In cyberspace, that is. A new and more spacious blog awaits your viewing at this link. I haven't done any new posting yet-- still fiddling with comments settings and whatnot. Thanks, Alex, for the help! If you happen to be linked to my blog, please change your link to the new one!
I had the most wonderful rice experience last week... on a whim, I decided to try a product from Thai Kitchen called Thai Yellow Curry Jasmine Rice. I'm not the biggest fan of Indian curry and foods of that general sort, because I'm a wimp when it comes to "spicy." But I looked at the ingredients on the box and didn't see anything that would be too spicy, so I thought to give it a try. It was sooo goooood-- very mild and tastes great. Highly recommended! I'll throw this out there as well: does anyone else out there recommend any particular Thai or Indian food that's on the mild side of things, or does that just destroy the whole point? Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire came out today, so Alex picked up the 2-disc version. So far I've watched the special features-- good stuff. I'm pretty glad that I'm not occupied in a way that would require me to film scenes underwater in a big tank. Scary! Maybe I should just call this the "Kelly is a wimp" post. =o) What else can I add to my list? There's too-spicy food; swallowing pills; seeing cars come slightly too quickly in the direction of the car I'm in; being in banks, in general...
I've been in an awful lot of in-depth Bible studies over the years. Several of them have been end-times studies based on books of prophecy: Daniel, Revelation, Ezekiel. Some have been on Paul's epistles, some have been on Old Testament books. If you participate in one of these studies, you'd really made it. This was the scholarly elite-- marking up your pages with colored pencils, looking up funny words in concordances and dictionaries, creating and studying various diagrams. All of this was supposed to help you learn what the Bible teaches "for yourself." This was called the "inductive method." Did I ever feel intellectual when I participated in things like this! These sorts of studies went on right through my days of college Christian fellowship retreats. Mostly, these sorts of studies were organized by inter-denominational organizations, so you weren't really sure what currents of theology were lurking underneath. But hey, you were learning "for yourself," and only dealing with the Bible, so what comes out is bound to be trustworthy... right? I've come to wonder just how "inductive" inductive studies can be. I looked through some of my old study guides and some of the statements of these Bible study groups. Although there is evasiveness in describing their confessions of faith, they are nonetheless quite "denominational." Baptism is dogmatically defined and described as a good work of human action. Christian Zionism and dispensationalism drip from every prophecy study. The questions that are posed in the studies, and the Bible verses chosen for you to look up, are designed to take you from Point A to Point B of exactly where the Bible study writer wants to take you. I think it is highly dishonest to do this to people, pretending all the while that these revelations that are being received can simply be the result of people "reading the Bible for themselves." What's more, I found that I'd been unconsciously trained by the writers to regard Christians who did not hold to the sorts of ideas that this study led me to (i.e. the majority of worldwide Christians) as a sort of second-class who had obviously never "read the Bible for themselves," heard of the word "context," or learned the joys of inductive Bible study. The truth is that absolutely any Christian or non-Christian group can write up "inductive" studies that will lead the reader into any number of different conclusions. Why not simply be honest about the doctrinal moorings involved, the intent, the first principles? In quite a lot of these studies, it is clear what the most important, primary principle is: God is sovereign. He controls everything. One website talks about "Biblical thought control" and offers tips on how to conform everything inside your head to God's sovereign will. "What happens to babies if they die without an intellectual grasp on the Gospel?" one person asks. This group answers: "We don't know. But God is sovereign, and since his will is perfect, stake your trust on that." Hand-in-hand with this severe position comes the other overriding principle: Obedience. Want to know if you're a Christian? You'll be obedient and understand the depths of God's Word. God deserves your love and obedience because he is sovereign. We rustle through the Bible, creating equations and charts to plot out the end times so we can figure out God's sovereign will in the State of Israel, economic affairs, and holy North America. (One of the first books on Biblical prophecy that I owned was by David Jeremiah, on Daniel. This dispensationalist fancied that in Revelation, the wings of the eagle that allows the woman to flee from the dragon stood for America helping out the State of Israel. No kidding.) The Lutheran approach to the Bible is fantastically different from all of this. Lutherans are of a rather different one-track mind: all prophecy, all Scripture, all of God's promises are summed up and fulfilled in Jesus and his cross. The cross, the scandal of the sins of the world being taken upon Jesus for our forgiveness, is our theology-- it is the Gospel. And it's not a one-time thing that we progress beyond to get into the world of cool color charts and an accessible Law of strict moral rules; rather it colors how we see every page of the Bible. It overshadows every moment of each of our days. In these studies, there was the occasional gratuitous mention of the cross, but it was not at the center. It was almost viewed as a by-product of God's sovereignty, given to assist us in living more obedient lives and thus pleasing God by our works. I can't account for anyone else's sincerity or motives, but I'm not sure that most of the inductive studies I've been in have done much more than stroke my ego and make me feel pleased with my obedience and amassed knowledge. I learned a heck of a lot of facts and scurried around my Bible, but the center of everything was not the forgiveness of sins through Jesus. At one point, Cyberbrethren made a small mention of this issue here.
