I'm a film buff and last year I got a DVD that READS the whole Bible in 70 hours. I started it on 2/1/19 and finished it the day before Easter at EXACTLY midnight! I was very proud of that accomplishment! :)
Oh. My. Gosh! I just, last week, stumbled onto The Divine Commodity at an obscure Christian Bookstore in Springfield Missouri and snatched it right up. And then today, I stumbled onto this post. Sometimes God is even in the algorithms. ;)
Thank God for those obscure Christian book stores. Too many Christian book stores carry a too much pablum and not enough meat, not to mention junk food.
When I was 6, I had a friend whose mom lived with another woman. At the time, it seemed normal to me; I didn’t see anything wrong with it. But then God allowed me to read the Bible at that young age, and I saw that He created a man and a woman to multiply the earth (Genesis 1:27-28). That’s when I asked myself, "Who am I going to believe?" I chose to trust God’s Word. From that day forward, I started reading the KJV daily, and now, at 54, I still believe and live by God’s Word. Growing up as a latchkey kid in a non-Black area, I faced horrible prejudice. Adults said cruel things to a 6-year-old child simply because of the color of my skin. But through Christ, I learned to forgive their ignorance. Only God, who is Jesus, raised me with His Word and gave me strength. God appeared to me many times, guiding me through life. At 14, I met my late husband, and though I became a widow at 24, He gave me the strength to raise my three sons in the Lord. Today, they are in their late 20s and early 30s, living for God, putting Him first, and succeeding in their careers-a teacher, a chef, and a programmer. They are still virgins, have no drama, and live for God, not the world. I chose not to remarry, refusing to live in lust or go against God’s Word. His seed is in us, and through Him, it’s possible to live righteously (1 John 3:9). People say the Bible is hard to understand, but that’s not true-they simply don’t want to read it. If a 7-year-old can read the entire Bible and live by it through the Holy Spirit, then anyone can do the same. God used me, even as a child, to save my entire household. To this day, I read the Bible daily, and His Word continues to give me peace. People go to hell because they choose to please their flesh instead of pleasing God. God’s way is better, and I’m living proof of His grace.
I find it hard to believe that people have lots of time to read trivial posts on social media, but say the don't have time to read the Bible. Everyone turns to prayer when they are in trouble, but they don't repent for their sins, and they don't take time to read the word of God. I know church goers that don't read the Bible as well.
@@strangeroamer3219 I agree and right now God is giving everyone nothing but time to study the Bible without any distractions and they still haven't opened the Bible to study. God showed me those will be the people who are left behind and will have to go through the tribulation. The Bible says meditate on the Word of God day and night because one day all they will have is their thoughts and there will be no way to study the Bible. We have our oil lamps full while these will be running to the store and being locked out.
People don’t often want to be challenged to change their actions or attitudes. It’s hard to change unless you’re invested in the world view being presented.
I think your theory of why people don't read the scriptures is on point. I've expressed the same message to my friends for years. I've made reading the entire bible cover to cover the central theme of my children's education. I've even created a log that divides the scripture into 314 readings (about 10 to 15 minutes long) that you can mark the date read so you can keep track of it. But how much we "love" the Lord is more about what He can do for us than what we MUST do for Him. A point you made quite nicely.
DING! Ring the product placement bell at 1:55 and then again at 6:08. ;-) Great video. I've posted it. I was recently asked by some church elders what I felt was the one thing that is the most pressing issue for the church today. I think they were looking for something like "abortion," or "homosexuality." I answered, "consumerism." They were flummoxed.
Back story was a means of marketing. The problem is the back story changed. Changed from Union Made, or Made in USA to made by a 12 year old in Bangladesh or slave labor in China. Land's End did a great job of using the story to promote its products. It used employees as models and talked about the origins of the material or even the the seamstress. We find it comforting to hear about the "one" and not the roomful of faceless individuals at a sewing machine for 12 hours a day.
I just taught a group of 12 youth about this topic and emphasized how we have turned the gospel and the scriptures into a product. I told them that I hate to bust their bubble but IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU! IT'S ABOUT JESUS AS LORD AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
It's amazing how many people know Phillipians 4:13 by heart, yet how few of them know or care about Phillipians 4:12. They keep telling themselves "I can do all this..." without really knowing what "all this" contains. Talk about only seeing what they want to see...
Many fine points here, Skye. I agree with much you say. Your counter culture cry concurs with many secular versions of anti-consumerism (for example mindfulness) in American culture. Even other religions make similar pleas, of which you you gave examples in your chat. Your voice to stem and turn the tide has many challenges. I wish you God's speed.
Easy answer. Most people love this world more than they love Jesus. When you love someone, you want to spend time with them. Spending time in God’s Word is a joy for those who truly want to know more about God and be in close fellowship with Him
The alienation is related to ability. I don't think they are completely separate issues. The way people teach others to read scripture fuels the consumeristic reading rather than teaching them to read as though they are reading it though their lives depended on it.
I think you're right that a consumerist church doesn't value its past. But I would also add another factor. Many evangelical leaders cast a vision of inerrancy that falls apart when you read the Bible carefully (anyone ever notices that Jesus has two totally incompatible genealogies?). So reading the Bible also becomes a challenge for overcoming cognitive dissonance. The more we read it (and pay attention) the more we are confronted with nagging questions about the way we're told we must read it. Devotion to a text is incompatible with an oversimplified vision of what that text means (especially when there is intense social pressure to adhere to the party line).
