Navigating the Worlds of Science and Religion
I created this tag to draw my attention to parts that I put in bold.
Introduction to 1 Kings: It’s interesting to read that we don’t know who wrote the two books of Kings. I do like that based on what’s written here that we can determine when they were most likely written. For example, “based on the latest events recorded in 2 Kings, the author must be living either in exile in Babylon or in Jerusalem in the post-exilic era” (CEB Study Bible, p. 514 OT).
Continue reading “10/28 Reading (1 Kings 1-3; Psalms 52-55)”
2 Samuel 7: The notes in the CEB study bible indicate that verses 1-17 of this book is “the most important theological passage in the books of Samuel. God announces through the prophet Nathan a covenant commitment to the dynasty of David.” The text indicates that David desires to build a temple for God’s chest (the Ark). God talks with the prophet Nathan and tells him to not let David build the temple. Instead his son will do it. I want to also include a picture I took of a little sidebar from the CEB study bible:
Continue reading “10/21 Reading (2 Samuel 7-9; Psalms 49-51)”
I’ve talked with several people about 2 Cor. 3 and my original thoughts on it (see here). I just want to get that info down so I can refer to it later.
1 Samuel 31: Saul dies in battle with the Philistines in this chapter. It’s pretty brutal actually. After he is wounded by archers he impales himself with his own sword. His armor-bearer does the same to himself. All of Saul’s sons were also killed. The philistines remove Saul’s head and take it and his body back to their temple and put them on display. Thankfully, men from an Israelite town, Jabesh-gilead, snuck in and took Saul’s head and body and treated him properly.
Continue reading “10/18 Reading (1 Samuel 31; 2 Corinthians 3)”
NOTE: I had a lot to say on this reading.
It has become pretty much a daily occurrence for our President to attack the media. This is typically done on twitter. However, in my opinion, what’s transpired these last few days is the worst he’s ever said. His desire to pretty much end any negative coverage of his administration is definitely getting out of hand. But these statements along with other statements where he’s challenged the judicial and legislative branches of our government bother me. He’s acting more like a King or Dictator than a President. Reading about Saul reminds me a little of what we are currently experiencing. Saul’s lust for power was ultimately his downfall. I wonder if that will happen with Trump. Only time will tell.
Continue reading “10/12 Reading (1 Samuel 16-18; 1 Corinthians 15)”
1 Samuel 13: Saul begins his campaign against the Philistines. The Philistines march out to meet Saul and his army with what seems to be a larger army. Many Israelites fled out of fear. Saul waited for Samuel to come and offer a sacrifice to God, but when Samuel was late, Saul did it himself. Samuel showed up and got angry with Saul. He told Saul that since he disobeyed God’s command (I’m guessing the sacrifice was only supposed to be done by Samuel), Saul’s dynasty would not last.
Continue reading “10/11 Reading (1 Samuel 13-15; 1 Corinthians 14)”
1 Samuel 7: After 20 long years of the Ark remaining in Kiriath-jearim, Israel “yearned for the Lord” (CEB Study Bible; 1 Sam 7.2). Samuel told the people to stop worshipping the foreign gods and they did. He told them to assemble in Mizpah so we could pray to God for them. Upon hearing of everyone gathering in one location, the Philistines decided to attack everyone there and defeat Israel once and for all. I’m guessing 20 years made them forget what happened when they possessed the Ark, because this was a bad idea!! While Samuel prayed to God for help, he struck down the Philistines. The Israelite soldiers attacked and killed the Philistines. This led to the return of the various towns the Philistines had captures from Israel.
Continue reading “10/9 Reading (1 Samuel 7-9; 1 Corinthians 12)”
Introduction to 1 Samuel: After reading the introduction to 1 Samuel in the CEB study bible, I’m excited about reading both books of Samuel. I’m finally getting into King David. The overview of Samuel from the CEB study bible is interesting. I will actually touch on it when I get to 2 Samuel as the introduction is the same. I think one reason it is the same is because according to the notes in the CEB version and the NRSV version, 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel used to be one book. The original book was split into two books “in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible and grouped together with the book of Kings (also divided in two) to form 1-4 Reigns or 1-4 Kingdoms. These divisions were later introduced into Hebrew Bibles and subsequently became standard.” (NRSV, p. 399)
Continue reading “10/6 Reading (1 Samuel 1-3; 1 Corinthians 11)”
One thing I’ve learned during this experience is that it’s challenging to reflect on individual chapters in each book. Sometimes it’s more appropriate to reflect on the three readings from the OT as one statement. That’s what I will do from time to time.
Continue reading “10/5 Reading (Ruth 1-4; 1 Corinthians 10)”
Judges 19: Just as with Judges 18, this chapter starts with the same phrase: “In those days there was no king in Israel” (Judges 19.1). This chapter was disturbing. We see a Levite who marries a second woman (he’s already married), who then gets mad and heads to her father’s house. The man goes to her and brings her home after several days. On the way they have to stay in a town. They are taken in by a foreigner. While there, the men of this town surround the house demanding to have sex with the Levite. He ends up sending his wife out and they proceed to rape and abuse her all night. She dies from this treatment. The husband sees her the next morning, throws her over his donkey, gets back home, cuts up her body into twelve pieces, and sends the pieces of her body into all of the areas of Israel. Um…what!!!!!!!!!!!
Continue reading “10/4 Reading (Judges 19-21; 1 Corinthians 9)”