Letters to Dani - 3

The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone.

10/14/2020

The Bible Jesus Used

We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47).

 Love Granddaddy


10/15/2020

What scriptures did Jesus Read?

Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Love Granddaddy


10/16/2020

 A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me!

Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/17/2020

 

Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes,

 

“Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.”

 

Love, Granddaddy

 

 


10/18/2020

 

You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment.

 

(ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/19/2020

 

Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep.

 

Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”:

 

In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/20/2020

 

Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said:

 

“(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer.

 

(ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/21/2020

 

The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

 

In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/22/2020

 

 

Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church

 

 

This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz:

 

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16)

 

This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled.

 

Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/23/2020

 

Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains”

 

“But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/24/2020

 

Hamilton gives another example of interpretations.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

 

Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her.

 

 


 

 

10/25/2020

 

Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels:

 

“What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The New Testament in Five Minute

 

 

Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information.

 

Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough.

 

 

Verses in the Old Testament 23,145
Verses in New Testament 7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses 75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments. 4
Acts: The Early Church 1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus 27
Letters of Paul 21
Book of Revelation 1

 

 

 


 

 

10/27/2020

 

The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/28/2020

 

This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward.

 

Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God.

 

 

  • He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
  • God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
  • God’s mercy toward those who sin,
  • God’s healing power for those who are broken.
  • He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
  • He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”

 

 

Love Granddaddy

 

10/29/2020

 

The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

 

Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

10/30/2020

 

As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.”

 

We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth.

 

11/1/2020

 

The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self.

 

 

1:1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit  
1:6 The Ascension  
1:12 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas  
2:1 The Coming of the Holy Spirit  
2:14 Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost  
2:42 The Fellowship of Believers  
3:1 Lame Beggar Healed  
4:1 Peter and John before the Council  
4:32 They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)  
5:1 Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)  
6:5 Steven is Seized,... Stoned  
8:1 Saul Ravages the Church  
8:4 Philip  
9:1 Conversion of Saul  

 

 

The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

11/2/2020

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Letters

 

 

I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first.

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The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone.

 

10/14/2020

 

 

The Bible Jesus Used

 

 

We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/15/2020

 

 

What scriptures did Jesus Read?

 

 

Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/16/2020

 

A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me!

 

Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/17/2020

 

Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes,

 

“Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.”

 

Love, Granddaddy

 

 


10/18/2020

 

You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment.

 

(ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/19/2020

 

Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep.

 

Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”:

 

In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/20/2020

 

Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said:

 

“(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer.

 

(ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/21/2020

 

The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

 

In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/22/2020

 

 

Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church

 

 

This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz:

 

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16)

 

This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled.

 

Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/23/2020

 

Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains”

 

“But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/24/2020

 

Hamilton gives another example of interpretations.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

 

Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her.

 

 


 

 

10/25/2020

 

Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels:

 

“What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The New Testament in Five Minute

 

 

Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information.

 

Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough.

 

 

Verses in the Old Testament 23,145
Verses in New Testament 7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses 75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments. 4
Acts: The Early Church 1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus 27
Letters of Paul 21
Book of Revelation 1

 

 

 


 

 

10/27/2020

 

The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/28/2020

 

This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward.

 

Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God.

 

 

  • He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
  • God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
  • God’s mercy toward those who sin,
  • God’s healing power for those who are broken.
  • He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
  • He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”

 

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/29/2020

 

The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

 

Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/30/2020

 

As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.”

 

We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth.

 

 


 

 

11/1/2020

 

The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self.

 

 

1:1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit  
1:6 The Ascension  
1:12 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas  
2:1 The Coming of the Holy Spirit  
2:14 Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost  
2:42 The Fellowship of Believers  
3:1 Lame Beggar Healed  
4:1 Peter and John before the Council  
4:32 They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)  
5:1 Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)  
6:5 Steven is Seized,... Stoned  
8:1 Saul Ravages the Church  
8:4 Philip  
9:1 Conversion of Saul  

 

 

The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/2/2020

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Letters

 

 

I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood.

