gerrymanderringthebible: online bible reading community

Mark 10:17-23

2006-03-13T17:26:00.000+10:00

I wanted to move away from parables to a Jesus encounter and moment of teaching. I have decided, somewhat arbitrarily, to post this passage over two weeks.

The passage is Mark 10:17-23

We had an interesting discussion about this passage at our TEAR meeting last week and I'd be interested to read your responses and see how we grapple with this passage...over to y'all.

Luke 18:1-8

2006-03-06T10:02:00.000+10:00

We are told by Luke why Jesus told this parable. Yet, what jumps out at us? Are there any nuances you noticed?

I read last week, in a book by Eugene Peterson, that Jesus' parables were not told to help people understand (like the modern-day preachers' illustration), but to cause them to grapple with the story and discover its meaning(s), nuances and application.

This week's parable:

Luke 18:1-8

Mark 2:21-22

2006-02-27T09:32:00.000+10:00

This week's reading is very short -- perhaps this will give us time to delve deeply into its meaning and application!

Mark 2:21-22

Have a great week everyone!!

Luke 17:7-10

2006-02-21T06:25:00.000+10:00

Sorry this is a day late!

The parable for this week is, I think, a difficult one for people of our culture. Have a read of Luke 17:7-10

How does the parable make you feel? What is your initial response?

What Jewish issue is it addressing?

How then, can we understand its importance?

Jesus' Parables - Matthew 20:1-16

2006-02-13T08:05:00.000+10:00

I have posted a new article on the sidebar under "Stuff about parables". I will post more articles up as I get time.

This week's reading: Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus' Parables - Luke 18:0-14

2006-02-06T07:41:00.000+10:00

JUst to let everyone know that there is a link on the sidebar to an article about reading parables -- it offers a fairly comprehensive yet readable history of scholars' attempts to discover the historical Jesus. The importance of this is that how we understand who Jesus was\is affects how we understand parables of Jesus.

Please give me suggestions of parables to post each week.
Also, please let me know of links to other good sites\articles on parables.

Continuing with parables for this week: Luke 18:9-14

Luke 14:1-4

2006-01-30T18:18:00.000+10:00

Well gerrymanderringthebible is back - would you believe it - by demand!

After some discussion, it has been decided that we will look at parables\teachings of Jesus. I didn't know where to begin, so I arbitrarily chose a passage I read recently. Please make suggestions for the following weeks' passages!

Our first passage of 2006: Luke 14:1-4

Ecclesiastes 12

2005-11-21T20:37:00.000+10:00

We have made it to the last chapter of Ecclesiastes. I think it is fair to say that this book initiated frustration for many of us. For me, the process of grappling with a book like this was perhaps the most important thing - not necessarily finding 'the answer'.

Ecclesiastes 12

Ecclesiastes 11

2005-11-15T07:17:00.000+10:00

Almost there, second last chapter, Ecclesiastes 11

Ecclesiastes 10

2005-11-07T19:49:00.000+10:00

Some proverbs from Qoheleth in Ecclesiastes 10 this week...

Ecclesiastes 9

2005-10-31T19:44:00.000+10:00

After an opportunity to read about the context and structure of Ecclesiastes, we pick up the bible readings again. We're on to: Ecclesiastes 9

Trying to understand Ecclesiastes

2005-10-24T16:10:00.000+10:00

Is it just me or do others feel they need some kind of help as to how to approach this book?

I am very aware that the genre of this book, along with the contexts, is making it somewhat difficult. It is poetic (the NIV translation structures the text as prose - kinda like a diary reflection- and then breaks this up with short poems) and philosophical. You don't have to be Einstein to work out that this is not historical narrative!

As a result, I am convinced that we need to be reading beyond the surface of the text - beyond the descriptions - yet I have struggled to be able to do this.

I thought I would post a link to a set of notes I found on the web. The group who published them seem to be a little fundo for my taste, but I thought the notes may offer some help to us. If you find anything else, please let me know or post a link in the comments.

Anyway, you can read the notes here.

I thought it may be good to banter around this (and any other intros we may encounter) for this week before continuing. Comment here or email with any suggestions.

