Narnia dream

Too cool! Narnia wardrobe

The early Christians as radicals

Very interesting post yesterday by Peter Leithart about the radical pro-woman stance of the early church, quoting from a book I never heard of that looks interesting (see his post for details!):

Christians were forbidden to have abortions or to expose infants. Further, Christian women tended to marry later than pagan women and Christian men were expected to have sex with their wives, and only with their wives: “Christians discouraged marriage below a certain age and banned consummation of a marriage between a man and a child bride, such that the average age of marriage for Christian women became twenty, whereas for pagan women it was twelve. One must add that the rate of reproduction among pagans was very low: men favoured birth control (including anal and, less commonly, oral sex), indulged in homosexual sex, took concubines and patronized both male and female prostitutes, who in turn favoured various methods of birth control and abortion when necessary. All of these practices were forbidden to Christians, as most were to Jews. Roman men who converted to Christianity were obliged to have vaginal intercourse with their wives, and if pregnancy resulted, were obliged to have a child and raise it, regardless of sex.” The church provided protection for women whose husbands attempted to force them to violate these standards: “A Christian woman would have a community to support any resistance she offered to the directives of a pagan husband to do otherwise.”

<idle musing>
Read the whole post for a good overview of what was "normal" in the ancient world...
</idle musing>

Tomb? What tomb?

“Looking at the end of Moses’ life, a person encounters a formidable hero, a prophet, the only one God 'knew face to face,' enabling him to show 'terror . . . in the sight of all Israel.' However, the higher the praises are, the higher is the awe, and the more religiously significant is the danger of possible idolatry. Against the background of popular worship of a golden calf, it is only natural to expect even more egregious worship of a 'golden tomb' marking Moses’ grave. The golden calf was eliminated after it had been created. The 'golden tomb' should be eliminated before it is created. Hence, naturally, from the related religious point of view, 'no man knoweth of [Moses’] sepulchre unto this day.'”—Jewish Bible Theology, page 60

<idle musing>
It's also interesting that Aaron died up on a mountain somewhere and there is no record of his tomb, either. Knowing humanity's natural penchant for worship, God was merciful to us by not allowing us to know where they are buried.
</idle musing>

Signs of Spring

I took this picture this morning, before the sun had really risen, so it is a bit grainy. I love this redbud tree; you can see it from the kitchen window. We didn't know it was a redbud when we bought the property, so it was a pleasant surprise the first spring.

Passover and Moses

"...the extremely marginal role played by Moses in the text of the Passover Haggadah is best explained as a precautionary step. Because the traditional text has been shaped within the framework of deep tensions between Jews and Christians, the precautionary silence can be naturally explained by those tensions, as suspicion of any presentation of the relationship between God and Moses, 'his servant' (Exod 14:31), that is similar to Christian presentations of the relationship between God and Jesus, 'his son.' Be this as it may, it is clear that the silence of the Haggadah can be explained as an attempt to avoid any possibility of exaggerated admiration of Moses that could eventually confuse him with divinity.”—Jewish Bible Theology, page 60

<idle musing>
For those of you who might not know, the Haggadah is the traditional Passover celebration text—and Passover is coming soon, too. You can download Haggadot from the Internet pretty easily. There a even a few that have a Christian take on them. If you've never done a Seder, you should; it's rich in symbolism. But, I digress...

This concept of Moses being purposely shown to have feet of clay is fascinating.
</idle musing>

A worthy endeavor

Nick Norelli mentioned a worthy endeavor that their church has undertaken:

HARVEST THRIFT & BOUTIQUE

Business Hours
Location
Monday - Saturday
10:00am - 6:00 pm 4308 US Highway 9
Howell, NJ 07731
732-994-5020

The Harvest Thrift & Boutique offers new, like new & pre-owned items at discounted prices. We are constantly getting in new merchandise and our shelves are always stocked with unique treasures that make perfect gifts for yourself or someone you know.

