@SUPER MALE VITALITY™ It is different, and superior, what Christ did, what Paul mentions as better, and what gives more to God. This is said by pretty much all Church fathers I have seen. @Deleted User

My final answer: It is also superior for widows to not to remarry. They are not being told to stop immoral sexual relationships, which is why Paul tells them it is better to be like him. Everything regarding Mary's virginity is outlined mercilessly by Jerome, and to a lesser extent Augustine. I would say that the ones that learn more about Christ are those who imitate him and do not marry. Because they aren't parents in the flesh, but in the spirit. Both are good, but one is better.

@oceanman If your non-denom, the ESV Study Bible is pretty excellent as a general reference. Its packed with tons of theology, archeology, soteriology, Christology in the end section. If you like hardback versions, its on sale right now.

https://www.christianbook.com/esv-study-bible-hardcover/9781433502415/pd/502415?event=Promotion|1002950

My general recommendation is as follows for Scriptural study materials. I am saying this as you are new to the faith, so excuse any unintentionally diminutive points. Fun fact: All of these can be found for free online if money is tight.

I would also recommend starting with just reading the New Testament. If you are from a Jewish Background -Matthew. If you are action oriented - Mark. If you enjoy long thoughtful talks - Luke. If you want to hear the majesty of Christ - John. I prefer John and Mark. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the synoptic Gospels and tell the same story through different perspectives. John is distinct and should be read by everyone starting out.

From most to least important imho.

1. A Bible (A good readable version so you will actually read it. God will speak to you through His word. You can also listen to it during commutes if its hard to find a quiet time in your home. Youtube or the Bible app. The app with a brown Bible and red tag is very good and you can download an audio version for offline listening) This can be anywhere from NIV to ESV while maintaining readability and accuracy.

I, too, use A for study

ESV is good

2. A Study Bible - Still a readable version (see what certain phrases meant to the audience or add background to a Book, Verse, or Word)

2. An interlinear Bible (See the actual Hebrew and Greek texts along side a literal translation. This is not for reading, but seeing the Scripture as originally written to see where we received our translations.)

3. A NASB Strong's Concordance (See the usage of words in other contexts throughout Scripture)

4. If you feel your study Bible isn't providing enough context or outline, I really like John MacArthur's Bible Handbook.

5. The Complete Illustrated Children's Bible (Not joking. Sometimes when I am reading to my children from it, it can become obvious you miss the forest through the trees.)

6. Systematic or histological theology books. (This lays out why we believe certain things - to reference above, why is is important Mary received an immaculate conception as a virgin, or what is the Trinity. Or if you get a histological theology, how did we come to the faith we have today from the Gospels through the history of the Church.

7. Your interests from there. Apologetics are usually good, but so are Christian poetry and writings from those throughout history who truly feared and loved God .

These are just my quick thoughts.

@Mozalbete ⳩ you caught me

haha

Seems good to me., although I would add the councils, early Christianity prayers etc. The later are useful to check what the arliest Christians said about some topics, discarding stupid theories about some doctrines being added X centuries afterwards

https://www.christianbook.com/apps/easyfind?Nf=bp_10%7CGT+0&N=5401+1029249+4294777866&Ne=1000000&Nso=1&Nu=product.endeca_rollup&category=Bibles&Ns=product.number_sold&event=Promotion|1002950

https://books.google.com/books/about/Systematic_Theology.html?id=2DUPWk9ng3wC&source=kp_book_description

Touchy-feely as the description comes off, this is actually a really solid resource for understanding a wide breadth of Christian traditions. It's no primary doctrinal resource by any means, but it's really helpful for getting an understanding of what other christians you may encounter believe.

Looks like there is a sale going on for Study Bibles as well. So you picked a great time to look.

@SUPER MALE VITALITY™ and @Mozalbete ⳩ agreed.

By the way, I expanded my list of topics, currently containing around 12. They could be a good motivation for future conversations, especially considering I may need material to talk about

I will wait a couples of days to share the lsit, in case I make some modification

What would everyone think of building a guideline of the New Testament? Like picking a personality type and saying you would enjoy A, B, and C books.

As a way to encourage people to get in the Word?

Perhaps give a spark-notes of each Book and Chapter for an easier reference?

That sounds pretty cool

I usually try to recommend people gospels much like you did above

Same. But even within that, the Gospels are written for a different audiences and effects. We could start with Matthew and work our way to John. See if this is something worth continuing after a compass check a few books in.

Maybe something someone with a graphic design background could make visually appealing as well to capture attention.

Could even make something like a choose your own adventure type setup

Where you do a little personality test, and read the selected gospel, then get a few options for what kind of stuff you want to learn next

Matthew wrote to the jewish audience, so that's kinda the best book to reccomend as an overview for people who are 100% new alongside the interlinear notes on all the prophecies Jesus fulfills, Luke was writing to the Greeks so it focuses more on the rationale and smaller details appealing to a more rational-minded audience, Mark I forget who was wtitten for I honestly kinda tend to skip Mark because it's the short one, then John is of course the best one that goes more into the spiritual aspects and important details, best for people who have some kind of church background. After that though, mostly depends on personal struggles. Everyone should read Romans though.

I usually reccomend John first because it really outlines the Divinity of Christ

Mark was Peter's Gospel written to a Roman audience. Very action oriented and is very dense with focus.

I am trying to memorize the first chapter of John. Its so beautifully written and summarized the Gospel in half a page.

Would you gents be interested in setting up a project like this?

I've got a lot of projects going on already

But if you're going to lead I'm happy to help where I can

I've got a couple reference books that might help divide the books in to workable categories

Im about to take some time off work with another kid coming up. So i would be happy to be the lead on it, as long as you all could check my work or add to it

If you like I can try to group them in to so e rough categories for a starting point

feel free. i may get a private group chat going for this

Sounds good to me. I'll try to do some work on that when I find the time

If you make one invite me plz @Deleted User

i'm becoming so confused reading The First Book of Samuel

so Saul is trying to find and destroy David, who is on the run from here to there in a game of cat and mouse

but TWICE David is given the opportunity to get the jump on Saul and kill him, but he doesn't.

the first time Saul says "surely you will be the King of Israel" and "you are more righteous than I" BUT THEN HE KEEPS HUNTING DAVID

the second time Saul says "I have sinned." "...I will not harm you again..." BUT THEN HE KEEPS HUNTING DAVID