Ecclesiastes 8

2005-10-18T09:57:00.000+10:00

After a difficult week, we move onto Ecclesiastes 8...

Ecclesiastes 7

2005-10-10T21:58:00.000+10:00

Hope everyone is having a great week!
We move on to Ecclesiastes 7

UPDATE
Try reading the NIV version - I think it reads much better!

Ecclesiastes 6

2005-10-03T17:19:00.000+10:00

Please remember that there is no reason why you cannot continue commenting on the previous passage as well as moving on to this one - if there are still things you would like to thrash out, I'd hate to think that you missed out!

Ecclesiastes 6

Ecclesiastes 5

2005-09-26T20:20:00.000+10:00

I really hope that this journey through Ecclesiastes has not been an experience of merely "chasing the wind"! This week we move onto:

Ecclesiastes 5

Ecclesiastes 4

2005-09-15T10:02:00.000+10:00

From the small amount of time that we have been doing this, it seems to me that there is a lot of potential in doing something like this. However, by nature, we do, of course, need regular contributions and punctual updates for the next week's passage!

I am toying with a few ideas of how to make this a more enriching experience for all. I will post about this very soon.

Till then, Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiastes 3

2005-09-05T18:55:00.000+10:00

I hope everyone has had a great week...we move on to Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes 2

2005-08-30T16:02:00.000+10:00

Hi All...
been enjoying this so far, I decided not to jump ahead and read chapter 2 last week because I was actually excited about what was to be revealed next!

So, here it is - Ecclesiastes 2

Beginning a new series

2005-08-23T21:18:00.000+10:00

Hi all
A little late (again) I know, but a new series is beginning.

I have just arrived home from my missional community where the topic of conversation turned to this site, which made me remember I forgot to post last night!

Also, the suggestion was to look at Ecclesiastes, so that is what I am doing.
We talked about how this could be more effective\engaging...

1) you may like to make this your homepage (as a reminder!)
2) comments\dialogue will make people want to come back and read the passage again
3) if you do not have a comment to add, how about a question...I know that's what usually gets me going

Any other suggestions...

If some people feel inspired to provide some kind of introduction to the major themes of the book, the context etc, please do so.
I am about to head off to bed, but will look into doing some of it tomorrow...
'Till then, read, devour, meditate on, this week's passage:

Ecclesiastes chapter 1

James 5:7-19

2005-08-16T19:18:00.000+10:00

Last passage in James!!

Read it here

Another week

2005-08-10T16:20:00.000+10:00

At this stage, I think I am going to take an indefinite break from my gerrymander blog. However, I am determined to keep this going and hopefully spend some more time on it as a result of dropping gerrymander.

This, week I want to continue with the last passage and see if we can get some decent, robust discussion going...be assured, I will post a new passage next Monday!

James 5:1-6

2005-08-01T20:37:00.000+10:00

Well, things have really slowed down. But, in the spirit of James, I am going to persevere nevertheless...the real challenge for me is to persevere in reading and thinking and responding to the text!!

So the text for this week: James 5:1-6

James 4:13-17

2005-07-26T16:02:00.000+10:00

A shorter passage this week, James 4:13-17

James 4:1-12

2005-07-19T07:39:00.000+10:00

Onto chapter 4!!

This week, check out: James 4:1-12

James 3:13-18

2005-07-11T19:27:00.000+10:00

You are now able to comment without having to sign in. Please identify yourself in some way - pseudonyms are fine.

This week we move on to a short passage which I think probably lends itself to some practical advice and stories from people...but, hey, just go for it!

As always, click here: James 3:13-18

Continuing in James

2005-07-05T13:02:00.000+10:00

I am sorry for my effort with last week's reading - please feel free to continue commenting if you have something to share\add!!

Beacause I started with chapter 2:14-26, we will move on to: 3:1-12

For context etc, check out the discussion we had on 2:14-26 here

A bit late, sorry!

2005-06-29T16:28:00.000+10:00

Being away from home at the moment, I have been a little slack!

