S/O Children's Bible stories/books for non-believers

[94bruin]

I know this was touched upon in another thread, but I thought I'd start a new thread to get more exposure.

DH & I are agnostic, so we don't go to church. However, I think it's important for DC to know stories from the Bible. I never really went to church as a child (except with neighbors), but I had a did have a children's reference Bible that I loved to read. (I wish my mom kept those books!)

I would love to find something similar for my own DC.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[crazydiamond]

Anything material (DVD, Books) from VeggieTales.


http://www.amazon.com/VeggieTales-Bible-Storybook-Scripture-Books/dp/0310710081/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295633963&sr=1-2

[WatchingThemGrow]

The Beginner's Bible work? You can find it almost anywhere in the children's books.

[wellyes]

I'm guessing your interest is in the cultural literacy aspect, right? I'd just buy a picture book of bible stories... here's one: http://www.amazon.com/Tomie-DePaolas-Book-Bible-Stories/dp/0698119231/ref=cm_lmf_tit_6

I'd shy away from anything evangelical.

[larig]

I think this is a good idea. When I was teaching H.S. (I was a math teacher) I had a discussion with one of my calculus students who was in AP English. He told me that as a Jewish student who did not have much knowledge of the new testament books of the bible he was at a disadvantage. Not that they studied the bible, but Greek/Roman mythology and new testament references are just all over the place in English-language literature. Anyway, I'll be following this thread.

[94bruin]

I'm guessing your interest is in the cultural literacy aspect, right? I'd just buy a picture book of bible stories... here's one: http://www.amazon.com/Tomie-DePaolas-Book-Bible-Stories/dp/0698119231/ref=cm_lmf_tit_6

I'd shy away from anything evangelical.

Yes.

And, what exactly does evangelical mean?

[egoldber]

but Greek/Roman mythology and new testament references are just all over the place in English-language literature.

I do worry about this aspect. I requested the dePaolo book from the library. What I saw on Amazon had me a little concerned. I would not personally be comfortable with any sort of children's Bible.

[wellyes]

Well I am NOT an expert.. but, when I say evangelical, I mean emphasis on seeking converts and being born again. Materials from an evangelical point of view are more likely to try to persuade the reader, and possibly emphasize the negative consequences of NOT being "saved". Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and mainline protestants (Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodists, Episcopalians) are generally not evangelical in that way.

Hope that wasn't offensive, it certainly wasn't meant to be. Just trying to be helpful. We aren't believers either, but my kids will grow up knowing the basics of the Old & New Testaments. It is crucial educational material, particularly - as larig mentioned - for understanding English & American literature.

[mamicka]

Well I am NOT an expert.. but, when I say evangelical, I mean emphasis on seeking converts and being born again. Materials from an evangelical point of view are more likely to try to persuade the reader, and possibly emphasize the negative consequences of NOT being "saved". Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and mainline protestants (Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodists, Episcopalians) are generally not evangelical in that way.

Hope that wasn't offensive, it certainly wasn't meant to be. Just trying to be helpful. We aren't believers either, but my kids will grow up knowing the basics of the Old & New Testaments. It is crucial educational material, particularly - as larig mentioned - for understanding English & American literature.

Since I am an evangelical Christian, I'll do my best to explain.

There isn't any one universally accepted definition of "evangelical". The best you can do IMO is accept that the one thing they have in common is their belief in spreading the Gospel. More info here: http://www.religioustolerance.org/evan_defn.htm Interesting to note in one of the linked studies is this paragraph

Ron Sellers, president of Grey Matter Research, noted that one of the surprises of the study is how much abuse is aimed at evangelicals. “Some people used language in describing evangelical Christians that we can’t even reprint in the report,” Sellers said. “Evangelicals were called illiterate, greedy, psychos, racist, stupid, narrow-minded, bigots, idiots, fanatics, nut cases, screaming loons, delusional, simpletons, pompous, morons, cruel, nitwits, and freaks, and that’s just a partial list. The insults and anger directed at this population group by a surprisingly large proportion of Americans was truly shocking. Some people don’t have any idea what evangelicals actually are or what they believe – they just know they can’t stand evangelicals, whatever they might be.”

That seems to be a common thought here on the boards & it isn't correct.

Also interesting to note: there are evangelical Catholics & evangelical universalists.

[maestramommy]

When I was a kid, I had a big white hardcover book called "Bible Stories for Children." They included all the main stories from both testaments. Each story was 1-2 pages long, and had a picture. I loved it. It might be out of print, but let me see if I can find it.

I second Veggie Tales, although they are video. My fave is still "Davy and the Giant Pickle." :D I did see a Veggie Tales Bible stories book on Amazon. My only concern with VT is that because of the amount of literary license they take, it's hard to get a sense of the original story, unless your kid already knows the story or is reading them elsewhere. But if you just want the story for the lesson behind it, they are fun!

[wellyes]

Since I am an evangelical Christian, I'll do my best to explain.

There isn't any one universally accepted definition of "evangelical". The best you can do IMO is accept that the one thing they have in common is their belief in spreading the Gospel. More info here: http://www.religioustolerance.org/evan_defn.htm Interesting to note in one of the linked studies is this paragraph

That seems to be a common thought here on the boards & it isn't correct.

Also interesting to note: there are evangelical Catholics & evangelical universalists.

My use of the term springs from my background, I have am MA in US History and did some coursework in the Second Great Awakening. I am not trying to say anything negative about it -- except that evangelical educational materials (which there us a lot of) would not help the OP in what she's trying to do.

[mamicka]

There are some good suggestions in a link I posted in a similar thread not too long ago. They are recs for Christian Mythology kids books (their term, not mine) for non-Christians. http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153220&highlight=secular+bible+study The recs are summarized at the beginning of the thread so you don't have to wade through all the bickering.

[egoldber]

I saw this and think it would be good for the Old Testament:

http://www.amazon.com/First-Book-Jewish-Bible-Stories/dp/0789485044/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1295731474&sr=8-3

[egoldber]

I perused the WTM board thread (thanks Mamicka!) and this also seems like a really good one. It's meant as a teacher's guide, but still good:

http://books.google.com/books?id=s7mztfN8SU0C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s#v=onepage&q&f=false

It's from the Unitarian Universalist Association.