If I wanted to find out more about Christianity, where would I start?

[BeauJangles]

Hey guys,

maybe a year ago I started a thread asking some basic questions about Christianity and its beliefs. The response I received was overwhelmingly positive and a few of you really helped answer some questions I had. I don't have the link to the original thread, but here's a short summary of myself:

I'm a non-practicing Jew, 21 years old. I don't really believe in God, but I think religion is fascinating stuff. I'm NOT looking to become a Christian, I'm just looking to explore different beliefs about how the world works.

So, my question is, how do I go about learning more about Christian beliefs? I visited a bunch of websites aimed at college kids, but I found them stupid. They mostly were aimed at arguing why God must exist, which is really a silly argument to me - religion requires faith, not a logical explanation. A few weeks ago I tried picking up the Bible and reading parts of it. What I did read I found very interesting, but I don't have enough time these days to devote to pouring through a 2,000 year old text cover-to-cover.

Does anybody have any tips? Advise? Selections to read? Websites to visit?

I'm not comfortable going to a church or anything like that.

 

[loup garou]

Why aren't you comfortable going to a church? You don't have to go to mass. You can just call and make an appointment with a priest, explain your situation and I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any questions you might have...

Otherwise, go to the library.

 

[archiloco]

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

everything you ever wanted to know

 

[Biggerhammer]

I'm a Christian. I can answer questions if you wish, though I'm not realy affiliated with any particular flavour of church.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
Hey guys,

maybe a year ago I started a thread asking some basic questions about Christianity and its beliefs. The response I received was overwhelmingly positive and a few of you really helped answer some questions I had. I don't have the link to the original thread, but here's a short summary of myself:

I'm a non-practicing Jew, 21 years old. I don't really believe in God, but I think religion is fascinating stuff. I'm NOT looking to become a Christian, I'm just looking to explore different beliefs about how the world works.

So, my question is, how do I go about learning more about Christian beliefs? I visited a bunch of websites aimed at college kids, but I found them stupid. They mostly were aimed at arguing why God must exist, which is really a silly argument to me - religion requires faith, not a logical explanation. A few weeks ago I tried picking up the Bible and reading parts of it. What I did read I found very interesting, but I don't have enough time these days to devote to pouring through a 2,000 year old text cover-to-cover.

Does anybody have any tips? Advise? Selections to read? Websites to visit?

I'm not comfortable going to a church or anything like that.

anywhere but here. this is the most anti-religious palce i have ever seen.

 

[MiniDoom]

What?s wrong with Judaism? They are two very similar religions.

 

[kalster]

P&N

 

[JasonSix78]

Originally posted by: Biggerhammer
I'm a Christian. I can answer questions if you wish, though I'm not realy affiliated with any particular flavour of church.

Same here. OP, The best way to find out more would be to read the 4 Gospels in the New Testament. Those 4 books have pretty much all the basics. 1st Corinthians and Romans have some good info as well.

-Jason

 

[QED]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
Hey guys,

maybe a year ago I started a thread asking some basic questions about Christianity and its beliefs. The response I received was overwhelmingly positive and a few of you really helped answer some questions I had. I don't have the link to the original thread, but here's a short summary of myself:

I'm a non-practicing Jew, 21 years old. I don't really believe in God, but I think religion is fascinating stuff. I'm NOT looking to become a Christian, I'm just looking to explore different beliefs about how the world works.

So, my question is, how do I go about learning more about Christian beliefs? I visited a bunch of websites aimed at college kids, but I found them stupid. They mostly were aimed at arguing why God must exist, which is really a silly argument to me - religion requires faith, not a logical explanation. A few weeks ago I tried picking up the Bible and reading parts of it. What I did read I found very interesting, but I don't have enough time these days to devote to pouring through a 2,000 year old text cover-to-cover.

Does anybody have any tips? Advise? Selections to read? Websites to visit?

