Book Review.
Wills, Garry. What The Gospels Meant. Viking (Penguin Group) 2008.
G.W.- professor of history emeritus at Northwestern University.
Comment. Henry.
This is fine scholarly treatment of the Gospels. It would be an invaluable commentary resource for expository preaching of the Gospels.
Gospel of Mark.
This is the first Gospel (chronologically) “setting the pattern for the others”. (12) Mark speaks of persecution and betrayal. Jesus’ own family turned on him. There are hints about when the persecution of “Mark’s people” (29) took place. Mark affirms that Jesus is the Messiah. He points out parallels between Moses leading Israel in their Exodus and Jesus and his leadership of the disciples and others who followed him. The persecution of Mark’s people was caused by their insistence that Jesus was in fact the Messiah. Mark’s writings are full of “intercalations” (49), insertions (interruptions) in his stories. E.g. The story of Jairsus’ daughter is interrupted by the story of the woman with the issue of blood.
Gospel of Matthew.
Both Matthew and Luke were written after the destruction of the Temple. Matthew “collects the sayings of Jesus in five large discourses”. (58) Matthew and Luke did not know each other. Their accounts of Jesus’ birth are quite different. “The birth narratives are far from feel-good (Christmas) stories.” (63) Wills suggests that the term “virginal conception” (68) describes the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14.Matthew makes some unique comments regarding the death and resurrection.
The Gospel of Luke.
Luke is “the most humane of the evangelists”. (110) Luke’s record of the Nativity is the most popular one. “Luke’s is the Gospel most interested in liturgical matters.” (127) Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain” (133) is compared to Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. Luke gives women greater attention than the other evangelists do.
The Gospel of John.
There are some controversies suggested about the (multiple ) authorship of this Gospel. John is considered the theologian. Jesus’ focus on the “inner life” (169) is illustrated by the stories of Nicodemus, the woman at the well, the adulteress, and Lazarus. The term “Beloved Disciple” is expounded. The last days of Jesus life demonstrate his humility as he rides on a donkey, the symbol of humility, and how he serves during the Last Supper. The person and place of “the Beloved Disciple” (192) are discussed.
The four Gospels “give us four different takes on the central mystery”. (207) Credit is given to Raymond Brown for his scholarly contributions to this study of the Gospels.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Peace Shall Destroy Many
Book Review.
Wiebe, Rudy. Peace Shall Destroy Many. (A novel) McClelland & Stewart Inc. 1962.
Comment. Henry.
Being of the same ‘vintage’ and having been brought up under very similar circumstances I read this novel with great interest and empathy. I was impressed with the courage that it would have taken for Rudy to be so forthright with his assessments of some very serious problems surrounding so many Mennonite immigrants as they sought to establish their lifestyle along with their religious convictions in their adopted land of Canada. I can only imagine the reviews this novel would have received in the “Mennonite Harald”.
This is Rudy’s first novel and it is about religious intolerance and the problems that can be caused by rigid adherence to traditions of non-violence. In 1944, the time frame of this story, Canada was very involved in WW11 and the position of non-violence of the Mennonites was being tested. There were three options for Mennonite young men who received their ‘conscription’ letters. They could report for duty as a regular soldier, they could join the non-combatant ‘medical core’ of the army, or they could request exemption from military service as a ‘conscientious objector’. (My oldest brother was in the third group.) For the religious leaders of the church the third option was the only acceptable choice.
Within the Mennonite community of “Speedwell”, Saskatchewan, the non-violence issue became an issue of family relationships. It surrounded not only physical violence but also emotional violence. This theme touches most of the characters in our story. It is here where the destruction was most devastating.
To the Mennonites their German language was a crucial part of their tradition and for that matter their survival as a religious community. The language was their most effective response to the Scriptural exhortation to be separated from the world. It became a real obstacle for proper integration as immigrants and discredited those who tried to evangelize non-Germans in the community.
I look forward to getting my hands on more books written by this ‘newly discovered’ author.
henrydirksen.blogspot.com
Wiebe, Rudy. Peace Shall Destroy Many. (A novel) McClelland & Stewart Inc. 1962.
