Bible-less Christians

[Whateverist]

I think most of know a Christian or two out there that believe in Jesus and God without once ever picking up a Bible to read about their doings. Surprisingly, some of these people are extremely moral, good to their fellow man, and genuinely the nicest people you will have ever met. (There are always bad eggs out there too, I haven't forgotten.)

But what if there had never been a Bible? Would there still be Christianity today? If the teachings had survived word of mouth, certainly a form of it would still be around, but would it look something like the Christianity that the above-mentioned people practice, something completely devoid of a wrathful and vengeful god?

I have to say, being an atheist, this form of religion is still not acceptable to me as I prefer facts over myth, but I find it an interesting concept, to think how things could have been without the Bible around since many people don't use it anyway.

It brings up a long standing question I have as to the minimal requirements of Christianity. I think an agnostic Christian who reads the bible allegorically, expects no after-life and does not feel compelled to evangelize is a coherent position. They'd also make much better neighbors than the literal, smug sort we most often encounter online.

Now to see what everyone else has to say to this initial post of yours.

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The meta-narrative of Israel and God defines and drives the human story. That story of sin, exile, forgiveness and restoration is our story.

I wonder when you say "our" story, if you had in mind Christians or mankind generally. I'd say this is certainly one of our -in the broader sense- stories. Coming to grips with our own failed good intentions and learning to accept our imperfection is a narrative of human maturation. I wouldn't say it is the only important narrative. I also don't think we need the vehicle of a human sacrifice (the redeemer) who takes upon himself the imperfection (sins) of the whole community as a means of accomplishing forgiveness and acceptance. That is a primitive approach and inferior to one in which individuals accept responsibility and accept their own imperfection directly. I see no reason why a Christian can't make use of a more modern narrative. Do you?