Stop sugarcoating the Bible?

[Winston]

I read this article and thought it would be a good topic for discussion.

Do you think we Christians sugarcoat the Bible?  That is his title.

The Bible is a gritty book. Very raw. Very real. It deals with people just like us, just as needy and screwed up as we are, encountering a God who would rather die than spend eternity without them.

Yet despite that, it seems like Christians are uncomfortable with how earthy the Bible really is. They feel the need to tidy up God.

For example, look in any modern translation of Isaiah 64:6, and you

 

[El Cid]

If we put sugar on a Sword does it hurt any less?


Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

[JrChurch]

No sugarcoating.  Maybe some salt. 

Colossians 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

 

[TVC]

yet despite that, it seems like Christians are uncomfortable with how earthy the Bible really is. They feel the need to tidy up God.

For example, look in any modern translation of Isaiah 64:6, and you

 

[Eliz553]

I first saw this discussed on another (secular) board.

I read it without getting his point, actually. Unless it is reading all this stuff didn't take his faith away.  ???

I will say -
Church is (generally) a mixed congregation, including children. Not everything in the Bible is age-appropriate for discussion in a congregation that includes children. Fact.

Somewhat tangential:
And (it's tame compared to some things) - As a child myself, I remember being totally confused by all the discussion of "circumcision" in sermons. I was totally shocked when I found out it wasn't some kind of metaphor.