<idle musing>
I like to see churches reaching out to the surrounding area. If you are in that area, give them a call and see how you can help.
</idle musing>

Moses and idolatry

“The absolute nature of the biblical opposition to idolatry should be stressed. The commandment I mentioned does not specify certain idols to avoid serving. Actually, it does not mention any single idol, though it could have mentioned well-known idols, those of the neighboring peoples and countries. It does not mention any idol in particular because it is interested in all forms of idolatry, whether extant or merely possible. It is not very difficult to create a new form of idolatry. “They invent idols every day,” says Midrash Mekilta of Rashbi (Exod 20:3, on “other gods”). The conclusion that one naturally draws from observations of this sort about idolatry is that everything on earth can under some circumstances become an idol. Moreover, the more admirable something is, the more natural, imminent, and significant is the danger that may be rendered an idol. A perfect person would be extremely admirable and thereby also naturally worshiped. Because the portrayal of Moses includes his superb qualities, the possibility exists of his being worshiped. Thus, on the one hand, the biblical portrayal of Moses risks Moses’ being served by the children of Israel and their descendants as an idol.

“Here is where the other elements of the image of Moses enter the picture. On the one hand, he is superb, but on the other hand, he is a human being of ordinary faults. If a person of superb qualities seems a natural candidate for idol worship, when his shortcomings are revealed, his candidacy for idol worship diminishes. The religious point of all the negative elements of the image of Moses, whether in the Bible or in midrash, is that, though Moses is an extraordinary human being, he should not be served as an idol, a false divinity. The mixed nature of the image of Moses, first in the Bible and then in midrashim, is justified.”—Asa Kasher, “Fighting Forms of Idolatry” in Jewish Bible Theology, pages 58-59

<idle musing>
I found this a fascinating insight. Show the feet of clay that all the glory goes to God. True humility; true devotion; truly rare!
</idle musing>

Final thought

A man of God is not what he preaches but what he lives; his message is no greater than what he is. God finds vile our fleshly appetites and desires. When we seek to please ourselves or others more than we seek to please God, we fall prey to the danger of divination, and even worse to become a false prophet. By removing or putting away this evil from before us God promises He will make us His mouthpiece. There is only one sure way of separating this evil, and it is by the fear of the Lord.”— Thus Saith the Lord?, page 182

<idle musing>
A very apt way to end the book, I would say...
</idle musing>

If he promised it, then what?

“Our culture is not trained to wait and let God work. We are inbred with, 'If we don't have it, find a way to get it.' So if we don't have money to buy it, charge it. If sickness strikes, why pray? Call the doctor—we have insurance. If we have been given a promise from God, go for it. Tell everyone. Proclaim it, and through a little manipulation and/or control we can get it. (Of course, we don't say the last part.) Then we claim God fulfilled His promise to us. But in reality we have just birthed another Ishmael.

“If God has promised He will do something in your life, let Him.

“A wise friend told me years ago, 'Make it hard on God. He likes it!' I've come to realize the harder it is, the more glory He gets! We are only responsible to do what He tells us specifically to do. The rest of the time we believe, pray, fight spiritual opposing forces, and thank God for His fulfillment.”— Thus Saith the Lord?, page 178

<idle musing>
Amen! Good preaching! If God promised something, let him deliver on it. Don't go manipulating things yourself and then pretend it was God. Moses waited 40 years for the fulfillment—after he tried it his own way first.

Elijah poured water over the sacrifice just to make it harder. God responded by taking not just the sacrifice, but the rocks, too (I Kings 17)! If God is doing it, you can't make it too hard for him.
</idle musing>

To whom are you being directed?

When you leave the meeting of a true prophet you should feel an intense desire to seek God. His words will either point you back to Jesus or sharpen your present focus. There will be a new clarity. In contrast, when you leave the meeting of a false prophet you'll find yourself wanting to go back for another word any time you need encouragement or direction! There is a danger when we embrace another mediator outside of Christ. He rent the veil so that man could come into the presence of the Father. There in His presence is where you will find the fulfillment of every need and deepest desire.”— Thus Saith the Lord?, page 155

<idle musing>
This is so true! A real prophet doesn't care if you like what he says—he just cares that it is what God is saying. He desires God—and God alone. There is no "God and..." Tozer said anytime you add something after God you've entered into idolatry—and he's right.
</idle musing>

Duck!

“Individuals under its influence [false prophecy] often appear highly spiritual. They give the impression of hours in prayer and constant progressive revelation...While in their presence you may feel like your spiritual life pales in comparison as they relay the many things God has told or shown them through prayer, visions, or dreams. You find yourself feeling almost unspiritual and backslidden in comparison. If there is any insecurity in your relationship with God you will find yourself cowering spiritually before them.”— Thus Saith the Lord?, pages 130-131

<idle musing>
Appearance versus reality—our society favors the former and we are seduced by it. My comment? When you feel inferior to some spiritual guru, duck and run!
</idle musing>

Peace! Peace! But there is no peace...

