I haven't bothered going to church in almost 8 years, but my sister and brother-in-law were trying to talk to me about religion recently. I think they're in a pseudo-christian cult, but I'm not sure since Christianity has "changed so much" in the last 5 - 6 years. Also, a girl I used to be friends with in high school got bitchy at me because she feels superior now that she finished college but I didn't, and she is still Christian but I'm not.
I'm interrested in learning about what "modern Christianity" is really all about. I have been told that it has changed dramatically from what I knew because of all these new political issues. I can't imagine it being that different from what I knew growing up. I think these people are mixing politics and religion in ways they don't fully understand. But I did get kind of twisted by what I was taught, and what I learned, and what I thought I knew up through high school.
2007-05-09 17:05:38 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'll bet you had a King James version of the Bible. A beautiful work, but written in hard-to-understand Middle English, using many archaic or difficult to understand words and terms.
A newer, Modern English translation of the Bible is highly recommended. I like the NIV, but the New Living Translation (not the Living Bible) reads like a novel. You would probably get a lot out of the NLT.
Somebody here suggested the Gospel of John. I agree. I also think that Philippians and Proverbs are very wise and uplifting books to read. They don't take that long.
God bless you. Continue asking for help as you need it.
2007-05-09 18:30:05 · answer #1 · answered by danny_boy_jones 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would suggest you get a copy of the NIV translation of the Bible and read the Gospel of Mark to get a quick biography of Jesus' life and then read the Gospel of John since that was written to show us how to attain eternal life.
If anyone suggests to you that Christianity has changed recently, run, don't walk, in the opposite direction.
Christianity has not changed, but the way we explain it does change to keep up with the current culture.
Words which meant one thing 400 years ago, mean something else today.
That is one reason NOT to use the King James translation of the Bible anymore.
The link below has lots of other links on which which should help you.
Pastor Art
2007-05-10 03:24:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Any church that teaches the bible is a good place to start. Please stay away from churches that wish to "modernize" scripture by interpreting it based on the culture of the day. We need to allow God to mold us to His ways....not Him to ours.
There are a few really good books out there, I think Lee Stroebel's TheCase for Christ is a wonderful one. Another is Greg Laurie's The Great Compromise, about compromise within the church. A couple other beautiful books are Max Lucado's He Chose the Nails and an allegory about Christ called Hinds Feet in High Places. God bless you!
2007-05-09 18:02:39 · answer #3 · answered by Esther 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try reading 'The case for Christ' by lee strobel. It will give you some insight as to what Christianity is about. Mr. Strobel was the legal editor for the Chicago Tribune. He was determined to debunk the bible. The book is the result of his investigation. He also has a website with some interesting video clips to watch. Hope this helps.
2007-05-09 18:16:21 · answer #4 · answered by Yo C 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best thing that I can tell you is that you are wasting your time unless you learn to trust God. You trust him for your knowledge about the Bible. You trust Him to 'bring you up' in the word. Why would He save you and say that He cares for you unless He's willing to do that? So turn your attention to Him, first.
Next, heap to yourself great counsellors in the word. You get to choose who they are. I will leave you with some that I think are good to great at communicating the word of God.
Dr. Gene Scott:
http://www.drgenescott.org/live_internet_feed.htm
Pastor Chuck Smith:
http://twft.com/?page=C2000
J. Vernon McGee:
http://www.thruthebible.org/site/c.hvKSLdMYIsG/b.403411/k.826F/Welcome_to_Thru_the_Bible_RadioThe_Bible_Study_Program_Taught_by_Dr_J_Vernon_McGee.htm
And now comes the aids in reading and understanding the Bible- book form. Get as many commentaries about the Bible that you can. Learn what they have to say, and form your own opinion after leaning on God's word.
If you can keep this up then you will do well. But there is another very important factor here: Find in the bible a promise from God and trust Him for it. Some of these promises we are cheated by our English language from having. We have LORD , God, GOD, Jehovah, etc. But what the untranslated Bible has is the very nature of God exposed. Here is a link to tell you what God's nature is providing for us:
http://www.churchline.com/churchline/word/names-jehovah.html
Study now. Devote yourself to time to study God's word!
2007-05-09 18:01:35 · answer #5 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Gospel of John
2007-05-09 18:00:20 · answer #6 · answered by wisdom 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Age of Reason by David Hume is a classic!
2007-05-09 17:57:57 · answer #7 · answered by U-98 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is a classic.
2007-05-09 17:51:55 · answer #8 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus the Christ
by
Thomas Zanzig
2007-05-09 18:47:02 · answer #9 · answered by cashelmara 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need a book other than the bible to introduce you to the bible? Seriously?
2007-05-09 17:54:24 · answer #10 · answered by Reisnoh 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