Today is Memorial Day on which we in America remember those who have served and died in the defense of their country. For many, it is just another day to be off from work and an excuse to drink beer and eat barbecue. Some within the Christian community question whether Christians should have anything to do with this holiday, or with the military at all.
Philip Gulley, a Quaker minister, in If the Church Were Christian (***), recounts how one Quaker church erupted into controversy after one of its members joined the military. Quakers take a pacifist stance and many say that a Christian can not be a soldier.
Perhaps some of them have been listening to their Inner Light more than to their Bible. There is a proper respect due to government and the military and they serve a useful function; the protection of the people and the preservation of the peace. That subject is for a later post to this blog.
On the subject of soldiers themselves, the attitude of the Bible is generally that they are honorable men, especially the Roman Centurions who were entrusted with the supervision of 100 soldiers. Two of the Centurions are named; Cornelius (Acts 10) and Julius (Acts 27).
Mentions of Roman Centurions in the Bible:
Matthew 8: 5-13; 27:54; Luke 7: 2-10; Acts 10; 22: 25; 23:17; 27:1-43
*** : I am preparing a detailed, chapter by chapter response to Philip Gulley's book, If the Church Were Christian. Rediscovering the Values of Jesus (2010).
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
W. A. Criswell About His Church ... And Yours
"I would be shocked to find half of my church in Heaven." Wally Amos Criswell
He meant exactly what it sounds like he meant. He knew that people "join the church" for numerous reasons; some for social connections, some because someone they love wants them to, some to demonstrate what a good person they are, some because it will good for the kids, some for the opportunity to be part of something, some to meet girls, some because it's the right thing to do, and on and on and on. Oh, and a few really do love the Lord.
He meant exactly what it sounds like he meant. He knew that people "join the church" for numerous reasons; some for social connections, some because someone they love wants them to, some to demonstrate what a good person they are, some because it will good for the kids, some for the opportunity to be part of something, some to meet girls, some because it's the right thing to do, and on and on and on. Oh, and a few really do love the Lord.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Christians
At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.
Arius: (b. ca. 250/256, Egypt or Libya – d. 336) Arius was a priest in Alexandria who taught that Jesus was a created being, a man elevated to deity through his obedience to God. His teachings were declared to be heretical.
Zaccheus: Zaccheus was the chief tax collector at Jericho. In Luke 19:1-10 his story is told. As a very short man, he couldn’t see over the crowd so he climbed a tree in order to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus called him down from the tree by name and ate that night at his house. Zaccheus responded to Jesus’s call by more than paying back anyone he had ever cheated and becoming a benefactor rather than a taker. Roman Catholic tradition says he was also named Mathias and took the place of Judas Iscariot among the Twelve Apostles. He was possibly the first bishop of Caesarea.
Master of the Playing Cards: (fl. 1430-1450, Germany or Switzerland) An engraver, painter, and printer named for his 106 known engravings.
Rich Mullins: (b. 1955, Indiana – d. 1997) Quaker, songwriter, singer, musician. All profits from his recordings and concerts went directly to his church, from which he drew only a small salary. He died in a traffic accident.
Marva J. Gersmehl: (b. 1948, Ohio, aka: Marva J. Dawn) Theologian, educator, musician, author. She teaches that small acts of faith can have profound consequences on the world. She believes that “entertainment based” worship services are not true evangelism or true worship.
Arius: (b. ca. 250/256, Egypt or Libya – d. 336) Arius was a priest in Alexandria who taught that Jesus was a created being, a man elevated to deity through his obedience to God. His teachings were declared to be heretical.
Zaccheus: Zaccheus was the chief tax collector at Jericho. In Luke 19:1-10 his story is told. As a very short man, he couldn’t see over the crowd so he climbed a tree in order to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus called him down from the tree by name and ate that night at his house. Zaccheus responded to Jesus’s call by more than paying back anyone he had ever cheated and becoming a benefactor rather than a taker. Roman Catholic tradition says he was also named Mathias and took the place of Judas Iscariot among the Twelve Apostles. He was possibly the first bishop of Caesarea.
Master of the Playing Cards: (fl. 1430-1450, Germany or Switzerland) An engraver, painter, and printer named for his 106 known engravings.
Rich Mullins: (b. 1955, Indiana – d. 1997) Quaker, songwriter, singer, musician. All profits from his recordings and concerts went directly to his church, from which he drew only a small salary. He died in a traffic accident.
Marva J. Gersmehl: (b. 1948, Ohio, aka: Marva J. Dawn) Theologian, educator, musician, author. She teaches that small acts of faith can have profound consequences on the world. She believes that “entertainment based” worship services are not true evangelism or true worship.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Book Comment: Fifty Key Christian Thinkers
Fifty Key Christian Thinkers, by Peter McEnhill and George Newlands, is an anthology of biographies and discussions about what its title says; "fifty key christian thinkers." It really adds nothing special to the discussion but is a useful introduction to the highly interesting field of Christian biography. Some of the persons mentioned are Justin Martyr, Jurgen Moltmann, Peter Abelard, Basil of Caesarea, Karl Barth, and Friedrich Schleiermacher.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A Rodeo Ministry
Rodeo Ministries is a Pentecostal evangelistic ministry based in Emory, Texas led by Tony and Cindy Shoulders. Their website is at http://www.rodeoministries.org/
Another rodeo based group is www.christianyouthrodeoassociation.com
Another rodeo based group is www.christianyouthrodeoassociation.com
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Pretzels
The next time you are at a baseball game and are about to stick your giant salted pretzel into the dollop of mustard the vendor gave you, think about this: pretzels have their origins in Christian symbolism.
