Hacker News Reader

I used to read the whole Bible, annually, with a group of friends in college. It took about 60-70 hours, reading out loud in shifts. Less of a time investment than many TV series.

As for understanding the culture you live in, the historical cultures documented certainly differ from modern ones. It still provides a basis for some interesting comparisons between the Biblical books and groups that claim heritage from them.

I took a course in college called "European Political Thought" and one of the texts we had to read was the bible. Reading it cover to cover revealed a number of surprises to me. I had to go to church as a kid so I knew the basics but I was never very religious. The best moments in class were the uncomfortable reactions of a few of the students who were clearly quite religious.

A "massive over-investment of time", indeed, unless you are doing it for college credit ;)

You don't need the whole thing, just a cliff notes so you can get through Paradise Lost, and you're generally good.