I'm pretty sure you didn't mean to read the 'whole thing' on a 'everyday' ... just perhaps what they can ... (that is a gentle joke)
I am sorry, it was incomplete sentence. Yes, you are right BR, what I meant is totake time every day, at least 10 minutes; we promissed God to follow Jesus and that's the least we can do for the Lord.
But what do you do if someone has a question about a particular verse that they read ...?
Of course I offer my reasoning if someone comes to me for help. If I cannot, I will ask someone who can. But I encourage them just keep reading even if they don't understand because there are so many ways to interpret according to each individual. I trust God will help them when the time comes. God is not God of confusion.
hitomi
I just have one question.
HUH???!!!!
What don't you understand, James?
thanks,
hitomi
I agree. Everyone ought to be reading the New Testament...and try to do it everyday. Sometimes I start with Matthew and read sequentially. I especially appreciate Jesus' own words in the Gospels. After a few weeks, I get into Luke's "Acts of the Apostles," then Paul's writings, followed by the writings of other disciples and apostles. Sometimes I choose to read by subject matter, using cross-references that at times delve into the Old Testament. Sometimes I find a point of interest in the OT alone.
I would hope that everyone agrees; it is good to read the Bible.
gus
thank you for your input Gus,
Most trinitarians suggest to start with book of John because they believe it is explaning about Trinity in verse 1:1, but I disagree with them. So I tell them to start with Matthew without saying anyting about the Trinity.
hitomi
Maybe I'll take a stab at this and hopefully not get accused of Samurai wit. Actually, Hitomi makes a lot of sense and I admire her due diligence. What she is doing is admirable and we could all learn from her as to how we study our Bibles.
And it's true what she says about Trinitarians out there. They are relentless in the face of all reasonable argument over this doctrine (which I call the devil's doctrine since Trinitarians have always persecuted Unitarians throughout history). So, yes. Letting the Bible speak while we read it will ultimately teach us the true nature of Father and Son so that no one of any other belief can sway us. After all, why is it that the Bible is complete? If we believe otherwise then we must presume another is gifted with greater spirit and frankly there is none.
My feeling is that we tend to get so wrapped up in which translation says it better, we forget that the contextual arguments are the same and we should not be nattering over such little variances.
Jesus was loving .. yes, but he was also very adamant over doctrines that watered down the truth in scripture. His was a dynamic personality and one that we should all imitate, even when our own sensitivities are offended by each other. We never saw Jesus cry the blues over how others treated him. So let's strengthen what has been wounded and temper those callouses people. :heartbeat:
Love,
sw