Reading the Bible.

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Sacred_Heart said:
I wish I could read the bible with my family but it is to no avail.
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When my youngest brother died, I inherited his Christian Almanac. It contains historical facts for each day. Across the top of each page, there is a 3 chapter (2 OT + 1 NT) a day schedule for reading the Bible through the year. This schedule takes about 15 minutes/day. Even if your family does not initially read with you, it is possible they may begin reading alone or with you.
 
Sacred_Heart said:
If I may ask, which translations of the bible have you read? Strictly Catholic versions or Protestant too?

(I have even read a Jewish translation of scripture just to get some perspective).
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I always read the Catholic version. I started with the NAB, which is used during liturgy in the US. I have read the Good News Bible. Many people who do not see themselves as good readers, begin with this version which is a paraphrase. I have also read the RSV, NIV, and New Jerusalem.
I tried reading King James, but did not get very far with that translation. Back in High School, when Catholics read the Douay Rheims, and other denominations read King James, I read the Douay Rheims as part of the Bible as Literature unit.

When I was about 10, my parents gave me a Children’s Bible which I read cover to cover. I wasn’t following any type of schedule at the time, so it probably took me 5 days to read Genesis, 10 chapters a day.
 
DebChris said:
When my youngest brother died, I inherited his Christian Almanac. It contains historical facts for each day. Across the top of each page, there is a 3 chapter (2 OT + 1 NT) a day schedule for reading the Bible through the year. This schedule takes about 15 minutes/day. Even if your family does not initially read with you, it is possible they may begin reading alone or with you.
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My family were all Catholic but they have no faith. I mention Christ and they respond with contempt and distaste. Even my relatives are Catholics and they too are the same way for the most part. I’m the only faithful person in my entire family. I do, however, have a step-cousin that is a Brother that is becoming a Priest; so that is a good thing.
 
DebChris said:
I always read the Catholic version. I started with the NAB, which is used during liturgy in the US. I have read the Good News Bible. Many people who do not see themselves as good readers, begin with this version which is a paraphrase. I have also read the RSV, NIV, and New Jerusalem.
I tried reading King James, but did not get very far with that translation. Back in High School, when Catholics read the Douay Rheims, and other denominations read King James, I read the Douay Rheims as part of the Bible as Literature unit.

When I was about 10, my parents gave me a Children’s Bible which I read cover to cover. I wasn’t following any type of schedule at the time, so it probably took me 5 days to read Genesis, 10 chapters a day.
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I’ve got a 1611 King James Bible facsimile. It is very hard to read steadily because of the old english. It also contains the Apocrypha which the new king james version does not.
 
Sacred_Heart said:
My family were all Catholic but they have no faith. I mention Christ and they respond with contempt and distaste. Even my relatives are Catholics and they too are the same way for the most part. I’m the only faithful person in my entire family. I do, however, have a step-cousin that is a Brother that is becoming a Priest; so that is a good thing.
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God goes against no man’s will. We as mortals may have no idea how God will work in a person’s life to draw him to Himself. He may be using us to sow seeds, while somebody else sees the actual harvest.
 
LiseTravis said:
How often do you read the bible?

I read mine straight through from beginning to end then I start over, in continuum.
Code: 
      I do the same thing!
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I typically read the new testament over and over and sometimes go back and read the Old. I find books like Isaiah and Ezekiel very difficult and have no good study material so I tend to avoid them, unless I have a specific quote that I am looking for. I’m waiting for the Ignatius Study Bible of the Old Testament to be released.
 
Nelka said:
It differs how much I read but I usually stick to the Gospels but enjoy the others too.
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I like the Gospels and as many times as I have read them I still get new meaning out of it. I have to be in a good state of mind to read Paul or I get a weird vibe from his letters. The Old Testament is very exciting, but I will admit some of the books can be a real snore…not always, but I struggle to get through some of them.

Since getting my New Jerome Commentary, reading has gotten more interesting. I usually read a chapter a night. I then think about what I read and what it means to me. After this I then read the commentary and see where my line of thinking falls with the commentary. My hope is that I fill in more of the gaps I have of what the Scriptures are revealing.
 
Sacred_Heart said:
How often do you read the bible?

I read mine straight through from beginning to end then I start over, in continuum.

Do you do the same? Or do you try to read it once a year? Or do you read bits and pieces of it? Do you read it every day? What are your bible reading habits?

The Peace of God be with you.
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I read commentaries on books of the Bible, which usually accompanies reading the book of scripture itself (not every commentary does this).

I don’t think I get as much from reading a book of scripture, unless I understand it more.

I’m reading two EXCELLENT commentaries on scripture right now. They’re both from around 1973.

UNDERSTANDING THE OLD TESTAMENT Bernhard Anderson
UNDERSTANDING THE NEW TESTAMENT Lee/Young/Froehlich

confession, these are more textbooks than commentaries. They’re not line-by-line commentaries (but then a lot of commentaries are not). The authors recommend reading the Bible along with the book, and they tell you what to read for a certain chapter, so you are “closer” to what they’re talking about.

The first describes itself as a book for Jews, Protestants, and Catholics. I started reading both of them at first in the middle. The second book is very Catholic, as far as the commentary on James is concerned. I’m going through the first book now from the beginning.

