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/lit/ - Literature

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15746932 No.15746932 [Reply] [Original]

how do i go about reading the bible? just cover to cover, or are there parts i can skip? any and all advice appreciated

>> No.15746968

>>15746932
which ones?
which variations?
do you also want the excluded/banned books?

>> No.15746993

>>15746932
Take your time.

Remember, the Bible is multiple books put together, not one book. You don’t even need to read them in order.

>> No.15747008

>>15746932
Reminder: The people telling you to read The Bible were physically abused as a children.

>> No.15747029

>>15747008
>projecting this hard
yikes bro
literally nothing wrong with reading the bible
it's extremely important to history and certain contexts.
reading the bible will introduce you to pivotal literature that has altered the world and culture.
you act like reading it is some kind of sin
maybe keep your inane religious dogmatism to yourself buddy

>> No.15747031

>>15746932
1. use a study bible
2. Start with Hebrew Bible
3. before reading each part of the Hebrew Bible, read the corresponding chapter from Collin's Introduction to the Hebrew Bible first
4. When you read the section of the hebrew bible, make sure you read the commentary in the study bible
5. Understand that translations drastically alter the meaning of the text. for example, the "red sea" in exodus is actually "sea of reeds"

Haven't really dove into the new testament, so can't really comment on it. I've read some Girard and Auerbach (his essay "Figura" which is pretty technical and tough to understand). But yeah good luck anon.

>> No.15747047

>>15746932
>>15746932
1. Genesis - Deuteronomy
2. New Testament (excluding Revelation)
3. All the OT historic books, in order
4. The wisdom/writings books of the OT
5. The prophets
6. Revelation

Use a study Bible. Reading a modern translation is better than misunderstanding the KJV/DR, but go for those if you want more /lit/ sounding more trad versions.

>> No.15747052

>>15747029
It's okay, anon. If I could convey one thing to you right now, it would be this:

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.

Amen.

>> No.15747074

>>15747052
Thanks for your prayer, but i'm not religious. I'm agnostic.

>> No.15747161

>>15747074
>I'm agnostic.
That doesn't matter at all. What matters is what you *do*; that is, how you treat other people.

>"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?"
>They said, "The first."
>Matthew 21:28-31

>> No.15747178

>>15747161
Have you ever considered that some people read the Bible for historical/anthropological reasons and not for moral guidance? In fact, that's exactly what he poster you're responding to said:
>it's extremely important to history and certain contexts.
>reading the bible will introduce you to pivotal literature that has altered the world and culture.

>> No.15747189

>>15746932
Read it book by book then look up exegesis. If you really want to make it easier find a good Bible with commentary.

>> No.15747203

>>15747178
>Have you ever considered that some people read the Bible for historical/anthropological reasons and not for moral guidance?
Yes, I have.

>In fact, that's exactly what he poster you're responding to said: it's extremely important to history and certain contexts; reading the bible will introduce you to pivotal literature that has altered the world and culture.
Except, that's mostly bullshit.

>> No.15747221

>>15747203
>Except, that's mostly bullshit.
No, it isn't. Virtually every important piece of literature in the western canon has in some way or another been influenced by or references the Bible. Scratch that, not just literature: classical music, sculpture, painting, architecture all have religious symbolism in them and knowing that symbolism more in depth helps to appreciate them more.

>> No.15747228

>>15747221
You can't be serious.

>> No.15747259

>>15746968
ESPECIALLY the banned books

>> No.15747268

>>15746932
Start with the sermon on the mount

>> No.15747271

look into the commentaries and homilies written by the church fathers on each individual book, after having read it

>> No.15747274

>>15747259
Check out "The Pre-Nicene New Testament: Fifty-four Formative Texts", ed. by Robert M. Price.

>> No.15747295

>>15746932
Usually a book is read from cover to cover. When it comes to the Bible it is a good idea to start with the gospels. So you can get a grip on Christianity, who Christ was, what what he was all about. Plus the gospels are fairly short compared to some of the OT books. If you have absolutely no idea what you're doing, read John first. Acts and Romans will help you understand what Christianity is all about. Then from cover to cover.

>> No.15747316

>>15747031
>use a study bible
>>15747047
>use a study bible

What study Bible would you recommend?

>> No.15747329

What about the personal attributes of avarice, arrogance, holding a grudge, fighting violence with violence, disparaging 'the other', etc.? Are you saying that's not Christian? Because I live in a supposedly "Christian" country and such vices are literally what makes their world go round.

