Jeology

07/10/2024

“I’ve never heard anyone else discuss that before…”

I’m certain I wasn’t the first person to recognize the presence of repetition in the Bible, but I am certain that I am the first person, in all my readers’ lives, to bring their attention to its importance in our relationship with the Bible.

07/10/2024

A delayed but heartfelt response from the presentation back in September!

07/10/2024

“I feel like so many people misunderstand God and seeing the Bible like this really proves how much He loves us.”

- My most recent reader of the book “Start Here”

Do you want see the Bible in a way that “really proves how much He loves us”? Then give my books a chance.

05/09/2024

Just in case you didn’t see this.

05/09/2024

Great News!

Someone has agreed to translate my books into Korean!

04/09/2024

We’ve turned discipleship into a sink-or-swim scenario when it comes to the Bible. We tell people they need to read it but fail to teach them how. At best, we hand out reading plans and hope for the best. But Jesus made it clear that how we read the Bible is just as important as reading it. The result? Some grit their teeth and push through, surviving year after year. Others give up by Leviticus, overwhelmed and disheartened, never touching the Bible again. Those who keep reading often do so out of duty, never discovering the joy or depth that’s waiting for them. And we wonder why there's a lack of passion for the Bible.

A recent study by LifeWay Research revealed that only 32% of Protestant churchgoers read the Bible every day. What’s more alarming is that 12% say they rarely or never open it. These numbers suggest a widespread issue—not just a lack of Bible reading, but a lack of Bible understanding. The problem isn’t that people are unwilling; it’s that they haven’t been shown how. We’ve been telling people, “read your Bible,” but we haven’t been walking alongside them to teach them how to read it with purpose and understanding.

Jesus’ method of discipleship was radically different. He didn’t just tell His followers to study the Scriptures; He said, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19). He walked with them, modeled the life He wanted them to live, and opened up the Scriptures to them, explaining how they pointed to Him (Luke 24:27). Jesus didn’t leave His disciples alone to figure it out. He guided them through understanding, application, and transformation. He set an example that we must follow today.

The modern church must embrace this approach. It’s not enough to give people a Bible and a reading plan. Discipleship means walking alongside others, helping them understand God’s Word in a way that transforms their lives. Research shows that people are 4 times more likely to regularly engage with the Bible if they have a mentor or small group that discusses the Scriptures (Barna, 2019). We can’t just throw people into the deep end and expect them to swim. We need to take them by the hand, walk with them, and show them how to engage with the Bible deeply and meaningfully.

If you can’t break down the Bible in a way that others can grasp, admit that you’re just floating, hoping not to drown. Jesus asked, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” (Luke 10:26). If He thought the "how" mattered, why don’t we? Let’s return to Jesus’ method of calling people to “follow me,” leading them by example and walking with them into a deeper relationship with God through His Word.

04/09/2024

The book Start Here provides the most practical approach to reading the Bible by emphasizing the importance of focusing on constants rather than variables. When learning any topic, it's essential to first grasp what remains consistent. By training ourselves to notice the obvious, such as repeated phrases and patterns, we build a reliable foundation for understanding more complex passages. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by new information, Start Here encourages readers to focus on repetition, which reveals the core message of the text and helps unlock the meaning of the entire narrative.

Start Here: The Power of Repetition in Bible Reading (Bible Reading Companion Series)

03/09/2024

The book "Periodic Table of the Bible" draws a parallel between the structure of the Bible and the subject of chemistry. It argues that just as the periodic table is foundational to understanding chemistry, the Torah—the first five books of the Bible—serves as the Bible's foundation. The book emphasizes that a deep understanding of the Torah's structure and purpose is essential for grasping the entire Bible. Without this foundational knowledge, one might miss the coherence and interconnectedness of the biblical narrative, making it the most coherent presentation of the Bible available.

In Chemistry knowing both the nature and the content of the periodic table of the elements is essential to understanding the subject. In the same way, the Bible has its own periodic table. Whether you know the identity and the message the Bible's periodic table will determine whether you understa...

03/09/2024

03/09/2024

This pastor has been in the ministry longer than I’ve been alive, but he was humble enough to recognize that there was something special here.

22/08/2024

Historically, our approach to Bible reading has often resembled the principles of evolution more than a relationship with our Creator. Many people acknowledge that they "should" read their Bibles, and most make an effort to do so. However, this effort often feels like a survival of the fittest, where only the most determined and dedicated manage to persevere. Instead of fostering a genuine relationship with God, Bible reading can become a struggle for survival.

