Text & Context 2: Authorial Givens

Text & Context #2: Authorial Givens We continue our thoughts on Texts & Contexts with a brief discussion of the importance of context. Context can signify several different things and all are necessary for a proper interpretation of not only Scripture but most any piece of literature. Because of the "sloppiness" of the term context some linguists distinguish between cotext and context. The word cotext would refer to the sentences, paragraphs...

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Text & Context 1: Thoughts on Exegesis & Interpretation

The off and on series titled "Text & Context" will be focusing on one kind of biblical study. This is not the only kind a disciple will engage in but it is critical. In my book coauthored with John Mark Hicks, Kingdom Come, other approaches are also explored.I recently read the following comment or question: "Why are they so eager to leave the Bible?" The question was written by a person of sincerity and integrity I would imagine. It was directed...

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Rachael (Little Lamb) Nicole Valentine

Rachael (Little Lamb) Nicole ValentineOn Saturday it seemed like Rachael just had another cold or a virus. After all some stomach bug has been making the rounds here in the desert. By Tuesday it had become painfully obvious this was not a cold or a bug. Rachael was curled up on her bed, rocking back and forth and crying painfully.Pamella took Rachael to the Doctor. We did not have one yet so she found a clinic on Tanque Verde Rd and pulled in....

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Communion with God & His Family

Communion With God and His FamilyThere are several themes that come together in my understanding of Communion or the Lord’s Supper. I believe the Hebrew Bible and the “New Testament” are vitally connected in its teachings regarding this meal. Thus I believe that the “NT” teaching regarding the Supper is to be interpreted against the background of the shalom (i.e. peace/fellowship) offerings and the meals of Jesus in the Gospels.This meal has a vertical dimension tying us to God our Redeemer. This meal has a horizontal aspect that connects us to...

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My Life in (Secular) Song ...

My Life in (Secular) SongMy good friend and brother, Bobby Cohoon, has decided to make life interesting for a number of folks by forcing us to be creative. Bobby led the way by summarizing his life in a song and "tagged" me to do the same. I have thought about this (not long though) and what follows is my attempt to fulfill the request.My life began with my birth in 1968 when the doctor told my parents You Can't Always Get What You Want (Rolling Stones). As I matured into the dating stage my motto became Ace Freely's I Am Trouble Walking but...

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My Wonderful Valentines

My Wonderful ValentinesI am a blessed and happy man. My Valentines are getting bigger ... bigger than the picture shows. But each is a gift of grace from the Lord to me. Thank you Pamella for being my wife. Thank you Rachael and Talya for making me a proud Daddy.You are Valentines in deed not just name.I Love You.Bo...

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Pardee Butler: An Amos in our Family Tree

Pardee Butler (1816-1888) is not a name often introduced to new students of the Stone-Campbell Movement. His name is not even mentioned in Earl West’s encyclopedic Search for the Ancient Order. He is overlooked by James North’s Union in Truth. He did not make the cut for Richard Hughes Reviving the Ancient Faith. His name appears James DeForest Murch’s Christians Only. We get a better introduction to Butler in Leroy Garrett’s Stone-Campbell...

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Forever Free: A Review of Eric Foner

FOREVER FREE : A Review of Eric FonerFebruary is Black History Month. Each year I set out to read some things related to the theme during this time period. For 2007, I have decided to read Taylor Branch’s third and final volume in his "America in the King Years" series, At Canaan’s Edge. As with the previous two Parting the Waters (Pulitzer Prize) and Pillar of Fire, Branch has written, probably, the best material yet on those eventful years. This...

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Alexander Campbell & N. T. Wright on Peace and a "United Nations"

I came across an article today (thanks to Frank Bellizzi) by renowed NT scholar and theologian Nicholas Thomas Wright. The short piece was published in the Washington Post. Wright articulates his belief that at times police action is necessary yet offers his analysis that the Iraq War has never fit the criteria of the Just War Ethic (and most wars have NOT passed muster on this point). Near the end of his short piece Wright makes the suggestion that...

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Is Preaching Folly?

"I don't understand preaching, but I believe in it deeply." (Ian Pit-Wilson).My recent move from a wonderful congregation in Milwaukee to a wonderful congregation in Tucson has lead me to reflect on my role as a preacher and preaching itself. Just who am I? Just what do I think I am doing? Does anyone in our age really give a rip? Over the last several weeks I have come to formulate a series of questions that perhaps can be summed up in one single...

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Spirit Lives Lead to Spirit Led Worship: HS & Disciple Part 3

Spirit Lives Lead to Spirit Led WorshipThis is my third in a series of thoughts on the Holy Spirit and the disciple from Paul's letter we call "Ephesians." The previous two are:Holy Spirit & the Disciple Part 1Holy Spirit & the Disciple Part 2I am currently engaged in intense study of Ephesians for a series of lessons I am calling Christian Community 101 to begin on June 3rd if all goes according to plan. This post continues those ruminations on passages related to the Holy Spirit in Ephesians. I hope to share my study of Eph. 5.18-21....

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