The Bible in a Year

Congratulations

2011-09-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Friends:

You have read the Bible in a year. Congratulations!

Please post your name to me so that I can recognize you in the church newsletter and on this blog as well as the church's Facebook page. My email is dan@firstchurch-winchester.org

Peace.

PS: At some point, I would like to gather us and share observations on our reading experience.

Final readings of the year-long journey

2011-08-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

Well, we are almost there. Congratulations. Here are the final readings. Thanks for making the journey. Please let me know that you completed the project. My email is dan@firstchurch-winchester.org

Aug 22: Dan 8-10; 3John
Aug 23: Dan 11-12; Jude
Aug 24: Hosea 1-4; Rev 1
Aug 25: Hosea 5-8; Rev 2
Aug 26: Hosea 9-11; Rev 3
Aug 27: Hosea 12-14; Rev 4
Aug 28: Joel; Rev 5
Aug 29: Amos 1-3; Rev 6
Aug 30: Amos 4-6; Rev 7
Aug 31: Amos 7-9; Rev 8
Sep 1: Obadiah; Rev 9
Sep 2: Jonah; Rev 10
Sep 3: Micah 1-3; Rev 11
Sep 4: Micah 4-5; Rev 12
Sep 5: Micah 6-7; Rev 13
Sep 6: Nahum; Rev 14
Sep 7: Habakkuk; Rev 15
Sep 8: Zephaniah; Rev 16
Sep 9: Haggai; Rev 17
Sep 10: Zech 1-4; Rev 18
Sep 11: Zech 5-8; Rev 19
Sep 12: Zech 9-12; Rev 20
Sep 13: Zech 13-14; Rev 21
Sep 14: Malachi; Rev 22

Week of August 15 Readings

2011-08-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

We are in the home stretch.

The readings for the week are:

Aug 15: Ezek 40-41; 2Pet 3
Aug 16: Ezek 42-44; 1John 1
Aug 17: Ezek 45-46; 1John 2
Aug 18: Ezek 47-48; 1John 3
Aug 19: Dan 1-2; 1John 4
Aug 20: Dan 3-4; 1John 5
Aug 21: Dan 5-7; 2John

This week, we begin Daniel. Daniel is a prophetic book with some of the better known Old Testament material as well as some of the most baffling. Remember, Daniel is apocalyptic literature, that is a literary work containing visions of the heavenly court and information about God's culmination of history.

Daniel can be divided into two halves. Daniel 1-6 is a collection of six stories about Daniel and his friends. Daniel 7-12 is a collection of apocalyptic visions.

Keep reading.

Peace.

July 4 through August 14 Readings

2011-07-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

We are coming into the home stretch. Congratulations. Summer is a great time to catch up or read ahead.

The July and August readings include the major prophets of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. They are major not because they are more important than the other prophets. They are major because of the length of their written prophetic work.

We are concluding the letters of Paul to congregations and turning to his pastoral letters where he is writing to individuals to provide them with advice and counsel on how to lead effectively and faithfully. Then there are the catholic letters, that is letters written by persons other than Paul to the church universal.

Keep up the good work. And, once again, congratulations you have almost read the entire Bible.

Peace.

Jul 4: Is 59-61; 2Thess 3
Jul 5: Is 62-64; 1Tim 1
Jul 6: Is 65-66; 1Tim 2
Jul 7: Jer 1-2; 1Tim 3
Jul 8: Jer 3-5; 1Tim 4
Jul 9: Jer 6-8; 1Tim 5
Jul 10: Jer 9-11; 1Tim 6
Jul 11: Jer 12-14; 2Tim 1
Jul 12: Jer 15-17; 2Tim 2
Jul 13: Jer 18-19; 2Tim 3
Jul 14: Jer 20-21; 2Tim 4
Jul 15: Jer 22-23; Titus 1
Jul 16: Jer 24-26; Titus 2
Jul 17: Jer 27-29; Titus 3
Jul 18: Jer 30-31; Philemon
Jul 19: Jer 32-33; Heb 1
Jul 20: Jer 34-36; Heb 2
Jul 21: Jer 37-39; Heb 3
Jul 22: Jer 40-42; Heb 4
Jul 23: Jer 43-45; Heb 5
Jul 24: Jer 46-47; Heb 6
Jul 25: Jer 48-49; Heb 7
Jul 26: Jer 50; Heb 8
Jul 27: Jer 51-52; Heb 9
Jul 28: Lam 1-2; Heb 10:1-18
Jul 29: Lam 3-5; Heb 10:19-39
Jul 30: Ezek 1-2; Heb 11:1-19
Jul 31: Ezek 3-4; Heb 11:20-40
Aug 1: Ezek 5-7; Heb 12
Aug 2: Ezek 8-10; Heb 13
Aug 3: Ezek 11-13; James 1
Aug 4: Ezek 14-15; James 2
Aug 5: Ezek 16-17; James 3
Aug 6: Ezek 18-19; James 4
Aug 7: Ezek 20-21; James 5
Aug 8: Ezek 22-23; 1Pet 1
Aug 9: Ezek 24-26; 1Pet 2
Aug 10: Ezek 27-29; 1Pet 3
Aug 11: Ezek 30-32; 1Pet 4
Aug 12: Ezek 33-34; 1Pet 5
Aug 13: Ezek 35-36; 2Pet 1
Aug 14: Ezek 37-39; 2Pet 2

May 30 through July 3 Readings

2011-05-31T07:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a month of readings. Over the course of the next several weeks we will be reading a goodly portion of wisdom literature from the Old Testament -- Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon as well the prophet Isaiah. We will also be working our way through several of Paul's letters.

The wisdom literature is self-explanatory, more or less. Its goal is to observe life, learn from it, and frame what has been learned into a saying instructive for future generations. For example, Prov. 22:3 reads: "The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it." Most wisdom literature has a parental tone to it. If we listen carefully, we can hear it as sound advice from a father or mother.

