Christian Carnival CXIX (119): A Command Performance

The major reason I was hesitant (other than Wednesday morning being my "Monday" at work) to host a Carnival was the ability to come up with some organizational structure to categorize the posts. Since Christ said that "on these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets" I thought I would try to hang all the thoughts and insights of this Christian Carnival on them too (or myself in the effort).

Enjoy the rides at this week's Carnival.

The Lord Our God is One Lord; . . .
-- we love God because He first loved us; and it is the least we owe Him --
(Character of God; Unity of the Body; God's love for us)

Carl at Thoughts of a Gyrovague asks "Are You Being Defined, or Refined?":

"Allowing myself to be defined as a believer by one creed or another is heresy. The gospel is an all or nothing gospel, either follow it, or deny it."

Michael McCullough asks "Who are you?" at Stingray: a blog for salty Christians.

“Once you realize that your identity is based upon your relationship with God, and that God loves you unconditionally and always has your best interests at heart, then you will experience a sense of peace and joy that you have never known before.”

Sue at Sisters' Weblog: It Bloggles the Mind! writes "The Day I Was Crucified" inspired by a book with the same title:

"It is a story that makes one ponder what Jesus may have been thinking as He was crucified, died, was buried and then raised."

Chris at Welcome to the Fallout notices that some Christians may suffer from "Tight Theological Hatbands":

"sound doctrine requires that we get the whole biblical picture. And this means grasping the importance of charity and a little theological humility."

Penitens at A Penitent Blogger thinks "We Are Not Alone":

"A brief reflection on the persecution we sometimes endure as well as the unity and strength we thereby gain in Christ"

. . . and you shall love the Lord your God

with all your heart, . . .
-- love God first; and to relate to all things through our first love for God --

From Kathleen Dalton, at Vegetable Soup, read about "Your First Breath in Eternity" a short look at the meaning of Romans 10:10:

"Once your heart is broken, your mouth must cry out to God. You cannot just mentally accept that Jesus Christ is a fact. You must face Him and speak to Him."

Silas Jones writes about the "Virtue of Selfishness" launching from an Ayn Rand book of the same name.

"The virtue of selfishness is that our standard, our guiding post for morality, that we must follow if we want to live life and be satisfied by and within it, is that we must hold the pursuit of our life's best above all else."

Ron at Northern 'burbs blog begins a new series - My Politics: Faith's Place Therein (Part I):

"So if our faith informs our politics, and I'm talking about my politics, I need to start with my faith and what it says about politics. Some of this will be a bit surprising or controversial to some. So be it. I appreciate any questions or discussion."

. . . and with all your soul, . . .
-- love God with a real and passionate love - a whole-life love. --

Sue at Abstractions, after reading Jake Colson's e-book "So You Don't Want to go to Church Anymore" asks "What is 'Church' Anyway?"

"A church service isn't for getting a spiritual high to keep us going during the week. If we can't praise God on our own, and give him his worth in every aspect of our lives, then even the most thrilling and moving church service becomes a distraction, not a bonus."

Katy at Fallible asks "Where?":

"In the empty back pew at my once-on-Sunday church or inside the crisp pages of a Book I seldom read."

. . . and with all your mind, . . .
-- give ourselves to a determined pursuit of truth; bring our mind under the lordship of Christ; and to pursue having a mind that is "on fire" with the truth about God. --

Martin LaBar at Sun and Shield submits "Environmental Stewardship in the Bible" for Earth Day.

"I try to point out most of the Bible passages relating to environmental stewardship, and consider issues related to it, such as 'Why should we care, when all of this will disappear anyway?' "

The Bloke at . . . in the outer . . . is thinking through what it means to fear God (second in series). In "The Meaning of Fearing God: Truth" he talks about authenticity:

"what I want to concentrate on here is that the first step to practicing “the fear of the Lord” is to practice authenticity - being true to oneself."

John at Barefoot in the Wilderness posts "The ID Debate - A Summary":

"A summary [and links to] a series of posts between myself and Peter Williams debating the theological implications of Intelligent Design theory"

Mandi at Imago Dei writes "Religiosity and Intelligence" in response to the Martian Anthropologist and a Wiki article of the same name.

"Christianity acknowledges that we are all flawed. Everyone, from the corrupt politician to Mother Theresa to the Pope . . . Christianity is about acknowledging this truth."

Barbara at Tidbits And Treasures presents "Society Vs. God - In The Lives of Women":

"Too often, women follow after the dictates of society, rather than following after God, who will never lead us wrong."

Jeremy at Parableman looks at "Anti-ID: Confusing Motivation and Theoretical Basis":

"One common complaint about intelligent design arguments relies on confusing the theoretical basis of the arguments with the motivation people have for presenting the arguments."

