Disciple Dojo

What's the overall purpose of the book of Revelation??

2010-05-23T20:48:00.001-04:00

It's almost here!!

2010-05-19T21:02:00.003-04:00

Hello Dojo readers,

I wanted to let you all know that my Revelation DVD course is about to be released! Here's a low-res preview version of the Leader Intro from the first disc.

I've worked really hard on this DVD set and I've been determined that it be the best, most engaging and most affordable in-depth study of the book of Revelation on the market! Please tell your Pastor, Deacon, Bishop, small group leader, Christian Education Director, Sunday School Teacher or Campus Minister to order a copy! The first 10 people who pre-order before June 1st get free shipping! (Email jm@jmsmith.org to place a pre-order)

Thanks for all the support, everyone. And a special thanks to Americus First UMC in Americus, GA for hosting the study!

JM

Elevating the conversation between Christians and the GLBT community

2010-05-03T13:47:00.002-04:00

Elevating the conversation between Christians and the GLBT community - my latest Examiner article on a really good book I'm reading!

JM

More resources I've released...spread the word!

2010-04-27T17:58:00.006-04:00

I've just released the entire "Apocalypse Now??" course on audio CD in a 10-disc set that people can now purchase. The cost is $35 (plus P&H). Here's a description of the course:

War in the Middle-East! One-world Government! Tsunamis! Earthquakes! Are we living in the “Last Days”? Is Armageddon right around the corner? What does the Bible teach about all this? Is the Apocalypse at hand?? Questions like these concern what theologians call “eschatology”, that is, study of the end-times. In this course James-Michael Smith leads participants through a survey of various ways Christians have looked at the end times and the relevant Biblical passages. Challenging popular misconceptions put forth by the media (both Christian and secular), “Apocalypse Now??” will equip the reader of Scripture to understand and interpret the Bible’s teaching on eschatology in a thoughtful and reflective manner and read Scripture on its own terms rather than through the lens of modern imagination. Regardless of one’s end-time views, this course will challenge as well as edify the believer in their walk with the God who controls all human history!

I'll be releasing my Revelation DVDs soon as well! Stay tuned for more details.

To order any of my current available DVD/CD resources, use the Paypal button below:

Apocalypse Now?? - weeks 1-8 available for download now!!

2010-04-21T14:10:00.002-04:00

Weeks 1-8 of my 10-week course on End Times called "Apocalypse Now??" are available to listen to online or download into iTunes!

If you haven't had a chance to take this class, you can follow along or subscribe to the podcast at http://sermon.net/jmsmith

There are other messages available there as well. Check it out...and tell you're friends!!

Blessings,
JM

Need help getting rid of 2 EXCELLENT resources!

2010-04-13T22:52:00.002-04:00

In the ongoing effort to keep my Biblical languages up, I recently got a copy of Zondervan's Reader's Hebrew and Greek Bible.

I had the original Reader's Hebrew Bible and Reader's Greek New Testament separately, but I found that I didn't use them very often because I didn't want to have to carry around both books. Now that I've got the 1-volume version, I'd like to get rid of the separate volumes. They're in practically brand new condition (except for a couple of pencil notes and highlighted words here and there) and I'd love to get them in the hands of someone who would use them. They're perfect resources for keeping your Hebrew and/or Greek up, as each page contains glosses at the bottom for words that occur less frequently. And the bindings are that sweet Italian Duo-Tone that feels so nice in your hands! :)

I'd love it if I could get $20 for the NT and $30 for the OT. (They retail at $34.99 and $49.99 respectively...what a bargain!) You could pay through paypal and I'd ship them at no charge.

Any takers?

First come, first serve. Lemme know at jamesmichael7@yahoo.com

They really are great resources!
JM

The Gospel and modern Judaism

2010-04-08T14:39:00.002-04:00

Here's the video link from my latest Examiner article on the subject

What are the 'Bible Codes'?

2010-04-07T13:31:00.002-04:00

Are there really secret codes embedded in the Biblical texts which, by using computers, we can now decode in order to gain insight into current world events?

Find out HERE...

The 3-Legged Stool of Dating...

2010-04-07T11:50:00.000-04:00

Christian Dating Myths with JM & David (part 4 of 10)

2010-04-02T13:12:00.001-04:00

Next batch of "Bible for the Rest of Us" available!

2010-04-01T16:27:00.003-04:00

I just released my next batch of my "Bible for the Rest of Us" DVD course after selling the first 50 I had printed up.

And...

...I've lowered the price.

Now EVERYONE gets the original alumni price of $50.00!

Woo-hooo!

So, those of you who couldn't afford the original $100 price for the course (which was STILL a bargain!), now you have no excuse whatsoever! So order your copy today before this batch sells out as well!

And if you don't know what "Bible for the Rest of Us" is, go here

Does 'religion' lead to suicide bombings and other violence?

2010-03-31T13:34:00.001-04:00

Does 'religion' lead to suicide bombings and other violence?

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Christian Dating Myths with JM & David (part 2 of 10)

2010-03-29T22:29:00.000-04:00

Hitchens: 'Atheism led me to faith'

2010-03-29T13:21:00.001-04:00

Hitchens: 'Atheism led me to faith'

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A preview of my upcoming DVD series...

2010-03-28T21:43:00.006-04:00

From the back cover:

"Revelation is easily the most widely-misunderstood
and confusing book in the entire Bible. And for many,
it's the scariest!

Is Revelation a detailed map of political world events
that we are currently experiencing? Or is it a symbolic
allegory describing the general triumph of God over
evil? Or. . . is it something else entirely?

Ironically, Revelation was originally written to make
things clear to 1st century Christians!

In this DVD course James-Michael Smith leads viewers
through the Book of Revelation, focusing on the people
and events to whom the book was originally written.
Only when one sees what Revelation said to the original
hearers are we then prepared to step back and see
what this mysterious and misunderstood apocalyptic
text has to say to the people of God throughout the ages.

And--perhaps just as important--what it doesn't say."

A spoken-word message that I couldn't agree with more!

2010-03-26T21:43:00.003-04:00

As someone who loves hip hop/spoken word AND believes that the folk-theology behind the teaching of modern Rapture proponents is extremely unbiblical, I was overjoyed to find the following video online:

It's by T. Michael Halcomb, a Ph.D candidate at Asbury Theological Seminary. Check out his site, http://michaelhalcomb.blogspot.com for more of his videos and resources.

JMS

'Under God' upheld in pledge...so what?

2010-03-12T20:34:00.001-05:00

'Under God' upheld in pledge...so what?

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Best book on Revelation I've ever read

2010-03-12T15:58:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone,

I just finished reading the BEST book on Revelation that I have ever come across HANDS DOWN! (And since that's an area I've specialized in over the past decade of study, I don't wholeheartedly endorse whole books on it flippantly). I wanted to share it with the Dojo readers.

If you want to understand the structure, themes, message and RELEVANCY of this most enigmatic book of the Bible, get your hands on a copy of Craig Koester's "Revelation and the End of All Things." You won't be sorry.

It's rare that a book combines the guided tour of a commentary with the literary phrasing of a devotional. Koester's book accomplishes both in my opinion.

JMS

The Dojo...on your iPod!!

2010-03-02T15:16:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone, as you can tell from the above audio player at the top of your screen, I've found an online service that allows me to publish audio messages for people to listen to online or download right into iTunes. This is something I've been wanting to do for a long time!

So take a moment, head over to http://sermon.net/jmsmith and download to your heart's content! And talk it up to others. I may not have the online listenership of John Piper or Tim Keller...but it'd be nice if someone other than immediate family members were encouraged through my teaching! :)

And as always, if you'd like to bring me in to teach or speak at your church, ministry, school or even small group, don't hesitate to send a request to me at jamesmichael7@yahoo.com

Blessings,
JM

ps: And don't forget, I get paid for daily traffic to my examiner articles...so click on 'em frequently!

Another civil discussion about abortion (again, YES it can happen!)

2010-03-01T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is the second discussion I had last week on Facebook regarding the subject of abortion. For the first discussion, click here

--------------------------------

James-Michael Smith:
More food for thought..."Even though we do not qualify or disqualify something as a person on the basis of what it can or can’t do, it’s still worth noting that fetuses display aspects of their personal nature while still in the womb." http://www.abort73.com/abortion/personhood/

Katey:
Again, another omission: women were not seen as persons in their own right for most of history. And there are still many who continue to chip away at that personhood.

Katharine:
This is definitely true. I notice personality traits in Noah now that he had while he was still in my tummy. And he makes some of the same faces that he did in the 3D ultrasound. It's pretty amazing.

James-Michael:
I don't think it's an omission, so much as an assumption. Of course women have been denied personhood (as have black people, Jews, Hutus, Serbs, Aboriginies, Native Americans, etc.). I think this is why the early pioneer feminists such as Susan B. Anthony were so vehement in their denunciation of abortion; it continued denying personhood to the most vulnerable persons in society (an around the world more females than males are aborted due to continued misogynistic practices and cultures). This is why, I believe, groups like Feminists for Life (www.feministsforlife.org) are so important in the abortion debate.

