Introductions
Housekeeping
If you received this first issue in your email, it’s because you signed up for my mailing list. Most likely long ago. And it’s perfectly understandable if you don’t remember signing up, because this is the first thing I’ve ever used it for. I hope, before you hit the spam button, that you’ll give me a chance to explain this relaunch, and you’ll decide to stick around.
If you found this place through some other means, welcome!
Introduction to this publication
It is said that this generation is one of the most Biblically illiterate in history, yet you wouldn’t know it from the way people talk. Everyone thinks they’re an expert on the Bible, but how many times have you heard someone say something, and you just sit there scratching your head, wondering what book of the Bible did they get that from? Is that really even in there? Are you sure you read that right? I don’t think it says that.
The sad truth is that most of these of so-called "experts" haven’t gotten their Biblical knowledge from actually reading the book, and even fewer have taken any time to expand their knowledge through study. Too many simply receive their biblical teaching from people who are just as Biblically illiterate as they are; people who are seriously misguided on what the Bible says; or people who have intentionally sabotaged God's Word. To be honest, I think too many people have gotten their Biblical knowledge not from reading the book, but from main stream media.
That’s where this publication comes in. The goal is to go to the source, learn what the Bible actually says, and maybe make some corrections in our understanding of what it says.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Tim 3:16, ESV)
So, I have a couple of questions. If all Scripture is “breathed out by God,” and you believe it, why would you not want to know all of what He has to tell you? If all Scripture is profitable, why do so few read it? Or why do so many skip the Old Testament?
I’m embarking on another read-through of the entire Bible, and this is where I will post my progress beginning with Genesis. Yes, it’s going to be a long road, but I think it’ll be worth it. So how do I see this playing out?
1. The intention for this is not to be a verse-by-verse commentary. The amount of time it would take for me to write, and you to read, would be enormous. Besides, verse-by-verse commentaries already exist. What I envision is a journey that, ideally, we take together. We both read, and I highlight what I believe to be especially important in today’s landscape.
2. We won’t agree on everything. I’ll skip things you think are important, and I’ll highlight things you think are a waste of time. Either way, let me know. We can have discussions.
3. Generally speaking, this isn’t going to be a deep dive. I believe that most of what the Bible has to say, it says in a way that is accessible to the masses, and rather easily understood. I believe that most of the misunderstanding doesn’t come from hidden meanings, but a lack of understanding due to time. Things that were clear to those who heard the Word two, three, four thousand years ago, aren’t quite as clear to us simply because we live in a different time.
4. Context. First, while this is aimed at Christians who believe that the God of the Bible is real, I understand that there may be those who don’t believe that. If you’re going to follow this, you need to understand, and accept the idea that this is the context that this publication is written in because that is the context that the Bible is written in. Even if you don’t agree with that, you need to pretend, in order to understand where this is coming from.
5. More context. Modern humans aren’t any better than ancient humans. I say that from a moral standpoint, and as a measure of intelligence. You only have to read the news to see that as a whole, society is just as depraved now as it was in ancient times. And just because we’re more technically advanced, doesn’t mean we’re smarter. Some of the things the ancients accomplished are mind blowing, and how they did it, still eludes modern scientists. Examples: The Astonishing Achievements of our Ancient Ancestors, and Ten Things the Ancients Did Better than Us
6. The Bible contains some things that are uncomfortable. We all know it. Anti-Christians love to point them out. I’m going to discuss some of them. Some of them are taken out of context. Some of them are taken out of context intentionally. Some of the topics are just plain hard to deal with. And some of them, we just don’t like, because it speaks to our own faults. If you don’t feel convicted from time to time, you’re probably not doing this correctly.
Introduction to me
I’ve been blogging on and off under the title Reflection on Plumb for a number of years, and even though most of what I posted came through the eyes of a Christian, most of the posts were also politically related. That was never my intent, but it just seemed to come out that way. Politics drive me up the wall, and a lot of those posts just flowed naturally.
Earlier I talked about how everyone thinks they’re an expert. Well, I don’t consider myself one. I do, however, consider myself to be Biblically literate. I’ve read the Bible cover to cover several times, and I’ve gone so far as to get a Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Studies. While I can’t quote Bible verses off the top of my head, I have a pretty good recall of contents and contexts.
I also admit that I don’t know it all. There’s too much to know, and I’m still learning, and will continue to learn, even if, God willing, I make it through the whole Bible with this publication. The plan, however, is to know more then, than I do now.
I’m human. I’m imperfect. But I try not to read into Scripture. When I read and study, I always have the following question in mind: what does God want me to get out of this? And that is the approach I will continue to try and take as I work my way through again.
That’s enough rambling
Hopefully you have a pretty good idea of what to expect, and now that it’s written down, I have a guidebook to help me stay within the lines.
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