...Will help me have a better understanding of Christianity and the nature of God? Currently when I read it I feel a little lost.
Thanks for your answers in advance :0)
2007-09-02 08:16:57 · 45 answers · asked by “ÑệŕďÇỗ®è”‼ 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Megatron
Why do you assume that I am a troll because I am open minded and wish to learn of others beliefs?
2007-09-02 08:25:52 · update #1
The best place to start is with the New Testament. Here you will learn about the teachings of Jesus. The Old Testament covenant is no longer valid as far as Christianity is concerned. Genesis is still a good read, however. The New Testament is also much easier to read compared to the Old. I think you will find The Sermon on the Mount a very good read. This is in the first book of the New Testament (Matthew). Here you will learn many of Jesus' teachings on how we should live our lives. Good luck!
2007-09-02 08:21:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
I suggest you go for some light reading on the side. Go to gracethrufaith.com and read some of the Children's Stories for Adults. Or get into some real bible studies. Don't get lost in end time study until you have the Gospels down pretty good.
At bibleresources.bible.com you can read different translations if you like and it's free.
Bible study is great for the historically minded the stories are great and cover millennium.
It's always best to study with the Holy Spirit as your guide. That's why you are having some difficulty and need some direction.
You might consider just taking a second and say out loud to yourself. I don't believe in God but if I am wrong then helping me to learn His word would be a fairly good sign He heard me and is there.
You will know when it's Him and you haven't admitted to anything.
by the way to do a proper study will take some time and you will need study material.
I recommend a good Thompson chain-ref Bible, A Strong's Complete Concordance and access to Matthew Henry on line.
2007-09-07 05:40:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Having been a Christian for a long time, I can tell you the Bible is not an easy read. I would suggest getting a study aid such as the Matthew-Henry Commentary which breaks down each verse and keeps things in context. I would suggest beginning with the first four books of the New Testament then go forward from there - especially the Book of Acts.
2007-09-10 01:10:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would start with Genesis and definitely don't miss the old testament. New Christians often start at the beginning of the bible and that may explain some of their backward thinking, and judgmental ways, so you don't want to miss that. The new Testament is a beautiful story as well but if it is too overwhelming at first, try a children's bible. You get the same story in an abridged version, and if you want to know more then you can read the King James version.
2007-09-10 06:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by Penny K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alikij has a great answer. But my vote is that you start with the Gospels and keep reading. As for the Old Testament's being invalid for Christians, this is not at all true. New Testament writers tell us that all scripture (meaning the Old Testament) is valid for proof and edification. The Old Covenant, in large part, prooves that we can not do it "right" by our own means. It is the proof that we need the New Covenant. It also helps a great deal in the discernment and definition of right and wrong. The New Covenant did not negate the Old. It simply fulfilled it---it simply changed places on the order of function and purpose.
2007-09-10 08:22:22 · answer #5 · answered by Bible believer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The God of the Bible is the Creator of all things. Therefore, I suggest that you read the first three chapters of Genesis. Next, I suggest that you read the book of Mark in the New Testament. It's a fast moving account of the life of Christ.
Thirdly, I suggest you read the book of Acts to see how Jesus' disciples carried out the great commission. Fourthly, read the first eight chapters of Romans. Next, read all of I John. It is a short 5 chapters. Finally, I suggest you read chapters 21 and 22 of Revelation, the last book of the Bible.
This will give you an excellent overview and you can follow your interests from there.
2007-09-08 09:27:34 · answer #6 · answered by delmaanna67 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian and will be glad to help you, my advice would be start with the Gospel of John, and then to Genesis, then the book of the Hebrews. Jesus died on a cross to take away the sins of the world, the Bible clearly teaches that we are all sinners and the wages of sin is death, Jesus says in the book of John that unless we are born again we will not see the kingdom of heaven, Some more advice I can give is that you will answer according to the bible for yourself some day, not for your friends or family but for yourself, Now if Jesus is Lord your friends willbe no where in site when you are denied entry into Heaven, This is a sinners Prayer that you can say that will get you to heaven and born again if you believe, just Say, Dear Jesus, I know and confess that I am a sinner in need of salvation, I believe you died on a cross and arose from the grave to wash away my sins, I ask you right now to come into my heart and save me, I pray this prayer believing in the name of Jesus, Amen. Praise the Lord, Now find a good Church and start reading your Bible, its Gods Word, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me, God Bless you in Jesus's name Amen!!!
2007-09-10 07:39:23 · answer #7 · answered by victor 7707 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God bless you and start with the Gospel of John. It is key. Please write if you have any questions.
Here's a boost the first cahpter of the gosple according to the direct experince of Jesus the christ by St. John
John 1 (New American Standard Bible)
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
John 1
The Deity of Jesus Christ
1(A)In the beginning was (B)the Word, and the Word was (C)with God, and (D)the Word was God.
2He was in the beginning with God.
St. John is taking about Jesus He is the the word the Debawr the divine brith of God made flesh. time colapses here becuase John is telling us that Jesus was with ?god from the begining therefore He is God, but He is also the Word -- God made flesh.
3(E)All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
He, Jesus is God.
4(F)In Him was life, and the life was (G)the Light of men.
5(H)The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it.
2007-09-10 06:03:16 · answer #8 · answered by johnnydepp1118 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian, I am glad to know that you have taken the time to open the Bible and read it. I'd tell you to start at the beginning and read it to the end. I was not always a Christian and when I read my Bible, I started at Revelations first. That is when I was thirsty to know more. The more I read, I wanted to know more. I read the Bible from the beginning and I went from there. That is what the majority of people said when I asked them that exact question.
I think it will make more sence to you when you open your heart to the Lord and seek refuge in him. His Words will become translucent/clearer to you.
JOHN 8 - The Children of the Devil
42Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. 43Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? 47He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
I will say a prayer that you seek the Lord with all your heart and your curiousity is because the Holy Spirit is trying to work through you to open your heart to Jesus Christ.
May you find your way to the Lord. -God Bless.
2007-09-10 07:44:09 · answer #9 · answered by †Evonne† 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm so happy to hear from somebody from another camp who isn't bashing those of us who believe in God. And, you're willing to look for information rather than rely on your own understanding - I think that comes from Proverbs. Jesus was a perfect reflection of his (and our) Father. If you want to find out what God is like, read about Jesus in the new testament. God's 4 major personality traits are wisdom, power, justice and love. God is love, meaning that the wisdom, power and justice stuff is done out of love. Plenty of other people have suggested you read the gospels and they're a great place to start, but the letter to the Corinthians (inhabitants of a city in Greece) talk a lot about love.
2007-09-09 08:48:26 · answer #10 · answered by alikij 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't read the King James Verison! NO! If you're only trying to understand the Christians then read the Gospels, any books that Jesus is quoting then go and read those.
I'm not a Christian but I do study religion, you'd do good reading the Book of Enoch, because Jesus quotes that book the most, unfortunately it didn't make it into the bible, but you can find it at any bookstore or on line. Good luck.
2007-09-10 05:04:36 · answer #11 · answered by Miss 6 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