tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158606772024-03-17T17:39:40.313-05:00Heart, Mind, Soul, and StrengthWelcome to this blog. It contains my thoughts on our efforts to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
My current update schedule is once a week as time permits.
Thank you for reading.Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.comBlogger1632125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-72438317999472755332024-03-17T11:11:00.001-05:002024-03-17T15:37:27.693-05:00Thomas A Kempis 1.8 - Choosing your companions wisely<p>Avoiding over-familiarity</p><p>Not everyone is such that you should you reveal your heart to them. But with someone who is wise and fears God you may pursue your cause. Seldom seek the company of the young and the strangers, nor flatter the rich, nor willingly keep company with the powerful and influential. Associate with the humble and simple, the devout not the worldly, who are focused on constructive things. Do not be familiar with someone of the opposite sex, but commend all alike to God. Only to God and his angels should your wishes be familiar, and avoid the notice of men.</p><p>We have love for all, but do not make close companions of all. Sometimes it happens that someone we don't know shines with a good reputation, and then his presence darkens the eyes of the onlookers. We think to please others by displaying our firm convictions, and find that we displease them more as they see the dishonesty of our behavior. </p><p><br /></p><p><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.8. </i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art</i></p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-45258881201908440352024-03-10T21:16:00.001-05:002024-03-11T21:24:14.694-05:00Thomas A Kempis 1.7 - Fleeing from Pride<p>Flee from misguided hope and pride</p><p>It is pointless to put your hope in men or in any created thing. Don't be ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ, and to be seen as poor in the world. Do not exalt yourself, but build your hope on God. Do what is in you, and God's presence will bless your willingness for good. Do not trust in your knowledge or in the cleverness of anyone alive, but trust more greatly in the grace of God, who helps the humble, and who humbles the proud.</p><p>Do not pride yourself on riches if you have them, nor in friends who are powerful, but in God who provides all things, and above all things desires to give Himself. Do not brag about the strength or beauty of your body, for with only a slight sickness its glory is gone and it becomes a source of disgust. Do not please yourself, and through humility or cleverness do not displease God, who is the source of all the good we have by nature. </p><p>Do not count yourself better than others, or you may appear worse before God, who knows what is in man. Do not pride yourself on good works, for there are different judgments between God and man, and God is often displeased at what pleases man. If you see in yourself goodness, believe that others have more, and keep your humility. It does no harm to place yourself below others; but it is great harm to place yourself above even one. Peace is with the humble, while the heart of the proud often has envy and anger.</p><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.7. </i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art</i></p></div>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-87118149217428479352024-03-03T18:13:00.001-06:002024-03-03T18:13:38.600-06:00Thomas A Kempis 1.6 on Temptation: Yielding to passion has no payoff<p>Of inordinate affections</p><p>Whenever a disordered desire comes to a man, he becomes restless. The proud and the greedy are never at rest, while the poor and humble of heart have the abundant protection of peace. The man who is not yet wholly dead to ego is soon tempted, and is overcome in small and low things. Weak in spirit and stronger in flesh, he leans toward the pleasures of the senses, and it is difficult for him to completely escape from earthly desires. And so he resists temptation sadly and grudgingly, and is easily angered at any opposition. </p><p>But if he does pursue those desires, immediately he is weighed down by the condemnation of his conscience. He followed his desire, but it contributed nothing towards the peace that he pursued. It is not serving passion but resisting it that brings true peace of heart. And therefore there is no peace in the heart of a man who is carnal, no peace in the man who is dedicated to outward things, but in a passionately spiritual one.</p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.6. </i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art</i></p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-66055887745475366222024-02-28T14:28:00.001-06:002024-02-28T14:28:00.132-06:00How to read Scripture - Thomas A Kempis 1.5<p>Truth is in sacred Scripture to be sought, not flaunted. All sacred Scripture ought to be read with the spirit in which it was written. We should seek the usefulness of Scripture rather than precision of speech. So we ought to read books which are devotional and simple, as well as ones which are high and profound. And do not be put off by the authority of the writer, whether he is of little or much learning, but let the love of the pure Truth draw you to read. Do not ask who said it, but focus on what was said. </p><p>Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord remains forever. Without preference for persons God speaks to us in various ways. Our own curiosity often hinders us in the reading Scriptures with our determination to understand and discuss, where we should simply keep going. If you want progress from your reading, read humbly, simply, honestly, without desiring to win a reputation for learning. Ask freely, and listen in silence to the words of holy men; and do not take offense at the hard sayings of the elders, for they are not spoken without a reason.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.5. </i></p><p><i>Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art</i></p><div><br /></div>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-67583402238396869152024-02-25T14:25:00.002-06:002024-02-25T21:20:58.731-06:00Thomas A Kempis 1.4 - Wisdom in our actions<p>Wisdom in our actions</p><p>It's best not to trust every word or instinct, but carefully and unhurriedly weigh whether things are from God. It's harmful that it's often easier for us to believe and speak evil of others rather than good, because we are weak. But perfect men do not easily believe everything they are told because they know human failings -- rather, weakness for an evil slant, for treacherous words.