Comments on: Reading the Bible in the Right Direction (Part 3) – Practical Suggestions

By: Jonathan Toenniges

Jonathan Toenniges — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:15:22 +0000

Richard’s last comment on how we justify preconceived notions by discounting the OT was really good. I know I tend to do that sometimes. I’m having to accept what Paul said in 2 Tim. 3 ” 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” ”

And though we take seriously the OT, that doesn’t mean we forget the teaching of the NT. But we understand it better, and understand what is not in the OT better.

By: Shaklee

Shaklee — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:57:12 +0000

Once i get out of school i think i will spend all my time in the old testament for about four years.

By: Matt Dettman

Matt Dettman — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:16:57 +0000

Some things in the Pentateuch/Psalms/Isaiah only seem weird to us who live in this age/season/place because for the longest, most readers, myself included, have only only used what I would consider a juicy verse for proof-texting in a limited time basis. Once that limited time expired (like selecting a verse, more out of context than not, to spruce up a beginner’s exegetical paper), that verse would in my experience, be left in the haze of the unsearched-out Old Testament.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:16:57 +0000

I’m inspired to go read straight through the OT! Maybe that’s too ambitious… I agree with James that the charge to read the OT for the big picture is refreshing, and completely contrary to my upbringing of applying each verse to my personal life. It’s liberating to know God’s story is a lot bigger than my personal life!

By: James Kufeldt

James Kufeldt — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:05:56 +0000

As a person who naturally sees life from the “big picture” and absolutely despises details, this post was a breath of fresh ruach to my soul. Liberation from frequent word studies into simply recognizing the big concepts! Amen and amen!

By: Kristina Wu

Kristina Wu — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:22:02 +0000

As I was reading through your previous posts, I was starting to feel stirred to read the OT but didn’t know how to start. This helps me read it through a different lens. Instead of going into the OT while feeling the pressure of having to know every single details, I can read it and look for the recurring themes. This way, I will also be able to understand OT quotes easier when I’m reading the NT.

Thanks for giving us practicals!! I love them!

By: Katie Thompson

Katie Thompson — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:17:36 +0000

This is very helpful! I am encouraged to read the OT. I especially liked in #3 when you said to read these books (Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, and Isaiah) anyway! And that if you read them over and over, in time, they will become familiar. Just do it, give yourself to reading it regardless of if you understand or not, but get to know the OT, and give it time. I also liked #5 which is a new practice that I have not really done before (some of the other ones are new as well, but this one stood out to me), that while reading the NT, when I come across an OT passage, go back and read the larger context of that passage. This was very helpful.

By: Kara VanHover

Kara VanHover — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:07:40 +0000

The practical tips are most helpful and a delightful diversion from the “standard conceptual model of discussion.” Your suggestions not only put forth dos and don’ts but present a new way of approaching the Scriptures particularly the Old Testament.

I couldn’t resist commenting on this sentence:
“The Bible does not need the sedatives of eisegesis to make it palatable to the modern Christian ethos.”
All I have to say is Wow! and Ouch!

By: Spencer Baker

Spencer Baker — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:55:51 +0000

Thank you for pointing out Genesis, Exodus, and Isaiah as some of the most important books to read! I get incredibly overwhelmed when I think of all the books in the OT, and I have no idea where to start. While I want read through and become acquainted with the whole OT, that’s gonna take a while. And this smaller goal is incredibly doable.

By: Kay

Kay — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 05:11:46 +0000

whew, sigh of relief. This seems more do-able (though, as you mentioned, i’m aware it will still take some work). I’m very detail-oriented (don’t know if you noticed), so i tend to focus on little details and understanding all the details and, well, being told I have to understand the OT becomes overwhelming. But I don’t have to do that! I just have to notice the recurring themes and main points. I’ll have to work on training myself to notice those important themes.