Books about Christian mythology for non-Christians?

[MelanieM]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a great kids book of Christian bible stories suitable for a non-Christian home? Is there anything out there that is similar to the D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths with Christian content?

Basically I'd like to find something that doesn't speak to the reader as if s/he believes the story as fact, or necessarily worships the Christian God. Suggestions?

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ETA: This is a fascinating thread, but if you don't want to wade through the entire thing to find the posts that actually answer this question, here they are:

Originally Posted by nmoira

Not that I've found. However, Geraldine McCaughrean's two Bible retellings come close: God's People and God's Kingdom. These are suitable for grammar stage children. Also, DK publishes two children's Bibles which include retellings, picture, maps, and plenty of contextual information and explanation: The Children's Illustrated Bible, and the Illustrated Family Bible. The first is probably a bit more suitable for younger children, though both are excellent. Be careful if ordering The Children's Illustrated Bible online... there are two editions of this; one is tiny and has near microscopic print. I've linked to the larger one. I'd also recommend Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors, a project based book with plenty of background information.

Originally Posted by gandpsmommy

I would recommend DK's The Children's Illustrated Bible.

Originally Posted by Jen+4dc

(emphasis mine!)

This book tells the creation stories of far more than just Christianity, but my kids and I enjoyed "In The Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World" by Virginia Hamilton. ISBN 0-15-238742-0

Originally Posted by Hotdrink

Hi, we just use an ordinary children's Bible. We also occasionally read from the KJV (for some special passages that tend to lose their poetic beauty when drastically simplified), and sometimes tell, rather than read, Biblical narratives.

Originally Posted by Carol in Cal.

That version has pretty easy language, especially in the stories.

Then either read:
Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Ruth, Esther, Matthew, Luke, and Acts

or get an old book that has the traditional one year lectionary in it (I suggest The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, which contains suggested epistle and gospel readings for each Sunday of the year plus other feast days) and follow it for a year, reading in the NIV and also in the KJV to get the old language.

The first plan will expose your children to many of the most familiar stories in the Bible, without anything except the specific Bible words--no commentary. If you want a few more very well known passages that are not in stories, add Psalms 19, 23, 100, and 150, and Isaiah 1, 2, 9, 12, I Cor 13-15, and maybe Revelation 3:20.

The second plan will focus exclusively on the New Testament, but will expose your children to the most familiar NT passages in the English language.

Originally Posted by smrtmama

We plan to use Old Testament for Teens from Prufrock Press. I have heard they have plans to release a New Testament version as well.

Originally Posted by forty-two

And here is a link to a one year lectionary (similar, if not pretty much identical, to the one Carol in Cal mentioned).

Originally Posted by Sebastian (a lady)

I like the DK style retellings by Selina Hastings. It covers most of the stories in the Bible, even the ones that are of people being foolish and having consequences, that often don't make it into the average Bible storybook (ex, David & Bathsheba, Baalam.) I think that these are lovely books that are well written and add a lot through the use of the sidebar photos and maps.

Originally Posted by KarenNC

To answer the OP, we have the DK Children's Illustrated Bible and she's heard most of the major stories, as she has with the sacred stories of other religions. You will probably want to stick with a children's bible or book of stories rather than use the adult versions as, well, the adult version contains a lot of "adult" material. Some of the material regarding Abraham and his actions concerning his wife, for instance, in Genesis 12 and again in Genesis 20 are not something that I would want to necessarily discuss with my child until she is much older.

Originally Posted by starrbuck12

I think the easiest thing to do would be to buy an ICB (International Children's Bible - it's written at a 3rd grade reading level-like 12 bucks online) and just reading through Matthew. Matthew is FULL of famous bible stories - like Jesus walking on the water, John the Baptist, the census of King Herod, the Sermon on the Mount, the crucifixion, etc. It's not preachy or opinionated (if that worries you), it's just the ancient text written as a recording of events.

The back of the ICB has an index of all the famous stories like the Ten Commandments, etc. There are also little summaries at the top of each page to let you know what that page is talking about...so you can easily flip through to find a story.

Originally Posted by iwjeanie

I am a deist and have been looking for books to educate my kids on different religions. I have found a couple but have not received them yet - Sacred Myths: Stories of World Religions by Marilyn McFarlane and One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship by Mary Pope Osborne.

Originally Posted by nd293

There is a series by Anita Ganeri - Christian Stories, Buddhist Stories etc - that we have enjoyed. They include some of the pivotal stories, plus some explanations of history, festivals etc.

Originally Posted by babysparkler

As far as theology... why Christians believe what they believe and how the Bible all ties together, "Basic Christianity" by John Stott might be helpful.... but I haven't read it so I don't know how it is presented and it may be more "trying to convince you" than what you are looking for.

Originally Posted by lisabees

Melanie, Just a thought. I was looking for the same thing a while back and ended up with a different (and, in my case, better) solution. I asked my in-laws, who are Christian, to talk with my son. Now, my in-laws were teachers and knew what we were looking for - not evangelizing, but sharing...sharing some bible stories that are dear to their hearts. They told him (well, us) what and why they believed what they do...in an historical and personal context. It was done in a beautiful way. I will never forget it. And neither will my in-laws.

