Are there any worthwhile pre-readings to this or should I just dive right in?

Are there any worthwhile pre-readings to this or should I just dive right in?

Maybe some history of the Near East so you can weigh the books versus the historical consensus but desu you don't need to know anything else, the Bible is a better starting point than the Greeks imo

should read some outline of world history first or you will have no clue what the context is

No pre reading.
It's the only book you need

any good books which focus on the influences/history surrounding the bible if you already know the basic history from when you were younger?

...

Not really. The holy word of GOD is the truth everyone with light seeks after. Prepare to be changed afterwards. Pay particular attention to the prophecies fufilled within the book across the centuries. Some of them are in Genesis, the Psalms,Romans, Matthew, Luke and Revelations.

get a Catholic study bible

No pre-readings, you may need supplementary-readings for the histories depending how learned you are of Middle Eastern history. This map, the judges map and perhaps some chronology charts help visualize things.

For the New-Testament you will need post-readings lest you fall on your ass.

>prophecies
Lel what kind of brainlet believes in those things.

strange how easily swayed I am, I was giving this serious consideration until you posted

If something is eluded to and it becomes reality, what's not to get?

>Make vague claims
>Eventually some event that can be related to such claims occurs
Woah

No pre-readings, but plenty of post-readings
>The Bible (maybe more than once)
>The Greeks (make sure you have a good understanding of Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy)
>The Stoics
>History of the Christian Church volumes 1-2
>Ante-Nicene Fathers
>History of the Christian Church volume 3
>Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers
>History of the Christian Church volumes 4
>Pseudo-Dionysius
>Caesarius of Arles
>Consolation of Philosophy
>St. Maximus the Confessor
>St. Gregory the Great
>Isidore of Seville
>The Quran
>St. John of Damascus
>Rabanus Maurus
>Hincmar of Rheims
>John Scotus Eriugena
>The Golden Legend
>Symeon the New Theologian
>St. Anselm of Canterbury
>Hugh of St. Victor
>Bernard of Clairvaux
>Hildegard von Bingen
>The Sentences by Peter Lombard
>The Mind's Road to God by Bonaventure
>St. Thomas Aquinas
>The Book of Divine Consolation of the Blessed Angela of Foligno
>Theologia Germanica
>Duns Scotus
>The Defender of the Peace by Marsilius of Padua
>Sum of Logic by William of Ockham
>Triads of Gregory Palamas
>The Divine Comedy by Dante
>Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
>The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena
>Little Flowers of St. Francis Assisi
>Early Works of Jean Gerson
>The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
>The Philokalia

Is it possible to read the version of the bible before it was revised?

No. The dark ages destroyed the tiny credibility the bible may have had. Monks rewrote the bible to suit their needs.

Also, taking this book seriously is how you get brain cancer and die.

Just trying to learn more about theology, no need to have a sperg moment.

I have. It's the most boring branch of philosophy.

I'm reading the Torah in Hebrew rn and it's very enjoyable

Actually couldn't believe how interesting and fun it would be, I used to hate this fucking book

That's subjective.

There are literally no prophecies in the psalms.