Comment. Henry.
Being of the same ‘vintage’ and having been brought up under very similar circumstances I read this novel with great interest and empathy. I was impressed with the courage that it would have taken for Rudy to be so forthright with his assessments of some very serious problems surrounding so many Mennonite immigrants as they sought to establish their lifestyle along with their religious convictions in their adopted land of Canada. I can only imagine the reviews this novel would have received in the “Mennonite Harald”.
This is Rudy’s first novel and it is about religious intolerance and the problems that can be caused by rigid adherence to traditions of non-violence. In 1944, the time frame of this story, Canada was very involved in WW11 and the position of non-violence of the Mennonites was being tested. There were three options for Mennonite young men who received their ‘conscription’ letters. They could report for duty as a regular soldier, they could join the non-combatant ‘medical core’ of the army, or they could request exemption from military service as a ‘conscientious objector’. (My oldest brother was in the third group.) For the religious leaders of the church the third option was the only acceptable choice.
Within the Mennonite community of “Speedwell”, Saskatchewan, the non-violence issue became an issue of family relationships. It surrounded not only physical violence but also emotional violence. This theme touches most of the characters in our story. It is here where the destruction was most devastating.
To the Mennonites their German language was a crucial part of their tradition and for that matter their survival as a religious community. The language was their most effective response to the Scriptural exhortation to be separated from the world. It became a real obstacle for proper integration as immigrants and discredited those who tried to evangelize non-Germans in the community.
I look forward to getting my hands on more books written by this ‘newly discovered’ author.
henrydirksen.blogspot.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Travel as a Political Act.
Book Review.
Steves, Rick. Travel as a Political Act. Nation Books. 2009.
R.S.- Rick is a travel writer who does travel guide books, leads tour groups, and does TV shows about travel. He is a committed activist. He received the Wittenberg Award in 2007 for his social activism.
Comment. Henry.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” Mark Twain. Steve has written this book that I think is an in depth commentary on that quote. He shows great courage in his conclusions which very much reflect his personal ‘prejudice’. He takes the wonderful privilege of travel and tourism to a totally different level from what it is traditionally viewed as. This kind of travel is definitely educational and probably life changing. A very thought provoking resource. Note: I wonder what Rick would have to say about ‘missions tours and short term missions trips’?
The motivation for travel must be beyond leisure and curiosity. Genuine learning and legitimate advocacy only happen with hard work and diligent preparedness. “Choose to travel on purpose. Connect with people. Overcome fear. Get beyond your comfort zone. Choose to be challenged.” Such goals will have life-changing effects and are what ‘travel as a political act’ is all about.
Visits in the countries of former Yugoslavia revealed people groups that demonstrated tremendous efforts of rebounding from the devastating wars of the mid- 90s. “I see the value of history in understanding our travels, and the value of travel in understanding our history.” (45)
The countries of the European Union are examined as a total unit and comparisons are made with America. These contrasts focus on life style and how socialism has impacted these countries. Europeans tolerate big government and high taxes because they want a higher quality of life, the rewards of socialism. Tolerance prevents the legislation of morality.
The author’s travel in San Salvador becomes a rehearsal of history that does not reflect well on the arrival of Columbus and how that began a process that affected the people adversely. Some interesting comments are made about globalization.
Rick’s report on his travel in Denmark is really very idyllic. He is quite taken with the people’s “dedication to their social contract”. (125) They are “highly taxed but highly content”. (113)
Turkey, like so many other developing countries, is dealing with powerful forces of change while attempting to remain the same. Understanding Islam is crucial to appreciating people of Muslim countries. The greatest problem in East-West relationships is fear, on both sides. “Islam is as varied culturally as Christendom.” (143)
“Europe is not hard on drugs or soft on drugs but smart on drugs.” (149)
In 2008 Rick did a twelve day TV shoot in Iran. As is his priority, his focus was the people. The politics were not ignored but certainly not emphasized. This event takes travel as a political act to another level.
henrydirksen.blogspot.com
Steves, Rick. Travel as a Political Act. Nation Books. 2009.
