Session 1: June 4, 2022
Hello! This is our very first Bible study session. I’m excited and I hope you are too.
I will try to make one blog post before each session letting everyone know the text or topic we will be discussing. After each session, I will amend the blog post to include a link to the recorded audio.
Introductory Comments
Allow me to make some general comments before I describe my plan for June 4th.
Guilt by citation. Throughout the Bible study, I will cite all sorts of people and websites. I might quote the Catholic Catechisms although I am not Catholic. I might cite the Westminster Confession although I am not Presbyterian. I might link to a website that has a great article on textual criticism while also hosting an article on bible translations with which I totally disagree. The point is that I don’t endorse all content published by a source I cite. (This should go without saying, but I’d rather be clear.)
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I’m sure I already offended someone for saying Catholic Catechisms instead of Roman Catholic Catechisms. Now I’m sure I offended other people by adding the word Roman. I will try to be respectful to everyone, but sometimes a neutral term just doesn’t exist.
Considering the options. I am a lawyer and, for better or worse, I think like one. I want to define the issue, consider the options, and then select the most reasonable alternative. And, generally, that is how I present content. Discussing the different options can get me in trouble. I am not saying all are correct (I am not a relativist). But I think I would be dishonest if I didn’t at least present the possibilities.
Making mistakes. I will say dumb things along the way. Just point them out. I want to be faithful to the truth and being corrected is part of that.
Without further ado, here’s what we will be discussing during Session 1.
Session 1
Introduction to the Bible. I don’t know who will be joining in on Saturday, so I want to make sure we are all “up to speed” on some introductory things. Some people may not even own a Bible. That’s totally fine. But I figure they are pretty confused when they go to the bookstore or search online only to be greeted with the options: NASB, NIV, NET, ESV, KJV, BABC, and more. Ok, that last one was made up, but did you even notice? Point is, it’s confusing. To explain the different translations, two main topics need to be covered:
1. Textual Criticism. Before we even worry about English translations, what’s up with the original Greek text? Where do we get it from? Are there different Greek texts? Has the Greek text been changed thousands of times? (I’ve heard that last question more than once. Short answer: no.)
Good Resource on Textual Criticism:
2. English Translations. What’s the difference between English translations? Which translations are better? Are they all equally reliable? Here’s a chart I will reference on Saturday:
Introduction to John and the Gospel of John. Who was John? Did John (the Apostle) write the Gospel of John? If so, where did he write it? When?
John’s Gospel Prologue. (Finally some scripture!) We will discuss the first five verses of John, which are generally referred to as the prologue. It’s one of the most iconic and well-known passages in scripture. The Word was God, and Word was with God, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Talk about loaded statements! I hope to consider the following questions:
1. In the beginning . . . the Word is already there. Does that make sense? What does it tell us about God?
2. The “Word”—what does that mean? Is it a reference to Greek philosophy, to Philo’s Jewish-Greek blend, to the Old Testament, or something else? Could John have used other words, such as Wisdom or Law?
3. The Word is God and the Word is with God. Are there multiple gods? (Don’t worry, the answer is no.)
4. If the Word became flesh, can we know God personally?
See you Saturday!
Session Recording and Errata
1. Dates. When discussing manuscripts, I think I said BC when I obviously meant AD. Apologies.
2. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—Who were the Apostles? When talking about the four gospels, my wires got crossed (I could feel it happening in real time), and I incorrectly got Matthew and Mark confused. Matthew was an Apostle, Mark was not.