tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16417435789089686062024-03-12T22:47:12.774-07:00ADC NTPaul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-27453595768401517212010-04-08T18:15:00.000-07:002010-04-08T19:24:35.027-07:00Chapter 25 - Reading and Understanding the New Testament"Moreover, the question of how the New Testament should be understood is not only concerned with matters related to the different genres or literary styles to be found in its pages, but also relates to important considerations of ideological perspective and cultural change." (p. 458)<div><br /></div><div>Now, nearing the end, Drane reminds his readers that the word is alive. It can be hard slogging through the Bible if your heart is closed to the life within. Reading a text about the Bible might prove even worse, if you cared not for the material. But...the author came through. The Bible is more than the sum of its parts - it is God's word, and it is authoritative in the lives of Christians. The word today does tie the modern Church to our earliest Christian brothers and sisters. Wonderfully, the word not only informs Christians from God's perspective, but the Bible itself is a part of our world-view.</div><div><br /></div><div>"World-view." I think that's what others might call "baggage." Drane might be one of the first commentators I've run across who admits we bring all that stuff to our reading and interpretation of Scripture. Calling the process of not trying to divorce ourselves from our understanding of the word, Drane says we enter into a "dynamic" and "holistic" process. (460) Instead of attempting to objectify the Scripture, Dranes says we can enter into a two-way relationship with in which we apply our setting to its context, and it informs our situation back. WOW! That's communication - God communicates to us through His word.</div><div><br /></div><div>The sooner we begin to understand what it is we (as we engage Scripture) bring with us, the better off we'll be in the conversation. How can we lay aside our entire life's social context, or the human conditions of our birth? Who do we think we truly are if we feel we are able to dismiss the struggles and successes we experience on a daily basis? And just what makes me think that I can instantly think differently about a Scriptural matter than the way I've always been taught? I think, especially for that last one, it would be great to come to the Scriptures with no training - just an assurance that what you'll read is God's word. I wonder what would come out the other side of that experiment!!</div><div><br /></div><div>We are a people of the book! We know it to be God's word given to humanity through the minds, hearts, dreams, memories, and hopes of various men throughout the ages. If we're serious of getting the most out of Scripture, we need to be serious about getting into Scripture. We need to acknowledge our own human traits that we bring as we come to the word. And we dare not forget the human traits the writers each brought as they delivered it. Each of us is called to do the best for God in the ways that He has equipped us - and that includes sharing the Gospel (and the rest of the Scripture).</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's dig in - let's try to hear the voice of God through the pages of the Bible. There are many sources, and somewhere along the way we have to trust the expertise of those "who know." When I look at the words, are they the ones God gave to the original authors? And when we've got that all worked out, we really should want to know "why?" What was going on in the world at that time that God spoke out in that way? On a personal level, I want to know - what has God have for me in His word, given just where I am at in my walk? And across all the ages, how does God's word speak into our own times and cultures today?</div><div><br /></div><div>You know, looking in the mirror and introducing you to yourself can be a scary prospect. How much more terrifying can it be to think to meet God? But Drane is right - it's really only when we start getting comfortable with ourselves and how we fit into the world around us, that we are prepared to get in to understanding the heart of God through His word.</div><div><br /></div><div>Amen.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-24775133678065589242010-03-27T08:45:00.000-07:002010-03-27T18:29:27.685-07:00Chapter 23 - The Church and Its Jewish OriginsMoving away from Paul's letters, Drane introduces us to four shorter epistles he sees as intrinsically linked to the Christian origins found in Judaism. Even though the letters we call <i>James, Hebrews, 1 Peter,</i> and <i>Revelation</i> are relatively shorter than much of Paul's work, "they are no less valuable...for they give us direct access to areas of the church's life and thinking that are mentioned nowhere else in the New Testament." (409) As the church grew, questions of Jewish heritage began to be discussed. As more and more Gentiles became Christians, much of the Jewish "way" became seemingly unnecessary. The writers of these four letters saw the changing shape of the church, and understood the cultural challenges that were arising.<div><br /></div><div>James, who may have been Jesus' brother (or not), dedicated his writing to instruction in proper Christian living. Just as Torah proclaimed that righteous Jewish life was expressed in obedience to God's will, James reminds his Christian readers that our lives in Christ do not end at the church building door. Our devotion to Christ, our lives reshaped by His Spirit, must show the recreation of which Paul wrote. It was not enough to say "I am Christ's," but to ignore the struggles of our neighbors. It is not right to proclaim the King with one breath, and lose control of a wicked tongue with the next. Although James may have relied on Jewish notions of rightful living to convey his message, all Christians should be able to quickly see how right he is.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drane points out that the Temple that Jesus knew was constantly under construction. I had never thought about it before, but it's a really interesting point. Imagine if the building that your church gathered in was constantly occupied with scaffolding, or paint drop-clothes, or other construction equipment. I can just picture how edgy all the people of Jerusalem must have been - all the time. Their land occupied by a foreign empire, under the control of a ruthless local governor, not even really being able to turn to their place of worship for peace. MAN!!</div><div><br /></div><div>It was into that kind of mess that the writer of Hebrews wrote his letter. Seeing little to no peace or truly lasting value in the systems of old, he wrote that God had put it all aside in favor of a priest, prophet, and sacrifice that was superior to everything and everyone who had ever come before. The letter to the Hebrews is obviously written to an audience which would have extensive knowledge of the OT. For the author, God had been showing the Jewish people the shadows of the things He was going to do in Christ. In Jesus, the Temple system, which was no longer offering peace, had come to an end. In a way, although Drane states that the letter could have been written as late as 96, I think it must have been before the fall of Jerusalem. If I received the letter that is Hebrews, with all it says, and I was as emotionally tied to the Temple and Jerusalem as the intended reader surely would have been, it is hard for me to think that great offense would not be conveyed - just 26 years removed from so terrible a time.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the Church spread, Christians had to rethink the covenantal relationship God had with Israel. Jesus established a new covenant with His own, so what did those God made with Abraham and Moses have to do with them now? Seemingly the Apostle Peter, writing from Rome said - "Not much, and everything!" For the Christian, the need to enter into the earlier covenants did not exist. Christ's blood had done away with the old, and Christians had "been incorporated as full members into 'the people of God.'" (432) Peter stated clearly that there is a huge difference between the children of God under the old covenant than those under the new - namely the matter of sharing their faith. As children of God through Christ, we are not to keep our faith as a personal and private matter - we are to share the Gospel with all we can. We no longer rely on Law, but now on love.</div><div><br /></div><div>We carry a message of hope. Our hope is in Christ. At times, the prophets of the OT wrote in seemingly hopeless fashion. They saw no way the evil of this world could be redeemed - God would have to destroy this world and start again. One day, a man named John had a vision in which Jesus led him on a journey seeing the work God was doing to bring an end to evil. Even though Christian scholars and theologians have wrestled with the book of Revelation throughout the centuries (some dismissing outright), it is a part of our Bible that continues the message of hope. Starting with stern warnings to the various churches of Asia minor, or perhaps to the Church throughout the ages, and moving to strange imagery of epic war, destruction, and monsters, Revelation is nevertheless truly a message of how God has been and continue to bring evil to an end. All creation is His, and He will possess it as His own. This is accomplished through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Revelation is a "heavy-duty" book of symbols and language that have had different significance to the first Jewish readers that to our modern eyes. Even still, it continues to offer us a message of hope that God has "it all under control."</div><div><br /></div><div>The little Jewish sect that started in Palestine 2000 years ago is no longer Jewish. And maybe it never was. It was a difference of a different kind, and that made it something new. We have to realize that the first Christians writers wanted to convey what God had laid on their hearts very much, and they wanted to draw others to Christ. Necessarily, they had to use language their first Jewish readers would understand. That truth remains the same for us today - no matter how important a message is, if I don't get, I don't get it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Οὑτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὡστε τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ ἒδωκεν, ἱνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ᾽ ἒχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-29256708317118515512010-03-22T07:49:00.000-07:002010-03-22T08:49:57.493-07:00Chapter 22 - The Spirit and the Letter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bEGBGVvIgalpmyqZ7bJ0G0k2OdkQgBbZhDa2LTh5ZewiMz-oh9rBwagpgMJfyYHQ_5x14j9iDJxtLAZ9AQLboILNBqSZaXHzD2nFaF660sEZRgF7CdKPsIjTadKwZ5aFrV77OmB2zQ/s1600-h/BackToTheFutureMikeFox.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bEGBGVvIgalpmyqZ7bJ0G0k2OdkQgBbZhDa2LTh5ZewiMz-oh9rBwagpgMJfyYHQ_5x14j9iDJxtLAZ9AQLboILNBqSZaXHzD2nFaF660sEZRgF7CdKPsIjTadKwZ5aFrV77OmB2zQ/s320/BackToTheFutureMikeFox.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451485482290165762" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Don't worry. As long as you hit that wire with the connecting hook at precisely 88mph the instant the lightning strikes the tower... everything will be fine. (Dr. Emmett Brown)</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Reading this chapter containing a brief overview of the earliest days of Christianity was nice treat. You see, as the Church changes shape, while continuing in the same mission of proclamation that Christ gave it so many years ago - I found myself living in those days (in some way) this past weekend. Our church in the Halifax area came to an important decision a little while ago - namely, that they must follow God's call to move into a completely new mission field. We moved from the community of Spryfield to Herring Cove - and this was our first week in the new field. OHHHHHH THE NERVES!!<div><br /></div><div>What's all that got to do with Drane's commentary on the changing shape of the earliest church. Well, nothing directly, but it just feels to me like one more subtle little shift in the Universal Church. How Drane treated his material was quite welcome to my sensibilities, and I appreciated the care he took with those who had little choice but to change what church could/should be. Before I continue, I guess it would be helpful for me to plainly state that I believe that each and every Christian and Christian congregation is a part of the one Church - that of Christ. We each have our own God-given responsibilities to fulfill, as God sees fit. That means that we are all part of a greater whole than I think we sometimes think about. God is in control, and He is working the components as is necessary to fulfill His will.