Monday, 18 January 2016
Daily Catholic Bible Reading - 17th January 2016
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 66
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011716.cfm
Isaiah 62: 1-5
"As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you"
What?
"and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you."
Er... no thanks!
Psalm 96 1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
As is often the case with these readings, the most interesting verse has been left out. Verse 4 tells us that "God is to be feared above all gods." So how many gods are there?
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Some very detailed information here about how God distributes different manifestations of the spirit to each individual. So for example, one individual will be given knowledge but another individual will get faith.
2 Thessalonians 2:14
This single verse is not very interesting, especially compared to the verses which come just before it which tell us that God sends strong delusions to people who refuse to accept the truth so that they will believe what is not true and will therefore be damned!
John 2:1-11
The famous story of Jesus at a wedding when the wine was running low, so He performs His first miracle - He turns water into wine.
Coincidentally, at around the same time, Hero of Alexandria designed a trick jug into which one could pour water and then pour out wine, or water, or a mixture.
http://himedo.net/TheHopkinThomasProject/TimeLine/Wales/Steam/URochesterCollection/Hero/section8.html
Monday, 11 January 2016
Context
A Christian Apologist accuses me of quoting Scripture out of context, specifically... the "selective excerpting of words from their original linguistic context in a way that distorts the source’s intended meaning."
Not for the first time, this particular Apologist reads the definition of an informal fallacy and gets it wrong. Note the key requirement here is to "distort the source's intended meaning". But who is to say what the "intended meaning" is of a verse in the Bible (or Quran or any Scripture)? The answer of course it that it is Christian, Jewish or Muslim Apologists who provide the so-called "intended meaning" (and often in disagreement with each other). They will never know for sure what the intended meaning was if it's different to what is written.
Another point that the Apologist failed to grasp was that I didn't provide any meaning (intended or otherwise) - I merely quoted Bible verses as written. I think the Bible should be able to speak for itself, otherwise it provides no kind of reference. The apologist went on to give three puzzling examples of what he considers to be me to be quoting the Bible out of context...
Example 1
"Don't look at the wine while it is red." - Proverbs 23:31
I provided no indication of what I may have thought was the intended meaning, so it can't possibly be out of context. As it happens, I think that's a sensible warning about the dangers of alcohol, and I'm fairly sure most Apologists would agree with me. So I provided no contradiction to the "intended meaning" and it seems all sides agree on the "intended meaning". So how is that out of context?
Example 2
"Don't say 'You fool'" - Matthew 5:22
Again, I provided no indication of what I considered the meaning to be, so it can't possibly be out of context. As it happens, I think this is sound advice. The text goes on to say that "anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell" which I think is a bit far fetched, but that doesn't change the meaning of the words I quoted, and it still makes sense even if the hypothetical punishment is a myth. Again, as far as I can tell the Apologist agrees with me on the "intended meaning". So again, how is that out of context?
Example 3
"Don't resist an evil person" - Matthew 5:39
In this example I once again provided no suggestion of what the "intended meaning" might be. I think it's obvious. I think this is not just a sound message but profound message, that speaks for itself. Of course it is reinforced by further verses in the Beatitudes, but they don't change its meaning. And yet again, I'm fairly sure the Apologist and I agree on the meaning of this message, so how is it out of context?
Example 4
However, he cannot explain how the additional text changes the meaning. The verse clearly says that whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. It's interesting to note that your Father who sees you in secret will reward you - but that doesn't change the meaning of the instruction to go to your room. Various versions of the Bible say the same thing...
New Living Translation
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
NET Bible
But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you
Another common strategy for apologists when faced with what appears to be absurd or morally wrong statements in the Bible is to change the context. Two classic methods are:
Find another verse which contradicts the verse they can't defend, and assume the other verse is the "intended meaning". I don't think I need to explain the flaw with that method.
Use the "Bronze Age" context. Typically this requires the Apologist to argue that the verses quoted made sense 3000 years ago, but now we know better and/or our culture is different. That makes sense if we assume people wrote the text, but the Apologist also maintains that the words come from God and God's understanding was infinite 3000 years ago and is infinite today.
Sometimes the Apologist will refer to "the writers" of the Bible. My point is those instructions come from God. So the Apologist can't say God didn't know how to cook pork safely or didn't understand homosexuality or whatever.
