Great book!
It sounds irreverent, and perhaps it is. I admit my keenly refined sense of scriptural offense crumbled years ago. I am capable, however, of realizing that many will probably never deign to pick up this book because the very concept sounds irreverent, and if they do, many are likely to lay it down just as quickly because they are convinced Jacobs simply doesn't understand scripture and the whole thing is a mockery.
And that would be a shame. This book (by A. J. Jacobs, who also wrote The Know-It-All) is funny and thought-provoking. The premise is this: having been raised in a secular household, he sets out to prove that following the Bible literally is a doomed enterprise. He reads the whole thing in about a month making copious notes of commandments, amasses a collection of spiritual advisers of a variety of religious viewpoints which he consults throughout the year, and he designs a plan to live the first 8 months by OT standards and the remaining 4 months by NT standards (since the rules between the two sometimes clash).
From the beginning, he tosses out verses that only a crazy person would interpret literally, like making himself a eunuch for the kingdom of heaven. And in my opinion, he thus failed in his enterprise before he began. I wouldn't wish the man to castrate himself, of course, but the immediate disposal of such rules proves the point already: we don't, in the end, "use the Bible as a guide." In the very act of disregarding the directives which are patently insane, we demonstrate we're using common sense as our guide. Common sense is a product of our culture, incorporating facts and information from the area and era in which we live.
I was a bit disappointed that he so quickly discarded the copious animal sacrifice directives. (I know Jewish tradition has all animal sacrifices being done at the temple, so when the temple fell in 70 CE, they were off the hook, but still.... This explanation has always struck me as a copout. Again...are we being literal or not? Not that I'd want the man arrested for bringing the sweet savor of burning flesh before God or anything.)
He incorporates a litany of Jewish rules into his daily life which quite effectively set him apart from the world. He ceases to shave or trim his beard from day one and grows a bush on his face. He wears white. He carries a handy stool to avoid sitting in a chair made impure by a menstruating woman, etc.
He also tries to meet the requirements to pray daily and properly observe the Sabbath. Both are struggles for him, as our culture more or less encourages constant activity and discourages meditation. Over the course of time, he finds these forced pauses in his daily routine and workaholic life refreshing and--for lack of a better word--centering. He comes across as sincere in his efforts to comply with the letter of the law and to understand the draw of religion, if not come to his own understanding of the divine.
I found his notion of focusing on one personal change a day/week inspiring. He'd incorporate, say, respect for his elders, honoring his father and his mother, and giving thanks in all things, then he'd note what happened, including the difference the rule had made in his attitude. I like that idea very much, and think it would be interesting and profitable to find a personal point of improvement and mindfully implement that rule for a week or a month (after which, it would no doubt be habit--don't you think?).
I've done this with my diet and exercise. This method is exactly how I dropped almost 20 pounds several months ago (and how I've kept it off). I began by controlling one specific food item I know to be a problem area (my biggest weakness is cheese; I admit it). Then I cut down my coffee intake (because for me, coffee is an excuse to consume exotic, high calorie creamer). Then I added at least one vegetable or fruit a day. Over time, my lunch box looked downright granola. I found, much to my delight, that fruit and vegetables are incredibly tasty. Also, when I can only have three slices of cheese (one serving of cheese is incredibly small), it tastes much better. I found myself eating slower to savor the cheese, too.
So I'm thinking of applying this rule to behaviors I'd like to change outside the realm of food and exercise. Here are some ideas of areas I might tackle:
- Avoid gossip.
- Avoid interrupting others.
- Listen. Really listen.
- Resist the urge to offer information about myself unless explicitly asked.
- Practice humility.
The fourth might preclude blogging, though. Hrm. I might have to make that rule apply to conversation only. On the second, would I be able to control my class if I don't interrupt them once in a while? More hrm.
Even if I must hedge the rules here and there, the exercise is beneficial. Sound interesting?
d
