Recommendation for non-believer who wants to read the bible

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Erad

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Some apologies in advance because I am sure my questions have been asked and answered in many formats over time, but I am feeling rushed. My confirmed anti-religious and especially anti-catholic father has just expressed an interest in reading the bible (“just to see what it is about”). So, my questions is what is a good “readable” bible. I am not concerned with it containing the deuterocanonical books… just that it is in relatively “plain English.” I was leaning toward The Message for ease of readability. Second, what is a good companion book, website, or pamphlet that helps with an order to reading the bible and perhaps a bit of explanation? I am sure people do read the Bible cover to cover, but if he doesn’t give up in Leviticus, Numbers will surely be the end. As for “flavor” of resources I am interested in… his protests are largely modern secular ones, he was “raised Catholic” but was upset by what he saw as hypocrisy in the Church and abuse of power. He disagrees with Church teaching (or what he thinks is Church teaching) on marriage, homosexuality, etc.
Any help is appreciated.
 
It may depend on what interests him. But it’s often recommended to start with the New Testament, with the understanding that Christians use the New Testament to frame and understand the Old Testament. The New Testament, then, sets the context for how Christians understand the Old.

After that, I might recommend that he focus on the “historical books” of the Old Testament. There are some study guides which try to guide the reader through the history of God’s people without getting as bogged down in priestly texts like Leviticus or all of the wisdom books (these are all important books, I’m just trying to think of how to give a high level overview of the history, but your father’s interests may be elsewhere). So for the Old Testament maybe Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings…

It’s also important to note that some stories the Bible only relates, like Lot’s daughters seducing him. It’s in the Bible, but that doesn’ t mean it’s approved. An interesting example is Samson, a Nazirite, who picks up the corpse of an animal to bring to his parents for food. He doesn’t tell them how he got it. There is absolutely no comment in the text, but Samson here did something a Nazirite was forbidden to do. The Bible only related the story without a judging comment in the plain text.

I’m sure people will have more solid recommendations.
 
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Thanks. I think I’ll go NAB. I even found a large print used one at a good price.
 
I like the ESV as my “go to” version. It does a good job of faithfully translating the Bible while being pretty readable.
 
He should start with the 3 gospels of Matthew, Mark an Luke and read them very slowly, trying to get practical advices for his life (otherwise it would be hard to lock his interest).
 
Pretty much any bible (other than a JW or 7thday adventest) version will be fine. The only difference between “Catholic Bibles” and “Protestant Bibles” is the inclusion of the deuterocanonicals, which to be honest, most Catholics haven’t read with the passion they have the rest of sacred scripture.

An argument will be that the “footnotes” of Catholic Bibles and Protestant Bibles are not unified, the Catholic footnotes true, and the Protestant suspect. However, the footnotes are not sacred scripture. If your relative reads Catholic or Protestant bible footnotes, the worst that might happen is that he will ask questions…always a good thing!

But, more important in selecting the correct bible, is praying for you relative:

Heavenly Father, open the heart, the mind, the ears, and the eyes of my neighbor as he examines sacred scripture, and let the Holy Spirit speak to him, so that he turns away from sin and towards your glorious promise of salvation, brought to all of us through the passion, death, and resurrection of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen!
 
My personal Bible is RSV-CE 2nd edition, because it’s a fairly easy to read without insulting your intelligence. There are some versions I would avoid, though, such as the New World Translation.
 
Since your father was raised Catholic, he must have some recollection of the four Gospels, at least, though possibly not of much else. If that is the case, Acts might be a suitable book to begin with. There are a lot of people who don’t seem to know much about it, even though it is both informative and readable. It’s quite a page-turner, and it conveys a very clear picture of the very first few years of the Church, from Pentecost onward.
 
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BartholomewB said:
Acts might be a suitable book to begin with.
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I like this suggestion, to start with Acts. Preceded by the accounts of the resurrection from the gospels. After all, if Christ did not rise from the dead, we’re wasting our time.
 
I recommend Psalms as the starting point. Brief, to the point chapters. Gives a range of tone and content. Alongside them, read the gospels.
 
Or, instead of reading all four Gospels to start, maybe pick one. Since you recommend Acts, and that’s good because I think you’re right it’s overlooked, maybe start with Luke (which I find very readable and is by the same author) and then Acts.
 
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I haven’t personally read this Bible, myself, but I trust Jeff Cavins. He really makes understanding the Bible, fun and easy.

www.comcenter.com

RSV, The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, leather-like

Buy Ascension's RSV, The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, leather-like. Synthetic Leather. A full-color Bible with Alpha Cowhide cover. Articles and commentary …
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This one is really cool, its on dvd. I have used this before and I enjoyed it immensely. So many things were explained that the 20th century reader is simply oblivious about.

https://www.comcenter.com/program/218/The-Bible-Timeline/

This is an online program:

stpaulcenter.com

Video Studies

Video Studies World class Scripture studies on a range of topics combining rich and engaging teaching with stunning videography. Estudios en español Holy Is His Name 12sessions23 minaverage session timeScott Hahn traces the meaning of holiness from its origins in Scr
stpaulcenter.com stpaulcenter.com
 
A couple of months ago I picked up the Ignatius study guide to The Letter of St Paul to the Romans.

It uses the Revised Standard Version translation & includes very good commentary.

It’s small. Not like a whole bible. & it’s cheap.
 
I would think that a prep course by reading something from Prof. Peter Kreeft on transcendence would lay a good foundation.

Without a grasp on the concept of transcendence, no religion will make sense.
 
I believe the first sentence in the Bible to be an absolute truth, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. The rest of the Bible is a lifetime journey of striving to be encouraged and inspired by it.

Because Jesus died for each and everyone of us, it must mean that he loves us as he loves himself. I believe the greatest commandments to be the most profound words written anywhere throughout the history of mankind.
Erad said:
but was upset by what he saw as hypocrisy in the Church and abuse of power.
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We strive to follow our Lord Jesus, and he was not a hypocrite who abused his power,
sadly we may not be such good role models.
 
Erad said:
Thanks. I think I’ll go NAB. I even found a large print used one at a good price.
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Please, no. I’d use an RSV2CE New Testament first. The NAB footnotes will do nothing but cause confusion for this poor soul.
 
I have heard of this series before and it sounds great. I have considered it for myself.
 
De_Maria said:
I haven’t personally read this Bible, myself, but I trust Jeff Cavins. He really makes understanding the Bible, fun and easy.
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👍

In fact, @Erad, if your dad would be interested in a “Bible study” rather than just getting a book plopped in his lap, I would recommend Cavins’ / Ascension Press’s “Great Adventure” Bible study. There’s a bit of a cost – for the DVD and materials – but it provides context and explanation and not just raw Scriptural text. (And, after all, we don’t live in the Middle East in B.C. or 1st century A.D., so context is critical in understanding the Biblical texts!)

I think I’d recommend the shorter study – the eight-week one – since it doesn’t go quite as in-depth as the others. And, it includes many of the books mentioned here: Genesis, the Gospel of Luke, the Acts of the Apostles. (The goal of the study is to read the so-called “narrative books” of the Bible – that is, the ones that tell the story of Salvation History. Once one is familiar with them, it’s easier to approach the other books…)

Good luck! (And welcome to CAF…!)
 
Tolle_Lege said:
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Erad:
Thanks. I think I’ll go NAB. I even found a large print used one at a good price.
Click to expand...
Please, no. I’d use an RSV2CE New Testament first. The NAB footnotes will do nothing but cause confusion for this poor soul.
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No they won’t.
 
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