Moving Forward to A Different Future

I’m currently doing what no new or non-Christian should, probably ever do; but I think is a great tool, especially, for people who’ve been going to church or reading the bible for years. I’m reading the bible one chapter a day & making notes myself on what I’m reading.

Currently I’m up to Numbers & I am finding it far more interesting than I expected. As I read it I’m fascinated by how much of it is based on setting up an advanced system of social control for a really ancient group of people.

For years I’ve taught people the bible, encouraging people to read what it actually says rather than what they think it says. However, I would tend to base this on revisiting selective texts that we might be really familiar with. And that’s how I’ve often used the bible myself.

As adults in churches we often allow others to unpack pre-selected texts for us. Then we use bible study resources to again let others give us ideas about how we should think about passages as we read them.

However what I’m a few months into is reading scripture, in this case, the NIV translation and what it says using reason & experience. To be clear I’m not ditching tradition but I am looking at how the text itself and the historical context might have informed that traditional view too.

I encourage you, if you feel confident enough, to engage in this three year project. For me I’m using a journalling bible for it. I’m writing margin notes of my thoughts so I have a full ongoing record of the journey.