 

Love Granddaddy

','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-02 14:51:08','2020-11-02 19:51:08','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/02/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1224,1,'2020-11-04 14:07:38','2020-11-04 19:07:38','

The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone.

 

10/14/2020

 

 

The Bible Jesus Used

 

 

We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/15/2020

 

 

What scriptures did Jesus Read?

 

 

Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/16/2020

 

A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me!

 

Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/17/2020

 

Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes,

 

“Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.”

 

Love, Granddaddy

 

 


10/18/2020

 

You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment.

 

(ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/19/2020

 

Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep.

 

Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”:

 

In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/20/2020

 

Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said:

 

“(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer.

 

(ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/21/2020

 

The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

 

In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/22/2020

 

 

Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church

 

 

This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz:

 

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16)

 

This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled.

 

Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/23/2020

 

Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains”

 

“But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/24/2020

 

Hamilton gives another example of interpretations.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

 

Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her.

 

 


 

 

10/25/2020

 

Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels:

 

“What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The New Testament in Five Minute

 

 

Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information.

 

Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough.

 

 

Verses in the Old Testament 23,145
Verses in New Testament 7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses 75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments. 4
Acts: The Early Church 1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus 27
Letters of Paul 21
Book of Revelation 1

 

 

 


 

 

10/27/2020

 

The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/28/2020

 

This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward.

 

Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God.

 

 

  • He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
  • God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
  • God’s mercy toward those who sin,
  • God’s healing power for those who are broken.
  • He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
  • He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”

 

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/29/2020

 

The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

 

Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/30/2020

 

As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.”

 

We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth.

 

 


 

 

11/1/2020

 

The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self.

 

 

1:1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit  
1:6 The Ascension  
1:12 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas  
2:1 The Coming of the Holy Spirit  
2:14 Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost  
2:42 The Fellowship of Believers  
3:1 Lame Beggar Healed  
4:1 Peter and John before the Council  
4:32 They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)  
5:1 Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)  
6:5 Steven is Seized,... Stoned  
8:1 Saul Ravages the Church  
8:4 Philip  
9:1 Conversion of Saul  

 

 

The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/2/2020

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Letters

 

 

I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

10/03/2020

 

The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumsized

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The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone.

 

10/14/2020

 

 

The Bible Jesus Used

 

 

We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/15/2020

 

 

What scriptures did Jesus Read?

 

 

Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/16/2020

 

A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me!

 

Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/17/2020

 

Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes,

 

“Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.”

 

Love, Granddaddy

 

 


10/18/2020

 

You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment.

 

(ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/19/2020

 

Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep.

 

Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”:

 

In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/20/2020

 

Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said:

 

“(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer.

 

(ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/21/2020

 

The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

 

In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/22/2020

 

 

Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church

 

 

This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz:

 

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16)

 

This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled.

 

Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/23/2020

 

Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains”

 

“But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/24/2020

 

Hamilton gives another example of interpretations.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

 

Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her.

 

 


 

 

10/25/2020

 

Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels:

 

“What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The New Testament in Five Minute

 

 

Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information.

 

Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough.

 

 

Verses in the Old Testament 23,145
Verses in New Testament 7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses 75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments. 4
Acts: The Early Church 1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus 27
Letters of Paul 21
Book of Revelation 1

 

 

 


 

 

10/27/2020

 

The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/28/2020

 

This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward.

 

Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God.

 

 

  • He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
  • God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
  • God’s mercy toward those who sin,
  • God’s healing power for those who are broken.
  • He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
  • He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”

 

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/29/2020

 

The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

 

Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/30/2020

 

As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.”

 

We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth.

 

 


 

 

11/1/2020

 

The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self.

