First post! Woot! Looking forward to hearing this series! Not looking forward to the early morning but whatever, we’ll get over that wont we?

Hi Mikey, yes it is pretty cool, a book written over thousands of years, by 40 different authors yet with an interconnected and cohesive message… that still speaks life to the 21st Century… wow, what a Book.

Hi all, today’s message was awesome.My bible has always been something I have treasured and it has inspired and challenged me on so many occasions. Interestingly in the lead up to Easter, a head teacher in one of the schools I work in was talking to the children about Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness and he asked me the question if I could only take one thing into the desert with me what would it be. I said my bible, which lead to him asking if I read my bible every day. It was a great opportunity to just share something of my faith with him and how important the word is to me. But going back today it was just so good to have the technical side of the bible explained.I have been a Christian twenty six years and cannot recall ever having the make up of the bible explained as it was today. I just loved the visual – it made it so much easier to understand. Just great stuff John, thank you – looking forward to the rest of the series!

Great point on Sunday about the ‘little red book’ – how God may allow something to be around for a few years but then it gets a place in a museum and becomes associated with a certain period of history. However, the same cant be done with the Bible as its living words relevant for every single person who has ever lived and will ever live.
Ever read a book and wanted to be in the story? With the Bible thats exactly what happens. We read about God’s history with mankind and his power in light of how it can effect our lives today. The living word of God really does have the power to shape our lives if we allow it to.

Hi Everyone, for those who weren’t at New Life on Sunday… you missed a great treat!! As Nicky said, the visual was superb – well done Paul. In 40yrs church attendance, I’ve never had the books of the Bible explained to me so clearly. One question i do have (for now), is that if the pre-exile and post-exile books are meant to be read together… why are they not put next to each other in the Bible? Who decided the actual order of the books of the Bible? Anyway, great start, looking forward to Part 2. A final quick mention… the recommended books to this series are GREAT!! (not that I’m biased or anything!!)

John, I really enjoyed your preaching on Sunday. You explained iThings so simply that they made sense, You have really inspired me to read my bible more.

I love Mikey’s comment about the Bible being a book that baffles as well as inspires. I think that’s exactly the way it should be. It’s an astonishing book in every sense!

Shall I tackle the question from Sharon? The answer is, it’s all to do with the order in which the canon of scripture was finalised and agreed. I haven’t been able to listen to the podcast yet so apologies if John has already covered this, but very quickly: there are actually a couple of slightly different canons. We all go with the Protestant one, but the Catholic canon adds a couple of extra books which Protestants consider interesting but not inspired, and the Jewish canon is a little different. It basically has the same books, but organised differently. For instance, they don’t separate out Chronicles, Samuel and Kings into 1 and 2, they just have one of each, and the minor prophets are all grouped together into one book, called the Book of the Twelve. And the order of their canon is quite different, primarily because they think of the sections of the canon very differently.

I’m not quite sure exactly how John broke things down but one common approach for us as Christians is to split the OT into Law, History, Poetry and Prophecy (pretty much in that order, so we end with Malachi as the last book of our OT). The Hebrew Bible is formally organised into three sections: Law, Prophets and Writings, and the Jewish canon was completed in that order … the first five books first, which were accepted as inspired long before the prophets (and the Hebrew Bible includes the historical books as ‘prophets’, which in itself is interesting – it just makes the point that you’re getting a prophetic account of history when you read them!). The prophetic books in both Christian and Jewish canons are pretty much in historical order. Then the writings, for Jews, includes what we would call the poetic books (Psalms, Job, Ecclesiastes), but also Chronicles, Ezra/Nehemiah and (interestingly) Daniel. These books were only added into the canon after the Law and the Prophets were accepted as authoritative scripture, and are therefore often assumed by OT scholars to be rather later in date.

So, to get back to the question: the order of the Jewish canon is basically decided by the historical order of books (i.e., the order in which the historical events described took place, not necessarily the order in which the books were written) within the three main sections of the canon: law, prophets and writings. When the order of the Christian canon was being agreed, basically had different sections, but followed the same principle – group the books into a section (law, history, poetry, etc.) and then sort the section chronologically. So the postexilic books are quite often just after the preexilic books, but where they aren’t, it’s because of the thematic organisation of the Bible.

Hmm … I could probably have just written that last sentence and it would have been clearer and more helpful!! Ah well

Just finished Divine Mentor (recommended reading with the series) – easy to read and yet challenging – good to inspire you with your daily readings – worth a read. Love the series – what a great teacher we have at RNLCC!!!