Rev Bill shares his thoughts on "The Problem With The DaVinci Code":

"First of all, I must say that the book was 'a good read' for those who love murder / mystery novels (as I do)."

. . . and with all your strength. . .
-- to see every ability as a means to express love for God; and to live as a dependent “receiver” and a consistent “giver” of what God gives to me. --

DB at The Evangelical Ecologist doesn't think he is as into holidays as his wife; but has an idea about Earth Day:

"I like the timing [of Earth Day]. It's marvelous to be able to use the glory of spring and its new blossoms and baby critters to usher in an annual reminder of what a precious gift from God we have in this thriving earth of ours."

John Bambenek at Part-Time Pundit presents "Gay Marriage Debate Talk: My Opening Statement"

"By saying that we either need to enunciate a public good or get rid of the institution, I'm banking the most people intuitively think we need to keep the institution, so they look for a public good."

Kneon presents "Get Caught Up in the TEMPEST" at kneon transitt shouldn't be allowed to blog:

"The Tempest one-shot [comic book] was released this month from Alias Enterprises and Community Comics. For those of you who are out of the loop, it's a jam book with proceeds going to the Salvation Army for use in disaster relief."

Jack Yoest presents "Wilberforce and Gapingvoid":

"Wilberforce was able to sell a very big project by making the intangible, tangible. From global-big to individual-small. He made the individual slave real to the individual Member of Parliament."

John at Light Along the Journey reminds us that in our walk with God there is "No Trail of Candy":

"How do we decide what to do? This is a question that scores of writers have devoted books to answering."

Jeff the Baptist also takes a look at "Spirituality and Smarts":

"Scott Adams has a discussion going about the connection between spirituality and intelligence. Honestly, I'm pretty conflicted on the subject. While I don't think Christians are generally any more intelligent than non-Christians, I do think there may be elements of Christianity that may make it seem that way..."

The second is this,
you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
-- it is primarily in showing love for people that love for God is confirmed as real --

Dunmoose at Dunvocation describes "Easter Vigil 2006" at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa, and why it was important to him.

"Last Saturday’s Easter Vigil was the most memorable of all. First, because I had consciously prepared myself for Easter through my Lenten preparation. Second, because I became Godfather for my dear friend Sharon."

Mark at Pseudo-Polymath points out that "Assumptions (Axioms) Are Key":

"In a recent court case, the majority opinion contained a key argument that seemed to me to be counter to a basic tenet of Christian teaching. Who is right, logically speaking?"

Anthony at Fides et Veritas points out that "God is Love":

"This is a post about the message that God is Love and how that it is a message that is so simple that we as Christians tend to make it harder than it really is."

Diane at Crossroads: Where Faith and Inquiry Meet talks about "Nagaland":

"Nagaland, in northeast India, is a good example of what happens in a society when Christ is welcomed into many hearts as Savior. Why can't we do that here?"

There is no other commandment greater than these.

Read more!

Christian Carnival CXVIII (118) is up

The Carnival Cruise Edition

Note: I will be hosting at Brain Cramps next week

The introduction from Rev Ed at Attention Span:

It's the week after Easter (or Resurrection Sunday, if you prefer) and it's time for us to have a little vacation. Maybe take in a little fresh air out on the open sea. So, climb aboard. We're expecting you. Here's hoping that you've set a course for adventure and your heart on a new romance.

That's right, it's the Love Boat Edition of Christian Carnival, with posts assigned one member of your ship's crew for supervision (in case we have to man the lifeboats).

About Christian Carnival:

Contributing a Post to the Christian Carnival

The Christian Carnival is open to Christians of Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic convictions. One of the goals of this Carnival is to offer our readers to a broad range of Christian thought.

Posts need not be of a theological topic. Posts about home life, politics, or current events, for example, written from a Christian worldview are welcome.

Update: As the goal of this Carnival is to highlight Christian thought in the blogosphere, entries will be limited to blogs that share that goal. Blogs with content that is focused on a business, that has potentially offensive material Christians may not want to link to on their sites, or has no reference to distinctively Christian thought may not be included in this Carnival. There are other Carnivals that would be a more appropriate venue for that material. I realize that this will be a judgment call on the part of the Carnival administrator, and being human she may make mistakes. However, as the Christian Carnival is getting quite large, and it is sometimes questionable whether the entrants are seeking to promote Christian thought, I find this necessary.

Update: We also expect a level of discourse that is suitable for a Christian showcase. Thus entries may be refused if they engage in name-calling, ad hominem attacks, offensive language, or for any similar reason as judged by the administrator.

So, if you have a post in this framework - go here to find out more: Christian Carnival Participation.