 

 

1:1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit  
1:6 The Ascension  
1:12 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas  
2:1 The Coming of the Holy Spirit  
2:14 Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost  
2:42 The Fellowship of Believers  
3:1 Lame Beggar Healed  
4:1 Peter and John before the Council  
4:32 They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)  
5:1 Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)  
6:5 Steven is Seized,... Stoned  
8:1 Saul Ravages the Church  
8:4 Philip  
9:1 Conversion of Saul  

 

 

The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/2/2020

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Letters

 

 

I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/03/2020

 

The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority.

 

(ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

 

Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

Love Grandaddy

 

 


 

 

10/4/2020

 

“Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).”

 

Even though he spends several chapters discussing devotes four chapters to the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 to libertines.

 

(ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

 

In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list.

 

(ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

 

Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored.

 

Love Granddaddy

','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-04 14:59:01','2020-11-04 19:59:01','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/04/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1225,1,'2020-11-04 14:57:25','2020-11-04 19:57:25','

The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone.

 

10/14/2020

 

 

The Bible Jesus Used

 

 

We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/15/2020

 

 

What scriptures did Jesus Read?

 

 

Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/16/2020

 

A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me!

 

Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/17/2020

 

Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes,

 

“Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.”

 

Love, Granddaddy

 

 


10/18/2020

 

You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment.

 

(ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/19/2020

 

Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep.

 

Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”:

 

In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/20/2020

 

Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said:

 

“(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer.

 

(ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/21/2020

 

The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

 

In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/22/2020

 

 

Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church

 

 

This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz:

 

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16)

 

This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled.

 

Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/23/2020

 

Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains”

 

“But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/24/2020

 

Hamilton gives another example of interpretations.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

 

Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her.

 

 


 

 

10/25/2020

 

Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels:

 

“What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The New Testament in Five Minute

 

 

Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information.

 

Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough.

 

 

Verses in the Old Testament 23,145
Verses in New Testament 7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses 75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments. 4
Acts: The Early Church 1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus 27
Letters of Paul 21
Book of Revelation 1

 

 

 


 

 

10/27/2020

 

The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/28/2020

 

This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward.

 

Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God.

 

 

  • He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
  • God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
  • God’s mercy toward those who sin,
  • God’s healing power for those who are broken.
  • He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
  • He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”

 

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/29/2020

 

The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

 

Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/30/2020

 

As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.”

 

We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth.

 

 


 

 

11/1/2020

 

The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self.

 

 

1:1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit  
1:6 The Ascension  
1:12 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas  
2:1 The Coming of the Holy Spirit  
2:14 Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost  
2:42 The Fellowship of Believers  
3:1 Lame Beggar Healed  
4:1 Peter and John before the Council  
4:32 They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)  
5:1 Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)  
6:5 Steven is Seized,... Stoned  
8:1 Saul Ravages the Church  
8:4 Philip  
9:1 Conversion of Saul  

 

 

The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/2/2020

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Letters

 

 

I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/03/2020

 

The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority.

 

(ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

 

Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

Love Grandaddy

 

10/4/2020

 

“Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).”

 

Even though he spends several chapters discussing devotes four chapters to the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 to libertines.

 

(ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

 

In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list.

 

(ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

 

Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored.

 

Love Granddaddy

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The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone.

 

10/14/2020

 

 

The Bible Jesus Used

 

 

We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/15/2020

 

 

What scriptures did Jesus Read?

 

 

Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/16/2020

 

A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me!

 

Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/17/2020

 

Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes,

 

“Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.”

 

Love, Granddaddy

 

 


10/18/2020

 

You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment.

 

(ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/19/2020

 

Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep.

 

Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”:

 

In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/20/2020

 

Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said:

 

“(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer.

 

(ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/21/2020

 

The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

 

In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/22/2020

 

 

Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church

 

 

This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz:

 

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16)

 

This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled.

 

Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/23/2020

 

Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains”

 

“But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/24/2020

 

Hamilton gives another example of interpretations.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

 

Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her.

