Let's say I decided to read the Bible . . .?

Question

Will I become a believer just by reading the Bible?

Do you have any recommendations for wading through that stuff? I mean, I'm an English major, and I can read Shakespeare with no problem. But every time I've tried to read the Bible, I get bored and confused.

Are there Cliff's Notes?

What happens if I read the Bible and get a message that re-affirms my stance as an Agnostic? Will that bother anyone?

Just some discussion questions before I consider diving into this thing. I AM a college instructor you know. We'll divide into discussion groups, and come back together as a class once I'm done reading. And you'll be graded on your participation, so start talking!

(If you take offense to this question, please re-evaluate your position in life. I'm trying to have some fun here.)

For those of you who have proven that you have no sense of humor, please see this question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqG5KpaVqq7IC9VpBLDsBQ_ty6IX?qid=20070622184705AAQohXl&show=7#profile-info-28e10838b859118250d4c18fdea16351aa

Ann H., your passive-aggressive tone does not go unnoticed.

Answer 1

Great question. And funny too.

I read the entire Bible in three months when I was 16. I would recommend going through the Bible in the way that is traditionally put together, with the Old Testament first and the New Testament second. I think both Christians and Jews could agree that God is in a sense Jewish, and that is covered first. Starting with the New Testament is a bad idea in my opinion because it is completely dependent on the Old Testament.

As far as you reading something and deciding that it confirms your current stance, I'd say you should probably read the entire thing through to the end of the four Gospels before you deliberate on Christianity.

A lot of people who have read the bible have walked away and said to themselves after.... this is not for me. People believe what they want to believe most of the time... even people who profess Christianity. But if you read the Bible with the mind set of... 'What if this is actually true, and what would that mean for me?... you'll have the best overall experience. JMO

Haha ...and I agree that if someone took offense to your question they'd need to seriously re-think their position in life. My position is that people are responsible for themselves alone so getting mad at people who disagree with you doesn't make sense to me.

Good luck with reading the bible.

Answer 2

As you can read Shakespeare, then the only reason you may be having trouble reading the Bible because you are using a modern interpretation. May I suggest you get a King James version and remember the power is in the words. You may become a believer by reading the Bible (Frank Morrison did as he was a fierce atheist trying to disprove the resurrection and wrote a book called Who Moved the Stone) but you really need to have a teacher. You may be terribly clever and be able to learn some things by your own efforts but ultimately people do need teachers who are wiser and more deeply informed as to their particular subject. If this were not true there would be no schools or colleges.

If you read the Bible as literature alone and remain unmoved by the Psalms then you would be not only an agnostic but you would have a hard heart to go with it. I am not surprised you get bored and confused because you need to have some sort of structure or program in your reading. Cliffs Notes may be ok for Romeo and Juliette but I think a theological work might be more useful when it comes to studying the Bible.

Answer 3

I'm glad you're having fun with a subject that millions have died over. I, too, engage in the occasional chortle and guffaw.

As for Cliff's Notes, more books have been written on and about the Bible than any other book in history, hands down.
But the message is quite simple really.

God is real. He loves you. He sent His son Jesus to take the punishment you deserve for your mistakes so that you can be reconciled to the Father in Heaven. Ta-da, that's the edited version.

I would suggest reading I John. It's a short book and very straight forward. Then work your way through the Gospels (that's Mark, Matthew, Luke and John). When you have the basic message down pat, you'll be ready to read Romans. Read it twice, and then read it again. Perhaps something will sink in. Good luck to you!

Answer 4

Years ago in the navy I decided I wanted to be a Quartermaster (navigation) So I picked up A book by Nathaniel Bowditch. Yeah right... Very complicated. But after I started associating with people in that field and went to school I learned and grew to be, well a pretty great navigator. Sometimes, as you know, just reading is not enough. So just reading the bible could be complicated. Why not attend a group of established believers? Give it 30 days. And if you are not convinced, well at least you tried.

