[lipitrRrxX]

Thanks for all the great ideas, everyone!

I am getting to this discussion late, but the best short primer I know of on Christianity are the four Gospels themselves. They are short, relatively easy reading, even the King James version, and they are truly astonishing if all you know is the version taught by churches, schools, and pop culture.

[cxddfrxc]

One of the problems with basing one's biblical knowledge upon Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" is that, unlike in the Torah, there is a character, Nefretiri, (played by Frank Lloyd Wright's granddaughter, Anne Baxter), who utters the line, ``Oh Moses, you stubborn, splendid, adorable fool!"

also "Can you grate GAHHHlic on her skin? Or is it smoooth, like mine? Are her lips red & soft like a pomagranite? Or dry from the desert wind?"

I LOVE that movie. I think Yul Brenner might be why I really have a thing for bald guys...

[asivisepo]

I think Sean's idea about the gospels is a good one. You might also want to check out some so-called "study Bibles" which are annotated.

[Sipewrio]

I agree that reading the Gospels is a good introduction to Christianity. It won't tell you any of the subsequent theological or historical developments, but it contains almost all the famous stories and quotations.

The Jewish bible is much less accessible in that regard, unfortunately.

[jackie Obrian]

The Jewish bible is much less accessible in that regard, unfortunately.

I find the Old Testament bewildering since it is in so many voices and appears to be from so many viewpoints. I don't know it nearly as well as the Gospels, but I think that is because it is so difficult to relate to or to synthesize easily.

[AntonayPina]

There are a number of excellent Torah study guides, or annotated versions, that provide explanations, interpretations, commentary, etc. Reading it straight by yourself, without benefit of a commentary or study group, could be difficult, especially for someone new to the text.

A friend recommended this one to me once and it receives very good customer reviews on amazon, where it is reasonably priced.

Amazon.com: A Torah Commentary for Our Times (9780807405307): Harvey J. Fields, Giora Carmi: Books

(A torah commoentary for our Times, by Harvey Fields.)

I believe, though, that it covers only the Torah, i.e. Five Books of Moses, and not psalms and other components of the Hebrew Bible (which Christians refer to as the Old Testament).

[iuopyra]

I've really enjoyed Anne Rice's books about Jesus. I believe there are two so far: the first in which Jesus is a 7 year-old and the second in which he's a teenager. Rice takes certain liberties in order to tell her story (i.e. very little about Jesus' youth is written in the Bible), but she did an immense about of research about Jewish culture, history, etc. in order to produce these works.

I enjoyed it because it's historically accurate, but technically historical fiction... and it gives a little insight into what the life of a young Jesus might have been like.

Here's a link to the book, and an editorial review of Christ the Lord (the first book):


From Publishers Weekly
Rice departs from her usual subject matter to pen this curious portrait of a seven-year-old Jesus, who departs Egypt with his family to return home to Nazareth. Rice's painstaking historical research is obvious throughout, whether she's showing the differences among first-century Jewish groups (Pharisees, Essenes and Sadducees all play a part), imagining a Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem or depicting the regular but violent rebellions by Jews chafing under Roman rule. The book succeeds in capturing Jesus' profound Jewishness, with some of the best scenes reflecting his Torah education and immersion in the oral traditions of the Hebrew Bible. As fiction, though, the book's first half is slow going. Since it is told from Jesus' perspective, the childlike language can be simplistic, though as readers persevere they will discover the riches of the sparse prose Rice adopts. The emotional heart of the story—Jesus' gradual discovery of the miraculous birth his parents have never discussed with him—picks up steam as well, as he begins to understand why he can heal the sick and raise the dead. Rice provides a moving afterword, in which she describes her recent return to the Catholic faith and evaluates, often in an amusingly strident fashion, the state of biblical studies today. (Nov. 7)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

[treawittelf]

also "Can you grate GAHHHlic on her skin? Or is it smoooth, like mine? Are her lips red & soft like a pomagranite? Or dry from the desert wind?"

