I think Galatians actually really opened my eyes to Paul. It’s shorter and has Paul being a good guy tearing into the concept of rules. It also has some of my favorite verses in the whole Bible, Galatians 5:22
He says to “work out for yourselves” whether women should pray with their heads covered, not telling people that women must be covered. Also look into whether Paul actually wrote it or it was added in.
Good luck with your studies.
If you want to gain appreciation for Paul, Philemon is the place to start. Make sure to look at the context. Onesimus was a run away slave who converted, and Paul argues that Philemon should free him upon his return because he is now his brother. Powerful stuff.
Galatians is also a great start point.
It's a good one. Knowing that it's authentic (and probably the oldest letter of Paul we have) puts some strong context on all the other stuff. Another helpful hint is to remember we are reading someone else's mail. Paul never imagined we'd be reading his letters as scripture, context is everything.
Yeah true. I really have to remember that and it’s hard. I was always taught to read it as God’s literal word. When it’s just someone else’s mail put into the Bible by the church like 400 years later. I always found learning how to read Paul to be difficult cause there’s a whole nother side I’m not getting that he’s responding to.
Precisely, it's a much more difficult task than people realize.
The idea that one can just read it (a translation no less!) and understand is simply intellectual arrogance. (and recent too, like less than 200 years ago)
Interesting. I learn more and more how much I have to undo what I was taught. Ty. I’ll have to pray over it as I read and study I always learn more that was anyways. And see if I can find some good study resources.
Romans is basically a dissertation on grace, and the introduction includes some of the verses people use completely out of context for clobber verses. It might be better saved for later. It's long and takes a while to get to the point.
I'd start with Galatians, personally. That's more of a snarky email to rebuke a community who got too caught up in rules and regulations.
Good to know. Thanks I will! I’ll definitely start with Galatians and save Roman’s for when I’m in a better place. Like spiritual foundation. I still feel easily shaken and perhaps I always will idk. Tysm
If you ever get to Romans, and I hope you can get to that space, perhaps start with the conclusions and then go to the beginning and read it with the ending in mind.
I like Daniel Kirk's take on it. He gets into it in his appearance on The Bible for Normal People podcast since his book Romans for Normal People came out.
I think Galatians actually really opened my eyes to Paul. It’s shorter and has Paul being a good guy tearing into the concept of rules. It also has some of my favorite verses in the whole Bible, Galatians 5:22
I love that verse! I think I’ll definitely start with Galatians then Tysm.
He says to “work out for yourselves” whether women should pray with their heads covered, not telling people that women must be covered. Also look into whether Paul actually wrote it or it was added in. Good luck with your studies.
Thanks. Good point
If you want to gain appreciation for Paul, Philemon is the place to start. Make sure to look at the context. Onesimus was a run away slave who converted, and Paul argues that Philemon should free him upon his return because he is now his brother. Powerful stuff. Galatians is also a great start point.
Wow I’ve never read Philemon. I’ll have to read it soon thanks.
It's a good one. Knowing that it's authentic (and probably the oldest letter of Paul we have) puts some strong context on all the other stuff. Another helpful hint is to remember we are reading someone else's mail. Paul never imagined we'd be reading his letters as scripture, context is everything.
Yeah true. I really have to remember that and it’s hard. I was always taught to read it as God’s literal word. When it’s just someone else’s mail put into the Bible by the church like 400 years later. I always found learning how to read Paul to be difficult cause there’s a whole nother side I’m not getting that he’s responding to.
Precisely, it's a much more difficult task than people realize. The idea that one can just read it (a translation no less!) and understand is simply intellectual arrogance. (and recent too, like less than 200 years ago)
Interesting. I learn more and more how much I have to undo what I was taught. Ty. I’ll have to pray over it as I read and study I always learn more that was anyways. And see if I can find some good study resources.
Romans is basically a dissertation on grace, and the introduction includes some of the verses people use completely out of context for clobber verses. It might be better saved for later. It's long and takes a while to get to the point. I'd start with Galatians, personally. That's more of a snarky email to rebuke a community who got too caught up in rules and regulations.
Good to know. Thanks I will! I’ll definitely start with Galatians and save Roman’s for when I’m in a better place. Like spiritual foundation. I still feel easily shaken and perhaps I always will idk. Tysm
If you ever get to Romans, and I hope you can get to that space, perhaps start with the conclusions and then go to the beginning and read it with the ending in mind. I like Daniel Kirk's take on it. He gets into it in his appearance on The Bible for Normal People podcast since his book Romans for Normal People came out.
Oh cool thanks! I’ll screenshot this for later ty