</p><p>It is greater wisdom not to be hasty in action or stubbornly set in our opinions. In this wisdom we do not believe every word we hear, or go straight from hearing to believing to repeating all that we hear, pouring it into each others' ears. Find a wise and sensible man and take his counsel. Ask someone better for instruction rather being led by your own interpretation. A good life makes a man wise toward God, experienced in many things. The more a man is humble in himself and the more obedient towards God, the more in everything he will be wiser and at peace. </p><div><i>Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.4. </i></div><div><i>Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art</i></div><div><br /></div>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-11818518289228156622024-02-18T21:29:00.002-06:002024-02-18T21:29:29.964-06:00Thomas A Kempis - Imitation 1.3 in Modern English<p><i>I've been pleasantly surprised by the interest in a modern English translation of the Imitation of Christ, one that tries to preserve not just the meaning but also some of the rhetorical skill employed in the original. The things I've done so far still fall short of the original, but are a step in the right direction. I may publish a few more of these. </i></p><p>Truthful Teaching</p><p>Happy is whoever learns directly from Truth, not by figures and passing words, but exactly as it is. Our opinion and senses often fail us, and we only see a little. What good is it to have great arguments about hidden and obscure things, about which we will never be judged for not knowing? It is hugely foolish to neglect things that are useful and necessary, and to focus on what is trivial and hurtful! We have eyes, but we do not see.</p><p>And what about genus and species? The man to whom the Eternal Word speaks is freed from many opinions. From this One Word all things come, and of that One Word all things speak, and this is the Beginning which also speaks to us. No one without Him understands or decides rightly. The man to whom all things are one, and who draws all things to one, who sees all things in one, has the power to be steadfast, to remain at rest in God. O true God, make me one with you in everlasting love. I get tired of reading and listening to many things; in you is what I want and desire. Let all the teachers keep quiet, let all creation keep silence before you: only you speak to me.</p><p>The more a man has unity and simplicity within, the more and higher he understands without effort, because he receives the light of understanding from above. The spirit which is pure, sincere, and steady is not scattered by many works but focuses all his works to the honor of God, and takes a break from his own self-involvement. What gets in your way and bothers you more than your own undisciplined heart? A good and devoted man starts inside himself and sets it straight for what he would do in the world, so he will not be pulled off track by wrong inclinations, but willingly steers them to his right intentions. Does anyone have a harder battle to fight than the one for self-mastery? And this should be our business, that inner victory, to daily grow stronger and progress for the better.</p><p>In this life, every perfection has some imperfection attached. All our sight is not without a certain darkness. Humble knowledge of yourself is a surer way to God than the deep knowledge we seek. That is not the fault of knowledge itself, or of knowing anything good or trustworthy or ordained by God. But a good conscience and a holy life is better than all, because many seek to know more rather than to live well, so they often go off course, and rarely or never bear fruit.</p><p>If people would be as dedicated to rooting out of vice and cultivating virtue as they are to current questions, there would not be so many evils and scandals among the people, nor so many fallings-out from the fellowship. Be sure that at the Day of Judgment it will not be asked of us what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how faithfully we have lived. Tell me, where are all those Lords and Masters that you knew well while they were still living well and flourishing in their studies? Their positions are now filled by other people, and I do not know if the new people ever think of the ones before them. They seemed to be something in life, but now no one mentions them.</p><p>How quickly the glory of the world pass away! If their life and knowledge had agreed together, they would have read and studied well. How many pass away through pointless learning in this world, with no passion for serving God. Because they have a great love of being great rather than humble, therefore they disappeared in their knowledge. He is truly great who has great love.(1) He is truly great who recognizes his own smallness, and does not chase the height of honor. He is truly learned who counts all earthly things as so much b.s.(2), that he may treasure Christ. And he is truly learned, who does the will of God, and lets go of his own will. </p><hr /><div>1 - This sentence isn't in the Latin text I'm using but is in both English translations I've consulted, so I'm wondering about variant texts. Haven't got to the bottom of it yet, so this line is tentative. </div><div>2 - The Latin has the word for "dung" so I figure on "b.s." in modern English. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-70613135179224740202024-02-11T21:45:00.001-06:002024-02-11T21:47:22.307-06:00 Thomas A Kempis - Imitation 1.2 in Modern English<p><i>Again, this translation is done with an eye to preserving the author's spirit and wordcraft as well as meaning. It's more of a line-by-line remake of the author's points, with an intent to keep the pace, force, and flavor as much as possible. </i></p><p>Humble Self-Awareness</p><p>Naturally in every man there is a desire to know, but what is the use of knowledge without reverence toward God? For practical purposes, better a peasant who serves God than a proud philosopher who ignores the way of heaven. He who knows himself well is humble, and isn't thrilled by human praise. If I knew everything in the world and had no love, what would it gain before God, who is to judge me on actions?</p><p>Rest from too much desire for learning, which incite to distraction and deceit. The learned desire to be seen as learned and to be called wise. There are many things to know that give little or no profit to the soul. He is very foolish who focuses more on such things instead of those that serve his soul’s health. Many words do not satisfy the soul, but a good life refreshes the mind, and a pure conscience gives great confidence towards God.</p><p>The more and better you know, the more seriously you shall be judged unless you live in a holy way. Don't brag on your skill or knowledge; but rather fear concerning the knowledge which is given to you. If it seems to you that there are many things you know and understand well enough, consider that there are many more things you do not know. Do not admit your deep wisdom but your ignorance. Why do you wish to be preferred to another when there are many more learned and more skilled in the Scripture than you? If you want to know anything usefully, love to be unknown and to have no reputation. </p><p>It is the highest and most useful lesson when a man truly knows himself and becomes humble. To account nothing of the self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom. If you see someone sin openly or seriously, still do not count yourself better, because there is no telling how long you'll stay in good standing. All of us are fragile; do not imagine anyone else more fragile than yourself. </p><div><br /></div>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-35870145655280146342024-02-04T22:03:00.000-06:002024-02-04T22:03:03.462-06:00Jesus