We had a little family outing to BookPeople a couple of weeks ago and C picked up The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. I, of course, promptly stole it and just finished it on my trip to Chicago. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. A. J. Jacobs, a lapsed New York Jew, takes on the challenge described in the subtitle for one year and describes both his efforts and his thoughts and feelings. He separates the fibers of his clothing, stones adulterers, goes to great lengths to avoid contamination on the NY subways, and covers up all the "graven images" in his apartment with masking tape.
It was fascinating to follow his efforts to follow the law rigorously and even more interesting to follow his corresponding spiritual search. It added to my understanding of what the Pharisees were up against and maybe why they were so grumpy and it (unintentionally) made wonderfully clear the gift of grace in salvation through Christ. It's terrific to run across a book that is interesting, funny, and meaningful. I guess I'll give it back now.
2 comments:
I saw something about this on CNN, and it sounded pretty far out. The article I read didn't really explain how exactly he lived out the law, but it did seem interesting.
So he stoned adulterers? How did that not get him into major trouble?
He asked permission first. And used little stones.
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