The Gospels

Ok

So . . . most everyone I have talked to seems to be interested in the Gospels. I have spoken to one person who is not so excited about the idea, but everyone else seems really interested. So . . . I think we can start with that and agree to do an Old Testament, perhaps with a novel comparison, next. If you are completley turned off by this idea, please let us know ASAP.

Otherwise, I found a cool website that actually has all 4 Gospels parallel in chronological order. So I think we could go by that, doing one part each week, and see how it goes.

Part one is posted at the link in the title. The verses are as follows:
John 1:1-5
Matthew 1 (all) and 2:1-12
Mark 1:1
Luke 1 (all); 2:1-38; and 3:23B-38

The website lists them actually in order, but I would recommend us each reading them from our own translations and not soley relying on the version on the website.

Ok. So . . . try to read Part 1 and post something before next Sunday, October 21. And feel free to respond to one another's posts as soon as they are up. And let everyone know if you have questions or concerns.

Peace and love,
Amanda

I think it would be neat to compare the Gospels.

Although, I am of course open for anything.

We need to decide soon, so be sure to post by Sunday if you have a preference.

preferences... sort of.

hey ladies. just a quick note to let you know i'm flexible. and i think i'll learn from anything we study and discuss. i'd be fine with:
1) comparing the different gospels
2) reading an old testament/apocrypha book and gospel together
3) looking at some of paul's letters

the novel idea sounds great eventually. and as soon as i know i can make efforts to get a copy.

that may not have contributed towards a decision at all.

what's everyone else thinking?

Finally

1. I am Ruth Nicholson. currenlty living in Georgia, between Gainesville, Athens, and Commerce. I just started massage therapy school last week and it's the most fun education I've ever engaged in. I haven't found a church yet, but I'm looking for a job as a church musican (because church music is the epitomy of the things I find most important in life.)I graduated from Southern Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Music (voice) and biology. I like knowing what people look like so here's a pic of me.

2. My life's theme song is not necessarily my favorite song (however I do have a WONDERFUL operatic verision I put on repeat) to listen to but the words are powerful for me. It's a hymn called, Make me a Captive. It's about losing myself in the power of God and finding my life in Him. The operatic version makes me want to cry almost every time I hear it.

3. I believe that I do not deserve the love of God.

4. One question I constantly have is, "HOW releveant is the bible?" I know it is relevant. I know it is powerful. I believe it is inspired by God. I believe it is useful for teaching and correcting. Hermeneutics deals with exegesis and interpretation of the scriptures. This science is one that many people study for years and I feel there are so few concrete answers to interpretation. I know one side of the argument is for people to adhere to a literal application of the bible while some brush away HUGE truths (non-literal application) by covering them with a blanket of cultural irrelevancy.

5. (section of the bible) First of all, the bible is not out to get us. It's not out to steal our freedom, infact, it is there to free us. My brother-in-law asks, "If you could know with Absolute Certainty that Jesus Christ came as God's son to save the world and give us life and that the bible is God's chosen instrument of universal instruction, would you then submit yourself to its authority?"
It took me months to answer confidently.
Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sigh by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (OK, so what's next?) 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
So, by believing this explanation of salvation by Paul is true, it makes me want to accept the rest of the story. --There's nothing I can do to make God love me, there's nothing I have to do, I just want to know the Spirit he left behind. Not necessarily know my spirit, but His. Then Col 3:14 says, And over all these virtuees put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you....
--So, peace and love come out of a thankfulness of the sacrifice (redemption) of Christ. (This answer has taken me a long time, ....*sigh)

6 and 7. I'd love to accomplish some hermeneutics with you guys on a gospel or one of paul's letters. Colossians is choc full of stuff that needs some dialogue. I think Mark and John are 2 of the most discussable Gospels. The Red Tent sounds VERY interesting but I think I'd rather discuss something less lengthy. I'm excited to contribute and to be challenged in my way of thinking. I imagine my background is more evangelical than the majority of you all since I went to a private (evangelical) christian college that (to my dismay) was fairly conservative (although not excessively). I also love it that the study is online. (So If I want to blog at 3am, i can. And I can also post over time as I'm reading and analyzing and I can make my thoughts more clear.) The only thing I'm wondering about is if anyone is easily offended at disagreements. I dont want to argue anything to the point of turning someone off and losing the good a group like this can accomplish. I'm excited.
--Sorry to pull up the rear, but someone's gotta do it. :)

oh yeah, BLUE LIKE JAZZ by Donald Miller is the BEST BOOK I've read about Christian Spirituality vs. Religion in today's culture. It's an easy read.