My perspective is that it's unlikely God exists, so all of the Bible is probably man made. I judge a commandment according to humanitarian principles. But if the Apologist believes the commandments in the Bible come from God then he or she can't pick and choose the ones that suit them and ignore the rest. But of course, that's exactly what Christians do. IF the context doesn't work, they change the context.
Not for the first time, this particular Apologist reads the definition of an informal fallacy and gets it wrong. Note the key requirement here is to "distort the source's intended meaning". But who is to say what the "intended meaning" is of a verse in the Bible (or Quran or any Scripture)? The answer of course it that it is Christian, Jewish or Muslim Apologists who provide the so-called "intended meaning" (and often in disagreement with each other). They will never know for sure what the intended meaning was if it's different to what is written.
Another point that the Apologist failed to grasp was that I didn't provide any meaning (intended or otherwise) - I merely quoted Bible verses as written. I think the Bible should be able to speak for itself, otherwise it provides no kind of reference. The apologist went on to give three puzzling examples of what he considers to be me to be quoting the Bible out of context...
Example 1
"Don't look at the wine while it is red." - Proverbs 23:31
I provided no indication of what I may have thought was the intended meaning, so it can't possibly be out of context. As it happens, I think that's a sensible warning about the dangers of alcohol, and I'm fairly sure most Apologists would agree with me. So I provided no contradiction to the "intended meaning" and it seems all sides agree on the "intended meaning". So how is that out of context?
Example 2
"Don't say 'You fool'" - Matthew 5:22
Again, I provided no indication of what I considered the meaning to be, so it can't possibly be out of context. As it happens, I think this is sound advice. The text goes on to say that "anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell" which I think is a bit far fetched, but that doesn't change the meaning of the words I quoted, and it still makes sense even if the hypothetical punishment is a myth. Again, as far as I can tell the Apologist agrees with me on the "intended meaning". So again, how is that out of context?
Example 3
"Don't resist an evil person" - Matthew 5:39
In this example I once again provided no suggestion of what the "intended meaning" might be. I think it's obvious. I think this is not just a sound message but profound message, that speaks for itself. Of course it is reinforced by further verses in the Beatitudes, but they don't change its meaning. And yet again, I'm fairly sure the Apologist and I agree on the meaning of this message, so how is it out of context?
Example 4
I stated that there was interesting advice in 1 Timothy 1:4 - Ignore fables and endless genealogies. I added that there are plenty of fables and endless genealogies in the Bible. The Apologist thinks this is out of context quotes several additional verses which follow. But this does not change the meaning of what I said, and I'm happy to include the extra text...
"Instruct people not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith." To which I still add my opinion... Plenty of myths and endless genealogies in the Bible! I generally agree with this opinion, although studying myths can be intellectually stimulating.
Example 5
I stated that according to 1 Timothy 1:10, homosexuals are comparable to murderers. The apologist argues this is out of context and says that "Timothy does not equate homosexuality with murder". Ironically the Apologist has changed the meaning of what I said by substituting my word: "equate" with his word: "comparable".
Anyway, let's assume that was a genuine mistake and look at the whole text to test the meaning of my original statement: According to the Apologist, Verses 2-11 say...
"...the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave-traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me."
The meaning of the text I quoted remains unchanged and if anything the additional text has made it worse! We are given a list of things which are contrary to the teaching of the gospel of God. Those things include murder, homosexuality, fornication, slave trading, patricide, and more. Those things - according to the text - are all in the same category - they are all against the law and against the teaching of God.
Example 6
I stated that according to Matthew 6:6 we should not say our prayers in public but rather go into a room, shut the door, and pray to God in secret. The Apologist states that this has been taken out of context and provides additional text...
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Example 6
I stated that according to Matthew 6:6 we should not say our prayers in public but rather go into a room, shut the door, and pray to God in secret. The Apologist states that this has been taken out of context and provides additional text...
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
However, he cannot explain how the additional text changes the meaning. The verse clearly says that whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. It's interesting to note that your Father who sees you in secret will reward you - but that doesn't change the meaning of the instruction to go to your room. Various versions of the Bible say the same thing...