>> No.15747451

>>15747008
No that’s the people telling you to read Das Kapital

>> No.15747468

>>15747451
It's okay. The church has a place for you.

>> No.15747498

>>15747228
I am 100% serious. Give me 1 book in the western canon published before the 1900s and I will tell you in what way it was influenced by religion.

>> No.15747503

>>15747498
>moving goalposts even before the race begins
Nobody will fall for this you illiterate schmuck.

>> No.15747506

>>15747498
Plato. All of it

>> No.15747508

>>15746932
Just start reading it.

>> No.15747546

>>15746932
why not listen to someone's anaylsis of the important stories?
JBP unironically has a great biblical series that you might like.
why read all the shit that translators and editors put in there for no reason? just go straight for the good shit

>> No.15747562

>>15747228
You are dumb.

>> No.15747588

>>15747506
I obviously mean after the fall of Rome.

>> No.15747596

>>15747221
>No, it isn't. Virtually every important piece of literature in the western canon has in some way or another been influenced by or references the Bible. Scratch that, not just literature: classical music, sculpture, painting, architecture all have religious symbolism in them and knowing that symbolism more in depth helps to appreciate them more.

>>15747498
>I am 100% serious. Give me 1 book in the western canon published before the 1900s and I will tell you in what way it was influenced by religion.

In other words, to you, "religion" is synonymous with the Christian faith, correct?

Sorry, but 'The Maxims of Ptahhotep' have nothing to do with the Semitic storm god Yahweh or his alleged son.

>>15747562
Retard alert.

>> No.15747602
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15747602

>>15746932
I highly suggest to get high on weed before reading bible. The whole history of the west becomes one huge lmao.

>> No.15747640

>>15747588
Hume, all of it

>> No.15747652

>>15747640
Come on, man...
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hume-religion/#ProEvi

>> No.15747675

>>15747652
Kek, anon tried to bad faith you by picking a philosopher, and would have likely posted reee.gif with
>pick anything
>no not that one!
if you had pointed out his horseshit. Instead you delivered, you magnificent bastard

>> No.15747676

>>15747652
If that’s your definition of influence, then I guess the Quran is Christian as well

>> No.15747739

>>15747295
Very good advice here.

>> No.15747750

>>15747506
Unironically, there are evidences showing Plato was influenced by Hebrews, obviously not as much as Egyptians, but still.

>> No.15747761

Here’s my advice, which only applies if you’re already pretty familiar with the stories. Read it like it’s a novel, cover to cover, preferably with a commentary or at least footnotes. The Scofield Bible, even though it’s influenced neocons into trying to build the Third Temple in Israel, makes for a really compelling story.
You can skip First Chronicles but everything else is pretty necessary.

>> No.15747765

>>15747640
Guy lived in the west during the 18th century. Do you think he was not influenced by it? His language, customs, moral consciousness, even arguing against religion and becoming a skeptic/atheist is a movement incited by the foundation of his times.

>> No.15747787

>>15747228
You underestimate how important Christianity was to Europe pre-WW1

>> No.15747798

>>15747228
retard

>> No.15747810

>>15747787
>>15747798
Literal retards noted.

>> No.15747814

>>15747798
>>15747810
cope

>> No.15747846

>>15747814
Retards like you are either self-cope factories or they perish. Your decision.

>> No.15747894

>>15747676
Please re-read my post.
>been influenced by or references the Bible
>references

>> No.15748350

My recommended quick reading list is:
>OT
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, both books of Samuel, both books of Kings, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Daniel
>NT
Mark, reread first chapter of Exodus, Matthew, reread first chapter of 1 Samuel, Luke, Acts, John, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews, James, Revelation

Ultimately though, you should read through all of it at some point including the Apocrypha, but this will suffice for a primer of key texts.
For English translations I recommend:
>KJV
for ye olde prose and the massive influence it had on the English language, it's downright beautiful to read but if you're not a fan of older English then pass on it.
>RSV
used KJV for inspiration but updated with modern textually critical sources/information, check out the 1977 New Oxford Annotated Bible with Extended Apocrypha if you want a study bible that contains ALL of the Apocrypha, meaning Orthodox stuff is included
there's also the RSV-CE (or 2CE) which are slightly modified to fit more with Catholicism and less with textually critical academics (won't contain Orthodox Apocrypha though, so if that has you interested stick with the NOAB)
avoid NRSV, it's considered the most academic or something but they go out of their way to change gendered pronouns into 'gender-neutral' ones
>ESV
an update to the RSV that uses far less 'gender-neutral' language than the NRSV does, it still does have some though