Thanks Skye for these. It's not easy to try to distill some rather complex dynamics into a brief, accessible video. What I hear you saying is you're trying to move Christians from an instrumental valuation of God (like Eli's sons trotting out the ark to solve their Philistine problem) to a relational one. Bible reading of course worked on both ends of that relationship. People developed a "personal relationship with God" by rather nerdy engagement with the story (not unlike kids today with LOTR or Harry Potter) through Bible reading, church, Sunday School and then that nerdy engagement promoted MORE reading, clubs, friendships, etc. (Check out the College Humor video on UA-cam "religious people are nerds". Not long ago the Bible in the West was the nerdiest stories in town and generations of people nerded out on it. It isn't any wonder that the millenialist movements of the 19th century saw the rise of creative nerd-doms like LDS and JW and others. The church was the Renaissance Fair for Bible nerds. Today that nerddom space is shared with competing narratives both literary and moralistic (social justice warriors). I don't think it's a surprise that the fastest growing elements of Christianity in the West, the portion of the world replete with competing nerddoms are the more experiential branches like Pentecostals where people are living the story with Jesus and the Bible is canon, bringing the word full circle through nerddom. Theologically this throws us back onto reliance on the Holy Spirit who seems to grab people and convert them to nerds in sometimes what appears to be the most random ways. On the other hand we're also seeing the decline of the nominal as other nerddoms carve out space in the worldview market place. Thanks again for stirring the conversation.
Im an atheist. I read the bible for the shear enjoyment and entertainment. It blows my mind that christians, who believe that it is the literal words of the creator, do not devote their lives to reading and trying to understand it.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
It might be a good idea for those of us who are serious to start hand-copying our own copies of the scriptures. Deuteronomy 17:18 comes to mind, though I seriously doubt most of Israel's kings obeyed this particular Mosaic directive. Brilliant insights, Skye. I've passed this link around a lot.
Do you think "series preaching" or topical sermons has anything to do with this? (By contrast, the pastor at my church "preaches through the bible" chapter by chapter, more or less.)
Consumer Christianity, I agree that is the main issue with why people don't read the Bible especially in Western culture. They take a me-centered approach towards reading it without taking the time to understand the historical context. And all the word of faith and prosperity gospel preachers enabled the consumer Christianity. I found the American Gospel documentary to be very informative as to why and how the word of faith movement is dangerous.
People are afraid of scary stuff like..... A pregnant woman who is injured and aborts the fetus warrants financial compensation only (to her husband), suggesting that the fetus is property, not a person (Exodus 21:22-25). • The gruesome priestly purity test to which a wife accused of adultery must submit will cause her to abort the fetus if she is guilty, indicating that the fetus does not possess a right to life (Numbers 5:11-31). • God enumerated his punishments for disobedience, including "cursed shall be the fruit of your womb" and "you will eat the fruit of your womb," directly contradicting sanctity-of-life claims (Deuteronomy 28:18,53). • Elisha's prophecy for soon-to-be King Hazael said he would attack the Israelites, burn their cities, crush the heads of their babies and rip open their pregnant women (2 Kings 8:12). • King Menahem of Israel destroyed Tiphsah (also called Tappuah) and the surrounding towns, killing all residents and ripping open pregnant women with the sword (2 Kings 15:16). • Isaiah prophesied doom for Babylon, including the murder of unborn children: "They will have no pity on the fruit of the womb" (Isaiah 13:18). • For worshiping idols, God declared that not one of his people would live, not a man, woman or child (not even babies in arms), again confuting assertions about the sanctity of life (Jeremiah 44:7-8). • God will punish the Israelites by destroying their unborn children, who will die at birth, or perish in the womb, or never even be conceived (Hosea 9:10-16). • For rebelling against God, Samaria's people will be killed, their babies will be dashed to death against the ground, and their pregnant women will be ripped open with a sword (Hosea 13:16). • Jesus did not express any special concern for unborn children during the anticipated end times: "Woe to pregnant women and those who are nursing" (Matthew 24:19). I mean who gives a shit right?
Very good and sadly true. I have several bibles at home. I read every other day on average, and when struggling to read, I try a plan on bible app on phone just to read something at night. We even listen to scripture they phone as family a few nights a week, it is possible to read. What is harder and rarer still is consistent prayer life. Oh man.
Because it’s very hard to understand the lessons in them. Some things don’t make sense to us. Jesus and the cross is easy to understand, and his commandment to love one another. He said three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest is love. Catholics canonized the bible. There’s plenty of books that were rejected. Who is to say that’s all God wanted us to know, or if we even have to know everything in it?
I think you’re kinda right but actually when you look at the Word for salvation it encompasses more than being saved from hell and modern Christians misunderstand a huge issue that non believers have. Why should they trust God for their eternal security if He’s not concerned with their earthly needs? This is a correct POV and the church system bypasses this and even teaches often that God either is apathetic or uninterested in your physical needs but Jesus went around supernaturally meeting needs and the word for salvation encompasses all those needs as well. Jesus became all that we are so that we could become all that He is and that means your well being is included and so is your happiness. BTW, we also focus on Heaven as a destination rather than something that’s tangible and available RIGHT NOW. Jesus focus was never on a future kingdom but making it available now. As a matter of fact there’s no time in Heaven so that makes no sense. In essence Jesus isn’t trying to get you into Heaven rather He’s trying to get Heaven into you and it’s kind of a subtitle difference but it completely changes the way we look at life and the Bible and this small difference makes all the difference in the world in how we respond to it.
Many Christians I know find the Bible confronting and difficult. I read it daily and enjoy it but it wasn't always that way. The big problem is preachers have made the Bible fit into their cultural thinking, especially the Americans. We are bombarded with this style of 'Christianity' and it makes the Bible confusing and contradicting. One day I found out it is a Jewish book and it does not go in line with our cultural mindsets....I also found out it has more than one layer in the depths of its writings and they all reveal Jesus! Suddenly when I view it from this perspective the Bible and why I read it becomes more real and relevant.