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The Monday Tour: 4/17/06

Since I "live" in an online community where theophobia is rampant; I think it is good to bring out Carter's Law of Political Rhetoric to join Godwin's Law in the upper strata of such laws (whatever they are):

As the number of religious conservatives expressing an opinion on a moral or political issue increases, the probability that someone on the political left will invoke the term “theocracy” approaches one.

This law is stated in Joe Carter's "Theocrats and Theophobes: Kevin Phillips and Carter’s Law of Political Rhetoric".
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Posts from Christian Carnival CXVII:

• Martin examines (briefly) "Water Calligraphy"
• This wasn't his ChCar post - but it was the one after it, and wanting to how someone could see "Jesus as . . . protester . . . (no, really . . . )" I read it too. The quoted piece so misses the point of my Savior's life and death that I must put in one of my infrequent, and I hope unneccessary, outs:

  Disclaimer: Linking this drivel does not imply that I think there is any merit at all in the view stated.

  Other, perhaps, than its contention for the honors of "Post Completely Missing the Point of Easter"
• For the real cost of the irresponsibly free speech of a Danish newspaper see "The Cartoons and the Suffering" in Nigerian parish - yelling fire in a crowded theater indeed.
• " Dogs find the taste of antifreeze pleasing, but it’s not a good idea to feed it to them, as it will kill them. The Gospel of Judas might seem equally inviting, but it’s something that people will do well to avoid." - Laura at Pursuing Holiness
• John examines our "Freedom to Choose?"
• Ron at Northern 'burbs has been doing a series on the Dalits ("untouchables") in India. The latest asks to "Free the Dalits: Here and Now"

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A post on hatred of the Shi'a in the Middle East at Baghdadee
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Scot at Jesus Creed has "More Thoughts on Penal Substitution 1" following his "Atonement Wars on Good Friday?"
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Jeremy also takes on the atoning work of Christ with "Deliverance From Transgressions"
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"All Politics Are Local? Don't Tell the Dems That" is a conservative look at the coming mid-term elections in light of President Bush's dismal popularity.
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In "Birthdays and Legacies", Jan looks at the 80th birthday of Hugh Heffner:

"It is Hefner who put big money into porn, now a $57 billion-a-year industry, and brought it into the cultural mainstream. His legacy is men and women who star in his films imprisoned by exploitation. It is ruined marriages and soul-killing addiction.

Chuck Colson also looks at Hugh Hefner's Legacy in his Breakpoint commentary. He references the Wall Street Journal article, and connects the dots: "the pornification of America has led to a huge increase in crime against women and children, crime committed by those who consume porn that teaches that women want to be raped and degraded."

Yep.
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World Magazine looks at a theological basis for viewing the immigration issue: "You Used to be One"
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Next week

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Hope and Knowledge on Easter

Pastordan's incredible Word for the Week almost sparked a comment there [which has grown to a diary at Street Prophets and a post here] based on Jeff Bell's teaching on Paul's prayer for the Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

The two words in bold above are mentioned by pastordan in his excellant diary; and I think they require a little bit of study.

I will flip the order and start with

hope:

• verb intransitive
  1. to cherish a desire with anticipation
  2. archaic : trust
• verb transitive
  1. to desire with expectation of obtainment
  2. to expect with confidence : trust syn see expect

(C)1996 Zane Publishing, Inc. and Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

The greek word translated "hope" in Ephesians is elpiß which best means in this passage "expectation of good" or better "joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation". This is much more in the sense of the second part of the Webster meaning: "to expect with confidence : trust".

This is not "I hope I win the lottery". This is not a wish as in "hopin' and wishin". This "expectation with confidence" - this trust - comes from the Spirit and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus which is seen through the eyes of your heart and enlightens you. The Greek word that is translated knowledge in the passage is epignosiß. Like the word "love" the Greeks had a number of words for different types of knowledge. Here Paul is asking for a "full knowledge" and "complete discernment" through the eyes of your heart

the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours

or as Carl Palmer said:

The human heart is the "control center" of the person. The heart controls what you do and what you want. Another person said "we live from our heart" . . . The heart is the part of us that compels us, motivates us, draws us, fuels us, and moves us.

This is not an intellectual knowledge about Jesus and God; but a complete, deep, intimate knowledge of Jesus and God "that compels us, motivates us, draws us, fuels us, and moves us".

On this Easter I can wish no more for anyone. Paul was speaking to believers in Ephesians; but here

I wish to all, believer or not, a deep, intimate vision, through the eyes of your heart, of Jesus - one that brings enlightenment and complete discernment - so that you may have a joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.

He is Risen - He is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter.

Read more!