New Living Translation
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
NET Bible
But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you
Changing the Context
Find another verse which contradicts the verse they can't defend, and assume the other verse is the "intended meaning". I don't think I need to explain the flaw with that method.
Use the "Bronze Age" context. Typically this requires the Apologist to argue that the verses quoted made sense 3000 years ago, but now we know better and/or our culture is different. That makes sense if we assume people wrote the text, but the Apologist also maintains that the words come from God and God's understanding was infinite 3000 years ago and is infinite today.
Sometimes the Apologist will refer to "the writers" of the Bible. My point is those instructions come from God. So the Apologist can't say God didn't know how to cook pork safely or didn't understand homosexuality or whatever.
My perspective is that it's unlikely God exists, so all of the Bible is probably man made. I judge a commandment according to humanitarian principles. But if the Apologist believes the commandments in the Bible come from God then he or she can't pick and choose the ones that suit them and ignore the rest. But of course, that's exactly what Christians do. IF the context doesn't work, they change the context.
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Daily Catholic Bible Reading - 6 January 2016
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
January 6 2016
Lectionary: 214
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010616.cfm
1 John 4:11-18
- God is love
- Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
- There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
Psalm 72: 1-2, 10,12,13
God is great because He rescues the poor when they cry out, and he helps the afflicted when they have no one to help them and he saves the lives of poor people. #Not
1 Timothy 3:16
This is the verse that Christian theologians tend to refer to when explaining that Jesus is God.
However, Jewish theologians don't agree with that at all. They suggest the Christian translation is a corruption of the original text and this verse is not referring to God. You can read a typical Jewish argument here... http://torahofmessiah.org/1-timothy-316-disproving-another-proof-for-messiahs-deity-part-2/
Mark 6:45-54
Following on from yesterday's loaves and fishes, Jesus walks on water and calms the sea. As it happens, Christianity is not the only religion to feature walking on water. It's also found in Buddhist and Hindu texts, the stories of Orion the huntsman, the Aeneid by Virgil and some Native American stories.
With thanks as always to Steve Wells
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
Daily Catholic Bible Reading - 5 January 2016
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
January 5 2016
Lectionary: 213
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010516.cfm
1 John 4:7-10
We should all love each other, love is God, etc. This is good stuff.
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
Psalm 72: 1-4, 7-8
Lots of claims about what God will do, but sadly, He doesn't seem to be doing much of it. Also, there's a bit of cherry-picking going on. Verses 5 and 6 have been skipped over. These verses tell us to fear God throughout all generations. I suppose that kind of message was a bit inappropriate with the general mood of love, so best to leave it out.
Luke 4:18
This is actually quite interesting, if you go back to verse 15 and read the whole section. Jesus is reading the OT, specifically Isaiah. But He ad-libs.
Originally, the words were not a messianic prophecy but Jesus seems to apply them to Himself while He's reading aloud. Also, Jesus adds some additional words that are not in Isaiah. (Or maybe the author of the Gospel of Luke sneaked them in).
Mark 6:34-44
The famous loaves and fishes story. Jesus fed 5000 men (and presumably the women and children too) with just five loaves and two fish - and still has 12 baskets left over. It's nice imagery but what's interesting is that this is a modified version of the story in 2 Kings 4:42-44 where Elisha feeds 100 men with 20 loaves of bread. There are other examples like this in the NT - where Jesus re-enacts an OT miracle, but bigger and better. It's as if the authors of the Gospels couldn't think of any original ideas.