</div><div><br /></div><div>That, basically, has been what has happened as the Church has grown over the years. Don't get me wrong - I do not believe that God ordained the Crusaders to proclaim a gospel of the sword in Palestine. And I do not believe that God intended for the church to extract the dross from heretics in exactly the same way they would have gold. And I do not immediately see God's hand in the volumes of "prosperity preachers" who seem to flood the TV screens of those who are trapped by the gospels of false-hope. But none of that means that the Church cannot or should not change.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first Church was comprised of "individual disciples [who] experienced the compelling power of the Holy Spirit for themselves." (p. 394) Their meetings were characterized by a charisma that is seldom seen in the institutionalized church. But, what some do is characterize the formalization of the Church and its structures as wrong and inconsistent with God's will. As I read this chapter, at first I thought certainly that this would be the direction in which Drane would take us. I was pleasantly surprised to read that the author took a much different approach. No matter what we take the first Church to have been, it was in its infancy. By the Spirit, it was birthed on that Day of Pentecost so many years ago. Like anything born, it had, and continues to have, life. And so...it must grow.</div><div><br /></div><div>If decisive leaders had not have emerged from the Christian woodwork (far more many that only Justin Martyr or Ignatius of Antioch), willing to give all they had to stand for Christ's Church, where would our faith be today. (Hmmm - I guess that one goes ways, doesn't it?) But the facts are, there were people attempting to reshape the beliefs of Christians with quasi-Christian teaching. And although the earliest leaders/bishops may have gone a bit far with claiming apostolic succession, we need to stand up and applaud quite loudly that God saw fit to give the men and women of the now toddling Church the courage to move away from what they knew to something even greater (perhaps more important.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay - back to 2010....</div><div><br /></div><div>Folks, I believe God is still reshaping and reorganizing His Church to accomplish His mission. The challenges haven't really changed much - there a still groups out there spreading quasi-Christians messages, and trapping those they capture. Christ still has a proclamation mission for His Church. The times, they are a-changing and things seems faster, more demanding, draining - even for the men and women of the Church who have to go to work day after day after day after day after...I think it is absolutely beautiful how God has <i>organized</i> His Church. If you just read this and you still long for the first century Church, well you can go....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>...back in time.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-43133666849985617532010-03-12T04:39:00.000-08:002010-03-12T05:43:01.217-08:00Chapter 21 - Freedom and CommunityThis may seem almost heretical coming from a student nearing the end of classes, but --- this chapter seemed a little light.<div><br /></div><div>I very much appreciated how Drane started out. How many times have we heard someone say, "Hey, I'm going to church." How often have any of us said, "Yes dear, we can go to your mother's after church is over on Sunday." Or, maybe you've been asked by a fellow believer from a different congregation, "How do you guys do church?"</div><div><br /></div><div>I wonder, along with Drane, what Paul would have thought about the heart behind these statements/question? The church is not a place, "a building nor a sect." (p. 381) How could I possibly go to it? If we agree with Paul's vision that "the church [is] indeed a new society," (p. 381) how can we possibly go somewhere after it is over? Not being an authority in eschatology my understanding may be a little shaky, but I don't think church is over until Christ returns. I think it's that last question (or some variant of it) that makes me the most excited. "How do you do church?" Friends, <i>church</i> is not a verb. One cannot be <i>churched</i> nor is one able <i>to church</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The church is a body - it is the walking, talking active and physical presence of Christ in the midst of the people of this earth. Paul saw that the "Christian gospel [has] within it the power to transform relationships" (p. 382) and lives. I know all of us have seen those women and men who allow the truth of Christ in their lives to really settle in. The peace their lives exhibit - the desire they have to serve the people around them with all the gospel entails. How all of us should long to live the significance of the cross as they do.</div><div><br /></div><div>We all have something different to offer - Christ's Spirit is equipping His people to reach the lost and to bring a message of peace to those who battle their Creator. Not one of us is more important than the others - we all have such significant missions to complete, together. Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians (or second or third....) plainly shows us that in the diversity that God bestows on the church, the Lord sees great unity (1 Cor. 12:4:13). The apostle's writing is amazing - just as we serve and are equipped for and by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Unity in Diversity) the church is formed as different parts of one.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started off by suggesting that this chapter seemed a little short, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe, in the end, the church needs a little talk and a lot of motion!</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-23217095214236527892010-03-04T09:47:00.000-08:002010-03-04T11:05:22.818-08:00Chapter 20 - What Does it Mean to be a Christian?<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8RtfNdg1fQk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8RtfNdg1fQk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br/.><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We'll come back to the video in just a bit - but for now, I would like to quote Drane, albeit in reference to the thought behind the title of this chapter and not to the question he poses in his work.</br/.><div><br /></div><div>"It is easier to ask that question than it is to answer it." (p. 366 - careful of the page reference folks. It's really close to being so evil that it lights your computer monitor on fire.)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Wouldn't this whole thing be somehow easier if Jesus had have only kept on going after Peter's confession. "You speak well Simon bar Jonah, and you are blessed because My Father has revealed this to you. From now on, you are Peter, and this Rock I will build my Church. Now, when you get together as a Church, here are the things I want you to do, and the ways I want you to do them. First..." Of course Jesus didn't do that, and Drane reminds us that Paul, in all his Christ-appointed missionary work, didn't lay out any specific liturgies either. Paul didn't go so far as to make a collective statement about the theological things he believed an why. We have God only to thank for calling such a dedicated, determined, and intelligent thinker to spread his word. We need also thank the Lord that He providentially preserved Paul's writings for us to have today. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Providence - maybe that's the point. Drane reminds us that Paul's letters weren't epistles as such - they were all specific communication for specific people at specific times. We have gained so much from them today, but what of the Galatian church had have been the same as the Ephesian church, who were the same as the Corinthians, who were the same as the Philippians, who were the same as the... You get the point. God had the right man on the job, at the right time, mixing it up with the right band of people so that Paul had to write what he wrote, and we are blessed immensely by the heart of God poured through the vessel of Paul. When I think of how God used Paul to bring a message of peace to a world shaped by so many didn't mini and macro cultures, I think of different colors. Then my mind goes back to God's first sign of peace with the world - the rainbow. Folks who know will tell you that EVERY color that is, is in the rainbow. It just seems that God has a penchant for diversity.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Paul's testimony to all who listened was plain, there is one living God and He can "only be fully known through Jesus." (p. 369) The message remains the same today. Drane reminds us that Paul realized that there was nothing he had done and there was no part of him that deserved God's love and the salvation He gives. How has this changed in 2000 years? Are any of us more deserving than Paul? Have any of us done something that has impressed the risen Lord with just how amazing we are? Of course not - Christ's Holy Spirit chases us down and draws us to Him, precisely because we are totally incapable of finding ourselves - let alone our Creator. How can anyone of us react any differently than Paul did. Our faith too is the response of God's presence in our lives. Paul's encounter with Jesus was something that I dare say most of us just won't experience. Jesus already has my attention - so I'm guessing that when I see the Lord face-to-face I'll be helping a garden grow.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Drane says that Paul's faith was a "response to God...based on a holistic perception that began with his direct experience" (p. 370) with Jesus (a.k.a. Holy Spirit). Here's the thing - me too! That's my story, that's yours. My friend John asks me (all the time), "How can you tell me with certainty that there is a God?" I tell John, "I can't tell you anything else. He has revealed Himself to me, I know He is alive, and if I told you otherwise I would be lying." That's where Paul found Himself - and I expect that's where many of you are.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Paul realized, and we should too, that the reality of Christ and His mandate for His Church compels each of us to care for our neighbors. This really is an outworking of the Holy Spirit - Christians are the body of Christ, Christ is its head. What the head says do, the body does. Paul saw that if God would go through the hassle of loving him, one who was out to destroy the Church, then "Christians must show the same openness in their relationships with others." (p. 371) It's more than what we do - it's who we are. And this realization gets into the heart of how Paul began to reinterpret the Law.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yes, God had given Israel His perfect Law, but something had gone wrong. Who was to blame? God? Israel? For Paul the answer was plain - by "keeping [the Law] most meticulously, Paul had clearly found himself on the opposite side to God!" (p. 372) Just as with our neighbors, the answer is the same with Jesus. God desires relationships with His people. The trouble for the Israelites, and for a lot of us today - is we want rules. Relationships are tough; they take time and energy to get right. Rules are easy; just follow them - or don't. I'm sure it must have really caused Paul a lot of heartache and head spinning when he first started to get God's message - Relationships, not Rules! I wonder, how do you feel about that?</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay - back to the video. It's kind of fun, and it sort of makes a point. At first I watched it and got a chuckle - and if I was completely truthful, I'd have to say it still makes me smile. Its point is plain, and it's made in a fun way. But here's the thing - maybe it's counter productive, and just not necessary. I guess, if I were to say I see myself in the video, it's on the side of the Mac - casual. But - who cares? I go back to the rainbow - there are Christians in suits, Christians in hoodies, Christians in orange jump suits, Christians in shorts, and in dresses, tuxedos, white suits, linen shirts, braided hair, buzz-cuts, leather jackets, polar fleece - oh, I could go on until you just got bored and closed your web-browser. But I won't. In that video - I bet both of those guys and the churches of which they are each members proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus' birth, death, burial, and resurrection. And I bet they both have relationships with Christ and their neighbors. It's time I stopped worrying about<i> </i>what it means to <i>look </i>Christian, and get back to thinking about what it means to <i>be</i> a Christian!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-44035906499405594032010-03-01T13:57:00.000-08:002010-03-01T15:06:57.627-08:00Chapter 19 - Paul Reaches Rome<i>Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo,</i><div><i>Put'em together and what have you got?