Understanding the Bible: An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals

by John A. Buehrens

A thoughtful, warm, and witty introduction Understanding the Bible is designed to help empower skeptics, seekers, nonbelievers, and those of a liberal and progressive outlook to reclaim the Bible from literalists. In making accessible some of the best contemporary historical, literary, political, and feminist readings of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, it encourages all who would find in the biblical heritage an ally and not an enemy in the quest for a more just and humane world. Brief and to the point, it can easily be used to stimulate group discussions and personal reading of the biblical texts themselves, and is an excellent introduction to the Judeo-Christian tradition for those of other faiths.

Understanding the Bible includes four preliminary chapters on the why, who, which, and how of biblical understanding, followed by eight brief thematic chapters covering the core of the Hebrew Bible and six covering the Christian scriptures, plus chronologies, maps, and helpful suggestions for further reading.

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christianity, Theology, History, Philosophy

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1988

Reviews

[Lauren Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful and interesting, but not what it's advertised to be. It says it's for seekers, and in part for non-religious people who want to increase bible literacy since it's a foundational book in western culture and political discussions. But in fact, it requires a lot of background knowledge about the Bible to get anything out of it. It refers to stories, ideas, and bible passages in passing without explaining them. It's more useful as a re-introduction to sections of the Bible for progressive Christians- for this I found it helpful. When I got into the mode of "I can't read this part of the bible anymore because it seems so wrong/outdated/bigoted/violent", it had helpful, seemingly well-researched insights to guide me in appreciating the good parts, seeing certain parts as myth or in better context, etc.

[Jerry Landry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enlightening and approachable introduction to the Bible. Written by the former president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, this book invites examination and exploration of the Bible for those with a liberal lean while at the same time not being dismissive or judgmental. Buehrens, while admitting some points of contention with modern liberal philosophies, also points out many points of agreement and parables from which modern liberals can draw strength and wisdom. As with the overall UU philosophy, Buehrens's work is based around the idea of religious exploration and open-mindedness.

[David Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Understanding the Bible, former president of the Unitarian Universalist Association John A. Buehrens makes the case that the bible must be read as literature with a thorough understanding of the cultural context. That is, it must be read metaphorically, not literally. It is only this way that the bigotry and close-mindedness of fundamentalists and literalists can be overcome and people can use the bible as a tool to fight oppression.

The book begins with a history of the bible: when its various parts were written, who wrote them, and what some of the distinctions between the Hebrew, Protestant, and Catholic versions are. Subsequently, the book gives brief accounts and discussions of most of the books in the Old and New Testaments. These essays on the books of the bible vary in quality. Some provide helpful interpretations while others get far too deeply into the weeds far too quickly for an introductory book. While it was, in part, due to the fact that I'm not as familiar with many of the books outside of the Pentateuch, the Book of Job, and the Gospel of Mark, I felt as though in many places there was too much summary where I wanted analysis and too much analysis where I wanted summary.

One section I was particularly disappointed with was the discussion of Job—the part of the bible I still believe to be the most interesting. Buehrens offers the interpretation that when God created tangible things, they had to be fallible, imperfect, chaotic, and messy because they had crossed over from the formless domain of God to the physical domain of existence. Accepting this view, then, means believing natural disasters are the wrath of God or that God is cruel for whimsical reasons are equally wrong. This is a fascinating proposition and beginning for an argument. Unfortunately, it ends there.

As for more immediate life lessons—which is more of what I was hoping for from this book—it does deliver in sporadic measures. In discussing Exodus, Buehrens suggests that the story of Moses and the Hebrews escaping Egypt for the Promised Land can be indicative of any story of overcoming oppression. The oppressed have to struggle through a period where they wander through the desert before achieving new rights, recognition, or freedoms. In another section, hymns from the book of Psalms explain how praising God is more about turning people's minds away from harmful praise. Since people will find something to praise, it is better for them to praise God than feelings of grief, vengeance, or hatred.

Ultimately, though, if I want more direct lessons on morality, I guess I'll have to look toward that Jesus guy.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed by this one, I have to be honest. Rather than being hermeneutical, it was more of an overview of the history of the books in the Bible, and a recap of the stories. Not much that I didn't already know. Certainly a good overview of modern Biblical scholarship with regard to when things were written, by whom, and in what historical context. I think I was hoping for more of a liberal interpretive lens.

Not a bad book in the least. It will make a god reference, but it's nothing compared to my 1,200 page Harper Collins Bible Commentary, which will be arriving this week.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

No one can claim to be culturally literate without an understanding of the Bible, since it has influenced, directly or indirectly, nearly all of Western literature and art.

John A. Buehrens is right about that. He also says:

The first motivation could be called political: If you can't or won't understand the Bible, others surely will interpret it for you. The second could be called cultural or literary: Within this culture you can't be fully literature or creative, artistically or rhetorically, without an acquaintance with the Bible. But now we come to the third and most personal reason: You also can't be spiritually mature or wise simply by rejecting the Bible as oppressive. The oppressive uses of the Bible are real, but unless you learn to understand that there are other readings possible, the Bible will, indeed, simply continue to be a source of oppression for you, and not a source of inspiration, liberation, creation, and even exultation as you understand anew for yourself, at a deep and less literal level.

However, for me, the book could end there. I felt that the chapter about genesis was insightful, but then after that, it just became a lame, short summary of some of the major events of select books of the bible. There wasn't much explanation, interpretation, or even reasons for why these stories are important.

Maybe if you'd never heard any bible stories before, this would interest you? But even then, such a surface-level brush through wouldn't be enough to glean much. So I'm not sure who this is for. It's not an in-depth study, but it's also not a great introduction, because it's so on-the-surface that I don't see how one could benefit much.

(I only got 35% of the way through before I skimmed the other chapters and realized that this book was not for me. May the Lord forgive me for marking it read and counting it towards my reading goals.)

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written Unitarian Universalist overview of the Bible. While it is only a brief introduction, it offers insight and relevance to current times. I'm thrilled at attempts like this to wrest Biblical "knowledge" from the hands of fundamentalists, who claim to have a monopoly on "Truth" with their literal interpretations.

[Gale Penton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deeper study into the Bible.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh.... Whenever anyone claims, as the author does, that human beings can thwart an omnipotent God's plan I tend to take a giant step back. I was hoping for something a little more theologically rigorous.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I'd like to re-read it simultaneously reading the Bible, but I loaned my copy & never got it back. I'll have to get another one.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great survey of the Bible for liberals - perfect for Unitarian Universalists. Trying to condense the whole Bible and its interpretations makes for a dense book, however.

[Mike Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but not quite what the title promises. I agree with some of the other comments given for this book, more of a historical overview, than a guide for understanding.