{"id":8623,"date":"2017-06-15T09:55:00","date_gmt":"2017-06-15T14:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/faithpromotingrumor\/?p=8623"},"modified":"2017-09-07T11:29:19","modified_gmt":"2017-09-07T16:29:19","slug":"sources-serious-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/faithpromotingrumor\/2017\/06\/sources-serious-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Some Sources for More Serious Study"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

One of the comments added to the last post asked about sources that might help someone get a start on the Bible. So, I thought I\u2019d toss some ideas out here, and my colleagues will probably add things as questions or comments spark them.<\/p>\n

The best part of studying the Bible is conversation with other folks who are likewise interested \u2013 Christianity is meant to be lived in and thru a community. The fastest way to get started is thru a class with a teacher who can guide you to good sources and respond to questions. If the opportunity presents itself, take a class at a local seminary, community college, public library or whatever.<\/p>\n

In any case, the first thing you\u2019ll need is an ecumenical study Bible. That\u2019s a Bible that, at least in theory, doesn\u2019t favor any confessional perspective thru its explanatory footnotes. AND YOU REALLY, REALLY WANT THOSE FOOTNOTES. Why not find one in a library and see what they look like?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The preferred versions (translations) are the New Revised Study Bible (NRSV) or the New American Bible (NAB). The NRSV is a grandchild of the King James produced by a committee of scholars from both Protestant and Catholic backgrounds, while the NAB was created by American Catholic scholars in a fresh start from the \u201cbest available manuscripts.\u201d The New Jerusalem Bible (NJB) is also a reasonable option.<\/p>\n

You can get a used paperback copy of the New Oxford Annotated Study Bible for about $2.00 plus shipping from Amazon. Did I mention you want the footnotes? Yes, you do. They are really, really helpful!<\/p>\n

Two other online options are the Unbound Bible<\/a> and the NET Bible<\/a>. Unbound Bible will allow you read up to four versions side by side for comparison. You will find comparing the NRSV and the KJV very illuminating. The NET Bible is an online Bible with the translator\u2019s notes. This is also a stimulating way to expand your understanding of the Bible.<\/p>\n

Once you have access to a decent Bible(s), consider reading about individual biblical books in Wikipedia<\/a>.\u00a0 Some of the entries on specific books are better than others, which is why I linked into the Gospel of Luke, not Revelation, but in general they are pretty solid.\u00a0 If you chase some links you\u2019ll expand your horizons enough to at least ask more and better questions. If you want more info on a topic, use the bibliography or get in touch with us thru our email link.<\/p>\n

When you have time and bandwidth, consider online courses such as Open Yale:<\/p>\n

Hebrew Bible<\/a><\/p>\n

New Testament<\/a><\/p>\n

The excellent Blair Hodges has created an amazing collection of podcasts<\/a> at our very own Maxwell Institute.\u00a0\u00a0 I recommend anything that involves Amy-Jill Levine<\/a>.\u00a0 Then there\u2019s James Kugel<\/a>, Peter Enns<\/a>, and Marc Zvi Brettler<\/a>.\u00a0 Brettler\u2019s podcast is titled \u201cReading the Bible Critically and Religiously,\u201d so it might be a good starting point.\u00a0 Hopefully we can get Blair over here for more and better insight regarding the treasures he has collected over the years, though.<\/p>\n

How about some textual criticism?\u00a0 This branch of biblical studies is concerned with trying to establish the \u201cbest\u201d reading.\u00a0 Why is it needed?\u00a0 Ah\u2026\u00a0 Before the printing press copies were made by hand so there were accidental mistakes but there were also more deliberate alterations, usually in the direction of what would eventually become an orthodox reading.\u00a0 Fascinating stuff!<\/p>\n

Here are some links to get you started:<\/p>\n

Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts<\/a><\/p>\n

Interpreting Ancient Manuscripts<\/a><\/p>\n

Another option is to get books from your local library.\u00a0 Paper.\u00a0 Remember that? \u00a0 You can browse the catalogue under \u201cBible\u201d to get started.\u00a0 In addition, here are some titles that might be available in a city library, or perhaps ordered in for your local library.\u00a0 They will have bibliographic entries that lead you deeper into the subject:<\/p>\n

