Introduction:
The most misquoted book in the world, the Holy Bible is often called,
among other things, a fairy tale, or a myth. But there is no doubt it is
the biggest seller ever and numbers being produced have never been
higher. On the one hand it can be simple enough to allow a child to
understand; on the other, complicated so even the top scholars can be
challenged. The Bible calls itself the “Living Word.”
A very intelligent agnostic Josh McDowell once set out to prove
the Bible wrong and ended up writing a book called “Evidence That
Demands a Verdict: Historical Evidences for the Christian Faith.”
He discovered that there were far more original manuscripts for the
Bible than any other historical book and now follows the God it is all
about.
I’m not going to go into deep theological debate or technical
issues about the Bible here as there are many books and sites for that.
But sometimes in life we have to stop debating or intellectualising
about things and just get on and do something. In this case, picking it
up and reading it, giving God a chance to talk to us. Laying aside
pre-conceived ideas for a moment and letting God speak into our spirit.
The Bible is a spiritual, live book. It is more up to date in places
than tomorrow’s newspapers. I love to read it and
hear God. Yes he does communicate through the Bible. If you want to try
this out, ask God to speak specifically to you as you read it and expect
to see or hear. Persevere, because it might not be immediate.
How do you know its God speaking? Well it will be the bits that jump out
at you, the bits that you can’t get out of your mind or the bits that
make you angry.
I would personally start with reading about the life of Jesus in
the Gospel of Luke which then continues into the Book of Acts – both
found in the New Testament. Then if you are still reading, have a look
at the run through below to see what else you can read about.
(You don’t have to start at the beginning and finish at the end.)
At the front is an index of the Old Testament and the New
Testament
Old Testament
Genesis to Job
The Bible starts with the creation of the world and we see
clearly man’s relationship with God and his role in the earth. Then you
read on about certain individuals that God chooses to lead and develop
his chosen people the Israelites. God is very protective towards these
people, even though they don’t always choose to follow him. He deals
very severely with their enemies, and there are wars as he takes them
into the land he promised them. When established there, God asks the
Israelites to love him and obey his commands. He promises them peace and
prosperity if they do, but curses and suffering if they don’t. But bit
by bit, they turn away from God and sin grievously against him. Then God
allows other peoples to invade their land and the Bible tells how Israel
sometimes choose to follow God and reclaim their land and then choose
not to follow him and lose it again, gradually losing most of it and
eventually being taken into exile by the Babylonians. You can read this
historic account right through to the book of Esther. Fascinating
reading, but don’t get bogged down in some of the genealogy and some of
the laws. Please note, you may have heard of some of the characters in
Sunday school. Take a new look at how God works together with different
men and women and uses them to carry out his plans, even though they
make mistakes and do wrong.
The Psalms
Some have called this the Bible’s hymn book. The Psalms are a
series of songs or prayers to God, mostly written by King David,
expressing, joy, hope, fear, disappointment, shame, confidence etc. You
can find a psalm relevant for most situations you will encounter.
Proverbs
This is the wisdom section. A series of one liner’s written by
the wisest man on earth –King Solomon. Proverbs continues into
Ecclesiastes.
Song of Songs
God’s love section. Poetry about love, a Lover and his Beloved. This
can be used as a man to a woman, or more importantly as God to his
people.
Isaiah to Malachi - The Prophets
This is God speaking through his prophets, trying to get His
people to turn back to him. Not easy reading
New Testament
Matthew to John – The Gospels
Charting the amazing birth, life and death of
Jesus Christ.
This shows how the Jews, God’s chosen people, rejected Jesus and did not
accept him as The Messiah. They were looking for a warrior who would
free them from the Romans and Jesus did not fit into this category. Also
Jesus opened up his salvation to make it available to everybody who
turns to him. Most Jews are still waiting for their Messiah. Please note
that Jesus doesn’t always say what we want him to.
Acts – written by Luke
The setting up of the Early Church
and the opposition from the Jews.
Romans to Jude – The Letters
Letters from leaders of the
Church to the new churches instructing, teaching and encouraging them.
Sometimes rebuking them, correcting them or motivating them. All
Christian churches should be operating within these guidelines.
Revelation
A complex book that speaks about the end of the world,
judgement and Heaven. This book must be kept in balance with the rest of
the Bible as many weird and wonderful movements and cults have sprung up
out of getting this out of context.
Unfortunately many people have used the Bible for their own means,
sometimes with tragic consequences. Some people have a point of view and
then scour the Bible for different verses to back up their argument.
WRONG. It should not be used to fit around us. It was written for us to
fit around. Now this might be really difficult at times, especially when
it says things that contradict our viewpoint or how we are living. But
if you use it as the plumb line for your life it brings a real security
and peace. Approach it with humility, expecting to learn what it says
and you will hear from God.
In summary: The Holy Bible is an incredible book, sometimes hard going,
sometimes inspiring, but always able to bring God’s living word directly
to you.
Practical tips.
There are quite a few different versions of the Bible and this can
cause confusion. We have probably all read some of the original King
James Version KJV. We need to remember when this was first translated it
was an amazing breakthrough as it meant people could read it in English
for the first time. But of course we don’t speak like that now. So other
groups have translated it to read easier without changing what it says.
I will give you a few examples. The most popular and my personal
favourite is the New International Version NIV, which The Gideons use
for their Bibles. There is a New King James Version NKJV, a Revised
Standard Bible RSB, a New American Standard Bible NASB, to name a few.
The Good News Bible is a simpler version while the Living Bible and the
new “Word on the Street” are paraphrases of what the Bible says, aimed
at those who have never encountered the Bible before.
All of the above versions give the identical message just in a
different way. There are versions to avoid however which actually have
changed the fundamental truth of the Scriptures, the most well known
being the New World Translation.
If you want to buy a Bible, pop into a local Christian Bookshop
where they will be able to advise you. Alternatively if you are online
there are companies like
www.bibles.co.uk or just type in Bibles.
PS this site is not sponsored by Bibles.co.uk nor has any links to them,
but they do offer a large range and seem to know what they are talking
about.
Popular misquotes
The Lord helps those who help themselves. I’m still looking for this
one
An eye for an eye. Jesus actually said, “you have heard it said, an
eye for an eye”
The love of money is the root of all evil. Actually it should read
“The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil”
Jesus only preached love. Sorry not true. Some of his teaching
caused offence and actually got him killed.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Still looking for this one
too.
God will understand. Often used by people when they are doing wrong.
Of course God understands what you are doing but that doesn’t mean he is
pleased.
God will forgive me. Only if you ask him to and stop doing wrong.
God is a God of love. Absolutely, but he is also a God of Wrath, of
Judgement and has absolute authority over all things. Best to be on his
right side don’t you think?
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