 

 


 

 

10/25/2020

 

Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels:

 

“What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The New Testament in Five Minute

 

 

Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information.

 

Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough.

 

 

Verses in the Old Testament 23,145
Verses in New Testament 7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses 75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments. 4
Acts: The Early Church 1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus 27
Letters of Paul 21
Book of Revelation 1

 

 

 


 

 

10/27/2020

 

The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/28/2020

 

This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward.

 

Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God.

 

 

  • He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
  • God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
  • God’s mercy toward those who sin,
  • God’s healing power for those who are broken.
  • He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
  • He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”

 

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/29/2020

 

The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

 

Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/30/2020

 

As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.”

 

We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth.

 

 


 

 

11/1/2020

 

The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self.

 

 

1:1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit  
1:6 The Ascension  
1:12 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas  
2:1 The Coming of the Holy Spirit  
2:14 Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost  
2:42 The Fellowship of Believers  
3:1 Lame Beggar Healed  
4:1 Peter and John before the Council  
4:32 They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)  
5:1 Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)  
6:5 Steven is Seized,... Stoned  
8:1 Saul Ravages the Church  
8:4 Philip  
9:1 Conversion of Saul  

 

 

The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/2/2020

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Letters

 

 

I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/03/2020

 

The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority.

 

(ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

 

Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

Love Grandaddy

 

 


 

 

10/4/2020

 

“Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).”

 

Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines.

 

(ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

 

In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list.

 

(ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

 

Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

10/05/2020

 

 

Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?

 

 

This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spend a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study.

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The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone.

 

10/14/2020

 

 

The Bible Jesus Used

 

 

We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/15/2020

 

 

What scriptures did Jesus Read?

 

 

Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/16/2020

 

A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me!

 

Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/17/2020

 

Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes,

 

“Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.”

 

Love, Granddaddy

 

 


10/18/2020

 

You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment.

 

(ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/19/2020

 

Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep.

 

Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”:

 

In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/20/2020

 

Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said:

 

“(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer.

 

(ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/21/2020

 

The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

 

In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/22/2020

 

 

Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church

 

 

This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz:

 

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16)

 

This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled.

 

Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/23/2020

 

Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains”

 

“But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/24/2020

 

Hamilton gives another example of interpretations.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

 

Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her.

 

 


 

 

10/25/2020

 

Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels:

 

“What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The New Testament in Five Minute

 

 

Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information.

 

Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough.

 

 

Verses in the Old Testament 23,145
Verses in New Testament 7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses 75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments. 4
Acts: The Early Church 1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus 27
Letters of Paul 21
Book of Revelation 1

 

 

 


 

 

10/27/2020

 

The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/28/2020

 

This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward.

 

Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God.

 

 

  • He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
  • God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
  • God’s mercy toward those who sin,
  • God’s healing power for those who are broken.
  • He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
  • He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”

 

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/29/2020

 

The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

 

Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/30/2020

 

As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.”

 

We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth.

 

 


 

 

11/1/2020

 

The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self.

 

 

1:1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit  
1:6 The Ascension  
1:12 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas  
2:1 The Coming of the Holy Spirit  
2:14 Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost  
2:42 The Fellowship of Believers  
3:1 Lame Beggar Healed  
4:1 Peter and John before the Council  
4:32 They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)  
5:1 Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)  
6:5 Steven is Seized,... Stoned  
8:1 Saul Ravages the Church  
8:4 Philip  
9:1 Conversion of Saul  

 

 

The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/2/2020

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Letters

 

 

I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/03/2020

 

The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority.

 

(ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

 

Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

Love Grandaddy

 

 


 

 

10/4/2020

 

“Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).”

 

Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines.

 

(ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

 

In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list.

 

(ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

 

Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/05/2020

 

 

Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?

 

 

This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spends a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study.

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The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone.

 

10/14/2020

 

 

The Bible Jesus Used

 

 

We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/15/2020

 

 

What scriptures did Jesus Read?

 

 

Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/16/2020

 

A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me!