The baked bread was created by monks (possibly in 610 AD/BCE in Italy) to hand out as treats to children who successfully remembered their prayers. Pretzels rapidly spread across Europe, always carrying their religious significance with them. Dough was formed into long strips which were crossed in the characteristic pattern to resemble a heart in shape, and then were baked. The crossed pattern in the center of the pretzels represented children's arms folded over their chests in prayer and the three holes in the pretzel were meant to stand for the Trinity.
Various derivations have been offered for the name. "Pretiola," Italian for "little rewards," has been suggested. The Italians claim to have made the first pretzels, as do some Greeks, French, and Germans. The German name is "brezel." Some claim the word is derived from the Latin words "bracellus" ("bracelet") or "bracchiola" ("little arms").
Trivia: The marriage euphemism, "tying the knot," reflects the practice of using a pretzel to represent the tying together of two families in marriage.
The baked bread was created by monks (possibly in 610 AD/BCE in Italy) to hand out as treats to children who successfully remembered their prayers. Pretzels rapidly spread across Europe, always carrying their religious significance with them. Dough was formed into long strips which were crossed in the characteristic pattern to resemble a heart in shape, and then were baked. The crossed pattern in the center of the pretzels represented children's arms folded over their chests in prayer and the three holes in the pretzel were meant to stand for the Trinity.
Various derivations have been offered for the name. "Pretiola," Italian for "little rewards," has been suggested. The Italians claim to have made the first pretzels, as do some Greeks, French, and Germans. The German name is "brezel." Some claim the word is derived from the Latin words "bracellus" ("bracelet") or "bracchiola" ("little arms").
Trivia: The marriage euphemism, "tying the knot," reflects the practice of using a pretzel to represent the tying together of two families in marriage.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Book Comment: A Song for Lovers
A Song for Lovers, by S. Craig Glickman, is a new take on The Song of Solomon. There were over 500 known commentaries written before 1700 Ad/CE and no one has stopped yet. In 1657, The Westminster Assembly said that all the commentaries served mainly to increase the cloud of obscurity surrounding the book. Glickman says that this may be because most of the commentaries work overtime to avoid a literal reading of the book, which would provide a Biblical affirmation of sex.
The interpretations include:
1. The book is a collection of unconnected love poems, with no coherent story or moral teaching.
2. The book is a liturgy for an unknown fertility cult.
3. The book is a piece of dramatic fiction about Shulamith's faithfulness to her shepherd lover in spite of Solomon's advances..
4. The book is a spiritual allegory with God as the groom and Israel as the bride; this is the traditional view of Orthodox judaism. Christian versions of this view substitute the Church, the New Israel as the bride. A few have said that the book is a pagan allegory about the deities Baal and Astarte.
5. The Syrian Wedding Feast Theory says the book is a collection of wedding songs for a seven-day festival. One objection to this idea is that the groom is crowned but the supposed queen is not.
Glickman prepared a new interpretation of the Hebrew text and noted especially that that Hebrew has a clearly defined male "you" and a female "you" so that it is possible to tell who is speaking to whom. He says it shows a chaste but intense courtship, a marriage ceremony, and a consummation, described enthusiastically and without flinching.
As Howard G. Hendricks, a professor of Christian Education at the Dallas Theological Seminary says in his introduction to the book, "Sensuous love with erotic overtones is God's intent for the marriage relationship.'
So, is The Song of Solomon an affirmation of chaste but highly sexual married love or is it an allegorical description of the relationship between God and His people?
Maybe it is both. God's ways are not our ways and His mind dwarfs ours. Regular readers of this blog know that, while not convinced, I am at least open to the possibility of the existence of the Bible Codes in, at least, the Torah. This would require a mind able to imbed phrases in seemingly unrelated material using complex mathematical formulae which can best be discovered using super computers. Perhaps God thinks on multiple levels at once. I would be willing to say He does.
The interpretations include:
1. The book is a collection of unconnected love poems, with no coherent story or moral teaching.
2. The book is a liturgy for an unknown fertility cult.
3. The book is a piece of dramatic fiction about Shulamith's faithfulness to her shepherd lover in spite of Solomon's advances..
4. The book is a spiritual allegory with God as the groom and Israel as the bride; this is the traditional view of Orthodox judaism. Christian versions of this view substitute the Church, the New Israel as the bride. A few have said that the book is a pagan allegory about the deities Baal and Astarte.
5. The Syrian Wedding Feast Theory says the book is a collection of wedding songs for a seven-day festival. One objection to this idea is that the groom is crowned but the supposed queen is not.
Glickman prepared a new interpretation of the Hebrew text and noted especially that that Hebrew has a clearly defined male "you" and a female "you" so that it is possible to tell who is speaking to whom. He says it shows a chaste but intense courtship, a marriage ceremony, and a consummation, described enthusiastically and without flinching.
