# Favourite/least favourite parts of the Bible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 29, 2006, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387 "2006-03-29T11:28:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fortean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fortean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fortean)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/1 "2006-03-29T11:28:43Z")
This isn’t witnessing, or anything, so I hope CS is the right place for it. So I was thinking yesterday what could be removed from the Bible that no one would miss very much. Probably all of Leviticus and Numbers. Not sure if there’s much in Kings or Chronicles either. Not that I’ve actually read much of them, but they’re probably my least favourite parts anyway. But lots of the Old Testament I love, particularly the Psalms, and the story of Esther is quite good fun, and I find Ruth and Boaz really quite romantic. And in the New I’m very fond of Acts, with its hair-raising escapes and slightly sinister miracles, and St Paul’s letters, especially when he appears to be in a bad mood, and although I like the gospel of John I think Luke is a better storyteller. Ecclesiastes is probably my favourite book overall, because the poetry is _gorgeous_ IMHO and I love the whole bloody-minded bugger all you lot then type attitude. Rendered slightly more elegantly in the original text. What about you? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/2 "2006-03-29T13:55:38Z")
Ecclesiastes. My second fave is Job. But then, I’m of a rather pessimistic disposition. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/3 "2006-03-29T13:57:24Z")
Of course, Revelation is in a class all its own! (Was John of Patmos into rye ergot, or what?!) ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/4 "2006-03-29T14:06:05Z")
Song of Solomon. Having people read that is even more fun than pointing out the _two_ versions of the Ten Commandments, or G-d’s rather odd requirements as to building Him a no-peeking-up-the-skirt altar. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/5 "2006-03-29T14:50:02Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Ecclesiastes. My second fave is Job. But then, I’m of a rather pessimistic disposition. Ugh, what’s to like about Job? I was sure that was going to be everyone’s least favorite book. Pisses me off no end, it does. My favorite is Proverbs; practical and relevant, at least for the most part. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/6 "2006-03-29T15:04:30Z")
I’m a big fan of Ecclesiates 3:1-8 – it puts \*\*everything \*\* in perspective, and does so very poetically. Somebody should put the words in a song. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/7 "2006-03-29T15:07:14Z")
Where is that bit that Saffron quoted in the “Our Mrs. Reynolds” episode of _Firefly_? ---
**Author:** ![Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rube_E.Tewesday)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/8 "2006-03-29T15:19:04Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > Ugh, what’s to like about Job? I was sure that was going to be everyone’s least favorite book. Pisses me off no end, it does. > > (snip) What’s not to like? Right smack in the middle of the Bible, a fierce attack on God. And his response … “Yeah, I’m a bad sumbitch all right. Deal.” ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/9 "2006-03-29T15:36:36Z")
I have to disagree about Kings & Chronicles. Lots of good stories in there. But you’re right that Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy kinda drag. It picks up noticeably in Joshua & Judges though. Lots of gratuitous violence. I guess I’ll have to pick my favorite part of each broad category: OT History: Judges, Ruth Wisdom literature: Ecclesiastes, Psalms Major Prophets: Isaiah Minor Prophets: Jonah, Hosea Gospels: Mark, Luke/Acts Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Philemon (I hate leaving out Romans, I Peter and I John, but I have to draw the line somewhere). Apocalypse: I’m not a big fan of the apolalyptic books, but I think I would go with Daniel over Revelation. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/10 "2006-03-29T15:50:23Z")
Well, I could do without the whole set of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and all… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fortean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fortean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fortean)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/11 "2006-03-29T15:51:11Z")
> [@](#): > > I have to disagree about Kings & Chronicles. Lots of good stories in there. ORLY?? I’m gonna need a cite for that one. 😉 I’ve always had the impression that Revelation was a bit dull, kind of like reading a madman’s webpage, but probably I should take a look at it. Job – who was it said ‘I’ve read Job. God doesn’t come too well out of it.’? I’ve always been a bit worried about reading it in case I end up rather pissed off with the old fellow. We were singing (in suitably dirgy fashion) psalms 13/14 at church last Sunday: > [@](#): > > How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? > > How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? > > Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; > > lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. > > But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. > > I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. > > The fool hath said in his heart,There is no God. They are corrupt, > they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. > > The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. > > They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. > > Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. > > There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. > > Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge. > > Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. I like how it kind of changes tack half way through – moves from despair to hope to bitter jubilation to a kind of righteous indignation back to hope again. I always find it easier to connect with these ancient types, and their idea of God, when they wear their hearts on their sleeves. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/12 "2006-03-29T15:57:00Z")
I quite like _Proverbs, Revelation_ and _Job_, and was into Ezekiel when in my Danikenite phase when I was 12: “Like, those things are _spaceships_, man” ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/13 "2006-03-29T16:07:42Z")
> [@Rube E. Tewesday](#): > > What’s not to like? Right smack in the middle of the Bible, a fierce attack on God. And his response … “Yeah, I’m a bad sumbitch all right. Deal.” I can’t deal! He’s supposed to be the good guy. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/14 "2006-03-29T16:35:34Z")
I like the Psalms, especially the Complaining Psalms (22,38, 69, 102), and (not complaining) 139. Eccesiastes, Revelation, Ruth, Hosea, Ezekiel, Hebrews, and John. ---
**Author:** ![Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rube_E.Tewesday)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/15 "2006-03-29T17:44:13Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > I can’t deal! He’s supposed to be the good guy. And that’s exactly the attitude the book is protesting. I’ve always been fascinated by how **Job** and **Ecclesiastes** , two books that pile scorn on the idea that God rewards the good and punishes the bad, made their way into the Canon, and how few people realize how subversive they are. ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/16 "2006-03-29T17:47:59Z")
I liked the part where Arnold escapes the burning building. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/17 "2006-03-29T18:03:02Z")
I like the one where Jesus gets a puzzle piece stuck in his nose and The Man in the Yellow Hat has to take him to the hospital. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/18 "2006-03-29T18:05:13Z")
> [@mr. jp](#): > > I like the one where Jesus gets a puzzle piece stuck in his nose and The Man in the Yellow Hat has to take him to the hospital. You owe my university library a new monitor and keyboard. The Gospels, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Genesis, Revelations… pretty much the same tastes as everyone else, really. Does _anyone_ out there like Numbers or Deuteronomy? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Clam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3bc359/32.png) [@Happy\_Clam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Clam)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/19 "2006-03-29T18:14:07Z")
I agree with the Song of Solomon- both because it is beautiful poetry (that stands up suprisingly well in translation) and because it always gives me the giggles when I see stuffy pastors trying to rationalize it as an analogy for love of God. As for least favourite- well, I just don’t much like Genesis. I find both the style and the content (the supra-misogynistic bits) to be pretty unpleasent and dull. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387/20 "2006-03-29T18:14:26Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Kytheria > You owe my university library a new monitor and keyboard. 🙂 I’m afraid you’ll have to make your demand to the people who make family guy. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-least-favourite-parts-of-the-bible/350387.md?page=2)