R.S.- Rick is a travel writer who does travel guide books, leads tour groups, and does TV shows about travel. He is a committed activist. He received the Wittenberg Award in 2007 for his social activism.
Comment. Henry.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” Mark Twain. Steve has written this book that I think is an in depth commentary on that quote. He shows great courage in his conclusions which very much reflect his personal ‘prejudice’. He takes the wonderful privilege of travel and tourism to a totally different level from what it is traditionally viewed as. This kind of travel is definitely educational and probably life changing. A very thought provoking resource. Note: I wonder what Rick would have to say about ‘missions tours and short term missions trips’?
The motivation for travel must be beyond leisure and curiosity. Genuine learning and legitimate advocacy only happen with hard work and diligent preparedness. “Choose to travel on purpose. Connect with people. Overcome fear. Get beyond your comfort zone. Choose to be challenged.” Such goals will have life-changing effects and are what ‘travel as a political act’ is all about.
Visits in the countries of former Yugoslavia revealed people groups that demonstrated tremendous efforts of rebounding from the devastating wars of the mid- 90s. “I see the value of history in understanding our travels, and the value of travel in understanding our history.” (45)
The countries of the European Union are examined as a total unit and comparisons are made with America. These contrasts focus on life style and how socialism has impacted these countries. Europeans tolerate big government and high taxes because they want a higher quality of life, the rewards of socialism. Tolerance prevents the legislation of morality.
The author’s travel in San Salvador becomes a rehearsal of history that does not reflect well on the arrival of Columbus and how that began a process that affected the people adversely. Some interesting comments are made about globalization.
Rick’s report on his travel in Denmark is really very idyllic. He is quite taken with the people’s “dedication to their social contract”. (125) They are “highly taxed but highly content”. (113)
Turkey, like so many other developing countries, is dealing with powerful forces of change while attempting to remain the same. Understanding Islam is crucial to appreciating people of Muslim countries. The greatest problem in East-West relationships is fear, on both sides. “Islam is as varied culturally as Christendom.” (143)
“Europe is not hard on drugs or soft on drugs but smart on drugs.” (149)
In 2008 Rick did a twelve day TV shoot in Iran. As is his priority, his focus was the people. The politics were not ignored but certainly not emphasized. This event takes travel as a political act to another level.
henrydirksen.blogspot.com
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Jesus, My Father, the Cia, and Me
Book Review.
Cron, Ian Morgan. Jesus. My Father, The CIA, and Me. A memoir of sorts. Thomas Nelson. 2011.
I.C.- an Episcopal priest, speaker, and acclaimed author.
Comment. Henry.
It just so happens (co-incidence) that the last two books I read were biographies (memoirs). The stories, however, are quite different. Rudy talked about his growing up years in a Christian, Anabaptist family with a solid family environment. Ian’s family was nominally Catholic with a limited religious influence. His father was an alcoholic and this brought ongoing tension to the family atmosphere. Both stories are well written and are filled with valuable life lessons.
Ian experienced some very meaningful spiritual moments as a young boy when he served as an altar boy and experienced his first Communion. The alcoholism of his father cast a huge shadow over Ian’s life.
The involvement of Ian’s father with the CIA was always a great mystery to Ian and added actual stress to the family relationship. His mother was able to provide for the family when the father became unemployable. Miraculously the family did not disintegrate through all these challenges.
The journey that ended up for Ian as an Episcopal priest makes for some very interesting reading. To borrow from some of the ‘endorsements’ of the book, this book is “a compelling story. You don’t read the book, it reads you, and it is a testimony of the unfinished business of grace.”
Enjoy!
Cron, Ian Morgan. Jesus. My Father, The CIA, and Me. A memoir of sorts. Thomas Nelson. 2011.
I.C.- an Episcopal priest, speaker, and acclaimed author.
Comment. Henry.
It just so happens (co-incidence) that the last two books I read were biographies (memoirs). The stories, however, are quite different. Rudy talked about his growing up years in a Christian, Anabaptist family with a solid family environment. Ian’s family was nominally Catholic with a limited religious influence. His father was an alcoholic and this brought ongoing tension to the family atmosphere. Both stories are well written and are filled with valuable life lessons.