Christian Carnival CXVII (117) is up

The introduction from Cadmus at Cadmusings:

Hello and welcome to the 117th edition of the Christian Carnival. When I hosted the carnival in December I chose a theme to go along with our son's birthday with the Dog Show Edition Well, oddly enough, this time around, the Christian Carnival falls on our wedding anniversary. Yep, my wife and I are celebrating 9 years of marriage today. My plan was to do the theme this time with a history of the traditional gifts for the first nine anniversaries but I was wasting too much time Googling for it without finding what I wanted. I decided to just present the entries and share with everyone our good news of God's blessings on our marriage, and our family with our 4 year old son and our 19 day old daughter

About Christian Carnival:

Contributing a Post to the Christian Carnival

The Christian Carnival is open to Christians of Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic convictions. One of the goals of this Carnival is to offer our readers to a broad range of Christian thought.

Posts need not be of a theological topic. Posts about home life, politics, or current events, for example, written from a Christian worldview are welcome.

Update: As the goal of this Carnival is to highlight Christian thought in the blogosphere, entries will be limited to blogs that share that goal. Blogs with content that is focused on a business, that has potentially offensive material Christians may not want to link to on their sites, or has no reference to distinctively Christian thought may not be included in this Carnival. There are other Carnivals that would be a more appropriate venue for that material. I realize that this will be a judgment call on the part of the Carnival administrator, and being human she may make mistakes. However, as the Christian Carnival is getting quite large, and it is sometimes questionable whether the entrants are seeking to promote Christian thought, I find this necessary.

Update: We also expect a level of discourse that is suitable for a Christian showcase. Thus entries may be refused if they engage in name-calling, ad hominem attacks, offensive language, or for any similar reason as judged by the administrator.

So, if you have a post in this framework - go here to find out more: Christian Carnival info.

Read more!

The Monday Tour: 4/10/06

Christian Carnival Highlights:

• A good friend of mine at Street Prophets, Elizabeth D, submitted
"Christian Theology: Love Hurts"
• Dave Taylor wants us to avoid "The Poison of Self-Righteousness". That is a very good plan indeed.
• The "Why" is everything.
• John at Light Along the Journey looks at belief and regeneration in "Saint and Sinner":

  "The fact that we will always be saint and sinner, Simul justus et peccator (to use Luther’s Latin), has been recognized for centuries. BUT, sin must be ruthlessly fought against in our lives, “mortified” as the Puritans would say . . . A true lover of Jesus should desire to do anything, make any sacrifice, suffer any hardship, to rid themselves of anything that comes between them and their precious Lord."

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Alex Jordan deals with "A Theological Question" about salvation and the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" being necessary for such. It is interesting in that it came from a United Methodist member confused over the teaching of her pastor. The pastor was more pentecostal than a Pentecostal.
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And the world spins a little more: Those who concern themselves with the "Religious Right" sometimes bring up Chuck Colson as one of the "Religious Right" (wrongly I think). John Fischer, from purposedriven.com wrote at Breakpoint about the "The Separation of Church and Hate":

I recently saw an arresting bumper sticker that has provoked the most informative thinking I’ve taken from a bumper since I first spotted Wise Men Still Seek Him back in the 1970s. The sticker read: I’m for the Separation of Church and Hate.

Now as far as I know, Christians had nothing to do with the creation of this message. I traced the sticker to a website that was clearly non-Christian, even anti-Christian in many of its other messages. And yet this is not an anti-Christian message. In fact, it would make a great sermon title. Hate has no place being connected in any way to a follower of Christ. Jesus went as far as to equate hatred in the heart with murdering someone (Matthew 5:21-22). And, of course, John wrote that God is love, and it is impossible to claim to love God while hating anyone (1 John 2:9-11; 4:7-8).

No, the significance of this statement is its source: that it came from outside the church, and as such is an indication that there are a significant number of people who equate Christians in America with hate.

and

How has this unfortunate situation come about?

1. We have been more focused on sin than the sinner.
2. We have been more concerned with creating a safe society than with making a positive impact on culture.
3. We have bought into the notion that we could effect a change upon society through politics.
4. We have opted for morality over the gospel.
5. We have become the self-appointed last line of defense that God doesn’t need and never asked for.

This is a great article. The hat tip goes to Bonnie at Intellectuelle who examines looks at this article and states "God Doesn't Need Hit Men"; or, as Bonnie says, cheerleaders and supporters.
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Catez Stevens looks at "Changing Opinions in Hawkins Brief History of Time"
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The Buratha Mosque was bombed: there are related threads at Baghdadee and Iraq the Model. Salim at Baghdadee questions Omar's ITM analysis.
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Jesus Creed is an important place to "get in touch" with the Emergent church. Scot McKnight looks at the Gospel of Judas in "Part 1" and "Part 2"
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Jeremy at Parableman also looks at the "Gospel of Judas" and "National Geographic's Gospel of Judas Special"
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Rick Moran thinks there is "Big Trouble for Bush" in the latest Libby revelations.
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Joe Carter at Evangelical Outpost trips off a good discussion with "Ussher’s Error:
Primeval Chronology and Young Earth Creationism"

He also reacts to a Michael Medved - Michael Spencer debate about tongue-piercing (among other things) with "Beyond Legalism: Jesus, Wisdom, and Tongue Piercing"
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From WorldMagBlog:

• How about a black Republican running for the Senate in democratic Maryland: he won Lt. Governor in 2002 despite being dismissed by the Baltimore Sun: "brings little to the team but the color of his skin.". Read "Brother from Another Party" - it is an interesting interview.
• Two high school students doing their science project have scientists interested in their approach to curing Muscular Dystrophy

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Next Week

Read more!