Katey:
I would love to see the pro-life movement really explore women's personhood. I find that aspect often neglected. (And now, since abortion discussions are some of my least favorite ones to have, I will excuse myself.) :-)

James-Michael:
I agree on both points, Katey. Pro-life should (and its best proponents do) seek to consistently fight the root causes that enable abortion-on-demand to be an option. More than picketing and rhetoric are required (though both of those were instrumental in both the abolition and women suffrage movements, and shouldn't be jettisoned).

I also agree that the conversation about abortion is not always comfortable. And while I respect your desire to not continue discussing it, I'm of the opinion that ALL opposition to culturally-condoned social injustices (be it abortion, apartheid or sex-trafficking) will result in uncomfortable and unpleasant conversation, but conversation that is necessary if people's views are to be challenged and ultimately changed.

Thanks for your comments!

Katey:
I'm beginning to lose hope that there truly is any common ground in discussions about abortion. It often seems like it comes down to a discomfort with women's sexuality. Opposition to abortion is often teemed with a resistance to comprehensive sexuality education, access to contraception, etc. Although I am in favor of abortion rights, I do believe... See More that we all should be working towards a world in which the situations that cause women to choose abortion are reduced significantly. That's why my current work is focused on increasing access to family planning for women around the globe.

So, it's not about discomfort for me as it is feeling like I'm often beating my head against the wall!

James-Michael:
I think it's only the loudest (and most extreme) voices that find no common ground, Katey. That's why I constantly refer people to thoughtful opponents of abortion-on-demand who are in no way anti-woman (such as FFL). I think, as pro-life feminists have argued from the beginning of the movement, that abortion-on-demand actually works against women's rights and full-personhood because it implies that the 'solution' for women in responding to pregnancy is to 'be free' to act like a man (i.e. abandon the child with as few consequences as possible) instead of focusing on how to make men more accountible for upholding and honoring the parental role and responsibility a pregnancy should naturally entail.

I also agree that family planning is crucial (as do most abortion opponents I know); we just believe that once a life has begun, ending it willfully and not in an act of self-defense is not a viable option, anymoreso than the cultural practices of infanticed via exposure and abandonment.

Melissa:
Katey, very eloquently put. It's not an easy topic. Absolutely, i agree that access to family planning is pivotal. Sex education is pivotal. I, too, support choice, but think the reduction of the need by education is where it's at. it It's incredibly difficult to find common ground.

JMS, I find the site you've listed...I'm not sure..not necessarily thoughtful. Some of the medical references are sketchy, and the strident tone seem patriarchal and frankly, anti-woman. Hey, that's just me though.

James-Michael:
The site's author is probably more conservative (culturally speaking) than I am and as a result, likely not as intentionally sensitive to such issues. Frankly, Evangelicals in general have been unbalanced and ill-equipped in the debate on abortion--often relying on slogans and fervor at the expense of empathy and respect. It's something that many of us lament and seek to remedy. But I agree with the site's casting the issue in what I believe is the correct context; that of a human-rights issue rather than a "religious" issue. That's why I also encourage people to check out non-evangelical approaches such as:

Libertarians for Life
http://www.l4l.org/library/aborrape.html

Atheists and Agnostics for Life
http://www.godlessprolifers.org/library/wallace4.html

and of course Feminists for Life
http://www.feministsforlife.org/news/WDBSMF150.pdf

Here's a great quote from the following article that articulates where I stand:
http://www.feministsforlife.org/FFL_topics/after/pricchoc.htm

"What would make abortion unnecessary? Flexible school situations, freedom from stigma, fairness in hiring, more flex-time, part-time, and home-commute jobs, better access to prenatal and obstetric care, attractive adoption opportunities, a whole garden of safe family planning choices, support in learning how to handle our sex lives responsibly, and help with child care and parenting when we choose to keep our babies: this is a partial list. Yet these changes will never come as long as we're lying down on abortion tables 1,600,000 times a year to ensure the status quo. We've adapted to this surgical substitute, to the point that Justice Blackmun could write in his Webster dissent, "Millions of women have ordered their lives around" abortion. That we have willingly ordered our lives around a denigrating surgical procedure--accepted it as the price we must pay to keep our life plans intact--is an ominous sign."

Melissa:
I will explore these sites as I seek to understand both "sides" of the issue.

I've always admired the late Justice Harry Blackmun. Unfortunately, I feel the particular quote is somewhat taken out of context, plus, after research, I do not find that he issued a dissent in this case, rather the opposite, nor can i find that quote anywhere online in legal documentation.
However, that does not mean it doesn't exist.

Thank you for your thoughtful response.

James-Michael:
And thanks to you, Melissa for good discussion on an important and often-incendiary issue!

A civil discussion about abortion (yes, it can happen!)

2010-02-28T21:19:00.004-05:00

Last week I posted two links on Facebook to articles at Abort73.com. A few of my friends on Facebook, two of whom are Pro-choice, responded. What ensued was a really good discussion of a really controversial issue. Too often such conversations devolve into demonizing, stereotyping and other generally unhelpful tactics. I wanted to share these two conversations because the did not involve any of those things. Hopefully they can serve as a model for future discussion that is honest, challenging and fair.

The discussion is copied below:

--------------------------------------------

James-Michael Smith - Food for thought...
http://www.abort73.com/abortion/abortion_and_race

Katey:
It's a real shame that this article does not address poverty. Women of color are in poverty at incredibly disproportionate rates, a factor which often influences their decision to abort.

James-Michael:
True. Poverty is definitely a factor that can't be denied.

Melissa:
there's a section on that site (which i think is mostly wack, frankly) - which kind of refers to the poverty issue in a very snide way, along with rape - on which the site's writers' stance is unacceptable to me. This does not encourage helpful dialogue on the topic (the site, not you, jms)

James-Michael:
Melissa, are you referring to their stance on rape or their stance on abortion not being an acceptable solution to pregnancies which may result from rape? I'm familiar with their stance on the latter, but not the former.

Melissa:
JMS, sorry..i was not clear..referring to their stance on abortion not being an acceptable solution or option to pregnancies which may result from rape.

James-Michael:
Gotcha. Yes, that's definitely where we differ then. Those of us who oppose abortion-on-demand see abortion after rape-based-conception as doing violence to both victims of the crime (mother and child--one fatally!) and thus only compounding the problem. It prevents the highest good from coming out of the worst of situations. The perpetrator of... See More the crime should be brought to justice and the community should rally around and support his two (or more) victims, ensuring that they are cared for physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually. This is what all my fellow Christians who oppose abortion-on-demand should champion. Anything less is hypocritical and not truly "pro-life."

As an aside, almost every pro-life piece of legislation ever suggested makes exceptions in cases of rape and incest, in addition to the mother's life being in danger. And since these make up less than 3% of all abortions performed in the US annually, many abortion-opponents would be content with allowing for those options.

Katey:
Another thing for the pro-life community to take on then: ending violence against women and girls in every situation. I'd love to see a partnership with Eve Ensler and V-Day!

James-Michael:
I agree; these issues are essential human rights issues. Often it's hard though because supporters of feminist issues are hostile to those who oppose abortion-on-demand and vice-versa. This is where the issue gets complicated by one's politics and worldview. Injustice should be exposed and opposed in all its manifestations though, whether against women in the home, the school...or the womb.

Katey:
Could you define what you mean by "abortion on demand"? It sounds too much like "movies on demand" in my opinion--like something done non-nonchalantly or without forethought. Or, I picture women banging on clinic doors.

Melissa:
yes, Katey. that would be a powerful alliance.

The rape issue is particularly disturbing to me since it is and has been used a tool of war and genocide.

per Amnesty International's information on violence against women..."Many acts of sexual violence - including rape, gang rape, abduction and sexual slavery, forced marriage, *forced pregnancy, forced maternity*, and sexual mutilation - constitute torture under customary international law. These acts are considered war crimes and constitute grave breaches of the Geneva Convention."

it's a tough subject.

James-Michael:
Yeah, this is why it's hard for me to support Amnesty Int'l. Forced pregnancy is a crime for sure. But "forced maternity" ASSUMES that the destruction of life in the womb is not equally as oppressive and one not being allowed to do so is tantamount to torture, war crimes, etc. This, IMO, is a fundamental logical inconsistency on the part of AI ... See Moreand hinders many who would otherwise support them wholeheartedly from doing so in good conscience.

I had this discussion with a friend at my campus ministry in college. She couldn't understand why I wasn't an enthusiastic supporter of AI. But it's basically the same reason I couldn't enthusiastically vote for Obama (see the following blog entry where I discussed this with Arrested Development's frontman, Speech, for more on that! http://www.jmsmith.org/2009/12/bible-teacher-and-hip-hop-legend.html)

Melissa:
A lot of people aren't down with AI, and sometimes they (AI) go over the top in areas, but- in this one I'll have to peacefully disagree about the logical inconsistency.

however, i completely respect your again, well thought out take on your beliefs and am going to read your talk with Speech now...

