It reminded me of how beautiful and sad faith is

books:


	• The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible A. J. Jacobs Simon & Schuster, 2007 - 400 pages average customer review:based on 338 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

A refreshing non-religious perspective on faith

Aside from having a dry, self-deprecating sense of humor, A.J. Jacobs combines both a wondrous, open-mindedness about a number of faith traditions, while also offering razor-sharp insights. His observational scalpel cuts deep, not only into the questions of why we practice what we do in organized religion, but also into his own psyche, exploring not only the transcendent qualities of religion, but also the absurd, the inscrutable and the pragmatic.

As a writer on topics of faith and popular culture, I found it heartening to have my own attitudes about faith and religion challenged by someone who considers himself agnostic - though I would argue no one can avoid some degree of agnosticism, regardless of their faith tradition, or lack thereof. I have written several columns based upon Jacobs' sincere, witty revelations in this book, and I felt by the end that, not only had I been a companion on a fascinating journey, but I had also made a friend in a kindred spirit.

For me, it's one of the best books on faith out there, particularly from a non-practicing person's point of view. We should all strive to live so faithfully and be so open to the many mysteries and discoveries yet to be made about this journey of life which we all share.

for more information click here

An Engaging Imitation of a Religious Quest

In "The Year of Living Biblically," AJ Jacobs has written an engaging and entertaining book. I found myself rooting for him on his journey of exploring faith that he unabashedly admits he does not have. He fails in his purported attempt to be non-judgemental; while he quotes criticisms of the religious Right as having more in common with the Republican Party than with Holy Scripture, he fails to note the parallel critique of the religious Left, that it has more in common with the Democratic Party than Holy Scripture. Still, he concludes that everyone treats the Bible in a pick-and-choose cafeteria way. Jacobs himself clearly chooses the Old Testament over the New. Citing his Jewish family history, the sense of returning to one's own was simply not there for him amidst the Christian scriptures. Too, the book would have been better if Jacobs was a genuine spiritual seeker, rather than just a guy with a clever idea for another book. His subsequent writings indicate that he has pretty much abandoned the quest, something that a true seeker never does. Nonetheless, the book is a good choice for light summer reading, with just a touch of spiritual cache.

for more information click here

Absolutely Brilliant

I was recommended this product by a Pastor friend of mine. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading AJ's experiences. They are both amazing and hilarious. Though you should be careful if you compliment him too greatly. He'll accuse you of making him commit the sin of pride :-)
Pastor Jason Frazier

It reminded me of how beautiful and sad faith is

My own prejudices prevented me from initially getting into this book. I am a former Protestant pastor and theologian with Ph.D. studies in theology and philosophy and, now, an atheist. Therefore, even its premise seemed ludicrous, as well as wasteful to me. The Bible isn't meant to be read literally, nor can it be followed as such. Furthermore, what's the point of exploring the various biblical paths to spirituality--so to speak--if one isn't truly vested in opening oneself to them risking it all by being willing to surrender to any one of them, as the author wasn't and isn't. At long last, after being both frustrated and elated by it, I am glad I read it. The author documents many aspects of his sundry experiences with a rich variety of characters and their respective beliefs, as well as their concomitant points of contact in his own personal life, be it as a father, friend, professional, husband or seeker of whatever he was after during his self-imposed quest. All aspects of his life were engaged throughout this year, i.e., sexual, economic, intellectual, professional, etc. He was both changed and challenged. So will readers of any persuasion if approaching this work with the same willingness to learn the author had all along. It reminded me of how beautiful and sad faith is. I remain an unbeliever in friendly terms with biblical faith.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

From the bestselling author of The Know-It-All comes a fascinating and timely exploration of religion and the Bible.

Raised in a secular family but increasingly interested in the relevance of faith in our modern world, A.J. Jacobs decides to dive in headfirst and attempt to obey the Bible as literally as possible for one full year. He vows to follow the Ten Commandments. To be fruitful and multiply. To love his neighbor. But also to obey the hundreds of less publicized rules: to avoid wearing clothes made of mixed fibers; to play a ten-string harp; to stone adulterers.

The resulting spiritual journey is at once funny and profound, reverent and irreverent, personal and universal and will make you see history's most influential book with new eyes.

Jacobs's quest transforms his life even more radically than the year spent reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica for The Know-It-All. His beard grows so unruly that he is regularly mistaken for a member of ZZ Top. He immerses himself in prayer, tends sheep in the Israeli desert, battles idolatry, and tells the absolute truth in all situations - much to his wife's chagrin.

Throughout the book, Jacobs also embeds himself in a cross-section of communities that take the Bible literally. He tours a Kentucky-based creationist museum and sings hymns with Pennsylvania Amish. He dances with Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn and does Scripture study with Jehovah's Witnesses. He discovers ancient biblical wisdom of startling relevance. And he wrestles with seemingly archaic rules that baffle the twenty-first-century brain.

Jacobs's extraordinary undertaking yields unexpected epiphanies and challenges. A book that will charm readers both secular and religious, The Year of Living Biblically is part Cliff Notes to the Bible, part memoir, and part look into worlds unimaginable. Thou shalt not be able to put it down.

for more information click here

hot