Announcing the launch of a new website designed to help ministers, ministerial students, and Bible students everywhere. BestCommentaries.com polls the most referenced commentary lists (and throws my own list in for good measure) and provides rankings and reviews. If you know John Dyer, give him a virtual pat on the back for providing a truly useful site for those who love good commentaries. Thanks, John.
Bookmark BestCommentaries.com today.
We most often think of the ancient world as a completely barbaric place - strictly speaking, it was of course - what with the freedom with which the Romans labeled everyone else, but that is beside the point here. People were not different people back then. They were the same types of people we have now, just in a different cultural and technological situation. It does not surprise me that the ancients had many “advanced” activities, constrained only by their relative technology.
Case in point, Roman doctors performed cataract surgery:
“Interestingly the Roman author Celsus described cataract extraction surgery using a specially pointed needle - and possible cataract needles (specilla) have been found in Britain as well as elsewhere in the Roman Empire.”
If you are one of those people who stay up at night stressing over what exactly the apostle Paul’s thorn in the side was, perhaps now you can rule out cataracts, since there was apparently a remedy for that. Just trying to be helpful…
A few night’s ago, at a Michigan campaign stop, Mike Huckabee said the following:
“I have opponents in this race who do not want to change the Constitution. But I believe it’s a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God. And that’s what we need to do is amend the Constitution so it’s in God’s standards rather than trying to change God’s standards so it lines up with some contemporary view of how we treat each other and how we treat the family.”
Perhaps I am late to the party, or perhaps the MSM just hasn’t picked it up yet, but several liberal types on the internet seem to be making a big deal about this statement - recognizing in it a plea for a “theocracy.” This seems to be a ridiculous and un-thought-out assertion, betraying an ignorance of mainstream conservative evangelical thought.
It should come as no surprise that religious conservative and conservative voters are upset with gay “marriage” and abortion - or at least the judicial usurpation of these issues. It should further be recognized that one reason (a big reason) for some voter’s opposition to these practices is based on their interpretation of religious writings they receive as authoritative. It was just a matter of time before one of these people became a candidate and spoke the language of these voters.
Part of the democratic process is hearing the voices of the electorate and evaluating their claims. It is not a “theocracy” for conservative religious people to share their views on abortion any more than it is an imposition of theology for liberal religious speakers to preach against war or advocate an increase in welfare entitlements. Would Huckabee’s detractors deny him access to the public square to make his case before the populace? Such seems patently un-American.
You may not agree with Huckabee’s positions on gay “marriage” or abortion, but amending the Constitution with specific policy statements would make them constitutional laws, not religious laws. The candidate is not speaking of the establishment of a particular national church. The candidate is not advocating the alteration of the Constitution to privilege a certain faith. He is advocating public policy decisions to be considered by the American public. His own personal basis for recommending these changes may stem in part from religious motivations, but the policies and process themselves are entirely secular.
An amendment to the Constitution that privileges the dignity of human life would be a statement that a Constitutionally controlled people made the democratic decision to set a standard for how the country should operate. It would not create a theocracy any more than the 13th amendment, widely supported by religious abolitionists, created a theocracy.
The cries of “theocracy” and “theo-con” and etc. are nothing more than political spin attempts to discredit the policy positions with which the critics disagree. Where any fear actually exists, it is the result of paranoia. Of course, the true danger to a Constitutional way of life for our country is not from Huckabee’s statements or those who oppose them for political reasons, but from those who oppose his views specifically because they have some basis in religious thought. Rabid secularists would seek to squelch the protected speech of religious citizens, bar certain candidates of faith from public office, and silence the voice of certain of America’s citizens. This is anti-religious bigotry in its worst form and undermines the most cherished of American guarantees - a voice.
It is not immoral to be a moral person who cares about others and the welfare of our country. It is not un-American to participate in the great debate. It is both to promote falsehood and fear an effort to deny citizens their political and religious rights.
This past Sunday was Epiphany. This is not a day widely celebrated by Baptists, but it should be. Of all the traditional Christian liturgical feasts, it is the most concentrated on missions and the need for personal evangelism.
Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Christ. More to the point, it celebrates the fact that the Christ was manifested to the Gentiles. Even as a baby, Jesus was the Messiah who would die for the sins of the whole world, not just for one race or nation or people. Traditionally, Christians are to meditate on the meaning of Christ’s manifestation to the gentiles and what it means for our responsibility to make him known throughout the earth and to all peoples.
I have just recently begun to explore the celebrations and meditations of Epiphany and shared a few of my insights in last Sunday’s sermon. I’ve actually never heard a preacher preach on the subject of Epiphany. If you have not either, then take a listen to my offering here. The audio is not top-notch, but you don’t mind so much toward the end.