This week's reading: James 2:1-13

James - week 4

2005-06-20T22:48:00.000+10:00

The passage for this week

James 1:19-27

A community exercise...I guess

2005-06-16T08:01:00.000+10:00

Ok, it seems I have been "tagged" by Wilsonian. I had absolutely no idea what this meant, and as I read her post I could not work out what was going on...yes, I am slow!

The idea is that you share about something - in this case, books. So here I go:

Number of books I own:At a guess, probably around 200 - which I don't think is that much...I don't even have a book shelf, they are just piled up against two of the walls in the study.

Last book I bought: Actually, it was a book called The Bride Stripped Bare originally written by "Anonymous", however it was leaked that the author was Nikki Gemmel. I bought this book after hearing that it was a controversial story about a woman who becomes dissatisfied with her marriage and, well, looks elsewhere. This interested me. However, I bought it after one night of prayer and worship where I sensed that "the Bride (of Christ) needed to be stripped bare". So, I thought I would read the book and see whether there would be motifs suitable for comparison...what does it mean to be stripped bare?

Last book I read: Well, this is actually a tough one! I generally don't finish books, and find I don't even start many these days - I'm more likely to read papers and articles. Anyway, apart from reading the Bride Stripped Bare slowly, I have picked up and read significant parts of
The Politics of the Cross by Craig A. Carter - which looks at the theology of John Howard Yoder...
and The Evangelical Left by Millard Erickson.

Books that mean a lot to me: Again, this is difficult - - I'll be a little random here:
Wild Swans - Jung Chang was a book I read at about 16 and really grabbed me
Streams of Living Water - Richard Foster...profound
Umm, as I look at books around me, I would have to say that I really enjoy reading, but I find I can't say that there are books that mean a lot me, as though they were my friends! So, I will leave it there.

James - week 3

2005-06-13T18:14:00.000+10:00

This week we continue with James chapter 1.

I personally have been greatly challenged and encouraged while going through James - - it is a curious thing that strong challenges can be so encouraging at the same time!

This week the chunk of scripture is James 1:9-18

Second week almost over

2005-06-12T13:08:00.000+10:00

The second week and study is almost over!

The plan is to continue on through James (chronologically, so as not to confuse the 'canucks'!)...

I am finding this a good way to ponder and explore a small chunk of scripture - - obviously the more contributions, the more dynamic the exploration becomes!

I am interested in various reflections and responses: I wonder if, for example, artistic types may respond during the week by drawing, making, painting - creating something visual...if so, it would be great to be able to post a phoo of that creation and if the artist wanted to, a brief description.

Also, one of the great benefits of this set-up is that previous threads can continue once a new passage has been posted - - so if you don't feel finished with the previous post, or a good discussion is going, then keep it up.

Again, please email me feedback and suggestions as to how this could be better managed...

Second Study

2005-06-06T18:49:00.000+10:00

Because I had to just make a decision to start this, it will take some time for things to develop...I am sorry for the messiness in the meantime!

I am really keen for feedback as this develops.

Also, I should have posted a few days ago to see if anyone had a preference for where we might go...but I didn't so, again, I have just made a decision.

I thought that we could look at James, but start at the beginning!

So here is the link - by the way, I have chosen this translation because it is gender neutral, but I like to read various versions.

James 1:1-8

James 2:14-26

2005-05-30T19:22:00.000+10:00

Here it is - the first "bible study" at gerrymanderringthebible!

I was not sure where to start. Not only have I encountered\considered this passage a couple of times recently, my sense is that this passage probably speaks to where a lot of us find ourselves at the moment.

So click here to read James 2:14-26

Looking forward to reading what people have to say!

***UPDATE***June 2 '05

I just noticed that this blog requires you to sign in to comment - that is, no anonymous commenters.
It is possible for me to change this (like at gerrymander), but I thought about it and decided that a community like this should happen with names (hey, I can't stop you from leaving a pseudonym but at least we can address you).
All you have to do to acquire a user name is to begin the process of starting your own blog. Once you have chosen your user name and password, you do not have to continue on to selecting a blog name etc...let me know if you have any problems!!