“Only a disciple of Jesus rejects what would bring happiness or recognition in order to embrace what is difficult. The life of a believer is never easy, and those who seek comfort and recognition are destined for error. They can easily be led away into rebellion, especially if it is tagged with 'This saith the Lord.'”— Thus Saith the Lord?, page 104

<idle musing>
As Bonhoeffer put it so well in Discipleship: "When Jesus calls a man, he bids him come and die." If that's not what you are willing to do, then maybe "believer" isn't the right word...

I'm preaching to myself here, by the way. If we aren't willing to die to our own desires and wishes, then we can't follow Jesus—those are his words, not mine! And the fruit of following our own desires and wishes—or grudgingly following him—is not pleasant at all. It may seem pleasant and soft for a season, but the frost will come, as will the snow and ice. In some cases (most?), that season is pretty short—about an hour, in my experience. As the KJV puts it, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Cor 4:17) But we easily get distracted by the fluff and nonsense around us unless we live dead to self and alive in Christ Jesus.

Praise God for the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit!
</idle musing>

Good rebellion?

“I then realized there is an 'evil' rebellion, and there is a 'good' rebellion. Both, however are rebellion, and both are an affront to God's authority. Most in the church would never fall for the 'evil' rebellion. Drug abuse, organized crime, wild drinking parties are too obvious. But today many in the church could be swayed with the 'good' rebellion...Eve was [ellipsis his]. She was not tempted to be like Satan. She was tempted to be like God.”— Thus Saith the Lord?, page 102

<idle musing>
I think this is a major problem in the church today. We settle for "good rebellion" instead of obedience...
</idle musing>

Spring!

This is crazy! It was in the upper 70ºs F this weekend. That's a good 25ºF above normal. The daffodils are in full bloom, the plum tree in our yard burst into flower on Friday; yesterday the peach tree was starting to blossom. I can't help but think they will get nipped by frost before all is over.

This time of year is hard on a gardener; I want to plant, but I know it won't last. Over the weekend, I cleaned up some of the beds, weeding them and cultivating them. Last year, I put out broccoli about this time only to have the temperature crash into the low 20ºs F the next week. I've got broccoli seedlings in the basement that I'm tempted to put out—sure way to make the temperature crash! Oh well, I think I'll do it anyway.

The broccoli raab, spinach, and sprouting broccoli that I planted last November in the hoop house are starting to go crazy. I'm needing to pick the first two just about daily to keep up with it. The Romaine lettuce is just about ready to start picking, too.

Oh, and the rhubarb is starting to come up. No asparagus yet :( I was weeding it this weekend, but didn't see any shoots coming up...

Then why do we fall for them?

“We embrace these words because they feed the secret desires and motivations of our hearts. They have fed the soulish desire for gain and promotion. Without realizing it we have adopted a desire for the Pharisee's reward—the praise and recognition of man and the riches and comforts of this life. We have lost sight of the eternal reward and accepted the temporal. This inhibits our ability to rightly divide truth from falsehood.”— Thus Saith the Lord?, page 67

<idle musing>
Compromise, pure and simple. The stuff we can touch and feel wins out over the stuff that is just as real—and really matters.
</idle musing>

The net effect

Speaking about a personal prophecy a person shared with Bevere:

“What effect did this word have on this young man? Did it strengthen him for hardship or battles? Did it draw his heart toward God? I questioned him, 'How did you feel while this was being spoken over you? Did this make you feel good?'

He said, 'Yes.”

I asked, 'Did the word make you want to embrace the prophet delivering the word?'
Again he said, 'Yes.'

Time passed and I questioned him further, 'Do you believe this was a word from God?'

'No,' he answered.

