The Arslan Tash Amulets
The Arslan Tash amulets are limestone plaques discovered in 1933 at Arslan Tash, the authenticity of which is disputed. William F. Albright, Theodor H. Gaster, and others, accepted the amulets as a pre-Jewish source which shows that the name Lilith already existed in the 7th century BC but Torczyner identified the amulets as a later Jewish source.
Choosing The Right Bible
Posted by Aaron Lewendon · 1
With more than 20 English Language translations each available in 25 or more different editions the choice of Bibles excites and bewilders. Choosing the right Bible for you is important – even if you already have more than one.
Its hard to know which Bible to buy.
There are dozens of translations, each with a different style and approach. With sales of Bibles rising in the wake of coronavirus, a lot more questions are being asked which Bible is best. So here is our no-nonsense guide to which Bible you should buy. We also cover some common terms youll find when browsing.
Study It By The Verbs In The Verse
For example, if you were studying John 3:16 you would find the following verbs: loved gave should not perish have
You could make a comparative list like this:God loved Humankind believesGod gave Humankind shall not perish Humankind has everlasting life.
Or simply take the nouns in this wonderful verse: God world only begotten Son whoever everlasting life.
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How Is The Bible Structured
Most people assume the books of the Bible are in chronological order, but they are not. Instead, the Bible is organized by genre.
A godly mentor once simplified Bible structure for me by breaking it down into three easy-to-remember categories: History, Experience and Prophecy.
Both Old and New Testaments start with history . History is followed by experience . Experience is followed by prophecy .
History. Experience. Prophecy. This is an easy way to remember how the Bible is structured. Heres a more detailed breakdown of Bible structure:
- Law: Genesis Deuteronomy
- Poetry: Job Song of Solomon
- Major Prophets: Isaiah Daniel
- History of the Church: Acts
- Epistles: Romans Jude
What Is A Bible Study Why Do It
So, youve been invited to a Bible study. Now what? What is a Bible study, and why should you go? What are the benefits of a Bible study?
It can be overwhelming and a little frightening to go to a Bible study for the first time, especially if its in a group. You may not know anyone and not know what to expect. Ive been there I feel your pain and discomfort. However, the rewards you get for going to a Bible study far outweigh the nervous feeling you may have in the pit of your stomach.
That is, of course, speaking about a group Bible study. A personal Bible study can be confusing and a little frustrating, as well, if you dont know where to start. Dont get intimidated and fear the Bible. Building a relationship with God is completely worth the work!
In this article, well cover what you need to know about both group and personal Bible studies. My hope is simple that by the end of this article, you will be pumped up and eager to learn about the Bible, soaking in as much knowledge and truth as possible!
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Where Should I Start Reading The Bible
A lot of new and seasoned Christians have a story about their attempts to read the Bible cover to cover that goes something like this: It was going great as they read through Genesis and Exodus, but somewhere in Leviticus or Numbers, they started to get bogged down in details they didnt quite understand. And by the time they hit Deuteronomy, they were done.
While its true that all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness , we need to recognize that the Bible is not like any other book. It isnt necessarily meant to be read from front to back. In fact, the Bible is actually a library.
The Protestant Bible is comprised of 66 books, and many of those books are written in a variety of different genres or types of literature. These genres all need to be read a little differently. Starting at Genesis and trying to read straight through without a strategy can get frustrating if you dont know how these books and their literary genres work together.
There are a few ways to classify the genres of the Bible, but they typically fall into these categories.
What Is The Meaning Of Faith And Trust
When you have faith, you trust or believe in something very strongly. … This noun comes from the Old French word feid, meaning faith, belief, trust, confidence, pledge. It’s often used when describing religion or the supernatural: people have faith in God, or actually refer to the religion they practice as their faith.
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What Is Bible Reading
You can read the Bible without studying it since a comprehensive Bible study is not always required. You may just have the desire to reflect on a few verses of a passage youve read but not go into an in-depth study of the scripture. To grow in your faith, you need to read the Bible daily as part of your time with God during a devotional or quiet time.
How Can I Trust Jesus More
To trust God, you must communicate with God about your sins. In order to gain control over your actions, you must do something about what you have done in the past and do in the present. Confess and free your mind to accept what is to come with prayers and a willing heart. Receive the Holy Eucharist.
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No Right Or Wrong Way
Approaches to Bible journaling are as varied as artists themselves. Full-page illustrations and simple backgrounds, scrapbooking supplies and simple art supplies the combinations and possibilities are endless! Some pages focus on a verse in the margins, or add a simple stick-figure doodle other pages can be complex paintings or drawings representing ideas studied in verses on the page. None is right or wrong Bible journaling is all about the Bible journaler deepening their relationship with God.
How Do We Know The Bible Is True
The best-selling book in history remains one of the most controversial. Revered by Christians as God’s holy Word, the Bible spans centuries of history, contains a variety of literary styles and culminates in the person of Jesus Christ. But how do we know the Bible is true? Isn’t it just a collection of stories and myths? Even if it contains some history, is there any way we can trust it completely?
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Therefore We Do Not Lose Heart
âTherefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.â
Illness, injury, and physical challenges can make us uncomfortably aware of how fragile we are. But no matter how broken we feel, God can renew us from within. Your body is not a reflection of your spirit. And if we endure hardship for Christâfor a moment, a month, or a lifetimeâour trials and tribulations will be nothing in comparison to the glory we will experience when Christ returns and calls us home.
This isnât about reducing the weight of your suffering. Itâs about seeing your pain and your struggles next to the triumph of the cross and the promise of eternal life with Jesus. God gives us the strength to endure each day, and at the end of this life, he has something far greater in store for those who persevere.
For I Know The Plans I Have For You
ââFor I know the plans I have for you,â declares the Lord, âplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.ââ
This is one of the most popular verses in all of Scripture, and youâll find it on countless pieces of Christian merchandise because of its encouraging message. But before we cling to these words, itâs important to reflect on where they come from.When Jeremiah shared these words with the Israelites, they were facing one of the bleakest periods in ancient Jewish history: the Babylonian exile. King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Godâs temple and took many of the Jews as captives, forcing them to live among the Babylonians and embrace Babylonian culture. This period lasted 70 years, and most of the people who heard these words likely didnât live to experience the fulfillment of Godâs promise.
This is not a promise that soon your troubles will be over and God will make you successful and happy. Itâs a promise that God is not the origin of our pain and that, in the end, Godâs plan will work out for good .
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My Grace Is Sufficient For You
âBut he said to me, âMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.â Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christâs power may rest on me. That is why, for Christâs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.â
Throughout Scripture, God displays a pattern of demonstrating his strength when situations look most hopeless. When Gideon brought an army to fight the Midianites in Judges 7, God told him that there were too many men, so if they won the battle, no one would attribute that victory to the Lordâtheyâd give themselves all the credit. Through a series of steps, God brought their army of 32,000 down to 300. They won the battle handily, and God received all the glory.
Christâs power can shine the most during our weakest moments, when weâre least able to depend on ourselves. Every moment of weakness is an opportunity for Jesus to reveal his power.
How Do I Choose A Translation
Choosing a translation can be tricky. Above all, our advice is this: pick the translation that is most readable to you.
While God is the author of all Scripture, the human writers wrote in three languages. Because these languages dont translate perfectly into English, translators must decide whether they are seeking to convey the exact words or the central idea of the original text. These translation philosophies are often referred to as “word-for-word” or “thought-for-thought.”
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Why Is Reading The Bible So Important
Many Christians begin each new year with a plan to read through the entire Bible over the course of that year. Some reach that goal, but most dont. Then there are others who dont even bother to read Gods Word at all. Is this issue really a big deal? Why is it so important to read Scripture on a regular basis?
Level Three: The Prophetic Books
The last section contains the writings of the prophets. They wrote about a great deal of things, but mostly they spoke about two major catastrophes in Israels history.
