to the fact that it is a sacred document, the Bible owes its place in literature (1) to its noble theme – God, man, and the universe; (2) to its superb but simple style; (3)and to the majestic music of its prose. The translation here followed is the work of forty-seven scholars appointed by King James I, and is consequently known as the King James Bible or the Authorized Version. It is the most famous book in the world.”

For years I was a Missionette Sponsor at church. It’s like the Christian version of Girl Scouts. Those girls had to memorize lots of scripture, and it was commonly understood that it’s easier to memorize the King James version of the Bible because of its poetic flow. Today, you would never find the Bible included in a school textbook, unless perhaps it’s some class on religions.

What a shame as a writer that the Bible isn’t used more as a teaching tool for the craft of writing. It is a plethora of the deeds, thoughts and actions of the human heart and mind. God includes the best of humanity and worst of humanity. Have you ever wondered why the worst. I have.

I think God didn’t want us to have unreal expectations of the capabilities of mankind. Who would want to be a Christian if the standard was perfection? There is only One who is perfect, and His name is Jesus. We are to pattern our lives after Him, and try to follow His example, but we’ll never be perfect. It’s impossible. That’s what makes the Bible great.

Don’t you appreciate that we are loved by Him despite our flaws, failures, and shortcomings?

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