Tea-ology #1 (KJV)

• A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9
• O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23
• But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. Psalms 40:17

I had big plans for the start of the year. Everything was put on pause when I got sick on January 1. It was weeks before I felt well enough to even begin thinking about getting around to those plans. What I once was so confident about, I was now feeling a bit overwhelmed. Not discouraged. Not "ultimately" frustrated. Just overwhelmed. 

[For the record, my "big plans" or "grand goals" was to kick off my year of reading and rereading and rereading and rereading and rereading the King James Bible. I wanted to LIVE in this translation. I wanted to celebrate it. Show my gushy-love and affection.]

I got a slower start to reading the King James Bible than I wanted. I went from spending HOURS a day reading the Bible to spending hours a day napping. When I was awake and sitting up, I wasn't always able to read in a way to which I'd grown accustomed. But closeness to God is not determined by closeness to his Word.

My "baby steps" included finding a King James audio bible on YouTube. I listened to Psalms. The familiarity of the Psalms brought much peace. 

I did eventually start in a physical Bible. Though not the one I necessarily "wanted." It was a 'spare' thrifted Bible of the Rainbow Study Bible sort. I've put that one aside now that I'm feeling better. I'm currently reading the KJV Creedal Bible, published by Holman. It is larger print. 

But what is really exciting me at the moment is finding a One Year Bible for Women in the King James Bible for $3. I've never used a One Year Bible before. I am reading one "day" in the morning and another "day" in the evening. At least until I catch up in time. Maybe I will keep it up even after I catch up in time. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Tea-ology #1

The "first" Bible I'll be journeying through is the New Chronological Bible by World Bible Publishers from 1980. It is the King James Version of the Bible. It is "large print" and black letter. It is edited by R. Jerome Boone. The chronological arrangement seems to be the work of one man. 

Even before the table of contents, we have our first "help" which is Salvation in 4 words: 

• Salvation Needed Romans 3:3
• Salvation Provide 1 Peter 2:24
• Salvation Offered Ephesians 2:8
• Salvation Accepted 1 John 5:12

The Bible is arranged in an outline with twelve major headings.

1. Development of the Early World
2. Development of Israel as a Tribe
3. Development of Israel as a Nation
4. Development of Israel as a Kingdom
5. Division of Israel into a Dual Kingdom
6. Survival of Israel in the Southern Kingdom
7. Captivity of Israel in Babylonia
8. Restoration of Israel as a Nation
9. Preservation of Israel During the Intertestamental Period
10. Inauguration of the Kingdom of God on Earth
11. Continuation of the Kingdom of God on Earth
12. Consummation of the Kingdom of God on Earth 

The earliest section, so far, is the most choppy. I don't envy anyone the task of trying to mix and blend the whole Bible into a grand opening. (I personally would not mess with Genesis 1:1, but that is just me)

Here is how Boone worked it:

Psalms 93:2

Psalms 90:2

Colossians 1:17

John 1:1-2

Proverbs 8:12-31

Genesis 1:1

Genesis 2:4

Genesis 1:2-5, 6-8,

Genesis 2:5-6

Genesis 1:9-13, 14-19, 20-23, 24-26, 

Genesis 2:7

Genesis 5:1

Genesis 2:18-25

Genesis 3:20

Genesis 1:27

Genesis 5:2

Genesis 1:28-31

Genesis 2:2-3

Genesis 2:1

Isaiah 45:18

Colossians 1:16

John 1:3

Isaiah 14:12-15

Ezekiel 28:13-16

Genesis 2:8-17

Genesis 3:1-7, 8-24

Any arrangement is going to obviously reveal the theological belief system of the arranger, the editor. For example, in this instance the interpretation that Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 refer to Satan's fall. 

I started reading on November 29, 2023. The first day I "roughly" read Genesis 1-11 and the book of Job. Job was uninterrupted (which was nice). The opening bits were choppy in my opinion. The second day (which is not over yet) I've read of Abram/Abraham through the birth of Jacob and Esau. So roughly Genesis 11-26.

I am enjoying the font type, font size, and double column layout. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible