Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Is There A Good Book to Learn Jesus and Religion?

I really don’t want to derail this thread because it was a good and honest question that the OP asked. I just tried to suggest something to read as he requested. I agree 100% with understanding the context of scripture as the main way to understand scripture itself. That’s is Chapter 1, article 9 of the confession I recommended. But I disagree with your statement about the Bible not teaching anything. All it does is teach about my sin, my need for a savior, the salvation found in Christ. I think you meant that it doesn’t teach a system of theology or beliefs. But even you have to admit that you believe things not explicitly stated in scripture, but rather inferred. For instance, you claim that the KJV is the only authentic English version of the Bible (you might do this jokingly) but where in the KJV does it name the 66 books that make up the KJV as each being the word of God compared to other books. I’m not talking about 2 Tim 3:16 where it says all scripture is God-breathed or inspired by God. And I know Jesus referred to Moses, the Law, the prophets, and the Psalms as scripture. But I’m talking about naming Revelation or Acts or Ephesians as God’s word, but 2 Enoch isn’t. It doesn’t name them. But you trust that the early church and the men who met at the council of Hippo obeyed God and got the canon of scripture right. Why then is it impossible to believe that men could honestly try to compile their beliefs about scripture into a text that helps people understand His word better? Not to replace or supercede His word, but to help someone learn it better, like Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Please pm me if you would like to discuss this further because I don’t want to detract from the his original question.

BowtechDan, please don’t let the fact that people disagree about things regarding Jesus and the Bible deter you in any way from your desire to know more. We are called to child-like faith (totally dependent), but not to childish faith (satisfied that we won’t go to hell with no desire for spiritual growth). We are called to spiritual maturity. A disagreement among believers doesn’t mean that we don’t respect and love one another. We are commanded to love the Lord with all of our mind. It’s something often overlooked and undervalued. Read and listen to as much as you can, but test everything against scripture.

Open a good translation Bible and start reading. A person should read daily so they can recognize if the preachers sermon or anybody else is skewing what is biblically correct . Remember man has twisted anything they touch so reading the bible with less commentaries is best until you have a good grasp of the scripture. Its not hard just pick a time each day you can dedicate to spending time in God's word. The benefits are huge

I haven't read all the replies, so this might have already been mentioned. I have found the Bible Project videos on You Tube to be decently theologically sound summaries of books of the bible. Very easy to watch and listen to, and they summarize things in common language. After watching them you can go back and read the actual scripture a few times, then watch the video again. A good way to absorb a lot quickly. I can't swear I've seen all their content, but I think they are worth watching. They almost pack so much summarized information into such a small window of time you have to back up and watch again.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVfwlh9XpX2Y_tQfjeln9QA

Don't let the animations/cartoons fool you, there is serious content in the one's I've watched. I think they are worthwhile.

Also, I agree with simply reading the gospels over and over first. If you do this and digest the content along with praying I guarantee you you'll be ahead of a lot of people out there. Everyone has an opinion, but I enjoy 1 John and James as well. There's probably more in Romans than I'll ever know and understand fully, but I like it. Hope that's a good start for you. I will pray for you (and myself) now as well. I think the urge to consume scripture is a great sign that God is working in your life. I hope we can all, myself included, intentionally pursue a sound understanding of scripture.

Jeremiah 29:13

[13] You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

No im not joking about the kjb being the pure preserved Word of God.
God promised preservation of His words in psalm 12 6/7.Jesus said heaven and hearth would pass away but His words would not.
you cannot believe in inspiration without preservation.
as far as the books of tbe Bible Isaiah has 66 chapters the same number of books in the Bible and each chapter is a mini version of each book of the Bible and the writing style changes after chapter 39 of Isaiah. 39 books in old testament 27 in the new.
man did not do that GOD did that. the kjb was sealed with God's number which is 7 all over it.
no other "version" comes close.

I dont use terms that are not scriptural like limited atonement or irresistible grace because you wont find that in the Bible.

The bible project is a really good resource. Even has an app that is very easy to use. You can get everything from video overviews of each book of the bible to high level scholarly “classes” and lectures.

Well, Jesus walked the earth teaching exactly what is in the bible. Even those who were closest to him did not understand what he was saying to them until what? The spirit is the key. The bible is just words in the absence of the spirit. Its just a story until the spirit shows you its real and what your place in it is. The spirit is the key. God draws with his spirit. He leads with his spirit. His spirit will provide the understanding. Its pretty simple really.

Great post JDub. I think some young Christians struggle recognizing His Spirit and listening to Him. I’ve been reading and studying some stuff that helps with that. Everything the Spirit speaks to us has to go through our minds before we take it to action. Transform yourself through the renewing of your mind right? Our minds are filled with emotions, input from the World, input from the Spirit, and fiery darts lol. Taking control of your mind and your emotions is a big key to allowing free rein of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our lives. Our minds are a complex thing and hard to understand but I am trying lol.

The spirit speaks and what we hear is uncomfortable to us. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowlege. Conviction comes first, showing us were lost and will stay lost unless we submit to Gods plan. If you submit and recieve salvation, the indwelling Spirit will then lead and guide you. But guess what, that leadership and guidance is not comfortable to us. We are fleshly creatures, rebellious by nature. The whole concept of submission is foreign to us without the help of the Lord. I believe most people will turn the Spirit away. Those who initially submit will try to retain ownership of their lives. Eternity is sealed but ill do what i want to here on earth. Sanctification is a process lead by the Spirit. But i bwlieve ignoring the instruction of the Spirit gets easier every time you do it, Gods voice gets quieter and your flesh gets louder. Cultivating a relationship with the Lord is of utmost importance. And i believe that looks alot lie building a relationship with any other person. Yes its different because its God but the dynamics of it are much the same.

All good posts. These religious threads are comparable to a marriage relationship with your wife. You will soon learn what you can or cannot say before you get in the doghouse lol If a person just nails down the part where Jesus blood covers your sin. If you accept the fact that he did it all for us you got the main point. As Jwalker says seek to please the Lord. Humble yourself before him. Don't worry what anybody else thinks because if you are seeking the praise of men you have missed the boat. And when you hear things that may differ a little from what you have learned don't let it worry you. Maybe just pray for them

Appreciate the replies. Will review and look into some of the responses and take it from there. Thanks!

Good luck on your quest. It is an honorable one.

Ill say this, if youre legitamately looking for answers, if i was you, i would just start reading the bible and praying every day that the Lord will show you the truth.i believe with all my heart if you start seeking him with an open heart and open mind, he will lead you to the truth. You really dont need our help. But honestly, i thought you were being sarcastic when you started this thread