In 722 B.C., Israel was destroyed by Assyria, and then in 586 B.C., Babylon attacked and captured Jerusalem. These events were incredibly significant in the life of Israel. By and large, the prophets wrote to warn of, or explain, these events.
The final prophet, Malachi, wrote about 400 B.C., and then there was silence until Jesus arrival.
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Following Are Five Of The Most Common Reasons People Give For Not Reading Gods Word On A Regular Basis
Excuse 1: I dont have time. Truth: Were all given twenty-four hours in each day. You do have time.
Excuse 2: Its boring. Truth: The Bible is anything but boring! It contains stories of miraculous healings, supernatural events, and people being raised from the dead. Pretty exciting stuff, if you ask me!
Excuse 3: I cant understand it. Truth: The Bible can be intimidating at times. It speaks of events that are unexplainable, in language that isnt always easy to decipher. However, when you approach the study of Gods Word with a true desire to learn, the Lord will give you insight and understanding.
Excuse 4: Its not relevant to my life. Truth: Even though the Bible was written thousands of years ago, it still speaks to our circumstances today. Its truth is unchanging and eternal.
Excuse 5: I dont get anything out of it. Truth: To get something out of the Bible, you have to read it with an open mind and heart. You have to be willing to listen to what God is saying, then learn to apply His truth to the specific situations in your life.
Its time to stop making excuses and start studying the Bible. The pages of Scripture have the power to transform your life.
Why Is Piety Important
Piety is the evidence of sincere faith. It is a devotion to God through our actions, not just thoughts and words. “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
The importance of piety and living piously is seen in the virtue of faith for Christianity. It is a demonstration that our faith is alive and well, committing ourselves to worship and loving others.
“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
Piety is the reflection of our commitment to God, through prayer, worship, kindness, charity, love, humility and mercy. It displays our reverence for God, revealing our devotion to Him!
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Benefit : The Bible Shows The Way To Harmonious Relationships
Some of us have great difficulty getting along with others. We may have conflicts with a boss, a spouse, family members or friends. Can the Bible help you get along better with others? Yes, it can, if you follow its instructions. Remember the two Great Commandments? Jesus taught: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself'” .
When you apply these great commandments, you can improve your relationships with others. The Ten Commandments give us specific ways to love God, and to love our neighbor. You love your neighbor by honoring your parents, by helping rather than killing, by faithfully loving your spouse, by not committing adultery, and so on. The Christian way of lifethe Bible way of lifeis totally contrary to the secular, selfish, greedy and egotistical way that is typical of human nature. Notice: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” . God teaches us to esteem others better than ourselvesto value and respect others, and to be caring and concerned for their welfare.
Do you pray that way? Do you forgive others?
Creative Worship In The Margins And Beyond
Faith has always been a source of inspiration for artists, and the pages of the Bible itself are a re-discovered canvas for expression. Bible journaling may seem like a new-found art trend, but it is in fact ancient. Until the 1400s, Scriptures were copied by hand with calligraphy and illustrations to make the Bible accessible to a mostly-illiterate public. The illustrations today serve instead to amplify the Scriptures, helping the artist to internalize truths and document their spiritual experiences in a creative way.
Bible journalers are documenting in words and pictures the messages they hear from God, testimonies in their lives, and creative worship of the Lord they love.
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I Want To Read The Bible How Do I Start Where Do I Start
The Bible is pretty huge and can be rather intimidating.
So you want to read the Bible. Thats great! This guide will help you get started in how to read the Bible. First well look at what the Bible is and its book structure, then move into picking a translation and starting your reading plan.
Hearing people drop names like Corinthians, Genesis or Habakkuk may make you wonder if you will need to learn a foreign language just to get past page one. But dont worry, soon youll be zipping between Daniel, Jeremiah, John and Matthew without problem.
The Purpose Of Scripture
Scripture is not intended as a moral guide book or a collection of propositions to believe. Its purpose is to reveal Gods plan and purposes throughout human history. According to the Apostle Paul, All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work . Among the most important objectives, Scripture is able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus .
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