I LOVE that movie. I think Yul Brenner might be why I really have a thing for bald guys...

So I know you like skepticism, science and bald guys now. Why not combine them?

[siflversonemunk]

G: So, my husband and I are atheist/agnostic….
P: You claim to be, but you know otherwise. See Romans 1:20ff.

G: …but the unit discussing Christianity and Judaism was very short as it was assumed that most kids already have exposure to it.
P: Dangerous assumption. Some authors are antagonistic toward those two groups.

G: Any suggestions for an interesting summary of the Bible for a non-believer? Thanks.[/QUOTE]
P: Have her read right from the Bible. Here are 100 texts that should be interesting:

1 The Creation Gen. 1:1-2:25

2 The Fall Gen. 3:1-3:24

3 The Flood Gen. 6:5-7:24

4 God’s Covenant with Noah Gen. 8:1-9:17

5 Tower of Babel Gen. 11:1-11:9


Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
6 The Call of Abram Gen. 12:1-12:20

7 God’s Covenant with Abram Gen. 15:1-15:21

8 Isaac’s Birth and “Sacrifice” Gen. 21:1-22:19

9 Jacob and Esau Compete Gen. 27:1-28:22

10 Jacob and Esau Reconcile Gen. 32:1-33:20


The Story of Jacob
11 Sold into Slavery Gen.37:1-37:36

12 Prison and a Promotion Gen. 39:1-41:57

13 Ten Brothers Go to Egypt Gen. 42:1-42:38

14 The Brothers Return Gen. 43:1-44:34

15 Joseph Reveals His Identity Gen. 45:1-46:7


Moses And the Exodus
16 Birth of Moses Exodus 1:1-2:25

17 The Burning Bush Exodus 3:1-4:17

18 The Ten Plagues Exodus 6:28-11:10

19 Passover and Exodus Exodus12:1-12:42

20 Crossing the Red Sea Ex. 13:17-14:31


The Law and the Land
21 The Ten Commandments Exodus19:1-20:21

22 The Golden Calf Exodus 32:1-34:35

23 Joshua Succeeds Moses Joshua 1:1-1:18

24 Crossing the Jordan Joshua 3:1-4:24

25 The Fall of Jericho Joshua 5:13-6:27


The Judges
26 Israel’s Disobedience Judges 2:6-3:6

27 Deborah Leads Israel Judges 4:1-5:31

28 Gideon Defeats the Midianites Judges 6:1-7:25

29 Samson Defeats the Philistines Judges 13:1-16:31

30 The Story of Ruth Ruth 1:1-4:22


The Rise of Israel
31 Samuel Listens to God 1 Sam. 1:1-3:21

32 King Saul 1 Sam. 8:1-10:27

33 David and Goliath 1 Sam. 16:1-18:16

34 David and Saul 1 Sam. 23:7-24:22

35 King David 2 Sam. 5:1-7:29


The Fall of Israel
36 David and Bathsheba 2 Sam. 11:1-12:25

37 King Solomon 1 Kings 2:1-3:28

38 Solomon’s Temple 1 Kings 8:1-9:9

39 Elijah & the Prophets of Baal 1 Kgs. 16:29-19:18

40 The Fall of Jerusalem 2 Kings 25:1-25:30


Psalms And Proverbs
41 The Lord Is My Shepherd Psalm 23:1-23:6

42 Lord, Have Mercy on Me Psalm 51:1-51:19

43 Praise the Lord Ps. 103:1-103:22

44 Godly Wisdom Proverbs 1:1-4:27

45 Proverbs of Solomon Proverbs 16:1-18:24


The Prophets
46 The Suffering Servant Isaiah 51:1-53:12

47 Jeremiah’s Call and Message Jeremiah 1:1-3:5

48 Daniel In the Lion’s Den Daniel 6:1-6:28

49 The Story of Jonah Jonah 1:1-4:31

50 The Day of Judgement Malachi 1:1-4:6


New Testament
The Living Word
51 The Word Became Flesh John 1:1-1:18

52 Gabriel’s Message Luke 1:1-1:80

53 The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-2:40

54 John the Baptist Luke 3:1-3:20

55 Baptism and Temptation Matthew 3:13-4:17


The Teachings of Jesus
56 Sermon on the Mount, Part 1 Matthew 5:1-6:4