I think in all honesty thst most people don't read the Bible because they are not christians. the word became flesh. to reject the word is to reject Jesus. to know the word, the gospels, is to know Jesus. you can't know Jesus, and love Jesus, And follow Jesus If you don't know the gospel. luke 14 mentions a powerful king, a weak king, and a decree. the powerful king is God. the weak king is us. and the decree is the scriptures.
I contend that most people are not Christians because they don't read the Bible. Here is a video I did that show just how important it is to read the Bible ua-cam.com/video/sLs4vsSgT6o/v-deo.html.
The message of humanism/gnosticism taught in all our schools elevates man into being his own God (and you shall be as god...) and thus devalues the God of the Bible, and therefore the living Word of God. What Pastor today really believes the book he is reading from is God's inspired, preserved, Holy Word? How many do not pass on this attitude by their willy-nilly picking and choosing what words and verses they use from a multitude of various, differing versions (any new version has to be at least 10% different to get a copyright).
i havent really gotten to the bible that much which is my fault but at the same time i have trouble reading the words an knowing what it all means because the way they talk is in metaphor or parrable and i dont have alot of understaNDing of what there really meaning because i picture it one way an its means another then im like how stupied im...i feel slow of understanding AN I GET mad at myself how im i ever going understand the bible fully i have asked god to show me an yes he as an i have some understanding but not to where i beleive i should so as time goes i guess i have fled away from it but i feel in my spirit that tells me to get back in to it i feel like i need to drink the word like my body is craveing for it but i keep saying later are i ewont understand! please pray for me, an what can i do to help me to understand better.... sometimes i have felt like this is a job for me to read because of me not being a good reader are understanding its like alot harder on me i feel... an i dont want it like that i feel im weak at this when i dont want to be....i need ideas i dont like breaking gods heart i want to understand an be like i got this i know what hes mean are what this stands for are what im suppose to be doing....god bless friend your right about your video
Dear sweet Shay, Maybe I can help with you desire to understand the Bible. 1. First, you need to understand that the Old Testament is 'history'. God tells us about creation, mankind and the 'lack of Faith' that has plagued man since God put the curse on Adam and the Earth from the garden of Eden which is the information we get in the first part of Genesis. 2. Second, Moses wrote the first 5 books of the Bible and it was not only about the followers of God which Moses lead by God's guidance but 'for' them and them only! They weren't called Jews at the time they were called Israelites because that was where they were from. ALL of the Old Test. is about them and the promises they were given by God and how unfortunately they turned away from constantly. Even Matthew, Mark, Luke and John (even though they are called the New Test.) are really the last four books of the Old Test. still dealing with the Jews ONLY and their unfaithfulness and the fulfilling of the prophecies of God to the Jewish people by Jesus the Messiah and how they again turned against Him for their religion and crucified Him. 3. Now, Paul, who was chosen by God to be the Apostle of the Gentiles was given his instructions to fulfill this very task, wrote Romans through Philemon and 'these' are the books of the Bible that we are to be concerned with 'today'!! ALL of the bible is for our 'learning and knowledge' but the instructions for us today is in these 13 books and tells us about the 'body of Christ', the 'mysteries of God' ( which means secrets that God held unto Himself since the foundation. Romans 16: 25-26), the Gospel of Grace, I Cor. 15: 1-4, and the Power of the Cross and what Jesus accomplished by taking ALL the sins of the people of the world upon Himself and erasing them in God's eyes as long as you BELIEVE He did this for YOU!! That is all you have to do, BELIEVE. Once you believe, the Holy Spirit comes into your life, BAPTIZES you (NOT by water) with the spirit of God and YOU are SAVED!! That is just how simple it is. My suggestion to you is first, PRAY that God opens your mind and spirit to His Word before you start reading and then open the Bible to Romans 1:1 and start reading. This book is like the foundation of the Christian walk and I KNOW, God will bless you with understanding and every time you read, THANK GOD for understanding and be sincere about it and the knowledge will start to be revealed to you and you will find a 'hunger' for the Word you thought you could never have and it will bless you and your life and others when they see how the knowledge of the Word and the Holy Spirit has 'changed' your life. People will ask you, "Is there something different about you?", and you can smile and say "Yes, I know how much Jesus loves me and I know I am saved from the eternal doom of Hell, may I share this with you?" I hope this small bit of information has and will help you in your pursuit of a personal relationship with Jesus, who is our Creator, Savior, and Redeemer. God bless you and yours. Pastor Alan Wilson
Reading the Bible is like going to church. If all you do is just sit, sing, and listen to a sermon, it becomes meaningless. But if you participate in an activity than it brings more meaning to life.
Great stuff! I will add that as part of the transformation of faith into another consumable we have professionalized pastors. THEY read the Bible so we don't have to. THEY pray so that we don't have to. In most American churches pastors provide religious goods and services for our consumption. Think about it this way, you don't study medicine-that's what you pay your doctor for. You don't do your bookkeeping-that's what you pay your accountant for. You don't educate your children-that's what you pay property taxes for. Likewise, you don't disciple your children-that's what you pay your youth pastor for.
Making most sense out of this thanks. Many have problems of reading the Bible. God made people to help each other. If every person red the bible, more things would be taken out of context and CHERRY PICKING would be out of control. God does not expect every Man to read and understand the Bible. IF YOU HAVE AN EAR. Thanks Grace to you saves. 3 years ago
Do you have to pay for With God Daily? I would love to receive it on my gmail, but I can't really budget a monthly fee for it right now. ANYONE CAN AND PLEASE ANSWER THIS!
I know I'm 2 years late, but better late than never. You can email support@skyejethani.com to work something out. It says so on Skye's website (google With God Daily.) Good luck!
Lots to think about, but plz cut down on use of word ravishing. It's not so much the repetitiveness, but the origin of the word and the original meaning of the root leaves some listeners with a weird word picture.
