BibLog - My Bible Log

Tracking my Bible reading by date.

In researching a book that had been recommended to me, I found a
video of a preacher telling the story of when he was a seminarian and
took several theology books to his professor to ask which he should
read. His professor pointed to the Bible and asked if he'd read
that. The future preacher stammered a half-answer when his professor
stopped him and answered, "Then you should read the Bible first."

This is advice I've thought sensible in the past. Maybe now I will
take it.

* <2008-11-25 Tue> Micah 1:1 - 5:6

I picked Micah to start with because I don't remember reading it
before and it's where I found the ribbon in the NRSV Bible I
purchased on my last visit to Colorado 1 1/2 years ago.

Surprised to find here the verses, "... they shall beat their swords
into plowshares ...," and, "But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah ...."

Summary: Doom on Samaria and Judah. Sins of covetousness and deceit,
exploitation of the weak. Promise to gather the Remnant. Doom on
exploitive and corrupt rulers. Promise of peace among nations
gathered in Zion. Promise to restore the nation. Promise of the
Christ from Bethlehem.

* <2008-11-26 Wed> Micah 5:7 - 7:20 (complete)

Summary: Promise to exhalt the Remnant and destroy their enemies. God
challenges His people. God requires not sacrifices but justice and
kindness. The wicked will not find satisfaction. Corruption of the
people. Trust in God. Promise of restoration. God's forgiveness and
faithfulness.


* <2008-11-27 Thu> Matthew 1:1 - 2:12

Summary: Jesus's geneology. Joseph marries with-child Mary. Jesus's
birth in Bethlehem. Magi's visit.

* <2008-11-28 Fri> Matthew 2:13 - 4:11

Summary: Flight to Egypt; Massacre of the Innocents; Return to
Nazareth; John the Baptist; Jesus's baptism and Temptation.

* <2008-12-01 Mon> Matthew 4:12 - 5:37

Summary: Jesus returns to Galilee after John's arrest and settles in
Capernaum. Calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John to "fish for
people". Teaches and heals. Sermon on the Mount: Beatitudes, Salt and
Light, Law and Prophets, Anger, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths,
Retaliation.

* <2008-12-02 Tue> Romans 1:15-32

I'm switching to Romans in order to anticipate family readings during
Advent (see [[advent08.org]]). Plan to continue with Matthew in January.

* <2008-12-03 Wed> Romans 2:1-16

Summary: Jews who have God's Law may not judge Gentiles because they
commit the same sins. Possession of the Law is meaningless if you
still sin.

* <2008-12-05 Fri> Romans 3:1-20

(Read Rom 2:17-29 with family last night.)

Summary: There is still advantage in being Jewish and
circumcision. Jews have been entrusted with God's Word. Human
infidelity to the Word reveals God's greater fidelity. However, this
means neither that God is unfair to judge against sin nor that
purposeful sin is justified. No one, Jew or Gentile, is justified
before God and all are full of sin. Following the Law does not
justify. The Law only gives awareness of sin.


* <2008-12-08 Mon> Romans 3:21 - 4:8

Summary: Gentile and Jew are justified without distinction by faith
in Jesus Christ. Example of Abraham.

* <2008-12-11 Thu> Romans 5:1-14

Summary: Paul proud of hope in God's glory, and of persecution which
leads to greater hope. God revealed his great love for us by Christ's
death for us while still sinners.

* <2008-12-12 Fri> Romans 5:15-21

Summary: Through Adam's disobedience, all human beings became sinners
and under death's rule. Through Jesus Christ's obedience, humans
beings are justified and led to eternal life. Christ's grace far
exceeds the damage of Adam's sin.

* <2008-12-15 Mon> Romans 6:1-14

Summary: Should we commit sins so that grace will increase? No,
because through baptism we are joined in Christ's death and so are
now dead to sin.

* <2008-12-16 Tue> Romans 6:15-23