v. the words of demons<p>I've wondered how literally to take references to demons in the New Testament: are they living spiritual beings, or only how the ancient world understood or talked about certain mental illnesses? I don't have any special insight into that question, and this post could be relevant to people who hold either view. </p><p>Regardless of what you think of demons, they have a reputation for getting in our head with crafty words. The Bible portrays demons or other similar beings as spreading doubt, temptation, and lies. While they may work to increase doubt, fear, lust, or pride, still their tool of choice is words. In today's reading from the accounts of Jesus' life, </p><p></p><blockquote>He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. (Mark 1:34)</blockquote><p></p><p>Jesus' brother James said that the demons believe in God -- and tremble. There is a type of "fear of God" that is incompatible with faith, as James pointed out, a demonic fear. Demons have a reputation for lying, and even if they speak a truth it would not be used truthfully. </p><p>In my own life, I have not known literal demons (as far as I know). But in our day we still say things like "he's wrestling with his demons" about someone who is fighting a spiritual battle inside. So I have known what people of this day call demons, as far as troubling and destructive thoughts that persist and take on "a life of their own." It may be helpful for me to remember that demons are known to lie, that even if they tell a truth they do not tell the truth. When troubling thoughts persist, it might be helpful for me to remember that when Jesus healed people, he did not permit the demons to speak. </p><p><br /></p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-73497257437813082282024-01-28T20:58:00.000-06:002024-01-28T20:58:17.831-06:00Thomas A Kempis - Imitation 1.1 in Modern English<p><i>Preface: Recently I have been looking for a modern translation of the Christian classic <u>The Imitation of Christ</u> by Thomas A Kempis, originally written in Latin some 600ish years ago. Not being satisfied with the translations I've found so far, I peeked at a Latin version and discovered 1) My Latin (which is not as deep as I might like) is now also embarrassingly rusty, 2) Despite all that, the Latin original still reads better than the translations I've found. The original </i><i>matches spiritual </i><i>insight with </i><i>a poetic quality. The Latin freely employs alliteration and rhyme to structure the text, pace the progression, and emphasize its points. And though it has been a long time since I've translated anything, I thought I might at least try the opening section. My hope is that this sketch captures more of the force and pace, recovering some aspects of the Latin text that tend to be lost in translation. I am also aiming for a more fully modern English, avoiding words that have fallen out of use (e.g. "vanity"), opting instead for words that an average person might use to make the same point. </i></p><hr /><p></p><p>Book 1 Chapter 1, On the imitation of Christ and rejecting worldly trivialities</p><p>"He who follows me does not walk in darkness," says the Lord. These are the words of Christ, and they teach us how far we must imitate his life and character, if we seek true illumination, and to make our hearts fully free from blindness. So let us set our minds on the life of Jesus Christ as our meditation. </p><p>His teaching surpasses all teaching of holy men, and those who have His Spirit find in it the hidden manna. But there are many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel little desire for it, because they do not have the spirit of Christ. Whoever wants to understand the words of Christ fully and wisely, let him strive to conform his whole life to them. </p><p>What does it gain you to enter into deep discussion about the Trinity, if you lack humility and so are displeasing to the Trinity? Truly, words that are lofty do not make a man holy and upright; it is a good life which makes a man dear to God. I would rather feel contrition than know its definition. If you knew the whole Bible and the sayings of all the philosophers, what does that gain you without love and grace? It's the most pointless of all pointless things. It is all pointless, except to love God, and to serve Him only. This is the highest wisdom, by contempt for worldliness, to tend to the heavenly kingdom. </p><p>So it is pointless to seek after, and to trust in, riches that will vanish. It is pointless, too, to covet honors, and to self-promote. It is pointless to follow the flesh and be led by lust, doing things that ought to be punished. It is pointless to care so much for a long life and care so little if it is a good life. It is pointless to tend to the present life only, and not look ahead to the future. It is pointless to love that which quickly fades, and not hurry to where eternal joy remains. </p><p>You know the saying, "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing." So strive to detach your heart from the love of what you see, and attach it to what is not seen. Those who follow their own sensuality stain their conscience, and lose the grace of God. </p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-23672137952363605392024-01-21T22:09:00.000-06:002024-01-21T22:09:48.112-06:00Whatever is worthy of praise<p>I find myself overwhelmed lately by my workload, and drawing on St Paul's advice: "Whatever is worthy of praise, think on these things." You may already be familiar with Pentatonix. Their cover/remix of Leonard Cohen's <i>Hallelujah</i> is on the shortlist of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. To add a layer, here is a video of someone who had never heard of Pentatonix and didn't know he was in for a treat, hearing their rendition of <i>Hallelujah</i> for the first time. I enjoy watching his face change from respect for their competence (they start slow) to appreciation for their harmonies to sheer joy by the finale as they perform what may be the best rendition of the song that has been made. </p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/GFHwIwQdzVI?t=439" target="_blank">G.O.T Games first time hearing Pentatonix</a>. </p><p>These are some of those things that restore my soul. </p><p><br /></p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-17409736956554232252024-01-14T14:51:00.001-06:002024-01-14T14:51:55.192-06:00Thomas A Kempis and the walk with Christ<p>It has been years since I last read any Thomas A Kempis. Yesterday I found myself trying to remember or find a quote that (in my mind at least) was attributed to him. While trying to find the quote I was seeking (no luck there), I came across a good number of other of his edifying thoughts attributed to him. Here are the ten sayings I was readiest to hear: </p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>"To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love."</li><li>"Constantly choose rather to want less, than to have more."</li><li>"Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will be worthy to receive greater."</li><li>"When anger enters the mind, wisdom departs."</li><li>"Do not anger yourself that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be."