In search of answers to pressing vital questions, many people turn to the Bible. Indeed, scripture often helps to find support in the maelstrom of life. In order to benefit from reading the Bible, it is advisable to observe certain rules when reading it. They are optional, but can help to better understand the essence of Christian doctrine.
You will need
- the canonical text of the Bible.
Instruction manual
1
Take the Bible in your hands, leaf through it and become familiar with the structure of scripture. The Bible is not a simple homogeneous narrative; it includes 66 books united in the Old and New Testaments. The first part is borrowed by the Christian religion from Judaism. The New Testament was written much later; his canonical text includes the four Gospels (biographies of Jesus Christ), the acts of his disciples and the Apocalypse.
2
The first time you start reading the Bible, do not try to study it from the very beginning. You may immediately experience difficulties that can discourage further reading of the scriptures. Remember that in order to fully understand the essence of the Christian worldview, it is important to familiarize yourself first with the biography of Jesus Christ and his earthly deeds.
3
Start studying the Bible from the New Testament. It is best if you choose the Gospel of John, which is distinguished by a more literary presentation, accessible to understanding the modern reader. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John contain information about the earthly life of Christ, viewed from several different angles of view. When getting acquainted with the Gospels, try to compare them with each other, finding similarities and differences in descriptions.
4
Go on to familiarize yourself with the deeds committed by the disciples of Christ. The Acts of the Apostles is a book in the form of a historical narrative. It contains a lot of interesting information about the spread of the Christian religion and the moral principles that underlie this new religious worldview for its time.
5
Having mastered the spirit of Christianity, try to turn to the books of the Old Testament. When reading Bible books, try not to separate them into chapters and verses. It is best to single out certain passages in reading that express similar thoughts. Remember that the canonical Russian-language text of the Bible contains words that were used more than a hundred years ago. Over the years, the meaning of many words and phrases has changed.
6
Do not try to facilitate your study of the Bible, preferring simplified versions, for example, the so-called children's Bible. Shortened paraphrases will not allow you to form your own opinion about the source. New translations and understandable paraphrases of the Bible include the opinions of the authors and their personal understanding of the meaning of the Holy Scripture, which can be very far from what is available in the canonical text.
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