Tuesday 20 September 2016

The Good Book

James Pate, a biblioblogger with some previous WCG experience behind him, has just reviewed the Book of Mormon. You'll find a link to James' blog in the sidebar. I'm struck with admiration, personally being of the same view as Mark Twain on this noble literary confection: chloroform in print. How did James stay awake to complete his task? In any case it's a fair and well written review, quite short, and definitely worth checking out.

I have an alternative suggestion for James however, and confess to be currently making my way through it. The Good Book by (sort of) A. C. Grayling. It's a compendium (kind of) of wise advice, observations and insight from some of the greatest writers in history, from ancient Rome to the modern day. Grayling has melded them together as "a secular Bible". Moreover, he's organised them into 17 biblical-style books; Genesis (nothing like the original), Wisdom, Parables, Proverbs, Acts... you get the idea.

The text is a bit uneven at times - I really didn't like Sages. But much - most - is helpful and enlightening. Dare one say inspirational? Nothing religious at all.

At the risk of being stoned, and based on what I've read so far (this isn't the kind of tome you want to speed-read through) I highly recommend it. Nothing here to offend any person of goodwill, Christian, Atheist or otherwise, and much to ponder. In due course I'll probably post a few quotes.

Better than the Bible? I wouldn't want to comment. Better than the Book of Mormon. Absolutely!

7 comments:

  1. Gavin asked: "Better than the Bible?" But didn't openly answer the question. Well, the failure to say whether it is or isn't, means you think it is. For Jesus says, "Those who are not for me are against me." So, as nature abhors a vacuum, which is confirmed by Jesus' teaching, the noncommittal vacuum you tried to create is impossible.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Woe, woe, woe! Since Gavin posted the above blasphemy, he has not been seen. No one in his or her right mind would wonder why?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Plenty posted over at Ambassador Watch. This blog is now largely inactive.

      Delete
  3. "Those who are not for me are against me."

    If it's Tom Mayhem, the Moron, we are against him. No one has ever said that we're not merely not for him.

    And isn't it a bit presumptuous for Mayhem to use a quote from 'Jesus' to apply to himself?

    What sort of man brags about his prowess over a man who died of cancer?

    Sick, perverted, evil spring to mind.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Off topic, but about research, britishisraelism.com is finally more or less reopened again, with the caveat that there is much work to be done yet....

    Enjoy (if that's your thing).

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you so much for the detailed article.Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete