What are we reading 📚

The God Pill

Well-known member
A thread for mentioning and/or discussing any books on the bible I'm mostly focusing on non watchtower publications but old WT books and literature are good too as I'm always eager to hear brothers and sisters insights. Any recommendations are very welcome. 😊 The past year I've read

On the ancient front

Justin Martyr's Apologies and dialogue with Trypho
Iraneus Against Heresies
Eusbesius Church History
1/4 of Josephus antiquities of the jews
Tertullians treatise on idolatry
Philo's treatise on the giants

On the modern books front

Psalms 82 by Brian Godawa (highly derrivative content and preterist view of revelation its not devoid of value but fictions clearly his strong suit)

The Unseen Realm and Reversing Hermon by Michael Heiser (insightful to those not already familiar with his work 1st or second hand I can't fathom how he remained a trinitarian over the years)

The Great Angel a Study of Israel's Second God by Margaret Barker (a rich and dense read though Margaret's feminism biases her work occasionally)

Right now I'm 1/3 way through Margaret's book temple mysticism

On spiritual warfare front (the theology of these are very mixed bags roughly half utility half junk)

The Water Realm by Uzor Ndekweu

The Queen of the Coast, Defeating the Python Spirit, and Monitoring Spirits by Prayer M. Madueke. 1/5 through his book on Leviathan.

I've heard some on the forum mention the commentary on James that might be a good place to start anything bible adjacent is good.
 
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BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
A thread for mentioning and/or discussing any books on the bible I'm mostly focusing on non watchtower publications but old WT books and literature are good too as I'm always eager to hear brothers and sisters insights. Any recommendations are very welcome. 😊 The past year I've read

On the ancient front

Justin Martyr's Apologies and dialogue with Trypho
Iraneus Against Heresies
Eusbesius Church History
1/4 of Josephus History antiquities of the jews
Tertullians treatise on idolatry
Philo's treatise on the giants

On the modern books front

Psalms 82 by Brian Godawa (highly derrivative content and preterist view of revelation its not devoid of value but fictions clearly his strong suit)

The Unseen Realm and Reversing Hermon by Michael Heiser (insightful to those not already familiar with his work 1st or second hand I can't fathom how he remained a trinitarian over the years)

The Great Angel a Study of Israel's Second God by Margaret Barker (a rich and dense read though Margaret's feminism biases her work occasionally)

Right now I'm 1/3 way through Margaret's book temple mysticism

On spiritual warfare front (the theology of these are very mixed bags roughly half utility half junk)

The Water Realm by Uzor Ndekweu

The Queen of the Coast, Defeating the Python Spirit, and Monitoring Spirits by Prayer M. Madueke. 1/5 through his book on Leviathan.

I've heard some on the forum mention the commentary on James that might be a good place to start anything bible adjacent is good.
Hi GodPill, You could try “An Apology for the Christian Divinity…Called in scorn, Quakers“. Written by Robert Barclay. 1678.” (London Edition is better than the Scottish Ed). He was a friend of William Pen (I believe one of your founders in America), and it explains the principles of the Quakers, and was regarded as one of the most elaborate theological arguments of the 1600s. Well worth the read if you are looking for insights into the application of the scriptures. I have generally considered the Quakers to be well informed biblically speaking (for the time) and it provides the reader the evolution of religion following the comparatively recent publication of the bible in English. Also, for more literature on the emergence of scriptural thinking, you could try M. William Perkins a ‘Divine’ and quite prolific author during the late 1500s/early 1600s. His essay on the Sermon in the mount is very informative and well worth reading. (So is his essay on Witchcraft !) It might not sound relevant to your search, but in getting a grasp of the emergence and application of scripture it is quite helpful. Perkins discourse includes, besides the Sermon on the Mount an insight into the “Cloud of Witnesses” something rarely discussed up until our day. A wonderful example of early analysis of the prophesy - and also the first three chapters of Revelation. If I recall correctly, the British Library can provide digitally the above books - I’m not sure if you have to pay, but the internet may have copies. There is one other gem you may like to read and that is the Church History of Britain. Fuller . 1655 - i sometimes think that watchtower have read it because the rules and regulations it applies to monastic life are creepily similar to that found in bethel and for the same reasons! There are many books available during the 1500 and 1600s if you are interested and that make very sound scrutiny in regards of the bible. It is quite revealing how truthful people searched without compromise at that time. 👍
 
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White Stone

Well-known member
I tried Ante-Nicine Fathers to have a historical background of early christians back then. Though I’m not finished yet and still in Volume 1. When I read the “catholic church” part, I feel that that is the time they have deviated from truth. Now didn’t continue to read on because of that. But because you have reminded me of this, will try to read it again.
 