People go to this speaker's meetings hoping to receive a word from God. But really, they want insight into their future. So is this minister a prophet or a Christian fortuneteller?”— Thus Saith the Lord?, page 61

<idle musing>
I've often wondered about that. Have we reduced God to a "magic 8 ball?" I fear that too often we have tried...and we have reduced the role of prophet to one of a popularity contest, with so-called prophets vying with one another to outdo each other in tickling people's ears. I feel like Micaiah sometimes (see I Kings 22).
</idle musing>

The qualifications

“Other times, prophetic words were given to impart gifts or to set apart believers for ministry. These words came from tested and tried overseers who labored among the believers and knew their lives—not from prophets who knew very little or nothing about their lives (1 Tim. 5:22, NCV; Acts 13:1-4). The Bible is clear about this. Paul writes that before a person can be brought into an office of serving he must first be tested! Only ministers who have watched the candidates lives can do this, not strangers.” — Thus Saith the Lord?, page 59

<idle musing>
What? You mean they don't just ride into town like the Lone Ranger, clean everything up, and then ride off into the sunset? You mean they actually are supposed to get to know people and get dirty? Sounds too messy!—which means it probably is the correct way...
</idle musing>

Bringing the hidden to light

“The true Word of God brings to light hidden motives and convicts us of selfish ambition, strife, and envy in our lives, which ultimately brings healing. God lamented through Jeremiah:

I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings—Jeremiah 23:21-22”— Thus Saith the Lord? page 49

<idle musing>
Not the typical kind of personal prophecy one hears, is it? That the scriptural content of prophecy and the content of "personal prophecy" are usually so far apart should be a cause for concern, don't you think?
</idle musing>

Of e-readers

I have a guilty secret. I have an e-reader—no, not really. I have two of them!

Yep. I have a Kindle™ and a Nook™ on my desk. And, I use them—regularly. Last week, I had a Kindle Fire™, too. And, we have an iPod™ and access to an iPad™, as well.

What in world am I doing with all those e-readers? Testing, of course. I know far more about the displaying of Hebrew on e-readers than I want to. And, I can tell you how PDFs look on them, too.

Wanna know more? I thought so. Let's start with PDFs, that old standby format that we all use and have a love/hate relationship with.

A PDF displays on all of them. But, it does best on a Nook™. It reflows, you can change the font size, non-pointed Hebrew shows up perfectly, all the funky transliterations, such as š show up correctly, too. But, pointed Hebrew doesn't do as well. Sometimes it shows up perfectly; other times, you get a character or two on a line, then some blank lines and a few more characters. Strange...

What about the Kindle™ with PDFs? Not so good. It just allows a page view. You can re-size it, but, it doesn't re-flow. You have to use the buttons to move the screen. Talk about a pain!

But, you didn't buy an e-reader to read PDFs, did you? I didn't think so. So, how does our Hebrew fare on the Nook™? It doesn't. Period. It doesn't show up; it doesn't even leave funky squares to let you know it's missing. Frustrating!

The Kindle™ fares a bit better. The Hebrew font displays fine; the character size is correct and readable. One problem, though. It's backwards. Yep. It goes left-to-right! So, I thought maybe that was a function of the stripped down operating system in the Kindle™, so I borrowed a Kindle Fire™, which is Android™ powered, thinking it would do better...Nope. Still backwards...

So, what's a scholar to do? Well, enter the iOS devices. We dumped one of our books onto an iPad™. Sure enough. It was all there—and right-to-left even!

So, how is it that some books with Hebrew are showing up in Kindles™ and Nooks™? Well, it's easy—sorta. You take the file and turn all the Hebrew into a graphic. But, there are several problems with that: 1. It doesn't scale well when you change the font. 2. It isn't searchable! 3. It takes extra labor and therefore costs more.

So, don't be looking for a huge flood of academic books into the e-book market anytime soon...

By the way, most of the cost of a book is in the editorial and prepress (typesetting) process. The physical books are a small part of it—at least if you still edit your books, which Eisenbrauns does. Not sure about some other publishers.

I was reading a book this weekend and came across a sentence that used "then" where they clearly meant "than." Ouch! This was an academic book, too...

Who's the role model?

“Very little of what is happening in our prophetic conferences, meetings, or services today even remotely correlates with Jesus' or John the Baptist's pattern of prophecy. Could it be we've followed another pattern? Have we become like the prophets in the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who prophesied peace and prosperity while God endeavored to call his people back to His heart?”— Thus Saith the Lord? page 38

<idle musing>
Too true. Where's that scripture that talks about the prophet that people desire is the one who prophesies wealth, peace, and prosperity? —he's called a false one, by the way.
</idle musing>