 

Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/17/2020

 

Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes,

 

“Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.”

 

Love, Granddaddy

 

 


10/18/2020

 

You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment.

 

(ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/19/2020

 

Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep.

 

Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”:

 

In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/20/2020

 

Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said:

 

“(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer.

 

(ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/21/2020

 

The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

 

In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/22/2020

 

 

Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church

 

 

This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz:

 

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16)

 

This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled.

 

Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/23/2020

 

Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains”

 

“But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/24/2020

 

Hamilton gives another example of interpretations.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

 

Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her.

 

 


 

 

10/25/2020

 

Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels:

 

“What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The New Testament in Five Minute

 

 

Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information.

 

Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough.

 

 

Verses in the Old Testament 23,145
Verses in New Testament 7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses 75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments. 4
Acts: The Early Church 1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus 27
Letters of Paul 21
Book of Revelation 1

 

 

 


 

 

10/27/2020

 

The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/28/2020

 

This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward.

 

Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God.

 

 

  • He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
  • God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
  • God’s mercy toward those who sin,
  • God’s healing power for those who are broken.
  • He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
  • He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”

 

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/29/2020

 

The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

 

Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/30/2020

 

As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.”

 

We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth.

 

 


 

 

11/1/2020

 

The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self.

 

 

1:1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit  
1:6 The Ascension  
1:12 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas  
2:1 The Coming of the Holy Spirit  
2:14 Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost  
2:42 The Fellowship of Believers  
3:1 Lame Beggar Healed  
4:1 Peter and John before the Council  
4:32 They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)  
5:1 Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)  
6:5 Steven is Seized,... Stoned  
8:1 Saul Ravages the Church  
8:4 Philip  
9:1 Conversion of Saul  

 

 

The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/2/2020

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Letters

 

 

I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/03/2020

 

The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority.

 

(ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

 

Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

Love Grandaddy

 

 


 

 

10/4/2020

 

“Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).”

 

Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines.

 

(ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

 

In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list.

 

(ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

 

Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/05/2020

 

 

Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?

 

 

This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spend a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study.

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The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

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Posts

 

 

 

Morality

 

 

 

Heavenly Prep

 

 

 

Antichrist

 

 

 

Response to Evil

 

 

 

Misuse of Scripture

 

 

 

Islam

 

 

 

How do you identify a Muslim?

 

 

 

Another Way to Look at It

 

 

 

1 Letters to Dani

 

 

 

2 Letters to Dani Continued

 

 

 

3 Letters to Dani

 

 

 

4 Letters to Dani

 

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The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. By the way, I am using the names of the books now, but later we may discuss the opinions about who the actual authors were.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 

 

 

The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

 

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone.

 

10/14/2020

 

 

The Bible Jesus Used

 

 

We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/15/2020

 

 

What scriptures did Jesus Read?

 

 

Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/16/2020

 

A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me!

 

Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/17/2020

 

Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes,

 

“Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.”

 

Love, Granddaddy

 

 


10/18/2020

 

You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment.

 

(ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/19/2020

 

Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep.

 

Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”:

 

In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/20/2020

 

Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said:

 

“(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer.

 

(ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/21/2020

 

The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

 

In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/22/2020

 

 

Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church

 

 

This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz:

 

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16)

 

This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled.

 

Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/23/2020

 

Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains”

 

“But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/24/2020

 

Hamilton gives another example of interpretations.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

 

Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her.

 

 


 

 

10/25/2020

 

Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels:

 

“What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The New Testament in Five Minute

 

 

Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information.

 

Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough.

 

 

Verses in the Old Testament 23,145
Verses in New Testament 7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses 75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments. 4
Acts: The Early Church 1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus 27
Letters of Paul 21
Book of Revelation 1

 

 

 


 

 

10/27/2020

 

The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/28/2020

 

This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward.

 

Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God.