Happy 11th Birthday to Me

Spiritual of course.

On April 9, 1995 I attended the service where my pride and arrogance broke - and I came to Christ. For those who haven't read it, and want to know something about who I am, my (four part) testimony is critical to understanding me (if that matters - I do not "expect" that it should).

I know for many the concept of being "born again" makes you crazy. Sorry, I was.

Amazing Grace

Loosely based on: Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

It was also a Palm Sunday; and the week before Easter. I think this is the first time in those 11 years that Palm Sunday is on the 9th and Easter on the 16th.

There I was, on my knees weeping with no one but Alan R and his wife there with me (gotta read the testimony). They were not sitting with me, but saw me "alone" and came down.

While I wasn't made blind, I understand Paul on the road to Damascus: I to was an enemy of Christ ("Why are you persecuting me?") and God and met Him there in Spokane.

My first Sunday as a Christian in my home town was Easter.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Absolutely in the first hour. By the end of that day I had accepted the Bible as the word of God; and vowed I would trust it over my own understanding and experience (which had lied to me for 16 years) until it was proven wrong. It has not been.

I also learned to say rapidly - when deciding to do the right thing - that I did not "want to talk to God about that later". I learned to fear God.

I also know that I am forgiven; and that I need not fear God at all by His Grace and love. Of course, while "wisdom came through the fear of God" I now want to obey and follow Jesus because of what He has done for me; He is worthy of obedience; and it is the least I owe Him.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

I had said before I came back to Christ that when God paid my rent I would believe in Him. Now that He has paid my rent so many times, I realize that He wasn't going to pay my rent so that I would believe in Him. God had done in Christ what He would do for me; and it was my response that was necessary - God was not to be bargained with.

He has brought my wife and me through so many "dangers, toils and snares" that I am amazed looking back over the last 11 years.

As I embark on the building of Westport - I know that - in His service - the dangers, toils, and snares will only increase: God is not interested in my comfort - He is interested in my character. God will bring me through these also.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

Now that is something to look forward to.

Amen

Read more!

Christian Carnival CXVI (116) is up

The introduction from "the bloke" at . . . In The Outer . . . :

"I did not really come up with any clever idea to present this Carnival, so...

... I have decided to just showcase the submitted posts without the usual fanfare and other creative story telling that sometimes go along with these Carnivals. Plus, I thought I should not get into any more ancient stuff and freak out more people out there.

So, without much fanfare, here are the posts:"

About Christian Carnival:

Contributing a Post to the Christian Carnival

The Christian Carnival is open to Christians of Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic convictions. One of the goals of this Carnival is to offer our readers to a broad range of Christian thought.

Posts need not be of a theological topic. Posts about home life, politics, or current events, for example, written from a Christian worldview are welcome.

Update: As the goal of this Carnival is to highlight Christian thought in the blogosphere, entries will be limited to blogs that share that goal. Blogs with content that is focused on a business, that has potentially offensive material Christians may not want to link to on their sites, or has no reference to distinctively Christian thought may not be included in this Carnival. There are other Carnivals that would be a more appropriate venue for that material. I realize that this will be a judgment call on the part of the Carnival administrator, and being human she may make mistakes. However, as the Christian Carnival is getting quite large, and it is sometimes questionable whether the entrants are seeking to promote Christian thought, I find this necessary.

Update: We also expect a level of discourse that is suitable for a Christian showcase. Thus entries may be refused if they engage in name-calling, ad hominem attacks, offensive language, or for any similar reason as judged by the administrator.

So, if you have a post in this framework - go here to find out more: Christian Carnival info.

Read more!

Loving God With All Your Mind: The Book List

I realized today that "way back when" I forgot to give the resources promised by "coming by separate post" in the following quote. Since I was scrambling for a post looking for something good to write about for the Christian Carnival - I thought I would pay this debt.