As Howard G. Hendricks, a professor of Christian Education at the Dallas Theological Seminary says in his introduction to the book, "Sensuous love with erotic overtones is God's intent for the marriage relationship.'
So, is The Song of Solomon an affirmation of chaste but highly sexual married love or is it an allegorical description of the relationship between God and His people?
Maybe it is both. God's ways are not our ways and His mind dwarfs ours. Regular readers of this blog know that, while not convinced, I am at least open to the possibility of the existence of the Bible Codes in, at least, the Torah. This would require a mind able to imbed phrases in seemingly unrelated material using complex mathematical formulae which can best be discovered using super computers. Perhaps God thinks on multiple levels at once. I would be willing to say He does.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Canyonview Equestrian College
Canyonview Equestrian College is a co-educational non-profit Christian horsemanship college. The two year program teaches riding, training, stable management, Bible study, and evangelism training. The theological stance of the Oregon-based college is evangelical, pre-millenial, and fundamentalist.
http://www.canyonviewequestriancollege.org/
http://www.canyonviewequestriancollege.org/
Sunday, May 23, 2010
What They Think of Us: Plastic Jesus
This is a repost with a link to a version of the song.
Plastic Jesus is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957, some also attribute Ernie Marrs as a writer. Ed Rush has stated that the inspiration for the song came from a religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas which "sold the most outrageous stuff imaginable, all with magical healing properties." Every city in America probably has such a shop, selling tacky religious trinkets and doodads. In Birmingham, we had Prophet Carlisle who sold scented candles and healing oils. Christians need to assiduously separate themselves from such crap. There is no reason to give the unbelievers ammunition for their sarcasm.
Plastic Jesus has been recorded by multiple artists. Additional verses continue to be added about Mary, Joseph, the Apostles, Moses, Buddha, Krishna, and on and on and on. Here is the original song. Read more about it on Wikipedia.
Plastic Jesus is an American folk song written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957, some also attribute Ernie Marrs as a writer. Ed Rush has stated that the inspiration for the song came from a religious radio station from Del Rio, Texas which "sold the most outrageous stuff imaginable, all with magical healing properties." Every city in America probably has such a shop, selling tacky religious trinkets and doodads. In Birmingham, we had Prophet Carlisle who sold scented candles and healing oils. Christians need to assiduously separate themselves from such crap. There is no reason to give the unbelievers ammunition for their sarcasm.
Plastic Jesus has been recorded by multiple artists. Additional verses continue to be added about Mary, Joseph, the Apostles, Moses, Buddha, Krishna, and on and on and on. Here is the original song. Read more about it on Wikipedia.
I don't care if it rains or freezes
'Long as I got my plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car
Through my trials and tribulations
And my travels through the nations
With my plastic Jesus I'll go far
Plastic Jesus, plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car
I'm afraid He'll have to go
His magnets ruin my radio
And if I have a wreck He'll leave a scar
Riding down a thoroughfare
With His nose up in the air
A wreck may be ahead, but He don't mind
Trouble coming He don't see
He just keeps His eye on me
And any other thing that lies behind
Plastic Jesus, plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car
Though the sunshine on His back
Make Him peel, chip and crack
A little patching keeps Him up to par
When I'm in a traffic jam
He don't care if I say "damn"
I can let all my curses roll
Plastic Jesus doesn't hear
'Cause he has a plastic ear
The man who invented plastic saved my soul
Plastic Jesus, plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car
Once His robe was snowy white
Now it isn't quite so bright
Stained by the smoke of my cigar
If I weave around at night
And policemen think I'm tight
They never find my bottle, though they ask
Plastic Jesus shelters me
For His head comes off, you see
He's hollow, and I use Him for a flask
Plastic Jesus, plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car
Ride with me and have a dram
Of the blood of the Lamb
Plastic Jesus is a holy bar
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Jiminy Cricket
Jiminy Cricket is a character in the 1940 film, Pinocchio. He serves as the conscience of the main character, a wooden puppet who longs to become a real boy. Few people realize that "Jiminy Cricket" was originally an exclamation of surprise, a minced oath used as a substitute for the exclamation, "Jesus Christ!" This was considered very vulgar and blasphemous, taking God's name in vain, akin to the even more blasphemous modern form, "Jesus H. Christ!"
MInced oaths are also called pseudo-profanity and are altered forms of words and phrases considered to be profane or blasphemous because of the way they are used. The British have many of them: "bloody" is a shortened form of "God's Blood," "zounds!" is a shortened form of "God's wounds." Minced oaths were/are often used to avoid causing offense or to avoid inviting censorship.
Other minced oaths include:
"poppycock" from the Dutch words pappe kak, meaning "soft dung."
"gadzooks" from "God's hooks," the nails that held Jesus to the cross.
"Ay caramba" from "carajo," a Spanish word for penis.
"blankety-blank" refers to the dashes which were used to "disguise" (ie: d- - n) objectionable words.
MInced oaths are also called pseudo-profanity and are altered forms of words and phrases considered to be profane or blasphemous because of the way they are used. The British have many of them: "bloody" is a shortened form of "God's Blood," "zounds!" is a shortened form of "God's wounds." Minced oaths were/are often used to avoid causing offense or to avoid inviting censorship.