I'm generally with you, Skye, but you are mis-characterizing Phil 4:13:. "Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ[b] who strengthens me." It is about both winning and losing - the point is being content with either way. Athletes have to be content with both. And, not to get too political here, but I did find it interesting, as I am a watcher of Phil's podcast, that you seem to be very anti-Trump. Yet his economic/trade policy falls very much in line with your point regarding Gandhi and India. An example of where policy, perhaps, ought to "trump" personal distaste (??) He is for a world of independent, nationalistic nation-states, where the others (including many Reps) are for "alienation" - as Marx termed it. But those little things aside, I do agree that Christians have a "how can God help me now" approach which ignores the greater curve of His plan for His creation. We, as "Israelites", represent a greater group and cause, much bigger than ourselves.
We are conditioned to believe that the clergy, pastors or priests can do it so much better. Why bother? Like your shirt, the professionals can produce fantastical sermons from scripture so there isn’t much motivation or interest. Unintended consequences of dividing the body and elevating spiritual gifts.
I think that people don't read the bible because they don't know who God is. We tend to think of him as a vending machine (put something in something comes out) and forget the relationship he is seeking with us. I think that people look at the bible as a how to book, a resource for information on how to live and what happens if you don't live that way. People, from what I've seen, don't read the bible to know more about God so that they can grow in a better relationship with him. We forget what it means to be adopted into the family of God, that we are now children who should seek a good relationship with our Father, who loves us very much.
Skye.. I love you and love to hear you speak.. that love is not romantic.. sorry big guy.. I think you are all wet on this. I have read the Bible a few times. More times on Mathew.luke and John.. I love Paul.. people stopped caring where our shirts are made.. because Everything comes from china.. time is probably the most reasonable thing why people don't read the Bible.. both work in order to put a roof over the kids.. and food on the table..I didn't start with a church when I went on my quest for God.. I went on line!!!. Yep I did.. and I found HIM!!! I started with a Course in miracles... And than a few years later the new testament.. I drove Simi trucks for 25 years.. OTR.. across America.. by myself ..and of course God.. the holy spirit.. and Jesus!! .. I first listen to you when you spoke at New song church.. before 1010 BUILDING. People go to church so someone else can tell them what is in the Bible and the music. Not all people ..just most. Cause it's back to work on Monday!! You asked for an opinion.. here is mine.. community is what will draw them to stay . Dave at New song church put a lot of energy in to keeping Everyone involved.. that's a key.. to keeping the church moving forward towards God!! Another opinion,. Keep up the GOOD FIGHT!! God Bless
........why not reading the bible?........too many other attractive options vying for our attentions/focus........a face/voice, complete with music, professional photography just a click away.......so many 'christian' channels on youtube, christians don't spend hours with God in prayer, cultivating intimacy in their relationship........knowing God........being known of Him........the most terrifying words one will ever hear......."Depart from Me, I never knew you!"
Based on what I’ve heard from your own lips in a podcast you co-host, you don’t read your or either, Skye. You are actively adding to the Scripture and seeking to reinterpret it in favor of modern heretical worldly philosophies.
For me, I stepped away from reading the Bible a few years ago for a few reasons: 1. Many people in my church used the words to alienate and marginalize people groups, while elevating clergy as God's mouthpiece 2. I felt I was endorsing a view that God is racist (i.e. if the Bible is the only inspired revelation from God, does it logically follow that God abandoned all other cultures?) 3. By making the Bible authoritative it seems to undermine the gospel of Jesus (i.e. God is now with us and writes his law on our hearts rather than external parchment). Right now I'm reading other sacred texts and joyfully finding that God seems to be speaking in many different ways to many different cultures.
Michael your reasoning is poor on this. 1) Just because they pervert the Word is no reason for you not to read it. It is His Word that gives you the discernment to know if they are speaking the truth or not. 2) God actually hates racism. See Numbers 12. 3)The Bible does not undermine Jesus, it testifies of Him. 4) Avoid those "sacred texts" they will deceive you.
Most Christians don't read the bible because A: they are not really Christians and B: they find it boring. People mat not like the answer but people don't like reading things that don't interest them. Also the vast majority of the world doesn't read the bible because like my first answer, they are not Christian and don't believe nor pretend to be. Also the bible is not the word of God nor written by God. It is a series of texts and poems that was chosen to be in this book. Also Christianity is and the bible is a copy of other religions. There is a reason why so many religions are so similar. Jesus is more about Astrology. He is a direct copy of the Egyptian son of God. In fact everything in the bible and Christian religion is based off of Egyptian religion and pagan faith, down to Christmas and Easter. Christianity was made the official religion in the Roman Empire to control people and to keep the people poor and happy. There is so much to talk about it but you should really read up on your own religion. Not only will you be educated and know the truth but you will see how the world is connected as well. In the age of technology it is to easy with the access that we have.
![How God is Both One and Three at the Same Time [Animated Explainer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/eAvYmE2YYIU/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm a film buff and last year I got a DVD that READS the whole Bible in 70 hours. I started it on 2/1/19 and finished it the day before Easter at EXACTLY midnight! I was very proud of that accomplishment! :)
Oh. My. Gosh! I just, last week, stumbled onto The Divine Commodity at an obscure Christian Bookstore in Springfield Missouri and snatched it right up. And then today, I stumbled onto this post. Sometimes God is even in the algorithms. ;)
Thank God for those obscure Christian book stores. Too many Christian book stores carry a too much pablum and not enough meat, not to mention junk food.
When I was 6, I had a friend whose mom lived with another woman. At the time, it seemed normal to me; I didn’t see anything wrong with it. But then God allowed me to read the Bible at that young age, and I saw that He created a man and a woman to multiply the earth (Genesis 1:27-28). That’s when I asked myself, "Who am I going to believe?" I chose to trust God’s Word.
