How do you read the Bible?

Just a quick comment on reading the Bible in order. The Bible is not chronologically arranged. If you want to read it as history, a chronological Bible, which places everything in time order, would be more suited. The Bible is divided into sections: The five books of Moses / History / Poetry / Major prophets / Minor prophets / Gospels / History / Letters / Prophecy.

I'm most concerned with not plucking verses out of context and thereby altering the meaning.

Personally, I have found that If I don't read in context, it alters the meaning. I'd like to know how this works for you. Curious; why did you choose the NAS Bible? Does it just speak to you more clearly??

Oh, honey I love you to bits, but I hate the NIV. LOL There are over 60,000 documented ommisions, deletions, and alterations in that version. But it's OK. If it speaks to you, that is all that matters. I generally read KJV, simply because it's the first English translation and the least corrupted. I like to read cover to cover in ctontext so as not to alter the meaning. Christian is great. I was raised a non denominational Christian. Our church was led by my father in our living room. It was a wonderful childhood.

The New American is a Catholic Bible, which means it has the books of the Apocrapha in it. I can buy it in a paperback version and have used up a couple of them. I never could totally understand the King James version...the english is too difficult. I also have a NIV version, a New Jerusalem Bible and my 365 day Bible is the new living translation, I think. I am most used to the American, but use them all.

Hi estherlou, As I stated above, I like to read in context because I've found that it alters the meaning to not do so. I'm curious to know why you choose the American Bible. Does it speak more clearly to you? I think this will be a common question for me. LOL. I do read KJV as it is the original English translation and I feel it is the least corrupted. But my father always told me that the words speak to you. We all need to go with what speaks more clearly. Thanks for responding.

Can you explain Panthiest to me? I love religion. If it's too much to post on this discussion, feel free to PM me. Thanks for responding. I must admit that although I do call myself a christian, I feel my path is non demonimational. I follow the teachings of Jesus of nazareth. I also follow the principles of buddism and hinduism because it feels right. And I think it is in line with the teachings of Jesus.

Ok, let's see if I can put this as briefly as possible. I'll skim over the basics and hopefully that will give you a good idea. The name is derived from the Greek, Pan = All, theos = God. Pantheism is the belief that God is not the creator of the universe, God IS the universe, all that is. God is not separate from us because we, as part of this universe, are a part of God. We don't worship a anthropomorphic being that is male or female, there is no dogma, doctrine or ritual involved. This is a spiritual path of reverence for all. Some people use the term religion, I do not because of the connotation of current organized religions. Pantheism to me is a spiritual path of growth and discovery that grows and changes as I grow and change. The more I know of nature, people, science, etc. the closer I get to understanding my place within God. To me there is no heaven or hell, no devil. Good and evil are what we create in our own minds and show in our actions to others. We are in essence immortal in that matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed, since we consist of matter and energy, we have always been a part of God and we will always be a part of God. There are no rules to Pantheism, only common sense ethics and common sense code of conduct. Any harm done to another is doing harm to oneself because what harms one harms all. What is good and evil isn't the mandate of something outside of us, but as a result of the way we are all interconnected. Instead of good choices being based on fear of divine punishment, it comes from a mutual respect for all things. We are free to combine other beliefs into our ethics and conduct if we chose. I personally can relate to aspects of many other religions and philosophies. There you are in a nutshell :D Here are some of my favorite Pantheistic quotes: A religion old or new, that stressed the magnificence of the universe as revealed by modern science, might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by the conventional faiths. Sooner or later, such a religion will emerge. ~ Carl Sagan "Pale Blue Dot" A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute the truly religious attitude; in this sense, and this alone, I am a deeply religious man. ~ Albert Einstein "The World as I See It" Larry King: Do you believe in God? Stephen Hawking: Yes, if by God is meant the embodiment of the laws of the universe. Larry King Live, December 25, 1999 I believe in the cosmos. All of us are linked to the cosmos. So nature is my god. To me, nature is sacred. Trees are my temples and forests are my cathedrals. Mikhail Gorbachev ~ former President of the Soviet Union

Thanks for that information. I love it. I feel that I agree with all of those principles. Thank you very much.

My cousin is a pentacostal preacher. he and my dad, who is a methodist preacher, have a great time debating scripture at our family reunions. What is the King james Regency? What is the difference? Does it overpass the King?(as in James, sexist, homophobe, possible closet queer, superstition nut, and a bunch of other things), or is it just a more modern version of the KJ script? I love to read from cover to cover. Each time I read, I find something else that interests me. I generally go to my dad for I feel he knows a hell of a lot more than I do. He's a minister, converted rabbi, and he speaks aramic, greek, hebrew, and latin. he's also seen the scrolls. But he doesn't tell me what things mean. He asks me what I think they mean and why. Its' frustrating at times, but I understand that he wants to guide, but not persuade. Does that make sense? Thanks for responding. In all of your responses that I have seen, I see, understanding, intelligence and common sense. Glad you responded to mine.

i have always gone by the KJv. I believe all english translations are corrupt, but the KJV is less corrupt. This is strange because I believe the King is an intentional corruptor. But as far as linguistics, it is acceptable.

Regency (from nelson publishing) is just the name of who printed it. There are a few others that do king james versions with the parallel new translation. I am sure if my friends/family seen your post that they would say you are giving me way too much credit and die laughing. Probably some here are laughing now!

Why did you switch? The OT has so many great stories about the hebrew people and the history of that time.

I don't disagree with that. The words of Jesus are the only part of the Bible that I take literally. Although the different gospels have a different interpreation of his birth and beginnings, the teachings are the same.

I agree it needs to be read in context. Why the NIV? I have to admit, this is my least favorite version of the Bible, but if it speaks best to you, more power to ya. Just curious as to why?