>> No.15748547

>>15748350
I should add, RSV also used Douay–Rheims for inspiration
the RSV was considered an important translation at the time for linking the English translations of Catholic and Protestant bibles in a way that was mostly agreeable to both

>> No.15748595

>>15748350
>waaaaaah pronouns
NSRV is good

>> No.15748629

>>15747029
i only read the bible to answer questions on jeopardy

>> No.15748775

>>15748547
The RSV is a revision of the ASV, itself a revision of the KJV. It's not based on the Douay-Rheims, but it does use the Latin Vulgate in a handful of places where it seems to preserve the oldest reading.

NRSV is good because the translators had access to the Dead Sea Scrolls and other textual research published after the RSV. Its main downside is the unnecessary gender-neutral language, although it isn't as bad as some critics say, it's only gender-neutral when the referent isn't specified. God is still referred to with male pronouns, for example.

It's best to have multiple translations to compare.

>> No.15748966

>>15747228
Ouch!

>> No.15748981

>>15747894
The Bible itself references and relies heavily on the Torah, does that makes it jewish?

>> No.15749042

>>15748981
My friend, I am not saying that the western canon is christian overall. I'm saying that if it weren't for christianity, western art, literature and society would have been completely different.

>> No.15749190

>>15747316
crossway ESV study bible

>> No.15749201
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15749201

HISTORICAL CONTEXT. YOU NEED HISTORICAL CONTEXT TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE. JUDEA IS TRAITOROUS. WHO ARE THE OTHER SONS OF NOAH?
HISTORICAL CONTEXT.
WHY IS MODERN ISRAEL NAMED ISRAEL WHEN THEY USED TO BE CALLED JUDEA. IMAGINE CALLING YOURSELF THE NAME OF YOUR ANCIENT ENEMIES.

>> No.15749336

>>15747602
kino

>> No.15749479

>>15746932
Study about the types of literature inside it, learn to identify biblical dialogue and its unique system, poetry and all that.

Origen said in 180 AD that the new testament is written like a tapestry, the author report historical events but then he also switches to literary device where he composes things to make a point...

That's the mindset you need, read it as literature, as ancients read it.

I suggest reading this book to open your mind closer to the 2nd temple mentality / ancient Judean.
>The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible

>> No.15749501

>>15748775
>>15748350

ESV, NRSV, NET got DSS materials integrated into them.

I also enjoy reading Robert Alter translation of the Hebrew OT, he makes use of DSS material, a wide variety of scholarly modern work on biblical study/archeology, cognate stuff, Septuagint, it's good!

Unfortunately there's pretty much nothing on that level for Septuagint, you could read NETS and Lexham Septuagint tho, or at least consult them in parallel.

>> No.15749696

Any first reading of the Bible should probably begin with the Gospels. The Gospel of Mark is quick and fast-paced and is a good place to start. Then you might want to go on to the Gospel of John, which focuses on the things Jesus claimed about Himself. Mark tells about what Jesus did, while John tells about what Jesus said and who Jesus was. In John are some of the simplest and clearest passages, but also some of the deepest and most profound passages. Reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) will familiarize you with Christ’s life and ministry.

After that, read through some of the Epistles (e.g., Ephesians, Philippians, 1 John). These books teach us how to live our lives in a way that is honoring to God. When you start reading the Old Testament, read the book of Genesis. It tells us how God created the world and how mankind fell into sin, as well as the impact that fall had on the world. Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy can be hard to read because they get into all the laws God required the Jews to live by. While you should not avoid these books, they are perhaps better left for later study. In any case, try not to get bogged down in them. Read Joshua through Chronicles to get a good history of Israel. Reading Psalms through Song of Solomon will give you a good feel for Hebrew poetry and wisdom. The prophetic books, Isaiah through Malachi, can be hard to understand as well. Remember, the key to understanding the Bible is asking God for wisdom (James 1:5).