When reading the prophets it is good to know if the prophet is writing before, during, or after the Babylonian exile, 587 BCE. Prophecies before the exile contain words of warning. Israel should change her ways to avoid exile, which will come as punishment for faithlessness. Prophecies during the exile contain words of comfort. Israel, though chastened, is still God's chosen and will not be abandoned. Prophecies after the exile contain words of hope and promise. Israel has atoned for her sins and will be restored to her land.

Isa 1-39 is pre-exilic. Isa 40-55 is exilic. Isa 56-66 is post-exilic.

When reading Paul it is helpful to use a study Bible. You will want to know something about the situation that has prompted Paul's letter. What happened that warranted correspondence from the apostle?

Keep up your reading and study. Peace.

May 30: Prov 22-24; 2Cor 8
May 31: Prov 25-26; 2Cor 9
Jun 1: Prov 27-29; 2Cor 10
Jun 2: Prov 30-31; 2Cor 11:1-15
Jun 3: Ecc 1-3; 2Cor 11:16-33
Jun 4: Ecc 4-6; 2Cor 12
Jun 5: Ecc 7-9; 2Cor 13
Jun 6: Ecc 10-12; Gal 1
Jun 7: Song 1-3; Gal 2
Jun 8: Song 4-5; Gal 3
Jun 9: Song 6-8; Gal 4
Jun 10: Is 1-2; Gal 5
Jun 11: Is 3-4; Gal 6
Jun 12: Is 5-6; Eph 1
Jun 13: Is 7-8; Eph 2
Jun 14: Is 9-10; Eph 3
Jun 15: Is 11-13; Eph 4
Jun 16: Is 14-16; Eph 5:1-16
Jun 17: Is 17-19; Eph 5:17-33
Jun 18: Is 20-22; Eph 6
Jun 19: Is 23-25; Phil 1
Jun 20: Is 26-27; Phil 2
Jun 21: Is 28-29; Phil 3
Jun 22: Is 30-31; Phil 4
Jun 23: Is 32-33; Col 1
Jun 24: Is 34-36; Col 2
Jun 25: Is 37-38; Col 3
Jun 26: Is 39-40; Col 4
Jun 27: Is 41-42; 1Thess 1
Jun 28: Is 43-44; 1Thess 2
Jun 29: Is 45-46; 1Thess 3
Jun 30: Is 47-49; 1Thess 4
Jul 1: Is 50-52; 1Thess 5
Jul 2: Is 53-55; 2Thess 1
Jul 3: Is 56-58; 2Thess 2

Week of May 23 Readings

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May 23: Prov 3-5; 2Cor 1
May 24: Prov 6-7; 2Cor 2
May 25: Prov 8-9; 2Cor 3
May 26: Prov 10-12; 2Cor 4
May 27: Prov 13-15; 2Cor 5
May 28: Prov 16-18; 2Cor 6
May 29: Prov 19-21; 2Cor 7

Week of May 16 Readings

2011-05-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

May 16: Ps 135-136; 1Cor 12
May 17: Ps 137-139; 1Cor 13
May 18: Ps 140-142; 1Cor 14:1-20
May 19: Ps 143-145; 1Cor 14:21-40
May 20: Ps 146-147; 1Cor 15:1-28
May 21: Ps 148-150; 1Cor 15:29-58
May 22: Prov 1-2; 1Cor 16

Week of May 9 Readings

2011-05-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

May 9: Ps 119:1-88; 1Cor 7:20-40
May 10: Ps 119:89-176; 1Cor 8
May 11: Ps 120-122; 1Cor 9
May 12: Ps 123-125; 1Cor 10:1-18
May 13: Ps 126-128; 1Cor 10:19-33
May 14: Ps 129-131; 1Cor 11:1-16
May 15: Ps 132-134; 1Cor 11:17-34

Week of May 2 Readings

2011-05-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

We begin Paul's Corinthian correspondence this week. According to Luke's account in Acts [Acts 18], Paul founded the church and spent more than a year in Corinth nurturing the Christian community. Paul continued on his missionary journey, making his way to Ephesus just across the Aegean Sea. From Ephesus, Paul wrote to the Corinthians in response to news he received as to how the community was faring.

The Corinthian congregation looked like Corinth itself, indeed the Greco-Roman world. There were a few very wealthy people, a lot of poor people, and no middle class to speak of. The Gentile Christians far outnumbered the Jewish Christians.

It is not surprising that most of Paul's letter address fractiousness in the Corinthian church. Paul also addresses the Corinthians' individualization or privatization of their faith.

The letter is an excellent example of the genre of deliberative rhetoric. The author, Paul, is attempting to persuade his audience, the Corinthians, to change their behavior and their thinking. Paul longs for the Corinthians to live their faith more fully and wholesomely.

May 2: Ps 100-102; 1Cor 1
May 3: Ps 103-104; 1Cor 2
May 4: Ps 105-106; 1Cor 3
May 5: Ps 107-109; 1Cor 4
May 6: Ps 110-112; 1Cor 5
May 7: Ps 113-115; 1Cor 6
May 8: Ps 116-118; 1Cor 7:1-19

Week of April 25 Readings

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Apr 25: Ps 81-83; Rom 11:19-36
Apr 26: Ps 84-86; Rom 12
Apr 27: Ps 87-88; Rom 13
Apr 28: Ps 89-90; Rom 14
Apr 29: Ps 91-93; Rom 15:1-13
Apr 30: Ps 94-96; Rom 15:14-33
May 1: Ps 97-99; Rom 16

Weeks of April 11 and 18 Readings

2011-04-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

I have included two weeks of readings in this post for fear of failing to post Holy Week.

Yesterday, we completed Acts. Today, we begin Romans.