Sharing the load

2005-05-24T07:29:00.000+10:00

Hi all

Thanks to all of those who have contacted me to say that they would like to give this thing a go!

I sat down last week to put something together and realised that I just don't have the time at the moment to consistently produce a passage along with some context - historical, cultural, textual - commentary, reflection, questions etc.

So, this is where my thinking lies: are you willing to share the load?

If I post a bible passage - can I expect that during the week, as we begin to reflect and study the passage at our computers, that we will look to different sources to help us understand?

If so, share it on here so we can all gain that perspective, so we can consider it, embrace it, question it...

In fact, as I type this, I realise that is the format I wanted at the outset - to put something out there, but allow the community to ask the questions, provide the insight and context - to challenge the rest of us.

So, unless there are objections, I think this is what I will do.

I really think this has the ability to be very special if there is enough of us contributing...looking forward to the journey!

The ball is rolling

2005-05-10T19:27:00.000+10:00

I have had enough interest in this venture to try and get the thing going - very exciting!

A couple of people have not only said they want to be a part of it but have made some really invaluable suggestions.

Paul has suggested that we consider topical issues as well as discussions based diresctly on the biblical text. (now that I have linked to your blog, you'll have to get postin' on what billy boy is up to!!!)

Another person - via email - has also made some excellent suggestions (I love it when people just do the whole green light thing where ideas readily flow!).

Here are some ideas\questions raised by the email:
Will discussions centre around "particular topics, current affairs or pop culture stuff"?
Will there be s"ome kind of direction" -- "some point which we will be heading towards"?
In terms of reading the bible, the person asks:
"Will it be put in context?
Relate to the cultures we are in?"

And in terms of how we approach it:
"Are we gonna use different mediums and methods when engaging with the scriptures? Ie. cartoons, art work, songs...etc. Is it going to be a place in which people will be challenged to engage in an experience of God or is it going to be more of a cognitive thing?"

Well, I have some thoughts on this, but I am merely the facilitator - - I will (hopefully) make it happen. But I am keen for you, the participants, to determine how we go about this.

So, if you have any thoughts on any of this, please comment and let me know.
It certainly does not have to be the same format each week and, in fact, I would prefer it if things were mixed up. So I'll leave things open for a bit of discussion and then we'll get started and go from there!!!

Looking forward to the journey!

Finally, another post

2005-01-24T08:56:00.000+10:00

I'm back from overseas and am feeling like reading the bible with people online. Just need some others wanting to do the same thing!

Firstly though, I want this to be a worthwhile experience, so:

if you know of any good online bible tools that I could provide a link to, please let me know
if you have some ideas of how something like this could work, let me know and
let other people know about this site if you think they may be interested

To read the Bible with people from different parts of the globe with different perspectives and different beliefs really excites me, so let's see what happens!

getting started

2004-12-03T15:42:00.000+10:00

well if anyone stumbles across this site before I "advertise" it -- I will be away until mid-January, so I don't plan to get this going until after we get back.

Until then, ideas as to how this site could function would be great...I'm sure there are heaps of options, so give me some feedback and we'll go from there

Reading the Bible Together

2004-11-28T10:45:00.000+10:00

Is reading the Bible something you wouldn't normally do?
Would meeting with people at, say, someone's house freak you out?
Do you struggle to regularly read the Bible?
Despite all this, would you like to read and discuss the Bible?

I am not, and never have been good at just sitting down to read the Bible on my own. I enjoy discussing things, hearing others' thoughts etc.

I thought that having an opportunity to engage with the Bible with people from anywhere and everywhere is something that I would enjoy and benefit from.

The idea is that one passage or chapter - basically a portion of the Bible - will be the topic for a week. The passage, with a link to an online reading, will be posted on Monday. There will then be a week (rather than an hour or so if you were meeting in a "small group") for people to read it, ask questions, make comments, provide insight, share experiences\epiphanies, express opinions etc.

Now, this is just one suggestion. There are probably a number of things we could do - if you have any ideas, let me know!

For now, though, I will leave it here with room to develop...so please, grab a drink and join me!!