---
With thanks as always to Steve Wells
Commandments of the Day
Here are some of God's commandments in no particular order. The symbols represent:
J Absurd
? Pointless
N Bad
C Good
The EJAT number is a cross reference to the excellent Steve Wells' "Every Jot and Tittle" list. J Absurd
? Pointless
N Bad
C Good
| Date | Bible Reference | Commandment | Type | EJAT # |
| 21/11/2015 | Deuteronomy 25:7-9 | If a man refuses to take his dead brother's wife, she shall loosen his shoe and spit in his face. | J | 537 |
| 24/11/2015 | 2 Chronicles 33:1-7 | Don't put carved image in the house of God. They are evil in the sight of the Lord | ? | 614 |
| 25/11/2015 | Exodus 22:33 | Don't allow people who believe in other gods to live in your land. | N | 137 |
| 26/11/2015 | Exodus 22:18 | Kill witches | N | 103 |
| 28/11/2015 | Proverbs 23:4 | Don't work too hard to get rich | C | 721 |
| 29/11/2015 | Leviticus 19:26 | Do not eat rare meat and don't be a fortune teller | J | 266 |
| 30/11/2015 | Deuteronomy 23:24 | It's OK to eat as many of your neighbour's grapes as you want, but don't put any in a container. | C | 512 |
| 01/12/2015 | Exodus 31:14-15 | Kill anyone who works on the Sabbath | N | 152 |
| 02/12/2015 | Exodus 20:13 | Thou shalt not kill | C | 51 |
| 03/12/2015 | Exodus 35:3 | Don't start a fire on the Sabbath | J | 155 |
| 04/12/2015 | Exodus 13:13 | You must redeem every firstborn donkey by sacrificing a lamb, or breaking the donkey's neck | N | 39 |
| 05/12/2015 | Proverbs 31:6-7 | Give strong drinks to people who are dying, and wine to people who are sad, poor or depressed | N | 752 |
| 06/12/2015 | Matthew 5:39 | Don't resist an evil person | C | 849 |
| 07/12/2015 | James 5:1 | Weep and howl if you are rich, in anticipation of the misery that's heading your way | J | 1266 |
| 09/12/2015 | 1 Chronicles 16:11 | Seek God's face, all the time | J | |
| 11/12/2015 | Proverbs 5:19 | Be satisfied with your wife's breasts | J | |
| 12/12/2015 | Leviticus 19:14 | Don't insult deaf people and don't trip blind people over | C | |
| 13/12/2015 | Matthew 5:22 | Don't say "You fool" | C | |
| 14/12/2015 | Leviticus 15:12 | If a man with gonorrhoea touches a clay pot, it must be broken. But if he touches a wooden pot, it must be rinsed in water. | J | |
| 17/12/2015 | Leviticus 19:29 | Don't make your daughter be a prostitute | C | |
| 18/12/2015 | 1 Chronicles 16:22 | Don't touch my anointed, and don't harm my prophets | ? | |
| 21/12/2015 | Proverbs 23:31 | Don't look at the wine while it is red | ? | |
| 23/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 10:12 | Fear, love and serve God | ? | |
| 24/12/2015 | Levitivus 18:17 | Don't have sex with a woman and her daughter, or her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter | C | |
| 26/12/2015 | Leviticus 19:32 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Leviticus 25:17 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Leviticus 25:36 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 6:2 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 6:13 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 6:24 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 8:6 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 13:4 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 10:12 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 10:20 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 31:12 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 31:13 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | 1 Samuel 12:24 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Proverbs 3:7 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | 1 Chronicles 16:25 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | 2 Chronicles 19:7 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Nehemiah 5:9 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Psalm 33:8 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Proverbs 23:17 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Proverbs 24:21 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Ecclesiastes 5:7 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Isaiah 8:13 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Matthew 10:28 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | Luke 12:5 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | 1 Peter 1:17 | Fear God | ? | |
| 26/12/2015 | 1 Peter 2:17 | Fear God | ? | |