Romans is the first of Paul's letters to appear in the New Testament. It is also the longest and perhaps the most theological. The order of Paul's letters in the New Testament is from longest, Romans at 16 chapters, to shortest, Philemon at one chapter.

James Edwards, professor of theology in Whitworth College of Spokane, WA, suggests that "Romans is the most commanding exposition of the gospel of salvation by grace through faith ever written." He adds, "Throughout two millenia of history, Romans has repeatedly proved to be a catalyst for reform and renewal of Christian faith and life."

Week of April 11
Apr 11: Ps 46-48; Acts 28
Apr 12: Ps 49-50; Rom 1
Apr 13: Ps 51-53; Rom 2
Apr 14: Ps 54-56; Rom 3
Apr 15: Ps 57-59; Rom 4
Apr 16: Ps 60-62; Rom 5
Apr 17: Ps 63-65; Rom 6

Week of April 18
Apr 18: Ps 66-67; Rom 7
Apr 19: Ps 68-69; Rom 8:1-21
Apr 20: Ps 70-71; Rom 8:22-39
Apr 21: Ps 72-73; Rom 9:1-15
Apr 22: Ps 74-76; Rom 9:16-33
Apr 23: Ps 77-78; Rom 10
Apr 24: Ps 79-80; Rom 11:1-18

Week of April 4 Readings

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Apr 4: Ps 29-30; Acts 23:1-15
Apr 5: Ps 31-32; Acts 23:16-35
Apr 6: Ps 33-34; Acts 24
Apr 7: Ps 35-36; Acts 25
Apr 8: Ps 37-39; Acts 26
Apr 9: Ps 40-42; Acts 27:1-26
Apr 10: Ps 43-45; Acts 27:27-44

Week of March 28 Readings

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Mar 28: Ps 10-12; Acts 19:1-20
Mar 29: Ps 13-15; Acts 19:21-41
Mar 30: Ps 16-17; Acts 20:1-16
Mar 31: Ps 18-19; Acts 20:17-38
Apr 1: Ps 20-22; Acts 21:1-17
Apr 2: Ps 23-25; Acts 21:18-40
Apr 3: Ps 26-28; Acts 22

Week of March 21 Readings

2011-03-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

This week we begin the Psalms.

In the words of one commentator, "The psalms are poetic discourse between Israel and God, who is said to hear and answer. Many are frank, unrestrained conversations. Some are prayers and praises that soar to the depths of human misery, anger, and frustration. A few are complacent and self-congratulatory and a few others are militant and chauvinistic. The psalms present a rich cross section of speech to and about God, and in some cases include speech from God. At their heart is the conviction that God is one to whom all can speak." [Walter Harrelson]

Mar 21: Job 34-35; Acts 15:1-21
Mar 22: Job 36-37; Acts 15:22-41
Mar 23: Job 38-40; Acts 16:1-21
Mar 24: Job 41-42; Acts 16:22-40
Mar 25: Ps 1-3; Acts 17:1-15
Mar 26: Ps 4-6; Acts 17:16-34
Mar 27: Ps 7-9; Acts 18

Week of March 14 Readings

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Mar 14: Job 17-19; Acts 10:1-23
Mar 15: Job 20-21; Acts 10:24-48
Mar 16: Job 22-24; Acts 11
Mar 17: Job 25-27; Acts 12
Mar 18: Job 28-29; Acts 13:1-25
Mar 19: Job 30-31; Acts 13:26-52
Mar 20: Job 32-33; Acts 14

Week of March 7 Readings

2011-03-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

We begin the Book of Job this week.

By nearly all scholarly accounts, Job is the finest wisdom text of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Job addresses the question of divine justice. In the words of one commentator, Job "is a story that speaks to every generation and to every individual who has known undeserved suffering."

Mar 7: Esther 9-10; Acts 7:1-21
Mar 8: Job 1-2; Acts 7:22-43
Mar 9: Job 3-4; Acts 7:44-60
Mar 10: Job 5-7; Acts 8:1-25
Mar 11: Job 8-10; Acts 8:26-40
Mar 12: Job 11-13; Acts 9:1-21
Mar 13: Job 14-16; Acts 9:22-43

Week of February 28 Readings

2011-03-01T06:34:00.000-08:00

We finish Nehemiah and begin Esther this week.

Esther is a Jewish novella. Its setting is the Jewish diaspora community in the Persian Empire during Ahasuerus' reign. Esther is a young Jewish orphan. She becomes the Persian queen who rescues the Jews from the genocidal plot of one of king's advisors, Haman.

The book of Esther establishes the Jewish Festival of Purim, named after the lots Haman cast to determine the date of the genocide [the word "purim" means "lots].

Feb 28: Nehemiah 4-6; Acts 2:22-47
Mar 1: Nehemiah 7-9; Acts 3
Mar 2: Nehemiah 10-11; Acts 4:1-22
Mar 3: Nehemiah 12-13; Acts 4:23-37
Mar 4: Esther 1-2; Acts 5:1-21
Mar 5: Esther 3-5; Acts 5:22-42
Mar 6: Esther 6-8; Acts 6

Week of February 21 Readings

2011-02-22T07:15:00.000-08:00

This is an eventful week in our reading plan. We will be completing Chronicles and John, starting and completing Ezra, and beginning Nehemiah and Acts.

For most of its history, Ezra and Nehemiah were one book. They were separated in the Christian scriptures by Origen, Early Church Father from North Africa [185-254], and Jerome, Illyrian [Balkan Peninsula region] Catholic priest and translator of the Bible into Latin [347-420]. Ezra and Nehemiah remained one book in the Jewish scriptures until the 15th century.

Ezra 1-6 reports the return of the Jews from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple. Ezra 7-10 reports the initial activities of Ezra, who arrived nearly 60 years after the completion of the Temple.

Nehemiah recounts Nehemiah's role in constructing the walls of Jerusalem. It also tells the story of the expansion of Jerusalem's population, the correction of social abuses, the nurture of the community's worship life, and the prohibitions against the loss of Jewish identity through intermarriage.

