URI student creates Bible study group, welcomes those with different beliefs

11/5/09 - University of Rhode Island students are now capable of expanding their knowledge of the Bible through URI Junior Ben Moore's biweekly Bible study classes. Meeting Tuesday night in the Multicultural Center lounge, Moore, along with eight students, began the first of a series of Bible studies directed increasing awareness of the Bible's message.

[Speaking from his love of God,] Moore began the session by stating he wanted to start the study for three main reasons.

"God is awesome," Moore said, begging the session. "There is so much to God's character and what the Bible says about him. He is infinite, eternal. I could spend all of eternity learning about Him."

Moore said he grew up in a Christian family. He said that acknowledging the existence of God is like finding a "spectacular" place, and that one cannot help but tell everyone about it.

Moore was inspired to start the studies, not just by his personal religious experience, but by the misconceptions he has encountered about Christianity. He said people today think of faith as something "where you check your mind at the door and then put all of yourself and faith into God."

Hoping to clear up these misconceptions, Moore first asked the attending students their opinion on the Bible. Although most students said they never read the Bible, they agreed that the Bible is a source of comfort.

After acknowledging the students' take on the Bible, regardless of their beliefs, Moore then began placing emphasis on the messages derived from the Bible.

"The Bible claims a lot," Moore said. "But all of these claims are said to be claimed through the Holy Spirit."

In other words, from the messages given in the Bible, Moore wanted students to know that the stories are not just made up, but rather facts told through people by the Holy Spirit. He said that this, combined with the "outstanding" preservation of the Bible, makes it timeless and veritable.

The topics studied in the first session included the writings of the Bible, its inspirations, preservation, its translation its message and canonization, or how all of the different versions of the Bible came together into one.

Moore welcomes students from all religious backgrounds to his Bible study and hopes for a larger turnout when the study meets again on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. The next meeting will take place in the Multicultural Center lounge.