>> No.15750150

>>15747640
Hume is responding to protestantism

>> No.15750174

>>15747602
Jah bless
https://www.timesofisrael.com/1st-high-ancient-israelites-at-biblical-shrine-used-cannabis-to-spark-ecstasy/

>> No.15750251

>>15747316
Oxford
https://www.amazon.ca/Oxford-Annotated-Bible-Apocrypha-9530/dp/0195289609

>> No.15750340

>>15746932
I am reading the Bible right now. I am using a study bible and started with the New Testament. I'm well into the pauline epistles now and I have to say so far I have a great experience.

>> No.15750410

>skipping anything
If your time is so precious, why waste it at all?

>> No.15750759

>>15746932
Skip everything by this rabid insidious madman named Paul

>> No.15750808

>>15746932
A mainly narrative book might be the best place to start, you can’t go wrong with Genesis-Exodus, and then maybe Samuel.
Getting acquainted with the organisation of the books as a whole also helped me, made it feel less overwhelming.

>> No.15750818

>>15750759
Brainlet.

OP, just pick up The Didache.

>> No.15750832

>>15750818
He's right, though.

>> No.15750906

>>15746932
If you do not want to read the entire OT right away, read the Pentateuch and NT, then whatever.

>> No.15750909

>>15747161
So cringe, go home

>> No.15750920

>>15750909
You're not a Christian, so why are you even in this thread?

>> No.15751002

>>15747008
Never hit even once by either parent. Seethe harder, atheist.

>> No.15751069

>>15749201
>JUDEA IS TRAITOROUS
totally and utterly false utter propaganda and jealousy.

>> No.15751385

>>15751002
You were buttfucked by them, though. That counts.

>> No.15751402

>>15747602
>smonking the mind-killer

>> No.15751415

>>15751385
Everything is about ass-sex with you atheists. No, I was raised by two loving parents who provided nurturing guidance, and you were raised by your whore of a single mother and unlimited network television.

>> No.15751462

>>15747008
This 100%

>> No.15751488

GENESIS
EXODUS
LEVITICUS
NUMBERS
DEUTERONOMY
JOSHUA
JUDGES
1 SAMUEL
2 SAMUEL
1 KINGS
2 KINGS
These are all you need from the OT.

>> No.15751552

>>15747894
Plato wrote about (and studied obviously) Dionysus worship; Dionysus worship is heavily related to the mythos of Christianity (second born, sacrament, virgin mother, etc.).

Retard

>> No.15751605

>>15750832
Samefag

>> No.15751641

>>15751552

I mean I agree with the influence of the Bible in culture/politics/literature but cmon bro you're off by 400 years.

Plato died in the 300s BC, Christ died in AD..

:?

>> No.15751651

>>15751415
I never claimed to be an atheist.

>> No.15751920

>>15747274
>speculative revisionism for only $49.95

>> No.15751997

>>15751920
Religion is speculation, big boy.

>> No.15752170

>>15751997
imagine having absolute no idea about what religion is yet making ignorant posts with such a conviction

>> No.15752178

>>15752170
You don't have to imagine.

>> No.15752185

Oxford Annotated Bible
whole thing
good luck

>> No.15752204

Can I skip Genesis?

>> No.15752213
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15752213

>>15746932
pic related is a catholic take that I did find enjoyable.
the author is a protestant convert (from calvinism, i think)

>> No.15752228

>>15752213

>Kreeft
>Dutch for lobster

Is this a pseudonym Jordan Peterson uses when he wants to express some of his more extreme views?

>> No.15752252

>>15752178
yes, i just witnissed it

>> No.15752317

>>15746932
I would suggest using the bible app and listen to the narrator for KJV. Read the Torah or the book of Joshua. Then read Matthew onwards. Or just read it cover to cover.

If you want to study the meaning of the text and not just read the story, use The Scriptures ISR 2009 translation on biblehub. Biblehub has quick access to commentary (i suggest matthew poole) and also hebrew/greek text analysis and strong's concordance among many other tools.

WARNING: IF YOU ACTUALLY READ AND THE BIBLE YOU WILL BECOME A PROT JUDAIZER

>> No.15752324

>>15746932
Don't waste your time anon, life is too short.

>> No.15752328

>>15752204
NO. Genesis shows the literal creation of everything and is the basis for the rest of the bible. without really taking it in and understanding creation the rest of the bible will not make any sense.

>> No.15752344

>>15752324
The bible refers to people like you as a scoffer, the one who rejects remedy and truth.

