I want to read some religious books, and I haven't read the Bible yet. How should I start?
Should I just begin reading it, or should I read something else before to gain a better understanding?
Discussion
C.S. Lewis.
Should I order "Mere Christianity" by C.S. LEWIS?
Absolutely, great read 👍
If you're interested, there is also a great YouTube playlist based off of the broadcasts/book:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9boiLqIabFhrqabptq3ThGdwNanr65xU
That's the best place to start with Lewis. John Stott's Basic Christianity also might be helpful for understanding why the gospel (the central message of the bible) is so impactful.
Yeah, I have ordered it, and I will also be reading the Old Testament. The next few months are going to be very interesting.
Start from the other way around, read Krishnamurti and some Dawkins. Then you can read bible as the millennium best seller story book.
I have read a lot of dawkins "The Selfish Gene" and "The God Delusion." now I really want to come outside of my bubble.
C S Lewis, absolutely! I haven’t read “Till we have Faces”… brilliant title though. “The Seven Storey Mountain”by Thomas Merton. The daily meditations by the Centre for Action and Contemplation are a fruitful bite sized beginning. These reference writings from across the spectrum. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/
Idk, I haven’t read it either. I’d say just plow in and see what happens! I should do the same 🙏
Read it the way you read books. Not complicated💕
I would start with Genesis as thats where it all started. Even if you not religious, it is the greatest story ever told.
I have read its summary; it's such a great start to the greatest story. This time, I will read the original text. Thank you.
Zealot the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan
I just read its summary, and it seems like a very comprehensive book. I will definitely look into it.
You may also like Jordan Peterson Lecture series on the Old Testament stories. If you more in metaphysical psychologist explanation behind the stories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-wWBGo6a2w&list=PL22J3VaeABQD_IZs7y60I3lUrrFTzkpat
I have seen some of his lectures; he makes great comparisons and tries to explain the deeper meaning behind the words written.
It would be a great addition, as I don't just want to read it, I really want to understand it.
I’m in a similar situation. I’ll probably dive in after I finish my current book and then Mediations real quick.
Mediations is also a great book
Ah I’ve seen that guy in clips before. Will have a listen 🤝
I held myself back from reading it for years because I wanted to do in depth study on it. I'm a huge reader in general, so now I just try to think of it as a library. I pick whatever book I want to read and read it until it's done. One day I might study it, but for now I just like to read it!
I can understand; it's very relatable. Some religious books, hold so much historical context and have such a great impact. Not reading these books doesn't make any sense.
A lot of it is very boring. I've done the cover to cover read, but a study Bible and jumping around to topics is interesting.
Genesis 1-11 is sets the stage for the human condition and our broken relationship with God.
Genesis 12 till the end tell of God's gracious actions to reverse the effects of sin and establish a new creation.
The promise in Genesis 12 of a great nation in the promised land under God's blessing, is a theme of God's people in God's place under God's rule that continues throughout the bible.
The OT gets bogged down in Leviticus. That's probably a good time to skip to Matthew and read the NT.
Read it through the lens of Proverbs 2, along with the perspective that throughout the entire Bible:
1) Every story unveils attributes/characteristics of God and/or foreshadows the coming Messiah (Yeshua/Jesus)
2) God is working to unveil His plan for redemption & relationship with us
3) Even when it doesn’t seem like it, God does everything because of His love (including justice)
Bible KJV
Start with Proverbs, then Genesis, Matthew and Revelations… the Bible is a book of life and those books due a great job at expressing the big picture (IMO)
Thank you 🙏
This is excellent. He reads some bible each day and then links it to all the other relevant parts of the bible. Easy to just try a few days. They are fairly short. less than half an hour.
https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/bibleinayear/
Lots of great suggestions here. I would add a short book called the Tao te Ching. Not a religion, more of philosophy, but it’s still generally categorized as such
I don’t have any particular book on Buddhism to recommend, in someways I feel people are better off, meditating rather than reading about it at first.
I also second the recommendation for the Jordan Peterson biblical lecture series
I have read the Tao de Ching , its a great read.
I added this to my list, thank you
If you decide to read the Tao, the I recommend also watching Wayne Dyers content. He live the Tao life.
