Have you ever read the Bible?

[david1987]

I have read most of it apart from some parts of the Old Testament. I know it's essential to read it all but I have a tendency to fall behind through the end of Exodus to Numbers. All the stuff about building the tabernacle, laws for offerings etc.
I was put off for so long by the KJV language, but have been able to go deep with the NIV, NLT, AMP etc. Although I did manage to tear through Genesis in the KJV in 3 days last week. If you've got a phone/ipad i'd recommend the Youversion app; it has a whole lot of translations, reading plans etc.

[SnarkyOracle!]

And as the Bible itself says, some of the biggest devils are in the church.

[J. R.'s Piece]

I have read most of it apart from some parts of the Old Testament. I know it's essential to read it all but I have a tendency to fall behind through the end of Exodus to Numbers. All the stuff about building the tabernacle, laws for offerings etc.
I was put off for so long by the KJV language, but have been able to go deep with the NIV, NLT, AMP etc. Although I did manage to tear through Genesis in the KJV in 3 days last week. If you've got a phone/ipad i'd recommend the Youversion app; it has a whole lot of translations, reading plans etc.

It was easier for me because I was given one of those illustrated books of Bible stories, complete with scripture verse references so I had some awareness of some stories before I was plunged into an annotated KJV. Mater's Sunday School commentaries helped. C.S. Lewis was occasionally mentioned in them, which made me end up in Narnia.

And as the Bible itself says, some of the biggest devils are in the church.

Best not to be a swaggart? Do something about it before you popoff?

[fireweaver]

I have not read the entire book. I was put off for so long by the KJV language, but have been able to go deep with the NIV, NLT, AMP etc. Although I did manage to tear through Genesis in the KJV in 3 days last week. If you've got a phone/ipad i'd recommend the Youversion app; it has a whole lot of translations, reading plans etc.

I like this version. Extremely good analysis of the entire book, puts it in perspective. Sister sites also cover the book of Mormon and the Koran.

[david1987]

So you'd prefer an athiests version of the Bible instead of the actual Bible? I guess you must love all the remakes of movies they do then...

[fireweaver]

So you'd prefer an athiests version of the Bible instead of the actual Bible? I guess you must love all the remakes of movies they do then...

Yes. If you consider the King James version an "atheist's bible". It is totally obvious that you did not look past the title of the page, there really is a chapter and verse analysis. Too bad if you don't like what it has to say.

[CarlD]

Actually, that's not contradictory, when quoted entirely: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord" means the Lord will take vengeance, not us.

But people tend to leave out that last part.

Yes, you are right regarding this passage, but I was referring to other passages in totally different parts of the Bible, that contradict other passages, in other books.

It also says it's a sin to eat shellfish, but I bet the majority of Christians eat it.

[fireweaver]

Yes, you are right regarding this passage, but I was referring to other passages in totally different parts of the Bible, that contradict other passages, in other books.

It also says it's a sin to eat shellfish, but I bet the majority of Christians eat it.

Like this rather long list?

Or this one?

[J. R.'s Piece]

I bet the majority of Christians eat it.

Okay! I'll take you up on your bet. All you have to do now is to go off and ask every single person in the world whether they eat shellfish.

And as the Bible itself says, some of the biggest devils are in the church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI4RU8FoO9w

[J. R.'s Piece]

It also says it's a sin to eat shellfish, but I bet the majority of Christians eat it.

You're allowed to because Christ became the ultimate sacrifice.

Then you've got Peter's dream.....and Paul's letter to the Romans.

By the way, have you seen Matthew chapter 11 verse 15 lately?...or Acts chapter 10?...or Romans chapter 14 verse 14?

[CarlD]

You're allowed to because Christ became the ultimate sacrifice.

You are quite correct.

[Darius]

The homoerotic stuff with Davis & Jonathan / Ruth & Naomi is pretty good reading.

[Angela Channing]

I was given a Bible by my church when I was confirmed and decided to read it from beginning to end. About 3 years later, I had only got as far the book of Ecclesiastes and subsequently just jumped around the Bible to read passages that I wasa drawn to reading on a particular occasion.

I'm not sure the best way to read the Bible is from Genesis to Revelations, no more than someone would read an encyclopaedia from aardvark to zygote. However, I have recently downloaded a Bible to my smartphone so I might resume my previous attempt to read it from beginning to end as it's something I would like to do.

[zephiey]

All of it?? The whole way through??

I haven't. I'm curious about it though.

Yes, twice. It is a great historical read. And is perhaps the only book in the world that contains every crime known to man and is still considered a Holy book.
I've also read the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Koran, the Hindu Vedas, The Book of the Dead (ancient Egyptian), Tao Te Ching for Taoism, and the Book of Shadows for Wicca among others.

[fireweaver]

Yes, twice. It is a great historical read. And is perhaps the only book in the world that contains every crime known to man and is still considered a Holy book.
I've also read the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Koran, the Hindu Vedas, The Book of the Dead (ancient Egyptian), Tao Te Ching for Taoism, and the Book of Shadows for Wicca among others.

What have you gotten out of them?

[zephiey]

What have you gotten out of them?

That human beliefs are surprisingly familiar regardless of religion, or location.

[mztx71]

Prefer a good Jackie Collins, myself!

[david1987]

The homoerotic stuff with Davis & Jonathan / Ruth & Naomi is pretty good reading.

Don't suppose you'd be willing to share this with us - as it's not in the Bible....

[SnarkyOracle!]

Don't suppose you'd be willing to share this with us - as it's not in the Bible....

Whatever is or isn't in the Bible is whatever you want to be.

What is your obsession with homosexuality?

Oh, wait, we already know.

[Scarlett]

And as the Bible itself says, some of the biggest devils are in the church.

Because 'The Church' is man-made, run by mankind in an attempt to do what they believe is God's vision.