Studying the Bible

I was delighted to see “The Crisis Facing the Good Book” (July 27). As a Christian I am, however, saddened by the statistics noting how many people own a Bible compared to those who actually study the Scriptures and apply them to daily life. Yes, much of the Bible is tough stuff. The life of a Christian is not easy (but it is not uncool either), especially in today’s society, where the most unexpected behavior is approved by the masses.

In our house we have many different Bibles. We have study guides for specific books of the Bible. Our pastor recommends a concordance to aid with understanding the Scriptures.

A challenge for every individual is to search the Scriptures and discover the gift of love and salvation God has for them. There is no other book that can explain the past and predict the future. The Bible is for all generations. It is everlasting.

LISA SILAGY

Long Beach

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Every couple of years, in search of spiritual enlightenment, I gird my loins and vow to read the Bible from cover to cover. Unfortunately, starting with Adam and Eve, I encounter tedious tales of dysfunctional families, bloodthirsty tribalism, a bullying and cruel deity, childish miracles and moralistic harangues. God help me, but my eyes glaze over.

Trying to wade through the Bible always recalls what Mark Twain said of a Henry James novel: “Once you put it down, it’s almost impossible to pick up again.”

AL RAMRUS

Pacific Palisades