"We are nothing, yet we are everything”
Thanks for sharing nostr:npub1fl7pr0azlpgk469u034lsgn46dvwguz9g339p03dpetp9cs5pq5qxzeknp
One of the interesting things about the Tao te Ching is that it’s essentially poetry and every translator gives it a different feeling and perspective.
It’s called the wisest book ever written for a reason.
Contains a lot of universal truths and teaches one maturity.
I have a good friend an kind and wise old man who describes himself as a Christian mystic. He recommended a book called “fire within” a collection of writings of some of the Christian mystic saints of the middles ages. You might enjoy.
The back story of Lao Zhu is also very interesting.
Start with the Baltimore Catechism #3
And when you do get to the Bible, be sure to use the 1582 Rheims and 1610 Douay.
Newer editions aren't terrible, but they typically lack the extensive references and explanations.
Thank you for sharing this, I will keep this in mind.
The Bible App is a great resource. It contains a lot of reading plans. Genesis, Matthew and John are a great place to start. I read the whole NT in a few weeks.
Sure
As with any "book" it only makes sense to start from the beginning. I preface that by reading some Psalms first to see if "the Word" speaks to your heart and soul.
I personally read the gospels first, then started at the beginning (genesis). Chronicles is a but monotonus, but can be interesting if you have some historical knowledge to begin with.
All those stories you heard about as a kid, those are in genesis, Joshua and judges. Samuel and Kings is mostly about David and Soloman.
If you have a background in Austrian Economics, the book of judges is amazing.
Be aware, whenever you run across a verse that is confusing, or people make a big deal about it because its "so deep" (particularly in the new testament) its usually because it wasn't translated well. The best resource I've found to help with "understanding the profound" is a bible app with Stong's Greek cross reference so you can get all the potential original meanings behind the word (like Bible Study on F-droid) It unlocked all the BS and "deep" passages usually turn out to be not much more than common sense.
I have read a lot of summaries in the past, but in the past few weeks, I've been looking into them more closely. First, I really want to read the story of the Old Testament in its original text. I am fascinated with it. I just downloaded the Bible app, and so far, it's looking great. But I also want to order the hard copies, and add them to my bookshelf.
Nothing replaces the KJV on paper imo
Start in Genesis and continue to push through the harder to ready books like Numbers and Leviticus, starting at the beginning helps understand the full picture by the time you get to Revelation.
Perhaps choose a translation like the Amplified version instead of the King James.
The Amplified expands on some words and meanings.
And this beautiful recording
My favorite author is Walter Brueggemann. Read “Prophetic Imagination” or “Reality, Grief, Hope.”
He speaks about the totalism/royal-consciousness present in Biblical text, and draws parallels to the present day realities of living under dominant ideologies that are contrary to morality.
You will feel so known as a Bitcoiner reading his works.
#books #bookstr #christr #grownostr
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
I started in John and it changed my life.
I would start with The Age of Reason, by Thomas Paine. After that, have fun!
Start with Pslams, it's like poetry. Read the first verses in genesis, but you can skip Genesis until you read other parts - Genesis is mostly boring.
I've read the whole Bible.
I really want to explore this. These books have shaped our civilization for centuries, and not reading them doesn't make any sense.
Hear! Hear! A lot of it is taken from the Vedas because the original scriptures were in Hebrew. You'll find a lot of similarities, but the Bible is a monotheistic book.
I am based with Psalms because I find power in its prayer & have been singing in the church choir for years. Here's some beautiful chants to listen to while reading the Bible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFoT6UUNLZc
This song by Vivaldi is a melody that can be chanted until the whole Psalms is sung in Latin.
Then you have Gregorian music of the Knight's Templar who protected the scriptures:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyZvpFsn1rg&list=RDM0d4qM7gCH8&index=2
Catholics refer to the Bible as "The Gospels" & Hebrews believe int he First Testament only, they call the first part "The Torah."
*Psalms, sorry for the typo, Nostr is super glitchy for me
Kudos. Start in the New Testament. There are hyperlinks to the Old Testament that you’ll miss but you’ll still get the gist.
Supplement with The Bible Project videos on each book.
Also the little book Testimony of The Evangelists by the founder of Harvard Law School is has arguments why it’s rational to trust the people who wrote about Jesus.
