I started this blog in June 2021 and my original goal was to read the Bible and simply comment on why each chapter or section cannot be taken literally as absolutely true as young earth creationists attempt to do. It started off easy enough as I read Genesis 1 & 2 and commented that that right there is a perfectly good reason why the Bible cannot be taken literally. But then I started reading more and realizing that there’s a lot more going on in this book that couldn’t be covered with the footnotes.
I ended up with the Oxford Bible Commentary by Barton and Muddiman which helped to understand some of the stranger verses, and in a few cases letting me know that I wasn’t wrong to misunderstand the passage I was reading (Exodus 4: 22-26 comes immediately to mind). It dawned on me that I was not only reading the Bible, but learning about it as well. I’ve since changed over to the Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV) which does a good job explaining the history and the authorship of each book. Obviously I’m no scholar, but having access to scholars as resources has been incredibly helpful.
I think Dr. Joel Baden was the first scholar I ever referenced thanks to his verse by verse explanation of the Torah on Twitter (Link to pinned tweet). Then I discovered the work of other biblical scholars like Dr. Kipp Davis, Dr. Josh Bowen, and Dr. Dan McClellan. I’m sure there will be more scholars I turn to in the future as I move further along on this project. Their insights have been quite helpful to me in my mission to complete this book.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned about the Bible is that it is far more interesting than I realized. This project has taken me from simply reading the Bible to learning about the history of the texts and how they came to be, the fact that this book is not univocal (that is, it is not one perspective from beginning to end), and the fact that what I am actually reading was not written at all for us today. That is, the texts were written for the people who were alive when they were originally written. Yes, we can still pull useful lesson out of this book, but bear that in mind.
So when I say this project is not going as expected, I mean that it is going far better. No, I’m not flying through this book just to say that I read it. I want to say that I did read it, and here are my notes on it. I hope you will continue to join me as I start 1 Samuel next week.
AlienCG's Bible Study 
I have to say that your reading and commentary on the texts are refreshing, and reflect not only your curiosity but also intentionality in seeking understanding of them. As such, I must “gently correct” you. You *are *a scholar, as that word is properly defined, and often a fine hermeneutical practitioner. More than once, your notes have informed me or moved me to explore my own understandings further—even “preached” to me. So, in some ways, I can honestly say that following you on this journey has been a great refresher on long-forgotten seminary courses for me. I have done the “read through the whole 66” routine a few times through the years. Hated it. You’ve made it fun.
But wait. There’s more! You also have evolved into my chosen daily devotional guide, so you may be dabbling in a spiritual practice larger than your intention. Hope you don’t mind, because I’m truly grateful. Hope you continue the walk and bringing others along with you. You’re gonna love the minor prophets!!!
Peace.
Rev. David Chafin North Eaton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 440-748-2230
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I am forever grateful for your support and for your words both here and throughout this blog. I am also honored that I have made it into your daily devotional guide. One of the scholars that I listed, Dr. Dan McClellan (@maklelan on TwiX), stated that everyone regardless of how they come at the Bible negotiates with the text. I think that idea has helped me greatly.
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