</li><li>"If we live in peace ourselves, we in turn may bring peace to others. A peaceable man does more good than a learned one."</li><li>"Confidence is the illusion born of accidental success."</li><li>"He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver."</li><li>"Judge yourself and beware of passing judgement on others. In judging others we expend our energy to no purpose; we are often mistaken and easily sin. But if we judge ourselves our labour is always to our profit."</li><li>"He has great serenity of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the fault-finding of men. He will easily be satisfied and at peace, whose conscience is pure. You are not holier if you are praised, nor the more worthless if you are found fault with. What you are, that you are."</li></ol><p></p><p>His best-known writing is <i>Imitation of Christ</i>, originally published in Latin in the early 1400's, and now celebrating (roughly) its 600th anniversary of publication. If he lived today, he might be a blogger. </p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-66855044494831767342024-01-07T11:03:00.003-06:002024-01-07T11:03:58.845-06:00A Prayer For Fellowship<p>It has been awhile since I posted a prayer. For a time, prayer was a semi-regular feature here. Before a group gathering, I found myself wanting to pray for fellowship. </p><blockquote><p>God our Father, you are a Lord who values love. You bless us with "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit". May your grace, love, and fellowship fill us and bind us together. Thank you for gathering us together. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. </p></blockquote><p> </p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-68449518227308864452023-12-31T14:30:00.003-06:002023-12-31T14:30:47.288-06:00Best of the Blogroll 2023<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">I like to welcome the New Year on this blog by a grateful recognition of the posts from the prior year which most enlightened, edified, or uplifted me, from my blog friends and neighbors. Here are the best-loved posts of 2023: </span> </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>At Common Denominator, one of Ken Schenck's "recap" style posts caught my eye with acknowledging the need <a href="https://kenschenck.blogspot.com/2023/11/two-weeks-in-review-november-25-2023.html" target="_blank">to bridge the gap between church academics and congregations</a>. </li><li>At Glory To God For All Things, there is an unfortunately persistent blog malfunction with <a href="https://glory2godforallthings.com/2023/07/17/the-way-of-shame-and-the-way-of-thanksgiving-2/" target="_blank">the permalinked page</a>, but one of my favorite posts there does come up early on the search results for <a href="https://glory2godforallthings.com/?s=the+way+of+shame+and+the+way+of+thanksgiving" target="_blank">The Way of Shame and the Way of Thanksgiving</a>. In better news, the permalink is more functional for his Thanksgiving reflection on <a href="https://glory2godforallthings.com/2023/11/22/the-communion-of-giving-thanks/" target="_blank">The Communion of Giving Thanks</a>, with its unexpected insight for our understanding of atonement. </li><li>At Hyperekperissou, Phil Snider continued with a series of book reviews. I find myself intrigued by the "<a href="https://uperekperisou.blogspot.com/2023/12/review-seasons-of-familys-life.html" target="_blank">home monastery</a>" idea presented recently as a practical guide to a contemplative life. </li><li>Michael Kelley at Forward Progress has been on a roll this year. My first favorite (in publication order) was <a href="https://michaelkelley.co/2023/01/2-errors-when-thinking-about-gods-work-in-our-lives/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2 errors when thinking about God's work in our lives</a>. I am more likely to fall into the first error, and hadn't honestly considered it to be a problem. Food for thought. Then he adds some imaginative narrative to help moderns like us understand an old passage of Isaiah <a href="https://michaelkelley.co/2023/03/this-is-your-god-seriously/" target="_blank">about the made-to-order god from the idol shop</a>. Finally, discusses <a href="https://michaelkelley.co/2023/06/the-simplest-way-to-grow-your-love-of-the-bible/" target="_blank">ways to increase our love for God's Word</a> with an eye to the practical, faithful, and humble. </li><li>Joe Hinman (Metacrock) is always on the front lines with his interactions with atheists. As such, he often meets people whose shield against faith is <a href="http://metacrock.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-amalekite-problem.html" target="_blank">The Amalekite Problem</a>. Here Joe works to take the conversation beyond "the Amalekites were jerks". </li><li>The Pocket Scroll drew me in recently with a conversation about <a href="https://thepocketscroll.wordpress.com/2023/11/03/your-own-personal-theologians/" target="_blank">Your Own Personal Theologians</a>. </li><li>Roger Pearse is often my connection to the study of historical documents, given my love of primary sources. He writes on the <a href="https://www.roger-pearse.com/weblog/2023/02/16/a-letter-by-the-gnostic-valentinus-preserved-among-the-letters-of-basil-of-caesarea/" target="_blank">possible discovery of one of Valentinus' letters</a> among those of Basil of Caesarea. And (for the historically-minded) a fascinating find of another lost manuscript (miscatalogued, really) <a href="https://www.roger-pearse.com/weblog/2023/09/20/16-page-lost-section-of-ancient-julian-romance-text-discovered-in-vatican-manuscript/" target="_blank">recovered from the Vatican library</a> about the reign of Julian the Apostate. Unlike many recovered manuscripts, this one is not a mere scrap but weighs in at 16 pages. </li><li>Reading Acts tends to offer reviews of books I might not otherwise have seen, and the shortlisted favorite book review this year is <a href="https://readingacts.com/2023/11/10/john-goldingay-proverbs-ccf/" target="_blank">John Goldingay's <i>Proverbs</i></a>. It does what I believe should be the main focus of Biblical scholarship: extending and deepening our understanding of the original material. According to Goldingjay, Proverbs seeks to enable people to learn wisdom for a life lived faithfully and in awe of Yahweh -- and so his book adopts the same goal. Topics include the ethical aspect of wisdom, the life-enhancing ability of wisdom, and the work needed to acquire it. </li><li>At Sun and Shield, Martin LaBar gives a gentle rejoinder for our pessimistic age in <a href="https://sunandshield.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-problem-of-good.html" target="_blank">The Problem of Good</a>. </li></ul><p></p><p>With sincere appreciation for all the Christian bloggers who bring God's light to the online community, thank you for blogging in 2023. All the best for 2024!</p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-72979857642946779912023-12-25T23:28:00.000-06:002023-12-25T23:28:02.425-06:00Merry Christmas<p>It's been a rough year. May God's goodness and presence be visible to us all as the neighborhood Christmas lights. </p><p>"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth: peace, goodwill to all!" </p><p><br /></p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-66660882486815742822023-12-17T22:02:00.007-06:002023-12-17T22:02:56.994-06:00The good news in its Jewish roots: "Here is your God!"