 

 

  • He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
  • God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
  • God’s mercy toward those who sin,
  • God’s healing power for those who are broken.
  • He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
  • He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”

 

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/29/2020

 

The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

 

Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/30/2020

 

As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.”

 

We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth.

 

 


 

 

11/1/2020

 

The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self.

 

 

1:1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit  
1:6 The Ascension  
1:12 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas  
2:1 The Coming of the Holy Spirit  
2:14 Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost  
2:42 The Fellowship of Believers  
3:1 Lame Beggar Healed  
4:1 Peter and John before the Council  
4:32 They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)  
5:1 Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)  
6:5 Steven is Seized,... Stoned  
8:1 Saul Ravages the Church  
8:4 Philip  
9:1 Conversion of Saul  

 

 

The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/2/2020

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Letters

 

 

I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/03/2020

 

The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority.

 

(ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

 

Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

Love Grandaddy

 

 


 

 

10/4/2020

 

“Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).”

 

Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines.

 

(ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

 

In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list.

 

(ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

 

Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/05/2020

 

 

Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?

 

 

This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spends a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study.

 

 

 

I am terminating this section of letter, again because of its length and this seems to be a good breaking point in the subject matter. With all that we have discussed here the most important point made is in the following scripture”

The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:

 

(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.

 

This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why

 

 

10/09/2020

 

 

BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:

 

(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/10/2020

 

 

THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE

 

 

In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.

 

 

Date Title Discussion
Late 1st Century The Didache Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century Mark & Matthew Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century First Book resembling a New Testament Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD Diatessaron By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas. These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century

 

 

I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/11/2020

 

There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.

 

Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.

 

Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/12/2020

 

 

Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration

 

 

Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.

 

“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”

 

The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.

 

The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.

 

During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.

 

I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because

 

I love you Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/16/2020

 

Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

It seems, if we follow Hamilton’s book, we can’t get away from a discussion of verbal, plenary inspiration and theopneustos discussed above. But we do need to consider it while reading the creation story. The table below shows a timeline of the verbal, plenary account of the creation vs sciences best guess.

 

 

Years Ago Scientific Verbal, Plenary
4.57 Billion Earth Formed  
500 Million Multi-Cell Life-Forms  
235-65 Million Dinosaurs  
2 Million prehuman hominids  
200 Thousand anatomically modern humans  
6 Thousand   Creation

 

 

In discussing the creation, understand that science has some evidence to back up their estimates including the theory of evolution. The Creationist claim the authority for their position. What we have to remember is the purpose of the Bible. It is not a record of science but a theological explanation of the Creation. My view is that God could do it that way if he wanted! Modern science, on the other hand, is built upon a scientific method that starts with a question and follows with observation and reflection, leading to a hypothesis that is then tested, disproven, clarified, or substantiated.

 

I believe science discovers the rules, God makes them. A young man in Hamilton’s congregation observed, “Any craftsman can build a chair, but how many can design a chair that builds itself and improves over time?”

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The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone.

 

10/14/2020

 

 

The Bible Jesus Used

 

 

We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/15/2020

 

 

What scriptures did Jesus Read?

 

 

Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/16/2020

 

A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me!

 

Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


10/17/2020

 

Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes,

 

“Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.”

 

Love, Granddaddy

 

 


10/18/2020

 

You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment.

 

(ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/19/2020

 

Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep.

 

Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”:

 

In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/20/2020

 

Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said:

 

“(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer.

 

(ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/21/2020

 

The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

 

In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/22/2020

 

 

Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church

 

 

This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz:

 

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16)

 

This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled.

 

Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/23/2020

 

Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains”

 

“But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/24/2020

 

Hamilton gives another example of interpretations.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

 

Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her.

 

 


 

 

10/25/2020

 

Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels:

 

“What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?”

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The New Testament in Five Minute

 

 

Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information.

 

Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough.

 

 

Verses in the Old Testament 23,145
Verses in New Testament 7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses 75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments. 4
Acts: The Early Church 1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus 27
Letters of Paul 21
Book of Revelation 1

 

 

 


 

 

10/27/2020

 

The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/28/2020

 

This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward.

