/lit/ - Literature

Take it a bite at a time and remain curious. Whenever you have even a mild wonder about something you read, stop and look into it. Read different commentaries by various theologians and churches, try to understand the historical context, etc. Once your curiosity is satisfied and you feel you understand, read the next passage until you have more questions. Repeat until you've read it all.

My recommendation of where to start reading is probably something like the Genesis, then the Gospels, the rest of the Old Testament, then the rest of the New Testament. Alternatively, just read the NT then OT the NT again with your newfound background knowledge. Read often and without ceasing.

>>18997088
Extremely based

>>18963716
>BTW, the OT is useful for context, but you really only need to read the New Testament, and then Psalms and Proverbs
At the risk of sounding uncharitable, this is horrible advice. I could agree with you if you told him to merely start in the NT, but claiming that the OT is somehow unnecessary is ridiculous. You literally cannot fully comprehend some parts of the NT without the context of the OT, it's not just "useful". All of God's Word is of the utmost importance for both learning and teaching the Gospel.

> All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
>That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Tim 3:16-17

>>18929267
You're being very uncharitable, shame on you. We're called to be missionaries of Christ and to help guide others, but you merely spread wickedness. Where is the goodness of your fruits? I'd encourage you to read scripture.

>But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Matt 5:22

>All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:16

To answer the OP, "maybe". One could argue Samson killed himself to ensure the safety of his people by destroying the enemy. Samson was already going to die though, and merely asked God to give him the strength to take Israel's enemies with him. You could argue Jesus in a way "took his own life" by allowing himself to be killed I guess. However, I don't know if outright suicide would ever be condoned. I imagine the preferable choice would be to retain hope in God to deliver you rather than succumbing.

The amount of vitriol in this thread is disturbing for people claiming to be Christians. I would remind them that an uncharitable Christian is an oxymoron. Pray often and strive toward love and kindness.

Mere Christianity is often recommended. I started it once and recall enjoying it but at some point I lost it so I have yet to actually finish it. It's not very long though.

>Pentateuch (First 5 books of the OT, as background)
>Gospels (First 4 books of the NT, first 3 of which are Synoptic)
>Read the entire OT, including Pentateuch (You now understand Jesus' coming and can recognize the prophecies made in the OT)
>Read entire NT, including Gospels
There are lots of ways to read it, but I think this one is the best way to critically read and understand it. I also recommend reading a variety of commentaries on passages that catch your interest, many can be found widely circulating on the web. God bless you.

>>18282417
A person incapable of comprehending their own actions is not disqualified from salvation, such as in the case of a sweet old woman becoming uncharitable due to Alzheimers and being incapable of recognizing it. That being said, this is in a case when our freedom to choose reason is removed. In many cases, although someone's behavior may change due to a tumor or something, they are still somewhat capable of reasoning their actions. In this case, sin knowingly and unrepentantly committed could mean Hell.

Your understanding of "fair" is not God's understanding of it. You have committed your "fair share" of Evil in your life and deserve nothing but Hellfire. However, God freely gives salvation to those who would choose it. God is infinitely just, but that doesn't mean that God doesn't allow us to be tempted. We are imbued with the freedom of choice to follow or to depart from his way, and we are to meet adversity with confidence knowing that to struggle is to grow.

>And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
>4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Romans 5:3-4

Do you want to learn about the Catholic Church and answer your own questions or just to bash the strawman?
If the former, the Summa can probably help. If the latter, pick up some book in the last 20 years by a Pentecostal or Jehova's Witness or something.
>t. Protestant that's growing more disillusioned with Protestants

You are angry, but I forgive you.

>Christianity has a rich tradition of thousands of years of rigorous theology to back it up
>Atheism has a couple pop scientists and a bunch of one liners

Why is this? I can't think of any atheist writers that tried to apply rigorous proof of their beliefs while theists have an entire field of study dedicated to it.