<p>Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John took different approaches to telling the account of Jesus' life. Matthew and Luke start before Jesus' birth; Mark starts when Jesus is an adult; John starts with metaphysics and philosophy. And yet all four place one vital point toward the beginning: </p><p></p><blockquote>A voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the LORD, make his paths straight." Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4, John 1:23 (Isaiah 40:3). </blockquote><p></p><p>That famous passage of Isaiah was singled out as a vital part of understanding Jesus by all four of the gospel writers. That passage of Isaiah is not mainly about the messenger that we call John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord. In Isaiah -- as in the gospels -- we see the forerunner mainly for the forerunner's message: </p><p></p><blockquote>You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain;<br />You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout: <br />Lift it up, have no fear, say to the towns of Judah: "Here is your God!" (Isaiah 40:9)</blockquote><p></p><p>That "good news" is the basis of Bible's four gospels. When Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote, much of the Jewish community spoke Greek. Here is that passage (<a href="https://biblebento.com/index.html?lxx1i&290.40.1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Isaiah 40:9</a>) in the classical Greek Bible used in the Jewish community: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghr8GENWhGVR8gLgBQyFvLURmsC2pexleWMD8PG4OUubKn7UQ8rLbuxMKPKpmhHEoEksw6eUDOAdir1OIC7r63OHQdt4hG_xdDqESgqPSA_A8vujksEmFvxM1PeUuJQuuMW99sHg5qgmeod-6GqjpkB3lgBs5kiosJtU9uYZiU708-7IN-vr5AmA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="936" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghr8GENWhGVR8gLgBQyFvLURmsC2pexleWMD8PG4OUubKn7UQ8rLbuxMKPKpmhHEoEksw6eUDOAdir1OIC7r63OHQdt4hG_xdDqESgqPSA_A8vujksEmFvxM1PeUuJQuuMW99sHg5qgmeod-6GqjpkB3lgBs5kiosJtU9uYZiU708-7IN-vr5AmA=s16000" /></a></div><br /><p>In Isaiah's translation there, we already see the Greek word that comes to us as "evangelize". Isaiah's message is picked up by John the Baptist, then by the four evangelists, and down through the ages to us. God is here. It is our generation's turn to lift up our voices and have no fear. As St Paul mentions, "How can they believe who have not heard?"</p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-42095079059408278212023-12-10T20:37:00.005-06:002023-12-10T20:37:55.265-06:00Who do we say that he is? "Prepare the way of the LORD"Beginnings are important. Researchers and problem-solvers try to trace things to their beginnings. Authors and speakers know that their first words will set the tone for all that follows. The Gospel of Mark chooses this quote as the launching point for explaining Jesus: <blockquote>"a voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." (Mark 1:3)</blockquote>When Mark identified John the Baptist with Isaiah's "voice calling in the desert", Mark names John as the herald announcing the coming of the LORD (see Isaiah 40). The word "Lord" in our language or in ancient Greek may be ambiguous, but the word "LORD" in the original Hebrew was not ambiguous at all. It was the holy name of God, not to be casually pronounced, a name reserved for God. When Mark identified "the voice calling in the desert" as John the Baptist, Mark thereby implies that the one John announces is the long-awaited LORD from Isaiah's prophecy, the God whose arrival was good news, "good tidings", or (in older English) gospel. <br /><br />There are accounts of Jesus' life that introduce Jesus at his birth. Mark's introduction starts with his identity. Over the centuries we may have lost sight of the boldness of that introduction, but a first-century Jewish audience would probably get his point: the most joyful event in the world was unfolding, one which could not leave the world unchanged. God's arrival in our world is the good news, and the kingdom of God is among us. <div><br /></div>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-48746679015885445872023-12-03T17:01:00.003-06:002023-12-03T17:01:53.134-06:00"Christianity is all about guilt" -- fact-check<p>In a message forum this week I saw someone post that "Christianity is all about guilt" and went on from that basis to the rest of her message. But she lost me at the start with the claim that "Christianity is all about guilt." That does not match Christianity as I know it, learn it, and experience it in the church. </p><p>I understand there is room to ask: Who gets to say what Christianity is about? But for a Lutheran like me (we're the <i>Sola Scriptura</i> bunch), that is answered in the Bible where we have received what we know of Christ and the apostles, passed down to us from those who knew first-hand. </p><p>So if I take my favorite freeware search tool and ask it to give me all the Bible verses containing the word "guilt", I get these results. If you were prepared for a long list, you'll be disappointed. Here they are: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnujzlsDmdF-X6Iu_ftaWJf6uCuModXPJAhY70_ZwoJbM5a8b0LHIuw2rrn97P72vzRCc8GbbIKVIpO06N33mvATcqFD30aHPSf4thTeBM4j88pzfWP-xsZe8BQgy6LDdR9nEwq9n8-YFcmxU4JTQv3cx5qLh1RtXqSBlmKOc1KDFnmZ9pMNXCaw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="1054" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnujzlsDmdF-X6Iu_ftaWJf6uCuModXPJAhY70_ZwoJbM5a8b0LHIuw2rrn97P72vzRCc8GbbIKVIpO06N33mvATcqFD30aHPSf4thTeBM4j88pzfWP-xsZe8BQgy6LDdR9nEwq9n8-YFcmxU4JTQv3cx5qLh1RtXqSBlmKOc1KDFnmZ9pMNXCaw=w400-h78" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The first point that caught my eye is that there are only 2 verses in the whole "King James" translation that contain the world "guilt": two verses in the book of Deuteronomy, and none in the New Testament or anywhere else in the Old Testament. Looking closely at the two (2) verses found, the search results show the word italicized, which is how it flags the reader that a word was added by the translator. That is, the only 2 occurrences were considered to be implied in the translator's judgment, rather than being part of the original text. That's far from being something that Christianity is "all about"; it has only a slim excuse to be included in the conversation. <p></p><p>But what about Christianity's emphasis on forgiveness? What's forgiveness about, if not guilt? First a perspective-check: forgiveness is a positive, healing action, so using an emphasis on forgiveness as a pretext to say there's something negative is a distortion. </p><p>Forgiveness is usually associated with sin or wrongdoing, whether the person has the feeling of guilt or not. So I ran another search for "sin" (including variations like sin(s) and sinner(s)). I found the results interesting enough that I wanted to share the results. Below is a chart listing the books of the New Testament and the number of times "sin" was mentioned in each book. It's interesting that the book of Romans discusses it the most by far. The emphasis of Paul's letter to Rome is an outlier among the books of the New Testament. I wonder (without having a way to get the answer) whether the "all about guilt" poster's experience had an over-emphasis on that one book. