Reading Adler's List

He shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks;... Isaiah 2.4

Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare war, stir up the warriors. Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up. Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears;... Joel 3.10

He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks;... Micah 4.3

Considered one of the more literal translations, the NSRV Holy Bible has received approval from many Protestant denominations as well as the Catholic Church. Additionally, the readable font is absolutely necessary if you will tackle this book’s 1700 pages.

Believe it, don’t believe it- regardless, this book has had a profound impact on the Western collective consciousness. It’s beyond me how people can argue there are only literal interpretation of these writings especially since Paul himself found allegory in the Old Testament story of Hagar and Sarah. Gal 4.21-5.1 re. Gen. 16. But the real danger is in those that seek allegory to justify whatever course of action they want to make moral. There’s enough ambiguity and contradictions (oftentimes expressed as “new covenants”) to lend itself to interpretation. I didn’t do a thorough analysis, but I easily found ways around Commandments 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. There might even be a loophole for 7 (adultery), but it’s risky and there’s a chance of stoning.

The book has problems. However, quite frankly, it was a more enjoyable read than I expected. And it is much more enjoyable than most books written about the Bible. I won’t spoil it, but the ending is real trippy.