Saturday, November 7, 2009
Quick Blog Post
Don't have a lot of time today so just a post to keep the streak going. NaNoWriMo stands at 10004 words and watched a great football game today with my oldest son playing -- great game.
Friday, November 6, 2009
The Book of Revelation -- Part 11 -- The Great Multitude
Revelation 7:9-17. Now if you are looking at the future of things I suppose you could see it as a future scene in heaven around the throne -- but why can't it be a current scene?
If I was writing to seven churches --- some good, some bad, some ugly I think this picture of the saints around the throne in worship would inspire them all regardless of what time this is. Now I know some make a big deal of the phrase -- "these are they that have come out of great tribulation", but I want to note that, it does not say THE great tribulation -- it says great tribulation which can and has happened at many times and places in the history of the world, not just here in the book of Revelation.
Otherwise the passage speaks for itself. it is who is worshiping around the throne and we could be one of them someday.
Next: The Seventh Seal.
If I was writing to seven churches --- some good, some bad, some ugly I think this picture of the saints around the throne in worship would inspire them all regardless of what time this is. Now I know some make a big deal of the phrase -- "these are they that have come out of great tribulation", but I want to note that, it does not say THE great tribulation -- it says great tribulation which can and has happened at many times and places in the history of the world, not just here in the book of Revelation.
Otherwise the passage speaks for itself. it is who is worshiping around the throne and we could be one of them someday.
Next: The Seventh Seal.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Bible and Nakedness -- Part 7 -- Women's Breasts
I suppose that one might argue that I seem to have a fascination with this topic and maybe an obsession. I could argue -- "Yeah, I am a guy. Get over it, guys are fascinated with the subject." What I don't think most Christian men and women understand about this issue is that it is a current issue. One State of the United States, New York already has a law about this subject -- anywhere a man can appear without a top so can a woman. Similar laws exist in in about 7 other states in certain situations (beaches and other areas). In Europe, there are many places where a woman can appear topless -- the fact is Europeans don't have as many hang ups about nudity in general as we do in the US. Many local cities, towns, etc. have their own laws because most states leave the issue to local government to deal with on their own. For instance Columbus, OH has a very similar law to the one in New York state. The point is in certain places a Christian can be walking down the street and see a woman topless (or topfree if you prefer) and they really can't call the cops -- in fact calling the cops in New York can get you and the cops sued. So what do you do? You can't avoid everything.
I all states and places though the problem is that a woman is only considered indecent if she shows her nipples. That still leaves a lot of room on a woman's breast.
At this point in going through Bible I am looking for how the Bible refers to nakedness. In the issue of women's breasts at this point I would have to say the Bible is silent other than a few references to nursing. Now as we get past David and begin to look at the rest of the Bible -- nothing till the book of Job. The fact is the poetic literature of the Bible has a lot to say about the subject of women's breasts. Job makes mention of them, Song of Solomon as well (9 separate verses). Job makes mention of the motherly aspects of women's breasts. No sexual connotation at all. Song of Solomon is a different story.
In the context of Song of Solomon, the subject is the desire the couple has for each other. In chapters 1-7 the mention of breasts is one of admiration. That is the man is admiring his future bride's breasts and commenting on them. In short, he is saying his bride has a nice pair. 8:1 mentions the motherly aspects of women's breasts again much like Job. In Chapter 8 verses 8 and 10 the woman in the story mentions her own breasts as a symbol of her virtue -- she has kept her virginity to her wedding night referring to her breast as acting like towers. In this case they are symbolic of her virtue but it is not mentioned how that is so other than to say she was not a women who just put out for anyone. Probably no one has touched them. Seen them? Well it does not say.
What can be said at this point when dealing with the subject of the Bible and women's breasts:
1. When women's breasts are mentioned, the most common reference is to nursing or the motherly aspect of the breasts or women. It is about nurturing.
2. In Song of Solomon we have an unmarried couple and the man makes continued reference to how much he admires -- not only his future wife's body but her breasts in particular. Wonder how he knew what all this looked like in a middle eastern culture? So is admiration a sin? Not with these verses -- they got into the Bible and no sin is mentioned.
3. In all cases, it is never stated that a woman showing her breasts is sinful or shameful. if anything the virtues of women's breasts are set forward and they are not presented in a negative light.