>> No.15752349

>>15752328
It's just plagiarized from the Enûma Eliš, with the names of the gods changed.

>> No.15752353

>>15752328
I'm like half way through Genesis. But all the talk about so and so and his son who begat so and so and on and on is so boring

>> No.15752360

>>15751651
Cope, atheist.

>> No.15752362

>>15752344
Creepy. Sounds like the equivalent of a "suppressive person" in Scientology.

>> No.15752390

>>15752353
The real core story of the OT starts with Abraham at the end of Genesis, and continues through to the death of Ezra and Nehemiah in the mid 5th century BC.

>> No.15752398

>>15752360
My gods are way WAY godlier than your puny gods. It's not even a contest.

>> No.15752408

>>15752353
You can skip genealogy. Whats important is the concept and taking it in.

>> No.15752431

>>15752349
George Stanley Faber demonstrates how pagan religions degenerated from true faith and true story in his "Origins of Pagan Idolatry". The bible is the written truth.

>> No.15752435
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15752435

>>15752390
>>15752408
Okay

>> No.15752437

>>15752431
Lol.

>> No.15752461

>>15752398
Pagan gods are ancestral worship. YHWH is the only most-high God. G. Faber demonstrates this his "Origin of Pagan Idolatry".

>> No.15752477

>>15752437
Cope. See you on judgement day.

>> No.15752753

>>15746932
Book of John, pay special attention to the first verse.

In fact the first sentence will give you the skinny on christian thought.

>> No.15753130

Read Wisdom Literature i.e. Pslams, Proverbs.

>> No.15754024
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15754024

>>15746932
Hello my based brothers! :)

I really like that clean looking ms paint man he likes jesus and he seems really nice and pure :0

A good old boy. Like me.

>> No.15754136

>>15752477
It was written millennia before the Torah, dumbass.

>> No.15754284

>>15751488
>no wisdom texts
Low IQ, Job and Ecclesiastes are the best books of the OT

>> No.15754711

>>15747596
>In other words, to you, "religion" is synonymous with the Christian faith, correct?
Now you are just being obtuse.

>> No.15754743

>>15746932
don't skip. Read everything, preferrably Douay Rheims

>> No.15754800

>>15750818
it's better to be a brainlet than a chandala morality death cultist

>> No.15754879

Most of these replies seem to be from people who have not read the Bible. I am a Bible major, just finished my undergraduate work, but I was not raised in the church and was new to the Bible a few years ago. If you are brand new to the Bible, don't worry about reading the whole thing yet, you can get a one year Bible and complete the whole thing over a year, but you should start with the over view story of the Bible. Jesus being the heart of that story, you should start with a Gospel.

My recommendation -
Luke>Acts>All of Paul's letters>Genesis>Exodus>1 and 2 Samuel>Isaiah>John>the rest of the NT in order>then find studies to cover the rest of the Bible. The order doesn't matter too much, but Luke and Acts are meant to be read back to back and give the story of Jesus and the start of the church.

>> No.15755128

am i missing much if i read the KJV

>> No.15755190

>>15755128
Not really, the KJV is probably the most beautifully written

>> No.15755332

>>15754136
doesnt matter. writing down something first doesnt mean its the original idea. stories were passed down vocally and/or revealed by God. the alphabet used to record the Torah was based on egyptian hieroglyphs, does that mean the egyptians can take credit for it?

>> No.15755338
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15755338

>>15747546
Well deserved (you)

>> No.15755899

>>15755190
not him but what about the closest to the original? sometimes reading distinct passages from NIV I think that even though it is not poetic, i feel it conveys a direct contact with the holiness of the message, that is, i can experience more directly the implicated degrees of the message, from the simplest and literal sense to figurative to esoteric metaphysical senses. whereas with KJV sometimes we get lost in its poetic beauty.

>> No.15755953 [DELETED] 

>>15746932
https://discord.gg/hwCvNpd

>> No.15755956

>>15746932
>>15746932
just read whatever u want its not a regular book. theres rarely two parts that were written in the same year by the same person

>> No.15756296
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15756296

Is he right?

>> No.15756358

>>15752324
Define to me: what time is not wasted?

>> No.15756381
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15756381

>tfw rereading joshua-judges-samuel this morning

>> No.15756431
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15756431

>>15756381
tfw reading the back half of Genesis this morning

>> No.15756593
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15756593

>>15756381
>>15756431
>tfw reading Job this morning