Katey
OY. http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/18/kansas-rape-auto/

James-Michael:
^ That's a rhetorically poor move on the part of the lawmaker. But I assume the logic is that if you prohibit abortion in general, but allow it in cases of rape, in order to keep people who weren't raped but wanted to get an abortion for reasons aside from life-endangerment (which can be verified by a doctor for instance) from simply claiming rape... See More exemption, they must be willing to testify that they were indeed the victim of rape in a legally binding sense. I think it's an ill-worded attempt to close what could be seen as a loophole.

James-Michael:
Also, to clarify, Katey (and anyone else reading this), "Abortion-on-demand" is the term used to describe legally unrestricted allowance for abortion--abortion as a constitutional "right"--as opposed to abortion in the 'hard cases' (such as rape, incest or danger to the mother's life). All pro-life advocates oppose abortion-on-demand, but hold varying views on some of the hard cases.

Melissa:
fair enough...i think even pro choice people(me) cringe at "abortion on demand" like "cable on demand" as a terminology or buzzwod/phrasek, but ...the cases as we've cited in the conversation make the area very..grey. ..in the article Katey links...Barbara Boxer has a point (in my book)...

Erik:
what a beautiful, wonderful discussion. It is open and respectful dialogue like this that our society, politicians and media often do not promote. We can have no dialogue when we are entrenched in our "pro-choice"/ "pro-life" labels that are pitted against each other.

It is dialogues like this that go beyond the labels to pick apart the real issues (not the black and white facade of an issue)...with that we are really able to listen to each other.

Katey's original point about poverty is well taken. Any attempt to curb abortion-on-demand (or, as I call it, abortion for convenience) is faulty if it does not address issues of poverty. ... See More

Though my stance on abortion is very similar to JMS' I did vote for Obama and I wrote about why in my note. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=42476466446
(I think you should be able to access that...)

I wish more people were like you all, so we could have real dialogue and understanding about such important issues!
Thanks!

-----------------------------------------

Stay tuned for the second discussion we had...

JM

Is Chile's earthquake a 'sign of the End'?

2010-02-28T19:15:00.002-05:00

Is Chile's earthquake a 'sign of the End'?

Atheists attack Darwinian evolution in new book

2010-02-25T16:29:00.001-05:00

Atheists attack Darwinian evolution in new book

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No room for spiritual Lone Rangers

2010-02-22T12:28:00.004-05:00

My church, Good Shepherd, is currently in the middle of a series called "WE" which is all about community and its central role in the Christian life. So when I came across the following quote on this subject while prepping for my upcoming weekend seminar on the Book of Revelation (which I'll be teaching March 19-21 at Americus First UMC in GA), I thought it was one of the best statements on the subject I've ever come across:

The gospel is never for individuals but always for a people. Sin fragments us, separates us, and sentences us to solitary confinement. Gospel restores us, unites us, and sets us in community. The life of faith revealed and nurtured in the biblical narratives is highly personal but never merely individual: always there is a family, a tribe, a nation – church.… A believing community is the context for the life of faith…. Love cannot exist in isolation: away from others, love bloats into pride. Grace cannot be received privately: cut off from others it is perverted into greed. Hope cannot develop in solitude: separated from the community, it goes to seed in the form of fantasies.

--Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination, pp.42-43

I found the quote in Ben Witherington's excellent commentary on Revelation (a work which I highly recommend!).

Walking together...
JM

Elton John thinks Jesus was 'super-intelligent gay man'

2010-02-19T12:54:00.002-05:00

Elton John thinks Jesus was 'super-intelligent gay man'

Finished the best NT theology book I've ever read

2010-02-16T14:37:00.003-05:00

Some of you may remember that I've been reading the late G.B. Caird's "New Testament Theology" (here's my initial post on it). I bought it years ago when I saw it on sale for 50% off in a bookstore and it sat on my shelf until I recently picked it back up for some unknown reason.

That reason may well have been the prompting of the Holy Spirit...because this is the most refreshing and insightful book I've read on the NT in...well...ever!

I should be clear that this doesn't mean I always agree with Caird's conclusions. But despite occasional areas of difference, I was simply blown away by how much Caird brings out of the NT's teaching as a whole and if I were a professor I would have this on my required reading list.

Here is, in my opinion, one of the best passages in the entire book as far as summary goes. It comes from the last two paragraphs of the last chapter of the book:

Thus we come to the end of our journey. For Jesus, Israel had been called to be the saved and saving nation, the agent through whom God intended to assert His sovereignty over the rest of the world; the time had arrived when God was summoning the nation once and for all to take its place in His economy as the Son of Man. If the nation would not listen, it must pay the price; but at least Jesus, and anyone else who would share it with him, must fulfill the national destiny. The light to the Gentiles, the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, the son who clings to his Father for his very life, the king who ransoms the people for whom he must stand as surety, and the servant who dies for the many, fill out his picture of Israel as God intended it to be. So deeply does he love his nation, so fully is he identified with its life, so bitterly does he regret what he sees coming upon it, that only death can silence his reiterated and disturbing appeal. He goes to his death at the hands of a Roman judge on a charge of which he was innocent and of which his accusers, as the event proved, were guilty. And so, not only in theological truth but in historic fact, the one bore the sins of the many, confident that in him the entire Jewish nation was being nailed to the Cross, only to come to life again in a better resurrection, and that the Day of the Son of Man which would see the end of the old Israel would also see the vindication of the new.
And if the theology of the New Testament began with ways in which Jesus thought and spoke about himself and his people, it was precisely because, as the agent appointed by God to be the fulfillment of Israel's destiny, he later came to be recognized, first as the fulfiller of the destiny of the human race, and then, in consequence, as the bearer of a more-than-human authority and the embodiment of a more-than-human wisdom.

If anyone is looking for a summary of the New Testament's teaching, particularly focused on the person and work of Jesus, Caird's "New Testament Theology" should be at the top of your resource list. It's worth every penny of its admittedly hefty pricetag! (Though you can find it for half, or even a third of print cost here)

Brown student meets Jerry Falwell...

2010-02-16T14:32:00.003-05:00

Check out my review of Kevin Roose's "The Unlikely Disciple"

And if you enjoy it, you'll also enjoy my review of Daniel Radosh's "Rapture Ready"

JM

Children's questions about God and the Bible

2010-02-15T15:04:00.001-05:00

Children's questions about God and the Bible

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Ultimate Fighting...Jesus??

2010-02-04T14:27:00.002-05:00

Ultimate Fighting...Jesus??

An article I wrote on the recent NY Times cover story about churches using MMA to reach men with the Gospel.

Also, New Testament scholar Scot McKnight was kind enough to re-post it on his blog, Jesus Creed.

Christians arrested for taking orphans from Haiti

2010-01-31T18:47:00.001-05:00

Christians arrested for taking orphans from Haiti

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You really CAN teach an old Dawg new tricks!!

2010-01-31T00:38:00.002-05:00

I'd like to give a big shout-out to my fellow GA Bulldog Herschel Walker for not only stepping into the MMA cage for the first time tonight...but for doing it at the age of 47 (when most other pro athletes are playing golf or marketing 'as seen on TV' products!).

Not only did Herschel compete, though. He won in dominant fashion! The associated press reports:

Former NFL star Herschel Walker stopped Hungarian fighter Greg Nagy in the third round Saturday night to win his mixed-martial arts debut. Walker drove Nagy into the fence early in the third. After a flurry of punches, referee Troy Waugh called the fight.
"The experience was exciting," Walker said. "This is the hardest thing I've ever done."
Still trim and fit at 47, Walker used his strength advantage to wear down the 26-year-old Nagy (1-2). He appeared to be close to the win near the end of the second five-minute round, but Nagy managed to extend the bout.
Walker was the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner while at Georgia and played professionally for Dallas, Philadelphia, Minnesota, the New York Giants and the USFL's New Jersey Generals.
In his football days, Walker dropped jaws with a workout regimen that included upwards of 3,000 situps and pushups everyday. He also holds a fifth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Walker, a 1992 U.S. Olympian in the two-man bobsled, turned his attention to MMA about 2½ months ago when he moved to San Jose, Calif., to train at renowned American Kickboxing Academy.

Herschel said from the beginning that any proceeds from the fight would go to charity...which means that some fortunate charity will be receiving a pretty big check!

Congrats from the Discipleship Dojo, Herschel!

You did the Dawgs, the state of Georgia, and dedicated martial artists everywhere proud tonight.

Evangelical Christians debate Intelligent Design

2010-01-28T21:49:00.001-05:00

Evangelical Christians debate Intelligent Design

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What I'm reading

2010-01-23T13:43:00.003-05:00

I'm always reading 4 or 5 books at any given time, so I thought it'd be a good idea to share some of them with the Dojo readers.

