OneYearBibleOnline Discussion

I expect I am going to take a lot of verbal abuse for my views here but this seems like a fairly small community so I suspect I will be able to defend myself. First off to introduce myself. My name is Mark and I am currently reading the chronological order of the bible in one year. This is not the first time I’ve read it but it will be the first time reading it and looking for answers.

I am not a religious person nor am I looking to be converted. Somewhere during my reading I may happen across something causing me to change my view but unlikely. Please respect my views and opinions as I will respect yours.

So why am I reading the bible? Because I consider it to be the most interesting story ever written. You don’t have to believe in what is written to enjoy reading it. Again please respect my views. I’m also reading it (again) to refresh my memory so I may be able to have an intelligent discussion. A discussion free from emotion. Something that seems increasingly difficult when referring to the bible. I respect and understand a person’s beliefs. But remember, they’re your beliefs, not mine. Please do not try to persuade me as I will not try to convince you of my beliefs.

Welcome ratcals,

I applaud your commitment to read great literature having myself first read the bible as part of a personal challenge to read the best 100 books in the world. Though this list may very from person to person, all include the Bible as the most influential book of all time. Human history has been materially affected by it, so any intelligent man or woman would definitely put it on their must read list.

Be prepared to encounter much that is foreign to the modern mind including philosophy, religion, customs and culture. Add in unfamiliar names, places and the backdrop of the sweeping history of ancient times and this book is a serious read. I undertook it when I just finished college, when I realized that I should read the classics to flesh out my body of knowledge.

My frame of reference was similar to yours, seeking knowledge and great literature. I approached it with no expectations at all since I did not have any religious exposure at all in my youth. I was completely “open minded” with no preconceived idea what this material covered or that it may even be controversial in any way. It's refreshing to see someone take a look at the Bible without so many presumptions.

In my experience, there are many that recoiled at being asked to think critically or to dig deep into the hard questions the Bible will reveal. They somehow seemed to feel that their faith or lack of, would be threatened through the process. My experience has been the opposite... that engaging my intellect and looking more honestly at scripture, at theology and at God has only helped develop a faith that I did not have when I began.

You are so welcome here because I know that you will bring up challenging and engaging questions that will provoke much thought and discussion. I will personally defend your right to raise honest questions and to chime in with your opinions without malice. In fact, I admonish all that profess Jesus as their Lord to respond to all genuine inquiries about our beliefs to follow the following:

1 Peter 3:15 (New International Version)
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

We will all endeavor to help you in your personal exploration of this incredible literature, to better understand what you find unusual or difficult with respect. In fact, it will be a privilege to play tour guide for you.

Thank you for joining us this year!

Lance Muller
Cartoonbug

kudo's cartoonbug, and welcome ratcals to the forum.

looking forward to some engaging posts.

-- jeff

Thanks for the warm welcome and I hope my questions are not taken as being hostile. I look forward to having some emotion free discussions.

Hi there!

Enjoy your read of the OYB
Respectful dialogue is always welcome.
I do agree that there is a literary aspect of the Bible in itself - something we should never overlook.

Take care... look forward to your posts

we are not all that different - keep in mind that even among us christians some (many?) of us read and reread the bible because we have deep questions regarding much of what has passed for "truth" over the years via traditional teachings. as a believer for 23 years i still have many doubts about mans interpretation and what i've experienced in the church culture today.

In a 1998 interview, RC Sproul made some statements about theologians and error. I found this fascinating when I first heard it:

DOOR: Early in your book, you write, "Every Christian has errors of some sort in his thinking." Do you have inklings about what yours are?

SPROUL: I have inklings about where they may be. As a systematic theologian, you look at all the different subdivisions of theology - soteriology, eschatology, pneumatology, and all of that - I don't think any theologian is equally astute in every area. I know, for example, that I'm a whole lot more iffy in my own thinking about eschatology than I am about soteriology or Christology. Now, chances are that where my errors are going to be most blatant would be in those areas that I'm less competent in. The scary thing is, they could also be in the areas where I'm most certain (laughs), where I've done the greatest amount of thinking.

DOOR: That's the third scary thing you've mentioned.

SPROUL: I believe everything that I believe, and I believe that everything I believe is correct. Let's say, as Calvin said, that no theologian is ever more than 80 percent right. I'm certain that any theologian believes 100 percent of what they teach, and if they knew where their 20 percent was, they'd change it. I don't know where my errors are, or I'd correct them.

Even those that place a high value on Scripture and attempt to be careful in its exegesis know they don't know it all.
I think it is the ones that think they know it all or add to Scripture are the ones that scare me!

I think a lot of what is passed off as truth is sometimes just man-made tradition, rather than the tradition of faith that Paul speaks of.

Colosians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

vs

2 Thessalonians 2 :15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Thank God we do have dedicated people that teach the Bible and preach the Gospel, but our faith is in the one they are supposed to proclaim: Jesus!