Guest Blog - Psalm 68 in Rhyme

This is a guest post from Kyle Holt of The New Parables and The Bible in Rhyme. From his blog: Each person is called to use the talents God gave us; to be a voice of one calling out in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for Him.”

I really appreciate that Pastor Andrew invited me be a guest blogger. I was trying to think about a couple of different types of blogs I could post, and this was the first one that popped in my head.

I mentioned in a previous post about my work on The Bible in Rhyme (www.thebibleinrhyme.com). I have Genesis 1 on the website, but I thought I’d post another section here. After you read this, I encourage you open up the Bible and compare it to Psalm 68 in the Bible. My hope is that The Bible in Rhyme will be a portal to help people open up and explore the Bible in total. I welcome your comments (good, bad, and ugly) here or on my blog, http://thenewparables.blogspot.com.

Psalm 68

May God arise and scatter his foes.
The wicked will perish as everyone knows.
Sing to the Lord who rides on a cloud.
Extol your praises, crying aloud.
A father to orphans, the widow’s defender;
He honors believers and cuts down pretenders.
We marched through the desert with You as our guide
and gained our inheritance, though we were tried.
Great was the glory of those who announced
God and His name, but those who denounced
His honor were struck down, peasant and king.
But all who have seen His power now sing.
God sends one thousand chariots out
and crushes His enemies. Now who will doubt?!
The twelve tribes have come proclaiming a song.
Egypt and Cush will submit to the throng.
Announce that He’s come across all the earth.
All who know Him know what He is worth.
Wherever we tread and wherever we trod,
He will be with us. Praise be to God!

How were books of the Bible chosen?

I have had the opportunity to lead the Builders Sunday Morning Small Group for three weeks studying the gospel according to Mark. This question was shared during our time together.

The question of how these particular four gospels were chosen among the various compilations and writings of the stories of Jesus that were circulating among the early church. It is a multi-layered story and first want to give you some links for your own research.

• Development of the New Testament canon at Wikipedia
• How the Biblical Canon Was Chosenat umc.org
• We Rely on the Bibleat umc.org
• Bible at Wikipedia

Now I’ll give you my best take on the question. One of the reasons that other gospels were not chosen is that others were determined to be Christian heresy - for example asserting that Jesus did not really die, was not human, was not divine, etc. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John provide a rich portrait of Jesus life, teaching, death and resurrection. This portrait is one which the early church found was nuanced in a way that did not paint Jesus in black and white and also clear enough that there were some boundaries to what was to be understood as orthodox.

What do you think? How would you respond to this question?

Had the disciples heard of Jesus before?

I have had the opportunity to lead the Builders Sunday Morning Small Group for three weeks studying the gospel according to Mark. This question was shared during our time together.

When Jesus called the first disciples, had they heard of him before? Did they have any knowledge of this man who was asking them to leave their livelihood, family and friends and follow him?

This is a great question and one which I have not previously considered. I do not read a clear response one way or the other in the text of Mark. (Perhaps why this was a question in the first place)

I had never imagined the disciples having any previous knowledge about Jesus before he called them. It would make a little more sense why they would leave their nets and follow him if they had heard of him before. However, as a class member proposed, it may be that Jesus presence, tone, power and the work of the Holy Spirit was what compelled the disciples to follow - not just the words.

I think that whether the disciples had hard of Jesus before depends on how you decide to interpret this passage:

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:14-15, TNIV)

How far had Jesus teaching spread? How long had he been proclaiming the good news of God before encountering those who would become his disciples? Was Jesus well known before he began healing?

What do you think? How would you respond to this question?

Does Hell Exist?

I received a few great questions from Jan via email last week and wanted to share my responses with you as well.

The first question had to do with Christianity and other religions and I referred Jan to what I had previously posted:

• Christianity and Other Religions
• Good News for All

The next question was one to which I had not responded before - Does hell exist?

To start, I think that people have many different conceptions of hell. An eternal place of punishment, a lake of fire, and separation from God are just a few of the ideas that someone may have when thinking about hell. I best understand hell as a place of separation from God. God’s free and unmerited love for us and the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to live in relationship with God.

I believe that we can choose to receive God’s freely given love and live our lives in response to this good news. Alternatively, we have the opportunity to choose (either actively or passively) not to be in relationship with God. I believe that God does not force us to be in relationship. If we refuse this relationship, the alternative is living in a way in which we are separated and moving away from God. Eternal separation from God would be hell.

I believe one may experience hell on earth, in the sense that we can live in isolation from God and other people. This may be a result of our actions and it may be a result of the actions of others. I think of circumstances of divorce, suicide, unexpected death, the death of a child and many other circumstances may elicit these feelings. Our way out is the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.

Jan followed up this response with a clarifying question about specific mention of hell in the Bible.

• One of the most frequently cited references is in Matthew 25.
• Also several places where a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth is mentioned.
• Luke 16:19-31
• Also a few passages including the word hell

There is a discrepancy about how exactly such passages should be interpreted. I do not know the word that is translated as hell in English to be able to speak to the nuances of the original language.

How would you respond to Jan’s question? What did I miss in my response? Where could it be improved? What do you think?

Is there useful Bible software?

I currently do not use any Bible software. I have been following the development of Logos Bible Software for Mac and wonder if I might want to purchase it in the future. I also wonder if there is a quality online resource that would serve a similar purpose. I have a sense that Bible software would be a useful tool to improve my teaching, preaching and study.

Have you used or do you use Bible software? In what ways have you found it to be helpful? Do you have any suggestions on a particular software or online resource?

The Bible in Rhyme

I was amazed when I saw the announcement for The Bible in Rhyme from Kyle. Check it out.

Sex, Gender and the Bible

On Sunday night, Nicole and I had the great opportunity to be a part of a small group teaching from the newly released - Prayer: A Small Group Curriculum. I had a great time.

I received a follow up email from Nelson, a member of the group, from a conversation that we had that evening. He had some questions as a follow up from watching a few videos on YouTube. They are:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W81H4scyEc
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATrl2HWUJO0

I listened to several minutes of each video and my sense is that the main topic being raised here is that of intersexuality and the way that gender is addressed in the Bible.

This is a topic around which I do not profess to have expertise, but I will do my best to respond to the topic. I believe that gender in the Bible is identified as male and female. I do not believe that there is any reference to the possibility of intersexuality. This may be partly a result of the scientific worldview at the time - not having any idea about chromosome arrangements.

I believe that God created humans as male and female. What does this mean for those who experience intersexuality or are transgender? God loves each person - no qualifications. As a Christian, I am called to show God’s love to others, to help others on their journey of discipleship and to receive help in my journey. I am called to perfect love of God and neighbor.

I recognize that I did not nearly address this topic comprehensively. This is a subject around which I continue to think, grow and learn. What do you think?