This past Sunday, we began a series on the book of Revelation. It is important to know that the treatment of this book/work/writing will be from a historical/literary standpoint with applications made to life today. It will NOT be an attempt to place current leaders/countries/etc. into the text to make it a vision of the present-day world. While we can learn many things and find meaning for our lives today, we must remember it was written to a specific people in a specific situation for a specific reason..all of which we will look at through the coming weeks. Below is the outline for the first lesson.
Revelation—Part 1*
(Historical and Literary Context of the Apocalypse)
Historically
*Revelation was written during a time of CONFLICT between the church and the Roman Empire.
*It was written from the island of PATMOS where John had been exiled for his faith. (1:9)
*The author is concerned by persecution of saints for refusing to ACCEPT EMPEROR WORSHIP.
*This persecution and conflict actually began within JUDAISM. The government continued on with this practice.
41 AD--HEROD AGRIPPA instituted persecution of Christians.
49 AD--CLAUDIUS expelled "Jews" from Rome
64 AD--NERO killed Christians for a fire that destroyed Rome.
(He probably set it himself and needed someone to blame!)
81-96 AD--DOMITIAN followed in the footsteps of Nero.
112 AD--TRAJAN received a letter from Pliny the Younger asking what to do about believers. His response was to continue the cruelty already in place.
* The date generally given is 95 AD, during DOMITIAN'S reign.
Literary Context
* The category Revelation falls into is:
~LETTER--with salutation/closing….seven churches
~PROPHECY--according to 1:3
~APOCALYPTIC--which means "revelation" in Greek
~CRISIS LITERATURE--which is typical of apocalyptic literature.
*John's goal is to encourage the believers to be faithful even in the direst of circumstances.
Structure of Revelation--The Road Map
I. Prologue (1:1-8)
II. Prophet's Call (1:9-20)
III. Message to the Seven Churches (2-3)
IV. Heavenly Vision (4-5)
V. Seven Seals (6:1-8:5)
VI. Seven Trumpets (8:6-11:19)
VII. Great Conflict (12-14)
VIII. Seven Bowls of Wrath (15-16)
IX. Fall of Great City (17:1-19:10)
X. Victory of Christ (19:11-20:15)
XI. New Jerusalem (21:1-22:5)
XII. Epilogue (22:6-21)
*The bold/all caps words are the answers to the blanks in the weekly handouts.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Sabbath and Retreat
This morning I was pleased to find that TBC's Spiritual Formation/Prayer Time focused on Sabbath. I am not good at practicing this, at all! I would much rather run fast and never slow down. However, I have had opportunity to rest and reflect in the past week. It has been a welcomed time of discovery and understanding.
My resting and reflecting has all been in preparation for a retreat/conference I am attending this coming week. I leave tomorrow for the hill country of Texas: Kerrville. A group of about fifteen are headed to the Lutheran retreat center there to spend time reflecting on "Imaginative Reading for Creative Preaching" (or, Teaching, in my case!). I have read some wonderful novels and great short stories to prepare. I will let you know how the week turns out when I get back.
And, Sunday school outlines will be up by next Sunday...stay tuned.
Lory
My resting and reflecting has all been in preparation for a retreat/conference I am attending this coming week. I leave tomorrow for the hill country of Texas: Kerrville. A group of about fifteen are headed to the Lutheran retreat center there to spend time reflecting on "Imaginative Reading for Creative Preaching" (or, Teaching, in my case!). I have read some wonderful novels and great short stories to prepare. I will let you know how the week turns out when I get back.
And, Sunday school outlines will be up by next Sunday...stay tuned.
Lory
Thursday, December 18, 2008
New Year's Resolution
Yes, I know that the New Year is a ways off. (Well, not really, but we haven't made it to Christmas yet!)
Anyway, I want to list some of my New Year's resolutions here for the world to see..even though no one reads this.
1. Blog at least three times a week on life, faith, church, school, etc.
2. Work on working out.
3. Faithfully read my assignments for class. (I don't know if I have EVER read a whole assignment!)
4. Try to read one book a week that is NOT related to school. (If you have suggestions.....let me know!)
That's all for now.
Anyway, I want to list some of my New Year's resolutions here for the world to see..even though no one reads this.