Acts is a sequel to Luke. It continues the story of the Early Church, from Jesus' ascension and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost to Paul's final imprisonment in Rome. The early chapters tell the story of Peter's preaching in Jerusalem. From chapter 9, the story turns its attention to Paul, his three missionary journeys, and the establishment of Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean world.

Feb 21: 2Chron 32-33; John 18:19-40
Feb 22: 2Chron 34-36; John 19:1-22
Feb 23: Ezra 1-2; John 19:23-42
Feb 24: Ezra 3-5; John 20
Feb 25: Ezra 6-8; John 21
Feb 26: Ezra 9-10; Acts 1
Feb 27: Nehemiah 1-3; Acts 2:1-21

Week of February 14 Readings

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Feb 14: 2Chron 17-18; John 13:1-20
Feb 15: 2Chron 19-20; John 13:21-38
Feb 16: 2Chron 21-22; John 14
Feb 17: 2Chron 23-24; John 15
Feb 18: 2Chron 25-27; John 16
Feb 19: 2Chron 28-29; John 17
Feb 20: 2Chron 30-31; John 18:1-18

Week of February 7 Readings

2011-02-07T05:38:00.000-08:00

Some encouragement is in order. You have made it through First Chronicles. That is no small feat. Now for Second Chronicles.

Chronicles uses the books of Samuel and Kings as its primary source. So, if you have that sneaking suspicion that you have read this material before, you have.

The most important points of reference for Chronicles are the reigns of David and Solomon, especially the promises made by God to David concerning a Davidic monarchy and to Solomon concerning the temple.

Hopefully, John's gospel is providing a respite from all that history in Chronicles. Key to grasping John is the affirmation that Jesus provides "unique and unprecedented access to God because Jesus shares in God's character and identity." [New Interpreter's Study Bible]. Also, "Jesus' words and works, all of his life and death, make God known in the world." [Ibid]

Feb 7: 1Chron 28-29; John 9:24-41
Feb 8: 2Chron 1-3; John 10:1-23
Feb 9: 2Chron 4-6; John 10:24-42
Feb 10: 2Chron 7-9; John 11:1-29
Feb 11: 2Chron 10-12; John 11:30-57
Feb 12: 2Chron 13-14; John 12:1-26
Feb 13: 2Chron 15-16; John 12:27-50

Week of January 31 Readings

2011-01-31T17:40:00.000-08:00

WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS:

Jan 31: 1Chron 7-9; John 6:22-44
Feb 1: 1Chron 10-12; John 6:45-71
Feb 2: 1Chron 13-15; John 7:1-27
Feb 3: 1Chron 16-18; John 7:28-53
Feb 4: 1Chron 19-21; John 8:1-27
Feb 5: 1Chron 22-24; John 8:28-59
Feb 6: 1Chron 25-27; John 9:1-23

Week of January 24 Readings

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Jan 24: 2King 15-16; John 3:1-18
Jan 25: 2King 17-18; John 3:19-36
Jan 26: 2King 19-21; John 4:1-30
Jan 27: 2King 22-23; John 4:31-54
Jan 28: 2King 24-25; John 5:1-24
Jan 29: 1Chron 1-3; John 5:25-47
Jan 30: 1Chron 4-6; John 6:1-21

Week of January 17 Readings

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Jan 17: 1King 19-20; Luke 23:1-25
Jan 18: 1King 21-22; Luke 23:26-56
Jan 19: 2King 1-3; Luke 24:1-35
Jan 20: 2King 4-6; Luke 24:36-53
Jan 21: 2King 7-9; John 1:1-28
Jan 22: 2King 10-12; John 1:29-51
Jan 23: 2King 13-14; John 2

Week of January 3 Readings

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Jan 3: 2Sam 12-13; Luke 16
Jan 4: 2Sam 14-15; Luke 17:1-19
Jan 5: 2Sam 16-18; Luke 17:20-37
Jan 6: 2Sam 19-20; Luke 18:1-23
Jan 7: 2Sam 21-22; Luke 18:24-43
Jan 8: 2Sam 23-24; Luke 19:1-27
Jan 9: 1King 1-2; Luke 19:28-48

Week of January 10 Readings

2011-01-04T09:10:00.000-08:00

Jan 10: 1King 3-5; Luke 20:1-26
Jan 11: 1King 6-7; Luke 20:27-47
Jan 12: 1King 8-9; Luke 21:1-19
Jan 13: 1King 10-11; Luke 21:20-38
Jan 14: 1King 12-13; Luke 22:1-30
Jan 15: 1King 14-15; Luke 22:31-46
Jan 16: 1King 16-18; Luke 22:47-71

Week of December 27 Readings

2010-12-23T16:39:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas. Here are our readings for the upcoming week.

Dec 27: 1Sam 25-26; Luke 12:32-59
Dec 28: 1Sam 27-29; Luke 13:1-22
Dec 29: 1Sam 30-31; Luke 13:23-35
Dec 30: 2Sam 1-2; Luke 14:1-24
Dec 31: 2Sam 3-5; Luke 14:25-35
Jan 1: 2Sam 6-8; Luke 15:1-10
Jan 2: 2Sam 9-11; Luke 15:11-32

Peace on earth.

Week of December 20 Readings

2010-12-15T06:31:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Here are our readings for the upcoming week:

Dec 20: 1Sam 7-9; Luke 9:18-36
Dec 21: 1Sam 10-12; Luke 9:37-62
Dec 22: 1Sam 13-14; Luke 10:1-24
Dec 23: 1Sam 15-16; Luke 10:25-42
Dec 24: 1Sam 17-18; Luke 11:1-28
Dec 25: 1Sam 19-21; Luke 11:29-54
Dec 26: 1Sam 22-24; Luke 12:1-31

We are in 1 Samuel and the Gospel of Luke.