Right now I'm reading "New Testament Theology" by the late Oxford scholar G.B. Caird. The book carries a hefty price tag, but you can access much of it for free HERE. Caird was one of the greatest NT scholars who ever lived and has influenced many of the top scholars in the field today. His commentary on Revelation (now out of print) is one of the best I've ever read. And reading "New Testament Theology" is like sitting in a seminary classroom once again. The way Caird wove together the overall teaching of the NT on various topics is nothing short of majestic. Here are a few of my favorite excerpts:

The will of God is, as we have seen, an ambiguous concept. It is interesting therefore to find the distinction between God's antecedent and His consequent will draqwn, though without technical terms, in the Marcan debate about divorce (10:1-9). Moses permitted divorce, and Jesus never for a moment suggests that he was wrong to do so; the Law of Moses is God's Law. But the commandment in questions (Deut. 24:1-4) was given in consequence of human hardness of heart to protect the rights of women and the institutions of marriage and family. Jesus penetrates behind the positive Law to the intention of God the Creator that man and woman should live together in lifelong partnership. He is not initiating a new and harsher Law, but is insisting that the Torah will be wrongly interpreted unless it is constantly referred back to the intention of God who gave it. [p.47]

Jesus is first left with the Twelve, doubtful even of their allegiance, and is then deserted by them so that in the end he stands alone; and the whole world, including the disciples, stands under the judgment of having rejected the light or of having received it with only a half-hearted faith. it is at this point that Jesus' hour arrives, when he must realize the judgment of God, not by executing it on others, but by bearing it himself. If their condition is such that they cannot come to the light and so join him where he abides in the bosom of the Father, he can join them where they are, under the judgment of God and in the death which is the wages of sin...By accepting a death in which he could be identified with sinful men and women, Jesus drew all into the unity of his own person, so that the judgment by light, under which the world stood utterly condemned, became instead the means of the world's salvation; and Satan, who appeared to have won a total victory, entitling him to claim possession of all unbelieving humanity, suffered instead a total defeat. [pp.79-80]

He [Satan] tempts people to do wrong, not because it is wrong, but because it appears to be right. [p.110]

To be pardoned by God is to live no longer by one's merits buy by His grace. Those who insist on dealing with others according to their deserts betray their own inability to comprehend the meaning of grace and therefore their incapacity to receive pardon. The forgiving spirit is a condition not of God's offer of pardon but of our receiving it. To refuse to forgive is to refuse to be forgiven. The elder brother must share the feast with the prodigal, not have one to himself. [p.116]

...in all the annals of human vice, no power is as destructive or demonic as perverted sincerity. [p.147]

Retaliation wins a victory for wrongdoing, by recruiting the victim into the army of hatred and violence. Wrong propagates itself by chain-reaction, and can be stopped in its career only by someone who absorbs it and lets it go no further. [p.156]

In the death of Christ the love of God has been manifested, but only in order to be shared. [p.161]

The ongoing process of salvation is the progressive appropriation in the experience of believers, individual and corporate, of all that had been accomplished once for all in the representative and inclusive person of Christ. [p.179]

I'm only halfway through the book, but these are just a few gems that have been mined from this work which is, in my opinion, the best book on NT theology as a whole that I've ever read. I commend it to everyone who wants to gain a clearer and more profound grasp of the message in the 27 books that we call the New Testament!

Intelligent Design debate - Cambridge's Meyer vs. Oxford's Atkins

2010-01-22T14:46:00.001-05:00

Intelligent Design debate - Cambridge's Meyer vs. Oxford's Atkins

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Haiti earthquake due to 'pact with the devil' suggests Pat Robertson

2010-01-13T16:16:00.001-05:00

Haiti earthquake due to 'pact with the devil' suggests Pat Robertson

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OT resource review: ZIBBCOT vol.2

2010-01-11T12:06:00.005-05:00

A few months ago I had the pleasure of reviewing vol. 1 of Zondervan's Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary. The good folks at Zondervan sent me vol. 2 and asked that I review it as well.

The overall strengths (and few weaknesses) of the series are the same from my last review, so rather than cover them again, I'll let the interested reader go there for an overview.

Vol.2 covers the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth and 1&2 Samuel. And once again, the reader finds a wealth of visual information on the background of these books covering Israel's transitional period from wandering ex-slaves to a mighty people united under the Davidic monarchy.

There is so much that could be said about this volume to commend it, so I'll focus on a specific in order to give an idea of what to expect overall.

I was very pleased to see how ZIBBCOT treats the famous David and Goliath episode. I've written a number of articles on the account of David and Goliath and how it often gets told in a distorted manner due to it's popularity as a children's story and lack of close attention to the text. Things such as Goliath's height, armor and method of death are often overlooked or embellished for the sake of retelling. ZIBBCOT does a fantastic job of putting the reader back into the tail-end of the 2nd millennium BC with numerous images of artifacts from the period. From a section of scale armor, such as Goliath would've likely worn (p.347) to a relief depicting mealtime in an army camp (p.349), to an Egyptian depiction of a captured Philistine warrior (p.352), ZIBBCOT delivers exactly what it promises--a commentary on the world of the text with multiple illustrations to aid the reader in reconstructing the story.

However, especially refreshing was the note on 1Sam. 17:49. I other than occasional reference in a footnote here and there, I've never seen the subject of where the stone struck Goliath discussed in any detail other than the traditional view that it struck him on the forehead. But the word "forehead" in the Hebrew text is a variant of the word "greave/shin guard" that appears earlier in the chapter when describing Goliath's armor. Thus it's possible (if not likely) that the stone struck the "forehead" that Goliath was wearing on his leg (i.e. his shin armor), knocking him facedown on the ground so that David could quickly grab his sword and decapitate him with it. This alternative view is rarely found in popular commentaries on this passage, yet in ZIBBCOT we find the following:

Struck the Philistine on the forehead (17:49). Questions have been raised concerning whether a stone from David's sling could have struck Goliath's forehead, given the kinds of helmets that Philistines are depicted as wearing (see illustration). But the biblical text does not suggest that Goliath's armor was typical Philistine hardware but exceptional (see sidebar on "Goliath's Armor" at 17:5-7). That said, it is interesting to note that the Hebrew word rendered "greave" in verse 6 (mitscha), which occurs only here in the Hebrew Bible, is very close, if not identical, to the Hebrew word for "forehead" (metsach). Noting this curiosity, A. Deem has suggested that David's stone finds its mark not in Goliath's forehead but at the "greave" in the gap required for walking. It is difficult to decide between these two interpretations; in either case Goliath is toppled and quickly dispatched by David, using Goliath's own sword (v.51)

[p.352]

Thus, a small but significant detail which can very much change one's understanding of this traditional story--and one which is usually hidden away in dusty academic journals or little-used critical commentaries--is presented to the reader and explained in an easy-to-understand manner. And rather than making the argument one way or the other, ZIBBCOT simply notes the possibility and allows the reader to draw their own conclusion. This is a commendable quality in a commentary and is the norm for this series.

This is but one example among many which gives a good understanding as to the purpose, nature and approach ZIBBCOT takes. In the very helpful introductory essay "Methodology: An Introductory Essay," General Editor, John Walton, lays out the value of such background study in regard to intepreting Scripture:

Susscessful interpreters must try to understand the cultural backgroud of the ancient Near East just as successful missionaries must learn the culture, language, and worldview of the people they are trying to reach. This is the rationale for us to study the Bible in light of the ancient Near East. What we contend, then, is that comparative studies has three goals in mind:
We study the history of the ancient Near East as a means of recovering knowledge of the events that shaped the lives of people in the ancient world.
We study archaeology as a means of recovering the lifestyle reflected in the material culture of the ancient world.
We study the literature of the ancient Near East as a means of penetrating the heart and soul of the people who inhabited the ancient world that Israel shared.
These goals are a the heart of comparative studies and will help us understand the OT better.

Since comparative studies is pretty foreign territory to the average Bible reader, ZIBBCOT is a crucial resource for every pastor, teacher, Bible study leader and anyone else who studies the Bible seriously to have within arms' reach. If you're looking for more information that will open up the world of ancient pre-monarchic Israel in a new and exciting way, ZIBBCOT vol.2 is tailor-made for such study. I recommend it wholeheartedly and look forward to working my way through future volumes.

The Dojo gets a new address

2010-01-08T19:18:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Discipleship Dojo has a new web address. It's now

www.jmsmith.org

Shorter, easier to remember and easier to tell others about! So help get the word out and let's keep the training going nonstop in the Dojo!

JMS

Ehrman says not to trust the accuracy of Biblical text

2010-01-08T16:48:00.001-05:00

Ehrman says not to trust the accuracy of Biblical text

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Reader comments on recent Rapture article series

2010-01-05T13:23:00.001-05:00

Reader comments on recent Rapture article series

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The Samurai of Truth

2010-01-03T13:20:00.005-05:00

This is a guest post written by my friend Olatunde Howard, author of "The Mind of Christ." Olatunde and I became friends when I was in college and have been through some of the most amazing spiritual adventures I've ever had together.

The quotes are from the ancient Samurai classic Hagakure, the spiritual applications are Olatunde's. This is a perfect guest post for the Discipleship Dojo, from a master swordsman!

Enjoy:

The Way of the Samurai of Truth:
My Renewed Commitment for 2010

By Olatunde Howard

"The Way of the Samurai is found in death. Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily. And every day, without fail, one should consider himself as dead. This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai."