Other minced oaths include:
"poppycock" from the Dutch words pappe kak, meaning "soft dung."
"gadzooks" from "God's hooks," the nails that held Jesus to the cross.
"Ay caramba" from "carajo," a Spanish word for penis.
"blankety-blank" refers to the dashes which were used to "disguise" (ie: d- - n) objectionable words.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Sometimes We Need a Jiminy Cricket
Stanford University in 2007 released a study which said that social support helps sedentary people become more active. Studies have shown that as few as 48% of Americans claim to get at least thirty minutes of exercise daily. Since some people answer in ways they think will please the questioner, the actual percentage may be lower.
The suggestion from Stanford: telephone reminders either from another person or from a pre-recorded service. It doesn't, from the study results, seem to matter. Those who received either personal or recorded messages exercised more. Even those who received no phone calls exercised more, perhaps in anticipation of having to report in to the survey takers. Abby King, a Stanford professor of medicine said in 2007, "Whether its smoking or alcohol abuse or physical inactivity, social support helps prevent against relapse." (Wall Street Journal, p. D12, 18 May 2010)
Just as physical muscles atrophy if not used, so do spiritual muscles. Some people find it hard to force themselves to take time to pray or to study their Bibles.
Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a friend call and remind you to read your Bible today. Maybe you could even leave a reminder to yourself on your own voicemail.
The suggestion from Stanford: telephone reminders either from another person or from a pre-recorded service. It doesn't, from the study results, seem to matter. Those who received either personal or recorded messages exercised more. Even those who received no phone calls exercised more, perhaps in anticipation of having to report in to the survey takers. Abby King, a Stanford professor of medicine said in 2007, "Whether its smoking or alcohol abuse or physical inactivity, social support helps prevent against relapse." (Wall Street Journal, p. D12, 18 May 2010)
Just as physical muscles atrophy if not used, so do spiritual muscles. Some people find it hard to force themselves to take time to pray or to study their Bibles.
Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a friend call and remind you to read your Bible today. Maybe you could even leave a reminder to yourself on your own voicemail.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Book Comment: Eat This Book
Eat This Book. A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading (Grand Rapids, Mi: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Comopany, 2006)
This book talks about the various ways in which people read the Bible; for knowledge, for practical living advice, for inspiration, for confirmation that they are "right," to find "errors" in order to disprove religion, to make themselves feel "affirmed," etc. The author points out that one can approach the Bible in any of these ways and never meet the God who is revealed.
This book talks about the various ways in which people read the Bible; for knowledge, for practical living advice, for inspiration, for confirmation that they are "right," to find "errors" in order to disprove religion, to make themselves feel "affirmed," etc. The author points out that one can approach the Bible in any of these ways and never meet the God who is revealed.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Christian Films
Though not really in any way modern films, Magic Lantern presentations occurred in Europe as early as 1680, when slide projector shows were produced to enthusiastic audience reception. Athanasius Kircher, a Roman Catholic priest, in 680 published Ars Magna Lucis et Umbrae about the technique.
The slide shows were adopted by many missionaries, evangelists, and temperance groups who began to switch to short films around the close of the Nineteenth Century. Between 1897-1898 there are at least four Passion Plays known to have been filmed. Some of the earliest Christian films were The Passion Play of Oberammergau (1897 or 1989), Passion Play: Baptism of Jesus (1903), La passion du Christ (1897), La vie et la passion du Jesus-Christ (1897), La vie du Christ (1899), and La vie et la passion du Christ (1906).
The first American feature film was a Christian film, From the Manger to the Cross (1912), a silent film directed by Sidney Olcott. Though you've never heard of him he directed 135 films. Jesus was portrayed by Robert Henderson-Bland and the young Jesus by Percy Dyer.
The slide shows were adopted by many missionaries, evangelists, and temperance groups who began to switch to short films around the close of the Nineteenth Century. Between 1897-1898 there are at least four Passion Plays known to have been filmed. Some of the earliest Christian films were The Passion Play of Oberammergau (1897 or 1989), Passion Play: Baptism of Jesus (1903), La passion du Christ (1897), La vie et la passion du Jesus-Christ (1897), La vie du Christ (1899), and La vie et la passion du Christ (1906).
The first American feature film was a Christian film, From the Manger to the Cross (1912), a silent film directed by Sidney Olcott. Though you've never heard of him he directed 135 films. Jesus was portrayed by Robert Henderson-Bland and the young Jesus by Percy Dyer.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Psalm 118
There are a startling number of "strange" coincidences associated with Psalms 118.
1. Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible.
2. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible.
The next few "coincidences" are based on the arrangement of the books in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. Only the most extreme fundamental literalists say that the KJV is verbally inspired even in its order of the books and individual words. Most Christians who accept that the Bible is verbally inspired believe that the inspiration applies not to translations but to the original autographic documents, which, of course, we do not have. Many believers accept, after the work of thousands of biblical scholars in comparing all of the variant readings of the thousands of known scrolls, fragments, papyri, etc. that the reconstituted biblical books are accurate and have better attestation than many classical Roman and Greek works which exist in only a single known copy.