</i></div><div><i>Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Sure enough, Paul had a deep desire to spread the word to the farthest reaches of the Mediterranean world. Drane reminds us that Rome already had a church in place, so Paul would shoot for Spain. I hear the oranges are beautiful in Spain. But Paul's not much different than most of us - he wants to get where the action is. Well, the place to be was Rome, and Paul was going to get there - even if he had to get arrested doing it ;-). Alright, that's a really bad joke-like thing, but you know the story; things don't go well in Jerusalem and Paul exercises his rights as a Roman, instead of being killed as a Jew. Seems like a good plan.</div><div><br /></div><div>So Paul gets taken to Rome, where he promptly sets up his own apartment, and security team. The way that Drane describes the greetings he received from the time he made land at Puteoli, even on to Rome, Paul must have been a rather well known fellow. Dealing with his own mess in Rome, Paul receives word that things are getting messed up in Colossae. That's where the wise words of Cinderella's Fairy Godmother come in. The Colossian church was falling into a trap that would take them captive away from Christ. They were hearing a new Gospel - one of lies and death: take one part mysticism, another of traditional religious law, and another of intellectual philosophy, "put'em together and what have you got? Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!" Whatever it was, it wasn't Christ. I betcha with the ascetic gospel that was being peddled in Colossae, people probably did very painful things to themselves and each other.</div><div><br /></div><div>In his letter to the Colossians, Paul asks the church to swap letters with the Laodicean church - one that seems to be lost ------ or is it?!?!?!?!? Drane examines the details surrounding the letter the modern reader knows to be to the Ephesian church, and says there is good proof that it is the missing letter. Drane points out that the name Ephesus is "not found in the best and oldest manuscripts of the letter." (p. 354) He also notes that Paul uses no personal greetings in the letter - strange, says Drane, for a man who had good ties in Ephesus. The final point Drane uses is that "Marcion referred to Ephesians as 'the letter to the Laodiceans.'" (p. 356) Marcion? Really? On a matter of Biblical authenticity, Drane references Marcion? All in all, the pieces add up that Ephesus may have been a letter Paul intended for a wider audience than the one church family.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a sucker for the obvious, allow me to hit you up with some "obvious" - we sure can learn a thing or two form Paul's letter to the Philippians. Drane reminds us about the circumstances under which Paul wrote the letter. Great friends sent him financial and emotional help, yet he needed it because he was being held on "death-row." Do we circle our Christian brothers and sisters in their most difficult times? Do we accept support as readily as Paul did, or are we too proud at times? When the going is its roughest, do we turn back to the source of our strength -praising Christ through His Spirit who indwells us? I dunno - but it seems Paul did.</div><div><br /></div><div>Paul the Missionary, Paul the Pastor was now Paul the captive. He had seen and dealt with much as he had been a part of the earliest seeds of more than one church. His experiences had given tremendous insight into the hearts of the people who would occupy churches until the day Jesus plants His feet back on the earth. You know, with all the material Paul left in his other letters (Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians) sometimes I think we dismiss the wonderful gift Paul left us in the letters he sent to Timothy and Titus. "Watch out for folks that will try to preach a false Gospel - they'll lead people to hell if you just let them. Friends, keep your strength, relying in the one true faith - the one that saves - the Gospel of God among us. And show others what it's all about - maybe not all the time with the talk, but most of the time with your walk. And as your churches grow, your going to need to invest in people to lead others. Be careful - it's important work!"</div><div><br /></div><div>You know all that aside, for me, the most important pastoral words Paul writes to Timothy are in the second letter. "Do your best to come to me quickly...When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments...Do your best to get here before winter." (2 Tim. 4:9-21) Winter is coming, and with it uncertainty. What do you know - Paul is human and desires the comfort of a dear friend and things he treasures. It's nice to know that when I feel scared about the days ahead, the greatest missionary and pastor for Christ the world has seen, shared my space once upon a time too.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-82369206356704545362010-03-01T12:31:00.000-08:002010-03-01T13:19:56.177-08:00Chapter 18 - Paul the Pastor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym7sm9BasqmY5P6k2Vl8QLJC8dbjJpAf7sE9B9jE9P-dRsJExixCYdQbJk67-Jdg5lCQm6xjB0lv7Dn_SlAsXgg_9su8egW2dEmp_83p9sRXrgX98pc27GFJvr7S41JanybIkYEgIiw/s1600-h/Reverendalden.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym7sm9BasqmY5P6k2Vl8QLJC8dbjJpAf7sE9B9jE9P-dRsJExixCYdQbJk67-Jdg5lCQm6xjB0lv7Dn_SlAsXgg_9su8egW2dEmp_83p9sRXrgX98pc27GFJvr7S41JanybIkYEgIiw/s320/Reverendalden.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443767937523548306" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Gospel has the power to change - no, save - lives. Paul knew that (Romans 1:16), and that was why and how he was so determined to see it spread. I think sometimes, we just want to focus on the good news of spreading the good news. In some ways, I think my own imagery of pastoral work was shaped by Rev. Alden here - you remember - from Walnut Grove. People respected him and what he had to say. The Church was a part of people's lives - at least in the frontier days of 70's TV. But the reality is preaching the Gospel sure can take a toll on ya!<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>When Paul brought the message to Ephesus, things there started to change. Magicians left their wicked practices to turn to Christ, and the demand for mini-idols began to dry up. Glorious news for the Kingdom - bad news for the folks who had been making their living on these two areas of <i>superstition. </i>Someone would have to pay - and it's gonna have to be that guy who's talking folks outta buying what's feeding my family. I bet Paul would have really loved to see Charles Ingalls and Jonathan Garvey loading up the feed wagon instead of a mob coming to beat him up and throw him in jail. Oh well - life moves on, and so did Paul - right on out of Ephesus.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Dane then brings us onto the pastoral challenge Paul seems to have had with the church he planted in Corinth. This fresh, young church family - the face of Christ in their own neighborhood - seemed to having a bit of a challenge. Something had gotten into their corn-flakes and now they didn't like Paul or each other. The people began to separate over "party" lines. Some thought they were better because saw ultimate philosophical and behavioral freedom in the Gospel. Others said, "No Way!!! The rules are the rules, and good and godly people follow the rules." Yet others said that God is a mystical concept - "We should think about that!" And yet others saw themselves as holier-than-thou, because they pledged allegiance to an idea of Jesus (instead of the Savior Himself).</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>All these differences led to splits within the church, even though it seems they must have stayed "together." It must have been a tough deal for Paul, sitting in jail, writing to a fractious group about theology, church discipline, love and kindness, and many things we take for granted. Even though we know the lessons Paul tried to teach the Corinthians through his multiple letters, sometimes I think we too lose sight of them and end looking (if only just a little bit) like the Corinthian church. Maybe a few weeks / months spending time in the Corinthian letters would do all of us, and the Church, some good. Oh yeah - Rev. Alden never pastored in Corinth either, but some of us will.</div><div><br /></div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-46765157255803004182010-02-11T04:43:00.000-08:002010-02-17T10:48:33.491-08:00Chapter 17 - Paul the Missionary<i>For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more; and to the Jews I became a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak. I become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.</i> (1 Corinthians 9:19-22)<div><br /></div><div>You know, the more I read Paul, and the more we study him, the more I really love the guy. To read some of his material at first glance sure can leave a fellow feeling a little put-off. But as I trust that God is shaping me and my character in a way that is pleasing to Him, Paul's words lose their condemnation - and take on a beautiful character of love and urgency. He becomes a father - a father who is caring, and not willing that any of his children (the Christians in the Churches he has sown) should go through life without guidance and correction when needed.</div><div><br /></div><div>The beginning (well, second beginning) of all that "parenthood" is where Drane takes us in this section of his work. As with any journey each of us might take, Paul would leave one friend (Barnabas) behind, and pick up others as he went. This journey would be Paul's break into Europe, and although the Gospel obviously would have made it to Europe without Paul ("it was certainly not the the first time that Christian missionaries had entered Europe [Rome]" (p. 305)), we get a sense that the early Churches he did seed were better for his input. In some ways this can be attested by the fact that the Orthodox Church is still going.</div><div><br /></div><div>For me, it was very nice to to see Drane cover Paul's visit to Philippi. The way he writes about Lydia's conversion really wrestled with me for a bit. It reminded me about the way Paul describes the "power of the Gospel" to his Roman friends (Romans 1:16). In fact, my favorite verses in the whole of Scripture (if we can have favorites) are found in this small passage in Acts 16:30-31. It's the simplicity of it all - how Paul expressed it to the jailor that night, and how Drane describes Lydia:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>In an event, her discovery of Jesus as the Messiah brought about an immediate and revolutionary change in her life...</i>(p. 306)</div><div><br /></div><div>But let's get back to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">all things to all men</span>! After Paul finally did get out of that Philippian jail, he headed to Athens - and his approach had to change. "Messiah? Ahh, Paul - what's a messiah?" Can you hear the Athenians now? Drane recalls the Biblical account, and shows us just how 'on-the-ball' Paul was about the message. He knew one thing for sure - Jesus gave Himself up to the curse of the cross, was put in a tomb and accounted among the dead, and then rose to life again so that ALL people who would hear the good news and accept might become adopted children of God. The Gospel wasn't just for the Jews and God-Fearers. It wasn't intended for just those who had background knowledge of the Scriptures. It wasn't meant for just those people who had reached the bottom of the pit (Philippian jailor). It was and is meant for everyone to hear - even Athenians.</div><div><br /></div><div>For Paul, "communicating his message in Athens was bound to require a very different approach from that used in most of the places [he] had visited." (p. 307) First he scoped the place out - checking out what was important the folks who lived there. Next, he attended the lectures and philosophical debates that so intrigued the people of Athens. He showed that he cared about what they had to say, and he began to understand the currency of their speech. Then, when invited, he spoke about the good qualities he saw in them and their culture, and then drew lines back to a form of the Gospel they could understand. Drawing their attention to a monument they had erected to the "unknown god," Paul preached to them the good news that that very God had come to earth for each of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, not everyone who heard Paul's message accepted it that day. Then again, even with as much as they hauled in that day, Peter and the boys didn't catch every fish in the sea when the Lord said, "Lower your nets." (Luke 5:1-11) But you know, of those who refused, surely there were some who went home thinking, and maybe they came along later. I wonder sometimes, "Am I prepared to become all things to all people, that I might by all means win some?" How flexible am I in my approach to evangelism? Have I taken a good look at what is important, and what has been added? How willing am I to allow others to have their say, and then speak when invited? How comfortable am I with the thought that some, if not most, of those who hear the good news will not accept it right away?</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I'm rambling. But here's the thing - I think I live in Athens. It's just called Halifax.