The 396 Word Bible

This is my kinda-sorta-Lenten project – I’m going to summarize each book of the Bible using 6 words. One book a day (although I don’t promise not to think about them ahead of time), posted to The Happy Moron. The final result will be a 396 word collage, hosted on this page.

Perhaps ’summarize’ is the wrong word. I want to find the heart of each book – perhaps not even just the theme of it. I want the truth of it. I might just settle for a core truth that somehow reflects the book as a whole. If I find myself reading the introductory sections (”Some scholars attribute authorship to…”), I’ll consider myself to have missed the purpose. The Gospel of John, for example, could be:

John – For God so loved the world…

or Revelation, (see Rev 22:19)

Revelation – Abridge Revelation? You’re kidding me, right?

I won’t restrict myself to any particular ordering of books – I think a little variety is the catalyst for inspiration.

Why?

Reason 1 – Because I hope to learn something.

How well do I understand those minor prophets, really? Can I even remember the gist of Obediah? (I’ve read it, but only through one of those mammoth read-through-from-cover-to-cover-so-you-can-say-you’ve-done-it-and-stoke-your-ego sessions) I think I’ll benefit from the effort of trying to understand and extract the core messages and themes of the different books of the Bible. It might just bring me closer to God.

Reason 2 -  Because it’s there.

Tradition dictates that when you supply “Because it’s there” as a reason, you don’t have to back it up with further justification.

Reason 3 -  Umm… I’m all out of reasons.

Yeah, that’s about it. I think it’ll be fun. Hopefully my friends and random people on the internet (who may or may not be my friends; it is statistically unlikely although possible) will enjoy reading the result. Who knows? It might even bring them closer to God!

The Books

Old Testament

Genesis – The struggle between God and Man.

Exodus – “Stiffnecked people, I AM. Follow me.”

Leviticus – “God’s people are different. Be holy.”

Numbers – Living with Holy God ain’t easy.

Deuteronomy – “Israel, love the LORD your God.”

Joshua – Bloody conquest. God’s victory. Israel established.

Judges – Case Studies: Spiritual Anarchy and Deliverance

Ruth – A dignity above status is redeemed.

1 Samuel – Israel: “King or bust!” God: “Okaay…”

2 Samuel – A dynasty established for God’s Messiah.

1 Kings – Human leadership produces predictably human results.

2 Kings – Fallen kings, fallen countries, prophets notwithstanding.

1 Chronicles – Records of the Kingdom God established

2 Chronicles – The Kingdom God established runs amok

Ezra – Sanctified Logistics: God’s restoration takes work!

Nehemiah – A remnant’s leader, called to restore

Esther – God is craftier than any man.

Job – “Why, God?” “I’m God. Are you?”

Psalms – “God, this is what’s inside me.”

Proverbs – Experience: Tried, Tested, True. Act accordingly.

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon – Holy desire: Ecstasy in passion’s mystery

Isaiah – Multifaceted love poured upon the nations

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel – “Watchman, arrogance has blossomed. Doom comes.”

Daniel- Ambassador: Witness to a pagan land.

Hosea

Joel – Rend your heart, not your clothes.

Amos

Obadiah – Don’t rejoice over God’s distressed people.

Jonah – God’s mercy, Man’s indignation. One triumphs.

Micah

Nahum – Woe vile Nineveh! Annihilating vengeance approaches.

Habakkuk – God is greater than my plans.

Zephaniah

Haggai – Restore your barrenness – glorify God foremost.

Zechariah

Malachi

New Testament

Matthew – Jesus, God’s Messiah… Sacrificed, yet resurrected.

Mark – Jesus came to save the lost.

Luke – That man Jesus… Who is he?

John – God’s love – The Word made flesh

Acts – God’s kingdom has come to earth.

Romans – How God makes bad men good

1 Corinthians – Abandon arrogance, immorality. Love one another.

2 Corinthians – Spiritual life is Christ in us.

Galatians

Ephesians – Once darkness, now light. Imitate God.

Philippians

Colossians – Jesus is God. Serve him only.

1 Thessalonians – Beleaguered, be encouraged! Your testimony shines.

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy – Pursue godliness. God’s people are different.

2 Timothy – Evil men, hardship await. Stay true.

Titus – Live sensible, righteous and godly lives.

Philemon – Grace covers a mountain of awkward.

Hebrews – One Priest. One Sacrifice. One Atonement.

James – Faith begets action: true belief manifest

1 Peter – “Aliens and strangers, revere heavenly things.”

2 Peter – “False Prophets fail… You have power.”

1 John – Obedience to love releases our joy.

2 John - Love is truth, fidelity. Shun deceit.

3 John – Bless you. Heads up! Do good.

Jude – The wicked perish. Be holy. Live.

Revelation