The ESV Church Bible is an affordable, practical choice for churches to use as part of their weekly worship services or outreach, featuring all-new typesetting, a durable cover, woodfree paper, and a sewn binding.
CamelCamelCamel.
@Serious Lee: The name “Lucifer” is derived from the Latin words “lux” (light) and “ferre” (to bear), meaning “light-bearer”
In ancient Roman mythology, Lucifer was the name given to the planet Venus when it appeared as a morning star.
In the Bible, Lucifer is mentioned in Isaiah 14:12, where it refers to the king of Babylon, who is described as a fallen star.
In this context, Lucifer is not a proper name, but rather a metaphorical description of the king’s former glory and his subsequent downfall.
Is this any good or should I just watch the movie?
The original was good, the remake abit meh imo
Should listen to or watch Jesus Christ Superstar really. The story is much better told, even if most of the good songs go to men. I Don't Know How to Love Him is still a banger tho.
grabs popcorn
I trust that the Ozbargain community can take a light-hearted joke…
*Braces myself. *
Hey, I posted that too.
This christian might be offended when he's reading this in his private jet https://youtu.be/hiHghDYvpBU?si=7SPEFBSqBVLxhaIq
What has that got to do with the Bible or its teachings? Next you'll be talking about the sins of the catholic church.
I've been meaning to rediscover my faith… at the right price
Thanks OP.
God bless 🙏
When are you going to read it? and Where?
In Church on Sunday, where i never attend
Negging this, as there are no holes as advertised 🕳️
How easy is it to just pick up and read the Bible?
Genuine question. I've never read it, and wonder if it's a slog/chore to read or if it's easy enough to get into. I feel it'd be handy to understand biblical references.
Also never been sure how many different versions there are and which one is the best for a beginner.
Fascinating!
The Bible contains historical accounts, adventure, poetry, stories, prophecy, comfort, wisdom, spiritual guidance, laws, teachings, moral guidelines, inspiration & purpose.
It is a good idea to have an understanding of historically significant texts billions of people follow.
Beyond religious importance, the bible has shaped culture, society and individual lives.
It's made up by humans, just like all the other religions and countries and isms
And yeah the bible shaped our past, but not for the better. It served a a justification for the Inquisition, the crusades and many other atrocities. The only good came from the bible is Life of Brian "blessed are the cheesemakers"
"It served a a justification for the Inquisition, the crusades and many other atrocities."
Lols. So not only Biblically illiterate but not too clued up on history either.
You were also created by humams, as us the device you've typed this on. What's your point?
I'm not religious at all, but wow the idiocy and lack of historical understanding in your post is top tier.
'historical accounts ' that were written centuries after the fact and translated and rewritten several times since. It's about as accurate as a Grimm brothers fairytale
@belongsinforums
Completely false. All four gospels were written in the first century, and two of those by eyewitnesses. Paul's first epistle to Corinth was written only 20 years after the crucifixion, and contains a creed that's been dated to within mere months of the cross.
'Early' supporting evidence for Christianity abounds, as it seems does ignorance.
@Ford Prefect: So I'm supposed to believe that a guy did magic tricks for realsies because you said so? Jesus ain't no david blaine
@belongsinforums: @belongsinforums
You're free to believe whatever you like. If I were you, though, I wouldn't want that belief so heavily shaped by such an ignorance of the historical evidence.
By the way, I think you mean David Blaine ain't no Jesus.
'historical accounts ' that were written centuries after the fact and translated and rewritten several times since. It's about as accurate as a Grimm brothers fairytale
Thank you for summing up the problem with New Atheism (as educated atheists themselves call it). Lazily regurgitating things you picked up on the internet somewhere will never be an intellectual substitute for actually reading some history books.
You're entitled to your ill-gotten opinions, but try learning some stuff about some stuff sometime.
@belongsinforums: Oh my mistake. So it was your negative experiences as a child - saddened by the paradoxical nature of flawed human beings espousing a beautiful doctrine of God’s grace and love - which led you to being the worldly, tolerant and open-minded scholar you are now? And somewhere in your humble pursuit of knowledge, engaging with people of differing faiths all around the world and wrestling with the “why” of it all you became a learned expert in theology?
Yeah now that we’ve got your backstory I feel like I completely missed that depth of quiet wisdom which truly shines out of what I first (foolishly) thought a trite, bitter, ignorant comment on a bargain forum about a cheap bible.
I would start with the Old Testament, and break down into manageable chunks.
Think about the historical and cultural context. The time period, the geographical setting and the author.
Focus on key themes and start with major sections:
AI can be an assistance in helping to understand and break down Bible passages as you read.