Going to put my oar in here just for fun:
- Genesis 1-3
- Psalm 1, 2
- Romans 1-8
- Genesis 12:1-3, 15, 18, 22
- Matthew
- Galatians 4-6
- Exodus 1-20
- Deuteronomy 27-33
- Psalm 90
- Judges
- Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians
- 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel 1-2, 11-15
- Psalm 15, 40, 51, 127
- 1 Chronicles 28 - 2 Chronicles 9
- Proverbs 1-7, Ecclesiastes
- 1 Kings 16:29 - 2 Kings 12
- 2 Kings 18 - 2 Kings 25
- Jeremiah 21-25, Isaiah 40, 53-55, Daniel 1-6
- John
- Jonah, Micah, Malachi
- Acts
- Hebrews, 1-2 Peter
The above is a roughly chronological with some NT goodness thrown in. I tried to cover the main events while also giving lots of time to the fun/weird stuff (like Elijah and Daniel).
Choose a literate translation over a strictly accurate one to start (although the Message might be too far afield). ESV is accurate, but not very readable, I like the NKJV.
Also, a House for My Name and Through New Eyes are both very good for understanding the old testament if you want to really dig in.
It's interesting people jump to the New Testament when you said Bible. People have a penchant for proselytizing.
It's fine 😂😂
What a great conversation you started here 🤙
It was truly a great discussion, and I learned a lot. It was fascinating to witness people engaging in discussions on interesting topics with each other.
I’m a visual learner and love nitty gritty explanations. The bIble project is a great companion that weaves themes across the Bible together with really great art. https://youtube.com/@bibleproject
I was just watching videos from this channel. It has a good playlist for the Old Testament.
Their main podcast is also fire. Lots of nuance and in depth answers to complex questions.
And they say “nobody knows” instead of making up answers which I deeply respect in theological contexts.
A year ago I was atheist. Because of bitcoin I followed the string of truth to Catholicism. I’m partial to reasoning and logic (as in others may be more convinced by the emotional or personal anecdotes) so I found the St. Thomas Aquinas’s “Summa Theologiae” and “Summa Contra Gentiles” fascinating. While I haven’t read them fully (people dedicate their lives to studying his works, Thomists) I have read summaries of which there are many and watched countless videos of people far far smarter than me. “Pints with Aquinas” is a great place to start.
Ascension also has a STELLAR app for Bible in a year and Catechism in a year. Happy to talk more here or in DMs as well. Praying for you.
We are working through this plan at the moment, it mixes things up a bit.
I'm reading the @YouVersion plan 'THE BIBLE in a year'. Check it out here: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/1292
I like both James and Proverbs as being very approachable in regard to common sense that easily translates to the modern day.
When it comes to the Gospels, I always prefer Matthew.
Revelations is heavy. And I know you said you want to read the texts, but our paster recently started a sermon series on Revelations. What is cool is how he explains how John wrote that book with two audiences in mind: the Jews who knew their "Old Testament" and the Romans who could apply in a current context (their own gods, guilds, wars/sports games, etc). Each party would read it and say "ahh, I see what you did there".
Those messages are online (video and podcast) and he's the best I've heard in regard to providing historical context.
Bible Project is informative but seems to downplay the wrath of God against sin.
There's no substitute for reading the Scriptures themselves. I'd start with the gospel of John. Matthew. Romans. Psalms. Genesis.
https://skepticsannotatedbible.com/
Good luck!
The skeptic's Bible is a joke. Absolutely pedantic, bad-faith nonsense.
If basing your core beliefs on something, you better be as pedantic as possible when evaluating possible candidates.
No, pedantry is nitpicking, not intelligent criticism.
First annotation. To the point and scientifically reasoned.
> In the beginning (1:1-2:3)
>
> Compare with Gen 2:4-25 in which the order of events is entirely different.
>
> The Genesis 1 account conflicts with the order of events that are known to science.
>
> The earth and "heaven" are created together "in the beginning," whereas according to current estimates, the earth and universe are about 4.6 and 13.8 billion years old, respectively.
>
> Also in the first creation account, the earth is created before light, sun and stars; birds and whales before reptiles and insects; and flowering plants before any animals. The order of events known from science is in each case just the opposite.