I know that my old self, the deceived self, was crucified with Christ, and that my body of deception was rendered powerless, that I might no longer be a slave of Deception.
I consider myself dead to Deception and the law of truth that exposed it and aroused it, and alive to Truth in union with Christ Jesus.

"If one were to say in a word what the condition of being a samurai is, its basis lies first in seriously devoting one's body and soul to his master."

I present my self to the Spirit who is Truth as His slave to obey Him, as one brought from death to life, and I present my tongue to Him as an instrument and weapon of truth. In presenting my tongue, I present my body and heart, for my tongue is the rudder of my body, and from the overflow of the truth in my heart my mouth will speak truth alone.

"It is bad when one thing becomes two. One should not look for anything else in the Way of the Samurai. It is the same for anything that is called a Way. If one understands things in this manner, he should be able to hear about all ways and be more and more in accord with his own."

I live in union with the Spirit of Truth who is truth, who guides me into all truth (God’s word is truth), and I do not fulfill the deceptions of the flesh.

***

The Daily Prayer of the Samurai of Truth

My Father in heaven,

You who are Light and in You there is no darkness,

No.

No darkness.

At all.

In the name of Jesus, the way and the truth and the life,

And by the Spirit of truth who is truth,

According to your word which is truth,

And as a member of your household, the pillar and foundation of truth,

I approach you according to the gospel of truth,

Sanctified by the truth.

Having accepted Jesus as my Savior from deception, the essence of all sin,

I renounce all deception and every deception.

I make this confession before all men and women.

I totally surrender to your Spirit of Truth who is truth,

I have one desire,

One cause for which I was born again

And have come again into the world:

To bear witness to the truth,

Speaking what I know and testifying what I have seen and heard.

Therefore, my Father in heaven,

Please fill me with your Spirit of Truth

That I may be empowered to bear witness to the truth.

Thank you for hearing and granting my petition, which is in accordance with your will.

I submit to the Spirit of Truth, to God who is light,

And resist the father of lies, the prince of darkness.

The Daily Meditation of the Samurai of Truth

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable…meditate on these things.

In seeking truth one honors the Creator’s holiness; the Numinous; the Supreme Uniqueness. Truth by definition is exclusive. This is the Creator’s holiness. This is the creation's holiness. God is who He is, and He is no other, thus no other should receive His honor. This is truth. This is honor. This is holiness. This is Numinous.

-------------------------

If you enjoyed this you HAVE to check out Olatunde's book "The Mind of Christ" (which happens to be sporting a sweet cover design by yours truly!). In it, he looks at various aspects of the Christian spiritual life and what it means to truly "walk in the Spirit." I was fortunate enough to be asked to look over the manuscript before it was published and I can honestly say that Olatunde is one of the most gifted people I've ever known when it comes to explaining and illustrating abstract spiritual concepts in fresh and profound ways.

Be sure to check out his blog, Honor Comes Again, for more of his work!

For more on Olatunde or to contact him, look him up on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/olatunde.howard

They're here!! My 'Bible for the Rest of Us' course now available!

2010-01-02T08:55:00.004-05:00

My DVD course "Bible for the Rest of Us" is now available and ready to ship!

The course consists of 3 DVDs containing sixteen 20-35 min. sessions covering topics such as:

* Why so many Bible translations?
* What is Inspiration?
* Can we trust the Biblical manuscripts?
* An overview of the Old Testament
* How do we interpret hard passages in the Bible?
* Are the Bibles we read today accurate?
* New Testament overview
* The importance of Context and historical background
* Famous misinterpreted or mistranslated passages in the Bible
* How to choose a good translation and study Bible

...and much much more!

The 4th disc contains PDF files of the leader's guide as well as the 50+ page participant's workbook. That means that individuals doing this study in a small group or Sunday school class don't have to pony up an additional $10-$20 for a workbook!

The cost of the complete course is $100, which includes the rights to print as many workbooks as needed. (Small group studies of this size and scope usually cost two or three times this much!)

Here is the front and back cover for the DVD case along with the text:

-----------------------------------------------

"Does studying the Bible sometimes make you feel like a dummy? You’re not alone! The Bible is a confusing book. But it’s not just for scholars and clergy-it’s for the rest of us too. This 6-session course takes a closer look at how to read, study, interpret and understand God’s Word more accurately and responsibly.

Each week participants can follow along in their workbooks (which are included in PDF format) as topics such as translation, inspiration, text-criticism, and interpretation are explored in detail. On-screen notes, charts and graphics help bring the information to life and provide an in-class feel ideal for small groups or Sunday School classes. The course is divided into five parts, with each session between 20-40 mins. in length:

Part 1 - Bible Basics (5 sessions)
Part 2 - The Hebrew Bible (2 sessions)
Part 3 - Interpreting the OT (3 sessions)
Part 4 - The New Testament (2 sessions)
Part 5 - Misunderstood Passages (4 sessions)

Whether you’ve studied the Bible for decades or just received your first copy, you’ll definitely be exposed to a fresh encounter with God’s Word each week!

"The perception in America is that Christians are products of a blind allegiance to the Bible. Unfortunately, this view is fairly accurate. Bible for the Rest of Us will change that. This course transforms a person's understanding of the bible and will empower them to grow into more informed and educated believers." --Chris Macedo - Pastor of Worship, Good Shepherd UMC

“James-Michael's "Bible for the Rest of Us" was an excellent experience. It was better than some of my seminary classes. James-Michael combines a heart for God and intimate knowledge of his word with a high capacity to teach with humor, wit and simplicity. Its a real treat for anyone interested in learning more about the Bible on its own terms.” --Rich Tuttle - United Methodist Pastor

“Standing on a firm theological foundation, James-Michael is able to clearly communicate the timeless truths of the Christian faith in a way any listener can understand and appreciate.”
--David Hickman - Executive Director, CharlotteONE

James-Michael Smith (M.Div, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is a teacher/speaker who writes as the national Methodist Examiner [www.examiner.com] and The Olio [theolio.org]. He served for five years as pastor of discipleship at Good Shepherd UMC in Charlotte, NC where he oversaw the church’s PASSAGE school of theology, Discipleship, Adult Education, FUSION Young Adult Ministry, Men’s Ministry and Small Groups. He speaks on occasion at CharlotteONE: (www.charlotteone.org), a citywide worship gathering of young adults in the metro Charlotte area. He loves teaching about and discussing obscure biblical passages, philosophy of religion, the Hebrew Bible, and theological or spiritual truths (as well as anything pertaining to the Simpsons, MMA, or Ron Burgundy)."

---------------------------------------------------------

If you'd like to order this course, just click on the paypal link. Or you'd prefer to pay by check you can email me at jamesmichael7@yahoo.com for details on how to do so. If you are someone who has taken the course live (either at Good Shepherd or Americus First UMC) you automatically qualify for the almuni 50% discount! (If you have not, then please do not select that option...I'm using the honor system on this one, folks!)

Blessings in this new year,
James-Michael

Also, here are some sample clips from the sessions. Please share these with your Pastor, Deacon, Elder, Small Group leader or anyone else who may be interested in purchasing the course for their church! Depending on the success of this course, there may be more to follow! :)

SAMPLE CLIPS:

Introduction to the course:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z6apsAQCvM&feature=player_embedded

Scripture and Science:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv2h9WQd2ic

What does it mean to be 'Lukewarm'?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chwwiW8hKog&feature=player_embedded

A Bible teacher and a hip hop legend discuss abortion

2009-12-28T13:50:00.003-05:00

Back around the time of the '08 election, I got into a dialogue on the subject of abortion with Speech, the front man of the Grammy-winning hip hop group Arrested Development, on his blog. It was somewhat surreal, as I've been a HUGE Arrested Development fan since the early 90's!

I thought the dojo readers would enjoy our discussion, so here it is. We talked politics, abortion and how one allows one's Christian faith to influence both. It was a great exchange and we both enjoyed it.

(BTW, drop by Speech's site and check out the stuff he and AD have been working on. If you think they stopped with "Mr. Wendell" and "Tennessee" you're out of the loop!)

James-Michael said...

Other than if the mother's life is in danger (which every pro-life legislative measure has always allowed for) should abortion be legal. Abortion is one of the last human rights abuses that our country continues to support. It is society saying that the lives of certain persons are not to be considered fully human. Anyone remember the 3/5ths law, Jim Crowe, colonial slavery?? I'm not a McCain supporter, but when it comes to the issue of protecting the rights of those in the womb, his stance is light years better than Obama's--who condones the right to kill life in the womb for any reason at all. This is the biggest blight on Obama's life and will have eternal ramifications. I pray his Christian faith one day works its way into his stance on this politically acceptable holocaust.

September 4, 2008 11:40 AM

Speech said...

Thanks for the compliment brother. I really appreciate it.

Speech said...

As a Christian, I do believe in having the baby, instead of abortions. But church and state are separate, and Jesus himself did not expect the Govt. to agree with him. There are many other atrocities other than abortions (ie:) violence, War, poverty, not showing favortism, all of which Jesus felt very passionate about as well!

Sp

September 4, 2008 3:10 PM

Speech said...