Answer 5

The Bible speaks of how the things of God are spiritually discerned. By that, I don't think it means incomprehensible to unbelievers, as far as information goes, but that any personal application or spiritual understanding comes with a relationship to God. It is, after all, the words of God. I know you aren't there yet, but imagine if someone told you Sports Illustrated was a fabulous magazine and suggested you read it. If you are not especially into sports, you would find reading such a publication very boring. Who cares if so-and-so stole so many bases, or if some other guy got a zillion dollar contract to play for some team? If you were a fan, that stuff would be meaningful to you. As a Christian, I come to know God more as I read Scripture. It tell me how He deals with people, what He expects from me, and how He wants me to function. The Bible is kind of like a manufacturer's manual. The manual in my car is important to me, but the one in your car wouldn't be helpful at all. The Bible is also comprised of 66 different books compiled into one, and they fall into different literary categories (eg, letters, poetry, history, etc). It depends on what you want to know or glean from it that will determine where you should start reading. The New Testament book of Romans is always a good place to start because it is THE primary treatise on Christian theology in the Bible. I am currently teaching through this one, and having discussion groups, etc, and it is rich. Many suggest reading the book of John because it is specifically about Jesus, starting at His divine origin. "Cliff Notes" abound on every book of the Bible, as well as commentaries, study Bibles, and curricula. I was an agnostic, and reading the Bible alone did not bring me into Christendom, but reading the Bible certainly facilitated it. Without reading for myself, and God working in my soul, I can't see how I would have made the step of faith. "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).

Answer 6

Most Christians recommend starting with the gospel of John, but you might create a lively lecture by studying the book of Jonah. Many Christians believe it is a fictional account, put there for some unknown reason, but there are some very interesting occurrences in the book. *Why did Jonah not want to go to Ninevah, obeying God and possibly leading the people to repentance? *When a severe storm came up at sea, why did the pagan mariners "cry out" to their god, yet Jonah slept below deck? *Then these mariners prayed to the "Lord" Jehovah, offered a sacrifice to Him and "took vows" -why? *Why did Jonah still refuse to pray, instead suggesting that they throw him overboard? *Why did it take spending 3 days and nights in the belly of the "great fish" before Jonah prayed? *When Jonah reached Ninevah, why did he preach only that they had 40 days before they would be "overthrown" and not add that God might be merciful if they repented? *Why did it displease Jonah "exceedingly" when "God relented"? *When Jonah saw their conversion, why didn't he ask God to send him to more cities, since he had experienced such good results in Ninevah? *And - a question that is not answered in this book - how many generations did it take before the Ninevites reverted to their old ways? *Finally, did you know that the Iraqi city of Mosul is situated on the site of the former Ninevah?

Answer 7

The best thing to do is pray with a sincere heart that if God really exists and the Holy Ghost really exist that the Holy Ghost would be with you as you read so that you will be able to know if the Bible is about Gods dealings with His Children.

The point is to have a sincer desire to know the truth...not just reinforce your own opinion. In the Book of Mormon we fine that God can work with just the seed of the desire to know if He even exists. As long as you are open to Him...He will lead and teach you. If you close yourself to Him, you might as well not even Bother Reading the Scriptures at all. There would be no point. Because With out the Holy Ghost to help you understand...then the Bible is just another book.

Answer 8

I would recommend the book "What Does the Bible Really Teach?" published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. You can request a copy at www.watchtower.org or from any local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. You will find this book very helpful in reading and understanding the Bible. Hope this helped

Answer 9

Start with the gospels of Luke or John. They chronicle the life of Jesus. There are good online Bible commentaries to help you understand. Classic Bible Commentaries is a good site, although some people struggle with the archaic language of some of the commentaries. Good basic discussion questions to begin with would be the traditional, "Who, what when where why and how?" If you have specific questions that are not addressed in the commentaries,

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Answer 10

If you want to become a believer, you'll have to have someone by your side while reading the Bible to you, and rationalizing any concerns you have. Listen to authority. If that doesn't work for you, just read the good book over and over until it makes sense. Over and over. Do not question.