Selaphiel

Yes, it's a curious puzzle. I like Israel because it brings the same sort of wonder and contemplation but doesn't present the same sort of doubts and reservations that the Shroud does. Maybe that's a bad reason in the end. Israel is great, especially Galilee. :up:

I am required to write a book report on a book covering early Christian history for my Christian History I class. I've narrowed it down to three: one, two, three. What do you think I should read?

I've heard some presentations on it and I think there is some good evidence for its legitimacy. It's certainly interesting! What do you think? By the way, have you ever been to Israel? The Shroud reminds me of Israel in general (e.g. you can go to the foundation of the church of Bethlehem and pray at the place where God first touched the earth. )

Yes, I think I might go with Bonhoeffer for a change of pace. And may throw in some Claiborne along with it.

I think you described it very well with your statement about putting a lamp under a bowl. I don't have the idea that Jesus would have been a big proponent of isolating yourself. Perhaps a compromise could be to do it for a period of time and then move back into the world. Or a way to do it so that you are still involved in the world. During the Franciscan talk, one of the speakers was part of an Order that is closer to 'normal' life.

Hope your busyness gets better soon and everything is well. Have you been reading anything?

:e4e:

Things could be better but not too terrible. I finished Zealot so now I'm trying to move back into my normal reading. Not sure what I'll start next because I had finished Hart's book prior to starting Zealot.

How have you been?

I'd like to visit there as well. They have such a fascinating life. I don't think I'm cut out to do something like that. Takes immense dedication. I have a lot of admiration and respect for them, but at the same time I question cutting themselves off from the world. In the segment one of the monks talked about when his father was dying and he didn't go visit him one more time. I don't think I like that.

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Howdy. At church today there was a discussion about Orthodox spirituality and they played part of a segment 60 Minutes did about Mount Athos, a place Greece that is the home of 20 different monasteries. It was fascinating. Here is the first part in case you aren't familiar with it and want to see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mXl8C4-M_4


:e4e:

Commentary from one of my bibles about Phil 3:9-11: "Faith is the name of the relationship which gives us full participation in the life of Christ, and in His resurrection."

I thought that was interesting. :think:

Also, the devotional I'm going through has a quote from Augustine that is related to the question you asked me about Christ: "God who is eternally wise has with him his eternal Wisdom [the Son]. He is not in any way unqeual to the Father. He is not in any respect inferior. For the apostle too says 'who, when he was in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal with God'"


The first part is my main focus. Christ being God's wisdom is one way I tend to look at Jesus. I still need to give a fuller answer but that quote caught my eye so I figured I'd post it.

In the news today I saw that Norway is the 2nd best country to grow old in. Me and H&G will be moving in some day. Better start getting ready now. lain:

:noid: :chuckle: I'll get back to you soon. Haven't had much time for TOL this week. Hope you're having a good week.

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Quite a lot lately...

How are you doing?

:e4e:

lain:

As ridiculous as it may be, it starts, and possibly ends, with Jesus' divinity and the Trinity.

I have one of Claiborne's book but haven't read it yet. Maybe I should pick that up soon for a change of pace. Read it with Bonhoeffer.

I've been enjoying the autumn weather here. :up: I hope it's a long autumn and winter isn't too quick in coming. :noid:

Yes he probably does. I recall seeing a book or two that would probably be relevant.

I'm thinking about talking to him about what exactly baptism means in the Episcopal church and to him more specifically. I still feel a bit funny when reciting the creeds because I don't know if I can genuinely say that I believe or adhere to it all.

My church is doing a series of talks on different types of spirituality and today they had a talk on Franciscan spirituality. It was interesting. The main speaker was saying that Francis was partially reacting against what he saw as some excesses in the Church and possibly other groups like the Benedictines. I think a Franciscan view is very needed in our age as well. One thing I found interesting is that Francis forbade his followers from getting higher education.

How have you been?

:e4e:

Hey, sure thing :e4e:

Yes, I've heard a few different interpretations of Genesis 1 as a priestly, liturgical text. I think those views make some sense. My scripture teacher is an (animated) Dominican Latino priest, and it is quite funny to hear him talk/rant about fundamentalism. :chuckle:

That's good. :chuckle:

It makes sense that the idea of man evolving from lower beings isn't something that the church fathers had. A complete theology seems difficult. I suppose a lot of it depends on how much, if any, intervention you allow God to have. You should make that a project of yours. :think:

:chuckle: If you hear a story about any jailbreaks you'll know who it is. :noid:

:e4e:

I did make some posts in the group in case you have time and are interested.

I attend an Episcopal church. I'm not a member, but I've been attending off and on for a few years now. I'm debating talking to the Reverend about baptism.

Yes, that Fox News interview was terrible and catapulted Aslan and his book up the ranks. :chuckle: I'm a couple chapters into the book. So far he's laying the groundwork of what Judaism was like leading up to and in Jesus' time. Nothing groundbreaking so far. He says that there are only 2 facts that we can have real confidence in. 1) Jesus led a Jewish movement and 2) Rome crucified him for doing it. He also gave a few rules for determining historical accuracy in the gospels and one of them was giving precedence to earlier passages (example Mark) over later ones (example John). That reminded me of Bauckham's book where I believe he took a different view and said that John was the most reliable gospel.

I did go to the initial discussion about Zealot. It didn't terribly excite me but I think I'll do it anyway. It should be nice to do it with a group and it's an opportunity to get to know some other church members. I'm going to start reading it today. We have just under a month to read it before our next meeting.

I guess your local police didn't appreciate Rudy setting off his stockpile of commercial grade fireworks. lain:


Do you know anything about Reza Aslan's book Zealot? The church I've been attending is going to do a book group on it. I've heard of it but don't know much about it and I'm considering checking it out. Tomorrow is the introductory meeting, I think to give people more info to help them decide. I imagine that it's not much different from other books about Jesus being a rebel that upset the political authorities and led to his death and how the early church dealt formed their view of him. My girlfriend bought the book so even if I don't do the group I'll have a chance to read it if I want to.

Having a good weekend?
I went to a Renaissance Faire today. The event leaders didn't appreciate H&G trying to have a joust competition. lain:

:e4e:

:chuckle: Yeah, I had it wrong. I meant the Mad TV skits.

Glad the lesson went well. :up:
:chuckle: Nice. I haven't seen that one. I'll have to add it to my Netflix list. Right now I've been going through the animated X-Men show from the 90s. I watched it as a kid at times but there were many episodes that I never saw so I'm going through start to finish. Else, I watch a variety of movies also. Horror is probably the genre of which I watch the least. Are you a fan of the Steven Segal movies? And have you seen the SNL skits that portray him? :chuckle:

zippy's messages did help fill in some details. I responded to his last and was considering making another post about it in the group but will probably wait to see any response from him before doing it, so it's all together.

I'll check that book out later.

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