1. Blog at least three times a week on life, faith, church, school, etc.
2. Work on working out.
3. Faithfully read my assignments for class. (I don't know if I have EVER read a whole assignment!)
4. Try to read one book a week that is NOT related to school. (If you have suggestions.....let me know!)
That's all for now.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Update
Ok....once again, it's been forever and no one has even read my blog...EVER. That's okay. I'm going to start posting regularly on here. I really do desire to encourage my high school kids at Trinity as they learn about putting their faith into action. So...here we go....again.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Lazy
I haven't posted in forever, and it's just because I'm lazy! I actually forgot my passwords and after reading some friends' blogs, decided I should get back in the swing of things. Look for some coming thoughts on the cross. Until then...
Grace and Peace.
Grace and Peace.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Birth Narrative of Christ
This month the High School class at Trinity has been reading through the birth narrative's of Christ as recorded in the Gospels. We have looked at the world context used by the writers and the format in which the story is presented. Here's some of what we've discussed and learned.
Matthew--It begins with a genealogy that goes from Abraham to Joseph thus showing the authenticity of Christ as a descendant of David. This book was written as a means of showing the Jewish people that Christ was their Messiah, so this listing is extremely important.It is important to note that five women are in the line up, all of whom had questionable pasts. It shows us that God can use anyone is they are open to Him. Then the story shifts to Joseph. An angel comes to him and instructs him to take Mary as his wife. We then find that Christ was born. Why is the focus on Joseph? Why is Mary not really mentioned except in passing? It has to do with the purpose of the writing. By telling the story through Joseph's eyes, it gains credibility with Jewish readers in those days. Only after the birth do we know anything of the world culture as we hear about Herod's decree to the Magi to find the child and then tell him. The Magi found the child well after the birth, as they had to travel to get to Herod and then travel to find the child. Herod is tricked by the men and orders all males under two years to be killed. Joseph is instructed to take the family to Africa until the threat was over.We discovered that Matthew was writing to a specific audience that helped shape the form of the story. The historical context is that of Jewish culture and because of that is somewhat narrow compared to the other Gospels. (Matthew 1-2)
Luke--This is the story most people think of when they think about the birth narrative. What interests me most in this version is the parallel between John and Jesus. Both births are foretold: John's to his father, Jesus to his mother. Both parents who are told of the birth sing a song to God: Mary, before the birth and Zechariah, after the birth. Both children have names that do not go with the tradition of family names, but a big deal is made of John's name while at Jesus' birth nothing is really said except "his name is.." Now for the birth of Jesus: Luke's account is set in the Roman world. This is much broader than Matthew's Jewish context. The circle of influence of the story is getting bigger. Luke tells us about the reason for the birth being in Bethlehem as the prophet foretold. There was a census and the town was packed. There was not a place for them to stay except in the back stable. Jesus was born and wrapped up in clothing and put in a manger. Shortly after that, angels appeared to the shepherd outside of town and told them the news of the birth. They went to town and found the the baby in the stable. Yes, Luke tells us of swaddling cloths, a manger, shepherds ad angels. He is concerned for the marginal and outcasts. He tells the story through the eyes of Mary and the shepherds, not usually the leaders in society. We see the broadening scope of the gospel message in Luke's account. (Luke 1:1-2:20)
John--Some people say this is not a birth narrative, but I beg to differ. These verses tell us a great deal about our Savior. First, he was with God in the beginning. He is God and he was with God. Not only that, but the title given is the Word of God. Why do we use words? Communication. God has communicated with us most clearly through Jesus. We find that everything was made through Christ. We are also told about John the Baptist and his role to be a forerunner to Christ by announcing his coming. Jesus was a part of our world and yet people did not recognize or acknowledge him. But, for those who believed in him, they received the right to be children of God. (I love how this gospel tells the story of the birth and the resurrection of Christ all in one story line!) The writer mentions that this new birth as children of God is not natural but spiritual. Reminds me of Nicodemus and his confusion of being born again. Then we are told the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Wow! What a phrase! Jesus became flesh, human. He made his dwelling...when someone dwells somewhere he is free to go anywhere. He can be a part of any group or place within the area. Jesus did just that. He spent time with thieves and liars, sexually promiscuous people, tax collectors, church leaders, and many others. He penetrated every aspect of society and shared his message of being a child of God. The gospel says that we have seen the glory of the one and only...and we have. In Christ we see the image of God the Father in the midst of our streets and homes. The words in John tell us a story that involves the whole world, not just one sector. Again, the scope is wider in this account than the last. Salvation is offered to all and John picks up on this. The context here is universal. The message is one of hope and acceptance. (John 1:1-18)
These are a few thoughts on these passages before Christmas. We will continue to discuss them in class and I will post more of what is said in future blogs.