3. Psalm 118 is the middle chapter in the KJV, with 594 chapters before it and 594 chapters after it. 594 + 594 = 1188.
4. Psalm 118:8 (1188).
5. "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Psalm 118:8.
1. Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible.
2. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible.
The next few "coincidences" are based on the arrangement of the books in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. Only the most extreme fundamental literalists say that the KJV is verbally inspired even in its order of the books and individual words. Most Christians who accept that the Bible is verbally inspired believe that the inspiration applies not to translations but to the original autographic documents, which, of course, we do not have. Many believers accept, after the work of thousands of biblical scholars in comparing all of the variant readings of the thousands of known scrolls, fragments, papyri, etc. that the reconstituted biblical books are accurate and have better attestation than many classical Roman and Greek works which exist in only a single known copy.
3. Psalm 118 is the middle chapter in the KJV, with 594 chapters before it and 594 chapters after it. 594 + 594 = 1188.
4. Psalm 118:8 (1188).
5. "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Psalm 118:8.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Christian Humor
"A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:22
Christians are often caricatured as dour and humorless. As we all know, some are, but there is nothing Christian about that; we are to be filled with joy, even in adverse situations. The reason for our joy and peace is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Joy doesn't necessarily mean "happiness" but there is no reason why we can't laugh because we have nothing to fear.
There is even a Christian Comedy Association dedicated to the craft of comedy delivered from a Christian perspective.
http://christiancomedyassociation.com/
Other links include:
http://thoushaltlaugh.com/
http://www.christiancomedyacts.com/
Some modern Christian comedians are Victoria jackson, Dennis Swanberg, Brad Stine, Chonda Pierce, Mark Lowry, Daren Streblow, Jeff Allen, Tim Hawkins, Paul Aldrich, Taylor Mason, and Anita Renfrow.
Christians are often caricatured as dour and humorless. As we all know, some are, but there is nothing Christian about that; we are to be filled with joy, even in adverse situations. The reason for our joy and peace is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Joy doesn't necessarily mean "happiness" but there is no reason why we can't laugh because we have nothing to fear.
There is even a Christian Comedy Association dedicated to the craft of comedy delivered from a Christian perspective.
http://christiancomedyassociation.com/
Other links include:
http://thoushaltlaugh.com/
http://www.christiancomedyacts.com/
Some modern Christian comedians are Victoria jackson, Dennis Swanberg, Brad Stine, Chonda Pierce, Mark Lowry, Daren Streblow, Jeff Allen, Tim Hawkins, Paul Aldrich, Taylor Mason, and Anita Renfrow.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
What do you get when ...?
What do you get when you cross a Jehovah's Witness with a Unitarian-Universalist?
Someone who goes around knocking on doors but really doesn't think it matters whether or not you answer.
Someone who goes around knocking on doors but really doesn't think it matters whether or not you answer.
Friday, May 14, 2010
"Dear Lucky Agent" Contest
I have submitted an entry into the "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest currently being run by Guide to Literary Agents, one of the blogs in my list below. The genre for this particular contest is Fantasy and Science Fiction and I have submitted my novel, Chosen, which is best described as a Crossover Christian Young Adult Military Science Fiction Romance. The designation "crossover" means that the novel could be considered for publication into both the Christian and secular markets. Crossover Christian novels such as Chosen often contain no overt supernatural elements.
As you may know from my profile, I am a published writer; not at the level I would wish, but published nonetheless. Some say that science fiction is atheistic, but that is because we have not yet adequately staked our claim to at least one corner of the genre. My novel, Chosen, is my attempt to do so and is in keeping with the stated aims of this blog.
As you may know from my profile, I am a published writer; not at the level I would wish, but published nonetheless. Some say that science fiction is atheistic, but that is because we have not yet adequately staked our claim to at least one corner of the genre. My novel, Chosen, is my attempt to do so and is in keeping with the stated aims of this blog.
κηρυσσων την βασιλειαν του θεου και διδασκων τα περι του κυριου ιησου χριστου μετα πασης παρρησιας ακωλυτως.
A themed blog based on the idea that Christians should be, and are, in every nook and cranny and that they should, and do, excel in every field. Comments on films, current events, doctrinal questions, ethics, science, humor, etc. Recurrent postings will feature Christians, Film Comments, Book Comments. Readers are encouraged to comment and to suggest new topics.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Book Comment: The Shorter New Oxford Book of carols
This book is a shortened form of The New Oxford Book of Carols (1992) and features 122 songs with their musical notation and full lyrics in the original languages. The languages included are English, Old English, Latin, German, Spanish, Czech, Polish, French, Provencal, Basque, Catalan, and Italian.
Each song is accompanied by very technical notes about performance of the work, the composers and the origins of the folk tunes. The shortened book is intended for use in conjunction with the original
The shortened version of the book was produced because many choirs found it too expensive to purchase multiple copies of the massive original.
Keyte, Hugh and Andrew Parrott, eds, The Shorter New Oxford Book of Carols (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993)
Each song is accompanied by very technical notes about performance of the work, the composers and the origins of the folk tunes. The shortened book is intended for use in conjunction with the original
The shortened version of the book was produced because many choirs found it too expensive to purchase multiple copies of the massive original.