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-42220640028120799272010-01-29T12:38:00.000-08:002010-01-29T17:49:04.568-08:00Chapter 16 - Into All the World<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PmACbfVQjfF4ci5AkrsomMDwx5-9sAxBvt232ev5ObmDZoge7ckKr-aKPADU0QMDqugSDtoR7LdtOsDW0Phr3_46nte6EbVz45xe97PJorzKRAtUVowyubv-u8zbeFRoemAxMoITzA/s1600-h/grief.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432264216713106770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PmACbfVQjfF4ci5AkrsomMDwx5-9sAxBvt232ev5ObmDZoge7ckKr-aKPADU0QMDqugSDtoR7LdtOsDW0Phr3_46nte6EbVz45xe97PJorzKRAtUVowyubv-u8zbeFRoemAxMoITzA/s320/grief.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! (Luke 13:34; NKJV)</em></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br />What in the world do Jesus' words to the city He loved so much have to do with Paul and his extraordinary commitment to bring the Gospel to the world - the Gentiles? Well, as I read through this chapter, I was drawn back to these words and to thoughts of a <em>chosen people.</em> Drane briefly introduces us to the churches that Paul and Barnabas seeded as they travelled through Cyprus, Pisidia, Lycaonia, and back to Syria. The author says that "as a result of Paul's visits to these [areas], many Gentiles came to believe in Jesus Christ. (p. 293) But not long on his heals came "emissaries from the Jerusalem church" (p. 293) who came to tear down the work that Paul and Barnabas had done. For these "judaizers" true Christian faith in God still relied on being a part of the Abrahamic community. For me, this is where Jesus' earlier words come into significance.</div><div></div><div><br></br>The children of Abraham were God's chosen people, His special children. To the patriarch a blessing had been given, and through his line the world would be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3) And true enough, God had made covenant with the Hebrew people - one that included Law and sacrifice. This people would remain close to their God and to each other through the keeping of the Law, including the holy days and rituals - including circumcision. But Abraham's children didn't honor God as He had desired. The rituals that were intended to bind together, the people used to separate. Religious and social classes, afforable and "more" pleasing sacrifices created castes and God would look upon it no more. (Amos 5:21-26) Their religious, political, and social appetites became far more important to them than proper relationships with their Creator.</div><div></div><div><br></br>Jesus, God, has always had a special heart for the children of Abraham. Jerusalem should have been the real "city on a hill," but it just wasn't that way. Jesus told a parable of a wedding banquet. (Matthew 22:1-14) As you remember the point of Christ's story that day, aren't you so glad that God didn't waste the feast - that He sent for those who were not originally invited to join in the celebration. But Christ's words that day He was entering Jerusalem betray the hurt that God feels for the wounded relationship between Him and His chosen people.</div><div></div><div><br></br>In the banquet parable, the king sends his messengers into the streets to find anyone who wants to come - come freely - as they were. How could these newly invited guests have been prepared in the same way as those who had received an invitation days, weeks, months earlier. They would have no special gift. They could buy no new clothes - only wear the best of what they owned. In short, they were not the same people who the king had originally invited - but now, they were just as welcomed. They weren't asked to change themselves - being in the king's presence would be enough to bring about desired results. And maybe all this (and more) is why I think of the tears of the King, as He ponders the future of His beloved city. Then I think of His wonderful banquet, and I thank Him so much that He sent His servant Paul into the streets of the world to find those of us who were not originally invited.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-78344560827713010702010-01-20T12:50:00.000-08:002010-01-20T13:48:24.903-08:00Chapter 15 - Paul the Persecutor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRke29QUJud8lSozpCrSRNb9FB65Adre90j8oamAYz-54YwVPSdW1hdI0dRwOBiGnMCKmFCyPy4_dfe20w2ket2CrUUQeCaT83NurfPiWI7cELEiEIwXzvaf-MOUm5KPEMBUdnPAEj0g/s1600-h/starwars-boba-fett.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428929611927677570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRke29QUJud8lSozpCrSRNb9FB65Adre90j8oamAYz-54YwVPSdW1hdI0dRwOBiGnMCKmFCyPy4_dfe20w2ket2CrUUQeCaT83NurfPiWI7cELEiEIwXzvaf-MOUm5KPEMBUdnPAEj0g/s320/starwars-boba-fett.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Maybe it's just me - but the way Drane starts this chapter off feels like an action flick to me. I can hear the husky, male voice of a voice over announcer now:</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>"In a day when Christians began to spread like a bad itch - one man was willing and able to do whatever it took to stop this vermin! With the weight of the Sanhedrin behind him, and the authority of the proconsul giving him a ticket to do whatever it took - he's the bounty hunter that can't be stopped. Christians have seen what happens when this one's out to get you - run to Damascus, but you can't hide. It's Paul - the Persecutor! In theatres everywhere January 25. Rated PG for some violence."</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Alright, I did say that maybe it was just me - but I had to get that out. Seriously though, I think of aul, and his conversion in the same way that I began to articulate about the last chapter. All that Paul had been through, all that he had learned, all that he had done - all that he was made him the perfect person to be the "Apostle Paul." Drane looks at Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus and calls it one of the most important moments "in the entire history of the early church." (p. 282) And how! Paul was known for being the determined, and religiously determined man who would do anything it took to bring down Christians and their faith. We don't have to stretch our minds to hard to think about what that looks like in our own time. I think of young men today, whose own convictions drive then to violently suicidal lengths to destroy those who bring a voice against their beliefs. In some ways, Saul of Tarsus was similar to these type of fellows.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>He had stood by, at the very least, the day that Stephen was martyred. I don't recall having heard the perspective that Drane shared before - that Paul may have betrayed his sympathies to the Christian movement, by standing back during Stephen's death. And, it just might be true. Perhaps Paul was one of the most conflicted individuals going at that time. Maybe it was the whirlwind going on within him that drove him to bring such storm into the lives of those he chased. Paul couldn't have been surprised when the Jerusalem church was afraid of him, and suspicious of his motives - he had earned that "respect." But who else, but one who was such an enemy, could after having seen and knwon the truth become such an advocate. As pain drove him to deliver pain in others, freedom would now do the same.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-21423238358848586342010-01-15T12:28:00.000-08:002010-01-16T07:01:26.342-08:00Chapter 14 - Introducing PaulDrane does a nice job of introducing us to a man who's life should serve as an encourgement to any of us - and a man with a great name. Raised in the traditions of his cultural fathers, developed into a religious authority, exposed to great patterns of thinking and understanding, Paul stands out as a man God knew and prepared from before his birth. It is hard to imagine the depths our Christian understanding would take, even today, if Paul had refused Christ's call all those years ago.<br /><br />From his youth, Paul was "sent away from Taursus to the center of the Jewish world, Jerusalem." (p. 267) It was there that he would begin his religious education, and build his ferver for the Jewish ways. Studying under one of the more respected Rabbis of his time, Gamaliel, Paul grew in his understanding and position within the religious community. Like many people, Paul probably wanted to be successful in his career, and I wonder if maybe this drove him later as he chased Christians about the countryside.<br /><br />Drane also observes that Paul's hometown of Tarsus was a hub for philosophical discussion, and Paul may have been particularly exposed to Stoicism. Some have argued that Paul actually did not preach or teach true Christianity, but rather a blend of Stoicism and the Faith. Sure he used many of their concepts to explain his understanding of the Gospel message, but this demonstrates his ability to relevantly communicate to his contemporaries, instead of him blending religion and philosophy. In exploring the Apostle's communication style, Drane points out that there can be "no doubt Paul would know and sympathize with many Stoic ideals," (p. 271) but this knowledge gave him an inroad into the community through its language and culture.<br /><br />In a similar way, Drane explores Paul's relationship with the mystery religions of the time, and concludes that Paul's relationship to them was limited to awareness. Again, he would use their currency to impact the people involved in the cults. I think about the road that is erceived to be rocky that Paul took with the Jerusalem church. Maybe, if there was tension - and it seems there was - it's because of how God prepared and used the man. He had come from the same old thing, but he wasn't that anymore. He was a difference of a different kind - and that maybe his ministry something new. Even today, we flinch at the thought of change - and sometimes the women and men who sense God calling them in new directions meet the stiffest opposition from within the very church they come. Paul's life and ministry can serve each of as an example of what God is capable of doing with those who will give themselves to Him.Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-24809552402622517772009-12-18T10:29:00.001-08:002009-12-18T10:48:57.613-08:00Chapter 10 - Understanding the GospelsJust a quick blurb / comment on this 10th chapter!<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I think Drane's most astute comment of the whole chapter came about a third the way through. He says, "So to understand the gospels fully is a rather complex business." (p. 173) Drane's writing focuses primarily on technicalities:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>What type of writing are they? Are they biography, collections of various works, kerygma (or preaching), narratives, or something else?</li><li>The answer is "yes." Perhaps it is "D" if that means "All of the above."</li></ul><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Drane goes on to show how the anonymous evangelists would have sourced each other and a yet unfound, yet much postulated document called "Q," to construct their individual Gospel accounts. Drawing on the Old Testament, a record of Jesus' own teachings and earliest remembrances of His life (Q - <i>Quelle</i>), Matthew and Luke would each have had Mark's record of Peter's memories on which to draw.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Analysis of the historical documents available to scholars leads to contention - and for some in the world of Biblical study, the issues surrounding authenticity and authorship remain unanswerable. Blind acceptance of anything does not necessarily lead to fact, but those who want to find fault with the Gospels and the understanding and traditions of the historical Church always will. For me, I agree with Drane that understanding the Gospels can be complex - I'd just rather focus on their lessons than their composition.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-68236594797665924742009-12-18T09:49:00.000-08:002009-12-18T10:27:11.416-08:00Chapter 13 - Engaging the Wider World<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"After the resurrection of Jesus, his followers were faced with some hard choices." (p. 237) Yes they were; yes we are. As I read this chapter, I couldn't help but think that I was actually reading about the Church today. But I guess in a lot of ways, I was. The story of the first Church is our story too.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"[What] was so different about Jesus - and what was to set his followers radically apart from Judasim [/the world] - was the framework in which he set his teaching." (p. 238) Jesus, although He seemingly spoke in ways that may have opposed the Law or Torah, actually was talking about living in a way that pleases God rather than obeys the black and white of the written word. Today, Christians have the same struggle - to break free of codification and live as a people who have the "law in their minds and [written] on their hearts." (Jer. 31:33, NIV) God still judges our character by our inner nature, and not from our adherence to religious rules.