I have a goal.
Several weeks ago I sat down with a pen and a legal pad and proceeded to write the first draft of my "Bucket List," a list of things one plans to accomplish before death. The pad quickly disappeared amidst the papers on my desk, something that seems to happen to most goals I make for myself. Not this time.
Among goals of traveling to far-away places and learning new skills are two semi-random wants; to keep a blog and to read The Bible in its entirety. As anyone other than Atticus Finch will tell you that killing two birds with one stone is a good thing, I have decided to blog about my experience of reading The Bible as an agnostic. Okay, I'll admit it, Julie & Julia does deserve some credit for inspiration, but at least give me credit for execution :P
The Official Goal
To read the entire Bible before I graduate (December 2010; 16 months away). I want the blog to serve as an outlet for expressing my thoughts, questions, grievances, discoveries, experiences, or anything else that may come of this. I promise to be candid and to do my best to keep an open mind.
Where I Stand
I believe that The Bible was written by man. Do I believe that it is a product of divine inspiration? I don't know. Do I believe in God? I don't know. I lean towards believing in some sort of "higher being," but I don't know that it is possible for us to know what that being actually is (or if it even matters). I'll try to blog about this before the books get here.
My Bible Resume
1-2 year(s) of Sunday School as a kid
3-5 years of trying to stay awake during church services as a kid
1 week of Church Camp (oh boy!)
~5 attendences of various youth groups
Minor exposure in AP English
Basically, I'm a novice.
The Chosen Text
I asked my cousin which version of The Bible I should read and she recommended the New International Version. I heeded her advice and a brand new Zondervan NIV Study Bible will be arriving in 3-5 business days. I also ordered a book called How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, as it will supposedly help me to better understand the historical context of each book.
Good luck to me.
I hope you all enjoy this (whoever "you all" is).
mylil