Matthew--It begins with a genealogy that goes from Abraham to Joseph thus showing the authenticity of Christ as a descendant of David. This book was written as a means of showing the Jewish people that Christ was their Messiah, so this listing is extremely important.It is important to note that five women are in the line up, all of whom had questionable pasts. It shows us that God can use anyone is they are open to Him. Then the story shifts to Joseph. An angel comes to him and instructs him to take Mary as his wife. We then find that Christ was born. Why is the focus on Joseph? Why is Mary not really mentioned except in passing? It has to do with the purpose of the writing. By telling the story through Joseph's eyes, it gains credibility with Jewish readers in those days. Only after the birth do we know anything of the world culture as we hear about Herod's decree to the Magi to find the child and then tell him. The Magi found the child well after the birth, as they had to travel to get to Herod and then travel to find the child. Herod is tricked by the men and orders all males under two years to be killed. Joseph is instructed to take the family to Africa until the threat was over.We discovered that Matthew was writing to a specific audience that helped shape the form of the story. The historical context is that of Jewish culture and because of that is somewhat narrow compared to the other Gospels. (Matthew 1-2)
Luke--This is the story most people think of when they think about the birth narrative. What interests me most in this version is the parallel between John and Jesus. Both births are foretold: John's to his father, Jesus to his mother. Both parents who are told of the birth sing a song to God: Mary, before the birth and Zechariah, after the birth. Both children have names that do not go with the tradition of family names, but a big deal is made of John's name while at Jesus' birth nothing is really said except "his name is.." Now for the birth of Jesus: Luke's account is set in the Roman world. This is much broader than Matthew's Jewish context. The circle of influence of the story is getting bigger. Luke tells us about the reason for the birth being in Bethlehem as the prophet foretold. There was a census and the town was packed. There was not a place for them to stay except in the back stable. Jesus was born and wrapped up in clothing and put in a manger. Shortly after that, angels appeared to the shepherd outside of town and told them the news of the birth. They went to town and found the the baby in the stable. Yes, Luke tells us of swaddling cloths, a manger, shepherds ad angels. He is concerned for the marginal and outcasts. He tells the story through the eyes of Mary and the shepherds, not usually the leaders in society. We see the broadening scope of the gospel message in Luke's account. (Luke 1:1-2:20)
John--Some people say this is not a birth narrative, but I beg to differ. These verses tell us a great deal about our Savior. First, he was with God in the beginning. He is God and he was with God. Not only that, but the title given is the Word of God. Why do we use words? Communication. God has communicated with us most clearly through Jesus. We find that everything was made through Christ. We are also told about John the Baptist and his role to be a forerunner to Christ by announcing his coming. Jesus was a part of our world and yet people did not recognize or acknowledge him. But, for those who believed in him, they received the right to be children of God. (I love how this gospel tells the story of the birth and the resurrection of Christ all in one story line!) The writer mentions that this new birth as children of God is not natural but spiritual. Reminds me of Nicodemus and his confusion of being born again. Then we are told the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Wow! What a phrase! Jesus became flesh, human. He made his dwelling...when someone dwells somewhere he is free to go anywhere. He can be a part of any group or place within the area. Jesus did just that. He spent time with thieves and liars, sexually promiscuous people, tax collectors, church leaders, and many others. He penetrated every aspect of society and shared his message of being a child of God. The gospel says that we have seen the glory of the one and only...and we have. In Christ we see the image of God the Father in the midst of our streets and homes. The words in John tell us a story that involves the whole world, not just one sector. Again, the scope is wider in this account than the last. Salvation is offered to all and John picks up on this. The context here is universal. The message is one of hope and acceptance. (John 1:1-18)
These are a few thoughts on these passages before Christmas. We will continue to discuss them in class and I will post more of what is said in future blogs.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Sabbath
So this week has been ridiculously crazy, hectic, overwhelming. Some of it by choice and some by circumstance. The closer I get to the end of the semester, the more things I have piling up that need doing. My struggle is staying focused for long periods of time and prioritizing what should be done first. I am learning some of those things by necessity, but I have a long ways to go.
My sabbath consists of not turning on my computer and relaxing by watching college football on Saturdays. I love watching Big XII ball in the Fall. I can escape and just enjoy the time I spend engrossed in things other than work and school.
What do you do to rest and relax? Is it a regular thing or do you rest because you can't go on anymore? What does sabbath mean to you?
My sabbath consists of not turning on my computer and relaxing by watching college football on Saturdays. I love watching Big XII ball in the Fall. I can escape and just enjoy the time I spend engrossed in things other than work and school.
What do you do to rest and relax? Is it a regular thing or do you rest because you can't go on anymore? What does sabbath mean to you?
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