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yet, there are still many in the Church today, just as there were in those first days who judge others (inside the Church and out) on the merits of accomplishment. For many in the first century, the task to be completed was the loss of a little (yet surely painful) flesh. Today, in some circle we contest on the form of baptism, or the volume of water used. Is the "Torah" we have created in some areas today, and our obedience to it, any more pleasing to God than it was in those first days. It should be no wonder to us, that we see new congregations emerge from those who maintain the Law at all costs - this is what happened in Palestine those many years ago.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>And yet, perhaps this must happen - perhaps it is a part of God's plan. If the local church (its buildings, programs, and liturgies) is a place of comfort and warmth, a womb if you please, then there must be a period of gestation, and an inevitable time of birth. Just as Peter was propped up and given the necessary strength to stand before the masses and preach by the Holy Spirit, should we surprised when such things happen today? Perhaps the local church is continuously "in the process of being born." (p. 243)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>As our congregations grow, and diversify in character, should we expect that everyone found within them will always agree on every issue - sometimes even matters of serious importance. Just as conflicts arose in those early days which caused the Church to spread, perhaps today the same is happening. As painful as congregational separations are, dispersion of Christocentric, Bible preaching, evangelical local church groups may actually provide the world with more opportunities to hear the Gospel than would otherwise be possible.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Now I'm not saying that I'm certain of any of this, but maybe it's worth a little thought. Maybe we each need moments in our lives, like Peter, when God reaches through what we think we know, to teach us what we need to know.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-47231228689787413992009-12-07T16:28:00.000-08:002009-12-07T16:50:57.695-08:00Chapter 12 - Can We Trust the Gospels?Sorry I'm so late gang - some times there are balances to be made between church and school - and this week has been a tough one to do right!<div><br /></div><div>One of Drane's opening remarks to this chapter is that there are serious students of the Gospels who will say that they "reveal nothing of importance about Jesus, [and] we need to take serious account of their arguments." (p. 218) It's not that I want to be disagreeable with everything that comes my way in life, but I really don't take the author's side on this one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sure there are challenges to be found in the messages: at best they are each Greek written translations of Aramaic oral moments in time, and plenty of their stories overlap - yet somehow diverge at times. But, that's all minor stuff isn't it? Drane is right to point out that even today we have news media and legal systems that generate and procure differently sourced, and told stories of same incidents in life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe Drane is right when he says that "Western thinkers have often imagined that only people like them are capable of making rational assessments of" (pp. 222-3) historical information. Perhaps many of us are intellectually imperial in our ways of thinking, but that doesn't really get the heart of Drane's point that many think the Gospels have nothing significant to offer about Jesus' life. Using the language and context of His day, Jesus claimed to be no one shy of God-with-us. Either the Gospels did shout out the good news, or Jesus was a lying lunatic. Any way you look at it - that's significant.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-20988088325748980412009-11-27T16:02:00.000-08:002009-11-27T16:50:31.505-08:00Chapter 11 - Four Portraits of JesusHow amazing is it that God has graced us today with the preserved message of His Son - kept through the distinctive writers of the four gospels. Imagine if our churches only had one frame of mind - if no one thought differently than the others. Imagine a Christian community that contained no differing vision. Imagine a body of believers who just saw every issue in life through the exact same lens. As easy on the brains as that might seem at first blush - how useful would it truly be to the world around it? This will seem trite, but it is the many facets of a diamond that make it shine.<div><br /></div><div>It's with that sort of view that I see the four Gospels. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful and lovingly told set of stories about the moments in Jesus' life the evangelists thought important to our salvation. Now, again, imagine if they all agreed down the line - or if only one had been recorded. Just the thought is somehow saddening. I think it was Lee Strobel who pointed out the significance of the different views - stating that their differences in telling the same stories is the part that is so significant to their credibility. I'm not sure Strobel and Drane would necessarily agree on the "who came first, and who looked at whose Gospel" discussion, but even still there is truth in what Strobel points out.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the Gospels are written anonymously, sure enough, but that shouldn't stop us from accepting the traditions of the Church Fathers, and our own understanding of human circumstance. Drane points out that Mark from Acts et. al. was remembered to be Peter's interpreter. Drane continues on to point out that "a number of the stories [Marcan] are told with such vivid details that it is natural to regard them as first-hand." (p. 196) I think of my own times of reflection and in telling the stories that have shaped my life to date. Sometimes, when I recount these days of my past, I find myself in a "thousand mile stare." I guess my point is about the weight these moments (and now their stories) have played in my life. The stories found in Mark's Gospel may have been very personal to Peter - I would have loved to watch him tell them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luke and Matthew, says Drane (and the rest of the world of Biblical academia - I guess ;-p) borrowed from Mark, a yet revealed Q document, and perhaps Matthew peeked at Luke's work. You know, I don't think that's all that big a deal - it challenges my previous thinking that the Gospels must be independent to be credible (or more to the point, I probably have never really given it any thought, and react that they MUST be independent). But what that thought doesn't do is take down anything I have built on the strong foundation of Jesus Christ - the same One whose story is told in these fantastic ways. On an other note, I don't have any problem accepting Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as the authors either.</div><div><br /></div><div>In his discussion about the Gospel According to St. John, Drane made a rather interesting remark about the different opinions within the church surrounding it. He says that the differences in John's work to that of the synoptic writers "led to heated debates about the relative value of their respective accounts of the life and teaching of Jesus." (p. 210) We just don't get sometimes. The Church is a place of diversity, yet with complete focus on Christ. If we would even just look at the Gospels, we might begin to see how beautifully a diamond can shine.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-64776822492853852222009-11-13T16:11:00.000-08:002009-11-13T16:46:58.245-08:00Chapter 9 - The Kingdom of God in ActionReally - I can add very little to the discussion presented by Drane, and to the words offered by others. Therefore, I present:<div><br /></div><div>"Sometimes, as in a few of the law codes of the ancient Middle East, the rule system of religious beliefs...By the time of Jesus many, if not all, of the specific laws of Hebrew scriptures had been rendered obsolete by cultural changes taking place in Palestinian society...The updating of the Law had been undertaken with some enthusiasm by the Pharisees, who saw the need for change if traditional ways were to continue to be held...The Pharisees were the people with whom Jesus most often found himself [sic] in conflict." (p. 151)</div><div><br /></div><div>"[That] only left more scope for later rule-makers, who had even developed regulations prescribing exactly which parts of the hands should be washed to preserve ritual purity...A person could appear exceedingly righteous by observing various minor rules and regulations, while side-stepping the central challenge of the Old Testament to 'Love the Lord your God' and 'love your neighbor as you love yourself' (Mark 12:30-31)." (pp. 156-157)</div><div><br /></div><div>"Jesus did not understand God as an abstract force, requiring the observance of stringent regulations, but as a personal being with whom people could have a loving and empowering relationship." (pp. 158-159)</div><div><br /></div><div>"Jesus' teaching was not a law, but an ethic of freedom. Consequently, Jesus did not burden his followers with rules and regulations, but gave them principles and guidelines by which to structure their lives...Here, as in most other aspects of his [sic] teaching, Jesus provided his [sic] disciples with a compass from which they could get their bearings, rather than a map, which would provide them with specific directions." (p. 166)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>How did the Church that Christ formed take on flavors of the Pharisees?</b>. Here is a very small sampling of various church/denominational rules I found on their websites. I won't tell you what belongs to whom, but you may figure some of them out:</div><div><br /></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Standing versus sitting: When should you definitely stand? Always during the Gospel reading, the Little and Great Entrances, the Anaphora, the distribution of Holy Communion, whenever the priest gives a blessing, and the Dismissal. In many parishes, the Divine Liturgy books in the pew have suggested times when sitting is acceptable. Follow those instructions (it’s probably safer than to follow what the people are doing in the first couple of rows). When in doubt, stand. It is never wrong to stand in church.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> ********</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> Crossing of legs: Should we cross our legs in church? No. Not because it is “wrong” to ever cross legs, but rather because it is too casual — and too relaxed — for being in church.</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> ********</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> Greeting a Priest or Bishop: The proper way to greet a priest or bishop is to ask his blessing and kiss his right hand? How do you do this? Approach the priest or bishop with your right hand over your left hand and say “Father (or “Master” in the case of the bishop), bless.” [He will make the sign of the cross, and place his right hand over yours.] This is much more appropriate (and traditional) than shaking their hands.</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> ********</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> Canon 844 (c.671 in the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches) 2. Whenever necessity requires or genuine spiritual advantage suggests, and provided that the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, it is lawful for the faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister, to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose churches these sacraments are valid.</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> ********</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> WHEREAS, Years of research confirm biblical warnings that alcohol use leads to physical, mental, and emotional damage (e.g., Proverbs 23:29-35); and WHEREAS, Alcohol use has led to countless injuries and deaths on our nation's highways; and WHEREAS, The breakup of families and homes can be directly and indirectly attributed to alcohol use by one or more members of a family; and WHEREAS, The use of alcohol as a recreational beverage has been shown to lead individuals down a path of addiction to alcohol and toward the use of other kinds of drugs, both legal and illegal; and WHEREAS, There are some religious leaders who are now advocating the consumption of alcoholic beverages based on a misinterpretation of the doctrine of "our freedom in Christ"; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, June 13-14, 2006, express our total opposition to the manufacturing, advertising, distributing, and consuming of alcoholic beverages; and be it further RESOLVED, That we urge that no one be elected to serve as a trustee or member of any entity or committee of the Southern Baptist Convention that is a user of alcoholic beverages. RESOLVED, That we urge Southern Baptists to take an active role in supporting legislation that is intended to curb alcohol use in our communities and nation; and be it further RESOLVED, That we urge Southern Baptists to be actively involved in educating students and adults concerning the destructive nature of alcoholic beverages; and be it finally RESOLVED, That we commend organizations and ministries that treat alcohol-related problems from a biblical perspective and promote abstinence and encourage local churches to begin and/or support such biblically-based ministries.