As some of the other repliers have mentioned, the Bible contains many different styles of literature (historical accounts, story-telling, poetry and songs, instructions and explanatory teaching, even direct guidance and exhortation), written by a diverse range of authors. The texts were chosen to be in the Bible hundreds of years after the original texts were written, so they were understandable by people who lived in quite different times to the original writers. So, some parts of the Bible are quite easy to understand 'cross-culturally', particularly those in a story-like manner, ranging from the short parables told by Jesus to biopics spanning the major features of a person's life (Jesus, Esther, Abraham, King David…).
Other texts provide less immediate context and were written by and for people who were experiencing either a different stage of life (grief, joy) or simply lived a very different life (war, small village agricultural life, absolute monarchy, slavery, forced migration) to what you or I may have experience of.
One group of 'pre-'explanatory videos which my friends and myself have found useful can be found at the 'Bible Project' (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/the-story-of-the-bibl…). The Bible Project provide short illustrated videos which provide overviews of the Bible. Short videos are also provided previewing each individual book of the Bible. The videos explain the historical context and how the books fit into the overall narrative of the entire Bible. For those not familiar with Judaeo-Christian narratives, or even for those who are!, the 'Bible Project' goes a long way to demonstrating why Christians continue to find value, inspiration and a purpose-driven life from these texts. Even if those Christians live (at least superficially) very different lives to the original writers and readers of those texts.
+1 For the Bible Project, highly recommended!
The carrot and donkey approach works best ;)
If there is no reward or punishment would you or anyone really follow "god"?
The socio-behavioural micro-economist in me would suggest that just about every human behaviour in relationships could be ascribed to a transactional motive :) I say that knowing that some people have all the social contact they need from playing computer games and reading ozbargain.
But as for me, personally, since my world-view includes a God-Creator, it is just natural to seek to know more about God and seek to have a harmonious relationship with both God and Creation. And that is not transactional in the usual reward/punishment sense. Just as my relationship with family is not transactional in the usual sense, though family does come with love - on a good day, I know this isn't always the case in all families - and responsibility.
MOST people have never read it (cover to cover that is), including most Christians and especially the vast majority of haters. It's a great read, even if you don't believe it it will put you way above most people simply for knowing what's in there. And maybe more importantly what isn't in there. :)
I read it as a schoolboy. A disturbing insight into bronze-age culture, and the origins of the religion. But my faith did not survive the questions it raised. Once you start asking questions, it all starts to unravel.
Its not just all the slavery, genocide, sex and brutality. Also surprising how much in modern Christianity is nowhere to be found in the bible. Even the gospels, if you try to read them with no pre-conceptions, tell a surprisingly different story.
e.g. the afterlife, so important to many. But go looking for the modern Christian story of an ethereal place populated by the spirits of our dead loved ones, and you will not find it.
Heaven is described as a physical place, where we might go after the end of the world, when we rise from our graves. Or the virtuous ascend in the rapture.
"No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man"
It all came as quite a shock, back then!
" But my faith did not survive the questions it raised. Once you start asking questions, it all starts to unravel. "
Huh, that's strange I found the opposite. I spent a good 10-15 years dealing with all the questions I had after I read it for the first time and came away with a high degree of confidence in the veracity of the Bible. But I think I know what you mean, to be fair I did look at the sceptics answers as well as the apologists but the answers in favour of the Bible were vastly superior IMO.
"Its not just all the slavery, genocide, sex and brutality."
I never really understood that objection TBH. To me it lends weight to the authenticity of the writings as it depicts normal human interaction that everyone is familiar with and is not as bad (certainly not worse) than what we see in the 'news' on any given day.
"Also surprising how much in modern Christianity is nowhere to be found in the bible. Even the gospels, if you try to read them with no pre-conceptions, tell a surprisingly different story."
Yes. And there are historical reasons for why things have gone this way, basically when you take the mystery of Christ out of the equation you are simply left with a bunch of rules, and do's and dont's and how-to's and in the process we make God kinda boring. I guess the irony is for those who never bother to read it for themselves, they will never know. The Bible does sound a pretty loud warning about religion as well. And that includes ALL religion, theistic or not, not just the ones people don't like.
"But go looking for the modern Christian story of an ethereal place populated by the spirits of our dead loved ones, and you will not find it."
Nope. Not in the sense that it is portrayed in the Church and even in western culture at large. There is 'something' going on though. :)
"No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man"
Ecclesiastes?
"It all came as quite a shock, back then!"
It would shock a lot more people too if that were ever preached from the pulpit. If you can apprehend that truth (or be apprehended by it?) then a whole new world starts to open up around you.
Thanks for replying. Nice to hear from someone that has actually read it for a change. :)
@EightImmortals: Ecclesiastes is a real eye opener. One can learn a lot about the folly of chasing things that don’t bring happiness.
“There is nothing new under the sun”.
