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What You Think You Know…and Don’t. - A New Testament Journey.
This book will challenge what you think you know about the scriptures. What is known, or not so well known. About certain topics that continue to drive good Christians the world over, to earnestly share their beliefs.
The problem? We don’t always see eye-to-eye, do we? Let’s face it, one would think after two thousand years, we have it all figured out. That Christianity all fits neat and tidy, all making sense. Not so. Check this out.
Here’s a scene you’re probably familiar with. You’ve met a new acquaintance and you’re getting to know one another. After chatting a bit, you pleasantly discover you’re both Christian! Not only that, but you both go to church. A sure sign that you take your faith a little more seriously.
The next question we’ve all elatedly heard or asked? “What church do you go to?” Then, with anxious interest or excitement we share; “I’m Catholic.” Or? “I’m Baptist. I go to so-and-so, on 5th Street.” “I attend online.” Does any of this sound familiar?
Unless both of you just so happen to be the same denomination, chances are, this is where any Christian similarities between you and your newfound friend...frustratingly end. But wait! Surely you haven’t forsworn each other off, yet.
You begin to ask heartfelt and genuine questions about their faith. They too ask, and admittedly you’re somewhat eager to share what it is you believe. Ever-so quickly and in short enough order, you both find there are similarities and certainly some differences. Some? Pretty minor, honestly. Nothing too different! Some practices you even admit to yourself, are practices that you and your fellow parishioners don’t necessarily agree on either.
On the other hand? You two most definitely learned that you have some pretty serious and differing beliefs! Friendship-beginning deal breakers? Well for some, maybe and maybe not. If you don’t continue to listen, really listen, your new friend could end up being your enemy. How sad! The converse holds true too of your would-be new friend. The “God gave us one mouth and two ears. So, we can do twice as much listening as we do talking.” holds special application, doesn’t it?
Admittedly, we’re all very eager to share what and in Whom we believe. It’s a HUGE and very meaningful part of our life, right? How then, can something that matters so much to us also be so wildly different? What is it about Christians and our strongly held beliefs, making us, well…us?
Understanding how we got to this point I think, is pretty important. For some, yes, it’s super important. For others? Maybe not so much. Wherever you find yourself on a 0 to 10 Christian history interest scale, as long as “We collectively believe in God” does hold weight.
Yet, we’re to do something with our beliefs, aren’t we? We’re to act on it and even share it. This is where we often find ourselves with our new friend just a few paragraphs back. We’re sharing and hopefully even listening, but if we’re not careful though, we end up demonizing a fellow Christian.
My hope is to help elevate everyone’s understanding just a little by presenting some analytic New Testament research. Because of this research, I also hope to share some perspectives and insights which might help us reconsider, what it is we know about our Christian heritage. Thus, potentially giving us a fresh and profoundly different outlook. While we’re at it, we might even delve into some other books for extra credit.
The problem? We don’t always see eye-to-eye, do we? Let’s face it, one would think after two thousand years, we have it all figured out. That Christianity all fits neat and tidy, all making sense. Not so. Check this out.
Here’s a scene you’re probably familiar with. You’ve met a new acquaintance and you’re getting to know one another. After chatting a bit, you pleasantly discover you’re both Christian! Not only that, but you both go to church. A sure sign that you take your faith a little more seriously.
The next question we’ve all elatedly heard or asked? “What church do you go to?” Then, with anxious interest or excitement we share; “I’m Catholic.” Or? “I’m Baptist. I go to so-and-so, on 5th Street.” “I attend online.” Does any of this sound familiar?
Unless both of you just so happen to be the same denomination, chances are, this is where any Christian similarities between you and your newfound friend...frustratingly end. But wait! Surely you haven’t forsworn each other off, yet.
You begin to ask heartfelt and genuine questions about their faith. They too ask, and admittedly you’re somewhat eager to share what it is you believe. Ever-so quickly and in short enough order, you both find there are similarities and certainly some differences. Some? Pretty minor, honestly. Nothing too different! Some practices you even admit to yourself, are practices that you and your fellow parishioners don’t necessarily agree on either.
On the other hand? You two most definitely learned that you have some pretty serious and differing beliefs! Friendship-beginning deal breakers? Well for some, maybe and maybe not. If you don’t continue to listen, really listen, your new friend could end up being your enemy. How sad! The converse holds true too of your would-be new friend. The “God gave us one mouth and two ears. So, we can do twice as much listening as we do talking.” holds special application, doesn’t it?
Admittedly, we’re all very eager to share what and in Whom we believe. It’s a HUGE and very meaningful part of our life, right? How then, can something that matters so much to us also be so wildly different? What is it about Christians and our strongly held beliefs, making us, well…us?
Understanding how we got to this point I think, is pretty important. For some, yes, it’s super important. For others? Maybe not so much. Wherever you find yourself on a 0 to 10 Christian history interest scale, as long as “We collectively believe in God” does hold weight.
Yet, we’re to do something with our beliefs, aren’t we? We’re to act on it and even share it. This is where we often find ourselves with our new friend just a few paragraphs back. We’re sharing and hopefully even listening, but if we’re not careful though, we end up demonizing a fellow Christian.
My hope is to help elevate everyone’s understanding just a little by presenting some analytic New Testament research. Because of this research, I also hope to share some perspectives and insights which might help us reconsider, what it is we know about our Christian heritage. Thus, potentially giving us a fresh and profoundly different outlook. While we’re at it, we might even delve into some other books for extra credit.
134 pages, Paperback
Published August 24, 2024
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