</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> ********</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies: "a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." But wherever this is really fixed in the soul it will be shown by its fruits.</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>First</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>: By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced, such as:</i></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>The taking of the name of God in vain.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein or by buying or selling.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Drunkenness: buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Slaveholding; buying or selling slaves.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Fighting, quarreling, brawling, brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>The buying or selling goods that have not paid the duty.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>The giving or taking things on usury—i.e., unlawful interest.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Doing what we know is not for the glory of God, as:</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>The putting on of gold and costly apparel.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Softness and needless self-indulgence.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Laying up treasure upon earth.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:2.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:2.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>It is expected of all who continue in these societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> **********</i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p><i> </i><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>F</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none; text-underline:none"><i>8</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Of</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none; text-underline:none"><i>church</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>bells</i></span></b></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>1.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>In</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>every</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>church</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>and</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>chapel</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>there</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>shall</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>be</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>provided</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>at</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>least</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>one</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>bell</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>to</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>ring</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>the</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>people</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>to</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>divine</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>service.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>2.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>No</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>bell</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>in</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>any</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>church</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>or</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>chapel</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>shall</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>be</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>rung</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>contrary</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>to</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>the</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>direction</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>of</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>the</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>minister.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> **********</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>B</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none; text-underline:none"><i>10</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Of</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none; text-underline:none"><i>Morning</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>and</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none; text-underline:none"><i>Evening</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Prayer</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none; text-underline:none"><i>in</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>cathedral</i></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none; text-underline:none"><i>churches</i></span></b></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>In</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>every</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>cathedral</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>church</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>the</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Common</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>Prayer</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>shall</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>be</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>said</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>or</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>sung,</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>distinctly,</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>reverently,</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>and</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>in</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>an</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>audible</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>voice,</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>every</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>morning</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>and</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>evening,</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>and</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>the</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>Litany</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>on</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>the</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>appointed</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>days,</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>the</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>officiating</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>ministers</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>and</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>others</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>of</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>the</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>clergy</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>present</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>in</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>choir</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>being</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i>duly</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Times;text-decoration: none;text-underline:none"><i>habited.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-29278878444055080772009-11-07T04:20:00.000-08:002009-11-07T06:48:10.857-08:00Chapter 8 - Signs of the Kingdom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkdkIG4OBOU9xdqc1Cjq4hwIPej4ad_dbU9dZENi-71NYUxpxY0cqjQ3E8yK9Wk9z2J6M05Cy-1KgsFqIVT6v0GveyrfcSM3ewz5GnlSow-Dn7Zw9HPXTXQMrlmZllU6GHm5BKiyv1A/s1600-h/98-captain.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkdkIG4OBOU9xdqc1Cjq4hwIPej4ad_dbU9dZENi-71NYUxpxY0cqjQ3E8yK9Wk9z2J6M05Cy-1KgsFqIVT6v0GveyrfcSM3ewz5GnlSow-Dn7Zw9HPXTXQMrlmZllU6GHm5BKiyv1A/s320/98-captain.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401360461184307106" /></a><br />Oh no! Here we go again - at least, that's what I thought at first.<div><br /></div><div>The issue of Christ's miracles has been one that has been wrestled with in our modern, western Christian context for some time. While reading Drane, I thought (if only for a moment) certainly that he was going to attempt what so man have done before him - rationalize Christ's works. Although the author starts off by challenging the dismissive tendencies of many who have come before him, calling attempts to define the undefinable (given our cultural understandings) "outmoded and defensive [forms] of intellectual and cultural imperialism," (p. 140) Drane uses language that feels as though he will "hedge his bet." He then continues to say that we must "take full account of whatever evidence might be available," (Ibid.) and that "people can look at the same event and depending on their perspective, make rather different assessments of what has taken place," (Ibid.) This where I thought he was going to break out in a form of rationalism.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd like to pause for a brief exploration of my own thoughts on this matter. When I look at the biblical stories of the miracles of Christ, I can come to one of three conclusions (that I can think of - perhaps there are more). First, they happened and a supernatural witness has been given. My second choice would be to rationalize the details: I might say <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+5%3A35-43&version=NKJV&src=embed">Jairus' dau</a></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv54E1pcjrNHa11r7ub-ddZOsSlpSe_dxV1yYUvalWJUBi9GqDx6hEXxoufAAwjqoQOk0UtIz_QK8ags6y8EkljImldQUosRMU8KaCoTzCBM2s392lxzIJQAvXmpmN4E-edvaKr-wTEQ/s320/Holsum8HotsWeb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401361488021488818" /><div><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+5%3A35-43&version=NKJV&src=embed">ghter wasn't really dead - she was just asleep (Jesus even said so).</a> Then the third choice I have is to say that it's all myth - not done to hurt anyone, but unreal stories all the same. As I try to work through these three options, I can deal with two of them, but I have trouble with a third. <i>Please don't consider me a heretic until you get to the end of this little thought of mine.</i> Now, from a simple logic I've built into my head, I might accept that the stories are talking about supernatural occurrences. Just because I haven't experienced something does not mean that I do not believe it to be a part of the human experience. As an example, I have never been to France, yet I have no doubt it is there - I consider the testimony of others to be credible. Then, on the other hand, I could also believe that the stories are myths - tales meant to point to a good lesson, but not documenting real events in any way. I don't think for even more than...well, two minutes anyway...that the fox was really clever enough to relieve the crow of its cheese, but I still get the point relevant to my ego!</div><div><br /></div><div>But friends, I have trouble with the notion of rationalization. Here's the thing - the proponents of rationalization say that we have to look to the times and see that they didn't have science and understanding. Somehow, our invention of the atom bomb has given us brilliant insight into how simple of mind the people of biblical times must have been - so the miracles happened, but were just unexplained science. Here's the trouble I have with this thought: leaving the wonders of science and sliced bread aside - rationalization says the human experience is so substantially different now than it was then that we are all but different beings. Check it - Jesus is said to have healed the blind, returned the dead to life, and fed many thousands of people with a pack of fun buns and a box of Highliner Fish Sticks. Now blind has always meant blind, and that means (and meant) CANNOT see. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+9+&version=MSG&src=embed">I don't think the young man outside the Temple would tell you any differently.