Malachi151

I'm starting a local atheist Bible study. So far my plan is this:

1) A basic overview of the Bible, the history of it, the different sections, traditional views vs. modern scholarship, etc.

2) Read the major New Testament books in the order that they were written (as best as we can tell). They actually have "historical bibles" that are organized in this fashion, but there are many problems with them (many are done by fundies who order he books to fit an agenda), I'd probably just recommend the NSRV and we can go in the proper order.

3) Point out relevant Old Testament books and passages as they relate to the NT and read them while reading the NT. For example, when reading Mark/Matthew, point out Psalm 22 and make that a part of the reading, etc.

4) Go back and read some of the more influential and important parts of the Old Testament, such as the creation stories, the Ten Commandments stories, Noah, some of the good slaughter and bloodshed, etc.

Any ideas on this, or recommendations? I don't plan to go through every book in the Bible, perhaps 1/3 or so.

My plan for the NT books is this:

Galatians > 1 Corinthians > Romans > Matthew > Acts > Revelation > John > Some of the later epistles (recommendations?)

Then I'd go on to various parts of Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Kings, Maccabees, Psalms, Isaiah ??

I'm not that familiar with the Old Testament, so guidance here is appreciated.

BTW, anyone in the Denver area is welcome, let me know if you want to attend.

Mythra

I certainly wouldn't neglect the book of Joshua.

Some of Yahweh's best temper tantrums are found there. Check out the misadventures of Achan there, and the lovingly way he is corrected by the heavenly father.

S.C.Carlson

Personally, I date Galatians after 1 Cor.

1 Thess is the earliest NT writing. Though not a "major" book, it nonetheless may be worth starting on this relatively short book.

aa5874

Malachi 151, that's a good move. I think it is imperative to study the Christian Bible to make good arguments against it.

Malachi151

I'm getting pretty excited about it. I just ordered my copy of the New Oxford Annotated Bible, and several people have signed up already.

I'm going to be holding it at a liberally minded cafe where they often have these types of events, philosphy groups, etc., and perhaps some liberal Christians will attend.

I've already said that I will make it clear this is an ATHEIST led Bible study, and we aren't going to waste time on theological discussions or debates about the valitidy of the Bible as a "divine word of God", etc. If you don't like that, then don't attend

S.C.Carlson: Thanks, I'll make note of that, and I just read Thessalonians and I agree, that's a good place to start.

I still need more help on where to focus in the later epistles and what to read in the OT.

My one concern is Maccabees since not every Bible has this book, but I think its importnat since it explains a lot about how the Jews came under Greek rule, which has a lot to do with the later development of Christianity, I also like how it says that many Jews adopted the Greek customs, etc.

Apikorus

For the Hebrew Bible, take a look at Marc Zvi Brettler's How to Read the Bible (or via: amazon.co.uk).

rob117

Perhaps you should rename it a "non-theological" Bible study group to get more people to attend. Make it clear that there will be no theological discussion; the focus will be on the history of the Bible and its world, the development of Judaism and Christianity and their effect on history, etc.

Apikorus

"Non-theological" seems a bit adversarial. How about just "historical-critical"?

Malachi151

How about Atheist Led Bible Study, which is what it will be called

Kosh

The class I took in college (egads, 20 years ago!) was simply called "The Bible as Literature".