The Year of Living Biblically - A.J. Jacobs
Book Summary:
The book club selected this book for our December book to read. It couldn't have been planned at a better time. A.J. Jacobs provides humorous insights to the challenges in following biblical rules.
Book Review:
by Jolene McKenna. Pastor Leta referenced this book in her sermon on December 28th on Luke 2:22-40. She gave some great insights to her views of the book. A.J. focused mostly on the old testament and his attention to the new testament was almost in high speed.
Pastor Leta gave a a refreshing description of what it must have been like for Joseph and Mary as they followed the laws of Moses. On the 40th day after the nativity, Mary brought herself and her first born son to the temple of Jerusalem. A normal offering would have been a lamb but those that were poor were able to bring 2 turtledoves of pigeons as the offering. Mary humbly presented herself and Jesus for purification.
The year of living biblically is worth the time to read. I did not find it irreverent but honest and relevant in today's world. In an interview A.J. Jacobs was asked what stuck with him after writing the book. It is important to know that he is a self professed agnostic. He shared that the Bible project changed his life in ways both big and small. He is much more grateful than he used to be. He feels gratitude is a huge theme in the Bible. In several ways he better understands some of the great things about religion, and he has incorporated them into his life. He also learned that you can't follow every single rule in the Bible and taking it too literally can be dangerous. He said the year made him a slightly better person.
Is A.J. still agnostic? You'll have to read the book to find that out.
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