Keyte, Hugh and Andrew Parrott, eds, The Shorter New Oxford Book of Carols (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Book Comment: Faith Reads
Faith Reads. A Selective Guide to Christian Nonfiction (2008), by David Rainey, is a library reference book published by Libraries Unlimited. It reviews hundreds of books, sorted into the following categories: Life Stories, Prayer, Worship, Spiritual Growth, Christian Self-Help, Evangelism, Arts, Culture, and Education, Business and Leadership, Science and Nature, and Bible and Theology.
Just to read this book would be boring, but if you are looking for a specific type of Christian non-fiction, this is a good place to start your search.
Just to read this book would be boring, but if you are looking for a specific type of Christian non-fiction, this is a good place to start your search.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The 1 and Only Restaurant
Located in St. Ann, Missouri, The 1 and Only is a Christian family restaurant and lending Library. Their menu is all natural and organic and can be adjusted for the vegetarian, gluten-free, no-dairy, no-salt, and/or no-sugar requirements of their customers. Their chicken is Free Range and Cage Free. All carry out packaging is compostable. Also, for their customers, they have a lending library composed of Christian DVD's, VCR tapes, books, and Home Schooling materials. Purchases in the restaurant are not necessary for use of the lending library. They warn non-Christians that they have Bible verses on the wall! The prices are very reasonable, most ranging from between $5.00 to $10.00.
The restaurant uses Psalm 86:12 as its inspiration. Because of their unashamedly Christian orientation they eagerly welcome Bible study groups and meetings of Christian organizations.
The restaurant uses Psalm 86:12 as its inspiration. Because of their unashamedly Christian orientation they eagerly welcome Bible study groups and meetings of Christian organizations.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Christians
At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.
Asser: (fl 890, Wales – d. 908/909) aka: John Asser, Asserius Menevensis. Welsh monk, Latin translator, Bishop of Sherborne. Recruited by Alfred the Great for whom he wrote a biography. A relative of Nobis, Bishop of St. Davids.
Giuseppe Piazzi: (b. 1746, Italy – d. 1826) Roman Catholic priest, mathematician, astronomer, university professor. He established an observatory at Naples and catalogued 7646 stars. One of his discoveries was Ceres, a planetoid in the asteroid belt. The Piazzi Crater on the moon is named for him.
Susan Boyle: (b. 1961, Scotland) Church volunteer, choir member. An unlikely songbird, plain and overweight with a voice equal to Celine Dion’s. She calls herself a “cheeky little girl.” She declares, “I’m happy the way I am, short and plump.”
Kitamori Kazoh: (b. 1916, Japan – d. 1998) Pastor, university professor, systematic theologian, author of 42 books.
Eskil (b. England - fl. 11th century) aka: Eskillinus. Anglo-Saxon monk in Sweden. Missionary, founder of the first diocese in the Lake Malaren region. Stoned to death at Strangnas by a group of Swedes and Geats. Eskilstuna, Sweden is named for him.
Asser: (fl 890, Wales – d. 908/909) aka: John Asser, Asserius Menevensis. Welsh monk, Latin translator, Bishop of Sherborne. Recruited by Alfred the Great for whom he wrote a biography. A relative of Nobis, Bishop of St. Davids.
Giuseppe Piazzi: (b. 1746, Italy – d. 1826) Roman Catholic priest, mathematician, astronomer, university professor. He established an observatory at Naples and catalogued 7646 stars. One of his discoveries was Ceres, a planetoid in the asteroid belt. The Piazzi Crater on the moon is named for him.
Susan Boyle: (b. 1961, Scotland) Church volunteer, choir member. An unlikely songbird, plain and overweight with a voice equal to Celine Dion’s. She calls herself a “cheeky little girl.” She declares, “I’m happy the way I am, short and plump.”
Kitamori Kazoh: (b. 1916, Japan – d. 1998) Pastor, university professor, systematic theologian, author of 42 books.
Eskil (b. England - fl. 11th century) aka: Eskillinus. Anglo-Saxon monk in Sweden. Missionary, founder of the first diocese in the Lake Malaren region. Stoned to death at Strangnas by a group of Swedes and Geats. Eskilstuna, Sweden is named for him.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Prophecies About Muhammad in the Bible?
Islamic scholars say that the following verses are biblical prophecies about Muhammad.
Deuteronomy 18:18, 33:1-2.
Song of Solomon 5:16
John 1:19-25
Matthew 21:42-44
The "prophecies" are tenuous at best (I would say non-existent) but the Hebrew word "mahamaddim" occurs in the Song of Solomon quotation. Read a Muslim's comments on "mahamaddim" at http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/truth/david_mohamadi_prophecy.htm. David Mohammadi and Brian Lucero carry on a long mutually respectful conversation.
Deuteronomy 18:18, 33:1-2.