This ignores millennia of Christian thought that addresses exactly these problems. You think we're unaware of these questions? It's honestly insulting.
In brief,
1. Genesis is poetry, not scientific literature, inconsistency is often intentional and for a particular literary purpose (read Through New Eyes for details, chiasms often play a part). Old vs young earth is a valid debate, but both are consistent with the Biblical narrative because it features a transcendent God who is not bound by the laws of nature.
2. Science is often wrong (at best it's a method of inquiry, not a set of doctrines). Estimates about the age of the earth depend on the doctrine of uniformitarianism which Genesis explicitly denies. Likewise, the doctrine of evolution is just that, a doctrine.
My dear interlocutor, your query strikes at the very heart of a lifelong pursuit of mine, a quest for wisdom and spiritual understanding. First, allow me to commend your yearning for religious enlightenment, a commendable endeavor in this fast-paced world we inhabit.
The Bible, my dear friend, is not a single book but a compilation, a veritable library of different genres, voices, contexts, and messages, spanning centuries of human experience and divine revelation. As such, it can indeed seem daunting to the uninitiated.
Starting at Genesis and progressing linearly through to Revelation can, for some, prove a tall order. Instead, I might propose that you begin with the Gospels of the New Testament - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - which provide an account of Jesus Christ's life and teachings. These books are central to Christian beliefs and are often more immediately accessible.
As you endeavor to wade into the profound depths of these ancient texts, I'd heartily recommend availing yourself of a study guide. Many an excellent resource exists that can provide much-needed context, illumination, and interpretation. A good study Bible, for instance, with footnotes and cross-references, can be a veritable lifeline in navigating these sacred scriptures.
Further, I might propose reading C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" as a companion piece. Lewis, in his incomparable style, presents the core tenets of Christianity with profound insight and approachability.
And yet, with all this said, remember the profundity of your endeavor. The Bible, while being a text, is considered by many to be a living word, an ongoing dialogue between the divine and the human. Approach it with an open mind and heart. Allow it to speak to you, to wrestle with you, and to transform you, much as Jacob wrestled with the angel. You are beginning a journey that has the potential to be a wellspring of spiritual growth and enlightenment.
I wish you every success on your journey. Godspeed.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I gained a little bit of understanding. First, I will start with the Old Testament, like you said, beginning with Genesis, and then follow the chronological path after that. "Mere Christianity" was also suggested by many people, and I have even ordered that.
Thanks again; it really means a lot.
Start with the New Testament. Then the Old Testament will have more meaning.
You can begin reading The City of God from Saint Augustine
https://files.romanroadsstatic.com/materials/romans/nicene-christianity/City%20of%20God.pdf
From 21th century:
The Privileged Planet: How ofrece place in the Cosmos is designed for discovery. Guillermo González
https://www.amazon.com/Privileged-Planet-Cosmos-Designed-Discovery/dp/1684510775
Better the Principa Discordia
Start from right to left 😀
I agree with starting with the New Testament. Especially John. Focus on the words of Christ. They are unlike anything else you will ever hear. If they speak to you, keep going. Read all 4 Gospels:Matthew Mark Luke and John. Then read the full New Testament. Eventually you can get to the Old Testament, which is essential to understand Christ and the New Testament. I recommend hopping right into the book of John. Commentary may be needed later, but nothing, absolutely nothing, speaks to mankind like the words if Christ directly. Peace.
Someone mentioned the Bible in a year podcast. Absolutely recommend
I did the same thing about 13 years ago, with different motives. My goal was to read the bible to prove that Christians were idiots. I was instructed to read through the New Testament first, so I read through The Gospel of Matthew. I was pretty messed up by Ch 7 verse 21-23. I thought that as an Atheist, if I were wrong, that at least I would be in front of some of those hypocritical Christians. Turns out the standard to enter heaven was pretty high. That broke me. By the end of the gospel of Matthew, God worked a miracle in me and hasn't stopped since. I'd love to help answer any questions you might run into while seeking. God bless you in your endeavors.
Start with Life before Life by Jim B Tucker.
Then pickup Proof of Heaven by Neurosurgeon Eben Alexander
Then finish it all off by listening to every episode of the podcast The Other Side NDE
Welcome to the new paradigm of experience based philosophy.