From that day forward, I started reading the KJV daily, and now, at 54, I still believe and live by God’s Word. Growing up as a latchkey kid in a non-Black area, I faced horrible prejudice. Adults said cruel things to a 6-year-old child simply because of the color of my skin. But through Christ, I learned to forgive their ignorance. Only God, who is Jesus, raised me with His Word and gave me strength.
God appeared to me many times, guiding me through life. At 14, I met my late husband, and though I became a widow at 24, He gave me the strength to raise my three sons in the Lord. Today, they are in their late 20s and early 30s, living for God, putting Him first, and succeeding in their careers-a teacher, a chef, and a programmer. They are still virgins, have no drama, and live for God, not the world.
I chose not to remarry, refusing to live in lust or go against God’s Word. His seed is in us, and through Him, it’s possible to live righteously (1 John 3:9). People say the Bible is hard to understand, but that’s not true-they simply don’t want to read it. If a 7-year-old can read the entire Bible and live by it through the Holy Spirit, then anyone can do the same.
God used me, even as a child, to save my entire household. To this day, I read the Bible daily, and His Word continues to give me peace. People go to hell because they choose to please their flesh instead of pleasing God. God’s way is better, and I’m living proof of His grace.
I find it hard to believe that people have lots of time to read trivial posts on social media, but say the don't have time to read the Bible. Everyone turns to prayer when they are in trouble, but they don't repent for their sins, and they don't take time to read the word of God. I know church goers that don't read the Bible as well.
@@strangeroamer3219 I agree and right now God is giving everyone nothing but time to study the Bible without any distractions and they still haven't opened the Bible to study. God showed me those will be the people who are left behind and will have to go through the tribulation. The Bible says meditate on the Word of God day and night because one day all they will have is their thoughts and there will be no way to study the Bible. We have our oil lamps full while these will be running to the store and being locked out.
0l0
Heart warming!God bless you.
@ bless your heart ♥️🙏🏾
People don’t often want to be challenged to change their actions or attitudes. It’s hard to change unless you’re invested in the world view being presented.
I think your theory of why people don't read the scriptures is on point. I've expressed the same message to my friends for years. I've made reading the entire bible cover to cover the central theme of my children's education. I've even created a log that divides the scripture into 314 readings (about 10 to 15 minutes long) that you can mark the date read so you can keep track of it.
But how much we "love" the Lord is more about what He can do for us than what we MUST do for Him. A point you made quite nicely.
DING! Ring the product placement bell at 1:55 and then again at 6:08. ;-) Great video. I've posted it. I was recently asked by some church elders what I felt was the one thing that is the most pressing issue for the church today. I think they were looking for something like "abortion," or "homosexuality." I answered, "consumerism." They were flummoxed.
Here is one of the things most needed in the church, it is so important. ua-cam.com/video/d7iTMa-OwVo/v-deo.html.
Back story was a means of marketing. The problem is the back story changed. Changed from Union Made, or Made in USA to made by a 12 year old in Bangladesh or slave labor in China. Land's End did a great job of using the story to promote its products. It used employees as models and talked about the origins of the material or even the the seamstress. We find it comforting to hear about the "one" and not the roomful of faceless individuals at a sewing machine for 12 hours a day.
Love these, Skye. Keep it up!
I just taught a group of 12 youth about this topic and emphasized how we have turned the gospel and the scriptures into a product. I told them that I hate to bust their bubble but IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU! IT'S ABOUT JESUS AS LORD AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Brilliant (and true) marketing for your book. You have such a keen mind for observation and a gift for words.
It's amazing how many people know Phillipians 4:13 by heart, yet how few of them know or care about Phillipians 4:12. They keep telling themselves "I can do all this..." without really knowing what "all this" contains. Talk about only seeing what they want to see...
Many fine points here, Skye. I agree with much you say. Your counter culture cry concurs with many secular versions of anti-consumerism (for example mindfulness) in American culture. Even other religions make similar pleas, of which you you gave examples in your chat. Your voice to stem and turn the tide has many challenges. I wish you God's speed.
So to understand more about the idea of God being a product, I need to get the book: another product?
Easy answer. Most people love this world more than they love Jesus. When you love someone, you want to spend time with them. Spending time in God’s Word is a joy for those who truly want to know more about God and be in close fellowship with Him
The alienation is related to ability. I don't think they are completely separate issues. The way people teach others to read scripture fuels the consumeristic reading rather than teaching them to read as though they are reading it though their lives depended on it.
I think you're right that a consumerist church doesn't value its past. But I would also add another factor. Many evangelical leaders cast a vision of inerrancy that falls apart when you read the Bible carefully (anyone ever notices that Jesus has two totally incompatible genealogies?). So reading the Bible also becomes a challenge for overcoming cognitive dissonance. The more we read it (and pay attention) the more we are confronted with nagging questions about the way we're told we must read it. Devotion to a text is incompatible with an oversimplified vision of what that text means (especially when there is intense social pressure to adhere to the party line).
1:54 Nice! I loved that! :)
thank you so much for making these, Skye. I hope you continue to do so!
Thanks Skye for these. It's not easy to try to distill some rather complex dynamics into a brief, accessible video.
What I hear you saying is you're trying to move Christians from an instrumental valuation of God (like Eli's sons trotting out the ark to solve their Philistine problem) to a relational one. Bible reading of course worked on both ends of that relationship. People developed a "personal relationship with God" by rather nerdy engagement with the story (not unlike kids today with LOTR or Harry Potter) through Bible reading, church, Sunday School and then that nerdy engagement promoted MORE reading, clubs, friendships, etc. (Check out the College Humor video on UA-cam "religious people are nerds".
Not long ago the Bible in the West was the nerdiest stories in town and generations of people nerded out on it. It isn't any wonder that the millenialist movements of the 19th century saw the rise of creative nerd-doms like LDS and JW and others. The church was the Renaissance Fair for Bible nerds. Today that nerddom space is shared with competing narratives both literary and moralistic (social justice warriors).