Now, my son is 13. He knows what we, his parents, believe. And now he knows what his grandparents believe. He is a better person because of it.

Originally Posted by happygrrl

You might want to check out The Bible And It's Influence. Along with detailed discussion of the books of the Bible from beginning to end, it explains how these works influenced culture, art, politics, etc. I have to add that I have not held it in my hands yet, but I have heard good things about it from people I like. It appears to be a beautiful book as well.
Best wishes!

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[Satori]

I'd also love this! I was just going to post something similar (for all religions) on this board. I found Marduk the Mighty which covers several creation stories that we love.

[Julie in MN]

I personally vote for moving this to the general board.

I know you're looking for "books" technically. But surely you're aware that using the term "mythology" is insulting my intelligence and insinuating that I have no historical, scientific, or physical evidence for my beliefs.

Sorry, but I have strong opinions when you get down to the core of my being.
Julie

[BramFam]

Originally Posted by Julie in MN

I personally vote for moving this to the general board.

I know you're looking for "books" technically. But surely you're aware that using the term "mythology" is insulting my intelligence and insinuating that I have no historical, scientific, or physical evidence for my beliefs.

Sorry, but I have strong opinions when you get down to the core of my being.
Julie

I thought for sure the OP was a troll with a statement like that.

[Kathleen in VA]

Originally Posted by Julie in MN

I personally vote for moving this to the general board.

I know you're looking for "books" technically. But surely you're aware that using the term "mythology" is insulting my intelligence and insinuating that I have no historical, scientific, or physical evidence for my beliefs.

Sorry, but I have strong opinions when you get down to the core of my being.
Julie

Yes, what she said.

[Spy Car]

Originally Posted by Julie in MN

I personally vote for moving this to the general board.

I know you're looking for "books" technically. But surely you're aware that using the term "mythology" is insulting my intelligence and insinuating that I have no historical, scientific, or physical evidence for my beliefs.

Sorry, but I have strong opinions when you get down to the core of my being.
Julie

Julie, I understand why you're upset if you are conflating the true meaning of the terms myth or mythology, as they have come to us though the Greek concept of mythos, with the vulgarized meaning in common usage that myth or mythology means falsehood or false story. But the latter usage is the corruption of an old and fine term, and you really ought not to be offended.

The Oxford English Dictionary gives this as the definition of "myth":

"A traditional story, typically involving supernatural beings or forces, which embodies and provides an explanation, aetiology*, or justification for something such as the early history of a society, a religious belief or ritual, or a natural phenomenon."

*aetiology: 1. The assignment of a cause, the rendering of a reason; also, the reason annexed, the wherefore of a command or utterance.

On a "classical education forum" I believe we should not take offense in the terms myth or mythology being used in their classic sense.

Respectfully,

Bill

[abbeyej]

I think any number of Bible story books that don't include commentary could be used for your purposes. Most bookstores with a children's department will carry a small selection of these, and you can look for one with pictures and a reading level that would appeal to your kids. Dorling Kindersley publishes several that would work fine for you.

It really comes down to your presentation, whether these are "the mythology of another Religion" or "our sacred stories". As long as you just go for a basic retelling of the most interesting stories of the Bible, I think you'll be fine. Just avoid a Bible story book that includes additional devotions or commentary...

[nmoira]

Originally Posted by MelanieM

Does anyone have a recommendation for a great kids book of Christian bible stories suitable for a non-Christian home? Is there anything out there that is similar to the D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths with Christian content?

Not that I've found. However, Geraldine McCaughrean's two Bible retellings come close: God's People and God's Kingdom. These are suitable for grammar stage children. Also, DK publishes two children's Bibles which include retellings, picture, maps, and plenty of contextual information and explanation: The Children's Illustrated Bible, and the Illustrated Family Bible. The first is probably a bit more suitable for younger children, though both are excellent. Be careful if ordering The Children's Illustrated Bible online... there are two editions of this; one is tiny and has near microscopic print. I've linked to the larger one. I'd also recommend Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors, a project based book with plenty of background information.

[forty-two]

Why can't you just use a children's Bible - consider it as a simplified primary source? I've not read the D'Aulaire book, but all the myth collections and simplified retellings of the Iliad/Odyssey/Aeneid I've read just tell the stories, with no commentary about their factualness or lack thereof. And there is no difference in presentation b/w my kids' Bible storybooks and all their other storybooks - I have to provide the real/fantasy context.

And yeah, I was a bit taken aback by the "Christian myth" wording. It is my understanding that the ancient Greeks/Romans didn't see their myths as factual - as having occurred in reality just as described in the myths, whereas Christians see the Bible as relating real, historical facts - not just stories that teach real truths.

[patchfire]

Originally Posted by nmoira

Not that I've found. However, Geraldine McCaughrean's two Bible retellings come close: God's People and God's Kingdom. These are suitable for grammar stage children.

These would be my recommendations. It's difficult to find material that treats the Bible respectfully yet not as literal truth.