From Loving God With All Your Mind:

So, if you are one of those people who do not know whether they can really trust the Bible - then you need to deal with that first. Do not primarily read the Bible if you do not trust it. Carl has spent time in the Bible for 30 years preparing to teach others - and he has yet to find a mistake. There are a few things he cannot quite understand and a few things that are beyond him; but he has yet to find proof that the Bible is full of errors - that is just not true. So, for those that are not certain, this is where you need to do your work and engage your mind. If your faith is at the place where you just do not know if the Bible is true or not - that is where you need to focus. Carl has six books (or at least one) he would like you to read [coming by separate post]. If you approach it with an open mind, God will meet you there. He will establish the Bible as the word of God in your heart and your life; and then you will go forward with confidence.

Carl sent me this list within a couple of days of the sermon:

1. Evidences That Demand A Verdict, by Josh McDowell
   • Volume 1 focuses on the Bible along with other evidences, and
   • Volume 2 goes into more detail on the reliability of the Bible, etc.
   He has updated these in recent years and written other similar books as well...



2. The Origin Of The Bible, by several contributors, edited by Philip Comfort.

   "A comprehensive guide to: The authority and inspiration of the Bible; The canon of the Bible, The Bible as a literary text, The Bible text and manuscripts and Bible Translations...

3. When Skeptics Ask: A Handbook on Christian Evidences, Norman Geisler and Ron Books

   Explores crucial questions people ask about God and the Bible - in a bunch of different topics...

4. The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence For Jesus, Lee Strobel

   A more "popular" book - very highly recommended story of Strobel's journey from atheism to Christian...

   Strobel also recently wrote The Case For A Creator, which is his detailing of the scientific evidence that points toward God...



5. When Critics Ask, A Popular Handbook On Bible Difficulties, Geisler and Howe



6. A Skeptic's Search For God, Convincing Evidences for His Existence, Ralph Muncaster

Also, there is usually a section of books at the Christian bookstore on "apologetics" or "evidences" - that contain these books and some more recent titles....

Let me know if I can help further!

Carl

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The Monday Tour 4/3/06

Joe Carter takes a ball bat to "Aftab Ansari, Terri Schiavo, and the Absurdity of Marriage Laws".

it would take an army of homosexual rights activists several decades to do as much damage to the sacred institution as heterosexuals have done by tolerating no-fault divorce and the repeal of common law marriage.

And cracks one out with "What is the Gospel?"
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Wow! I love this stuff. Hannah Im links her post at Intellectuelle at her own blog; and includes some other links: "Christianity and Women: Posts to Ponder". For those interested: you can download a complete NET Bible for your computer here. There are over 16,000 study notes attached - it is pretty incredible.
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"Kids Need Dads, not Just Fathers". Yep.
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A little philosophical "smack-down" in the evolutionary camp between Michael Ruse on one side; and Daniel Dennett and Richard Dawkins on the other: "Darwinian Meltdown over Intelligent Design". (HT: Adrian Warnock)
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Salim asks the question at Baghdadee: "Is civil war a possibility?"
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Iraq the Model has a bit about the current political crisis in Iraq centered around the UIA's selection of Jafari as Prime Minister - against the wishes of almost everyone else including a number of people in the UIA. Another pivotal point seems in the making.
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Scot McKnight asks "Is the Reformation Over?":

Here’s what I wonder: Is it not the case that most of us really do anchor our faith in the orthodox statements of faith (Nicea, etc)? Is it not the rise of Trinitarian theology at the end of the 20th Century that has provoked so many invigorating perspectives on theology? And do we not have so much to learn from one another?

And here’s what I observe about converts. Those who leave the evangelical Protestant world do so to find Tradition and Church; those who leave the Orthodox tradition find a non-ethnic, personal faith; those who leave the Catholic Church find a personal, vibrant, music-loving worship.

This is no silly utopia I have in mind: I’m not talking about John Stott, Pope Benedict and the big hats of the Orthodox organizing a Summit of Unity, once again in Nicea, and walking away with centuries of history swished off the stage into forgiveness. That ain’t gonna happen.

Scot references this article in First Things: "To Be a Christian College"
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Rick Moran has two takes on the blogosphere's (left and right) tendency to rely on "head-hunting" in "A Few Random Thoughts on Blogging, the Media, and How We Got Ourselves Into This Mess"; and "Twice a Victim" about Jill Carroll
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Dale Carpenter at Volokh Conspiracy looks at the Massachusetts Supreme Court's decision not to allow "evasion marriages"
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Hat Tip to WorldMagBlog:

THIS. IS. CRAZY! if true. "Meet Doctor Doom".

Professor Pianka said the Earth as we know it will not survive without drastic measures. Then, and without presenting any data to justify this number, he asserted that the only feasible solution to saving the Earth is to reduce the population to 10 percent of the present number.