I don't think it's a surprise that the fastest growing elements of Christianity in the West, the portion of the world replete with competing nerddoms are the more experiential branches like Pentecostals where people are living the story with Jesus and the Bible is canon, bringing the word full circle through nerddom. Theologically this throws us back onto reliance on the Holy Spirit who seems to grab people and convert them to nerds in sometimes what appears to be the most random ways. On the other hand we're also seeing the decline of the nominal as other nerddoms carve out space in the worldview market place.
Thanks again for stirring the conversation.
Im an atheist. I read the bible for the shear enjoyment and entertainment. It blows my mind that christians, who believe that it is the literal words of the creator, do not devote their lives to reading and trying to understand it.
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
It might be a good idea for those of us who are serious to start hand-copying our own copies of the scriptures. Deuteronomy 17:18 comes to mind, though I seriously doubt most of Israel's kings obeyed this particular Mosaic directive. Brilliant insights, Skye. I've passed this link around a lot.
Do you think "series preaching" or topical sermons has anything to do with this? (By contrast, the pastor at my church "preaches through the bible" chapter by chapter, more or less.)
God said if you have an ear. this video is off and needs to ask God for wisdom his way not the way they think. Grace to you. 3 years ago
Consumer Christianity, I agree that is the main issue with why people don't read the Bible especially in Western culture. They take a me-centered approach towards reading it without taking the time to understand the historical context. And all the word of faith and prosperity gospel preachers enabled the consumer Christianity. I found the American Gospel documentary to be very informative as to why and how the word of faith movement is dangerous.
Well done. Thanks for taking the time to think and then answer concisely and with a helpful metaphor. 👍
People are afraid of scary stuff like.....
A pregnant woman who is injured and aborts the fetus warrants financial compensation only (to her husband), suggesting that the fetus is property, not a person (Exodus 21:22-25).
• The gruesome priestly purity test to which a wife accused of adultery must submit will cause her to abort the fetus if she is guilty, indicating that the fetus does not possess a right to life (Numbers 5:11-31).
• God enumerated his punishments for disobedience, including "cursed shall be the fruit of your womb" and "you will eat the fruit of your womb," directly contradicting sanctity-of-life claims (Deuteronomy 28:18,53).
• Elisha's prophecy for soon-to-be King Hazael said he would attack the Israelites, burn their cities, crush the heads of their babies and rip open their pregnant women (2 Kings 8:12).
• King Menahem of Israel destroyed Tiphsah (also called Tappuah) and the surrounding towns, killing all residents and ripping open pregnant women with the sword (2 Kings 15:16).
• Isaiah prophesied doom for Babylon, including the murder of unborn children: "They will have no pity on the fruit of the womb" (Isaiah 13:18).
• For worshiping idols, God declared that not one of his people would live, not a man, woman or child (not even babies in arms), again confuting assertions about the sanctity of life (Jeremiah 44:7-8).
• God will punish the Israelites by destroying their unborn children, who will die at birth, or perish in the womb, or never even be conceived (Hosea 9:10-16).
• For rebelling against God, Samaria's people will be killed, their babies will be dashed to death against the ground, and their pregnant women will be ripped open with a sword (Hosea 13:16).
• Jesus did not express any special concern for unborn children during the anticipated end times: "Woe to pregnant women and those who are nursing" (Matthew 24:19).
I mean who gives a shit right?
Very good and sadly true. I have several bibles at home. I read every other day on average, and when struggling to read, I try a plan on bible app on phone just to read something at night. We even listen to scripture they phone as family a few nights a week, it is possible to read. What is harder and rarer still is consistent prayer life. Oh man.
God is sovereign over everything except for the market
Because it’s very hard to understand the lessons in them. Some things don’t make sense to us. Jesus and the cross is easy to understand, and his commandment to love one another. He said three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest is love. Catholics canonized the bible. There’s plenty of books that were rejected. Who is to say that’s all God wanted us to know, or if we even have to know everything in it?
The way to read the bible is to just start. The Word is alive and powerful. Read Proverbs and Psalms and the four gospels.
I think you’re kinda right but actually when you look at the Word for salvation it encompasses more than being saved from hell and modern Christians misunderstand a huge issue that non believers have. Why should they trust God for their eternal security if He’s not concerned with their earthly needs? This is a correct POV and the church system bypasses this and even teaches often that God either is apathetic or uninterested in your physical needs but Jesus went around supernaturally meeting needs and the word for salvation encompasses all those needs as well.
Jesus became all that we are so that we could become all that He is and that means your well being is included and so is your happiness.
BTW, we also focus on Heaven as a destination rather than something that’s tangible and available RIGHT NOW.
Jesus focus was never on a future kingdom but making it available now.
As a matter of fact there’s no time in Heaven so that makes no sense.
In essence Jesus isn’t trying to get you into Heaven rather He’s trying to get Heaven into you and it’s kind of a subtitle difference but it completely changes the way we look at life and the Bible and this small difference makes all the difference in the world in how we respond to it.
Skye addresses your point and a few others in his video entitled "What Is The Gospel?" - ua-cam.com/video/xpauWQero5E/v-deo.html about 43 minutes.
Many Christians I know find the Bible confronting and difficult. I read it daily and enjoy it but it wasn't always that way. The big problem is preachers have made the Bible fit into their cultural thinking, especially the Americans. We are bombarded with this style of 'Christianity' and it makes the Bible confusing and contradicting. One day I found out it is a Jewish book and it does not go in line with our cultural mindsets....I also found out it has more than one layer in the depths of its writings and they all reveal Jesus! Suddenly when I view it from this perspective the Bible and why I read it becomes more real and relevant.