Hi Andrew, our small group would like an explaination to your answer in more simple terms… can you break it down a bit more… we have new Christians in our group.

i jus cant make any sense of the bible no matta how much id like 2 it jus makes so little sense 2 me

Hi everyone I am currently reading the new testament and have decided to firstly read the bible from start to finish then do the same with the old testament and so will have read it once before starting a reading plan. I used to read as and when I can so quite often this would be for an hour. but might have only been once a week.
However I don’t seem to take everything in. So now I read about 6 days a week 4 verses. Even if I have more time to read I but my bible down and take in what I have read before reading more.
I have found this helps me understand it more. I would also like to thank John Andrews, I did not know that most of the what I was reading was letters. Before I knew this I was I started to find the bible confusing.
My bible read as brought me today to 2 Timothy. The verse that stood out for me was 3.16. I jumped for my computer to blog my findings and John Andrews as already beat me to it on the blog home page.
Thanks Steven.

Just want to say I took one of the recommended books away with me this weekend – “Divine Mentor” and it is brilliant – a great recommendation John. Because of my dyslexia I would normally find this type of book hard to read, but it is so easy to digest, understand and apply. A real encouragement to me. Get reading folks – it will encourage you to dig deeper into the word! Missed hearing the message Sunday, but we hope to catch it on the pod cast.

Hi Carol, the Powerpoints are downloadable.

Follow the link from the Podcast page or from here. You will need to sign up with AuthorStream to download.

Regards
Paul

A reply to Susan Coldwell. Sometimes the difference in the wording is down to either the text being used by the translators, or simply they way they translate or even interpret the words from the original text. Perhaps if you gave me an example of what you’ve found and I’ll try to answer the question more precisely. By the way, I’m really not a scholar, just a learner… like you.
Living the dream
John A

Hello,

We’ve had an excellent discussion tonight with Pastor John about reading our bibles. We’ve all been challenged and inspired and here are some of the decisions we have made:

Helen has started a new plan to help her Bible reading and has set a new time to read.

Janine – Reads her Bible whilst reading her porridge in the morning.

From the discussion tonight we have come to an understanding of how the different translations work and why we have so many.

Simeon suggested that when we read the Bible atfer reading the heading its like watching a movie after watching the trailor because you watch it with the intent of seeing the clip you saw in the trailor you miss out on the rest of the film, whereas if you watch it with no preconceptions you see so much more and appreciate the whole film. We can read a passage and only see what we’ve been told its about and miss out on what God wants to tell us so we should always read the Bible as if we are reading it for the first time – nice one Simbo!

P.S I rememebr my aunty giving my a little yellow book in the mid 60S (time of cultural revolution in China) called The thoughst of Jesus – published by a catholic society. I liked the idea then!

Came across a great site yesterday, to help with getting into the Bible. It’s called WordLive on the Scripture Union site: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id (Not sure if we can post links, but if it doesn’t work just go to Scripture union .org .uk and click on WordLive.)Each day there is a Bible passage to read or listen to and bite size studies to stimulate thinking and a challenge to respond. It can also be downloaded as a podcast, you could have it sent as a daily e-mail or even view on your mobile (if you have internet access on it. All round it’s a great site, well worth a look.
Neal

Some people think the bible is useless and it is if you treat it that way but if you go to read it with the right attitude and your mind clear you will see what god wants you to see and there will be nothing in your way. So clear your mind and get stuck in to Gods amazing word. Come on

This is a reply for Simeon regarding his friend at school. I like what Nikki said, but perhaps it would be good for yo and I to talk on the issue. I’d like to hear what your friend really thinks. As we live in the same house.. we should be able to organise that. Great contributions to the blog Simbo… lovin’ it.
Living the dream
John A

Yes reading porridge is not a good idea -it’s very stodgy.
Nikki yes wordlive is great and it actually ties in with several of the S.U. notes (I use ‘Encounter with God’ – I like that title -it used to be called Daily Notes!!). S.U have invested alot of money in it -worth making it known.

MEDITATION

Dear John

Firstly, thanks for replying to my previous blog. As always you give good advice. Currently reading a book called ‘Red Letter Questions’ on ‘Questions Jesus Asked’.
However re: Meditation.
I enjoyed and yet felt somewhat at sea by your ministry yesterday. I have become confused! Not an unusual occurrence for me. Most of yesterday afternoon and last night I have been scratching my head reading and re-reading your notes. Reading the scriptures, dictionaries etc;
It is the following statement that has puzzled me.
You said having put the Hebrew word ‘Hagah’ and the Greek word ‘meletao’ together you conclude that

‘To meditate is an intentional action of rehearsing the Word of God, through some form of speech.’