57 Sermon on the Mount, Part 2 Matthew 6:5-7:29

58 The Kingdom of Heaven Matt. 13:1-13:58

59 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-10:37

60 Lost and Found Luke 15:1-15:32


The Miracles of Jesus
61 Feeding the Five Thousand Luke 9:1-9:36

62 Walking on Water Matt. 14:22-14:36

63 Healing a Blind Man John 9:1-9:41

64 Healing a Demon-Possessed Man Mark 5:1-5:20

65 Raising Lazarus from the Dead John 11:1-11:57


The Cross of Christ
66 The Last Supper Luke 22:1-22:46

67 Arrest and Trial John 18:1-18:40

68 The Crucifixion John 19:1-19:42

69 The Resurrection John 20:1-21:25

70 The Ascension Acts 1:1-1:11


The Church Is Born
71 The Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-2:47

72 Growth and Persecution Acts 3:1-4:37

73 The First Martyr Acts 6:8-8:8

74 Sharing the Word Acts 8:26-8:40

75 Good News for All Acts 10:1-11:18


The Travels of Paul
76 The Road to Damascus Acts 9:1-9:31

77 The First Missionary Journey Acts 13:1-14:28

78 The Council at Jerusalem Acts 15:1-15:41

79 More Missionary Journeys Acts 16:1-20:38

80 The Trip to Rome Acts 25:1-28:31


Paul to the Churches
81 More than Conquerors Romans 8:1-8:39

82 The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:16-6:10

83 The Armor of God Eph. 6:10-6:20

84 Rejoice in the Lord Philippians 4:2-4:9

85 The Supremacy of Christ Colossians 1:1-1:23


Paul To The Leaders
86 Elders and Deacons 1 Timothy 3:1-3:16

87 The Love of Money 1 Timothy 6:3-6:21

88 Good Soldiers of Christ 2 Timothy 2:1-2:26

89 All Scripture Is God-Breathed 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8

90 The Coming of the Lord 1 Thess. 4:13-5:11


The Apostles’ Teachings
91 The Most Excellent Way 1 Cor. 13:1-13:13

92 A New Creation in Christ 2 Cor. 4:1-6:2

93 A Living Hope 1 Peter 1:1-2:12

94 Faith and Works James 1:1-2:26

95 Love One Another 1 John 3:11-4:21


The Revelation of Jesus
96 A Voice and a Vision Rev. 1:1-1:20

97 messages to the Churches Rev. 2:1-3:22

98 The Throne of Heaven Rev. 4:1-7:17

99 Hallelujah! Rev. 19:1-20:15

100 The New Jerusalem Rev. 21:1-22:21

So, my husband and I are atheist/agnostic yet have extensive knowledge of the Bible due to religious training as kids and teens. We don't attend church, but would like our daughter to have some knowledge of the Bible in a factual sense. I think that having very little knowledge of a text which is so influential in peoples lives can hinder empathy and understanding. My husband and I have discussed many aspects with her and her social studies class taught world religions, but the unit discussing Christianity and Judaism was very short as it was assumed that most kids already have exposure to it. She's 14 and an advanced reader, but easily loses interest in books that aren't action-packed. She loves books by Christopher Moore, Anne Rice, etc. I'm considering getting her the R. Crumb Genesis. This only covers book one, however. Any suggestions for an interesting summary of the Bible for a non-believer? Thanks.

[Tarrccrys]

So I know you like skepticism, science and bald guys now. Why not combine them?

The Bad Astronomer is a cool guy. But I'm going wait out Shermer's marriage. He'll be fully chrome-domed by then, I'm hoping.