I am a God fearing man. And yes I agree that God makes no mistakes. However, I also know that all Americans are [not] Christian, and that we also have the death penalty which takes judgement out of God's all knowing hands as well. And many Republican states favor that penalty. i also know that our Lord, hates violence but our administration indirectly has killed thousands of people in the name of war, I also know Jesus says to give to the poor and bring justice to those without it. and many of the laws don't favor the average poor person instead the rich only. (Favoritism) which our Lord does not like. So it's a bit more complex than abortion only, sin comes in many ways and we all have to decide which ones we will fight against for the best efficiency.

September 4, 2008 3:34 PM

JMS said...

Hey Speech,

I'm a long time fan (since '93) and have much love for you. I'm also a pastor. I agree that Jesus didn't expect the government to agree with Him, nor did Paul. But they also lived in a political system where they had no voice that mattered when it came to shaping the law.

I'm not a republican, and I generally dislike the religious right. But I have to say, on the issue of abortion-on-demand, if we continue to support people who so thoroughly support it, then we are no better than those who agreed with Wilberforce in Parliament but still voted to keep the slave trade legal because there were "other evils to worry about".

Sorry man, I just think this issue is one that followers of our savior cannot continue to turn a blind eye toward or continue to support those who do.

Which is too bad because I kinda like Obama in general. But voting for him, for a Believer, is like an abolitionist voting for a slaveholder in the 1800s.

Be blessed,
JMS

ps: drop by my blog "the discipleship dojo" if you ever wanna dialogue about other things of a controversial or biblical nature.

pps: Zingalamaduni is a serverely underrated album! I can't help think of "Warm Sentiments" while writing this... :)

September 5, 2008 10:35 AM

speech said...

Thanks for the encouragemet! And for the support! remember Bush is also Pro-life. Yet abortions are still happening. Republicans Use this divisive issue every election, and it works! Comparing the issue to slavery, is too extreme to me. And yet, I am NOT pro-abortion. I know Barack isn't either.
As a Christian, I teach abstinence until married. That is a 100% God given solution to this issue. All else is man's versions of solutions after their persistent rebellion and disobedience.
However, we will get what we deserve this election. Just as we did the last 8 years. I know God is great & Jesus saves! All else, despite my passion, is still chasing after the wind. Ultimately futile.
Thanks & respect for you all for writing in.

September 5, 2008 10:58 AM

Obama does not SUPPORT abortion, he supports the womens right to choose, yet he like I and probably all people dispise abortion and feels we need to focus on lowering unwanted pregnancies, like the Republican vice presidents daughter, that wa an unwanted pregnancy. And as a nation we all have to figure out how to make youth understand the importance of abstinence.

etc etc. I have to go

but thanks for writing in.

SP

September 5, 2008 2:37 PM

JMS said...

Thanks for answering my comment, Speech. I want to make it clear that I'm not a Republican and I don't condone much of what's happened under the current admin. However, I DO condone the appointment of Supreme Court Judges who are committed to protecting unborn life, which would not have happened had Obama been prez.

I don't see how you can dismiss the comparison to slavery though. Slavery was one group of humans deeming another group of humans less than human (3/5ths if they had to put a number to it!). Abortion-rights does the same thing by deeming one group of humans (those in the womb) less than human and therefore not given the basic right of all human rights--the right to life (much less liberty and the pursuit of happiness).

I know you love the Lord and I know you're frustrated, but we need more people like you, people with a voice, to stand up (no matter who they vote for) and say that the killing of children in the womb is full-on evil. It's justified and argued for on the basis of extremely poor logic and is morally untenable. As long as people (particularly culture-shapers such as yourself) continue to categorize it as "just another social problem", things will never change. I firmly believe that when all is said and done, both history and God Almighty will hold all Americans since 1973 who have not vehemently spoken out against this legal infanticide in the same boat as all those Germans in the 30s-40s who did not vehemently speak out against the evil that permeated their society.

As far as the Obama/McCain election, I simply cannot fathom how someone can bring such glorious change to this nation when he WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTS abortion-on-demand, even the horrific and unnecessary D&E (Partial-birth) procedure. Until Obama openly repudiates his full on support of "choice", he has no moral ground upon which to stand.

For all McCain's faults, he at least understands that the most vulnerable people in our society deserve to be protected from being killed in the name of "choice" (i.e. convenience). This doesn't mean I'm gonna vote for him; I still haven't made up my mind as to whether or not I'll do a write-in vote. But it does mean that he possesses the moral high ground on the most important issue of all--the issue of a person's right to life.

Blessings, man.
JMS

September 8, 2008 5:04 PM

JMS said...

Hey rj,
I agree with your post above. Well said. Regarding the abortion issue in particular, I cannot recommend strongly enough that you check out www.abort73.com. It's a movement by predominately 20-40somethings of all political stripes who are committed to fighting the current widespread ignorance regarding the nature of abortion in this country right now. Please take the time to go there and at least watch the video stream. Just as people needed to see the full extent of devastation caused by apartheid in S.Africa, ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, genocide in Rwanda, and racist brutality in the American south, people desperately need to see what being "pro-choice" actually entails when it comes to real life individuals.

Peace,
JMS

September 8, 2008 5:11 PM

rj said...

JKS, i certainly will check that out! Thanks!

I am going to get on my high horse for a minute, so I appologize in advance.

A little over 2 years ago my wife was pregnant with our third child. During a routine ultrasound, it was discovered that our baby had spina bifida. We were then sent to a specialist in that field (high risk pregnancy), where we were presented with several different options. One of the options presented was abortion. Neither my wife of I ever concidered this for even a breif moment. But since her birth, I have often thought about those options. It is definately not without reason to believe somewhere, some time, someone has chosen to abort their baby in a similar situation. And it saddens me to no limit. My daughter is with out a doubt the greatest blessing that God could ever bestow upon me. She has changed my life for the better and made me become a better man. It could never be more evident that the Lord works in mysterious ways.

I can see how someone might want to abort because the conseption is under less than ideal situations. But I speak from the voice of experience when I say it shouldn't even be an option. The easy road is not always the best one.

September 8, 2008 5:45 PM

Speech said...

Enough of all these people who don't agree with ME!

(Just kiddin')

Anyway, I agree with the one dude who said, can't we all get along? I think we can! Especially if everyone would just agree with me! Gosh is that too hard! ;-)

(just kiddin' again)

OK for real, I will look more into the abortion thingy (read up on it), cuz I do feel it is VERY IMPORTANT!

I still don't vote for a president based on one issue alone, (Abortion) nor would I EVER vote for the McCain that is running now (for MANY reasons). And to the pastor that claimed Barack has NO moral claims to anything. I find that interesting considering even Mary Magdalene or the prostitute Rahab in the book of Joshua had some moral worth although she may had been a women of the streets. Or Paul had worth despite once authorizing the death of Christians.

I THINK Jesus MAY disagree with your carte-blanche approach to this one issue. Although I don't think he'd disagree with your passion for it. I agree with your passion as well.

Life isn't about one issue, its about many issues, sin being at the root of most and we all fall short in many ways.
It seems to me that the blame for the death of the child belongs to the people who chose to have the procedure done, more than the system or politician that allows it to exist. (Although I do see where the politician may not be innocent in the matter either) however, It's ultimately up to God, not us, to make the final condemnation.

Also, let me say, that as a younger man, I payed for two abortions for women I slept with, (I hate my decision now) and my wife had one earlier in her teen life. Are we condemned according to your views now? Or just like the person who lies or cheats on his taxes, we are in need of a shepherd that can teach us repentance and mercy. I sure think the latter. I'm taught that no sin is worse than any other (there's one exception - but that's another blog topic)

Anywhooo, I am PROUD to vote for Barack, despite some radical and sometimes ridiculous views against him.

Like for instance, the brother who said, look at Chicago and judged Barack based on that. What if we all judged 72 yr old McCain based on every 72 year old person that drives too freaking slow on the highway.
Maybe a few folks have been reading too many strictly right wing extremist blogs. (Just my opinion)
I love Barack's vision, reliance on HOPE instead of fear, and his viewpoint of political leadership... Not to mention a good deal of his plans for our country! YES WE CAN! And I believe we will! :-)

SPEECH

September 8, 2008 8:18 PM

JMS said...

Hey Speech, let me clarify one thing that I believe you may have misinterpreted me as saying. I'm NOT saying that Obama has no moral worth. Nor do I condemn those who have suffered through the horror of abortion (it destroys more than just the lives of the victims, it also leads to much more hurt and pain for those involved). As a pastor I've been blessed to give hope and encourage a number of people who have lived with the regret of abortions earlier in life and as an artist I even did a series of paintings about the grace and forgiveness Jesus offers to women who've gone through it (which you can see on my myspace artwork album at myspace.com/jms7327).

I want to make this clear because I'm not against PEOPLE who support abortion, I'm against ABORTION and its legality. Just as Wilberforce and other abolitionists were not against the people involved in the society that had legal slavery, but they were wholeheartedly against IT REMAINING LEGAL and saw it as a blight on the face of their nation.

