In April I finally got around to reading Genesis straight through (rather than this verse, that verse). Not only is it a really good read, but it opened my eyes to what you remark above. Then I read the next two books, am starting Numbers now.
In April I finally got around to reading Genesis straight through (rather than this verse, that verse). Not only is it a really good read, but it opened my eyes to what you remark above. Then I read the next two books, am starting Numbers now.
There's a podcast I listen to called BEMA Discipleship that would really expand your understanding of Genesis and blow your mind about the God who created the universe. It looks at the Bible from the Hebrew (Eastern) perspective.
Genesis has such wonderful stories! Exodus kind of narrows to one great, prolonged story. The next three can be a slog without some good commentaries to help you digest them.
But they’re all wonderful and so revealing of who our God is and what He wants for us.
I purposely did not look at any commentary, just as I did not wish (this time) to be in any "Bible Study Group". I wanted to read the words on my own. At my own pace. With my own responsive thoughts. As a Latinist I am very well aware of how much the translator can change the meaning (read 'commenter' as well); and certainly I do not read Hebrew, and certainly the Hebrew now available must be much changed from the originally-written words. But I wanted nothing between me and the text as I have it. Actually, I found Leviticus very interesting, very 'formulaic'--and that in itself was interesting. I also realized that I have divine support for having always found tattoos distasteful.
I like your approach. A good commentary is eye-opening, but if, as I believe, God’s Word is “God-breathed,” the message will come through to us individually and very personally.
I have the same reaction to tattoos but don’t know the Bible well enough to know the justification you speak of. Could you elaborate? I will see if I can find it in my own if you’d prefer not to get into it 🙂
Dennis Prager has a wonderful series called "The Rational Bible". Thus far he has put out 3 books: one for Exodus, another for Genesis, a third for Deuteronomy. He discusses all kinds of things as you go along, including the translation errors, historical aspects of why things were said and done, and in his typical manner he gives contemporary examples. He wrote these books for everyone, whether you are Jewish, Christian, atheist. Wonderful and enlightening books that every believer would learn from and he makes these books understandable. Prager eventually plans on putting out a book for each book of the Torah.
If you read something in the Bible and want to discuss it, you could find takers here. Numbers will make a lot more sense after you read further in the old testament. You will read an account of something and the find those names in the account in Numbers and start having a clearer picture of what was going on. Otherwise numbers is a little dry. The book after Numbers will be far more interesting!
In April I finally got around to reading Genesis straight through (rather than this verse, that verse). Not only is it a really good read, but it opened my eyes to what you remark above. Then I read the next two books, am starting Numbers now.
Thank you for this suggestion. I will read Genesis too.
There's a podcast I listen to called BEMA Discipleship that would really expand your understanding of Genesis and blow your mind about the God who created the universe. It looks at the Bible from the Hebrew (Eastern) perspective.
Genesis has such wonderful stories! Exodus kind of narrows to one great, prolonged story. The next three can be a slog without some good commentaries to help you digest them.
But they’re all wonderful and so revealing of who our God is and what He wants for us.
I purposely did not look at any commentary, just as I did not wish (this time) to be in any "Bible Study Group". I wanted to read the words on my own. At my own pace. With my own responsive thoughts. As a Latinist I am very well aware of how much the translator can change the meaning (read 'commenter' as well); and certainly I do not read Hebrew, and certainly the Hebrew now available must be much changed from the originally-written words. But I wanted nothing between me and the text as I have it. Actually, I found Leviticus very interesting, very 'formulaic'--and that in itself was interesting. I also realized that I have divine support for having always found tattoos distasteful.
I like your approach. A good commentary is eye-opening, but if, as I believe, God’s Word is “God-breathed,” the message will come through to us individually and very personally.
I have the same reaction to tattoos but don’t know the Bible well enough to know the justification you speak of. Could you elaborate? I will see if I can find it in my own if you’d prefer not to get into it 🙂
Dennis Prager has a wonderful series called "The Rational Bible". Thus far he has put out 3 books: one for Exodus, another for Genesis, a third for Deuteronomy. He discusses all kinds of things as you go along, including the translation errors, historical aspects of why things were said and done, and in his typical manner he gives contemporary examples. He wrote these books for everyone, whether you are Jewish, Christian, atheist. Wonderful and enlightening books that every believer would learn from and he makes these books understandable. Prager eventually plans on putting out a book for each book of the Torah.
Thanks for tip.on Prager. I think he is granddaughter
Yes, am aware of Dennis' production.
If you read something in the Bible and want to discuss it, you could find takers here. Numbers will make a lot more sense after you read further in the old testament. You will read an account of something and the find those names in the account in Numbers and start having a clearer picture of what was going on. Otherwise numbers is a little dry. The book after Numbers will be far more interesting!
Raptor,
Well do I know it--it's one of the attractions offered by C&C--and not only our Janice. The scripture-folks found here are a great comfort to me.
Janice will love that you referred to her as "Our Janice". I just know it. Sweet.