On several occasions, I've considered reading the Bible. A book, so old, so widely read and adhered to, surely has some meaning for even a non-believer. And yet, every time I consider this thousand-plus-page tome of ancient fables, I lose the will to slog through it. Imagine my delight, then, when Mr. Plotz, the editor of Slate Magazine, published Good Book, an account of his sometimes hilarious, sometimes harrowing, adventures through the Hebrew Bible. Though Mr. Plotz's summary is far too brief to grant a full picture of the Book, it jauntily walks the reader through its major events and themes while gently challenging several of its maxims which have, over time, mutated from their original meanings. As a consequence, he has produced a light-hearted primer on a book that untold millions have read, dissected, and lived by for the last 2,000 years.
From God turning on the lights, to the rape of Dinah, to Abraham and Joseph and Moses and Joshua, the kings and the victims, the prophets and the pillagers, Mr. Plotz subjects the Book to the scrutiny of a 21st century mind. And though it's clear that he finds meaning and comfort in his project, to examine the Book in all its glories, in all its blood, in all its history, he's equally troubled and repelled by fables which do not translate well into a modern, enlightened society. Nonetheless, he forges ahead, trudging to the finish line of a book about as inconsistent as it is ancient.
Though all of humanity's problems emanate from humanity's failings, and not the failings of the Bible, it's also true that the Book has been a source of great comfort and great ugliness. It relies upon its readers to interpret its stories. But who defines what's proper? Who has the wisdom to divine and translate its original meanings? This is a book that has been frozen in time for two millennia, having only been subjected to occasional re-organization, re-interpretation, and re-distribution. There are no true authorities. And so those who need to believe in something, those who need to find legitimacy for their desires, read the Bible, pull from it the pieces of wisdom they require, and blend the resulting concoction of self-justifications into a mixture that suits their purposes and, ta da, righteousness. But if this is the Book's danger, it's light flows from its encapsulation of history. Its allegories have helped many people do good works over countless generations.
Mr. Plotz's has done a wonderful job of illustrating both the good and the bad, never dwelling too long on neither as he journeys through a time none of us will ever fully understand. His wit is sharp, his sarcasm enjoyable and his heartfelt desire to understand the machine code of his belief system is moving and thoughtful. A quiet and well-rounded piece. (3/ Stars)
No comments:
Post a Comment