What I DID want to say is that if Obama, or any pro-choice republican such as Giuliani for that matter, stands SO FIRMLY in favor of keeping abortion-on-demand (i.e. abortion where the life or health of the mother is not in danger) legal, then THEY FORFEIT the right to label any other issue as immoral because the issue of protecting INNOCENT human life at its most vulnerable stage is foundational to all other issues regarding other rights and injustices.

Please excuse my use of caps above, I am not "yelling", I'm simply using them for emphasis.

I'm encouraged to hear that you (and you too RJ) are going to look more into this issue. And again, I want to emphasize that I'm not partisan, nor am I a McCain supporter or an Obama hater. I think they both have tremendous leadership ability and have various strengths and weaknesses. I predicted a few months ago that Obama will be the next prez and if he is then I will pray for him as our nation's leader and welcome his leadership, recognizing that it is God who raises up ALL leaders in His sovereignty. But until Obama lets his professed faith in the Lord of life and prince of peace affect his support of state-endorsed genocide (over 20 MILLION victims since Roe v. Wade in '73, the majority of whom were female or people of color), I will be unable to respect him as a social reformer or morally upright leader. In my mind, he will be like Robert E. Lee during the civil war--a professing Christian who personally hated slavery, yet fought as hard as he could in support of the Confederacy that condoned it.

Anyway, enough sermonizing. Sorry, I am a pastor after all! Heh heh!

Speech, I've got nothing but love for you and the rest of the AD family. And I wanted to let you know that Heroes of the Harvest is probably my favorite album I've bought in a long time. Keep doin' your thing, man!

And if you're ever in Charlotte, come worship with us! www.gsumc.org

Blessings,
JMS
www.abort73.com <--for those who want to know more than the sound bytes or slogans...

September 9, 2008 9:14 PM

Speech said...

That's why I love these blogs and discussions! JMS, I'm actually feeling you right now. I DO better understand your views and honestly, I am leaning more towards sharing them (to some extent) than I ever have been. My vote choice remains the same, (Obama) yet, our conversation and the humility within it, has caused my heart to be moved towards better discernment on this issue.

By the way, killing babies, nor oppression of people is not my area of undecidedness, (I fight against that) I think it has been the issue of WHEN a child is "alive" that has stumped my passion on the issue.

Again, thanks for your comments, and love of Heroes album, the group all appreciates you and the invitation to church is extended to you as well, if you are ever in Atlanta.

www.thegacc.org

your brother,
SPEECH

September 10, 2008 8:08 AM

JMS said...

Hey Speech,
Cool, man. I'm not trying to get anyone to change their vote necessarily. I believe we (Christians, at least) are called to ground ourselves in God's revealed Word and the life-changing power of the Gospel and then seek to live out that Gospel in the society in which we find ourselves placed. In our case it means voting for the candidate who we feel will most likely bring the highest level of good to this country and ultimately to this world. And because we all have differing perspectives, experiences, cultural conditions and desires, we will not always agree on which candidate will best exemplify Godly secular leadership ("Godly secular" sounds like an oxymoron, I know, but I think you know what I mean).

I personally see flaws with all 4 of the main players in this game. For me--where I'm at right now, given what I believe grieves God's heart regarding "the least of these"--I cannot see a more grevious error in human judgment than someone supporting, even fighting to maintain, the right to take a life that God already knows as it is being "knit together in the womb", to borrow the language of the prophet Jeremiah. This is why I pray that Sen. Obama (or possibly Pres. Obama) will experience a true transformation of the heart regarding this injustice and our society's blindness to it. This issue is particularly troubling right now because, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Sen. Obama is in favor of witholding medical care for babies that end up surviving abortions--i.e. after the child is burned with the saline solution and pulled out with pincers, if it is still alive, the doctors should be allowed to simply discard it as medical waste. This is a position that is common among the most ardent proponents of abortion-on-demand (N.O.W., Planned Parenthood, etc.), but I'm hoping that I have my facts wrong on this and that Obama recognizes this for the evil it is.

As you can see, I am much more passionate about this issue of abortion-on-demand than I am about the other issues in our current politics. Not that they are all unimportant! I just see them as "specks" compared to this "plank" we have in our national eye right now. I would like to recommend two books to you as you continue your seeking of God's will and discernment on this issue. Both opened my eyes to things I did not know or had not considered before and I've yet to hear refutations for all of the points they raise: 1. "Politically Correct Death" by Francis Beckwith (http://www.amazon.com/Politically-Correct-Death-Answering-Arguments/dp/0801010500/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221360345&sr=8-1)

and
2. "Pro-life Answers to Pro-choice Arguments" by Randy Alcorn (http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=37519&netp_id=210236&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers)

Thanks for the invite to GACoC; perhaps I'll one day be able to take you up on it...though given my occupation, Sundays are a bit hard to travel on... ;)

Be blessed, brother!

JMS
gsdisciple.blogspot.com

ps: "Lost Soldiers"...easily my favorite track on Heroes! Every hip hop fan should hear it!

September 13, 2008 10:47 PM

SPEECH said...

OK,

I don't vote because of one issue only. I vote PROUDLY for Obama, because #1.) I am surrounded by friends and neighbors who are hurting deeply from this administrations policies! Obama is about helping 95 percent of the nation cut taxes. He's about more fair laws that will help keep people out of the prison systems, he will help mend the Horrible relationships and reputation we have throughout the world. (I travel a Lot)
I understand peoples passion on stopping abortions. It's obviously a divisive issue to say the least. (Meaning it divides the country every election) Which honestly makes me upset! Because basically every Republican promises the results you are looking for on this issue, but after 8 years of BUSH, (A republican) where are we with it?

Does not all the deaths here and abroad from this unnecessary war mean anything to you?
All the unfair tax laws that penalize the poor and excuse the rich, does that fair fine in your morality test?

Corporations making billions off of predatory loans, forcing average hard working Americans to lose homes, many times under that stress, wrecking marriages, hurting children! Does all of that fit fine with you?

Education being unfair and unbalanced, poor kids destined to cyclical poverty and hopelessness, is that fine by your pro-life friends seemingly heightened morality!

Pro-gun stances even (machine guns and criminal assault rifles) are a Repubulican hot button issue! In my community, these guns are falling into the hands of children and older dummy's that are literally blowing each other up on the city streets, but that issue to Pro-lifers is not enough to make their moral meters perk up at all! Thus they protect the right to have these types of guns, knowing that they are supplied and sold to inner city gang members and drug dealers!

I have heard some call all ANY ISSUE that's not abortion simply dust in the eye of America and the abortion issue is the only plank in the eye of America. I think it's because Pro-lifers have become so narrow sighted in the injustices of this world, they they have also become blinded by their own cause!

And I am a Christian, I am fine with stopping abortions. I hate them!

However, this ONE issue tends to ignite people to vote for an other wise horrible candidate, that supports literally 90% of the Bush policies! After he is elected, (if he is) let's see what he is actually able to do to help your one cause. If he doesn't do it, then shame on Americans, who have been bamboozled yet once again, by the ole "Abortion issue".

SPEECH

September 16, 2008 8:48 AM

JMS said...

I feel your frustration, Speech. You're criticizing the Republican party for hypocrisy and narrow mindedness. Since I'm not Republican, I can agree with these critiques. But don't you think that instead of pointing out other evils doesn't justify supporting those who (proudly) uphold others? This is my conundrum every election year. But in my heart I can't vote for someone who supports legal genocide, no matter how bad the other candidate is...thus I'll often end up writing in a candidate rather than being forced to choose between two evils.

All Obama would have to do to get my vote is stand up against abortion-on-demand. But unfortunately, he's too dependent on his allegiance to the Democratic party to oppose the one issue where they are unquestionably on the wrong side of a severe human rights violation. And when someone fights to promote the taking of innocent lives (whether it's the war mongers on the right or the abortion proponents on the left), they lose the ability to make moral pronouncements in my eyes.

That being said, I won't be upset if Obama wins. He'll certainly improve our international image and will probably have some great educational initiatives. He's definitely a much better orator than McCain and is definitely cooler (hello, fist-bump!). But I can't help but fear that 90% of the "change" rhetoric is mostly just that...rhetoric. He is part of the Capitol Hill gang, after all. Senators (whether they're named Obama or McCain) are notorious for keeping the status quo...and voting for higher salaries for themselves. I guess I'm just cynical.

Blessings,
JMS

September 16, 2008 4:51 PM

SPEECH said...

I love having these talks with you JMS, cuz at least you're intelligent about it. You can see my frustration dripping off the page! :-)

My (proudness) in supporting Obama is not based on someone allowing the killing of babies. Again, I disagree with that practice.

None the less, I think we all come from different perspectives (and that's fine.) Let me explain mine...

NOT voting or even "writing in a candidate" is NOT an option for me, a black in America, who only 139 years ago was NOT allowed to vote at all!

We've seen this country perpetrate atrocities towards us that are too serious to simply not vote because we disagree with certain parts of both parties policies. That is a luxury that I CANNOT AFFORD!

The things I mentioned that are other evils: (guns, war killings, jail, HIV, education injustice, etc.) are too close to home for ME to ignore them, in order to make a "statement" at the polls. That too is a luxury that I cannot afford.