(Slow) response to questions

Sorry it took me so long--I haven't done a blogspot before, so I'm still kinda feeling my way through it. So here goes...

1) I'm Amanda Thrasher, currently still living in Boone as a music education major. I take about a million classes a semester, so I was really excited when Amanda messeged me about this. "Gasp! A Bible study that I can actually do!" I can't wait to start teaching, but I'm also really excited about trying to get a book published. So far a lot of agents have been interested, so it looks like things might start happening soon.

2) Theme song: wow, I'm awful at this. I'm currently listening to Greenday's "Time of Your Life," so we'll say that. It sounds good.

3) I believe that we have a responsibility to make a positive change in the world. I also think our current socio-economic system needs major reformation, which kind of goes along with the first thing.

4) I want to know why the church is such a source of hatred against the marginilized in society, when it's the exact opposite of Jesus' actions.

5) I have a special place in my heart for the book of James. To me, it's the cannonized version of 'actions speak louder than words.' Sometimes I think that in the wake of Paul, the church puts too much emphasis on faith and not enough on actually doing what is right. I think what's more important is to continue to struggle to have correct actions, even if sometimes you're struggling through a valley. Granted, faith is important, but belief in forgivness isn't the same as 'I can do whatever because I'm forgiven anyways.' I hate the way sometimes I lose sight of what I'm supposed to do, because supposedly belief is enough. I mean, it's not like redemption excuses us from all future infractions, right? We still have to work, I think. (Sorry if I just kinda dissed on Paul...)

6) I'd really like to learn more about the prophets. I'm woefully ignorant when it comes to that section of the Bible.

7) I don't really have any suggestions, but I'm really excited about all of this. Reading everyone's responses has been wonderful. Sometimes locked in the music building it's hard to get to know anyone outside of the bubble of musicians, and I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone. Everyone's posts are really deep and thoughtful, and a lot of it are things I haven't considered much. I guess I'll wrap up for now, but I'm so glad to be a part of this!!!

Interest

I would be most interested in the Apocrypha.

Where to go from here?

First of all, I just want to say thanks to all of you for sharing so honestly about your faith and your questions. I think this group is going to be great - there seems to be a lot here to share and to explore. I"m looking forward to it. :)

I have gone ahead and named everyone as an administrator so if you feel the need to change colors or add quotes (or delete quotes) on the side or whatever, go for it.

From our posts, it looks as if people are interested in studying the following things:
3 People interested in the Old Testament
2 People interested in a Gospel or the Gospels
Paul's Letters
the Apocrypha
a modern novelization of a bible story along with the scripture

Abby has mentioned that it might take a while for a novel to get to her in Greneda, so maybe we should start with something else, and if we think we're going to continue, she could work on getting a novel?

I realize several of us probably do not have a copy of the Apocrypha but I happen to know that Abby does, so I guess that would not be as much of an issue.

So, from what is stated above, where do we want to go? We could pick an Old Testament Book and a Gospel and read them side by side. We could try to study all 4 Gospels at once and their varying portrayal of things. We could follow the liturgy, which has a New Testament and Old Testament lesson for each day, as well as Psalms and readings from Letters (and the Apocrypha too, if we went by the Catholic one). Or we could pick one book in depth.

If you could, please think about it, and either post your first choice or an order of things you're interested in by Wednesday, and we can go from there. I am going to send a Facebook message just to make sure everyone is included who is interested.

I am sorry if this seems tedius, but I want to be sure everyone has input in what we are doing so that everyone feels included and is getting something out of it. If you honestly don't have any preference, feel free to say that.

I"m looking forward to seeing where this goes!