 

Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God.

 

 

  • He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
  • God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
  • God’s mercy toward those who sin,
  • God’s healing power for those who are broken.
  • He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
  • He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”

 

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/29/2020

 

The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

 

Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/30/2020

 

As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.”

 

We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth.

 

 


 

 

11/1/2020

 

The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self.

 

 

1:1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit  
1:6 The Ascension  
1:12 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas  
2:1 The Coming of the Holy Spirit  
2:14 Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost  
2:42 The Fellowship of Believers  
3:1 Lame Beggar Healed  
4:1 Peter and John before the Council  
4:32 They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)  
5:1 Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)  
6:5 Steven is Seized,... Stoned  
8:1 Saul Ravages the Church  
8:4 Philip  
9:1 Conversion of Saul  

 

 

The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/2/2020

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Letters

 

 

I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/03/2020

 

The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority.

 

(ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

 

Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

Love Grandaddy

 

 


 

 

10/4/2020

 

“Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).”

 

Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines.

 

(ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

 

In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list.

 

(ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

 

Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

10/05/2020

 

 

Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?

 

 

This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spends a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study.

 

 

 

I am terminating this section of letter, again because of its length and this seems to be a good breaking point in the subject matter. With all that we have discussed here the most important point made is in the following scripture”

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:

 

(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.

 

This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.

 

Love Granddaddy

The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:

 

(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.

 

This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why

 

 

10/09/2020

 

 

BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:

 

(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

 

Love Granddaddy

','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-09 18:47:02','2020-11-09 23:47:02','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/09/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1271,1,'2020-11-11 18:26:59','2020-11-11 23:26:59','

 

The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:

 

(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.

 

This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why

 

 

10/09/2020

 

 

BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:

 

(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/10/2020

 

 

THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE

 

 

In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.

 

 

Date Title Discussion
Late 1st Century The Didache Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century Mark & Matthew Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century First Book resembling a New Testament Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD Diatessaron By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century    

 

 

I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.

 

Love Granddaddy

','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-11 18:26:59','2020-11-11 23:26:59','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/11/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1273,1,'2020-11-11 19:00:03','2020-11-12 00:00:03','

 

The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:

 

(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.

 

This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why

 

 

10/09/2020

 

 

BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:

 

(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/10/2020

 

 

THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE

 

 

In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.

 

 

Date Title Discussion
Late 1st Century The Didache Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century Mark & Matthew Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century First Book resembling a New Testament Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD Diatessaron By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas. These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century

 

 

I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/11/2020

 

There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.

 

Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.

 

Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

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The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:

 

(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.

 

This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why

 

 

10/09/2020

 

 

BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:

 

(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/10/2020

 

 

THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE

 

 

In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.

 

 

Date Title Discussion
Late 1st Century The Didache Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century Mark & Matthew Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century First Book resembling a New Testament Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD Diatessaron By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas. These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century

 

 

I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/11/2020

 

There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.

 

Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.

 

Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/12/2020

 

 

Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration

 

 

Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.

 

“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”

 

The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.

 

The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.

 

During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.

 

I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because

 

I love you Granddaddy

','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-12 19:33:15','2020-11-13 00:33:15','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/12/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1278,1,'2020-11-15 22:19:38','2020-11-16 03:19:38','

 

The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:

 

(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.

 

This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why

 

 

10/09/2020

 

 

BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:

 

(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/10/2020

 

 

THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE

 

 

In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.

 

 

Date Title Discussion
Late 1st Century The Didache Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century Mark & Matthew Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century First Book resembling a New Testament Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD Diatessaron By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas. These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century

 

 

I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/11/2020

 

There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.

 

Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.

 

Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/12/2020

 

 

Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration

 

 

Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.

 

“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”

 

The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.

 

The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.

 

During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.