Some comments about 1 Samuel. The book is set geographically in the territory of Canaan or Israel. Occasionally the action moves into coastal Philistia or east of the Jordan River. Chronologically, the book covers the last years of Israel's tribal confederacy and the reigns of Israel's first and second kings -- Saul [1020-1000 BC] and David [1000-961 BC].

1 Samuel adheres to what is known as the Deuteronomic History. Namely, if the nation is faithful to God, it will prosper. If the nation is unfaithful to God, the nation will suffer military defeats. If the nation does not repent of its unfaithfulness, it will cease to exist. 1 Samuel shares this understanding of history with the other books of the Former Prophets -- Joshua, Judges, 2 Samuel, and Kings.

Biblical scholar Carol Grizzard notes that 1 Samuel has two interlocking themes. One, the importance of good government. Two, the complexity of relationships -- between people and God and among people.

Happy reading.

Week of December 13 Readings

2010-12-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

Here are the readings for the upcoming week:

Dec 13: Jud 11-12; Luke 6:1-26
Dec 14: Jud 13-15; Luke 6:27-49
Dec 15: Jud 16-18; Luke 7:1-30
Dec 16: Jud 19-21; Luke 7:31-50
Dec 17: Ruth 1-4; Luke 8:1-25
Dec 18: 1Sam 1-3; Luke 8:26-56
Dec 19: 1Sam 4-6; Luke 9:1-17

We will be finishing up Judges, reading all of Ruth in a day, continuing in Luke, and beginning 1 Samuel.

Ruth is a story about redemption. It tells the story of a woman named Naomi who lived in Bethlehem during the time of the judges. When famine strikes, Naomi and her sons take refuge in Moab. Her sons marry Moabite women. In turn, Naomi's husband and sons die.

Grief-stricken and bitter, Naomi returns to Bethlehem. She is accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth -- an outsider who is shunned by Israelites. Ruth, who proves extraordinarily faithful to her mother-in-law, becomes the instrument of God's redemption through the birth of a son, Obed. One of Obed's descendants will be David, the ancestor of Judah's messianic line of kings.

On the surface, Ruth is about the restoration of family property and the healing of a break in the family tree. But the author of the book uses symbolic names, word plays, and purposeful repetition of significant phrases to tell the story as an extended parable. Obed's birth, which represents redemption for Naomi, foreshadows David's birth, who begins the line of kings that promises redemption for all God's people.

Happy reading.

Peace.

Week of December 6 Readings

2010-12-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

Keep reading . . . We are nearing the 25% mark.

Dec 6: Josh 16-18; Luke 2:1-24
Dec 7: Josh 19-21; Luke 2:25-52
Dec 8: Josh 22-24; Luke 3
Dec 9: Jud 1-3; Luke 4:1-30
Dec 10: Jud 4-6; Luke 4:31-44
Dec 11: Jud 7-8; Luke 5:1-16
Dec 12: Jud 9-10; Luke 5:17-39

Week of November 29 Readings

2010-11-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well. You are about to complete Deuteronomy and Mark. Job well done. But, keep reading.

In the coming week you will begin reading Joshua and Luke.

Joshua is a turning point. The Israelites will no longer be landless wanderers. They will be a people with a place to be, the promised land. Joshua tells the story of this transition.

Luke is the perfect gospel to be reading as we approach Christmas. One of portions unique to Luke's gospel is the narrative of Jesus' birth. Other distinguishing marks of Luke are his lengthy travel accounts and his deep concern for the marginalized and the dispossessed.

Luke's message is salvation. Jesus has come to restore Israel as a light to the nations so that all may be saved by grace through Abraham-like faithfulness..

Peace.

Here we go . . .

Nov 30: Deut 32-34; Mark 15:26-47
Dec 1: Josh 1-3; Mark 16
Dec 2: Josh 4-6; Luke 1:1-20
Dec 3: Josh 7-9; Luke 1:21-38
Dec 4: Josh 10-12; Luke 1:39-56
Dec 5: Josh 13-15; Luke 1:57-80

Week of November 22 Readings

2010-11-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

Here are our readings for next week:

Nov 22: Deut 10-12; Mark 12:1-27
Nov 23: Deut 13-15; Mark 12:28-44
Nov 24: Deut 16-18; Mark 13:1-20
Nov 25: Deut 19-21; Mark 13:21-37
Nov 26: Deut 22-24; Mark 14:1-26
Nov 27: Deut 25-27; Mark 14:27-53
Nov 28: Deut 28-29; Mark 14:54-72

Keep up the important work and happy reading.

Peace.

Week of November 15 Readings

2010-11-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

Week of November 15 Readings:

Nov 15: Num 26-28; Mark 8
Nov 16: Num 29-31; Mark 9:1-29
Nov 17: Num 32-34; Mark 9:30-50
Nov 18: Num 35-36; Mark 10:1-31
Nov 19: Deut 1-3; Mark 10:32-52
Nov 20: Deut 4-6; Mark 11:1-18
Nov 21: Deut 7-9; Mark 11:19-33

You have completed Numbers. Congratulations!

In the coming week you will continue reading the gospel of Mark and begin reading Deuteronomy [deutero = second; nomos = law].

Deuteronomy means "second law". Deuteronomy lists the laws given to Israel when they had arrived at the edge of the Jordan River just prior to entering the Promised Land of Canaan. The laws are accompanied by a series of sermons by Moses explaining the origin of the laws as well as their importance for Israel.

The central themes of Deuteronomy focus on Israel's nature and unique status. Israel is to be one nation, living under one law in one land, devoted to the one and only true and living God. Israel risks its national life by neglecting its nature and status. Gross failures on Israel's part to live as God's people will result in punishment.

Moses reminds Israel of its covenant with God. There are but two choices related to the covenant: obedience or disobedience; blessing or curse. Moses admonishes obedience and blessing. He warns against disobedience and curse.

