I’m a 27 year old Italian-Mexican male. I was raised in a Roman Catholic household. I went to CCD. I went to church. I said the Our Father every night at my bedside. Most of my formative years were spent as a devout Catholic. I was so much a Catholic that when it came time for first confession, I was so ashamed of myself that I wouldn’t go. Since that time, I haven’t taken communion. I have been back to church many times and there is a large part of me that still holds on to the belief in God and Jesus although I have studied and believed in many different religions. In my youth, I read most of the Bible, in parts. I have now decided to read the whole Bible and try to fathom a new understanding of God and my beliefs.
I started reading tonight, with a hope that I would find truth and faith. Unfortunately, from the first sentence, everything I read inspired doubt instead of belief. Somehow, my questioning nature has played against me in my pursuit of a newfound faith in God. I am asking the help of the Teeming Millions to dissect and find understanding in the Bible. Obviously, this relies mainly upon the Christians and Jews (and maybe even Muslims(for the OT at least)) a lot, but I would like the input of any who can offer analysis of my questions. Hence the reason I am pursuing help here, as opposed to a Christian board or discussion forum. This is going to be a slow process, as I am almost in need of line by line assistance. I realize Bible study or consultation of books and clergy may be in order, and perhaps I will use those sources as well but, as a start, I hope you will assist me here.
FYI, I am reading a Marian Edition Catholic Bible. Feel free to correct the syntax and wording from your bible of choice if it will add clarity to the subject matter.
Thanks,
Demo
Genesis 2.2 We all know the story of creation and, at this point, I feel a debate on the seven days would be fruitless. This is a debate I have no interest in at this juncture. My first catch is the sabbath. “And He rested on the seventh day from all the work He had done.” Why would God need to rest? This doesn’t make sense to me. If God is all-powerful, etc. then one wouldn’t need to rest. What does this imply to man? What is the significance of the sabbath?
2.8 “God planted a garden in Eden, to the East” East of what? From reading, it is obvious that the garden is in Persia, but from what refference point is east?
2.9 There is a tree of life and a tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I have no problem with the good and evil so far, but what is the tree of life? Why is it mentioned, if not to be reffered to later?
I think this is more than enough for now. This should, and I’m sure has inspired enough debate for years. Due to the nature of the discussion, let’s try not to get too deep into the individual subjects, and focus on the goal of comprehension of the bible. Please let me know if the format of questions can be changed to better suit the discussion.
Again, thanks for your help.