I read Augustine's Confessions which convinced me to get a Bible (picrel) and I've been reading through the gospels and psalms and proverbs and have decided I want to get more serious about studying the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Can any anons recommend me a good study bible to get over winter break? I was considering getting the Ignatius catholic study bible or the Reformation Heritage KJV study bible but I'm open to any suggestions. I've attended catholic mass a couple times and also intend on trying out a Lutheran and a Presbyterian church nearby, but I was raised in a secular household so I have no idea what I'll end up choosing denomination-wise.There was a thread earlier this week about Machen where someone posted some /lit/ and I got some writings of the Church Fathers and Luther I intend on reading through as well, but aside from that and a few youtube videos from online personalities I'm pretty ignorant so I'd be grateful for any help
>>24952386Dunno I’m baptised Orthodox but was raised secular, got back into it with Othodox study Bible, Philokalia, complete mystical works of meister Eckhart (Catholic), the mystical theology of the eastern church by Lossky, The Mirror Of Simple Souls by Porette, the mystical theology by pseudo-Dionysius. Various Buddhist texts, a meditation practice as well as A Confession by Tolstoy started the journey.
>>24952386I guess I should maybe add that by "raised in a secular household" I should add I wasn't baptised so should I go about doing that right away, or is that something you wait until you decide on which church denomination you want to join as a sort of First Step to becoming a member of that specific church?>>24952397From what I understand the Orthodox church is the leans most into the 'mysteries of the church,' is that what you found so appealing or do you credit it more to your upbringing?
>>24952406You're in luck, all trinitarian denominations consider any other trinitarian denominations baptism to be valid. Not so much with the other sacraments when it comes to orthodoxy or catholicism.
>>24952386If you're going down the Catholic route, then there's two really good study bible options.>Catholic Notetaking/Journaling Bible (NABRE)>Catholic Study Bible Notes, 3rd editionThe notetaking one has a wide margin, for if you're the type of person who writes in his books. If you don't write in your books, then the second option is great too.As well, you should get the standard Catholic Bible commentary.>Jerome Biblical Commentary, 3rd editionOnce you are sure about being a Catholic, you'll want to get a few other collections.>Ecumenical Council Documents>Papal Documents>Code of Canon Law>The Liturgy>Creeds and Profession of FaithIf you're still not sure about if you're going to be Catholic, then the Oxford series would be a safe choice, as it's approved by Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants.>New Oxford Annotated Bible, 5th edition(6th edition is late spring, and it has the updated translation)>Oxford Bible Commentary
BibleTime is seriously underrated. You can download multiple different bible translation and commentaries. Like Calvins or the Catena written by a bunch of early theologians, compiled by St Aquinas. https://bibletime.info/
>>24952406I’m just sceptical in general, I had to know and experience what all the saints were on about to take it seriously, so my interest is in apophatic / via negativa theology.
>>24952411I'm not entirely sure if I'll be going down the catholic route, I just live in a very Catholic city so there's tons of large, beautiful catholic churches nearby which I do find appealing. The reason I was leaning towards the reformed one I mentioned is because I find the kjv language to be really beautiful from a literary standpoint.Ultimately I want a good study bible that won't be TOO biased in how it explains scripture, but obviously any good "study" bible is going to be done theolgians working within some tradition, with some bias. But I want something high quality despite that bias at least.
>>24952386You're all over the place. You shouldn't get a study bible until you've made up your mind on where you'll attend. I'm firmly in the Reformed camp, personally. I'll tell you to go.to.a Reformed Baptist or Presbyterian church, Catholics will tell you to attend mass and submit to the magisterium, and the Orthodox will tell you all kinds of whacky mystical stuff.Can I suggest you actually read the entire New Testament before you decide. I know it's a big decision, it feels overwhelming and there's a desire to gice them all a fair shake, and you should to some extent, but the best thing you can do right now is get into the book and read scripture. Join a church near you and attend regularly. As your understanding of scripture and various church doctrines increases you'll know what to do. Finish the New Testament, 15 minutes a day knocks it out in under 3 months. Check out Ready To Harvest on YouTube for simple explanation of Church doctrine. Check out RC Sproul's various lectures on the Ligonier channel on YouTube. The Holiness of God is an excellent,. excellent book to read at this stage. Don't worry about a study bible just yet, just work through whatever translation you've chosen, pray often and ask for discernment and understanding. Don't expect a perfect repentance, but stay diligent and faithful and your faith and knowledge will mature.
>>24952417>>24952423While the KJV Study Bible is firmly my favorite, the ESV Study Bible is the least "denominational" and more broadly Christian. The RHKJV is explicitly Reformed.
>>24952423He should memorise the small catechism before even touching the bible THOUGH
>>24952427I would suggest reading the Westminster shorter catechism, but since he's wanting to find his own way I would suggest he actually just read the NT first, and focus on more universal Christian stuff, like meditation on the Lord's Prayer, the Apostles' Creed and the 10 Commandments.
>>24952417The Catholics have been taking scholarship seriously for quite some time now, so even the two study Bibles I suggested would still be really solid for a non-Catholic. The Jerome Biblical Commentary, 3rd edition is still great for a non-Catholic, because they're really trying their best to take scholarship seriously. Naturally, there's going to be *some* Catholic bias in it, but less than you'd expect.I'm not familiar with the Reformed Heritage KJV Study Bible, so I can't give you a solid recommendation for it.>https://archive.org/details/the-reformation-heritage-kjv-study-bible/mode/2upFrom what I can see, there's lots of notes and information to help you understand it, but know that it's for the Reformed Church denominations. That's even more specific than the Catholic one.If you really want a KJV Study Bible, I'd suggest Thomas Nelson KJV Study Bible.I'd still push for the Oxford series, personally, but I know the NRSV isn't for everyone.
>>24952431>like meditation on the Lord's Prayer, the Apostles' Creed and the 10 Commandments.You're in look as this is the content of the small catechism plus the two sacraments
>>24952434The.Thomas.Nelson is another good study bible, but I think the ESV Study Bible fits the bill. It's exactly what he's looking for, not particularly denominational but more of a broadly Christian study bible. The ESV is also beautifully translated and maintains a lot of the beauty and flow of the prose in the KJV
>>24952439Yeah but he's not wanting a Lutheran guidebook, he's still discerning his theology. Luther was based though.
>>24952423>>24952431I have actually gone through all of the New Testament but I'm going through it again now while reading psalms and proverbs. You're right that I'm all over the place but I feel I'm in a bind where I dont even quite know what each denomination believes in contrast to one another despite very broad outlines (Pope, Sola Scriptura, double predestination, etc). Therefore I'm worried about committing to a church too early because it seems almost false? But maybe I'm being paranoid. At the very least I'll keep reading Scripture like you say.
>>24952443Check out the Ready To Harvest channel, he breaks down the doctrine and beliefs of many churches. Will be useful for you.
>>24952445>>24952442Also, Ive been in your shoes, and I think attending a church is very important for you right now, though it will be difficult to leave if your understanding and conscience compels you to switch after your faith matures, I speak from experience as I first attended a Church of Christ. I firmly reject their doctrinal beliefs, but loved the people there and it was difficult to break away without some guilt. Still attending worship is worth that risk, it's the most nourishing thing in the world for a Christian.
>>24952440The ESV probably does do what he wants a Bible to do, but I was sticking to him looking for a KJV. The ESV is certainly more enjoyable to read for us, but I know a lot of people want the KJV experience because of how universal it is in the culture.
>>24952449Yes , you're right, it's ideal for his purposes if he wants to stick with KJV.
>>24952445>>24952447Thanks Anon I'll do that...I'll also get baptized as it seems like the obvious proper start no matter what church I end up deciding on.
>>24952386Read the Church Fathers and look into the first six ecumenical councils to get and understanding of basic Christian teaching. All trinitarian denominations affirm the first six so it can be done before choosing a church and will help you learn some basic principles to understand your reading of Scripture through