Brown, Raymond E.\u00a0 Into to the New Testament, Birth of the Messiah, <\/em>and Death of the Messiah<\/em> are all very useful references but one does not usually read them straight through.\u00a0 For a pleasant surprise, try Coming Christ at Advent, Adult Christ at Christmas<\/em> and Risen Christ at Easter, <\/em>which are short, profitable meditations on the most important times of the year. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Brueggemann, Walter.\u00a0 An Unsettling God: The Heart of the Hebrew Bible.<\/em>\u00a0 Ethical insight is one of the best reasons to \u201cgo deep\u201d in the Bible.\u00a0 Anything by Brueggemann is probably good, as is Herb McCabe.<\/p>\n

Collins, John J.\u00a0 The Apocalyptic Imagination, <\/em>2nd<\/sup> ed.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Classic.\u00a0 For those who want to Rock the Apoc but focuses more on Jewish rather than Christian texts.<\/p>\n

Coogan, Michael.\u00a0 God and Sex: What the Bible Really Says.<\/em>\u00a0 Candid, timely and authoritative intro.\u00a0 A good place to start if one wishes to develop their own opinions on the matter.<\/p>\n

Ehrman, Bart.\u00a0 Misquoting Jesus.<\/em>\u00a0 This is a good intro to textual criticism from a master in the field.\u00a0 Don\u2019t miss his personal intro in the preface.<\/p>\n

Enns, Peter.\u00a0 The Bible Tells Me So:\u00a0 Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable to Read It.<\/em>\u00a0 Helps a reader get past the need to fold, spindle and mutilate the Bible into what he or she thinks it ought to be.<\/p>\n

Koester, Craig E.\u00a0 Revelation and the End of All Things.<\/em>\u00a0 One of the best short commentaries ever published.\u00a0 With this, you will very successfully Rock the Apoc in the NT.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Kugel, James.\u00a0 How to Read the Bible.<\/em>\u00a0 Classic.\u00a0 NYT bestseller. Used as a text in college-level courses on the OT but very readable on its own.<\/p>\n

Noll, Mark.\u00a0 In the Beginning Was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life 1492-1783.<\/em>\u00a0 This will set you up to notice new things in LDS history.\u00a0 And really, Noll is another author who is always pretty good.\u00a0 His book on the Civil War as a theological crisis is very interesting, as well.<\/p>\n

Powell, Mark Allan.\u00a0 Jesus as a Figure in History, <\/em>2nd<\/sup> ed.<\/em>\u00a0 Gives an overview of the topic and introduction to major scholars and their work.\u00a0 Powell started life as a journalist so he writes well in a \u201cneutral\u201d voice.\u00a0 He also spent eight years as the chair of the historical Jesus section of the SBL and therefore writes from within his own lived experience.<\/p>\n

Reid, Barbara E.\u00a0 Wisdom\u2019s Feast: An Invitation to Feminist Interpretation of Scripture.<\/em>\u00a0 What it says.\u00a0 The Wise read this one and then they work thru the bibliography.<\/p>\n

Richards and O\u2019Brien.\u00a0 Paul Behaving Badly.<\/em>\u00a0 Fun read about some of the more disturbing things in Paul\u2019s letters.\u00a0 After you read this, you\u2019ll be ready for something bigger.<\/p>\n

Sanders, E. P. The Historical Figure of Jesus.<\/em>\u00a0 Sometimes used as a textbook in classes on the historical Jesus.\u00a0 Very readable but only one viewpoint and a bit dated.<\/p>\n

Smith, Mark.\u00a0 How Human is God.<\/em>\u00a0 Gives some ways to start thinking about how and why God is portrayed as he is in the OT.\u00a0 A start for discussion, but not an end.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some commentaries might be available on site or thru inter-library loan:<\/p>\n

JPS Torah Commentaries\u00a0 (OT; very useful until you want source or redaction critical works)<\/p>\n

Berit Olam (OT; mixed quality)<\/p>\n

Sacra Pagina Commentaries (these will be best in the Gospels and Acts, I think)<\/p>\n

Anchor Bible (might be in General Reference)<\/p>\n

Anchor Bible Dictionary (likely to be in General Reference if at all)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Happy to answer questions!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the comments added to the last post asked about sources that might help someone get a start on the Bible. So, I thought I\u2019d toss some ideas out here, and my colleagues will probably add things as questions or comments spark them. The best part of studying the Bible is conversation with other […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":457,"featured_media":8649,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,21,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-scripture","category-studying-religion","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nSome Sources for More Serious Study<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"One of the comments added to the last post asked about sources that might help someone get a start on the Bible. 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