</a> Not since Cain, has dead meant anything but NOT ALIVE. Folks in Jesus' time knew dead when they saw it - it had been around for a while and they too had to deal with diagnosing it, and treating it. The trouble for them remains our trouble today - it's not so good to keep the dead lying around the living room (especially in the summer). Finally, my family of six does well to keep everyone happy at the table with a half a haddock and a 10 pound bag of french fried potatoes. There is NO WAY that Jesus, the disciples, and a little boy all made the mistake of seeing only <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%206:38-43&version=TNIV">two little fish and five loaves</a>, if there was really enough food there to keep a McDonald's restaurant going for a month.</div><div><br /></div><div>We can no more today return sight to a man or woman born blind by spitting in the mud and wiping it on their eyes than regular people could 2000 years ago. Doctors are not able to command the dead to live again anymore than they could while Jesus walked the earth. And, I can split my sandwich with you, and we'll be okay, but in a crowd of 5000 (plus wives and kids) at least 4998 are going hungry. The stories of the miracles, along with the rest of the Gospels, leave us with a decision that can't find the middle ground of rationalism. Each of us must confess they happened as supernatural facts, or refute their historicity all together.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe in miracles, and in demons, and in the eternal life Jesus promised - I believe in the supernatural. The Gospels document these aspects of the <i>human experience</i>. Now I'm stuck working through what that means for my life on this side of the grass. I want to leave you with two verses that make my heart swell - I read these few words and I am humbled, and joyous, and courageous, and filled in ways I find hard to express. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21%3A24-25&version=NKJV&src=embed">John 21:24-25</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-59781358712565198882009-10-30T16:13:00.000-07:002009-10-30T18:18:59.411-07:00Chapter 7 - Jesus the TeacherKnowing Me, Knowing You - Ahaaaa! It might be a strange way to start a discussion about our Lord's teaching, but I think it fits. All about Jesus' parables, the seventh chapter of Drane's work does a nice job of showing that the many stories Christ shared with those around Him were focused on relationships - the relationships we have with God's Law, with God's kingdom, God's people, and with God Himself. The author reminds us that in Jesus, our relationship with God shifts, and He "can be addressed and known in the same intimate way that a human father might be addressed by a child."(p. 130) And so it's in relationships, it's Jesus teaching us that we can call God "Dad - Abba" that we can find the deeper meanings of the Lord's teachings.<div><br /></div><div>What beautiful ways to reach out to the world the parables are. Christ, the master story teller, weaving images that the common woman or man could understand. Drawing us in, revealing to us the truth of the "significant aspects of God's own nature," (p. 128) Jesus desires that His children would come to know the character of God. He knows that as we come closer to God, we move further away from the ways of the world. In the parables we can see that God's sovereignty - He has authority over and is in control of everything. And we hear of God's love for us who don't really warrant His attention - and we see its unconditional nature. In God's grace, and in His compassion for a rebellious people, we see a God who is unending on His generosity in His provision for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>But Jesus also taught us how to approach God in ways that pleasing to Him. He spoke of turning our lives around in repentance, "being prepared for a radical change in lifestyle...in order to become a member of God's kingdom." (p. 131) And maybe even more importantly, Jesus made it plain that God would accept no other way. God wants us all to come to Him...on His terms. Even as Jesus answered when asked about what was the most important law - He taught the same in His parables, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A28-31&version=NKJV&src=embed">showing that a proper relationship with God involves a living relationships with the communities in which we live.</a></div><div><br /></div>One of the great things is that we can see that Jesus was the best teacher who ever was. Others had come before Him. "[Eager] students had sat at the feet of intellectual giants such as Plato or Socrates, hoping to discover the meaning of life." (p. 121) How amazing is it for us, that instead of sitting at His feet, we walk beside our Lord - having discovered life Himself.Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-9424143577615000232009-10-26T16:47:00.001-07:002009-10-26T17:39:59.530-07:00Chapter 6 - What is God's Kingdom?All but right away, Drane points out something that at times in history, the Church seems to have struggled with. He says that God's kingdom is contrary to the idea of "the establishment of a new state which, in contrast to the countries around [Jesus/Israel], would somehow be ruled by God in person." (p. 112) It is possible that maybe, if not maybe even just secretly, the Church would like God to call "times up?" But that points to the different eschatological views that the author discusses. Drane calls it nonsense, the notion of God's kingdom as a political state (p. 113), and surely he is absolutely right.<div><br /></div><div>Jesus calls on us to live in a new way, because of His light within us. We who have been drawn to Him have witnessed the truth, and we are subjects to the real King, the One who reigns eternally. Rather than pledging allegiance to a flag, or swearing an oath, the reclaimed subjects of Christ's Kingdom are loyal to the throne in their concern for the "quality of human life, and nature of meaningful relationships, rejecting attitudes of power and control in favour of love, acceptance and mutual service." (p. 113) God's hand is on those who are called by His name, and He intends to bring glory to His name through us.</div><div><br /></div><div>You wanna have a great discussion with something that might go in some directions you might think are really odd - pick eschatology! Now I'm not one to criticize someone else's beliefs (unless they're not mine ;-p) but I don't quite understand how people establish a view common to Schweitzer's <i>futurist</i> point of view. Schweitzer seems to strip Jesus of all divinity, and places on Him the mantel of failed prophet who then attempted to bring about His own unrealized prophecies. And yes, Dodd may have been closer to the mark in seeing the kingdom relaized in Christ, but Drane is right to point out that Jesus Himself, and other Scriptural authors, spoke of a later coming. I find the material surrounding the parousia is difficult to settle on. And I think maybe God intended that way. For now, the coming kingdom or the kingdom come gives God's people a chance to explore His word and keep in dialogue about Him and its meaning. Maybe it's not all that confusing after all.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-26936314688404321752009-10-26T16:03:00.000-07:002009-10-26T16:46:02.230-07:00Chapter 5 - The ResurrectionI think most of us would agree - without a belief in the historical event of Jesus' resurrection, there is NO REASON to be Christian. Our claim to have found (or better yet, been found by) the greatest revelation of God - in Jesus - is confirmed in His dominance over even the forces of death. Other religious movements may point to prophets or other divine men, but not one of them (and I'll jump on a wagon that Danny first showed me) is reliant in the current life of a man who was born of virgin and who rose from the dead, by His own will.<div><br /></div><div>I appreciate Drane's observation about the disciples. Here was a band of "yeller, chicken-hearted fools" who had all jumped ship. Now, I write it like that for two reasons: 1) John Wayne movies are just awesome, and 2) I would have been hiding with them. For this "band on the run" to get it turned around in such a way that they "were prepared to stake their lives on the fact that Jesus was alive," (p. 105) just shouts out how convinced they were of two things: 1) Jesus had been dead, and 2) Jesus was now alive. The basis of their ability to move beyond their fears was the foundation of the church.</div><div><br /></div><div>The earliest Christians were convinced, and Drane examines this briefly too. Surely he must be right when he says, "[there] can be no question that the earliest Christians were completely convinced that the resurrection event...was a real, historical happening that had taken place in their own world." (p. 98) I believe that we too, some 2000 years later, have an ability to rest as confident in our Savior's power to preserve life and grant it in everlasting fashion - just as the first christians did because of the resurrection.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-67823461925417528512009-10-09T17:20:00.000-07:002009-10-09T19:05:35.936-07:00Chapter 4 - Understanding Jesus' DeathUnderstanding Jesus' death - HA! Maybe one day, but not while I run the earth and watch the sky!<div><br /></div><div>It's strange that a text book could take one through a set of emotions, but that's what Drane did with me in this chapter. Lately, the thoughts of Christ's betrayal, trial, and crucifixion have been leaving me feeling upset - maybe low, humble, or sad. I find my feelings hard to explain, but I can tell you that I feel bothered by the day Jesus paid a price I should have.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drane excellently points out that all our knowledge still leaves us shy of the complete understanding of the events of Calvary. But I don't really agree with him that the best rationale we can achieve is that of figure, or allegory. Have you ever heard it said that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed? Well - that's how I try and look at this time at the cross. I appreciate Drane examining New Testament writers as they wrestle with the crucifixion, but to avoid the Old Testament in this discussion, seems to avoid the point of Christ's work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I'm no OT scholar - so please don't expect a treatise on OT Christology, but I think I can at least begin a discussion about Jesus' sacrificial work on the cross. As I think of where to start, I remember that Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law and the prophets (Matt. 5:17). I don't know everything He meant in that, but surely He was pointing at what we call the Old Testament. And then I remember that Jesus knew the things that had to come (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A29-31&version=KJV&src=embed">Mark 8:29-31</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A32-34&version=MSG&src=embed">Mark 10:32-34</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207:33-36&version=TNIV">John 7:33-36</a>; others). It just seems like Jesus knew what had been written of Him before, and why He had come.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drane tries to partially explain away the sacrificial aspects of Jesus' crucifixion by saying that God would have to be a blood-thirsty despot with a "perverted sense of justice and moral responsibily," (p.86) and a "harsh and unbending demand for justice." (ibid.) But he does this by asking us to consider God's perfect Law and justice with our flawed and sinful understanding of those same aspects in human their human forms. That's where things get a little loose for me. I won't get too deep into this, but there are two OT verses/passages that have framed my thoughts on this subject for some time.</div><div><br /></div><div>First - I don't really have to understand everything about God's version of justice, but I do know that He will not have sin in His presence. The prophet Habakkuk put it this way: "Your eyes are too pure to behold evil, and you cannot look on wrongdoing." (Habakkuk 1:13; NRSV) This tells me that unless there is something done to somehow cover or omit my sin, I cannot possible come into the presence of sin (never mind Leviticus 16). </div><div><br /></div><div>The other passage from the prophets comes from Isaiah. To me, and I know to many others, it speaks of God's intention to relieve those who will come to Him of their burden. I won't put it all here, but the passage is sometimes referred to as the "<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+52%3A13-53%3A12&version=NKJV&src=embed">Song of the Suffering Servant</a>" (Isa. 52:13-53:12). I know there are other interpretations of what this passage means - but I think it points directly to Jesus and His work on the cross.