For one thing, it was written over several thousand years. For another, it incorporates different writing genres — history and poetry, cautionary tale and parable, predictions of doom followed by songs of hope. There is advice on choosing a spouse, and a love poem with a few steamy sections.

Some of the stories are bizarre. Frankly, though I know they are divinely inspired, sections of Revelation remind me of the ravings of someone who has spent too much time with controlled substances. Some of the stories are touching. Angels disguised as tired travelers tell an old couple that they will finally have a baby.

There is violence. Invading forces don’t just kill a few people, they slaughter every man, woman, and child — except for the ones they take as slaves.

The sexism is appalling. Women are the spoils of war, or they are used to solidify political relationships, or to bear a child on behalf of an infertile owner. Women get blamed for everything from luring men to false gods, to bringing evil into the world.

Several books graphically describe what happens when a besieged city is conquered. Images of starvation, willful cruelty, empty streets and cannibalism make for a tough read. Then there are the sections that are confusing or just plain dull.

Given a choice between a genealogy and a romance novel, it’s a lot easier to pick up the novel. Except the novel doesn’t pulse with the voice of the living God. The novel paints a pretty picture. It doesn’t begin to describe a world that is both beautiful and in great pain. It doesn’t tell about a God so in love with us that He will do anything to redeem us from that pain.

The Bible is a mess. It needs a good editor with a red pencil. Or does it? We are also a mess. We need an editor with a red pencil. Fortunately, we have one. God is forever trying to draw us into clarity, goodness and wholeness — holiness. And so God, through the voices and pens of hundreds of writers over thousands of years has given us a mishmash of exactly what we need.

We need to know about the miracles. We need to know how a captured people survived Egypt and Babylon. We need to know the old prayers. We need to know the God who made the world. We need to know the risen Christ.

So read the Bible. You won’t understand all of it or even much. So ask somebody for explanations. Use a study Bible or an introductory text. Be brave! Open the pages! The Holy Spirit is waiting for you!

— Carolyn Kennedy is the pastor of the Mazomanie United Church of Christ and can be reached at (608) 220-6987 or by e-mail at mazoucc@charterinternet.com.