Does the book change your understanding of the Bible?

Use this forum to discuss the August 2019 Book of the month, "I Will Make of Thee a Great Nation: Old Testament Stories" by Val D. Greenwood.
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Ferdinand_Otieno
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Re: Does the book change your understanding of the Bible?

Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

eastandalchemy wrote: 01 Aug 2019, 11:14 I didn't have a religious upbringing, but I've always enjoyed reading religious literature as a way for me to understand certain people's beliefs. Since I've never read the Old Testament, I can't compare the two, but I did enjoy reading the author's take on the traditional passages.
I also enjoyed the author's take on these passades. I learnt a little bit more from each passage which made me understand the Old Testament scripture better.
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Post by raikyuu »

The author's interpretation supplemented my current views. Though, I actually need to read more on the old testament, since it can be sometimes hard to read.
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Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

raikyuu wrote: 01 Aug 2019, 23:30 The author's interpretation supplemented my current views. Though, I actually need to read more on the old testament, since it can be sometimes hard to read.
I had the same difficulty in reading and understanding the Old Testament. I found the book to be very helpful in helping me understand not only the scripture but the context too.
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Post by Benthic »

This book really does an amaizing job in retelling the Biblical stories. As a kid i used to love these stories. Reliving these stories in this book was really nostalgic.
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Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

Benthic wrote: 02 Aug 2019, 02:29 This book really does an amaizing job in retelling the Biblical stories. As a kid i used to love these stories. Reliving these stories in this book was really nostalgic.
For me it's equal parts nostalgia and getting a better understanding f the scripture.
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I haven't read the book yet but going by the reviews I've read, I hope this book will change, for better, my understanding of the Bible.
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If anything, some of the stories helped me understand some unwritten details. For instance, I haven't wrapped my head around figuring out the chronological arrangement of the Old Testament. But Reading this book helped me understand
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Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

Fazzier wrote: 02 Aug 2019, 07:28 I haven't read the book yet but going by the reviews I've read, I hope this book will change, for better, my understanding of the Bible.
In so many ways, it did just that for me. Some concepts that I disliked reading and those I did not understand fully have been expounded upon.
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Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

Sam_Ibeh wrote: 02 Aug 2019, 08:24 If anything, some of the stories helped me understand some unwritten details. For instance, I haven't wrapped my head around figuring out the chronological arrangement of the Old Testament. But Reading this book helped me understand
I agree that was a neat way of arranging the passages according to the actual timeline of the Old Testament, I liked that about this book.
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Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

dorebri2020 wrote: 01 Aug 2019, 13:16 I must admit I have never read the Old Testament in its entirety. Still, based purely on what I have read, I must admit that the book is much simpler and made understanding the Bible much easier than just reading, especially for newer Christians like me. I especially enjoyed the retellings of Cain and Abel because it was one of my favorite stories from the original collection, and it was much easier to understand.
True, I enjoyed this book from the story of creation to the retelling of Cain and Abel and so many other favorite passages. The book went above and beyond for Newer Christians.
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Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

ernest kafuna wrote: 01 Aug 2019, 13:35 The book as much as it caries its origin from the old testament,i dont believe it has the ability of changing ones believe in the bible though it might happen just depending on how strong ones knowledge and biblical foundation is.
I did not mean changing one's belief in the bible, but making the Old Testament of the Bible more understandable.
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Gathoni1991 wrote: 01 Aug 2019, 13:59 It definitely elevates my understanding of the Bible. I have read other books that explain the Bible in detail, I just love reading other people's thoughts on the Bible and their interpretation of the verses.
Yes, especially considering that the author did not take anything away from the Bible but rather helped expound on more of the passages in it.
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Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

Tamorie21 wrote: 01 Aug 2019, 22:41
Stephanie Elizabeth wrote: 01 Aug 2019, 09:59 As someone who has always struggled reading the Old Testament stories, I found Greenwood's writing to be a welcome reprieve. The story of Abel and Cain provided me with a better understanding regarding the negativity surrounding envy. I look forward to reading all of the passages!
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I've always avoided reading the Old Testament for two reasons. 1) It was never really ingrained in me or my family life. We don't identify as terribly religious, but my family does believe in God. 2) It always took such effort to wrap my head around His words written in such a 16th century manner.

I was also impressed with the story of Cain and Abel. As a child, what only stood out to me was: don't murder people! Don't murder your family! Now, I understand envy as well as perseverance as being factors in their story.
Yes, the author did an amazing job in the retelling of the story of Cain and Abel. The entire book explains aspects of the passages in the Old Testament that many had not understood fully.
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Post by Adedayo+23 »

I think the book added a bit more context to some of the Bible passages. There's a new level of understanding that comes with that.
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Dan_Wellock wrote: 01 Aug 2019, 18:31 The book does not really change my understanding of the Bible. I have learned the doctrine with all of my heart, and the topics that the author discussed (at least the ones I agreed with) were ones that I were aware of. It was basically a summary of the Old Testament with some opinions mixed in. It was an ok read, but not an overly original one.
I love that you identified that it carried the author’s opinions. The summary made it sound like he was presenting a factual retelling, but from what I read, it was his take on the stories rather than a retelling in more modern language.
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