May I read New Testament firstly instead of OLd Testament?
By ernest_bj
@ernest_bj (38)
China
6 responses
@paarsurrey (62)
• Pakistan
30 Jan 07
No that won't be an appropriate way. One should start from the beginning and end at the end, only then one could understand things in true prospects. Christian Priests do suggest to first read the New Testament, but that is incorrect.
Thanks
I am an Ahmadi - a peaceful faith in Islam working for unity ofall revealed religions.
1 person likes this
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
30 Jan 07
But we need to remember that the Bible is not chronological.
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@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
30 Jan 07
Of course you can start with the New Testament. In fact, I would recommend it.
The first book in the New Testament is the Gospel of Matthew, but Matthew was writing to Jews and is more scholarly and wordy.
I would suggest you start with the Gospel of Mark. Mark presents a rapid, exciting succession of events in the life of Jesus. It is thrilling reading.
After Mark I would suggest the Gospel of John. Some of the events are repeated, but from a different perspective. John dwells on the great love of God.
It would be beneficial, either before or after reading Mark, to read the first three chapters of Genesis.
@ernest_bj (38)
• China
31 Jan 07
Thank u very much!actually i have read majority of New T.now i 'm planning to read Bible systematically.so I want to know if my method is appropriate.Your suggestion is very importance for me.I will take it seriously.thank u madam
@driscollini (174)
• United States
30 Jan 07
Of course you can read the New Testament first, but remember to go back to the Old Testament as you become more familiar with the Bible. To get correct context you should take the Bible as a whole.
I would start in the gospel of John. Or in Mark like Cloudwatcher suggested.
Also as a hint you might want to try reading in Psalms and Proverbs in the Old Testament.
@driscollini (174)
• United States
30 Jan 07
If you are not familiar with the Christian faith I would also recommend reading the book of Romans.
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
31 Jan 07
Romans is by far my most favourite book. I tell all my students that the answer to almost everything is in Romans.
Did you know the Book of Romans is used by Harvard Law School because it is considered the best book to study for someone preparing a court case?
@ernest_bj (38)
• China
31 Jan 07
many thanks.i will surely go back to Old T.
i like book of Roman very much
@jenitha (47)
• India
16 Feb 07
New testament is easy to understand. Still some books of the old testaments will be useful. So you can read Proverbs, Psalms and Ecclesiastes from old testament. It will be very useful for the day to day life.
@jayperiod (870)
• United States
30 Jan 07
I always suggest people to start with the Gospel of John, then read Acts, then Romans. I think from a Christian standpoint, I got so much more out of the Old Testament after I read the New Testament.
Feel free to read the New Testament first.
@brideofchristnj (30)
• United States
13 Feb 07
If you are a new Christian, which we all were at some point, starting at the New Testament is the way to go. I say this only in the sense that if you are a new Christian, you want to learn as much about Jesus, His life, His love, etc, as possible and the NT will offer you that. I suggest that if you are a new Christian, get involved in a local Christian church and get into a fellowship that can help you out. Also, if you search for "Bible reading plans" online you will find some great ones that can lead you through the Bible in as little as a year. Good luck and God bless!
