There’s been a meme going around that has received a lot of attention for bloggers, at least ones that I read (like Moorhead). That’s really no surprise, given that most of these bloggers are readers. No one has tagged me (which is the way I like it), but I have decided to answer it, but with a twist. Most who respond start with the premise that the Bible is excluded from all of the answers. I’d like to flip it around, and say that all books except the Bible are excluded. Maybe I’ll do it the regular way another day.
1. One book that changed your life: Romans
2. One book that you’ve read more than once: 1 Samuel
3. One book you ‘d want on a desert island: Isaiah
4. One book that made you laugh: 1-2 Kings
5. One book that made you cry: Deuteronomy
6. One book you wish had been written: What I Learned in the Wilderness, by David
7. One book you wish had never been written: Leviticus
8. One book you ‘re currently reading: 1 Peter
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Zechariah
Before you go to blast one or more of my answers below, be sure that you have a better answer yourself. Of course I have taken certain liberties with the answers, trying to pick one that I felt was best all things considered (so it doesn’t mean that the only book I’ve read twice is 1 Samuel, nor does it mean I’ve never read Zechariah, or that I’m a heretic because of the Leviticus answer). But you get the idea. And hopefully it will provoke your thinking. And reading.
Todd, I have to admit that #7 cracked a smile on my face… simply because I probably would have put the same thing (also probably with the heretic footnote) :-)
On the other hand, it’s a challenge to me to see that nearly all of your answers are books of the OT. I suppose that makes sense, but unfortunately it seems as though most Christians read the NT more than the OT… or maybe they read the OT out of a sense of “duty.” I know I’ve found myself doing that. I just finished reading Ezra and am now in Nehemiah. Some mornings I’m enraptured by the way the Lord works and other mornings I just want to finish the chapter. I think I’m probably not alone in that feeling, but I’m thankful that the Lord is faithful despite our sin!
Hey Todd,
I think Songs of Solomon ranks up there with Leviticus :-)
How was your trip by the way?
Well, I love the NT, I really do. I didn’t notice the answers tilted to the OT as they did. But the OT just has more to offer as far as those questions are concerned. Even this summer the two academic books that I’ve read have both been related to the NT.
Big point here, which maybe I should expand on later: the Bible was not written for you or me. Thus, I don’t feel bad if some part of it is boring or doesn’t “speak to me.”
The trip was good and smooth in all respects. Thanks be to God.
Nice twist Todd. Boy, do I feel like a pagan!
Could you explain why the Bible was not written for you or for me? Growing up I always heard that “The Bible is God’s love letter to you.” Am I missing something totally obvious??? =) I liked the Leviticus answer…