How do you know what the proper context is? |
Well, for starters, you have to read more than a verse or two, and stop parsing individual sentences. |
But people often quote a verse or two and interpret its meaning - and there is often more than one way to interpret a verse. |
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I read the New Testament in Ancient Greek. OP, I can assure you that your "studies" and quibbling over phrasing and words are pointless because you lose so much in the translation of a text, especially in the case of such an old source/ancient language.
I am not a Christian, but I will never understand why, if you truly believe that your Bible is the word of God, you don't bother learning the original language of the New Testament. There are so many words and phrases that are difficult to translate, or impossible to translate 100% accurately, and the bias of each individual translator shapes the "message" you actually get. |
Many Bible-believing Christians look to the Bible for inspiration and guidance, unaware of or not concerned by the linguistic history of the Bible. It is their holy book. |
| Yes. |
So do you believe it's the word of God, or do you believe it's literature? |
| I once tried the paperclip method and it worked great. You put a paperclip at the start of the New Testament, the Old Testament, the Gospels, and Psalms. Every day, you read a bit from each section and move your paperclip to the new position. Here is a similar reading plan with specific readings each day: https://www.alextran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Discipleship_Journal_-_Bible_Reading_Plan.pdf I found this through a Google search. You would want to start with the January readings (Genesis, Psalms, Acts, Matthew). You could combine this with the paperclip method. Basically, you could do the four readings and then move your paperclips. |
That sounds like a great plan. I have tried it reading from the Old Testament beginning and the New Testament everyday--but I have never done it that way. I must admit that I have frequently had to start over as I have never finished either. I do read from the Bible every day, however. Just not straight through. |
| I do not believe that the Bible is the ultimate word of God because different translations can lead to various outcomes. But reading it every day is a way for me to stay in touch with the basics of religion and think through what they mean and how they can provide inspiration in my life. |
by literature, do you mean fiction? |
If the Bible is not the word of God and if you can't count on the meanings of the translations, how does it help you stay in touch with the basics of religion and provide inspiration? |
| The one year bible. It has the calendar dates. You just read that day and it takes about 10-15 minutes a day. |
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I made a goal for 2017 of reading (not studying) the entire Bible. I use my Holy Bible App on my phone and chose the plan to read the Bible in a year. This plan doesn't go straight through, but has you reading the OT, NT, and Psalm and/or Proverbs.
I also do some studying during my devotional time and my Ladies Bible Study Group. During my devotions, I will read a chapter, then look up the chapter in multiple commentaries to try to have a better understanding. I do some of my reading (Bible in a year)while eating dinner (I'm alone),and my devotional before bed when I do prayer and worship (singing and listening to music). However you manage to do it OP, God will honor. He says if you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. |