Sunday, January 24, 2010
Things Make So Much More Sense in Context
I don't have anything too profound to say today. Let me just mention to those of you who have tried to read the Bible before, but found portions of it--especially from the Old Testament--to be either incomprehensible, boring, or whacko, that it makes a lot more sense if you start at page 1 and just plow forward.
Personally I have tried to read one chapter a night, in sequence. Sometimes when I hit discussions of genealogy I skim. And there are still plenty of geographical and cultural discussions that leave me clueless.
Even so, when I hit Job (for example), it now makes tons more sense than when I tried to read it a few years ago, after I had become a born again Christian.
I realize this post might sound odd to some of you, who have been reading the Bible your whole lives. But I came from a background where personal reading of the Bible was not stressed. In fact I have hit upon books that I know I never read before in my life. I was surprised to discover some of the stylistic variety in the Old Testament; it's not just creation and the Israelites leaving Egypt, then a bunch of sinning until Jesus shows up. It is that, of course, but it's so much more!
Personally I have tried to read one chapter a night, in sequence. Sometimes when I hit discussions of genealogy I skim. And there are still plenty of geographical and cultural discussions that leave me clueless.
Even so, when I hit Job (for example), it now makes tons more sense than when I tried to read it a few years ago, after I had become a born again Christian.
I realize this post might sound odd to some of you, who have been reading the Bible your whole lives. But I came from a background where personal reading of the Bible was not stressed. In fact I have hit upon books that I know I never read before in my life. I was surprised to discover some of the stylistic variety in the Old Testament; it's not just creation and the Israelites leaving Egypt, then a bunch of sinning until Jesus shows up. It is that, of course, but it's so much more!
Comments:
What parts don't you get, perhaps you will get responses if you let us know.
# posted by 
: January 24, 2010 at 1:20 PM
: January 24, 2010 at 1:20 PM
what book of the bible are you reading now? Have you who read Romans chapter 13 yet? I'm interested to hear your thoughts on the passage. When you get a chance, listen to John Piper's sermon on Romans chapter 13 from 1981, its enlightening.
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1981/303_The_Limits_of_Submission_to_Man/
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1981/303_The_Limits_of_Submission_to_Man/
# posted by : January 24, 2010 at 4:29 PM
: January 24, 2010 at 4:29 PM
If you have a chance, I would pick up the KJV audio discs that are read by Alexander Scourby. I have found them to be a great commute accompaniment.
Biblemaster, I don't remember off the top of my head. A lot of the times it would help if I had a timeline and a detailed map next to me when reading. (I know there must be study guides etc. that do that, but I am just easing into it. I want to just blow through it cold on my first attempt, and then on a second reading I will try to get outside assistance.)
Micah, I actually just started Job.
Micah, I actually just started Job.
A few things, Bob:
There are lots of good reading guides. I have one that has the things you talk about - timelines, maps, asides about the other cultures/civilizations. Cool stuff. I'm sure you could find a cheap one on Amazon.
About the parts that you don't get, consider blogging about those. Typically they make fun discussion topics.
And about your becoming a born again Christian, perhaps you could consider blogging about that also, ie. what made you change your mind?
There are lots of good reading guides. I have one that has the things you talk about - timelines, maps, asides about the other cultures/civilizations. Cool stuff. I'm sure you could find a cheap one on Amazon.
About the parts that you don't get, consider blogging about those. Typically they make fun discussion topics.
And about your becoming a born again Christian, perhaps you could consider blogging about that also, ie. what made you change your mind?
# posted by : January 24, 2010 at 10:14 PM
: January 24, 2010 at 10:14 PM
On a very vaguely related note...
One thing I've found: it's kind of cool to vary the way that you read the Bible. I read Richard Foster's "The Celebration of Discipline" (great book, by the way) - or maybe it was his "Streams of Living Water" (also a great book) - and he mentioned the idea of reading the Bible in "chunks". So, rather than doing "a chapter a day", to try doing one hour of Bible reading a week - but all in one sitting. I tried it for a year, and it was quite cool the things you pick up when you read that way. The "big picture" all falls into place in a way that's very different from the chapter a day plan.
Right now, I'm back to a "chapter a day" sort of reading, but I think it's a good idea to mix things up on occasion. It helps you read "with new eyes", so to speak.
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One thing I've found: it's kind of cool to vary the way that you read the Bible. I read Richard Foster's "The Celebration of Discipline" (great book, by the way) - or maybe it was his "Streams of Living Water" (also a great book) - and he mentioned the idea of reading the Bible in "chunks". So, rather than doing "a chapter a day", to try doing one hour of Bible reading a week - but all in one sitting. I tried it for a year, and it was quite cool the things you pick up when you read that way. The "big picture" all falls into place in a way that's very different from the chapter a day plan.
Right now, I'm back to a "chapter a day" sort of reading, but I think it's a good idea to mix things up on occasion. It helps you read "with new eyes", so to speak.
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