| 27/12/2015 | Proverbs 22:24 | Don't be friends with angry people | N | |
| 28/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 18:10-11 | Don't be a wizard | J | |
| 29/12/2015 | Deuteronomy 22:8 | Whenever you build a new house, put a railing around the edge of the roof. | C | |
| 30/12/2015 | Matthew 5:32 | Don't marry a woman who is divorced | N | |
| 01/01/2016 | Matthew 6:3-4 | When you give to the poor, keep it secret from other people | C | |
| 03/01/2016 | Deuteronomy 7:3 | Don't marry a gentile | N | |
| 04/01/2016 | Revelation 22:18 | Don't add words to the Book of Revelation | C | |
| 04/01/2016 | Revelation 22:19 | Don't take words away from the Book of Revelation | C | |
| 05/01/2016 | Deuteronomy 6:5 | Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. | ? | |
| 07/01/2016 | Exodus 22:16 | If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged and has sex with her, she has to marry him. | N | |
| 08/01/2016 | Leviticus 19:33 | Do not mistreat or oppress foreigners who are living in your land | C | |
| 09/01/2016 | Leviticus 11:13-19 | Don't
eat these birds: - eagle - vulture - black vulture - red kite - black kite - raven - horned owl - screech owl - gull - any kind of hawk - little owl - cormorant - great owl - white owl - desert owl - osprey - stork - any kind of heron - hoopoe - bat. |
J | |
| 11/01/2016 | Deuteronomy 21:18-21 | If parents have a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey them or listen to them, all the men of the city shall stone him to death. | N | |
| 13/01/2016 | Deuteronomy 20:17 | Exterminate the seven Canaanite nations from the land of Israel (i.e. the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites and Girgashites.) | N | |
| 15/01/2016 | Deuteronomy 27:23 | Don't have sex with your mother-in-law. | C | |
| 16/01/2016 | Matthew 6:6 | Don't say your prayers in public. Go into your room, shut the door, and pray to God in secret. | C | |
| 17/01/2016 | Exodus 20:9-10 | Don't do any work on the seventh day. (Not just you but also your sons, daughters, servants, animals and any foreigners in town). | ? | |
| Exodus 34:21 | ||||
| Leviticus 23:3 | ||||
| Deuteronomy 5:13-14 | ||||
| Jeremiah 17:21-22 | ||||
| 19/01/2016 | Ephesians 4:30 | Don't cause The Holy Ghost to feel sad or unhappy. | ? | |
| 21/01/2016 | Deuteronomy 25:11-12 | If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to the rescue, and she reaches out and grabs his genitals, you must cut off her hand and show her no pity. | N | |
| 22/01/2016 | Leviticus 22:28 | Don't kill a cow and its calf on the same day. (Same applies to sheep). | ? | |
| 24/01/2016 | 1 John 4:1 | Don't believe every spirit (just the ones that are from God). | ? | |
| 25/01/2016 | Quran (4:11) | The male shall inherit the equal of the portion of two females | N | |
| (see also verse 4:176). | ||||
| 26/01/2016 | Exodus 23:13 | Don't mention the names of other gods. | ? | |
| 29/01/2016 | Luke 12:5 | "I'll show you the one you should be afraid of. Be afraid of the one who has the authority to throw you into hell after killing you. Yes, I tell you, be afraid of him!" | ? | |
| 01/02/2016 | Deuteronomy 22:11 | Don't wear clothing made of wool and linen together. | ? | |
| 04/02/2016 | Deuteronomy 6:16 | Don't tempt (or test) God | ? | |
| 10/02/2016 | Exodus 20:15 | Don't steal | C | |
| 07/02/2016 | Genesis 17:12-13 | Circumcise your baby boys and any males that you buy from foreigners. | N | |
| 13/02/2016 | Genesis 1:28 | Be fruitful and multiply | ? | |
| 13/02/2016 | Genesis 1:28 | Fill the earth and subdue it | N | |
| 13/02/2016 | Genesis 1:28 | Have dominion over every living thing | N | |
| 15/02/2016 | Genesis 9:3 | You can eat anything that lives and moves | N | |
| 17/02/2016 | Genesis 2:17 | Do not eat from the knowledge-of-good-and-evil tree. (You'll die if you do). | J | |
| 20/02/2016 | Exodus 21:15 | Anyone who strikes their father or mother should be killed. | N | |
| 22/02/2016 | Exodus 21:17 | Anyone who curses or dishonours their father or mother should be killed. | N | |
| 23/02/2016 | Leviticus 15:29-23 | What to do with menstruating women Whoever touches a menstruating woman is unclean until the evening. Everything that she touches is unclean, including anything she sits on. If you touch her bed, you must wash your clothes, take a bath, and you will be unclean until the evening. If you touch anything that she has sat on, you must take a bath and you will be unclean until the evening. | J | |