His technique: ebola

On RU-486: "Some Doctors Voice Worry Over Abortion Pills' Safety"

Here is a "Plan to Replace the Welfare State" by giving every American 21 and over $10,000 per year (there is a sliding scale).
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Next Week

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John Appendix: Westcott's Concentric Proof

I. The author of the Fourth Gospel was a Jew.

1. He is familiar with current Jewish opinions.
   1. Messianic Expectations —1:21, 4:25, 6:14 ff, 7:40 ff, 12:34 ff.
   2. Attitude toward Women —4:27
   3. Importance of religious schools — 7:15
   4. Disparagement of Jews of the Diaspora (Hellenistic Jews) —7:35
   5. Hostility of Jews and Samaritans —4:9
2. He is familiar with Jewish observances, customs, etc.
   1. Ceremonial pollution of entering a gentile court —18:28
   2. Feast of Tabernacles (hinted at) by symbolism of “living water” and the “light of the world”—7:8 and 8:12
   3. The last day of the feast was the “great day”—7:37
   4. Customs at marriage feast —2:1-10
   5. Customs of burial—11:17-44
3. Vocabulary, sentence structure, symmetry and numerical symbolism, expression and arrangement of thoughts are essentially Hebrew. “The source of the imagery of the narrative…is the OT. The words are Greek words, but the spirit by which they live is Hebrew.” (Westcott, Introduction, vii)
4. The Old Testament is the source of the religious life of the author.
   1. Judea was the “home” of the Word become flesh; these people were “his own people”—1:11
   2. Judaism is constantly taken as the starting-point for Christianity.
   1. The writer assumed as axiomatic that Scripture cannot be broken—10:35
   2. That which is written in the prophets is assumed to be true —6:45
   3. OT types are mentioned as Christ applied them to himself:
      1. Serpent —3:14
      2. Manna —6:32
      3. Water from the Rock —7:37 ff., etc.

II. The author of the Fourth Gospel was a Jew of Palestine.

1. His local knowledge is precise.
   1. Bethany beyond the Jordan (1:28), a place forgotten by the time of Origen, is distinguished from Bethany near Jerusalem (11:18). The location of the latter is given as 15 stadia away.
   2. Aenon near Salim (3:23) is not mentioned anywhere else—indicating direct acquaintance of the writer.
   3. Topography —especially of Jerusalem—is precise
      1. The pool at Bethesda—5:2
      2. The pool of Siloam—9:7
      3. The wadi Kidron—18:1
      [Points a. - c. are not mentioned in the Synoptics.]
      4. The Pavement (Gabbatha) with its raised judgement-seat—19:13
      5. Allusions to the Temple:
         1. 46 years in building—2:20
         2. Mention of the Treasury—8:20
         3. Solomon’s Portico—10:22


2. The author’s use of OT quotations shows that he is not dependent on the LXX, and at least suggest he was acquainted with Hebrew:
   1. These agree with both the Hebrew text and LXX, where both agree (Hebrew text and LXX in agreement):
      1. 12:38, cf. Is. 53:1
      2. 19:24, cf. Ps 22:18
      3. 10:34, cf. Ps 82:6
      4. 15:25, cf. Ps 34:19
   2. These agree with the Hebrew text against the LXX:
      1. 19:37, cf. Zach. 12:10
      2. 6:45, cf. Is. 54:13
      3. 13:18, cf. Ps 41:9
   3. This differs from both Hebrew and LXX where they both agree: 2:17, cf. Ps 69:9
   4. These differ from Hebrew and LXX where they do not agree:
      1. 12:14-15, cf. Zech 9:9
      2. 12:40, cf. Is. 6:10
   5. These are free renditions (paraphrases?) of various OT passages:
      1. 19:36, cf. Exod 12:46, Num 9:12
      2. 7:38, no exact OT quote is parallel
      3. 1:23, cf. Is. 40:3
      4. 6:31, cf. Ps 78:24, Exod 16:4, 15
   6. But nowhere does a quotation of the OT in the Fourth Gospel agree with the LXX against the Hebrew text.
3. The author’s doctrine of the Logos is Palestinian and not Alexandrian—he views the Logos as representing the divine Will manifested in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Philo, on the other hand, viewed the Logos as abstract divine Reason.
4. Qumran documents have many parallels, which indicate that the Gospel is essentially a Palestinian document. See A. M. Hunter, Expository Times 71(1959/60), 166, 202.

III. The author of the Fourth Gospel was an eyewitness of the events he describes:

1. Descriptions of persons—in minute detail.
   1. Nicodemus—3:1 ff, 7:50, 19:39
   2. Lazarus—9:1 ff, 12:1 ff
   3. Simon, father of Judas Iscariot—6:71, 12:4, 13:2, 26. Note: The author was aware “Iscariot” was a local or family name; he applies it both to Judas and to his father Simon: 6:71, 13:2, 26, 12:4, 14:22
2. Details of time:
   1. Number of days before the raising of Lazarus—11:6, 17, 39
   2. Duration of Jesus’ stay in Samaria—4:40,43
   3. Specific mention of the hour at which events occurred:
      1. “the tenth”—1:40
      2. “the sixth”—4:6
      3. “the seventh”—4:52
      4. “about the sixth”—19:14
      5. “it was night”—13:30, etc.


