Randomly selecting scripture passages

[stove]

What method do you suggest to randomly select scripture passages. I tried opening the bible random but it always falls open to the parts of the bible most read because they are worn in. None of the random bible passage generators that I found on the internet picked from the whole bible (they picked from a select few passages).

 

[Catholic_Dude]

What method do you suggest to randomly select scripture passages. I tried opening the bible random but it always falls open to the parts of the bible most read because they are worn in. None of the random bible passage generators that I found on the internet picked from the whole bible (they picked from a select few passages).

It all depends on what you are trying to do. If you are trying to study Scripture there is no point in flipping around randomly.

If you want a “verse of the day” then picking a random verse will most likely fail because there is a high percentage chance you will pick a odd verse that doesnt make sense because it has no context. The only way “verse of the day” works is by pre-selecting verses that are short and to the point.

 

[BlestOne]

What method do you suggest to randomly select scripture passages. I tried opening the bible random but it always falls open to the parts of the bible most read because they are worn in. None of the random bible passage generators that I found on the internet picked from the whole bible (they picked from a select few passages).

Why do you want to pick out random passages? If I want to read something that I probably haven’t read for a while I open to the old testament and pick one of the lesser known books and read it. If there is something specific I am looking for I try to remember the exact wording of a phrase and type it in online at www.drbo.org and see what comes up.

 

[seekerz]

What method do you suggest to randomly select scripture passages. I tried opening the bible random but it always falls open to the parts of the bible most read because they are worn in. None of the random bible passage generators that I found on the internet picked from the whole bible (they picked from a select few passages).

Do you mind if I ask why you want to generate random passages of Scripture?

 

[stove]

Do you mind if I ask why you want to generate random passages of Scripture?

I know several people who opened up the bible 3 times to read the passage and got some divine inspiration about how to proceed with their lives. Also, St. Francis did this too. I wanted to see what God would say to me. The problem is my bible doesnt open to random pages. Just to the sections I have read the most.

 

[seekerz]

I didn’t know St Francis did that because my experience with that particular technique, (imparted to me in the teenage years by someone I respected) did not seem to serve me well.

If I had it to do again, I wouldn’t - but this is just my personal experience, not to be taken as advice.

It somehow reduced my Scripture reading to little more than seeking signs. Many times, when I could have used my God-given intelligence to figure things out or make decisions, I relied on the random passage technique. With maturity, I have relinquished it, but found doing so very hard.

A personal relationship with God is one thing, a personal compass for every situation…I don’t if we’re supposed to have that.

 

[puzzleannie]

What method do you suggest to randomly select scripture passages. I ).

I don’t necessarily recommend it at all. If you read your bible a lot unless it is a really expensive one with a great binding it will probably fall open at any of several places where the binding is loosening from usage. What is the spiritual reason for your wish to use this practice? It is my personal opinion that reading, study or prayer with scripture to a set plan, such as the daily lectionary readings, any of a number of published reading plans, select a book, etc. is far more valuable than just randomly opening the bible and reading what your eye first sees.

I have seen this method used as almost a kind of fortune telling, or as a replacement for real discernment, and as such, it could become dangerous.

in the example cited about St. Francis it is much more likely that he discerned a message from God after opening the bible in the same place 3 times in a row because God had a message for him, and since he was already in the habit of reading his bible, God used habit to get his attention. The message did not come because Francis picked up the book and said “I am going to open the bible randomly 3 times in a row and see what message God has for me today”. any practice that smacks of manipulating God and God’s Word in this way has a superstitious ring to me.

 

[stove]

…What is the spiritual reason for your wish to use this practice? …

I know several people who opened up the bible 3 times to read the passage and got some divine inspiration about how to proceed with their lives. Also, St. Francis did this too. I wanted to see what God would say to me. The problem is my bible doesnt open to random pages. Just to the sections I have read the most.

I am just curious as to try it.

 

[Feedmysheep]

Sounds like superstitious bunkum to me.

FMS

 

[dacoobob]

This practice is called “Bibliomancy.” It’s technically a form of divination-- very superstitious and generally not recommended.

 

[Catholic_Dude]

This practice is called “Bibliomancy.” It’s technically a form of divination-- very superstitious and generally not recommended.

He isnt talking about any sort of superstition.

There is nothing wrong with randomly turning somewhere in Scripture for inspiration, its just not a recommended Bible study method.

 

[porthos11]

We call this “Bible cutting” and I don’t recommend it. I’d rather one follow a proper Bible reading plan. Bible cutting can result in out-of-context and improper “inspirations”. A proper reading or Lectio Divina will provide the context necessary for understanding.

 

[Feedmysheep]

I know several people who opened up the bible 3 times to read the passage and got some divine inspiration about how to proceed with their lives. Also, St. Francis did this too. I wanted to see what God would say to me. The problem is my bible doesnt open to random pages. Just to the sections I have read the most.

This doesn’t sound like inspiration- the “how to proceed with [ones life]” part is pure divination. A.K.A. “God what should I do about the new job offer?” flip flip flip “Ok God, thanks for that answer”.

The line between being inspired by God’s word and turning it into your own “baptized” occult practice is a thin one.

FMS

 

[Stillkickin]

What method do you suggest to randomly select scripture passages. I tried opening the bible random but it always falls open to the parts of the bible most read because they are worn in. None of the random bible passage generators that I found on the internet picked from the whole bible (they picked from a select few passages).

I don’t

 

[Leopard]

I know several people who opened up the bible 3 times to read the passage and got some divine inspiration about how to proceed with their lives…

There’s a story about a man who did just that. He opened up his bible, determined that the lord was going to give him a direct message in the first words his eyes came across. And so, opening his bible randomly, his eyes fell on Matthew 27:5:

“…he departed and went off and hanged himself.”

Not seeing how this could apply to him, he decided to try again and randomly opened his bible to Luke 10:37 and the first words his eye met were"

"…‘Go and do likewise.’ "

Bewildered at what he was reading and not wanting to believe that the Lord was really telling him to do this terrible thing, he resolved to try one more time. So he closed his eyes, opened his bible, and jabbed his finger down on the page. On opening his eyes, he read John 13:27:

"…‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ "

The story ends here, but I’d like to think that common sense prevailed and he stopped trying to use his bible like a newspaper horoscope.