Hebrew Bible and Christian Scriptures

While i was reading through 1 and 2 Chronicles i came across a passage that  really inspired me.  It was in 1 Chronicles, chapter 19 verse 13.  Joab noticed that his army was surrounded by the Arameans and the Ammonites.  So he lead half of his force commanded by him against the Arameans and his brother Abishai lead the other half against the Ammonites.  To any commander, this was a tough place to be in to fight.  Joab said to his brother, “The LORD will do what is good in his sight.”

This gave me great comfort…….Why?

Joab didnt say the Lord will save us or grant us victory.  He did not tell his brother that everything was going to be all right, just trust in God.  No, he said none of that.  He looked death in the face and said, “God will do what is good in his sight”.  Meaning, that if it was Gods decision for them to die, then that is fine.  Joab seems to completely give himself up to God and says,”whatever happens… happens”.

Today we think the good thing for God to do would be to help us out here or their, in ways that we think would better ourselves.  When in reality, we should give our lives up to God and say whatever happens, if i succeed or fail, you know what’s best.

Blake Herridge

Dizzy Gillespie was born on October 21. Gerhard von Rad was born on October 21. I was born on October 21. This confluence of birthdays may demonstrate that the intersection of culture and biblical studies.

In a moment of Noah’s weakness

which of his son’s  disgraced him?  (Ham)

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Well, it has been a while since my last post in which I promised a part 2, so I'll try to remember what all I had to say. As a refresher, my experience of watching the new Harry Potter film caused me to explore the theme of parallel worlds in many modern films/shows. I suggested that one possible reason for this is that our materialistic worldview causes us to long for something more (because something more actually does exist). In this post, I want to explore another interesting theme that runs alongside that of parallel worlds.

In all of these films, I find it intriguing that, not only does a parallel world exist, but this other world also poses a threat to our world. It is a world filled with malevolent forces. In The Half Blood Prince the realm of wizards and witches is populated not only by Harry and his friends, but also by numerous forces that are set on conquest and destruction. And, in the pursuit of these goals, evil collides with our world and causes harm to those of us who are powerless in the use of magic (i.e.- the beginning of the film).

Yet, again, not only Harry Potter films exhibit this theme. Most films that feature colliding worlds portray the "other" world as a threat to our own. In The Matrix, computers have created a hostile world set on enslaving humanity. In superhero flicks, the world of the mask is not just for our beloved heroes, it is also the place for the worst kinds of villains as well. No superhero becomes popular by defeating mere bank robbers and murderers. They need a SUPER villain who pulls off super-thefts and commits super-atrocities. 9 times out of 10, alien films portray visitors from another "world" coming to earth a creating chaos and destruction (the recent film District 9 is a rare exception, although there is still great fear of the aliens.) Continued examples from countless other films could back me up here, but it is enough to state that there exists a certain fear of realms that collide with our own.

So, besides the fact that conflict makes for a good plot, why is there always such hostility from the other side? One possible reason could come from the great privileges that we have here in America. We are the most powerful empire in the world. We by and large can control world affairs. We have not actually been invaded by another country since 1812. The few attacks on home soil have been just isolated incidents and few and far between. We are the richest of the world. I could go on and on. However, these few quips illustrate that we are a people who grasp a considerable amount of control within our lives. There is little that seriously threatens us. Thus, one of our greatest fears here in America is the loss of control of the "worlds" in which we live. We dread things coming into our lives that would strip away our power and have the ability to change the worlds that we have erected. We fear helplessness.

Another question that could be asked is: Why is it that the invading forces of evil are always more powerful than those of us from the normal world? A related theme to the threatening parallel world is that we need a "savior" who understands and even participates in that other world as well. Our world needs a Harry Potter who can master magic. Gotham needs a Batman. Those trapped in the Matrix need a Neo. All of these heroes are people who somehow participate in both worlds.

Yet, film often is simply a reflection of our own lives. In an attempt to avoid helplessness, we seek the power of those realms that could threaten us. To defend ourselves from economic recessions and crashes we seek to gain the upper hand through economic knowledge. To avoid military and terrorist attacks we practice preemptive strikes. To maintain our social status, we strive after social savvy and may even search for information that can be used against others. However, the reality is that no matter how hard we try, there still exists circumstances that can bring everything down. Especially when we consider the reality of malevolent powers in this world, as I mentioned in my last post, then the clouds grow even darker. Even though several mortals can learn magic, it still requires a Harry Potter, a chosen one, to defeat the forces of evil.

As we look at the Bible, we realize our helpless situation as mortals. We cannot withstand the onslaught of evil. We need someone "on the inside" who can save us and stop evil. Yet, we desire someone who is one of us as well. Even though movies may pick up on this, they are not the first. In the Gospels we meet a man who was more than just a man. In fact, He originated in that "other world" and existed there from "the beginning." Therein lies one fascinating contrast with these films. Whereas films portray a hero rising from humanity to join the greater powers, Christianity tells the story of One beyond all powers who became a lowly man. And yet, there is where salvation springs forth.

In conclusion, Harry Potter has reminded me that there is a dark reality that surrounds us at times. So often we also become helpless to defend ourselves from these forces. We can try to stop it, but it won't be enough. In the end, we need a savior to hold back destruction. Praise be to God that we have such a Savior, and not just one from among us, but the One who came down to us.

Welcome to Personal Learning Environments. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Welcome to Personal Learning Environments. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

The Babylonian exile began in 597 followed by the destruction of Jerusalem and the second deportation in 587

I thought that I would start with a little background information.  I have grown up in the Baptist tradition.  My dad is a Baptist minister, my mom plays the piano in a church and works at the local Baptist association.  I have served as a youth minister, music minister, and supply pastor in Baptist churches.  The Baptist tradition has shaped how I view God, Scripture and the world.  I have seen both the beauty and danger inherent in the Baptist understanding of following Christ…but more on that later.

I am in my final semester at George W. Truett Theological seminary working on a M Div.  I received a B.A. in General Studies with a minor in counseling from the University of North Texas.  Before that, I graduated from Denton High School in Texas. 

After seminary, the door is wide open.  I feel called to be a minister of the gospel.  I also feel a calling to the local church and pastoral ministry.  However, I can pursue this calling through many avenues.  At some point, I desire to go back to school and get a D Min. 

During this course, I would like to work though difficult areas of the biblical text.  In many ways, the second half of the Old Testament is foreign to me.  First, I want to study biblical promises: when is it advisable for me to take promises that God made to specific individuals or to Israel as a nation and apply them to my life and the lives of my congregation members?  Second, how should I use OT prophecy?  These are a couple of the questions that I would like to address throughout the semester.

What is your religious/denominational background?
: Presbyterian is the biggest denomination in my country so I went to Presbyterian church first and then I changed to Baptist.

1.  Briefly describe you level of participation in a local church. Include any ministry experience, ordination, etc.

: From the high school, I Participated in student choir and I learned voice so I was a soloist of choir and then I have conducted the chuch choir and did music minister.
2. What is your educational background (e.g. your undergraduate major, other degrees, etc.)?

Bachelor Degree-Church Music(Voice), Master Degree-Voice

 

3. What are your career plans for after Truett?

I want to be music pastor or missionary.

4. How can this course best serve you?

I would like to know background of OT.