REG final paper

Joy Prior
Rel A 211 Honors: The New Testament
Section 012
Professor Ogden
April 13, 2011
April 13, 2011
Reading 300 pages
To fulfill the credit for the 300 page of extra reading I read 500 pages from Verse by Verse, The Four Gospels by Daniel Kelly Ogden. Throughout the semester I followed along in the book with what was being read and discussed in class. Reading the commentary prior to class helped me to be mentally prepared for the discussions and my perspective of what it means to study the scriptures has been altered.
My awareness during class was enhanced if I read the commentary prior to the class discussions. My professor Ogden wrote Verse by Verse, The Four Gospels and some days his lectures seemed to quote his book verbatim. This never bothered me, because it helped me to remember what I had read the night prior and the lessons I learned from the written text were parallel but not identical to what I learned from the lectures. When I was prepared with my reading for class the stories of Jesus, his friends, and the parables all became clearer.
With each semester at BYU I have to change what it means to me to study the scriptures. I can still remember my seminary bookmark I would check every day after my 10 minutes of reading. It only took me one exam to realize that the BYU religion classes were not equal to seminary. As I got asked more questions by friends and family I realized that not even BYU religion classes can prepare me for the vigorous attacks but the spirit can. The spirit seems to be the revealer of truth, and the promptings that I have felt while I read specific commentary has brought me more light and knowledge. I have not believed that reading 10 minutes a day is enough but I used to limit my study time by only reviewing the bible dictionary and foot notes when I have a question. Reading has helped me believe that the culture, language, and context of the scriptures are as a part of the truth found in the scriptures as the morals. To amplify my scripture study I should continue to add these facts or truths to my study material.
Not only did the commentary enhance my understanding of the class, but it also helped me to refine my scripture studying. I was grateful for the opportunity to read the commentary this semester. Unlike my geology text I never plan to sale my Verse by Verse, The Four Gospels back to the book store, but I do not think that I will be able to simply let it sit in my library. I have already recommended it to a friend who wants to read it this summer and my mom wants to read it in the fall.