I don't think that reading scripture is actually all that helpful in understanding the "history and evolution of religion", which is what was asked for. The bib

I don't think that reading scripture is actually all that helpful in understanding the "history and evolution of religion", which is what was asked for. The bible has remained mostly unchanged for 1,600 years or so, but interpretations have varied substantially (also note: there was no "bible" for the first 400 years of Christianity, at last not how we understand it today). Of course, it helps to be familiar with scripture, but there's quite a bit of it and it's quite frankly not a particularly easy read (New Testament is a bit better than the Old). It's not where I would start – understanding the history of religion is more about history than religion.