Happy reading. Peace.

Week of November 8 Readings

2010-11-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Here are next week's readings:

Nov 8: Num 7-8; Mark 4:21-41
Nov 9: Num 9-11; Mark 5:1-20
Nov 10: Num 12-14; Mark 5:21-43
Nov 11: Num 15-16; Mark 6:1-29
Nov 12: Num 17-19; Mark 6:30-56
Nov 13: Num 20-22; Mark 7:1-13
Nov 14: Num 23-25; Mark 7:14-37

Here is a "fun fact" about Mark's gospel. It is the only gospel that calls itself a gospel. Gospel has three possible meanings: gospel as literary genre; gospel as theological message; and gospel as authoritative canonical writing for a religious community. Mark is all three.

According to biblical scholar Lamar Williamson, the gospel of Mark is "a collection of traditions about Jesus presented in story form, a narrative constituting good news about God and his kingdom, and a writing which occupies a place of fundamental importance in the Scriptures of the church. The purpose of Mark's Gospel is to bear witness to Jesus Christ as proclaimer and embodiment of the Kingdom of God, and to challenge readers to follow him in anticipation of his final coming as Son of Man." [Mark by Lamar Williamson, John Knox Press, 1983]

Happy reading and keep up the important work.

Peace.

Weeks of Oct 25 and Nov 1 Readings

2010-10-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

I've posted two weeks of readings.

Keep up the good work. You are almost through Leviticus. I know, I know. It's tough reading, but you are almost there. At least you have Matthew.

Soon, you will be reading Mark. Mark is the earliest of the four gospels of the New Testament. Mark was a source used by Matthew and Luke as they composed their gospels.

Jesus' identity in Mark is announced early in the gospel. He is God's Son. However, this information is kept secret until Jesus' crucifixion. Throughout the gospel, everyone fails to comprehend who Jesus is and the nature of his mission.

The key to understanding Jesus in Mark is the Cross and Resurrection. Jesus' death on the cross for the sins of the world is God's will. God's resurrection of Jesus vindicates Jesus' life and death.

The readings:

Oct 25: Lev 8-10; Matt 25:31-46
Oct 26: Lev 11-12; Matt 26:1-25
Oct 27: Lev 13; Matt 26:26-50
Oct 28: Lev 14; Matt 26:51-75
Oct 29: Lev 15-16; Matt 27:1-26
Oct 30: Lev 17-18; Matt 27:27-50
Oct 31: Lev 19-20; Matt 27:51-66
Nov 1: Lev 21-22; Matt 28
Nov 2: Lev 23-24; Mark 1:1-22
Nov 3: Lev 25; Mark 1:23-45
Nov 4: Lev 26-27; Mark 2
Nov 5: Num 1-2; Mark 3:1-19
Nov 6: Num 3-4; Mark 3:20-35
Nov 7: Num 5-6; Mark 4:1-20

Week of Oct 18 Readings

2010-10-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

Here are our readings for the upcoming week:

Oct 18: Ex 31-33; Matt 22: 1-22
Oct 19: Ex 34-35; Matt 22:23-46
Oct 20: Ex 36-38; Matt 23:1-22
Oct 21: Ex 39-40; Matt 23:23-39
Oct 22: Lev 1-3; Matt 24:1-28
Oct 23: Lev 4-5; Matt 24:29-51
Oct 24: Lev 6-7; Matt 25:1-30

Congratulations! You are about to complete your second full book of the Bible, Exodus.

Also, hang in there. You will be embarking on the book of Leviticus. Leviticus is filled with regulations designed to insure a holy life. Since God is holy, God's people are to be holy.

Leviticus provides instructions for the Israelites regarding religious sacrifices, what is clean and unclean, diet, religious festivals, ethics, sexual relations, blasphemy, Sabbath, jubilee years, blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.

Leviticus takes its name from the priestly tribe of Levi. Originally, the book was designated by rabbis as the manual for priests.

Leviticus forms the heart of the Jewish law, Torah. It is often used to introduce Jewish children to the basic elements of Judaism.

Week of Oct 11 Readings

2010-10-07T07:21:00.001-07:00

Here are our readings for the week of October 11. Keep up the great work.

Oct 11: Ex 16-18; Matt 18:1-20
Oct 12: Ex 19-20; Matt 18:21-35
Oct 13: Ex 21-22; Matt 19
Oct 14: Ex 23-24; Matt 20:1-16
Oct 15: Ex 25-26; Matt 20:17-34
Oct 16: Ex 27-28; Matt 21:1-22
Oct 17: Ex 29-30; Matt 21:23-46

Happy reading.

Significance of the Exodus

2010-10-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

The single most important event in the New Testament is the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ. The New Testament doesn’t make sense apart from God liberating us from the bondage of sin and death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The single most important event in the Old Testament is the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The Old Testament doesn’t make sense apart from God liberating the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt through the exodus led by Moses.

Both the resurrection and the exodus tell us an awful lot about God. They tell us that God loves us deeply, hears our cries, and acts decisively to deliver us from bondage to freedom.

Peace.

Week of Oct 4 Readings

2010-09-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

Well, we are three weeks in. Genesis, almost completed. Matthew, half-way point. Keep up the good work. Remember, a spiritual reading diet of four chapters of the Bible daily and in a year's time you will have read all sixty-six books of the Bible.

Hopefully, you are finding the project transformational as well as informational. I am enjoying all the questions and comments so many of you are sharing with me on Sunday mornings.

Here are the next week's readings:

Oct 4: Gen 49-50; Matt 13:31-58
Oct 5: Ex 1-3; Matt 14:1-21
Oct 6: Ex 4-6; Matt 14:22-36
Oct 7: Ex 7-8; Matt 15:1-20
Oct 8: Ex 9-11; Matt 15:21-39
Oct 9: Ex 12-13; Matt 16
Oct 10: Ex 14-15; Matt 17

Happy reading.