I'm not comfortable going to a church or anything like that.

I would just stick to reading the Epistles-- and try to find the stories behind them. For each epistle, ask what needs or circumstances prompted the letters to be addressed to that particular group or church...

Also, there are a few good books on the history of the early Church (first and second generation) which treat the matter with good objectivity.

I would not rely on a Catholic website, or for that matter, denominational protestant website to try to learn the beliefs of true Christianity... like a document that has been photocopied multipe times, most denominational churches bear only the vaguest hints of their true origins... Go to the original source and learn there.

 

[Runes911]

Originally posted by: sao123
anywhere but here. this is the most anti-religious palce i have ever seen.

QFT! Hold on...

Originally posted by: sao123
anywhere but here. this is the most anti-religious palce i have ever seen.

QFT AGAIN because its that bad...

 

[Accipiter22]

try the bible, or go to a church and find a friendly clergy person to talk to...you can PM me if you want, I like talking about that stuff

 

[Accipiter22]

www.catholic.org

 

[Kyteland]

You're not going to find a better source than sitting down and reading the Bible and interpreting it yourself. The second step is to find an open minded member of the clergy and talk with them. They're a lot more common than you think.

 

[xirtam]

You can PM me if you'd like.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Never read any of his work, but one of the most prolific authors on the subject of Christianity is Josh McDowell.

Other than that, I guess just reading The New Testament from Matthew to Romans would give you the core of Christian belief.....but throw in James and Hebrews for some powerful insights.

 

[dquan97]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Never read any of his work, but one of the most prolific authors on the subject of Christianity is Josh McDowell.

Other than that, I guess just reading The New Testament from Matthew to Romans would give you the core of Christian belief.....but throw in James and Hebrews for some powerful insights.

agreed!

 

[Theb]

You might not want to read the whole bible in one go. This site lets you skip around to just the good parts.

 

[NiteWulf]

Don't know of any good online resources without researching, but I can help answer any questions you have. I'll try to give the biblical answer with proper reasoning and not my own.

 

[Sentinel]

IMHO I would call around to a few different denomination churches. ie. Christian Non-Denominational, Lutheran, Catholic. Get some different perspectives from different Pastors/Priests. They can tell you more than you can read online.

 

[mattocs]

Go to a local library...check out the fiction section


No, but really, a library probably has a lot of books on the topic.

 

[ironcrotch]

Find a non-dom church in your area and go one sunday. And when they ask if for first timers raise your hand. Church congregrations are some of the most welcoming people you will ever meet.

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: ironcrotch
Find a non-dom church in your area and go one sunday. And when they ask if for first timers raise your hand. Church congregrations are some of the most welcoming people you will ever meet.

Of course they are, they want that 10%.

 

[deftron]

The New Testament ?

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: Runes911

Originally posted by: sao123
anywhere but here. this is the most anti-religious palce i have ever seen.

QFT! Hold on...

Originally posted by: sao123
anywhere but here. this is the most anti-religious palce i have ever seen.

QFT AGAIN because its that bad...

I'd quote this 100 times if it wasn't going to get me banned...

I am a Christian too but will NEVER argue for Christianity's side here again because NO ONE here can understand faith.

Anyway, reading the Bible is the best way to understand Christianity. You can read websites and read other books all you want, but you will always be picking up someone's opinion or interpretation of what the Bible says. Just read it for yourself - it does an amazing job of explaining itself, better than most give it credit for. you don't have to read the entire thing to understand it, either. Being a Jew you probably are familiar with the OT. I'd suggest starting with John, then Romans, then read the rest of the gospels. Don't miss Ephesians, Galations, the Timothys, and Philippians.

 

[Jfrag Teh Foul]

I would start by reading this... it really encompasses a lot of a Christian belief, and what to expect and what's expected after salvation.

After that, I would study the scripture quoted in that book in a NIV Bible. That would get you into some good info fast.

My $.02