3. Details of number:
   1. two disciples of John the Baptist—1:35
   2. six waterpots—2:6
   3. five loaves and two fishes—6:9
   4. twenty-five or thirty stadia—6:19
   5. four soldiers—19:23
   6. two hundred cubits—21:8
   7. two hundred fifty-three fish—21:11
4. Details of manner or circumstance:
   1. The boy had barley loaves—6:9
   2. When Mary poured the ointment, the house was filled with the fragrance—12:3
   3. The branches used at the triumphant entry were palm branches—12:13
   4. Roman soldiers come with the officers of the priests to arrest Jesus—18:3
   5. Jesus’ tunic was seamless—19:23
   6. The facecloth in which Jesus was buried was wrapped and lying in a place by itself—20:7
   7. Peter was grieved because the Lord said to him a third time, “Do you love me?”—21:17

IV. The author of the Fourth Gospel was an Apostle.

1. This is clear from the scope of his descriptions of Jesus’ ministry from the call of the first disciple to the appearances after the resurrection.
2. He is acquainted with the thoughts and feelings of the disciples at critical moments: 2:11, 17, 22; 4:27, 6:19, 60 ff.; 12:16, 13:22, 28, 21:12.
3. He recalls words spoken amont themselves: 4:33, 16:17, 20:25, 21:3,5.
4. He is familiar with the places to which they withdrew for time alone: 11:54, 18:1-2, 20:19.
5. He is acquainted with imperfect or erroneous impressions they received initially: 11:13, 12:16, 13:28, 20:9, 21:4.
6. He stood very near the Lord:
   1. He knew the Lord’s emotions: 11:33, 13:21.
   2. He knew the grounds of the Lord’s actions: 2:24 ff, 4:1, 5:6, 6:15, 7:1, 16:19.
   3. He knew the mind of the Lord in many cases: 6:6, 6:61, 6:64, 13:1,3; 13:11.

V. The author of the Fourth Gospel was the Apostle John.

1. John 21:24 assigns authorship to “the apostle whom Jesus loved.”
2. This disciple is mentioned by this title twice in the passion narrative (13:23, 19:26) and twice afterwards (21:7, 21:20).
3. He is known to the high-priest (18:15).
4. He stands in close relationship with Peter (13:24, 20:2, 21:7).
5. From the list in 21:2 of those present, this disciple must have been one of the sons of Zebedee, or one of the two other unnamed disciples present.
6. The synoptics present Peter, James and John as standing in a special relationship to Jesus. Peter is eliminated (see 20:21), James was martyred very early (Acts 12:2); this leaves John.

VI. Corroboration:

1. John is not mentioned by name anywhere in the Gospel.
2. While John is not mentioned by name, the author is very particular about defining names in his gospel—he frequently qualifies by using additional names; Simon is never called merely Simon after his call, but always by his full name Simon Peter or the new name Peter. But in spite of this tendency, the author of the Fourth Gospel never refers to the Baptist as John the Baptist (as the synoptics do) but only as “John.”

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Christian Carnival CXV (115) is up

The introduction from Gary at The Secret Life of Gary:

This is my second time fishing for links hosting the carnival. I added a few comments of my own, which are in italics. Otherwise, I'm not responsible for the content of other people's posts.

Interestingly enough, I discovered this week that if you search for my church I come up number 2 after our website! (that being Artisan Church, formerly Capax Dei/Qwest).

Enjoy.

About Christian Carnival:

Contributing a Post to the Christian Carnival

The Christian Carnival is open to Christians of Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic convictions. One of the goals of this Carnival is to offer our readers to a broad range of Christian thought.

Posts need not be of a theological topic. Posts about home life, politics, or current events, for example, written from a Christian worldview are welcome.

Update: As the goal of this Carnival is to highlight Christian thought in the blogosphere, entries will be limited to blogs that share that goal. Blogs with content that is focused on a business, that has potentially offensive material Christians may not want to link to on their sites, or has no reference to distinctively Christian thought may not be included in this Carnival. There are other Carnivals that would be a more appropriate venue for that material. I realize that this will be a judgment call on the part of the Carnival administrator, and being human she may make mistakes. However, as the Christian Carnival is getting quite large, and it is sometimes questionable whether the entrants are seeking to promote Christian thought, I find this necessary.

Update: We also expect a level of discourse that is suitable for a Christian showcase. Thus entries may be refused if they engage in name-calling, ad hominem attacks, offensive language, or for any similar reason as judged by the administrator.

So, if you have a post in this framework - go here to find out more: Christian Carnival info.

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