"Gulag"  wrote in message
news:067.09.19.05.561099000{at}srcbs.org...
>
>
> nospam{at}nospam.com wrote...
> >
> >
> >
> > "Life is Hell"  wrote in message
> > >
> > > pia_sten{at}hotmail.com wrote...
> > > >
> > > > can anyone recomend a good book for a beginner wanting
to study the
> > > > bible?
> > >
> > > What's wrong with using the Bible, combined with prayer to gain
> > > understanding into the meaning of troublesome passages as they occur?
> > >
> > > That's all you need.
> >
> > Not really.  You can pray until you are blue in the face, but the
chances
> > you'll get a direct revelation fro God as to who the Saducees, Caesar
and
> > Herod were are slim.  It's very unlikely God will reveal in a vision
where
> > Damascus is in relation to Jerusalem.
>
> Guess it really gets down to what you're reading the Bible for,
> doesn't it?  The original poster didn't say.  The person you're
> replying to apparently assumed it was for spiritual reasons, and
> you're apparently counter-assuming it was for history and geography.

I'm assuming no such thing.  I am asserting that the Bible was written by
real people, living in real places, who make constant reference to real
events, people, places and customs.  To understand Scripture, one must be
aware of all of these things.


>
> > I'm curious:  do you read the Bible in the original languages?  I doubt
it.
> > I'm pretty sure you read a translation.  So... you read the product of
other
> > people's study of material outside of Scripture  (in case you didn't
notice,
> > the Bible doesn't include an Inspired Lexicon) but you'd suggest that
> > someone else deprive themselves of the same.  that's pretty weak.
> >
> > Rufus
>
> Speaking of weak, your examples are easily addressed by any decent
> encyclopedia.

Yes, they are, and that's my point exactly.  To understand what's happening,
being said, and - more importantly - what's being taught, one MUST use
external reference material.  The refrain "Just read it and pray about it
and everything will be okay" is old, tired, and simply doesn't work.  In
fact, not only doesn't it work, it leads to heresy.

> How about if you leave the pointless flaming for the alt.* groups?

How about if you learn to recognize a flame as opposed to a sensible
comment?

>
> (((   Read http://srcbs.org for details about this group BEFORE you
st.   )))

((( s.r.c.b-s is a moderated group.  All posts are approved by a moderator. )))
(((   Read http://srcbs.org for details about this group BEFORE you post.   )))


--- UseNet To RIME Gateway {at} 3/9/05 8:08:35 AM ---