How the Bible became the Bible by Donald L. Odell
How the Bible became the Bible by Donald L. Odell
  • "....provides excellent historical background as well as the author's personal history, which enhances his message by providing a glimpse of how the Holy Scripture can really be used." Lee Carroll, author of "Indigo Children" and many "Kyron" books
  • "I just forwarded to friends Balboa's Introduction to your 2nd Edition. Actually Don, I really think this 2nd Edition could not be more timely. I sincerely think there are more people receptive to opening their minds about their programming of religion or the Bible than ever before...." Pat W., (North Carolina)
  • ".... a refreshing synthesis of scholarship and deep personal reflection. Don O’Dell invites us to enter the experience of biblical personalities and groups, and to feel their struggles to find elusive spiritual coherence within their perception of events...." Dr. Jim Nourse, Ph.D., psychologist, acupuncturist and author of Simple Spirituality: Finding Your Own Way, and Opening the Aloha Mind: Healing Self, Healing the World with Ho’oponopono
  • "This highly readable book takes a conversational tone when, for instance, in Chapter 6 (The Time of Jesus), the author gently transitions us from the Old to the New Testament." New Age Retailer
  • "This book is of much value to the serious student of Holy Scripture. It will enable the reader to view the Holy Scriptures in the context in which the books were written and arranged." James J. DeFrancisco, PhD. Miltha Ministries, Mishawaka, Indiana
  • "....provides excellent historical background as well as the author's personal history, which enhances his message by providing a glimpse of how the Holy Scripture can really be used." Lee Carroll, author of "Indigo Children" and many "Kyron" books

2nd Edition, Revised Material

Spiritual Christianity Based On Faith

Principle: Willingness- Only willingness (Spiritual Development)

I remember an incident early in my sobriety that both stunned and taught me a great lesson. I was obsessed with being willing to be an instrument of God as I understood God. I kept sharing at meetings my willingness and my frustration at trying to be a pre-eminent representative of the AA Fellowship. I was constantly aware and grateful for my sobriety; I was grateful for the life lessons I was learning for the first time; I was, basically, growing up in public for all to see and I was proud of that.

Why, then, wasn’t everyone appropriately impressed? Trying to emulate me? Being grateful for my willingness and honesty?

The woman that eventually became my best friend – became a big sister to me – pulled me aside after a meeting one evening and asked me: “Don, are you actually trying to do God’s will? I ask this because I think you trying to do God’s job. No wonder you are frustrated.”

What a wake-up call that was. After over 30 years of sobriety that memory remains very vibrant.

This quote from the Course in Miracles reinforces how simple this course is: “…do not attempt to make yourself holy to be ready [for experiencing God’s guidance]. That is but to confuse your role with God’s. Atonement cannot come to those who think that they must first atone, but only to those who offer it nothing more than simple willingness to make way for it.” (T-18.IV.5:4)

“God’s help is available right now. We don’t have to be able to quote chapter and verse from the Course, to have completed the workbook perfectly, or understand every line in the text for Him to help us. We don’t need to find an “expert” teacher in this world in order to learn how to understand or study the Course. We don’t even have to release our anger over a specific situation or release our judgment about a particular person. We are asked to come to God in our suffering, our confusion, and our feelings of inadequacy and ask for help. The Course continues by telling us this: “You prepare your mind for it [God’s answer for our lives] only to the extent of recognizing that you want it above all else. It is not necessary that you do more; indeed, it is necessary that you realize that you cannot do more.”   (T-18.IV.1:4) From Miracles Magazine - Miracle Distribution Center – May 2021.

Thanks for listening and blessings, Don
My book, How the Bible Became the Bible is available for sale.

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Contact Mr O'Dell

I just forwarded to friends Balboa's Introduction to your 2nd Edition. Actually Don, I really think this 2nd Edition could not be more timely. I sincerely think there are more people receptive to opening their minds about their programming of religion or the Bible than ever before. It appears it takes humans a long time to change - you timed this perfectly! Answering questions about the Bible that many have had but were afraid to ask could really help open the door wider to the changes we desperately need. So you are part of the change! Congratulations for that service to this planet….
Pat W., (North Carolina)
This website is a great tribute to Don's spiritual work. He is the real deal. He is as authentic in person as he is in his writing. His books and his on-going message have always been very helpful to me in my spiritual journey. Don is a mentor to many, so I'm excited he is getting an opportunity to share his wisdom with more people.
Barbara M. (Tennessee)
I just forwarded to friends Balboa's Introduction to your 2nd Edition. Actually Don, I really think this 2nd Edition could not be more timely. I sincerely think there are more people receptive to opening their minds about their programming of religion or the Bible than ever before. It appears it takes humans a long time to change - you timed this perfectly! Answering questions about the Bible that many have had but were afraid to ask could really help open the door wider to the changes we desperately need. So you are part of the change! Congratulations for that service to this planet….
Pat W., (North Carolina)
This website is a great tribute to Don's spiritual work. He is the real deal. He is as authentic in person as he is in his writing. His books and his on-going message have always been very helpful to me in my spiritual journey. Don is a mentor to many, so I'm excited he is getting an opportunity to share his wisdom with more people.
Barbara M. (Tennessee)
ISBN (HARD): 9781982243067
ISBN (SOFT): 9781982243081
ISBN (eBook): 978198224307