Next: Job and Isaiah Naked.
I all states and places though the problem is that a woman is only considered indecent if she shows her nipples. That still leaves a lot of room on a woman's breast.
At this point in going through Bible I am looking for how the Bible refers to nakedness. In the issue of women's breasts at this point I would have to say the Bible is silent other than a few references to nursing. Now as we get past David and begin to look at the rest of the Bible -- nothing till the book of Job. The fact is the poetic literature of the Bible has a lot to say about the subject of women's breasts. Job makes mention of them, Song of Solomon as well (9 separate verses). Job makes mention of the motherly aspects of women's breasts. No sexual connotation at all. Song of Solomon is a different story.
In the context of Song of Solomon, the subject is the desire the couple has for each other. In chapters 1-7 the mention of breasts is one of admiration. That is the man is admiring his future bride's breasts and commenting on them. In short, he is saying his bride has a nice pair. 8:1 mentions the motherly aspects of women's breasts again much like Job. In Chapter 8 verses 8 and 10 the woman in the story mentions her own breasts as a symbol of her virtue -- she has kept her virginity to her wedding night referring to her breast as acting like towers. In this case they are symbolic of her virtue but it is not mentioned how that is so other than to say she was not a women who just put out for anyone. Probably no one has touched them. Seen them? Well it does not say.
What can be said at this point when dealing with the subject of the Bible and women's breasts:
1. When women's breasts are mentioned, the most common reference is to nursing or the motherly aspect of the breasts or women. It is about nurturing.
2. In Song of Solomon we have an unmarried couple and the man makes continued reference to how much he admires -- not only his future wife's body but her breasts in particular. Wonder how he knew what all this looked like in a middle eastern culture? So is admiration a sin? Not with these verses -- they got into the Bible and no sin is mentioned.
3. In all cases, it is never stated that a woman showing her breasts is sinful or shameful. if anything the virtues of women's breasts are set forward and they are not presented in a negative light.
Next: Job and Isaiah Naked.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Half a Year of Blogging
Today marks my 183rd post -- half a year's worth of blogging. This was my second major objective with this blog so it is a milestone. Next stop a whole year.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Apologetics: How do you talk to Jews? --Part 2 -- Religious Considerations.
It is all well and good to talk about how the Bible is a great tool for witnessing to Jews, but what about the modern Jew? What makes them different?
First off the more I study the modern Jew the more I find them to be very much like any other major religion -- common themes, diversity of thought. I suppose you could put them in three major camps --Orthodox, Conservative and Reform -- but that is hardly adequate at all. The fact is there is a commonality of the Torah and Community Worship but to pigeonhole all Jews into a box is just plain intellectually impossible. So don't try. When talking to a Jew you going to have to ask a lot of questions to find out where they are coming from and avoid hot button topics like Israel, the Palestinians and the Sabbath. Remember your fishing not slapping the water.
In witnessing to them there is the advantage of having the Old Testament (don't call it that when you talk to them) as a guide, this is what the early church did, but even then your going to run into different opinions of what the Torah, Prophets and Writings are and how much authority they should have. The real issue is to convince them that Jesus wasn't just a great rabbi but the Messiah. It has worked for some.
Right now one of the most interesting phenomena involving Jews and Jesus is happening -- the Messianic Jewish Movement is growing and gaining steam. Jews are coming to Jesus in record numbers that probably haven;t been seen like this since the first century. I find this interesting and encouraging -- maybe Paul's prayer in Romans is finally being answered.
First off the more I study the modern Jew the more I find them to be very much like any other major religion -- common themes, diversity of thought. I suppose you could put them in three major camps --Orthodox, Conservative and Reform -- but that is hardly adequate at all. The fact is there is a commonality of the Torah and Community Worship but to pigeonhole all Jews into a box is just plain intellectually impossible. So don't try. When talking to a Jew you going to have to ask a lot of questions to find out where they are coming from and avoid hot button topics like Israel, the Palestinians and the Sabbath. Remember your fishing not slapping the water.
In witnessing to them there is the advantage of having the Old Testament (don't call it that when you talk to them) as a guide, this is what the early church did, but even then your going to run into different opinions of what the Torah, Prophets and Writings are and how much authority they should have. The real issue is to convince them that Jesus wasn't just a great rabbi but the Messiah. It has worked for some.