My favorite section is this:
“The mystery is that the gentiles are fellow heirs of the promises of the Messiah! What do we, who live in Camp Verde, Arizona have in common with the the Chinaman who lives on the other side of the world? the African who still dances his traditional dance? the tribal people in the jungles of South America? We are all non-Jews! We are all Gentiles who live in lands that have for ages been covered in darkness. We share the kinship of those who have had no hope. But now the light has come, and as it has come, it has come for everyone - and we say, ‘Hallelujah!’ We may be late to the feast, but, by God, we’ve got a seat at that table.”
To God be the Glory. I hope you enjoy it.
Tony Kummer has added some new tools for the Said at Southern Network. The best new tool (imho) is the Network Search box. It is a Google custom search engine defined to only search Said at Southern linked blogs and resources. This way, you can search within a relatively narrow field for topics where you’d like some information from those with the mindset represented by faculty, alumni, and students of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Yes, of course it is not your only search tool - by all means open yourself up to the wider web community. However, this search tool will be incredibly valuable searching for book reviews from like-minded reviewers, or in finding a good starting point to think about certain theological topics. If I want to meditate on the Lord’s Supper, I might want to start with the thoughts of those in my own faith tradition, etc.
Overall, it is a great value-added tool capitalizing on Tony’s other tremendous work pulling the Said at Southern blog aggregator together. You can access the search from the sidebar on this site’s homepage or at Said at Southern. Well done!
I commend to you the “Theological Refining” post by Devin Hudson. Rarely do I find something that both refreshes and challenges me without sounding arrogant. I began to really pay attention after the following:
I get annoyed when I spend very much time with people who feel like they have it all figured out theologically (usually they are first year seminary students who have read a little Piper and suddenly are experts on the doctrines of grace). Perhaps it has to do with the fact that the more I have learned the more I have realized how much more I need to learn. And the more I affirm the sovereignty of God the more I realize how little my mind can grasp its magnitude. And perhaps it also has to do with the fact that the more I learn the more I realize that following Christ is more about day-to-day living and not so much about how many theology books I have read.
As a young seminarian who knew nothing, I was not annoyed by the know-it-all crowd. I was intimidated. They made me feel inferior and inadequate to the task of ministry and theological education. I did not know enough to know that they could not possibly know
what they claimed to know with such confidence. They were a barrier, not a help, to my growth as a disciple and a minister.
Thank all the heavens that I was preserved through the dark times of loneliness and shame. Praise the Lord that I eventually learned what I needed to learn to understand what God was doing with my life. I received a first-rate head-knowledge education at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. But I also was blessed to receive insight regarding evaluation, discernment, and generous debate as characterized by men such as Tom Schreiner, Russ Moore, and Bruce Ware. Moreover, I was blessed to belong to a congregation of those who modeled the ministry truth that “the people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Ministry, and no less discipleship, is a lifelong lifestyle of a life transformed by the Savior. Grace and truthful love - not just love of the truth of grace - should be the hallmark of the people of God. May we, in our humility, show the world our greatness in Jesus Christ the Lord.
The Lost Letters of Pergamum is evidence that conservative Christian scholarship can indeed lead to quality art and literature. Christians are not barred from the use of the imagination for either instruction or enjoyment. Lost Letters is not for everyone, but it was a fun read for me and would be both edifying and enlightening for many others.
Noted New Testament scholar Bruce W. Longenecker draws upon his expertise of the 1st Century world to craft an imagined series of letters between Luke the gospel writer and the Antipas of Revelation 2:13. Through these letters, one gains a better appreciation for NT period letter writing, NT Roman historical background, the pax Romana cultural background of Early Christianity, and the excitement and struggles of early believers. Utilizing threads of secular history and biblical evidence, Longenecker has woven a credible and coherent narrative that very well could have happened.
The Lost Letters of Pergamum is not a fast paced nail biting work of fiction. It is measured and instructive. The plot device of a story told entirely through written correspondence is effective to heighten the ultimate tension of the book and lend to its believability as a work of antiquity. Along the way, Longenecker draws heavily from Witherington’s New Testament History and incorporates excerpts seamlessly into the letters. Readers who would never sit down with an academic book would nonetheless enjoy learning about the world of early Christianity through Longenecker’s literary experiment. This is the real strength of the book, along with the somewhat surprise ending (which I will not spoil here).