 

I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because

 

I love you Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/16/2020

 

Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God.

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The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:

 

(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.

 

This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why

 

 

10/09/2020

 

 

BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:

 

(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/10/2020

 

 

THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE

 

 

In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.

 

 

Date Title Discussion
Late 1st Century The Didache Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century Mark & Matthew Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century First Book resembling a New Testament Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD Diatessaron By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas. These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century

 

 

I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/11/2020

 

There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.

 

Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.

 

Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/12/2020

 

 

Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration

 

 

Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.

 

“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”

 

The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.

 

The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.

 

During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.

 

I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because

 

I love you Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/16/2020

 

Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged.

 

Love Granddaddy

','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-15 22:28:26','2020-11-16 03:28:26','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/15/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1282,1,'2020-11-16 23:53:26','2020-11-17 04:53:26','

 

The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:

 

(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.

 

This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why

 

 

10/09/2020

 

 

BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:

 

(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/10/2020

 

 

THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE

 

 

In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.

 

 

Date Title Discussion
Late 1st Century The Didache Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century Mark & Matthew Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century First Book resembling a New Testament Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD Diatessaron By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas. These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century

 

 

I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/11/2020

 

There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.

 

Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.

 

Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/12/2020

 

 

Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration

 

 

Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.

 

“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”

 

The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.

 

The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.

 

During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.

 

I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because

 

I love you Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/16/2020

 

Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

It seems, if we follow Hamilton’s book, we can’t get away from a discussion of verbal, plenary inspiration and theopneustos discussed above. But we do need to consider it while reading the creation story. The table below shows a timeline of the verbal, plenary account of the creation vs sciences best guess.

 

 

Years Ago Scientific Verbal, Plenary
4.57 Billion Earth Formed  
500 Million Multi-Cell Life-Forms  
235-65 Million Dinosaurs  
2 Million prehuman hominids  

 

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The Gospels

 

 

(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

 

The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.

 

 

How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written

 

 

Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.

 

 

Why

 

 

First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

When

 

 

As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.

 

 

How

 

 

Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.

 

However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.

 

 

 

 

To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John

 

 

11/08/2020

 

Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“

 

To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.

 

(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:

 

(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.

 

This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

 

Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why

 

 

10/09/2020

 

 

BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:

 

(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/10/2020

 

 

THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE

 

 

In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.

 

 

Date Title Discussion
Late 1st Century The Didache Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century Mark & Matthew Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century First Book resembling a New Testament Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD Diatessaron By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas. These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century

 

 

I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/11/2020

 

There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.

 

Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.

 

Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/12/2020

 

 

Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration

 

 

Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.

 

“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”

 

The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.

 

The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.

 

During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.

 

I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because

 

I love you Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

11/16/2020

 

Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged.

 

Love Granddaddy

 

 


 

 

It seems, if we follow Hamilton’s book, we can’t get away from a discussion of verbal, plenary inspiration and theopneustos discussed above. But we do need to consider it while reading the creation story. The table below shows a timeline of the verbal, plenary account of the creation vs sciences best guess.

 

 

Years Ago Scientific Verbal, Plenary
4.57 Billion Earth Formed  
500 Million Multi-Cell Life-Forms  
235-65 Million Dinosaurs  
2 Million prehuman hominids  
200 Thousand anatomically modern humans  
6 Thousand   Creation

 

 

In discussing the creation, understand that science has some evidence to back up their estimates including the theory of evolution. The Creationist claim the authority for their position. What we have to remember is the purpose of the Bible. It is not a record of science but a theological explanation of the Creation. My view is that God could do it that way if he wanted! Modern science, on the other hand, is built upon a scientific method that starts with a question and follows with observation and reflection, leading to a hypothesis that is then tested, disproven, clarified, or substantiated.

 

I believe science discovers the rules, God makes them. A young man in Hamilton’s congregation observed, “Any craftsman can build a chair, but how many can design a chair that builds itself and improves over time?”

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