Hi Everyone! My name is James Benjamin Emerson. I go by “Ben” but I like the “J.” So whenever you see me online, you will see me as “JBen.” I hope that was plenty confusing for you.
Yes, it’s been done before. Just Google “blogging the Bible.”
Yes, it’s going to take me a long time; six years by my reckoning.
But I don’t care. I’ve never done it before. And that is what matters.
I grew up in the Church. I know my way around the Bible and know the overarching story. But I have never read the whole thing. I’ve never sat down to go through that book from cover to cover.
During a time of prayer with some other staff from InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, I felt the strong urging to do this. So this blog is my act of obedience. This blog is me saying yes to an invitation.
What You Will Find
Each entry contains my thoughts and reflections on a chapter of the Bible that I have read. I study the chapter using a method called Inductive Manuscript. Then I write whatever comes to mind.
Sometimes it is analytical
Sometimes it is emotional
Sometimes it is laughable
Sometimes it is insightful
So come along for the ride! Everyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to share their own thoughts, reflections, jokes, and questions.
The Whole Dang Thing 
This is WONDERFUL! I’m looking forward to reading all that you post, and I’m adding your blog to my blogroll today.
Fantastic! I am glad you like it. Thanks for adding me to the blogroll! Feel free to chime in with your thoughts whenever you want. The more the merrier. Peace!
Thanks for sharing. Your post is a useful cottirbunion.
Hi Ben – I just “met” you at Blog Rocket and am very interested in your blog. Last year I read The Year of Living Biblically and found it both hilarious and insightful. Having grown up in a world where the Bible was used to manipulate and abuse, I find it very difficult to even want to read it. I’m interested in your project though, and look forward to reading more. 🙂
I totally understand. Hopefully none of that will happen here. I am way more interested in asking questions and trying to see things I have never seen before. I am reading an AJ Jacobs book now (The Know It All) and I think it is pretty great. I might have to read the living biblically one sometime soon. You are welcome to chime in with any thoughts or questions or humorous observations. I welcome all!
Hey just came across this from Rachel Held Evans’ blog. I’m in InterVarsity in Iowa and love doing manuscript study too! Really excited about this project – and you have officially been added to my reading list. Best of luck!
Huzzah! Are you a student? At UI? If so, say hi to Tony and Sherami for me.
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Hey! I just wanted to say this is really cool and I’m having fun reading your blog. It’s super encouraging because I’m starting my own ambitious project that will probably also take years. I’m in IV at UO at stumbled upon your blog by randomly clicking on blog links from another blog. I had no idea I knew who you were until I realized that your name and picture looked really familiar – small world!
p.s. HUZZAH!!!
Fun! Next time we are in the same place, introduce yourself to me since I am having trouble putting a face to the name. Glad you like the blog! What is your project?
I’m hand writing all the books of the Bible and turning them into separate books without chapter/verse numbers. It’s been really awesome (and tedious) so far because it helps me focus and slow down and I’ve noticed so many things I never have before.
Wow. It is one thing to read it all. It is quite another to write it. how far are you?
I’ve done 5 chapters of John 🙂
Have just started a similar journey, done at least half of Genesis. I don’t know how long it will take to the end of Revelation but am willing to keep it going. I will come here to see your thoughts every now and then!
Keep going!
Great! You are most welcome. So, less than one book in so far . . . What do you think?
A lot of interesting things that hitherto I wasn’t aware of before. But am in all, am having fun doing it
Why have you given up on your learning more about the truth?
I told my grmhnaotder how you helped. She said, “bake them a cake!”