Those who enjoy reading, those who enjoy history, especially those who enjoy learning but not studying will find this work delightful. Longenecker is to be commended for his adaptation of literary devices to the field of NT education. My recommendation is to read the gospel of Luke as you read the book both to enjoy the work more as well as engage the gospel in a fresh way. The Lost Letters of Pergamum would be a great (and easy) read for pastors, bible study leaders, and interested laypersons.
I simply do not have time to evaluate tons of commentaries whenever I need one to research a particular point, give a quick lesson, or even plan a sermon series. As I collect the volumes for my library, I need to know which commentary for any particular Biblical book is a safe and solid evangelical choice.
Fortunately, I did have time to evaluate tons of commentaries before I graduated seminary. For my own benefit, as well as that of my friends, I compiled a list of “first buy” commentaries. The list is annotated so that you know why I chose each volume. You may agree or disagree with individual decisions, but overall the list should be helpful.
I have recently had an opportunity to review the list and have decided to leave it “as is” at this time. It is free to all who want a copy as a pdf file. May God bless your study and ministry.
My son asks me to sing this song all the time. I post for all other Dads who need to know this…
Spiderman, Spiderman,
Does whatever a spider can
Spins a web, any size,
Catches thieves just like flies
Look Out!
Here comes the Spiderman.
Is he strong?
Listen bud,
He’s got radioactive blood.
Can he swing from a thread
Take a look overhead
Hey, there
There goes the Spiderman.
In the chill of night
At the scene of a crime
Like a streak of light
He arrives just in time.
Spiderman, Spiderman
Friendly neighborhood Spiderman
Wealth and fame
He’s ignored
Action is his reward.
To him, life is a great big bang up
Whenever there’s a hang up
You’ll find the Spider man.
Carl F. H. Henry wrote the following in an article on a biblical view of social justice (a pet study interest of mine). Though in the context of work and its relation to the poor, this paragraph helps me better understand an appropriate Christian priority of work as it relates to righteousness.
God who adversely judges men’s works is himself the divine Worker–in creation, preservation, providence and judgement. God’s activity in the cosmos and his rule in history are specific and comprehensive. God’s assignment of work to man dates back to the creation of Adam (Gen. 2:15). As Georg Bertram observes, “the concept of reward and punishment presupposes that the biblical revelation views the erga of man as performed by divine commission” (on ergon, in TDNT, 2:648). It is man’s fall into sin that precipitates labor as a curse (Gen. :17 ff.) and involves all man’s works in sin. Passages like Genesis 6:5 and Jeremiah 44:9, among others, reflect the wickedness of all human endeavor; the Old Testament rules out any righteousness of human works as something holy that fulfills the claims of God’s law (Isa. 58:2 f., 64:5). Yet Judaism later proclaimed an untenable doctrine of works-righteousness, a self-confident trust in personal achievement that conceals the need for a substitutionary mediator, and linked the righteousness of works with an expectation of compensatory divine reward. But only for those redemptively renewed after the fall can work be restored to the moral and spiritual status known prior to the fall. The Lord promises blessing to his people who “in all the work of your hands” (Deut. 14:29, cf. 16:15) live within his ethico-religious intention. Work done in God’s name disallows a separation between so-called secular work and the work of faith. The earliest Pauline letters include the exhortation to work (1 Th. 4:11; 2 Th. 3:10 ff.; cf. Eph.4:28).
-Carl F. H. Henry, God, Revelation, and Authority,
vol. 6, ch. 18, p. 406.
The key quote for me here is: “only for those redemptively renewed after the fall can work be restored to the moral and spiritual status known prior to the fall.”
Henry, I believe, is speaking of the difference between state sanctioned and church provided charity. However, I think the basic thought also applies to our works of righteousness. The key is to understand, as Henry suggests, that our ’secular’ day-to-day living and our faith righteousness are not different or distinct.
If we are disciples of Jesus Christ, then all that we do will be done to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). This does not just include our moral choices, or our spiritual objections to the moral choices of others, but also our common choices, particularly those chosen without any spiritual consideration whatsoever. The point is that our choices matter, and choices to work and to perform works must be chosen for the good. When we are freed in Christ to work for God, then we are expected to do so to the glory of God and our benefit in heaven (Matt 6:19-21, Luke 12:31-34).
Etruscans (pre-Roman Italians) are an old interest of mine. From the International Herald Tribune: Origins of the Etruscans: Was Herodotus right?
Geneticists have added an edge to a 2,500-year-old debate over the origin of the Etruscans, a people whose brilliant and mysterious civilization dominated northwestern Italy for centuries until the rise of the Roman republic in 510 B.C. Several new findings support a view held by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus - but unpopular among archaeologists - that the Etruscans originally migrated to Italy from the Near East.