But this isn’t how it’s meant to be. The Bible was given to be understood by everyone, including you. God doesn’t operate on a "survival of the fittest" basis. He doesn’t only love and speak to the most persistent; He wants to speak to all of us. The problem is not with you—it’s that you haven’t been given the right tools to truly connect with the Bible. The Bible is meant to be the voice of God, especially for those who are struggling, uncertain, and seeking guidance. It should be the key that helps us make our decision for God, not a barrier. Clearly, something needs to change.

20/08/2024

30/07/2024

I just realized something profound.

I write because you forget.

God wrote the Bible, because He knows that we are prone to forget.

Simply put, if you don't read the Bible, you will forget.

27/07/2024

Are you a Pharisee in a Wearing a Christian mask?

The modern tendency to prioritize the New Testament over the Old Testament, and to view Jesus apart from the God of the Old Testament, has led to a pharisaical attitude towards the Jesus we claim to believe in. Instead of allowing the Old Testament narrative to introduce us to a promise-keeping God, we become disappointed by unmet desires and expectations from the miracle worker named Jesus. Instead of seeking to know a "faithful" God, regardless of our circumstances, we dwell on our memories of problems we expected Him to solve. Instead of approaching Jesus the way He asked us to (John 5:39; Luke 24:27), we follow in the footsteps of the Pharisees who demanded, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you" (Matthew 12:38). Rather than taking the time to know Him according to the Old Testament (2 Timothy 3:15), we focus on our disappointments and unmet demands.

1. Disconnect from the Old Testament: In many Christian circles today, the Old Testament is often seen as less relevant or even obsolete. This perspective overlooks the foundational role of the Old Testament in revealing God's character and His promises. The Old Testament is not merely a precursor to the New Testament; it is an integral part of the biblical narrative that showcases God's faithfulness throughout history.

2. Misplaced Expectations of Jesus: When we do not ground our understanding of Jesus in the context of the Old Testament, we risk developing unrealistic expectations. We may view Jesus' miracles and teachings as solutions to our immediate problems rather than as signs pointing to the deeper reality of God's kingdom. This can lead to disappointment and doubt when our personal desires are not met.

3. Seeking Signs Over Relationship: This modern attitude mirrors the Pharisees' demand for a sign from Jesus (Matthew 12:38). Instead of seeking a deeper relationship with God and understanding His will, we often seek signs and wonders, expecting Jesus to continually prove Himself to us.

4. Biblical Literacy and Depth: Jesus Himself pointed to the Old Testament to reveal His mission and identity (John 5:39; Luke 24:27). Paul's instruction to Timothy underscores the importance of the Scriptures (which primarily consisted of the Old Testament at that time) for understanding salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15). A thorough engagement with the Old Testament deepens our understanding of who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish.

5. Faithfulness Over Fulfillment of Desires: The God of the Bible is fundamentally a God of faithfulness, as consistently depicted throughout the Old Testament. By focusing on this aspect of God's character, believers can cultivate a faith that trusts in God's overarching plan and timing, rather than being swayed by unmet personal expectations.

In summary, a balanced and comprehensive approach to the Bible, integrating both the Old and New Testaments, leads to a more profound and authentic faith. This approach shifts the focus from what Jesus can do for us to who He is and how He has revealed God's faithfulness throughout history. It fosters a relationship with God that is rooted in understanding and trust, rather than in seeking signs and immediate solutions to our problems.

02/02/2024

Being like Jesus should NOT automatically equal simply being nice. That's like saying that you need to alway be nice to qualify as a good parent.

That's why eternal life is "knowing you the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent". Place the focus on knowing Him rather than fighting over what it looks like be a "good" Christian. That's an unhealthy focus on ourselves and our actions rather than Jesus Himself, the one who defines and displayed what true love is. And if I read my Bible correctly, He wasn't always "nice".

Yes, we are called to show love to all, but let's first define what it means love, please.

01/01/2024

2024 Bible Reading Challenge

01/01/2024

Jeology Bible Reading Challenge

31/12/2023

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23/12/2023

When the world beats you down, open your Bible.

23/12/2023

Find in the Bible the source of strength that you need to get through 2024!

21/12/2023

Do you want to have a heart-to-heart conversation with God on a daily basis? Then read the Bible with me next year!

20/12/2023

Do you want to find rest for your souls? Make the habit of spending time in God's word in 2024!