Okay, this post isn't supposed to be anything conspiratorial; it's just a record of a few interesting observations. I am not claiming any sort of real, intended allegories. Call it coincidence, or call it something lurking in the back of Tolkien's or Peter Jackson's memory. Better yet, call it "the result of Kelly reading the Lord of the Rings books way too many times, thus leading her to make inane parallels and conclusions that don't automatically jump right out in a mere 10 or 11 readings of the book or viewing of the movies." Here goes! ***************** Thesis number #1: The connection between Boromir's death scene and the Nunc Dimittis. "Nonsense! Tomfoolery!" you say? Well, first consider the text upon which the Nunc Dimittis is based: "Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:25-32) The Nunc Dimittis (Simeon's words) is a post-communion canticle, right? We have just heard Jesus' words of forgiveness and deliverance. We have received our long-awaited Savior in the flesh; we are absolved, and it is time to go home. Simeon says, more or less, "Now I can die happy!" Boromir had committed a terrible sin of treachery against not only the Ringbearer, but all of Middle-Earth. But he is contrite and repentant, and seeks to do penance in battle, where he is mortally wounded. Then comes Aragorn and the Nunc Dimittis moment. Boromir confesses his sin and asks for forgiveness, feeling the leaden weight of the law, suddenly realizing the lack of strength in his own race. In a moment of panic, he sees the world of Men falling, all coming to darkness, and the White City to ruin. But then Aragorn, the long-awaited King and savior of Men, is suddenly revealed to him. Aragorn will not let the White City fall. Boromir's crime will be forgiven, and their people will be saved. Like Simeon, who also has this revelation about the long-awaited savior of his people, Boromir can die happy. He has received the good news. And who can forget Aragorn's final response to him? He makes a gesture that will remind absolutely anyone of the Sign of the Cross, and says, "Be at peace!" Now read the Nunc Dimittis again. =o) I'm using this movie clip in the Youth Bible study class; we're looking at the different parts of the Divine Service and we're up to the post-communion canticle. ******************* Thesis #2: Frodo's attempt to depart from the Fellowship alone relates to Elijah about to be taken to heaven in a fiery chariot. Even more outlandish-sounding, I know. But let me tell you a little tale, and you tell me which story I'm referring to! Our hero has separated from his companions. He is going on a journey where he will meet his doom, and he means to go alone on this unprecedented path. He will take no one with him, not even his closest and most devoted friend. But this friend and servant is not so easily gotten rid of. With the rest of the company a short distance away, our hero's friend insists on coming. He cannot be dissuaded; he does not wish to leave his master while he still lives; he's made a promise. This is the third time our hero has winded up with this persistent friend tagging along on his trip, and once again he complies. The two friends cross the river together. In the very end, the servant will see his master taken from him, by an other-wordly means of transportation, straight out of the world. When his master departs, this dear friend will be his heir. Kinda weird, huh? When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" "Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "but do not speak of it." Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho." And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho. The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" "Yes, I know," he replied, "but do not speak of it." Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on. Fifty men of the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not." As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. (2 Kings 2:1-12) And just for that extra-weird twist: The actor who plays "our hero" in the Fellowship of the Ring is named Elijah Jordan. *cue Twilight Zone music*
There's a newly-made crucifix here on the gallery. It's not the clearest photo but it's there. The cross is wooden and was purchased at a craft store and painted; the figure is modeled clay. For those far-away relations who are starting to forget what I look like, here's a photo of yours truly on the evening of Ash Wednesday.
A hymn for the start of Lent. ************************************** My song is love unknown, My Savior’s love to me; Love to the loveless shown, That they might lovely be. O who am I, that for my sake My Lord should take frail flesh and die? He came from His blest throne Salvation to bestow; But men made strange, and none The longed-for Christ would know: But O! my Friend, my Friend indeed, Who at my need His life did spend. Sometimes they strew His way, And His sweet praises sing; Resounding all the day Hosannas to their King: Then “Crucify!” is all their breath, And for His death they thirst and cry. Why, what hath my Lord done? What makes this rage and spite? He made the lame to run, He gave the blind their sight, Sweet injuries! Yet they at these Themselves displease, and ’gainst Him rise. They rise and needs will have My dear Lord made away; A murderer they saved, The Prince of life they slay, Yet cheerful He to suffering goes, That He His foes from thence might free. In life, no house, no home My Lord on earth might have; In death no friendly tomb But what a stranger gave. What may I say? Heav’n was His home; But mine the tomb wherein He lay. Here might I stay and sing, No story so divine; Never was love, dear King! Never was grief like Thine. This is my Friend, in Whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend. *************************************** Words: Samuel Crossman, The Young Man's Meditation, 1664. *************************************** There's a good post about Ash Wednesday and Lent over at Aardvark Alley.
At Burr in the Burgh, the question is posed: "What's your problem?" What is the big problem that all of us need the answer to? This will determine what a church will preach as gospel. Is it lack of personal fulfillment? Is it not quite grasping our purposes in life? Or the need of more "abundant" life? Or is it something much, much more important? Dan at Necessary Roughness looks at how the Gospel must be at the center of worship, not just on the sidelines (no NR pun intended). In the section on Homily, check out the two links he posts to the two different sermons on Jonah for a valuable and profound object lesson. Extra Nos analyzes the famous Jonathan Edwards sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," and realizes with a surprise that there's no Gospel in it! (No wonder it's so scary to read...) At Be Strong in the Grace, TK noticed a bumper sticker somewhere that read: "Give Jesus a chance. He died for the opportunity." So she asks: Did Jesus die for an opportunity to save us? Or did Jesus die to save us? She also links to Madre's Missives on the same subject, who adds the observation: "If it is really up to me to take a chance on Jesus, then He died to give me an opportunity to save myself." TK points out that Jesus died for our sins because we were incapable of giving Jesus a chance. Wretched of the Earth tries to figure out what the Emerging Church movement is all about-- or at least what their theology is, and how the cross plays into it. He points out that Christ crucified for sinners is the most relevant message of them all. Lenten Reflections for 2006 are currently online at Higher Things! They can be printed out as a PDF here, or received through daily e-mail or podcast here. ************************** Most of these links are favorites pulled from the most recent Lutheran Carnival.
Why does this thing include zodiac info...? ...I may be located in Winkler, Manitoba, but I'm American, really! Immigration takes a looong tiiiime........ My Canadian husband is a pastor in Lutheran Church-Canada. We own too many books.