| 24/02/2016 | Leviticus 21:16023 | Disabled people (or people who have a "defect") are not allowed to approach the altar. God's specific exclusions are listed as anyone who... | N | |
| -Is blind -Is lame -Is disfigured or deformed -Has a crippled foot or hand -Has a hunchback -Is a dwarf -Has any eye defect -Has festering or running sores -Has damaged testicles |
||||
| 25/02/2016 | Leviticus 24:16 | Anyone who blasphemes (or misuses the name of God or curses God) must stoned to death. | N | |
| 28/02/2016 | Jeremiah 7:16 | Don't pray for certain people (i.e. the people of Judah) | ? | |
| 01/03/2016 | 1 Peter 5:8 | Stay alert and watch out for the devil. | C | |
| 05/03/2016 | Psalm 50:15 | Ask God for help if you're in trouble. | C | |
| 08/03/2016 | 1 John 2:15 | Don't love the world or the things in the world. Why? Because if you do, you don't love God. | N | |
| 09/03/2016 | 2 Timothy 2:24 | Don't argue, quarrel or get into heated disputes. Be kind towards everyone, be patient with difficult people, be able to teach and be forbearing. | C | |
| 12/03/2016 | 1 Corinthians 14:37 | If you consider yourself to be a prophet or a spiritual person, you must acknowledge that what Paul writes is the Lord's command. | N | |
| 12/03/2016 | 1 Corinthians 14:38 | And if anyone ignores this, they will be ignored. | N | |
| 14/03/2016 | Deuteronony 22:5 | A woman must not wear men's clothes and vice versa. God detests anyone who does this. | N | |
| 14/03/2016 | 1 Corinthians 14:27 | No more than two or three people should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. | N | |
| 16/03/2016 | Corinthians 14:35 | If a woman has a question about something in church, she should ask her husband at home, because it is disgraceful (or improper or shameful) for a woman to speak in church. | N | |
| 17/03/2016 | Corinthians 14:28 | Don't speak in tongues without an interpreter being present. | J | |
| 24/03/2016 | Proverbs 23:9 | Don't speak to fools. | N | |
| 29/03/2016 | Ecclesiastes 12:13 | Obey God's commandments | ? | |
| 03/04/2016 | Leviticus 3-17 | Don't eat fat or blood. | C | |
| 06/04/2016 | Titus 2:15 | Don't let anyone despise you, or look down on you, or disregard what you say. | ? | |
| 11/04/2016 | Matthew 6:16 | Don't attract attention to yourself when you fast by looking sullen or sad or gloomy, like the hypocrites do. | J | |
| 13/04/2016 | James 5:8 | Be patient, Jesus is coming soon. | ? | |
| 18/04/2016 | Exodus 21:20-21 | A slave owner should not be punished for beating his slave if the slave survives for a day or two. | N | |
| 20/04/2016 | Exodus 22:2 | If a thief is caught breaking into a house and the homeowner kills him, the homeowner is guilty of murder, unless it happens at night. | ? | |
| 27-Apr | Exodus 34:17 | Do not make gods from molten metal (i.e. by casting) | ? | |
| 03/05/2016 | Deuteronomy 23:1 | Men whose genitals have been severed or crushed shall not enter the assembly of the Lord. | J | |
| 06/05/2016 | Leviticus 25:8-9 | Blow a trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month, once every 49 years. | J | |
| 12/05/2016 | 1 Peter 3:15 | Always be ready to explain or defend the reasons for the hope you have to anyone who asks. Do so with gentleness, meekness and respect. | C | |
| 23/05/2016 | Exodus 20:17 | Don't covet your neighbour’s house, wife, servants, ox, donkey, or any of his stuff. | C | |
| 30/05/2016 | Numbers 5:11-31 | If a man suspects his wife of being unfaithful, he reports it to a priest who will make her drink some bitter water (water with dust in it). If she's guilty, the water will make her infertile, and her belly will swell. She might even have a miscarriage. If she's innocent, no harm done. | N | |
| 01/06/2016 | Colossians 2:8 | Beware of philosophy! | ? | |
| 12/06/2016 | Exodus 22:28 | Don't dishonour God or curse your rulers | ? | |
| 15/06/2016 | Leviticus 20:13 | If a man has sexual relations with another male as he would with a women, both have committed a repulsive act. They are certainly to be put to death | N | |
| 26/06/2016 | Exodus 22:19 | Kill anyone who has sex with an animal | N | |
| 26/06/2016 | Leviticus 20:15 | and kill the animal | N | |
| 12/07/2016 | Exodus 20:12 | Honour your father and mother | C | |
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