You are not wrong, @bargaino, regarding heaven as described in the Bible - and as believed by the Jews in the days of Jesus - bears only passing resemblance to Hollywood depictions. And, yes, what many Christians believe about heaven is often more influenced by the depictions on television, words placed in the mouths of TV clergy and Hallmark cards than what is described in the Bible!
Heaven is described as having physical presence, you are correct, and intersects with the here and now https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/heaven-and-earth/. A pretty confronting idea, for Christians as well as Hollywood producers!
Oh, as to the original question about which translation is reasonable for a first-time reader, ESV is one good choice among many. Another poster suggested New Living Translation (NLT), which is good too!
@Frunk
Good on you for the genuine question and interest.
A good study Bible is the best way to start reading a physical version. I'd recommend either ESV or NIV - you can't go wrong with either.
In the digital world, I really enjoy Through the Word. It's free, unless you opt to donate, and provides fantastic reading plans and chapter-by-chapter audio commentary. You can choose to read along yourself, or listen to the Bible audiobook style.
I was in the same boat a few years ago.
This ESV translation is very awkward to read. I'd suggest pick up the New Living Translation and just read the new testament. Don't bother with the old testament, if you really wanna read, skip Leviticus and something else that I can't remember (they are soooo boring).
It's nice to give it a go. It's the best selling book in history after all, but it really doesn't matter if you don't read it.
If you like audio books, try listening to the bible read by David Suchet (the actor who plays Priorot).
Gospel of Mark is a good one to be start with.
Massively late to the party but wanted to respond.
One thing that I didn't see anyone else bring up is that it helps to know what you are hoping to get out of it.
For example, if you're looking for primarily entertainment purposes, then something like the book of Esther has a strong narrative and engaging plot so you might find it enjoyable.
If you are interested in exploring Christianity from a point of wanting to find out what Christians believe that makes them a Christian, and/or being open to becoming a Christian yourself, then one of the Gospels (Matthew/Mark/Luke/John) contain the account of Jesus' life and may be a good and easy starting point.
If you are interested in poetry and/or the Bible's literary significance, then something like Job could be interesting to you. I personally don't enjoy it, but I don't really care for poetry.
If you are interested in historical accounts (that Christians would generally consider to be real history) then books like 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles may be of interest.
Amen OP
Can someone explain all the upvotes?
Is this some kind of in-joke that I'm just not getting?
I don’t get it either. Didn’t think there were this many believers and lovers of the Bible here.
I'm not one myself, but knowing a few churchgoers many are extremely stingy good bargain-hunters. That might explain why they're here, and why this has a bunch of upvotes.
Bargain hunting therefore is the true uniting force not xtianity
I am a churchgoer and also extremely stingy, your hypothesis has merit.
But surely churchgoers will already have their own bible. I really hope they're not collecting more to inflict upon others.
Well, at one level, this particular edition of an English translation of the Bible is currently sales ranked at #11 in Australian Amazon books. Sure, there are two cookbooks by 'RecipeTin Eats', children books and even toilet humour above #11. However, unlike the books ranked higher, one or two popular English translation of the Bible will still somewhere around the top #100 next year, and for many years (and decades) after that. Even though you can legitimately and legally read or download decent English translations (including ESV) online and without a fee. Also, RecipeTin Eats can't appear on Ozbargain yet, because it isn't on special…
Yeah, nahhhhh.
Wow! Any bargains of the Quran?
You mean Holy Bible version 3.0?
Got you fam: leatherbound edition black friday sale 36% off, great ratings, lots of buyers: https://www.amazon.com.au/Holy-Quran-Arabic-English-Translat…
Downvoted for sharing a requested bargain?
How unOzBargainlike.
pretty sure you can go to a local mosque and get one for free
Careful now. Remember charlie hebdo?
I read wooodfire paper. My bad, sorry.
Hmm expensive toilet paper…
wow i've been holding out for this. Thank GOD
I needed to restock on emergency tp, thank you so much!
You can use it for your mouth diarrhea 🤡
"Religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool."
Mark Twain
Thank you for the reminder
Satan and Adam and Eve?
"90% of quotes attributed to me, I never said." - Mark Twain.
Though he did write: "The Christian's Bible is a drug store. Its contents remain the same, but the medical practice changes."
and "It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand."
Haha shhh don't spoil the fun. Misquoting Twain, Gandhi, Einstein or indeed the bible is a great litmus test of the intellectual credibility of the commenter.
It's like seeing an IQ test result that simply says "please don't kick me while I'm down"…
such a violent R rated fan fiction.
I was scammed by this for a long time.
There are better scams than a bronze age cult's primitive laws trying to assert themselves as important, and far better fantasy fiction than these frankly poorly written fairy tales from primitive writers who couldn't pass a modern day highschool writing class.