I think in all honesty thst most people don't read the Bible because they are not christians. the word became flesh. to reject the word is to reject Jesus. to know the word, the gospels, is to know Jesus. you can't know Jesus, and love Jesus, And follow Jesus If you don't know the gospel.
luke 14 mentions a powerful king, a weak king, and a decree. the powerful king is God. the weak king is us. and the decree is the scriptures.
I contend that most people are not Christians because they don't read the Bible. Here is a video I did that show just how important it is to read the Bible ua-cam.com/video/sLs4vsSgT6o/v-deo.html.
I find the Bible confusing and contradicting but if I could understand it then maybe I would enjoy it more
The message of humanism/gnosticism taught in all our schools elevates man into being his own God (and you shall be as god...) and thus devalues the God of the Bible, and therefore the living Word of God. What Pastor today really believes the book he is reading from is God's inspired, preserved, Holy Word? How many do not pass on this attitude by their willy-nilly picking and choosing what words and verses they use from a multitude of various, differing versions (any new version has to be at least 10% different to get a copyright).
Wow....good bro
My shirt I'm wearing right now says, "I love Jesus and naps"
I love reading the Bible.
Ummm is it me or do we still not know why we don't want to read the Bible 🥺🥺
i havent really gotten to the bible that much which is my fault but at the same time i have trouble reading the words an knowing what it all means because the way they talk is in metaphor or parrable and i dont have alot of understaNDing of what there really meaning because i picture it one way an its means another then im like how stupied im...i feel slow of understanding AN I GET mad at myself how im i ever going understand the bible fully i have asked god to show me an yes he as an i have some understanding but not to where i beleive i should so as time goes i guess i have fled away from it but i feel in my spirit that tells me to get back in to it i feel like i need to drink the word like my body is craveing for it but i keep saying later are i ewont understand! please pray for me, an what can i do to help me to understand better.... sometimes i have felt like this is a job for me to read because of me not being a good reader are understanding its like alot harder on me i feel... an i dont want it like that i feel im weak at this when i dont want to be....i need ideas i dont like breaking gods heart i want to understand an be like i got this i know what hes mean are what this stands for are what im suppose to be doing....god bless friend your right about your video
Dear sweet Shay,
Maybe I can help with you desire to understand the Bible.
1. First, you need to understand that the Old Testament is 'history'. God tells us about creation, mankind and
the 'lack of Faith' that has plagued man since God put the curse on Adam and the Earth from the garden of
Eden which is the information we get in the first part of Genesis.
2. Second, Moses wrote the first 5 books of the Bible and it was not only about the followers of God which
Moses lead by God's guidance but 'for' them and them only! They weren't called Jews at the time they
were called Israelites because that was where they were from. ALL of the Old Test. is about them and the
promises they were given by God and how unfortunately they turned away from constantly. Even Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John (even though they are called the New Test.) are really the last four books of the Old Test.
still dealing with the Jews ONLY and their unfaithfulness and the fulfilling of the prophecies of God to the
Jewish people by Jesus the Messiah and how they again turned against Him for their religion and crucified
Him.
3. Now, Paul, who was chosen by God to be the Apostle of the Gentiles was given his instructions to fulfill this
very task, wrote Romans through Philemon and 'these' are the books of the Bible that we are to be concerned
with 'today'!! ALL of the bible is for our 'learning and knowledge' but the instructions for us today is in these
13 books and tells us about the 'body of Christ', the 'mysteries of God' ( which means secrets that God held
unto Himself since the foundation. Romans 16: 25-26), the Gospel of Grace, I Cor. 15: 1-4, and the Power of
the Cross and what Jesus accomplished by taking ALL the sins of the people of the world upon Himself and
erasing them in God's eyes as long as you BELIEVE He did this for YOU!! That is all you have to do, BELIEVE.
Once you believe, the Holy Spirit comes into your life, BAPTIZES you (NOT by water) with the spirit of God
and YOU are SAVED!! That is just how simple it is. My suggestion to you is first, PRAY that God opens your
mind and spirit to His Word before you start reading and then open the Bible to Romans 1:1 and start reading.
This book is like the foundation of the Christian walk and I KNOW, God will bless you with understanding and
every time you read, THANK GOD for understanding and be sincere about it and the knowledge will start to
be revealed to you and you will find a 'hunger' for the Word you thought you could never have and it will bless
you and your life and others when they see how the knowledge of the Word and the Holy Spirit has 'changed'
your life. People will ask you, "Is there something different about you?", and you can smile and say "Yes, I
know how much Jesus loves me and I know I am saved from the eternal doom of Hell, may I share this with
you?"
I hope this small bit of information has and will help you in your pursuit of a personal relationship with Jesus, who is our Creator, Savior, and Redeemer. God bless you and yours.
Pastor Alan Wilson
Reading the Bible is like going to church. If all you do is just sit, sing, and listen to a sermon, it becomes meaningless. But if you participate in an activity than it brings more meaning to life.
Great stuff! I will add that as part of the transformation of faith into another consumable we have professionalized pastors. THEY read the Bible so we don't have to. THEY pray so that we don't have to. In most American churches pastors provide religious goods and services for our consumption. Think about it this way, you don't study medicine-that's what you pay your doctor for. You don't do your bookkeeping-that's what you pay your accountant for. You don't educate your children-that's what you pay property taxes for. Likewise, you don't disciple your children-that's what you pay your youth pastor for.
Making most sense out of this thanks. Many have problems of reading the Bible. God made people to help each other. If every person red the bible, more things would be taken out of context and CHERRY PICKING would be out of control. God does not expect every Man to read and understand the Bible. IF YOU HAVE AN EAR. Thanks Grace to you saves. 3 years ago
They do not read the bible because some are fearful of learning the truth about themselves and the great things that God can do for them.