Week of Sept 27 Readings

2010-09-22T07:42:00.001-07:00

Here they are:

Sep 27: Gen 31-32; Matt 9:18-38
Sep 28: Gen 33-35; Matt 10:1-20
Sep 29: Gen 36-38; Matt 10:21-42
Sep 30: Gen 39-40; Matt 11
Oct 1: Gen 41-42; Matt 12:1-23
Oct 2: Gen 43-45; Matt 12:24-50
Oct 3: Gen 46-48; Matt 13:1-30

At the end of next week, we will have nearly completed Genesis. Note that beginning with Genesis 36 we are in the Joseph cycle of stories, which reads like a novella. The Joseph stories can be a bit surprising and perhaps even disturbing to someone reading them for the first time. There is family strife, deceit, favoritism, jealousy, and violence. But there is also reconciliation and restoration.

Happy reading.

One Week Down

2010-09-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

We are one week into our Bible in a Year reading program, meaning you have read 19 chapters in Genesis and six chapters in Matthew. Remember, four chapters a day means that in 365 days you will have read the entire Bible.

More than sixty persons are participating, that we know of. Some folks have said they are reading along, but have not registered their participation. Also, to date our blog has received more than 1000 visits. The visits are mostly by way of the church's website and the church's Facebook page. Other visits come from the Internet in general by way of a search engine.

In our Genesis readings, we have moved from the primeval history into the patriarchal history. The patriarchs of Israel are Abraham [Gen. 12-24], Isaac [Gen. 25-36], and Jacob [Gen. 25-36]. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the pioneers of biblical faith. According to biblical scholar Albrecht Alt, the religion of the patriarchs is a religion of God's guiding promise. In the patriarchal history, we read about God leading, guiding, and guarding the patriarchs and their community.

In our Matthew readings, we are in the middle of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount [Matt. 5-7]. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is one of five major discourses in Matthew's Gospel. Each discourse instructs and shapes the identity and lifestyle of Jesus' followers.

Happy reading.

Walter Brueggemann on Genesis 1-11

2010-09-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

Walter Brueggemann is an Old Testament scholar and theologian of some note. In the early 1980s, he published what has become the standard commentary on Genesis.

In his Genesis commentary, Brueggemann writes: "The first eleven chapters of Genesis are among the most important in Scripture. They are among the best known (in a stereotyped way). And they are frequently the most misunderstood. Misunderstandings of substance likely occur because the style and character of the literature is misunderstood. A faithful understanding of these materials requires that interpreters be clear about the nature of the material presented and the relationship it has to the remainder of Scripture."

Brueggemann goes on to assert that Genesis 1-11, known as the primeval history among biblical scholars, is neither history nor myth. It is proclamation. The writers, most likely two -- one writing as early as the 10th century BCE, the J source, and the other writing during the 6th century BCE Babylonian exile, the P source -- are proclaiming God's decisive dealing with God's creation.

[Note: J = the first Latin letter of Yahweh/Jehovah, which is the preferred name for God of this source; P = stands for the priestly source because of its very formal, well educated style of writing and emphasis on matters related to cultic observances and worship. BCE = Before Common or Christian Era.]

Happy reading.

Week of Sept 20 Readings

2010-09-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

We begin our year-long reading program today. My goal is to post a week's readings in advance. The readings will be from a Monday through a Sunday. So, there is a little overlap between last week's readings post and this week's readings post. Next week, we will be on schedule.

Week of September 20 Readings:

Sep 20: Gen 16-17; Matt 5:27-48
Sep 21: Gen 18-19; Matt 6:1-18
Sep 22: Gen 20-22; Matt 6:19-34
Sep 23: Gen 23-24; Matt 7
Sep 24: Gen 25-26; Matt 8:1-17
Sep 25: Gen 27-28; Matt 8:18-34
Sep 26: Gen 29-30; Matt 9:1-17

Keep up the good work. Four chapters a day is more than doable. In less than two weeks, you will have completed more than half of the book of Genesis and nearly a third of Matthew's Gospel.

Peace.

Some Thoughts on Genesis

2010-09-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

By nature, humans are curious. We want to know things. We like to know things. We become agitated when we don't know things.

The creation stories in Genesis are, in part, a product of curiosity. The very early Israelites wondered where it call came from and why it is here. With a little imagination, one can envision the Israelites in exile in 6th century BCE Babylon singing or chanting the creation story to affirm that their God -- and not the Babylonian god, Marduk -- spoke the cosmos into existence, ordered it, and declared it very, very good.

Too often, we get stuck on the details of creation and lose sight of the big picture. Did creation come to be in six 24 hour days? Quite frankly, that's the wrong question. From whence came creation and what are we to make of it all? That's a better question. God made it. And, it is good.

Happy reading.

Week of Sept 14 Readings

2010-09-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

Well, friends, our reading program is exactly one week away. Ready?

Here are the readings for Week #1:

Sept 15: Gen 1-3; Matt 1
Sept 16: Gen 4-6; Matt 2
Sept 17: Gen 7-9; Matt 3
Sept 18: Gen 10-12; Matt 4
Sept 19: Gen 13-15; Matt 5:1-26
Sept 20: Gen 16-17; Matt 5:27-48
Sept 21: Gen 18-19; Matt 6:1-18

As you will recall, by reading three chapters from the Old Testament and one chapter from New Testament daily you can read the entire Bible in a year's time. So, let's do it.

We are beginning our journey in Genesis and Matthew.

Genesis, the first book of the Bible, is a story of beginnings -- the beginning of the world, the beginning of Israel, the beginning of faith. Theologically, Genesis affirms everything that is begins by the purpose and speech of God.

