This guy took it (living biblically) to a whole new level. A.J. Jacobs, an agnostic Jew decided to dive in to the Bible headfirst to try to figure out if he was missing something. He spent a whole year doing his very best to follow ALL the laws of the Bible, as he says, “right down to stoning adulterers.”, which he did one day in Central Park. Here’s the story of how it happened:
Thanks to those pesky U.S. laws - and my conscience - it was particularly difficult to abide by this Old Testament law. I did, however, manage to stone one adulterer. Here’s what happened: I was in Central Park. I was wearing my most biblical garb - sandals, a walking stic, white clothes - and an elderly man came up to me and asked me why I was dressed so “queer.” I explained I was following all the rules of the Bible, right down to stoning adulterers. He said, “I am an adulterer, you going to stone me?” I said, “Well, yes, that would be great.” And I took out of my pocket some pebbles that I was saving for just this occasion. (The Bible doesn’t specify the size of the stones.) The old man actually grabbed the pebbles out of my hand and threw them at me. So I figured I should toss one at him in self-defense. And in that way I stoned.
His description of what he learned and his newfound reverence for the Bible and it’s adherents is fascinating and challenging. Relevant Magazine featured his story in the November 07 issue (Issue 29). In it he talks about the rules that were hardest to follow (stoning adulterers, not shaving beard) and rules he never violated (don’t sacrifice your children to Molech, don’t take your wife’s sister as a second wife). Another section talks about the 5 rules that were most life-enhancing. He said that 1) Keep the Sabbath, 2) Give Thanks, 3) Let Your Garments Be Always White, 4) Don’t Gossip, 5) Do Not Curse changed his life in a profound way. His behavior, over a year, began to change his heart and mind.
You can see the book here. It might be worth checking out.
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