Patricia

Well-known member
Wow, thinking about this made me realize I really do have ADD. 😂 I'm in the middle of 3 Bible based books and a fiction novel.
1. Genesis : God, Creation and Destruction (a Jewish perspective,) by Dennis Prager, it's ok, have to take some of it with a few grains of salt, not recommended to those weak on basic truths. He does make some interesting points, says things in a different way/angle.
2. Rereading- Evidence That Demand a Verdict Josh and Sean McDowell (apologetics) to constantly remind myself why I believe 🙃, just kidding, to be ready to reply to the atheists.
3. Not really Bible based, In Search of Christian Freedom, Ray Franz
4. Almost forgot( because I got distracted and haven't read any of it for a couple months) CTR's Studies on the Scriptures or whatever it's called. Been reading it online, can't find it at the moment.
I think I'm getting more from my verse by verse study of the gospel according to Mark right now though, than any of this.
 

The God Pill

Well-known member
I am going over Daniel and Isaiah, again. And I try to read from Psalms and the Christian letters every day too.
Honestly Psalms is the book of the bible I've read the least frequently could definitely go through psalms some more after Numbers and Deuteronomy you never fail to encourage me to open the bible somewhere especially the minor prophets those first few years after reading your book.
 

Cherry

Well-known member
A thread for mentioning and/or discussing any books on the bible I'm mostly focusing on non watchtower publications but old WT books and literature are good too as I'm always eager to hear brothers and sisters insights. Any recommendations are very welcome. 😊 The past year I've read

On the ancient front

Justin Martyr's Apologies and dialogue with Trypho
Iraneus Against Heresies
Eusbesius Church History
1/4 of Josephus antiquities of the jews
Tertullians treatise on idolatry
Philo's treatise on the giants

On the modern books front

Psalms 82 by Brian Godawa (highly derrivative content and preterist view of revelation its not devoid of value but fictions clearly his strong suit)

The Unseen Realm and Reversing Hermon by Michael Heiser (insightful to those not already familiar with his work 1st or second hand I can't fathom how he remained a trinitarian over the years)

The Great Angel a Study of Israel's Second God by Margaret Barker (a rich and dense read though Margaret's feminism biases her work occasionally)

Right now I'm 1/3 way through Margaret's book temple mysticism

On spiritual warfare front (the theology of these are very mixed bags roughly half utility half junk)

The Water Realm by Uzor Ndekweu

The Queen of the Coast, Defeating the Python Spirit, and Monitoring Spirits by Prayer M. Madueke. 1/5 through his book on Leviathan.

I've heard some on the forum mention the commentary on James that might be a good place to start anything bible adjacent is good.
I just finished reading the Greek Scriptures again. Probably continue with the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, etc... I should review the Hebrew Scriptures, but some parts are difficult for me to assimilate. Especially those parts that have to do with animal sacrifices, I suffer a lot with it. Nor is it easy for me to read certain violent events in the history of Israel, too much bloodshed.

On the other hand, I am currently reading about a treatment for many diseases called CDS (Chlorine Dioxide). The experiences on its use are very positive. In countries like Bolivia, it has come to save many lives affected by Covid and also by the vaccine. There are also many experiences of the cure of many diseases, including cancer. I wonder how many treatments have been kept hidden by the elite, preventing the cure of many diseases.
 

The God Pill

Well-known member
I just finished reading the Greek Scriptures again. Probably continue with the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, etc... I should review the Hebrew Scriptures, but some parts are difficult for me to assimilate. Especially those parts that have to do with animal sacrifices, I suffer a lot with it. Nor is it easy for me to read certain violent events in the history of Israel, too much bloodshed.