Right now one of the most interesting phenomena involving Jews and Jesus is happening -- the Messianic Jewish Movement is growing and gaining steam. Jews are coming to Jesus in record numbers that probably haven;t been seen like this since the first century. I find this interesting and encouraging -- maybe Paul's prayer in Romans is finally being answered.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Is Hell Justified? -- Part 2 -- Greg Boyd and Eternal Punishment -- Video 1
The context for this part of the discussion watch Greg Boyd in this video
Luke 16:19-31 provided the backdrop of the discussion. Now I think this story does not actually recount what heaven and hell are like but it is a reinforcement of the Jewish idea of Sheol or the grave. The waiting place for final judgment. It has some marked differences from the idea of eternal fire in Revelation. Here the people are placed in waiting placed and punished or rewarded based on what their life was like on earth. In Revelation, this idea does not appear at all but their the eternal fire has a finality to it based on whoever is in the Lamb's book of life. So Boyd gets off a little wrong in my opinion because I don't believe this story is dealing with the final state after final judgment but a holding place in waiting for final judgment. However he does an excellent job of presenting the problem with traditional thinking on eternal punishment.
Boyd brings up the standard questions in objection to eternal punishment:
1. How can we enjoy heaven when right down the road are people being tortured in flame that I may love and am called to love?
2. How is eternal punishment consistent with the theme that God's anger lasts only for a moment but his love and mercy lasts forever?
3. How is eternal punishment consistent with the teaching God is love?
4. How is eternal punishment consistent with the Bible's teaching regarding God's final victory?
As I watched these points being brought up I can see myself asking the same questions. The issues here are well presented and will serve as the basis for his and our further discussion.
Next: Greg Boyd Video 2
Luke 16:19-31 provided the backdrop of the discussion. Now I think this story does not actually recount what heaven and hell are like but it is a reinforcement of the Jewish idea of Sheol or the grave. The waiting place for final judgment. It has some marked differences from the idea of eternal fire in Revelation. Here the people are placed in waiting placed and punished or rewarded based on what their life was like on earth. In Revelation, this idea does not appear at all but their the eternal fire has a finality to it based on whoever is in the Lamb's book of life. So Boyd gets off a little wrong in my opinion because I don't believe this story is dealing with the final state after final judgment but a holding place in waiting for final judgment. However he does an excellent job of presenting the problem with traditional thinking on eternal punishment.
Boyd brings up the standard questions in objection to eternal punishment:
1. How can we enjoy heaven when right down the road are people being tortured in flame that I may love and am called to love?
2. How is eternal punishment consistent with the theme that God's anger lasts only for a moment but his love and mercy lasts forever?
3. How is eternal punishment consistent with the teaching God is love?
4. How is eternal punishment consistent with the Bible's teaching regarding God's final victory?
As I watched these points being brought up I can see myself asking the same questions. The issues here are well presented and will serve as the basis for his and our further discussion.
Next: Greg Boyd Video 2
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Pastor Appreciation -- Congregation Appreciation
October was pastor appreciation month and it may have been that my congregation was a little behind, but we felt no less appreciated for it.
Three years ago, I was ready to give up the ministry and God. My story is a long one and I am saving it as part of a book I am writing so it will have to wait. The thing is, it was probably the lowest point in my life since my Father died.
Over a year ago a man from the local congregational church gave me a call and asked if I would be interested in pastoring a church. It was an answer to prayer. A prayer I prayed that if God wanted me back in the ministry, He would have to seek me out and open the door. God took up the challenge.
This congregation actually has restored some of my faith in church and these last months have certainly restored my faith in God's ability to both provide and move. They have no idea how special they have become to me.
May God richly bless us both till Jesus returns.
Three years ago, I was ready to give up the ministry and God. My story is a long one and I am saving it as part of a book I am writing so it will have to wait. The thing is, it was probably the lowest point in my life since my Father died.
Over a year ago a man from the local congregational church gave me a call and asked if I would be interested in pastoring a church. It was an answer to prayer. A prayer I prayed that if God wanted me back in the ministry, He would have to seek me out and open the door. God took up the challenge.
This congregation actually has restored some of my faith in church and these last months have certainly restored my faith in God's ability to both provide and move. They have no idea how special they have become to me.
May God richly bless us both till Jesus returns.
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