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgARNJp36YbtaflMZ6oMrkOF9X3WHxfBS_LAFcvabtUN1ekZIcEuucvIrl5DbuPpSD0cmKI2dDpcecT-iJ9iPrULjtNlkpEeEX7S4M0bImJNXw7suyUmiF0BhpUFwG-EHRN7nYbZsy49IKBiOH8dxkrxCJB74WrdmBmKL2MGR102w7iyk0hWQoQpQ" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgARNJp36YbtaflMZ6oMrkOF9X3WHxfBS_LAFcvabtUN1ekZIcEuucvIrl5DbuPpSD0cmKI2dDpcecT-iJ9iPrULjtNlkpEeEX7S4M0bImJNXw7suyUmiF0BhpUFwG-EHRN7nYbZsy49IKBiOH8dxkrxCJB74WrdmBmKL2MGR102w7iyk0hWQoQpQ=s16000" /></a><br />As for the books which pass along the life and teachings of Jesus, I've previously shared <a href="https://weekendfisher.blogspot.com/2008/06/combined-gospels-word-cloud.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a word-cloud of the 4 gospels</a> and, reviewing that today, I see that "guilt" and "sin" are not among the top 100 most-used words in the gospels. The gospels are about the kingdom of heaven among us through the presence of Christ. </p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-28920948343050157742023-11-26T22:45:00.001-06:002023-11-26T22:45:44.361-06:00Christian Reconciliation: Starting within our own denominations<p>In <a href="https://kenschenck.blogspot.com/2023/11/two-weeks-in-review-november-25-2023.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ken Schenck's recent post</a>, he mentions</p><p></p><blockquote>The divide between the academy and the grassroots church seems larger than ever. The academy has a tendency to be dismissive because it knows stuff, but the popular church has its own interests and is making itself heard. I have long mourned the seeming inability of the two to communicate with each other. They both need each other.</blockquote><p></p><div>That reminded me of one of C.S Lewis' essays in which he, as an articulate member of the laity, addressed that topic by invitation. While I'm not planning to repeat his points in general, I'll mention as a starter one thing he said (paraphrased, to save me digging through my Lewis collection to lay hands on the exact words): When the pastor visited, there was a time when the layman was concerned not to reveal that he believed fewer points of faith than the pastor; now he may find himself concerned not to reveal that he believes so much more. With Lewis' light touch, he gets to the heart of many of our differences. </div><div><br /></div><div>And talking about our differences carries the risk of any conversation delayed, any relationship neglected: each side is likely to have more to discuss, and more frustration, than can be productively tackled in one sitting. Without a sustained effort to bridge the gap, it grows wider. </div><div><br /></div><div>To check in with Mr Schenck's comments again: </div><div><blockquote>A lot of scholarly banter is the process of sorting through ideas, so I suppose much of the process of this sort of scholarship does not end up going anywhere. Probably most papers at SBL, IBR (Institute for Biblical Research), or ETS (Evangelical Theological Society) end up unhelpful to anyone but the presenter.</blockquote></div><div>Some of the laity use discussion boards -- and blogs -- the same way. Working through our thoughts can take time and development. Iron sharpens iron, and all that. Speaking as grassroots, I don't mind that some academic pursuits are academic (if you'll pardon flipping to another definition of the word). I appreciate how much thinking can go into a single well-distilled drop of clarity. And yet a drop of clarity about the life of Christ is worth more than a drop of clarity about the influence of Roman imperialism on Paul's letters. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I read Mr Schenck's thoughts as an opportunity, and reply with hopes to participate in an overdue conversation. I've collected some thoughts -- and pared back my list, to keep it conversation-sized: </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I'd like to see the academy more interested in the life and teachings of Jesus. I have wondered whether the search for fresh material is the driving force behind neglecting the one thing needful? </li><li>I'd like to see the academy more interested in reading the Bible on its own terms. The deep-dives into historical context seemed meant to empower us to read the Bible on its own terms, yet (to the outsider here) the academy looks lost in the weeds, without coming back to read the Bible on its own terms much. When I read an academic's Bible study, it tends to dissect the material rather than magnify it. </li><li>I'd like to see the academy exhibit more trust in the Bible to convey God's spiritual and moral guidance -- along with more interest in spiritual and moral guidance. (When is the last time we heard a well-reasoned, Scriptural warning against divisions and factionalism, for example? Or materials on repentance, forgiveness, amends?) It seems that the development of spiritual resources has often been left to those outside the family of faith -- leading to an erosion of trust, and in the sheep going elsewhere to be fed</li><li>It looks like there is a strong tendency toward credentialism. In the history of the church, there has been a steady stream of saints and spiritual leaders who were from the community rather than the academy. With modern credentialing and publishing, is the academy cutting off some of the church's resources? </li></ul></div><div>I have so much else that I could say -- and yet experience teaches that more is not always better as a first step. I'd be glad if this became a wider conversation. </div>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-91532040499569519222023-11-19T20:11:00.000-06:002023-11-19T20:11:04.318-06:00Thankful for ...<p>It has been a challenging year, and this season of gratitude is a welcome reminder of what is still good. This year I am grateful for: my children, my uncle, my friends, a safe home, a steady job. I am grateful for food, and health, and relative peace. </p><p>Wishing all a happy Thanksgiving, safe travels, and kind company. </p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-37899453521984125072023-11-12T11:04:00.000-06:002023-11-12T11:04:20.138-06:00Your own personal theologians<p> In my morning's blog readings, MJH over at Pocket Scroll's piece caught my eye. It was based on a social media post by a professor: </p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">After Christ and your family, committing to a few key theologians is a profoundly life-giving enterprise.