Matthew, though not the earliest gospel, is the first book of the New Testament. Matthew tells the story of God drawing near to humanity in Jesus to dwell with us. Matthew summons us to see God uniquely at work in Jesus and to trust Jesus. Through trust we become God's children and citizen's of God's rule and way in the world.

Happy reading! I look forward to hearing about your journey.

Peace.

The Gospel

2010-08-31T12:04:00.000-07:00

Gospel means simply "good news." Many of us have probably been asked whether we believe the gospel. The better question would be do we live it. Let me explain.

I belong to a Christian tradition -- Presbyterian -- that has equated gospel with the watch words of the 16th Protestant Reformation, namely "justification by grace through faith." Those are good watch words. They are true. They are right out of Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome. But they don't equate with the gospel.

According to Jesus, the gospel is embodied in his words "The kingdom of God is at hand." Jesus says these words repeatedly right before very important things happen in the gospels of the New Testament. In other words, the kingdom is in and through him. The kingdom announced by Jesus is a new way of life, that looks and sounds and feels like the life Jesus lived.

Affirming theological truths has its place, but it's only one patch on the quilt. Living in the way of Jesus, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, is the quilt's border that gives meaning to each and every patch within the quilt.

The God of the Bible

2010-08-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

If we are candid, there are depictions of God in the Bible that are troublesome. God comes off as tribal and militaristic in places, even violent. It is difficult to reconcile such depictions with the God revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

Brian McLaren, as well others, suggest that we understand less than savory depictions of God in scripture as particular ways in which our ancestor perceived God in their given time in geography and place in history.

In A New Kind of Christianity, McLaren writes: ". . . [H]uman beings can't do better than their very best at any given moment to communicate about God as they understand God, and the Scripture faithfully reveals the evolution of our ancestor's best attempts to communicate their successive best understandings of God. As human capacity grows to conceive of a higher and wiser view of God, each new vision is faithfully preserved in Scripture like fossils in layers of sediment."

Peace.

The Bible's Story Line, III

2010-08-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

In the previous post I called attention to the predominant way in which the Bible has been read, namely as an account of a perfected creation marred by human sinfulness but rescued by God that resulted in salvation/heaven or damnation/hell.

In this post, I wish to suggest another reading, a reading articulated by Brian McLaren in A New Kind of Christianity.

According to McLaren, the biblical narrative is "a story of human foolishness and God's faithfulness, the human turn toward rebellion and God's turn toward reconciliation, the human intention toward evil and God's intention to overcome evil with good. It begins with God creating a good world, continues with human beings creating evil, and concludes with God creating good outcomes that overcome human evil."

The Bible's Story Line, II

2010-07-29T06:47:00.000-07:00

According to Brian McLaren, since the fifth or sixth century Christians in the West have read the Bible from the perspective of one particular story line -- paradise, fall, condemnation, and salvation/heaven or damnation/hell.

I believe McLaren is on to something. That story line is doubtlessly there. But it is not the only one. In large part, it is the result of a "backwards" reading of the Bible; backwards in the sense of reading back across centuries and centuries of interpretation to Jesus. McLaren suggests a "forwards" reading of the Bible; forwards in the sense of reading forward through centuries and centuries of interpretation to Jesus.

This sounds rather semantic and perhaps even esoteric. But, really, it is not. A backwards reading allows one set of sources to interpret the Bible for us, for example Pope Benedict, Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, John Calvin, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Erasmus, Aquinas, Augustine, St. Paul to mention a few. A forwards reading allows another set of sources to interpret the Bible for us, for example Abraham, Moses, King David, Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, again to name a few.

Peace.

The Bible's Story Line

2010-07-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

Currently, I am reading Brian McLaren's A New Kind of Christianity. In his book, McLaren identifies what he believes are central questions for the new kind of Christianity that is emerging. One of those questions has to do with the biblical narrative.

According to McLaren, formerly persons read the Bible "as a series of disconnected quotes and episodes yielding maxims, rules, formulas, anecdotes, propositions, and wise sayings . . . [with] little or no sense of the larger story into which the statements fit and in which their meaning took shape." McLaren notes that reading the Bible is such a way shrinks the text and in doing so shrinks us as well. He suggests exploring whether there is a discernable plotline of the biblical library. [By the way, there is one -- that will be another post.] What might the deep problems the original Christian story was trying to solve have been? According to the Bible, what is the big picture, like where did we come from and where are we going and where are we now?

Paine on the Bible

2010-07-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a challenge to undertake not only reading the Bible through in a year, but also seeking to better understand it. Eighteenth century revolutionary pamphleteer Thomas Paine, best known for Common Sense, wrote: "The Bible is a book that has been read more and examined less than any book that ever existed."

Twain on the Bible

2010-06-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Many of you who know me are aware that one of my favorite authors is Mark Twain. By many accounts, including his own, Twain was a Presbyterian. He ruminated often and at length on religious topics.

On more than one occasion, I have quoted Twain in a sermon. I am fond of what he had to say about the Bible. Twain wrote: "Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand." Something to consider as we embark on our reading adventure in the fall.

Peace.

Begin Here: Welcome

2010-06-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

Christians in a Presbyterian way value the Bible. That is a understatement. The Bible is a means of grace through which God reveals God and declares to the world God's will. The Westminster Confession of Faith of 1647 calls the Bible "most necessary."

Beginning September 15, 2010, First Presbyterian Church of Winchester, Virginia is launching a Bible in a Year reading program. By reading four chapters a day, three from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament, a person can complete the Bible in 365 days.

This blog will post the weekly readings and allow for questions and comments regarding the readings. The following link provides the readings for the entire year. Simply copy and paste it to your address bar: http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/31/osep15.htm

Pledge now to read the Bible in a year. Use the blog for support in accomplishing the task.

Of course, reading the Bible is for more than informational purposes. It is also for transformational purposes. Listen for the word God has for you as you seek to be faithful to God.

Peace,
Dan McCoig