Ian experienced some very meaningful spiritual moments as a young boy when he served as an altar boy and experienced his first Communion. The alcoholism of his father cast a huge shadow over Ian’s life.
The involvement of Ian’s father with the CIA was always a great mystery to Ian and added actual stress to the family relationship. His mother was able to provide for the family when the father became unemployable. Miraculously the family did not disintegrate through all these challenges.
The journey that ended up for Ian as an Episcopal priest makes for some very interesting reading. To borrow from some of the ‘endorsements’ of the book, this book is “a compelling story. You don’t read the book, it reads you, and it is a testimony of the unfinished business of grace.”
Enjoy!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Of This Earth.
Book Review.
Wiebe, Rudy. Of This Earth. A Mennonite boyhood in the boreal forest. Published by Alfred A. Knopf. Canada. 2006 Jackpine House Ltd.
R.W.-widely published internationally and winner of numerous awards, including two Governor General’s Literary Awards for bestselling novels. An Officer of the Order of Canada.
Comment. Henry.
I read this ‘memoir’ with great personal interest. I am a few years older than Rudy. Where I was born and where my parents (family) attempted to make a living at farming was about 50 Km from where Rudy grew up. Although our family moved away from this area when I was only four, the similar circumstances were more than just coincidence. Apart from those special attractions of Rudy’s story, this is a very well written heart stirring piece of literature.
The 1920s was a decade during which many Mennonite families fled from their homes in Russia to escape the devastating communist strategies of Stalin. Our family arrived in 1926. In Canada many became ‘homesteaders’ in the boreal forests of northern Saskatchewan. Life was hard (harsh) but it provided something money could not buy, religious and personal freedom. Families in community characterized how these immigrants functioned. This was a relatively short space of time since most families relocated in various parts of the country within the next twenty years.
Not only did I find this book very interesting in as much that it speaks to part of my past, the life style of our family during my childhood, I am excited about discovering an author that will be part of my future reading.
Wiebe, Rudy. Of This Earth. A Mennonite boyhood in the boreal forest. Published by Alfred A. Knopf. Canada. 2006 Jackpine House Ltd.
R.W.-widely published internationally and winner of numerous awards, including two Governor General’s Literary Awards for bestselling novels. An Officer of the Order of Canada.
Comment. Henry.
I read this ‘memoir’ with great personal interest. I am a few years older than Rudy. Where I was born and where my parents (family) attempted to make a living at farming was about 50 Km from where Rudy grew up. Although our family moved away from this area when I was only four, the similar circumstances were more than just coincidence. Apart from those special attractions of Rudy’s story, this is a very well written heart stirring piece of literature.
The 1920s was a decade during which many Mennonite families fled from their homes in Russia to escape the devastating communist strategies of Stalin. Our family arrived in 1926. In Canada many became ‘homesteaders’ in the boreal forests of northern Saskatchewan. Life was hard (harsh) but it provided something money could not buy, religious and personal freedom. Families in community characterized how these immigrants functioned. This was a relatively short space of time since most families relocated in various parts of the country within the next twenty years.
Not only did I find this book very interesting in as much that it speaks to part of my past, the life style of our family during my childhood, I am excited about discovering an author that will be part of my future reading.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Jesus Wants to Save Christians.
Book Review.
Bell, Rob. Colden, Don. Jesus Wants to Save Christians. A manifesto for the church in exile. Zondervan 2008.
Comment. Henry.
There is no question about the ‘Rob Bell flavor’ of this book. It is unapologetic and ‘in your face’. There is definitely a need for such a resource in our church culture. Perhaps a disclaimer would be in order here. ‘Let those who have ears to hear, hear.’
We are introduced to present condition of the Western church through a parallel between the insecurity that Cain faced as he was sent ‘east of Eden’ and the insecurity that characterizes so much of Western church culture. We are ‘east of Eden’.