My studies have been largely framed by Augustine, Calvin, Torrance, and de Lubac. I imagine these figures will always be with me.</span></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/jamesrwoodtheo1/status/1719902840993325299?s=20">https://twitter.com/jamesrwoodtheo1/status/1719902840993325299?s=20</a>. (<a href="https://thepocketscroll.wordpress.com/2023/11/03/your-own-personal-theologians/" target="_blank">H/T MJH at The Pocket Scroll</a>)</p></blockquote><p></p><p>It's a little like the "Five Authors" meme that went around some years back, but without the restrictions on the number of companions. </p><p>Outside Scripture, my theological companions are:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>St Athanasius</b> - The friend who introduced me to Athanasius said he was "nearly canonical" in a context where that meant "as inspiring, and God-focused, and spirit-filled, as the best passages of Scripture". <i>On The Incarnation</i> is a rare work of theology: inspired insight into God's actions brings both appreciation for and understanding of God's love for us. Without a hint of a classroom or an orthodoxy-checker in sight, his thoughts set the bar for what would be called orthodoxy in the church for centuries to come. </li><li><b>Eusebius the Historian</b> - His approach to reality, historicity, and context -- the epistemology of faith -- matters to me even if he isn’t ranked as a theologian, </li><li><b>Dietrich Bonhoeffer</b> - For his embodiment of the principle that God should set the agenda in theology, and that Scripture should set the curriculum in Biblical Studies</li><li><b>A.J. Heschel</b> - His view of the Sabbath -- and by implication, the Sinai Covenant Law in general -- shows the "lost treasure" aspects of things we too often allow to be brushed off as unmodern. </li><li><b>Vladimir Lossky</b> -- For not apologizing for loving beauty and mystery, for standing up for their place in serious theology in light of God's holiness.</li><li><b>Therese of Lisieux</b> -- To me, her life counts as theology. When St Paul wrote that we ourselves are living Scriptures (paraphrased), he could have had her in mind. I think Rome even recognized her as Doctor of the Church, which is a far shorter list than their list of saints. I've recently been pondering how to structure a liturgical service based on her writings. </li><li><b>J.R.R. Tolkien</b> -- Tolkien packs deeper theology into his works, and I have in mind LOTR especially. His writings call out the worldly short-sightedness of imagining that despair is "wisdom", the companion mistakes of viewing hope as foolish and viewing humble pursuits as unworthy. He advocates humility about our knowledge, and the good that comes from taking the incalculable risk of loving an enemy. </li><li><b>C.S. Lewis</b> -- While I can become frustrated that his technical theology falls into what seems like beginners' mistakes, still his compassion for everyday concerns fills an important gap and is well-done. And when he ventures into children's stories, his love of beauty, his "baptized imagination", is a glorious thing.</li></ol><p></p><p>I'd be glad to hear of anyone else's thoughts on their companions in understanding God and Scripture. </p><p><br /></p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-54665426183350229392023-11-05T22:14:00.001-06:002023-11-05T22:14:11.374-06:00The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coinYears ago, an avid Bible student pointed out to me some encouraging features of the "Parables of the Lost" in Luke 15. The lost sheep and the lost coin have something in common: the lost do nothing at all to help their being found. The lost sheep was not seeking a shepherd. The lost coin did not hop into the dustpan. They were both oblivious to the heartache they were causing by being lost. The sheep may not have had any concept that the shepherd valued him. And the lost things also did not have any special claim to fame. The shepherd doesn't value the sheep for its performance; it's not a circus-sheep doing circus-tricks with some sort of unusual value. The sheep is not worth more or less than the next sheep. The sheep is valued just because it belongs to the flock. It is the shepherd's sheep, and the shepherd is a good shepherd, so he is bringing it back somewhere safe. In the same way the coin is not a trick coin, not more or less valuable than the next coin. It just belongs to the woman whose thoughts turn to it. <div><br /></div><div>And so we are treasured whether we know it or not. We are sought whether we realize it or not. God values us -- and we do not have to earn being valued. There is no special performance required before God values us. He is looking for our return -- hoping for our return -- every day. </div><div><br /></div>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-89254926880688958922023-10-29T20:11:00.000-05:002023-10-29T20:11:00.132-05:00The first casualty of war<p>About the growing conflict in the Middle East: </p><p>There is an old saying that the first casualty of war is the truth. If truth is the first casualty, it doesn't fall alone. Some other early casualties are peace-of-mind, the willingness to believe that other people are decent even if they have ties to either side / the other side / both sides / neither side, the willingness to give people the benefit of the doubt, and some curiosity about why some people see things differently. The Ten Commandments definitely get broken a fair few times if we judge our neighbors too quickly. There is a temptation to listen -- and repeat -- when we may not know the facts for ourselves. We may find ourselves bearing false tales, or bearing false witness against others, or having false witness borne against us in turn. </p><p>I think that praying for our enemies has a special relevance when there are wars and rumors of war. Any side may fall to the temptation to tell only their own side, see only their own side. May there be peace and justice in our time. Peace does not come from retaliation or escalation, or even from annihilating the opposition. Peace needs to be built, and building peace takes understanding and compassion. Where those are in short supply, let the faithful speak faithfully. </p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-79567088280177424342023-10-22T23:00:00.001-05:002023-10-22T23:00:17.942-05:00Rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God<div>I'm continuing to contemplate hope. As I study the Scriptures, I am intrigued by how strongly Paul focuses on hope in his letter to Rome. I found this passage of Scripture stretches my heart and mind in new directions: </div><div><blockquote>Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. We rejoice also in our trials knowing that trials work patience, and patience experience, and experience hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)</blockquote></div><div>"The hope of the glory of God" is encouraging for me to consider. When I think of his glory, I think of the beauty of his holiness, that unique combination of power and purity at the heart of creation. It brings me thoughts of the last day, of justice, of restoration, of peace. Paul says we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. It's a glad thought, a celebration here and now. I could look forward to the glory of God the way that a child looks forward to Christmas, and my days would be better for it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've read this passage before -- and I remember years ago thinking the part about "rejoicing in our trials" was nonsense. During a season of hardship, I remember people telling me that on the other side things would be better again; I remember disbelieving it. "Trials work patience, and patience experience, and experience hope." While our hope is in God, a serious trial can take our eyes off God -- and a light which is not seen is no help at all. Now that I