Song of Solomon 5:16
John 1:19-25
Matthew 21:42-44
The "prophecies" are tenuous at best (I would say non-existent) but the Hebrew word "mahamaddim" occurs in the Song of Solomon quotation. Read a Muslim's comments on "mahamaddim" at http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/truth/david_mohamadi_prophecy.htm. David Mohammadi and Brian Lucero carry on a long mutually respectful conversation.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Two Minutes in Hell
"Take it from me, two minutes in Hell is a lifetime." John Constantine in Constantine (2006)
Friday, May 7, 2010
A Quote from Constantine (2006)
In the comic book based movie, Constantine (2006), the angel Gabriel is filled with resentment and is trying to "fix" things. He (?)/she (?)/it (?) (Tilda Swinton as an androgynous angel) thinks that mankind is unworthy of God's grace and is trying to bring about an apocalypse on Earth from which worthy, tested survivors will emerge. John Constantine, cancer victim, demon hunter, etc. goes to Hell and back (literally) to stop Gabriel's plan.
Gabriel explains,
Gabriel explains,
"You're handed this precious gift and, right, each of you granted redemption from the Creator. Murderers, rapists and molesters, all of you, you just have to repent and God takes you into His bosom. In all the worlds, in all the universes, no other creature can make such a boast, save man. It's not fair! Your sweet, sweet God loves you so."
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Book Comment: The Bible as History
"How can we understand the Word, unless we see it in its proper chronological, historical, and geographical setting?" Andre Parrot (1901-1980), archeologist, theologian, main discoverer and excavator of the Mari State (ca. 1800-1750 BC/BCE) site in Syria..
"Many events that previously passed for pious tales must now be judged to be historical. Often the results of investigation correspond in detail with the Biblical narratives." Werner Keller (b.1909, Germany).
In The Bible as History. A Confirmation of the Book of Books, Werner Keller piles on page after page after page of archeological and historical findings which point to the historicity of the biblical texts. Time after time lost cities and towns are found where the Bible says they were located. The names of people mentioned in the Bible are repeatedly found in newly unearthed sites. At Megiddo, the enormous stables of King Solomon were found. The Bablylonian astrological tables correspond to the probable date of The Star of David which shone at Jesus' birth. The Hittite Empire was "known" to be mythological until their capital city, Hatussas, was found at Boghas Koy, Turkey. The king lists found ther, of course, correspond to the Bible.
This is a fascinating book and one which is hard to ignore. When facts begin to pile up on one another, they begin to be overwhelming and soon require willful ignorance on the part of those who wish to ignore or discount them.
"Many events that previously passed for pious tales must now be judged to be historical. Often the results of investigation correspond in detail with the Biblical narratives." Werner Keller (b.1909, Germany).
In The Bible as History. A Confirmation of the Book of Books, Werner Keller piles on page after page after page of archeological and historical findings which point to the historicity of the biblical texts. Time after time lost cities and towns are found where the Bible says they were located. The names of people mentioned in the Bible are repeatedly found in newly unearthed sites. At Megiddo, the enormous stables of King Solomon were found. The Bablylonian astrological tables correspond to the probable date of The Star of David which shone at Jesus' birth. The Hittite Empire was "known" to be mythological until their capital city, Hatussas, was found at Boghas Koy, Turkey. The king lists found ther, of course, correspond to the Bible.
This is a fascinating book and one which is hard to ignore. When facts begin to pile up on one another, they begin to be overwhelming and soon require willful ignorance on the part of those who wish to ignore or discount them.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Book Comment: Where to Find It in the Bible
Little Book of Where to Find It in the Bible (2001), is cute but disappointing. It takes modern words like "concern," "flirtation," "health," "luxury," "management," "nonverbal communication," "phony," "quicksand," "stress," and "UFO" and attempts to give several relevant Bible verse listings. Some of the connections are a real stretch. Most of the little in-page cartoons are more lame than funny.
Stick with your Cruden's Concordance.
Stick with your Cruden's Concordance.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Book Comment: Makers of Christian Theology in America
Makers of Christian Theology in America(Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1997), by Mark G. Toulouse and James O Duke, is a fascinating book for those interested in history or theology. It separates American theological development into several periods (The Colonial Era, The National Era, The Post-Civil War Period, and The Moderrn Era), and gives short biographical sketches about prominent theologians of the period with a description of their contribution to theological discussion.
Some of the people discussed include Cotton Mather (Puritanism), Lyman Beecher (The New Divinity), Phoebe Worrall Palmer (Holiness), Ralph Waldo Emerson (Transcendentalism), Josep[h Smith (Mormonism), Federick Douglass (Black Theology), William James (Psychology and philosophy of religion), Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science), Washington Gladden (Social Gospel), Edgar Young Mullins (Baptist ), Charles Taze Russell (Jehovah's Witnesses), Shailer Matthews (Evangelical Liberalism), Reinhold Niebuhr (Liberalism), Martin Luther King, Jr. (Social Action), and Thomas Merton (Catholicism).
The book discusses Congregationalists, Unitarians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Adventists, Mormons, Millenialists, and many others. You will find many things with which you disagree and many things which will sound very familiar to you. To me, E. Y. Mullins strikes a very strong chord. This is a very good book.
Some of the people discussed include Cotton Mather (Puritanism), Lyman Beecher (The New Divinity), Phoebe Worrall Palmer (Holiness), Ralph Waldo Emerson (Transcendentalism), Josep[h Smith (Mormonism), Federick Douglass (Black Theology), William James (Psychology and philosophy of religion), Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science), Washington Gladden (Social Gospel), Edgar Young Mullins (Baptist ), Charles Taze Russell (Jehovah's Witnesses), Shailer Matthews (Evangelical Liberalism), Reinhold Niebuhr (Liberalism), Martin Luther King, Jr. (Social Action), and Thomas Merton (Catholicism).
