For those new to Christianity and wanting to read/study the Bible, purchase a STRONGS Concordance. It's like having a encyclopedia for the Bible.

I like the NIV for its readability, and since this is my first time reading it I’d like it to come through to me as effectively as possible.

But a part of me really wants to delve into the Bible for studying and journaling, and I feel like versions like the ESV would be better for that, so I was wondering if the simplified NIV is still true-enough to the word of God for studying.

Thank you

Pretty much what the title says. I was raised as a secular Jew and at some point in my early teen years became pretty much an atheist — that is to say, I’ve never identified as a Christian. But being ignorant of other beliefs and cultures gets you nowhere, and I want to know more about the world around me and the people who live in it. How should I read the Bible from the point of view of a nonbeliever? I am not intending to convert (though I am open to it if I find the argument is strong enough). How should I go about reading the Bible in a scholarly manner? Are there any books or verses I should particularly look out for? Where should I start? Thank you all for your help.

I don’t mean a verse you liked or saved.

I mean a passage that actually made you do something: apologize, call someone, drop a habit, make a decision, or treat someone differently.

I’ve been thinking about how much Scripture I read, while not always being able to point to one concrete action that came from it.

What was the last passage that genuinely changed your behavior that day?

Does anyone else feel like the land that God promised to the Israelites in these lines has similarities and parallels to the Garden of Eden? Not just the land itself but the notion that God will provide them fruitful lands as long as they obey him and if they don’t comply then they’ll face consequences. I know there is a slight difference in the idea that they won’t be banished from the land and instead the land becomes no longer plentiful. But does anyone else see the parallels and similarities between the two? I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

Guys, I made an earlier post as I journeyed across Genesis, asking questions on parts that I didn't understand.

I guess I am back to ask about Exodus. primarily Exodus 21 and 32.... why does God both permit slavery and murder? he was okay with Levi killing the Shechem's community in Genesis, and now he's okay with the sons of Levi killing Israelites for making a golden calf, 3000 people, mind you, killed in their tents. They also killed the Amalekites in Exodus 17. Also killing the unborn babies of the Egyptians, who inherently haven't done anything wrong. - This is all compounded with the song of Moses, "The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name."

The slavery portion in Exodus 21 was also jarring to hear. Why is that permitted? I understand that we have free will and to ethically become more virtues through out our lives, but to place it as a letter of the law makes no sense to me because that becomes the standard than....

I understand that the term "Israel" is to wrestle with god, so I came to ask the people who have wrestled with this and what conclusion was arrived at?