Do you have to pay for With God Daily? I would love to receive it on my gmail, but I can't really budget a monthly fee for it right now.
ANYONE CAN AND PLEASE ANSWER THIS!
I know I'm 2 years late, but better late than never. You can email support@skyejethani.com to work something out. It says so on Skye's website (google With God Daily.)
Good luck!
genius
its on our phone/internet so we don't need to carry a bible unless we didn't have electricity.
Lots to think about, but plz cut down on use of word ravishing. It's not so much the repetitiveness, but the origin of the word and the original meaning of the root leaves some listeners with a weird word picture.
I'm generally with you, Skye, but you are mis-characterizing Phil 4:13:. "Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ[b] who strengthens me."
It is about both winning and losing - the point is being content with either way. Athletes have to be content with both.
And, not to get too political here, but I did find it interesting, as I am a watcher of Phil's podcast, that you seem to be very anti-Trump. Yet his economic/trade policy falls very much in line with your point regarding Gandhi and India. An example of where policy, perhaps, ought to "trump" personal distaste (??) He is for a world of independent, nationalistic nation-states, where the others (including many Reps) are for "alienation" - as Marx termed it.
But those little things aside, I do agree that Christians have a "how can God help me now" approach which ignores the greater curve of His plan for His creation. We, as "Israelites", represent a greater group and cause, much bigger than ourselves.
"Discover a faith beyond consumer Christianity: BUY my book!" Haha, I know you mean well, it was just funny. ;-)
That is a bit ironic! :)
Wow, how accurate this is! 📖🙏💛
We are conditioned to believe that the clergy, pastors or priests can do it so much better. Why bother? Like your shirt, the professionals can produce fantastical sermons from scripture so there isn’t much motivation or interest.
Unintended consequences of dividing the body and elevating spiritual gifts.
I think that people don't read the bible because they don't know who God is. We tend to think of him as a vending machine (put something in something comes out) and forget the relationship he is seeking with us. I think that people look at the bible as a how to book, a resource for information on how to live and what happens if you don't live that way. People, from what I've seen, don't read the bible to know more about God so that they can grow in a better relationship with him. We forget what it means to be adopted into the family of God, that we are now children who should seek a good relationship with our Father, who loves us very much.
Skye.. I love you and love to hear you speak.. that love is not romantic.. sorry big guy.. I think you are all wet on this. I have read the Bible a few times. More times on Mathew.luke and John.. I love Paul.. people stopped caring where our shirts are made.. because Everything comes from china.. time is probably the most reasonable thing why people don't read the Bible.. both work in order to put a roof over the kids.. and food on the table..I didn't start with a church when I went on my quest for God.. I went on line!!!. Yep I did.. and I found HIM!!! I started with a Course in miracles... And than a few years later the new testament.. I drove Simi trucks for 25 years.. OTR.. across America.. by myself ..and of course God.. the holy spirit.. and Jesus!! .. I first listen to you when you spoke at New song church.. before 1010 BUILDING. People go to church so someone else can tell them what is in the Bible and the music. Not all people ..just most. Cause it's back to work on Monday!! You asked for an opinion.. here is mine.. community is what will draw them to stay . Dave at New song church put a lot of energy in to keeping Everyone involved.. that's a key.. to keeping the church moving forward towards God!! Another opinion,. Keep up the GOOD FIGHT!! God Bless
And I work out to listening to it read on audio.. Just saying!!
........why not reading the bible?........too many other attractive options vying for our attentions/focus........a face/voice, complete with music, professional photography just a click away.......so many 'christian' channels on youtube, christians don't spend hours with God in prayer, cultivating intimacy in their relationship........knowing God........being known of Him........the most terrifying words one will ever hear......."Depart from Me, I never knew you!"
Based on what I’ve heard from your own lips in a podcast you co-host, you don’t read your or either, Skye. You are actively adding to the Scripture and seeking to reinterpret it in favor of modern heretical worldly philosophies.
Reading the bible made me an atheist.
For me, I stepped away from reading the Bible a few years ago for a few reasons:
1. Many people in my church used the words to alienate and marginalize people groups, while elevating clergy as God's mouthpiece
2. I felt I was endorsing a view that God is racist (i.e. if the Bible is the only inspired revelation from God, does it logically follow that God abandoned all other cultures?)
3. By making the Bible authoritative it seems to undermine the gospel of Jesus (i.e. God is now with us and writes his law on our hearts rather than external parchment).
Right now I'm reading other sacred texts and joyfully finding that God seems to be speaking in many different ways to many different cultures.
Have you tried worshipping yourself?
Michael your reasoning is poor on this. 1) Just because they pervert the Word is no reason for you not to read it. It is His Word that gives you the discernment to know if they are speaking the truth or not. 2) God actually hates racism. See Numbers 12. 3)The Bible does not undermine Jesus, it testifies of Him. 4) Avoid those "sacred texts" they will deceive you.
Most Christians don't read the bible because A: they are not really Christians and B: they find it boring. People mat not like the answer but people don't like reading things that don't interest them. Also the vast majority of the world doesn't read the bible because like my first answer, they are not Christian and don't believe nor pretend to be. Also the bible is not the word of God nor written by God. It is a series of texts and poems that was chosen to be in this book. Also Christianity is and the bible is a copy of other religions. There is a reason why so many religions are so similar. Jesus is more about Astrology. He is a direct copy of the Egyptian son of God. In fact everything in the bible and Christian religion is based off of Egyptian religion and pagan faith, down to Christmas and Easter. Christianity was made the official religion in the Roman Empire to control people and to keep the people poor and happy. There is so much to talk about it but you should really read up on your own religion. Not only will you be educated and know the truth but you will see how the world is connected as well. In the age of technology it is to easy with the access that we have.
The bible claims it is the breath of god so
You do understand that you completely missed the point here?