The redemption story begins (in Exodus) with the declaration that God hears the cries of those in misery. “This is central to who God is.” (23) “Egypt is what happens when sin becomes structured and embedded in society.” (27) For people coming out of a long period of slavery “the Ten Commandments are a new way to be human”, (34) to be liberated. Jerusalem, under Solomon, was to be an example to the world about God’s justice and righteousness. Sheba got it. Where Solomon ‘screwed up’ was when he used forced labor (slavery) to build the symbol of justice and righteousness. That path led to exile (Babylon). Israel has come full circle (to Egypt). The harps that were once used to express joyous worship in the temple are now used to express ‘exile poetry’. “Weeping leads us to reconnect with God.” (53) God has an ultimate ‘exodus’ planned for all humanity from the ultimate oppressor. All things will be made new! A New Jerusalem. Isaiah describes it as “salvation that reaches the end of the earth”.
Those who experienced Jesus’ healing referred to him as the Son of David, and rightly so. In every sense the ultimate exodus will be all about healing, “a new marriage covenant”. (80) During the post-resurrection period of the early church we see the effects of this exodus as the gospel was spread ‘to the ends of the earth’, represented by Africa (the Ethiopian Eunuch) and Rome (Paul) and beyond.
We live in a part of the world that has a grossly distorted view of the needs of the world and our responsibility for those needs. This view is dominated by entitlement.
The original exodus (from Egypt) was symbolized by a significant sacrifice with a very visible display of blood. Its effect was horrendous, the death of the first-born. The final exodus is symbolized by another significant sacrifice, the death of God’s first-born. Our ongoing identification with this sacrifice is the truth demonstrated in our celebration of the Eucharist. “What the Eucharist does is particularise the exodus story in time and space.” (161) “When we do this in remembrance of Him the world will never be the same.” (181)
Bell, Rob. Colden, Don. Jesus Wants to Save Christians. A manifesto for the church in exile. Zondervan 2008.
Comment. Henry.
There is no question about the ‘Rob Bell flavor’ of this book. It is unapologetic and ‘in your face’. There is definitely a need for such a resource in our church culture. Perhaps a disclaimer would be in order here. ‘Let those who have ears to hear, hear.’
We are introduced to present condition of the Western church through a parallel between the insecurity that Cain faced as he was sent ‘east of Eden’ and the insecurity that characterizes so much of Western church culture. We are ‘east of Eden’.
The redemption story begins (in Exodus) with the declaration that God hears the cries of those in misery. “This is central to who God is.” (23) “Egypt is what happens when sin becomes structured and embedded in society.” (27) For people coming out of a long period of slavery “the Ten Commandments are a new way to be human”, (34) to be liberated. Jerusalem, under Solomon, was to be an example to the world about God’s justice and righteousness. Sheba got it. Where Solomon ‘screwed up’ was when he used forced labor (slavery) to build the symbol of justice and righteousness. That path led to exile (Babylon). Israel has come full circle (to Egypt). The harps that were once used to express joyous worship in the temple are now used to express ‘exile poetry’. “Weeping leads us to reconnect with God.” (53) God has an ultimate ‘exodus’ planned for all humanity from the ultimate oppressor. All things will be made new! A New Jerusalem. Isaiah describes it as “salvation that reaches the end of the earth”.
Those who experienced Jesus’ healing referred to him as the Son of David, and rightly so. In every sense the ultimate exodus will be all about healing, “a new marriage covenant”. (80) During the post-resurrection period of the early church we see the effects of this exodus as the gospel was spread ‘to the ends of the earth’, represented by Africa (the Ethiopian Eunuch) and Rome (Paul) and beyond.
We live in a part of the world that has a grossly distorted view of the needs of the world and our responsibility for those needs. This view is dominated by entitlement.
The original exodus (from Egypt) was symbolized by a significant sacrifice with a very visible display of blood. Its effect was horrendous, the death of the first-born. The final exodus is symbolized by another significant sacrifice, the death of God’s first-born. Our ongoing identification with this sacrifice is the truth demonstrated in our celebration of the Eucharist. “What the Eucharist does is particularise the exodus story in time and space.” (161) “When we do this in remembrance of Him the world will never be the same.” (181)
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