Bible Study Pilot Thread

[Bio-logical]

I am currently reading the bible. I purchased "The HarperCollins Study Bible : New Revised Standard Version With the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Book"
and just started, but I would like to discuss it with others. I was wondering if anybody might be interested in a weekly bible study/discussion/debate.

My wife does not like discussing it with me, since I am an atheist looking at it academically, but I would love to have a Christian, especially a biblically well-versed Christian, to go though this with and get their interpretation.

Depending on interest, I will start a user group and lead the discussion with a timeline. My goal is to read the entire bible over the next year.

I am considering switching versions if anybody would prefer KJV or basically whatever, specifically since I found a website that offers a timeline we could follow and complete it cover to cover over the next year, starting January 1.

http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/48/b.htm

I would like to point out that the format I propose is a weekly discussion of the scriptures read that week, debates will be asked to be held to that timeline or to spur into a new thread after that week is finished. I will post a link to the scripture being read next week with each coming week.

[Bio-logical]

And how about allowing an apostate graduate seminarian and former Christian pastor/[strike]evangandist[/strike] evangelist to join such a group?

Because it's the most popular version in Christiandom, I suggest studying the KJV and then comparing other Bible versions and sacred writings, like the Talmud, Tanakh, and possibly the Qu'ran(?), to its content for a broader view of the teachings within the Abrahamic faiths.

[center][/center]

We would love to have you especially for the fact that you have presumably done studies like this before. I would be very thankful for your assistance and participation.

I think that the group is large enough now that I am going to attempt to open a "group" and see if we can get our own "special group discussion" sub-forum. That way we determine the items discussed within it.

[Goat]

And how about allowing an apostate graduate seminarian and former Christian pastor/[strike]evangandist[/strike] evangelist to join such a group?

Because it's the most popular version in Christiandom, I suggest studying the KJV and then comparing other Bible versions and sacred writings, like the Talmud, Tanakh, and possibly the Qu'ran(?), to its content for a broader view of the teachings within the Abrahamic faiths.

[center][/center]

Comparing the Jewish translations with the KJV would be very enlightening when it comes to certain passages.

[Bio-logical]

I have applied for a custom usergroup, but I am about 1000 tokens short of a custom subforum. I was hoping I might elicit some donations?

[Bio-logical]

had another thought. If we start our own subforum, does that mean that only members of our group can read it? I would like to have it open to anybody who would like to comment, but I also like the idea of being able to block out trolls who are derailing the conversation.

Thoughts?

[myth-one.com]

I would like to point out that the format I propose is a weekly discussion of the scriptures read that week, debates will be asked to be held to that timeline or to spur into a new thread after that week is finished. I will post a link to the scripture being read next week with each coming week.

Suggest all read the same version, but retain the right to refer to other versions for further clarifications or to resolve contradictions in the version all are reading.

It might be difficult to stay on a schedule, why not make it flexible? All read the specified assignment, discuss it, any more questions, assign next section.

I say that because there are individual verses which can be debated in depth, while other sections can be covered quickly. In the first two verses of the Bible, for example, did God create the the earth without form, void, and dark as it is written, or did it become that way over time? That's important to resolve before continuing.

Did God create man as an immortal soul or a living being? One's definition of man's creation in Genesis 2:7 determines how the remainder of the Bible will be "read."

I'd like to participate. Merry Christmas everyone!

[Abraxas]

I'd be interested in participating, though I would eventually like to expand it to beyond the Bible. I know that the majority of us are in western cultures and so the dominant religion we are exposed to is Christianity, however, on a personal level I think it important to be well prepared in general when it comes to religion. Perhaps read the Koran and some other books of widespread religions to gain a more full and complete understanding of the religious terrain.

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of tokens to donate to your cause yet, however, those I do have I would be willing to send over to get our own subforum going.

[Heterodoxus]

I have applied for a custom usergroup, but I am about 1000 tokens short of a custom subforum. I was hoping I might elicit some donations?

How can I donate?

[FinalEnigma]

I have applied for a custom usergroup, but I am about 1000 tokens short of a custom subforum. I was hoping I might elicit some donations?

How can I donate?

where it shows the posters name on the left hand side of the post, you can just look straight down from there where it says 'donate' below their usergroups

[Heterodoxus]

I have applied for a custom usergroup, but I am about 1000 tokens short of a custom subforum. I was hoping I might elicit some donations?

How can I donate?

where it shows the posters name on the left hand side of the post, you can just look straight down from there where it says 'donate' below their usergroups

Done, but I had to do it via your Profile screen.

[Bio-logical]

Thank you to all of those who have donated, I have received more than enough to start the user group discussion and I can't thank you enough for your emphatic response.

I would like to point out that the format I propose is a weekly discussion of the scriptures read that week, debates will be asked to be held to that timeline or to spur into a new thread after that week is finished. I will post a link to the scripture being read next week with each coming week.

Suggest all read the same version, but retain the right to refer to other versions for further clarifications or to resolve contradictions in the version all are reading.

It might be difficult to stay on a schedule, why not make it flexible? All read the specified assignment, discuss it, any more questions, assign next section.

I say that because there are individual verses which can be debated in depth, while other sections can be covered quickly. In the first two verses of the Bible, for example, did God create the the earth without form, void, and dark as it is written, or did it become that way over time? That's important to resolve before continuing.

Did God create man as an immortal soul or a living being? One's definition of man's creation in Genesis 2:7 determines how the remainder of the Bible will be "read."

I'd like to participate. Merry Christmas everyone!

I agree, perhaps a timeline is too strict for this format, particularly with some of the discussions I can see happening. I struggle with "assignments" then though, since I do not know the proper breaking points. I did find Study Notes and Outlines that might give us a good guideline, breaks things apart by stories.

As far as the version or translation goes, I think as long as we are reading the same books and chapters, the words used should not be too big of an issue and might offer some good conversation points. I am still for diversity of translations since I will be posting links to the KJV online for every reading we do.

Thanks for the input!