thought you guys might get a kick out of this: I just started studying christianity again, this time from a scholarly perspective ie; not looking to prove or disprove anything, just trying to get as much info as possible so that I can feel comfortable with whatever opinion I wind up with. I figure being raised in a christian dominated society (America) you almost [have to have an opinion one way or the other (and probably do subconsciously anyway). So--I've been reading history and theory (secular and non) looking for what makes sense and what rings true (belief or lack of aside it's a pretty interesting topic). OK so the other day I go into work and pick up a book I've seen laying around the store but never paid much attention to. turns out it's a copy of "The Bible as Literature", which is possibly the most appropriate book I could have found considering what I'm trying to do. aside from the basic gospels it includes a breif history of each: who's supposed to have written it, when, what some scholars believe they were trying to underline, etc. also includes the Apochrapha, which I'd been meaning to read for awhile but never got around to. the guy it belonged to saw me reading it and told me I could have it. Pretty cool eh?
Thanx ryupower. Like I said, at the moment I'm approaching it from a non-biasis position (trying to anyway), just reveiwing the evidence as objectively as I can. It's such an emotional issue for most people (believers and non-believers) you almost have to do the research yourself if you want undiluted facts. Even then there's alot of sifting involved.
All i can say is that, i wish i had studied it before krsna and such...you know, know my roots as a child...thats acctually why i didnt see Christanity as the truth last year....i do regret having the first book ive read be the Gita, but then again, im here and im happy
Lol! I can't answer that question until I find out what it means, which is what I'm in the process of doing right now.