1. Are you saying that without vocalisation there is no meditation? Or that ‘Contemplation’ only is not enough. I’ve always thought that ‘Contemplating’ ‘Musing’ ‘Pondering’ etc; The consideration of scriptures in my heart and mind was also in essence a form of ‘Meditation’. But now I am not so sure. Does the Word of God call me or require me to utter these thoughts/scriptures out loud? I talk to my Bible. I talk to myself. Not always audibly.
2. How do you vocalise all of your meditations? And
3. What is it that I vocalise? The scriptures? My thoughts? – Or – My eventual conclusions? Or all of the above?

I follow your statement that the ‘act of meditation in the Hebraic context was rarely quiet.’ Rarely yes. Entirely I am not so sure of. I also understand and practise the principle of reading, speaking and hearing at the same time. But to me although ‘Hagah’ carries with it the use of sound in a variety of forms those 24/25 references in the OT do not always seem to me to infer that an utterance actually took place. I see many times (more frequently than less frequently) that some form sound was used, and I also practise that, but not exclusively. I have always thought this a Hebrew practise, and the using of sound helpful but never essential. The NT only has 3 references to ‘meletao’, first Mk13 (pre-meditate) considered not be in the most reliable of manuscripts, second Acts 4 (imagine) a direct quote out of the Psalms 2 and therefore depends on your thoughts of that Psalm and thirdly 1Timothy 4 to which you gave reference. I’ve always taken that as being – a ruminating in the mind – a diligent consideration in the thought processes that eventually results in a good and positive outcome.

Your points on Confession and Conversation are brilliant. I find they always enlarge my thinking; they draw out so much more, and equally sharing like brainstorming gives extra dimensions to my meditations. I was also encouraged to do other things which might not suit everyone. But the essential to me has always been to Think to Muse to Chew to Revolve in ones head to ‘Selah’. And I have always classed it as a form of Meditation that can stand on its own. The other helpful but not essential. Have I got it wrong?
Thanks
Glen

REply to Glen:
Sorry if I caused any confusion… although you’ve made some great points. I suppose what I was driving at was bringing out a ’side’ of meditation that not many people consider. Most think of it as ‘inward’ and ’silent’ whereas the bible gives numerous (though not exclusive) references to it being verbal in some way, either to oneself, to others or to circumstances. The OT has more to say on it that the NT, probably because the NT believers would have been aware of such a practice. What I was seeking to bring out was the intentionality of meditation and the fact that there are a variety of ways to engage with it, though I majored on the verbal. You are right to say that verbal is not the only way… but for many they have never considered it as a way. As David said, ‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you oh God.’ I believe meditation includes both… thoughts and words… what the blend is, is down to the person, but both are good and form a dynamic whole in the process. Does that help??
Come back to me if you need some more.. and thanks for making such a fab contribution.
Love ya
Living the dream
John A

Loving the blog, this is brilliant, people ask questions i wouldn’t even think to ask, its a great way of learning!

Really enjoyed the last few sermons and can’t wait to hear the rest. Each day i realise how important it is to know the truths of the Bible, and as i began to investigate and chew them more I realise how much the change the way i live.

The other day i had an impromptu kind of Bible study with Eloise and Katie, was really good and i found it helped discussing it with other people, i’ve suggested we do it regularly. I also completely encourage you to read the word out loud, i find when i do that i take so much more in and it brings it to life for me.

Gonna try and get a copy of Divine mentor me thinks, see you all Sunday!

Rebekah X

In part 1 of the series Pastor John mentioned that the bible is not in chronological order and then outlined which books went together. I know many of us have got the recommended ‘how to read the Bible’book which we are reading through to get more info/insight into how the Bible is structured. Another book i’ve come across is ‘The Story’ -Read the Bible as One Seamless Story from Beginning to End. It puts everything together in order and is made up completely of bible verses. If you are interested I am sure Sharon can order one for you….

Help I dont understand!!!
in 1 corinthians 7, Paul gives two commands and then says “I not the Lord” How do you read that, surely it is still the inspired word of God… how do you differentite that between the other command thats says “it is God not I”?

Looking forward to tomorrow. Sorry about asking for websites – Janice has just shown me ‘People of the Book’- Resources and the list you have posted. Love The Book / hate computers.