It’s not the “ultimate” commentary, but I’d say it’s a GOOD place to start reading ABOUT the Bible. For example, Anderson explains how Genesis is not a history- or a science-book, but it’s what it is - sacred history – an explanation of the history of Israel within the framework of its beliefs. That’s the best summary I’ve ever read. I don’t think I’ll ever finish studying the Bible in my lifetime.

These two books are very good to read along with the Bible. They explain much more than do footnotes, even in a “study” Bible.
 
I look up the readings for each day on the USCCB website since I work full-time and cannot attend daily mass (times conflict).😦

Often in the evenings, I will read mostly from the new testament. But I also love the book of Ruth, and the Psalms, so I’m all over the place.
 
I don’t “read” my Bible daily, but I listen to my Bible readings by listening to the Mass on EWTN in the mornings. I usually get to listen to the readings 5 out of 7 days. I have read the Bible all the way through and am working on going through it again. I also have different bible study books such as the Ignatius and Navarre ones that I am using to go more in depth.
 
For no particular reason, I decided to read the book of Ezekiel. I’m up to around Ch. 31, and it’s really grim – all these prophecies about destruction.

I’m going to check my commentaries to try to understand what is going on there. In particular, the Jews are abandoning the Sinai covenant and they are worshipping other gods – idols made from wood and metal.

There’s a timely message in there about God’s judgment of such conduct. But, I need to see what else is packed in there. The NIV study Bible has notes about the meanings of the allegories in there.

Just my opinion, I can’t just read this end-to-end and then jump to the next book. I have to understand more about what is going on there.
 
@Crumpy - I too have been reading the book of Ezekiel recently. Mostly because someone on Facebook came up with some absurd theory that she claims is truth. I’d love to have a good commentary on it.
 
I’ve been reading the Bible cover to cover and starting again from the beginning for 43 years. The past several years, I’ve been listening to the Bible while washing the supper dishes. Great way to make the most of a tedious chore. 🙂
 
Crumpy said:
For no particular reason, I decided to read the book of Ezekiel. I’m up to around Ch. 31, and it’s really grim – all these prophecies about destruction.

I’m going to check my commentaries to try to understand what is going on there. In particular, the Jews are abandoning the Sinai covenant and they are worshipping other gods – idols made from wood and metal.

There’s a timely message in there about God’s judgment of such conduct. But, I need to see what else is packed in there. The NIV study Bible has notes about the meanings of the allegories in there.

Just my opinion, I can’t just read this end-to-end and then jump to the next book. I have to understand more about what is going on there.
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If you like reading one book at a time, you might try God’ Word Today. It takes you through a book each month, with a commentary for each day.
 
bmullins said:
I typically read the new testament over and over and sometimes go back and read the Old. I find books like Isaiah and Ezekiel very difficult and have no good study material so I tend to avoid them, unless I have a specific quote that I am looking for. I’m waiting for the Ignatius Study Bible of the Old Testament to be released.
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I know Ignatius only has the book of Genesis study bible out.

I have the Ignatius New Testament Study Bible. I just got it. However, I’m still in the Old Testament, reading. I just started Isaiah today. I plan on cracking open the Ignatius New testament study bible soon enough.
 
Crumpy said:
I read commentaries on books of the Bible, which usually accompanies reading the book of scripture itself (not every commentary does this).

I don’t think I get as much from reading a book of scripture, unless I understand it more.

I’m reading two EXCELLENT commentaries on scripture right now. They’re both from around 1973.

UNDERSTANDING THE OLD TESTAMENT Bernhard Anderson
UNDERSTANDING THE NEW TESTAMENT Lee/Young/Froehlich

confession, these are more textbooks than commentaries. They’re not line-by-line commentaries (but then a lot of commentaries are not). The authors recommend reading the Bible along with the book, and they tell you what to read for a certain chapter, so you are “closer” to what they’re talking about.

The first describes itself as a book for Jews, Protestants, and Catholics. I started reading both of them at first in the middle. The second book is very Catholic, as far as the commentary on James is concerned. I’m going through the first book now from the beginning.

It’s not the “ultimate” commentary, but I’d say it’s a GOOD place to start reading ABOUT the Bible. For example, Anderson explains how Genesis is not a history- or a science-book, but it’s what it is - sacred history – an explanation of the history of Israel within the framework of its beliefs. That’s the best summary I’ve ever read. I don’t think I’ll ever finish studying the Bible in my lifetime.

These two books are very good to read along with the Bible. They explain much more than do footnotes, even in a “study” Bible.
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The best book to use to understand scripture is the Catechism. You have to be careful with other books because they could go against the teaching of the Catholic faith. But it seems like you know what you’re doing, so read on.

I’d give the Catechism a read at least once a year to put the commentaries into perspective.
 
DebChris said:
If you like reading one book at a time, you might try God’ Word Today. It takes you through a book each month, with a commentary for each day.
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This should say “reflection,” rather than “commentary.”
 
Cathh(name removed by moderator) said:
I don’t “read” my Bible daily, but I listen to my Bible readings by listening to the Mass on EWTN in the mornings. I usually get to listen to the readings 5 out of 7 days. I have read the Bible all the way through and am working on going through it again. I also have different bible study books such as the Ignatius and Navarre ones that I am using to go more in depth.
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If this is your first time going through the bible, congratulations! It is no easy task to read through the entire bible.
 
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