have been through more trials in life, it makes more sense: experience also teaches hope. St Paul knew of which he spoke, given the number of hardships he had endured. Shipwrecked, arrested, imprisoned, beaten, fleeing for his life at times. He knew that eventually one of those hardships would have his name on it and be his last in this world. In the meantime, he understood: Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. It took more experience before I understood that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then Paul speaks of some fulfillment of hope in this present world: "because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us." This world has troubles; there is always need for the love of God. For an infusion into my own heart, that is a beautiful and desirable thing. I pray for the love of God to be shed abroad in my heart that way. If all of us who hope in God would have his love poured out into our hearts, and from there we pour that love into the world, then the world would change. We're human, we're fallen; it's too easy to grumble against each other and find fault with each other. Better that I should let the love of God be shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit, better that I should receive that gift of love gladly. If we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, I would desire for that same peace to extend to each other as well. </div>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-71625446225473885392023-10-15T22:16:00.003-05:002023-10-15T22:16:32.279-05:00A Living Hope<p>St Paul famously taught that the three greatest gifts of God's Spirit are faith, hope, and love -- and the greatest of these is love. Recently I have been studying each of these, and today am contemplating hope. To get a fresh view, I wanted a word cloud of the verses in the New Testament that discuss hope*: </p><p><!--begin tag cloud : generated by TagCrowd.com
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<p></p><p>The word cloud shows the words most commonly associated with hope in the New Testament by use in the same verse. In the AV ("King James") translation, "trust" is actually used as a translation of hope in many cases. The prominence of "trust" in the word cloud is because the thought or feeling of "trust" is so similar to "hope" that it can be a translator's judgment call which way to translate it. </p><p>Paul's famous passage discusses faith, hope, and love specifically as gifts of the Spirit. The word cloud gives us the bigger picture throughout the New Testament: the scriptures trace the reason for hope to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, often as part of the same thought: </p><p><b><i>Hope and God the Father</i></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>And have hope toward God ... that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Acts 24:15 </li><li>... the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Acts 26:6 </li><li>... rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 </li><li>And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5 </li><li>Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13 </li><li>That at that time you were without Christ ... strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Ephesians 2:12 </li><li>To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 1:27 </li><li>Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 2 Thessalonians 2:16 </li><li>For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:10 </li><li>In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; Titus 1:2 </li><li>That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Hebrews 6:18 </li><li>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 </li></ul><p></p><p><b><i>Hope and Christ Jesus</i></b></p><p>Some of the verses here were also included when discussing the Father's role in hope, though some here are new: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>... God would make known what is the riches of the glory ... which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 1:27 </li><li>Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 2 Thessalonians 2:16 </li><li>For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 1 Thessalonians 2:19 </li><li>Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 1 Timothy 1:1 </li><li>Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Titus 2:13 </li><li>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 </li></ul><p></p><div>I tend to think of hope only when I notice it is in short supply. And then, because it is in short supply I find it hard to refill. So it seems that hope is something that should be a staple in my walk of faith, and that re-reading these verses with their promises would lead to the faith in Christ that replenishes my hope. If I imagine it depends on my optimism then I mislead myself. It depends on waiting for God, and for Christ. </div><div><br /></div><hr /><p>* Methodology: searching for underlying Greek words elpizo and elpis by Strong numbers (G1679 or G1680 respectively). English text used an AV "King James" translation, slightly modernized. While those words are typically translated "hope" (66 times), it is also translated "trust" a number of times, and "faith" once. </p>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15860677.post-1185677376287482552023-10-09T00:06:00.002-05:002023-10-09T00:06:28.390-05:00Grounding Our Faith: TouchstonesWe live in uncertain times. That statement has probably been true for most times and most places in this world. The greatest of spiritual gifts are faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love. While I have often turned my thoughts to love, how often have I turned my thoughts to faith? It seems overdue to consider it better. <div><br /></div><div>There are times in the Bible when I see people turning their thoughts to the great deeds of God to kindle their faith or to anchor their faith. Some figures in the Bible seemed to remind themselves of ancient times, of the exodus from Egypt or of God's mercy to Abraham, in that light. But those events are far removed from my thoughts; I'd like to turn my thoughts to Jesus' life. <div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Jesus speaks of God's faithfulness on the Last Day. Those who mourn will be comforted. The peacemakers will be counted as His children. The days of grief and enmity will end. God wills it, and God will accomplish it. </li><li>Jesus speaks of God's providence. The birds of the air have no jobs and no worries; they have food. And not even a sparrow falls apart from God. </li><li>Jesus heals our physical selves. We say that Jesus heals the sick -- true enough. Still, when people told of Jesus' healing they described things more serious than the sniffles. They spoke of healing leprosy, curing paralysis, curing blindness, curing deafness. Health and wholeness follow his touch. </li><li>Jesus raises the dead. He raised Lazarus, and the daughter of Jairus, and the son of the widow at Nain. And God raised Jesus from the dead. </li></ul></div><div>Any catastrophe we may face, he can undo. These are things I can call to mind to encourage my faith. </div></div>Weekend Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10425001168670801073noreply@blogger.com2