Nobody took me from the cult. And the way you rationalize somebody leaving the cult is like a child rationalizing how santa will get around a storm. It's embarrassing that adult humans are turned into these pitiful little make believe writers to try to build up a series of fantasies to shield themselves from facing that they've been indoctrinated into a cult.
Do you beleive "cult" is a bad/offensive word?
@MEGASERVE: Do you believe using weaponized crocodile tears to try to beat down people being honest when talking about the cult is bad/offensive to decent and honest people everywhere?
Decent and honest people don't try to manipulate with crocodile tears.
I already got out of the cult. All the practiced manipulations which work on dumb and gullible people not yet inoculated against that BS won't work on me, they just make me remember why the cult is such a nasty and disgusting thing.
@CodeExplode: why bother talking to these people? If they were logical they wouldn't believe this to begin with.
Religion and religious people have done many good things for me in my life. If it weren’t for both, I would probably be in a very bad situation. I recognize that some people have had bad experiences with religion, but for me, it’s one of the reasons I’m alive today. Life can feel quite meaningless, and if the atheists are right about reality, not being alive might seem like a better option.
All organised religion was/is just a way for a few people to gain money and power through the manipulation of a human’s fear of death, and the unknown, through ‘faith’. Faith is spelled S-C-A-M
Been religious all my life and ive never lost any money
@WaddaDouche
At least in the case of Christianity, this is fundamentally wrong.
The historical record is clear: the disciples lived lives of deprivation and persecution, with as many as eleven of the twelve martyred, for their unflinching proclamation that Christ rose from the dead.
This is not controversial; there are multiple ancient sources, inside and outside the New Testament, corroborating the conviction of the disciples that they had encountered the risen Christ. That they truly believed this is not disputed. The only question is WHY they believed it.
@Ford Prefect: such a powerful and inarguable response. Just wish undisputed historical facts like these could actually cause people to pause and mull over their strongly-held (and misinformed) opinions.
Unfortunately it probably won't. The "backfire effect" is well documented in human psychology. This Oatmeal comic (by Matthew Inman) unpacks it in a really interesting, funny way. The clean version is free of bad language.
Mind you, John 3:19-21 (NLT) shows us that we haven't changed much in 2000 years:
"God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed."
@MattyD
Interesting comic, I hadn't seen that before.
When debating skeptics, Dr Frank Turek will often ask, 'If Christianity were true, would you become a Christian?' Overwhelmingly, the answer is no. As he says, people are not on a truth quest, they're on a happiness quest. The tragic irony is that Jesus is the sole provider of the only genuine, pure, impenetrable and everlasting happiness.
100% some flog is going to post a "Quran" deal sometimes soon and people will be upvoting it just to prove how non-racist they are in their own little minds… Probably the same people that downvoted this deal actually, it's usually how it goes… It's the ozbargain way it seems.
Yeah ozb really showed how non racist they were by down voting for non valid reasons lmao. Good job ozbargain!
Can get these for free at so many places, and so the upvotes are just religious zealots championing their cult. Downvote for not a deal due to being much cheaper in other places.
You can get free water from the tap yet people buy bottled water
Jesus would probably be very disappointed in us creating so much plastic bottled water.
Probably also be disappointed in us not providing free water to everyone across the world.
Are we supplying the world with free water in plastic bottles?
Do you think sating "cult" is offensive?
No, just a fact of life.
Don't be offended, I'm just downvoting the deal for not being a deal.
I didnt say i was offended, hence asking if you think it is offensive
@MEGASERVE: I didn't say you were offended. Here's some deals you might be interested in : https://www.amazon.com.au/learn-to-read-books/s?k=learn+to+r…
Do you think trying to shield a cult from being correctly labelled a cult with weaponized outrage is offensive to honest and decent people?
Please provide a link to get deliveres free copies of the esv
I saw all the up votes and immediately thought "Great, a book safe. With a secret compartment. Or maybe a throwing knife in the spine" Imagine my disappointment, but maybe if I read it I'll change my ways and get to heaven ? Nah, I'm good.
A bible as a book safe is a great idea. Then again if you're looking for a book safe when ransacking a house, the bible is an obvious choice…
Should be sold with a guide to cherry picking quotes to justify whatever you want including hating on trans people.
You don’t know much about the Bible then. Jesus doesn’t hate anyone, in fact the people he hung out with at the time were some of the most judged and hated people of the time. Hate the Sin, not the sinner
I'm not talking about jesus I'm talking about a growing tendency to use the bible as justification for selfishness or hate.
Hate the sin? What does that even mean? I can go steal your stuff and I'm still good? What about the person behind it? No judgement should be so without context that it dismisses everything to be so black and white.
Hey, Lucifer was an angel, his name means Lightbringer… His "crime"? He rebelled against da boss… You know the forgiving type that wipe tons of humans out for being " wicked"