While I love to study the writings of the Old Testament, I often find it hard to stir up the same excitement in others. However, in my continuing pursuit of my M.Div. degree, I have come across a book that has renewed my vigor for the Old Testament and specifically the prophets. The book is called "Plowshares & Pruning Hooks" by D. Brent Sandy. I knew that I would enjoy the book after reading the opening bombardment of the first chapter. While the quarter is only one week old and much remains, I am glad that I can look forward to what I will learn this quarter.
"Climb into an eight-person raft for an October trip down the Upper Gauley River in West Virginia, and you will experience power. Millions of gallons of water being released from Summersville Reservoir turn the gorge into a competition between water and rock. The rock wins, and the water alters its course, surging over and around and between boulders and canyon walls. The result is roaring whitewater: massive hydraulics, towering liquid walls, class V rapids--powerful enough to stand your raft straight up in the air, with you and your buddies in it--maybe! Guides prepare rafters for the good and the bad: the rush of adrenaline, the teamwork, the risks. And they need to. Every year the river chews up and spits out hapless victims. But you are there to experience adventure, to behold beauty, to learn respect, to stand in awe, to feel power.
Prophecy is like whitewater, perhaps the most powerful whitewater in Scripture--maybe in all the literature of the world. This is language unmatched in what it beholds and in how it describes the beholden. Words of worship, terror and mercy are unparalleled. Words of beauty, passion and hope are unequaled. Words of adoration, condemnation and salvation are unrivaled. In order to speak to our hearts, the powerful language of prophecy brings God's might and wrath and humankind's sin and doom to life with surrealistic images."
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
A Defense of Terms
I enjoy writing immensly. Toward this end I also enjoy words. I actually probably enjoyed words before I enjoyed writing. I have even written before in this blog regarding my fascination for language, words and meanings. Two recent interactions have reminded me of the importance of language and words in our society.
The first interaction is a growing socio-political division relating to various divisive issues. These issues pop up in personal conversations or in any perusal of news. Whether it is the recent Chick-fil-A debate, or a personal discussion on the difference between a God of love or the God of the Bible, difficult conversations are had most every day. In addition I have recently read some work by Francis Schaeffer. In addition to being a great writer, he was one of the most brilliant men of the past century. He wrote in his book "The God Who Is There" (1968) a perspective on culture at the time which has continued to be true.
"People in our culture in general are already in process of being accustomed to accept nondefined, contentless religious words and symbols, without any rational or historical control. Such words and symbols can be filled with the content of the moment."
This reality is exhibited by terms and phrases being shaped and fitted constantly with new definitions in order to support or question various philosophies. The term Jesus for many in my own circles carries with it certain meaning mined from years of reading and understanding the Bible. However, to others, the term Jesus conjures other sorts of images or meaning. And culture seeks to assign the most useful definition or meaning to what Schaeffer calls contentless symbols. It is important to remember that as you engage in discussions or read/watch the news, be very wary of the usage of terms or presupposed shared definition of terms.
The first interaction is a growing socio-political division relating to various divisive issues. These issues pop up in personal conversations or in any perusal of news. Whether it is the recent Chick-fil-A debate, or a personal discussion on the difference between a God of love or the God of the Bible, difficult conversations are had most every day. In addition I have recently read some work by Francis Schaeffer. In addition to being a great writer, he was one of the most brilliant men of the past century. He wrote in his book "The God Who Is There" (1968) a perspective on culture at the time which has continued to be true.
"People in our culture in general are already in process of being accustomed to accept nondefined, contentless religious words and symbols, without any rational or historical control. Such words and symbols can be filled with the content of the moment."
This reality is exhibited by terms and phrases being shaped and fitted constantly with new definitions in order to support or question various philosophies. The term Jesus for many in my own circles carries with it certain meaning mined from years of reading and understanding the Bible. However, to others, the term Jesus conjures other sorts of images or meaning. And culture seeks to assign the most useful definition or meaning to what Schaeffer calls contentless symbols. It is important to remember that as you engage in discussions or read/watch the news, be very wary of the usage of terms or presupposed shared definition of terms.
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