On the other hand, I am currently reading about a treatment for many diseases called CDS (Chlorine Dioxide). The experiences on its use are very positive. In countries like Bolivia, it has come to save many lives affected by Covid and also by the vaccine. There are also many experiences of the cure of many diseases, including cancer. I wonder how many treatments have been kept hidden by the elite, preventing the cure of many diseases.
NT & major prophets heart,core and fine meat of scripture 👍

I was listening to about thirteen hours of podcasts recently on Leviticus can't say how much it might help but apparently sin offerings and guilt offerings as a translation is reading the new testament into the old some translations the past fifty years have used the terms purification and reparation instead. One would have to tune out his trinitarianism of course and I don't know if anyone has the time for it but in case it'd help going through the pentateuch more frequently here's a link


On the warfare front I think it helps to bear in mind the spiritual dimension to the warfare like the conflicts between the israelites and Jesus/Michael as Israel's prince and his father's representative vs the Moabites and Chemosh.
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
@BARNABY THE DOG.

Pre bible students protestantism is probably the best historic era for me to dig into now great choices 👍

@White Stone

I understand yes catholics love Ignatius because 50-100% of his letters are pro catholic forgeries. Justin and Iraneus are nice albeit not without a few errors. Apostasy definitely accelerated early third century.
Then go for William Fuller. His writings are probably the most comprehensive on the emergence of Protestantism. Abel Redevivus: The Dead Yet Speaking. Fuller 1651, is another of his worth reading on the early emergence of struggles for the truth, especially when you think that Taze Russell was only 220 odd years down the line and the re-emergence of the Truth. These early writers in the English language - as opposed to the obscure Latin used by the church - form the free basis on which the Modern freedoms of biblical research began to develop…and which Watchtower are now trying to limit, given that one is cut off (figerative execution) for daring to think outside the box. Makes you think that some of these early writers gave their lives for that which watchtower now seeks to limit to the thinking of man on pain of spiritual cutting off.
 

Cherry

Well-known member
NT & major prophets heart,core and fine meat of scripture 👍

I was listening to about thirteen hours of podcasts recently on Leviticus can't say how much it might help but apparently sin offerings and guilt offerings as a translation is reading the new testament into the old some translations the past fifty years have used the terms purification and reparation instead. One would have to tune out his trinitarianism of course and I don't know if anyone has the time for it but in case it'd help going through the pentateuch more frequently here's a link


On the warfare front I think it helps to bear in mind the spiritual dimension to the warfare like the conflicts between the israelites and Jesus/Michael as Israel's prince and his father's representative vs the Moabites and Chemosh.
Thank you very much for your recommendation. The problem is that I am Spanish and I do not speak English. Everything I share in the forum, I translate first with Google translate.
 

Sunshower

Well-known member
I should review the Hebrew Scriptures, but some parts are difficult for me to assimilate. Especially those parts that have to do with animal sacrifices, I suffer a lot with it. Nor is it easy for me to read certain violent events in the history of Israel, too much bloodshed.
I have the same problem with the animal suffering. Especially the cutting of the tendons of the horses 😢 Why not just kill them?
 

Patricia

Well-known member
This isn't reading material but, yesterday hubby and I watched the movie "Luther" done in 2003. I've read about Martin Luther before but the movie brought things to life. It seemed pretty true tho the history I've read of him. It is faith strengthening to see those who have taken a stand for truth under extreme pressure and didn't give in even in the face of death. We watched a movie a while ago about the apostle Paul that was fairly good too.
 

The God Pill

Well-known member
This isn't reading material but, yesterday hubby and I watched the movie "Luther" done in 2003. I've read about Martin Luther before but the movie brought things to life. It seemed pretty true tho the history I've read of him. It is faith strengthening to see those who have taken a stand for truth under extreme pressure and didn't give in even in the face of death. We watched a movie a while ago about the apostle Paul that was fairly good too.
I'll check out Luther. Was the Paul film Paul apostle of christ or another one?
 

White Stone

Well-known member
Have you already read the Didache? It was an interesting book. Much like an organizational book or community rule. And at the end, has an interesting take of the prophecy regarding Christ’s coming.
 
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