According to Britain's Librarians, the Bible comes in second on the list of books that every adult should read before they die.  This was reported in an article last March, in the Guardian. 

I have only read a handful of those on the list.  Several I would absolutely NOT read, because I know enough about them to know they wouldn't enhance my life..........some, are ok but questionable as to whether it would be a travesty for me to have omitted them before leaving this earth......others are still waiting to be read. 

 There is so much great literature available amidst the multitudes of good literature that we seem to never be able to get to it all. 

 Could we ever, really?

You have seen the bumper-sticker;  Too Many Books, Not Enough Time......

We all have our favorite books.  But many of my "favorites" from the past, I wouldn't even pick up now.  What was important to me a long time ago, turns my stomach in this day.  Did I really ever enjoy a Stephen King book?  How disgusting.  If I had known the best back then, I wouldn't have wasted my time OR tainted my mind with sensationalist mediocrity.

The Bible came in second on that list.  Isn't that interesting?   The Bible is the all time best selling book in history. While trying to find out exactly how many Bibles have been sold, I came across this article from the Chicago Sun Times. I still haven't found the "Best Seller" info, and if you have it, please let me know.

Of course, I think that the Bible is the most important book for anyone to read, what amazes me is that we think we have to "jazz" it up, to get people to be interested it.  Let's add all kinds of graphics, and modern language, and move the words around a bit......let's make it hip and culturally correct, so that we draw more people to God. Japanese Anime in a Bible?  Am I that far off to think there is something amiss?

Let's just let the Holy Spirit draw people to God, and let's just be obedient to His pure, holy, unadulterated Word.  We don't need the bells and whistles, people.

I thought that it was interesting again, that the Guardian article did mention the Bible, but only by name.  All the other books had their descriptions and their authors etc., but the Bible, arrogantly put into second place, was just that.  Yes, I know, it stands alone.  And second place is a pretty good ranking, right?  But it IS God's Word.  Thou shalt have no other God's, or even books, before Him.

If you had to come up with a description of the Bible, in order to "sell" it, so to speak, what would you write?

There you have it, your homeschooling challenge for the day.  Have your kids write up a "press release" about the Bible.  I will pick the one I like the best and will think of a lovely surprise to send the winner, ok?

And, what is YOU list of books that you think everyone should read before they die?  Would you like to share it?

God's Word is your first choice for correction, reproof, instruction in righteouness......wow, what a curriculum!  Give your children the BEST education, teach them God's Word.  It will not return void.  It is a promise!

Nancy

©Nancy K. Baetz

 Homeschooling Is Life! 2006

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