The book discusses Congregationalists, Unitarians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Adventists, Mormons, Millenialists, and many others. You will find many things with which you disagree and many things which will sound very familiar to you. To me, E. Y. Mullins strikes a very strong chord. This is a very good book.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Religious Place Names
Adana, Turkey: Possibly for Adanus, a son of the Roman god, Uranus.
Baku, Azerbaijan: Probably from the Persian words, “bagh” (“God”) and “kuh” (“mount”)
Mashdad, Iran: From the word, “shaheed,” Arabic for “martyr.”
Odense, Denmark: From “Odins vi,” Norse for “Odin’s sanctuary.”
Karbala, Iraq: In Babylonian, this means “nearness of God,” from the Assyrian “karb” (“sacred place”) plus “ali” (“God”).
Baku, Azerbaijan: Probably from the Persian words, “bagh” (“God”) and “kuh” (“mount”)
Mashdad, Iran: From the word, “shaheed,” Arabic for “martyr.”
Odense, Denmark: From “Odins vi,” Norse for “Odin’s sanctuary.”
Karbala, Iraq: In Babylonian, this means “nearness of God,” from the Assyrian “karb” (“sacred place”) plus “ali” (“God”).
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Hindering the Gospel
A local Roman Catholic Church continues a practice which I believe is reeking of arrogance and, I believe, presents a hiindrance to the presentation of the gospel. I struggled mightily about whether or not to actually name the church in this post and decided against it at this time. The problem is not restricted just to this one church and, to many, it will seem to be a trivial complaint. Let me assure you that it is not trivial.
The church has a large, active, and very faithful congregation. This is wonderful. The problem is that they have very limited parking and insist on filling up the parking lot of the public library across the street. They have been asked repeatedly, for years, to not do this, but continue. The argument that the spaces they are appropriating are public property for use by library patrons, those who are Catholic and those who are not, falls on deaf ears. The idea of the church as the servant, reaching out to the unsaved, falls to the wayside. The exhibited attitude is "Get out of my way!"
This current situation is brought into sharper focus when one more piece of information is added. The public library sits on the campus of a former Church of Christ which moved to another location in frustration when its members were unable to find a place to park in their own parking lot, which was private, not public property. Again, the exhibited attitude was "Get out of my way!"
Not the attitude of the servant.
A Father of the Catholic Church, Origen, said of Paul's statement that only someone mature in faith could do such a thing.
..........................................................
For full disclosure purposes, I have no connection to either the Roman Catholic Church or the Church of Christ. I'm one of those mean old Baptists.
The church has a large, active, and very faithful congregation. This is wonderful. The problem is that they have very limited parking and insist on filling up the parking lot of the public library across the street. They have been asked repeatedly, for years, to not do this, but continue. The argument that the spaces they are appropriating are public property for use by library patrons, those who are Catholic and those who are not, falls on deaf ears. The idea of the church as the servant, reaching out to the unsaved, falls to the wayside. The exhibited attitude is "Get out of my way!"
This current situation is brought into sharper focus when one more piece of information is added. The public library sits on the campus of a former Church of Christ which moved to another location in frustration when its members were unable to find a place to park in their own parking lot, which was private, not public property. Again, the exhibited attitude was "Get out of my way!"
Not the attitude of the servant.
"If others be partakers of [this] power over you, [are] not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. … For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some." 1 Corinthians 9:12, 19-22.
A Father of the Catholic Church, Origen, said of Paul's statement that only someone mature in faith could do such a thing.
..........................................................
For full disclosure purposes, I have no connection to either the Roman Catholic Church or the Church of Christ. I'm one of those mean old Baptists.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Book Comment: The Church Ladies' Divine Desserts
The Church Ladies' Divine Desserts. Heavenly Recipes and Sweet Recollections (2001) is a cookbook compiled by Brenda Rhodes Miller. The recipes are for cakes, pies, cookies, candy, custards, puddings, frozen delights, sauces, frostings, fillings, glazes, and beverages. Sweet delight.
Along with the recipes are numerous biographical sketches of gracious Black Church Ladies (and one male pastor) who faithfully serve their churches, and have done so for years. The compiler, Brenda Miller, is the executive director of the DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and is the wife of a Baptist pastor.
The foreword was written by Dr. Dorothy Irene Height (b. 1912, Virginia - d. 2010), an educator and social activist who, for forty years, was the president of the National Council of Negro Women. In 1994, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and, in 2004, the Congressional Gold Medal. At her death, US President Barack Obama had the capitol's flags flown at half-mast to honor her.
Along with the recipes are numerous biographical sketches of gracious Black Church Ladies (and one male pastor) who faithfully serve their churches, and have done so for years. The compiler, Brenda Miller, is the executive director of the DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and is the wife of a Baptist pastor.
The foreword was written by Dr. Dorothy Irene Height (b. 1912, Virginia - d. 2010), an educator and social activist who, for forty years, was the president of the National Council of Negro Women. In 1994, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and, in 2004, the Congressional Gold Medal. At her death, US President Barack Obama had the capitol's flags flown at half-mast to honor her.
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