Reading Challenge Update

I’ve finished my third week of reading The New Testament.  I’m really almost through – it’s crazy!  I really enjoyed Luke this week.  And I’ve had some more thoughts about Mark.  The Bible Dictionary suggests that Mark might have been written at the request of church leaders.  In that sense, Mark is a straight-forward account of his experience and certainly a valuable testimony to the reality of the Savior’s life and mission.  Luke’s testimony seemed full of little details that brought scenes to life.  I also read quite a few Pauline epistles this week, as well as the letters of Peter.  I love the way they all begin and end the same way – it’s like a little insight into the standard letter format of the times (at least among church members).  Most of the reading this week dealt with the tension between the Law (mosaic) and the Atonement.  Over and over Paul emphasizes that the Law never could save anyone and certainly has no efficacy now that the Atonement has occurred.  It is easy to see how some passages are used to say that our works aren’t of any use, it’s all grace.  But then there are lots of passages where Paul advocates all kinds of “works”.  What he really is saying is, “stop living the Law of Moses – it’s unnecessary.  Start living the spirit – follow the Savior – be like Him – stop getting hung up about who is circumsized.”  I thought a lot about our General Conferences, and the monthly message from the prophet in the Ensign.  Many of the themes that Paul covered, in terms of repentance, living a good life, loving others, seeking grace – these are themes that we receive from the prophet and apostles also.  Kindof interesting to think that even though we are separated by so many centuries, things really don’t change that much.