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before I hang up on this call - I just want to remind ye, while Isaiah is still fresh in your mind, that Jesus spake onto His disciples and said, "Therefore doth my Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it again. This commandment I received of My Father." (John 10:17-18; KJV)</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-36110244667153935662009-10-02T17:39:00.000-07:002009-10-02T20:02:01.022-07:00Chapter 3 - Who was Jesus?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Last week Carolyn got to invoke the band Trooper. My turn - except with Paul McCartney and Wings. Sorry about this, but this is my "Blog on the Run."<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>All these titles for Christ, and the folks back then still didn't get it. Not even His closest friends really understood whose company they kept. One day He asked them, "Who do all the people out there say that I am?" Well everyone had something different to say. "But who do <i>you</i> say that I am," Jesus then asked them. I can just imagine the long pause that must have happened as the twelve looked around to figure out who was going to say something. Then Peter offered, "You are the Messiah."</div><div><br /></div><div> You know, I wonder what Peter meant when he spoke those words - I'll bet he got the idea of a King. He probably wanted rescue from Roman rule as much as the next guy. But I have my doubts that he saw <i>the</i> Prophet and <i>the</i> High Priest standing before him as he uttered his words. Today, how deep do we allow the Christ to go with us. Are we prepared to see Him as our King, Prophet, High Priest - our Sacrifice?</div><div><br /></div><div> Drane spends substantial time on discussing the Old Testament pointers to Christ as the Son of Man. Folks, I have trouble sometimes trouble with Daniel's prophesies sometimes; the voice can lead in many ways. But when Jesus claimed to be the Son of Man, I rejoice with great delight. No matter how you take understand what He meant by calling Himself that, it's hard to not take hope in His words:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." One day, I don't know when, Jesus, the Son of Man, is coming back with all the authority that is His.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>At times, it still seems hard to imagine that the Son of God came to earth. The <i>very</i> essence of God, the co-eternal presence who carefully and craftily manufactured the entirety of creation, the one whose Spirit rides these days out with me today, came to earth just to save me, you, and everyone who will come to Him from ourselves and our sin. WOWWIE! God is glorious.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Today, there are probably even more names for Jesus than there ever have been. The world in which we live is a confused and wounded place. When I read Drane, and when I think about the time, effort, and energy poured into studying this material, and in preparing to teach it, I praise God that that He has gifted us all with His grace. The Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God walked the earth almost 2000 years ago, He walks the earth today through you and me, and He has promised to set His feet on earth again one day when He comes to claim His kin. Call Him what you like - that's the Lord who gave His life for us - that's my Jesus.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="result-text-style-normal" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><p></p></div></span></div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-5160342072186427152009-09-21T15:56:00.000-07:002009-09-22T05:30:34.792-07:00Chapter 2 - Jesus' Birth and Early Years<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCCTJAnr6x4zivo1Do4LBQqXPzTmntDDqmmugeyhPt3cThUNTTbyfZcEhTWAt-Ud5Wbx2I04oLhi4Y_OhS3IqC7pHZ5QIX3DytfYozqCIfxhBr9o9ZAW5rYYLJDcvIb8uNdOr4S1DlA/s1600-h/JesusBaptism.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCCTJAnr6x4zivo1Do4LBQqXPzTmntDDqmmugeyhPt3cThUNTTbyfZcEhTWAt-Ud5Wbx2I04oLhi4Y_OhS3IqC7pHZ5QIX3DytfYozqCIfxhBr9o9ZAW5rYYLJDcvIb8uNdOr4S1DlA/s320/JesusBaptism.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384075758572806210" /></a><br />Ah yes! - the Why? and the How?<div><br /></div><div>Why was Jesus Baptized? If you listen closely, someone always has something to offer the conversation. Drane points a fairly significant challenge with which many of us may wrestle. If Jesus is the God-Man, if He is perfectly holy, and John's baptism was of repentance - well then, "what could [Jesus] possible have to repent of?" (p. 54) I've heard that Jesus' baptism was a witness for John the Baptist and those nearby. I've heard that Jesus did it to set an example for His disciples to follow. Drane examines the idea that Jesus wanted to identify with the regular people He came to save and who would need to make sweeping changes in their lives. It strikes me that later in the Scriptures we find that Jesus not only was cursed for us and took on our sin, but that He was that curse (Gal. 3:13) and that He became sin (2 Cor. 5:21) so that folks like us could be saved. Now, I haven't worked it all out - but I think the weight of the world's sin on Christ's shoulders has something to do with Him identifying with you and me in the Baptismal waters.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe more on that another day...</div><div><br /></div><div>WARNING: The following images may contain useless rhetoric that may offend some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay - I am no master of the theological arts, but I have a fairly basic (it's gotta be grade 2 or 3 anyway) understanding of theology - and it comes with two premises: 1) God is real - He ain't made up or debatable - He just is! 2) You and I and everybody are His inventions - He made us and loves us so much that He has chosen to reveal Himself to us in various ways. Two of these are the Bible and His own personal flesh and blood Son, Jesus - yet other ways remain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right then, with that out of the way - on to the "How?" Which how? The "How did Mary end up pregnant with Jesus?"</div><div><br /></div><div>So, because it's my belief that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us through His Son <i>and</i> His word, I believe Matthew and Luke on the matter of the virgin birth. But then again, I believe Adam was the real, first man who once walked the earth and who got kicked out of the garden. I'm going to start with Matthew - he doesn't just say that Jesus was "born of the Virgin Mary," (you pick your favorite Apostles' Creed) he begins by explaining to us how she became pregnant to start with.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his Mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. </i>(Matthew 1:18, NRSV)</div><div><br /></div><div>We aren't left guessing as though this is some mystery. Drane points out that some folks have trouble with the idea that "to be a virgin and pregnant is a contradiction in terms - so how can these stories be understood?" (p. 58) The author reminds us that there are many people who are unable to believe in anything outside their own experience. Even Luke didn't leave the <i>immaculate conception</i> up to the imagination. He tells us of a visit Mary had from the angel Gabriel.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High...Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God." </i>(Luke 1:30-32, 34-35, NRSV)</div><div><br /></div><div>So Jesus is the direct-line Son of God; He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Drane points out that some people (it seems he may be included) find it surprising that aside from "Matthew and Luke, there is no explicit statement in the whole of the rest of the New Testament regarding the circumstances of Jesus' conception and birth." (p. 59) Well, aside from the one mention in John 13, you'll find no other mention of Jesus washing His disciples' feet - so I guess we should doubt that episode too! And speaking of John - didn't he record Jesus' words to Nicodemus as, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only <i>begotten</i> Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (St. John 3:16, KJV, <i>emphasis added</i>). I'll let you look up the word "beget / begotten" - <a href="http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=6746&dict=CALD">http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=6746&dict=CALD</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Do I doubt that we've been to the moon? - maybe, just a little.</div><div>Do I doubt that anyone will ever figure out how they get the caramel into the Caramilk bar? - yup.</div><div>Do I doubt that Elvis has truly left the building? - you'd better believe it!!</div><div><br /></div><div>But, do I doubt that "Lord Jesus Christ [is] the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who, for us men [sic] and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made a man?" - not even for the slightest measure of time.</div><div><br /></div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-69637084048575732912009-09-18T05:28:00.000-07:002009-09-18T14:28:07.195-07:00Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Story<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Who knew? - times change, and people stay the same! Or something like that.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Reading the first chapter of John Drane's <i>Introducing the New Testament (2001), </i>I could help but sense that not much will ever change with humanity. In the millennium that man has been given on this planet, and even with the revelation of God in Jesus, the people of this world are a mixed up bunch of religious appetites, consuming mostly nothing but junk food. And, as Drane points out, it has always been that way.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The author reminds us that at the time leading into Christ's arrival - and for some time following His departure - the Roman empire was filled with followers of mystery religions. Drane says that these Roman advances were probably "developments from the various fertility religions which had been popular for thousands of years through the middle east." (p. 24) Say! Do you remember mention of Baal worship - you know with it's big orgies in honor of fertility and such. Then I think about Molech - you know, that God to whom the ancient middle eastern peoples sacrificed their first child by throwing him or her into a furnace. God's law spoke out against that - "And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech..." (Lev. 18:21) And then I think about the massive proliferation of pornography in all sectors of modern media, and how in 2005 there were 97,254 induced abortions across our country. You can check it out (http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/health40a-eng.htm).</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Drane examines the days of the philosophers in ancient Greece - men who searched endlessly, in empty caves, invented in their own mind. These<i> </i>"searchers of the truth" were convinced that it was to be found in the nature they occupied and within themselves. The <i>stoics</i> believed that "the world and its people ultimately depend on just one principle: 'Reason'." (p. 17) Meanwhile the <i>epicureans</i> were in constant hunt for the "good life [consisting] in 'pleasure'." (p. 18) But I can help but remember that in their search for the truth, they killed Socrates for his voice and version of political wisdom. Since then, Descartes has not made himself (or anyone else for that matter) any more or less real simply by thinking about it, and no matter what good I think of John Dewey I can't change the reality I don't like around me anymore than he can from the grave.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was into a mixed up world that Jesus was coming. Even the religious leaders of His own ancestral people were so self assured that they knew everyone else was wrong - including each other. They saw each other in polar ways - as conservatives and liberals. Some called for war to defend their religious ways, while others went and hid in the wilderness. Now friends, my theology is conservative, and so I know yours must be liberal - but I can promise you that there are others out there who see themselves as more conservative than me and so I too am liberal. I don't want to even start about those in our world who choose to defend their faith with firearms - and I don't even need to look overseas when I remember Waco. I guess every religion has got its take on <i>zealots</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>That God would send His Son into a mess like that is incredible. Then again, He was the only One who could do anything to correct the situation. Nearly 2000 years later, the Church He started is still going - even while the world continues to rip itself apart in the same old ways. Times change, and people stay the same. That's why we need Jesus now every bit as much as they needed Him then.</div>Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641743578908968606.post-50468936197378083842009-09-15T17:12:00.001-07:002009-09-15T17:12:26.981-07:00Hi ye all!Paul Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08241131571221756192noreply@blogger.com0