Find below is my monthly summary. I will try to share my top 5 posts in both the Monthly and All-Time categories on the 30th of each month. It will be interesting to see how this changes (or doesn’t) from month to month.
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5 Most Popular Posts (Month)
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5 Most Popular Posts (All Time)
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Taken from Merriam-Webster online
It is important that we clearly define what is meant by the term “Myth.” I assume my audience is all Christian and as such, we base our belief on the scriptures that we are placing under this type of criticism. In no way are we suggesting that definition 2b or definition 3 are applicable to the beginning of Genesis. To do so would be to undermine the authority of the scriptures by saying that they are worthless fables at best and bold-faced lies at worst.
We can also strike definition 4 since that is too broad for our discussion. We are not discussing the validity of other creation myths, only whether the genesis as described in Genesis follows a Mythopoetic format.
Definition 2a comes closer to what is meant by this terminology. The Hebrews accepted this Creation Story as evidenced by the fact that it is included in their scriptures.They have traditionally held to this explanation of events for the origin of the world.
However, only definition 1a (and clarification 1b) serves true justice to the topic at hand. Truly, Genesis 1 does not begin with any disclaimer stating that it is a myth. What kind of myth does that? None! That would be poor story telling. Further, this creation story is not just a factual retelling of how things came about, it is intended to show a greater truth.
In Church Speak, we tend to use the words parable and allegory rather than myth. Who used the parabolic form most in scripture? The Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, he was the master story-teller of the entire Bible. He knew how to weave a story that is simple enough to teach children, yet deep enough to prick an adult heart. Was there really a vineyard? Perhaps. But did there need to be a vineyard for his parable to work? No.
As for the poetic nature of Genesis 1, the author (probably passed down orally) uses mnemonic cues to share the story. Repeated phrases like: “And God said,” “Evening and morning were the __ day,” “And God saw that it was good.” These cues helped keep the poet on track when recounting the story. Hebrew poetry is traditionally dependent on repetition for art. Brother Steve has shared an essay on chiasmus which illustrates this point. Perhaps he has it on hand for those who have not read it yet.
As for the point of this story, I would have to break this Myth into two.
I would venture to say that the poetic form is much more beautiful, graceful and meaningful than what the process may look like on a calendar. The intent of scripture is to tell us about God in relation to man and vice-versa. By focusing on the truths within the story we gain more than just a cold set of facts. An allegory allows the passage to take on meaning beyond words on a page.
1 Timothy 4:11-12
11Prescribe and teach these things. 12Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
Paul gives four directive to Timothy in this passage. These directives have to do with his mission, which is to establish order in the Ephesian Church. These directives are:
Just to prove that this site is not only about hard theology… here’s a tag cloud! Enjoy this whimsical representation of the higher themes that we engage in here.
I delivered a message this evening on the Archetype of the Shepherd in Christian tradition. It is meant to be an introduction to a study on the Pastoral Epistles (Timothys and Titus). The content is below.
My Notes: http://bit.ly/rrxbvp
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| The Board Image |
Audio: http://bit.ly/qIoIwS
Exodus 37:7-9 7 He made two cherubim of gold; he made them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat; 8 one cherub at the one end and one cherub at the other end; he made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at the two ends. 9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward each other; the faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.
I was reminded of the Mercy Seat this past weekend during the Lord’s Supper. The Mercy Seat was where God was able to show both His justice and His mercy to the Israelite nation. The sacrifice would be offered and the blood would be sprinkled between the cherubim, where God would see it and His wrath would be abated for a time.
I was drawn to a parallel portion in Romans 3:23-26:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Christ is our Mercy Seat. He is the place where we find ourselves justified, namely in His blood. Consider this: the Septuagint (that is to say, the Hellenized Old Testament, which means translated into the Greek language) chose the word we translate into propitiation when describing the Hebrew word for Mercy Seat. These two words are the same. Hence, when Romans 3:25 says God displayed Jesus as a propitiation, He is declaring Christ as the New Mercy Seat. The new place where God’s justice and mercy are satisfied. Hence, He is both just (His holy requirement is met) and the justifier (for He sent His Son to be the sacrifice).
Still not convinced that Jesus is the New Mercy Seat? The scriptures not only plainly tell us so, but they also deliver the message is picture form. Read John 20:11-13:
11 But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
What did Mary see? An empty set of grave-clothing, an angel sitting where Jesus’ head would have been, and an angel sitting where Jesus’ feet would have been. It is eerily similar to the description of that Old Testament Mercy Seat, wouldn’t you say? The only difference is that blood from a dead cow is only of one-time-use, a risen Savior can still speak for us today.
All references from the NASB.
So then we have the Word of God, which I say is a light-saber. Piercing the soul and illuminating the darkness in one package. Not only that, but when it pierces you, it leaves the wound perfectly sterilized. Allowing the victim to heal and come away from the dark side into God’s marvelous light.
However, the question is not whether God’s Word is powerful. The question is, Does God’s Word stand on it’s own? The answer is no, it does not.
Troubled? Don’t be, just read the context of verse 11 and my argument comes clear. It is not God’s verbiage that stands alone, it is God’s sovereignty that does.
Why does verse 10 talk about rain and snow? What does that have to do with the Bible? Does verse 8 relate only to God’s Word, or is it broader? I argue that it is much broader than just God directing His Word, God is in the business of directing the lives of men.
Consider the rain; when a storm approaches from the horizon it is dark and ominous. Barometric pressures build and release. Soon thunders clash and lighting brightens the world only to leave it back in darkness again. A rainstorm could be a frightening thing. Why did primitive farmers welcome the rain? Because the rain created the perfect atmosphere for the seed to take root and grow.
When literal rain comes into our lives, things change. We take routes that put us under maximum cover. We pull out raincoats and umbrellas. We choose to wear galoshes rather than flip-flops. We drive slower and turn on our lights–or perhaps we choose not to go out at all. Our lives are affected.
So God, in His Sovereignty, brings spiritual rainstorms into our lives to prepare them for His Word. It is too simplistic to think that all one needs is to have Bible verses belted at them. We need a personal touch from a personal God. After all, He is the Master wielding His light-saber.
Jude 4a Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all,…
I love how gentle Jude is. He stands in contrast to Paul, who is as abrasive a character in the New Testament as anyone. Jude just says, Hey guys, I want to remind you of a few things even though I know that you know…
What does Jude remind them of? He reminds them of the popular stories of the day and some important Hebrew traditions. He reminds them of the Passover & Wilderness Wanderings, Nephilim, Sodom & Gomorrah, Michael & Satan, Cain & Abel, Balaam, Korah and Enoch. These stories serve as a warning, a warning not to get too caught up in pride to be able to see that you have been saved by grace. Judgment is reserved for the man who thinks too highly of himself and not highly enough of God.
In essence, these are examples of selfish, useless people.
Jude 17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Jude continues the remembrance motif with a new message. Not a message of warning, but one of hope. Our hope rests in Christ, so it would naturally follow that the Christian should abide in Him. In light of our Ultimate Example, we are humbled. Everything we do should be motivated by the love God has shown to us. The work we do in His light is excellent. But then again, we know this already. Right?
He is in the business of making us into selfless, useful people.
We Talk of Holy Things 