1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

hi y'all - here to learn

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by iThinkStuff, Mar 21, 2022.

Top Posters
  1. iThinkStuff

    iThinkStuff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2022
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    82
    Faith:
    Seeking Christ
    hi everyone - I'm a long time Christian, first time poster looking to deepen my roots and learn more about Christ. I've studied the Bible all my life, but perhaps haven't understood it nearly so well as I ought.

    Consider this my new leaf.

    That being said, what are some good sources of information I could use to learn more? And how does one go about picking a "good" local congregation to join?

    Thanks in advance,
    iThinkStuff
     
    #1 iThinkStuff, Mar 21, 2022
  2. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2002
    Messages:
    9,760
    Likes Received:
    1,337
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Welcome!
    So refreshing to hear someone is a learner.

    it has been awhile since I’ve church-searched but my first step was to find those closest and review their statements of faith.
    At the very least it narrows the field a bit.

    Rob
     
    #2 Deacon, Mar 21, 2022
    • Like Like x 1
  3. iThinkStuff

    iThinkStuff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2022
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    82
    Faith:
    Seeking Christ
    Much thanks! Been doing just that lately. I guess the one upside of the pandemic is most churches are busy posting their sermons online and trying to attract people in the virtual world. For that I am grateful.

    Any good books you'd recommend on increasing my scriptural awareness? Other than (but of course including) the Bible, that is.
     
    #3 iThinkStuff, Mar 21, 2022
  4. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2002
    Messages:
    9,760
    Likes Received:
    1,337
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I’m a bibliophile.
    I’ve slowed my reading down over the past few years, maybe 2 books a week, …the eyes are getting weaker.
    What are your interests and passions?

    Rob
     
    #4 Deacon, Mar 21, 2022
  5. iThinkStuff

    iThinkStuff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2022
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    82
    Faith:
    Seeking Christ
    Well I recently finished reading "Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes" by Richards and O'Brien, and am currently working through "Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth Bailey. I am trying to get at the context of the scriptures - what's being said without being said, that kind of thing. So many parables have been only partially understood, no matter how many times I've read them, so I'm hoping to get a more complete and personal understanding of them.

    Anything on Isaiah is always good, too.
     
    #5 iThinkStuff, Mar 22, 2022
  6. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    21,242
    Likes Received:
    2,305
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    Www.sermonaudio.com Two million free sermons online.

    Monergism.com 800 free Ebooks available listed in alphabetical order.
     
    #6 Iconoclast, Mar 22, 2022
    • Winner Winner x 2
    • Like Like x 1
  7. iThinkStuff

    iThinkStuff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2022
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    82
    Faith:
    Seeking Christ
    Thanks for that - love me some free books, of course :)
     
    #7 iThinkStuff, Mar 22, 2022
    • Like Like x 1
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
  8. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
    Messages:
    20,493
    Likes Received:
    3,043
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Welcome to the BB ITS.
     
    #8 kyredneck, Mar 22, 2022
    • Like Like x 1
  9. tyndale1946

    tyndale1946 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2001
    Messages:
    11,184
    Likes Received:
    2,489
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Don't forget its a two way street and since you are a long time Christian, don't forget your thoughts too... Teacher/learner, Learner teacher... Their are all sources of resources on here and my suggest is you familarize by navigating this board and if you need any help... DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK!... Looks like you started already... You got a good mindset... Welcome to the Baptist Board... I'm Brother Glen:)
     
    #9 tyndale1946, Mar 22, 2022
    • Agree Agree x 2
  10. iThinkStuff

    iThinkStuff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2022
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    82
    Faith:
    Seeking Christ
    Thanks Brother Glen! Appreciate the sentiment.

    I'll just throw this out there - I've come to mistrust my thoughts on scripture somewhat. At 40 years old, I've come to understand that a lot of what I thought the scriptures were saying isn't anywhere close to reality. A lot of false doctrine, poor interpretation, and outright misinformation has gotten in the way of what would otherwise be a very productive 35 years' worth of study.

    I'm trying to reset somewhat - let the scriptures speak for themselves, try to hear Jesus in them wherever possible, and correct the years of misguided indoctrination I've received. Open to teaching what I know, but only if it is founded in truth first.
     
    #10 iThinkStuff, Mar 22, 2022
    • Like Like x 1
  11. tyndale1946

    tyndale1946 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2001
    Messages:
    11,184
    Likes Received:
    2,489
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Been there in my 50 years in the church, if you are not learning, what good is it?... 35 productive years have not been a waste and I wouldn't look at it that way... Its called growth, sometimes we have to fail to grow... I think my favorite part in scripture is not the successes of the saints, but their failures... A saint... Ain't... If a preacher stands up in the pulpit and says I'm nothing like you... Head for the door... I welcome brethren on here with all their warts, imperfections and failings in life... We are ALL here to learn... NOBODY!... Has it ALL together!... Let God be true and everyman a lair!... Find truth on here that satisfies YOU... See a different truth, examine it, claim it, or move on... Remember it is YOUR service to God, not someone else's... Brother Glen:)
     
    #11 tyndale1946, Mar 22, 2022
    • Like Like x 3
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...