Well, we’ve had a long and fun day discussing this topic on our back channel group email. But I guess it’s time to cut bait or fish. We may yet be reduced to contemplating FHL’s timely question, “Where am I going and why am I in this hand basket?” but at least we’ve had a good time with it. The errors are, of course, all mine.
More Strong Language
Whenever I hear the subject of the sealing authority come up, it’s Biblical origin is intertwined with Elijah’s promise to Ahab of drought in 1 Ki 17:1
As the LORD the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.
This is certainly an attention-getter, but not, I think, the heart of the matter.
(Public service announcement to our unmarried gentlemen readers: Ahab’s problems seem to stem from his marriage to Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon (16:31). Ethbaal may mean “with Baal” or perhaps “under Baal’s protection.” Always check your prospective father-in-law’s name. If it’s a theophoric compound of Baal, perhaps you should continue your search.)
Northern Lights Tonight
It may be possible for many in North America to see the Northern Lights this evening. A link showing the predicted extent by latitude is here. Click on the link for the northern hemisphere for a larger display.
As always, a dark sky and an unobstructed view in northerly directions are important. David J., however, ought to be made in the shade on this one.
–Astro Mogget
On Edit: Probably tomorrow night, but tonight is possible as well.
Uneasy in RS
In an RS meeting some time ago I was mildly startled to hear the teacher explain that what the “primitive church” called “evangelists” were what we now call stake patriarchs. Since I am just Sister Mogget on the back row in RS, I sat quietly, said nothing, and began to think about it.
An Unusual Instance of Potty Mouth
The three satans (adversaries) raised by God against Solomon in 1 Ki 11:14-40 are filled with echoes of some of the OT’s most famous characters. Hadad (vv. 14-22) sounds like Joseph and Moses, while Rezon’s career as an outlaw king (vv. 23-25) who fled from his master reprises David’s early career. The most complete set of allusions, however, are reserved for the rise of Jeroboam (vv.26-40).
Kristen Cox: BYU and Md
Shout out to the ‘Nacle and particularly the Nacle’s feminists. Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich (R) has selected Ms. Kristen Cox as his running mate to replace Lt. Governor Mike Steele who now is running for the U.S. Senate.
Why should the Nacle care? Ms. Cox is a 1995 graduate of BYU with a B.A. in educational psychology; certificate in special education. Oh yeah. One more thing: Ms. Cox is legally blind.
“My Heavenly Father”
“That’s not what my Father in Heaven would do,” said the older gentleman in the second row. He was a first-time visitor, the step-father of a young lady who teaches her own Sunday School class, and we were about thirty minutes into the lesson when he spoke up.
The Word We’re Looking For is “Rape.”
The GD lesson manual makes the following comment regarding the story of Amnon and Tamar:
2 Samuel 13 contains the story of David’s son Amnon and David’s daughter Tamar. Amnon was attracted to Tamar and forced her to commit fornication with him (p. 116)
Forced her to commit fornication?
A Superior Sacrifice: Hebrews
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews also approaches the reason for Christ in terms of his superiority to the law. The nature of this superiority, however, is radically different from that of the Fourth Gospel.
A Gift in Place of a Gift: the Fourth Gospel
The question of “why Christ” is neither obvious nor uninteresting. The lack of an answer that withstands the passage of time suggests that this information is not really a practical necessity. On the other hand, it is a good exercise in the importance of context, and particularly historical context, in theology and biblical studies. To the NT authors who wrote on this subject, the issue was usually framed against the requirements of their own age. Put bluntly, the law was given by God. So why Christ?
Continue reading “A Gift in Place of a Gift: the Fourth Gospel”