Most registered black voters likely feel the same as I do on this issue. Although you may be surprised to hear that many blacks disagree with abortion, and agree with no sex before marriage, and monogamous marriages! BUT there are cultural ill's that plague the black community that DO NOT plague most white communities.

And these cultural truths prey on our values and neighborhoods at alarming rates.

The statistics and ratio's of whites to blacks in these areas show the urgency of correcting these ill's for blacks and minorities.

I do think however that YOU can afford to "not vote" or what have you. Many of the things that you may take for granted (as a white man in America) are not things that I can take for granted. I must be involved!

Our "inalienable" rights have been conditional far too often.

I'm NOT saying EVERYTHING is about race, but when some say NOTHING is about race that's naive and simply wrong.

Speech

September 16, 2008 5:36 PM

JMS said...

I hear you, Speech. I do think there are very important racial issues that come in to play and I'm not naive enough to tell everyone to "be colorblind".

I know that most black Americans oppose abortion-on-demand...that is why I get so grieved at the fact that so few who have public platforms actually come out and voice this to the party that assumes all black Americans are on their side. If black leaders showed as much passion and hatred of institutionalized genocide as they do against institutionalized racism and oppression, the Democrats would be forced to come to grips with this issue and oppose the ultimate injustice of killing persons while they grow in the womb. This is one reason why leaders like, for instance, Tony Evans, impress me so much. They are willing to speak out passionately in favor of all human rights. I feel that you are among the few individuals in our culture who are committed to Jesus who could actually make a HUGE difference in cultural perception of abortion-on-demand, just as you and AD have done with racial injustice for the past 2 decades. If you conscience is not troubled by voting for someone who is so in favor of abortion-on-demand remaining legal then vote for him...but in doing so, continue to cry out to him and others in the Democratic ranks to stop their support of this evil.

As for me, I don't vote for a write-in candidate to make a statement. I do it because a democracy is built upon voting for who you think best represents you. When neither candidate represents me, and there is no other option, I must vote according to my conscience. To not do so would be sin (Rom.12-14).

But I really do understand your points about having to do something with your vote about issues that are disproportionately present among the black community (and to a lesser degree, other minority communities in this country). Most white people like to say "I understand...I have black friends...I feel your pain...blah blah blah" when we both know that's not true. However, God saw fit to have me raised in the inner-city of Savannah (Hitch Village projects if you're ever down there!) where my Dad was the pastor of a church where my sister and I were among the handful of white kids. As a result, I was introduced early on to issues of race and daily realities that my friends faced that for some reason (I now know why!) I did not.

All that to say that I'm passionate about issues of racial injustice, latent bigotry, naive "white guilt", and institutional oppression. (Why do you think I became such a huge AD fan after hearing "3 years, 5 months.."?? ;) But I'm just as passionate about educating people to include abortion-on-demand among them, and at the top of the list of institutional cultural evils in our country. Those leaders in the struggle against the other evils in our society who sit by silently and avoid speaking out against abortion-on-demand in order to stay unified with their party of choice will have to appear before our LORD and account for their complicity in perpetuating it.

So support Obama, get others to support Obama, fight for the change that Obama is promising...but, like Esther, use the platform and influence God has blessed you with to influence Obama and others in his party to oppose legalized genocide masquerading as "choice".

Anyway, I too enjoy discussing this with you and, in addition to being a little star-struck (lol!), am continually impressed by your passion and commitment to our Savior. Politics aside, we stand unified in our overall allegiance...and for that I give thanks to God. :)

JMS

September 16, 2008 7:14 PM

JMS said...

Jody,
I'm afraid you've misunderstood me (I assume I'm the PASTOR you are referring too! :). While I'm not a Republican, in the past I have voted for Republican candidates in various positions who have put forth pro-life legislation (only to have it vetoed by Democratic Presidents or joint efforts by Democratic and moderate Republican senators and house members). I've voted for candidates who've spoken out against and voted against partial-birth abortion and underage abortion. So I'm not sure what exactly you are talking about when you say that "no pro-life candidate" has ever "made good" on their promises. I don't have any illusions that a pro-life president can end abortion-on-demand in this country...but one who wholeheartedly supports it sure as heck can't.

At the end of the day, I don't want to be like the Germans who stood by and said nothing about the evil in their midst or the Rwandans who stood by and allowed their neighbors to exterminate others of a different lineage or my fellow southerners who tolerated the Jim Crow water fountains and their white-hooded relatives. I believe with all of my heart that abortion-on-demand is every bit as horrible (and in terms of sheer numbers, much more damaging) as these other historic injustices. Therefore, for me to NOT oppose it with everything I have, is simply not an option.

This election doesn't make or break this issue, nor will it solve it. But it does provide a national opportunity to unmask this societal evil and educate others to stand against it and include it among their list of things that need to "change".

Blessings,
JMS

September 16, 2008 7:25 PM

Reelphat said...

JMS,

I totally feel you, my friend. I honestly do. The problem is, this has been an issue for MANY years. The opportunity for it to be "unmasked" was the same statement that people used in the two elections where Bush won.

You appear to be a HIGHLY intelligent gentleman so, let me ask you this: If this issue CAN be unmasked, wouldn't it be more fruitful for the church to make it an issue for people to pay attention to ALL the time and not just every 4 years? As well, being a part of the "church," I see a possible solution being that the church could actually look to make a difference locally and have it grow. For instance, if churches of various denominations could ban together and actually work towards making a difference on this issue at a local level, would there be a greater chance for change?

Does the church, or you individually, oppose bars and drinking with everything you have because of the damaging effects of drunk driving and the many people who die from it or domestic violence due, in part, to alcoholism? How about the evils of racism and it's damaging effects? Guns that fall into the hands of unlawful citizens?

I agree with your analogy pertaining to the Germans(as we shouldn't sit back and not be involved) but, don't you ALSO think that it is inevitably naive for members of the church to base their vote solely on this issue? Better yet, from a moral standpoint, can the church afford to condone a pro- life habitual liar?

To be quite honest, I think you(the church) could get more accomplished dealing with a leader who is prone for change and actually listens to the constituents, as opposed to, banking on a candidate who will tell you anything to make you feel like he's in your corner but, will leave you high and dry after election day.

Besides, pro- life won't be the biggest issue any of us face if McCain does what he has been talking about and decides to get into it with Iran.....we'll have to worry about how long before somebody pushes the red button. Family values and the issue of abortion starts in the HOME, NOT the White House.

Blessings to you too, my friend.

~Jody

September 16, 2008 8:26 PM

JMS said...

Jody,
I don't disagree with any of what you just said. I'm not a supporter of McCain, nor are many evangelical Christians I know, including within my own church!

I also agree that churches should focus on opposing abortion-on-demand 100% of the time rather than every 4 years. This is why we support things like crisis pregnancy centers, adoption, foster care, mentoring, sex-education, etc. This is why I constantly point people toward non-partisan organizations that oppose abortion and educate about it such as

www.abort73.com

or

www.feministsforlife.com

It's not a partisan issue. The only thing that makes it become a partisan issue to many people is the fact that one party officially endorses it and one party officially opposes it.

The most fitting analogy I can think of is this. Imagine you are an abolitionist living in Georgia the late 18th century. Slavery is an entrenched social reality that many people have come to accept as a sad fact of life. Nothing looks like it will change any time soon. There are two candidates running for president. One of them shares your views on slavery and promises to try to fight for abolition, but you disagree with most of his other views on domestic and international issues. The other candidate agrees with your views on pretty much every issue...except he is a slave-owner and supports the rights of slave-owners whole-heartedly because he doesn't consider slaves to be fully human, and because there are too many other societal issues he thinks we should address.

My question is, as an abolitionist--someone passionately committed to ending the slave trade and who constantly tries to show people the evils of it year round--regardless of whether or not you would vote for the abolitionist candidate, could you honestly in good conscience vote for the slavery proponent? I could not. Their core view of human life (evidenced by their endorsement of slavery) goes against everything I stand for and makes all their other ideas and positions pale in comparison.

That is how I feel every election year. I don't really like the Republican candidates, but I can never vote for the Democrat candidates because they support something deeming one group of people (those in the womb) not fully human and therefore not protected by the most fundamental human right.

I HATE the fact that McCain is associated with war-mongers like John Hagee. Likewise, I HATE the fact that Obama believes doctors should have the right to discard babies who survive the abortion procedure as "medical waste." How can I in good conscience vote for either?

This is why I am independent. This is why I sometimes choose to write in a candidate who represents me rather than give tacit endorsement to those perpetuating large-scale evils.

Thank you for this dialogue. Be blessed, my friend.

JMS

September 16, 2008 11:36 PM

Was Jesus rich? If not, why do some of his followers claim he was?

2009-12-25T18:50:00.001-05:00

Was Jesus rich? If not, why do some of his followers claim he was?

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My upcoming classes...open to anyone interested!

2009-12-22T14:49:00.002-05:00

Beginning Jan. 31st I'll be teaching two courses at Good Shepherd's Passage School of Theology. Passage is GS's way of bringing the highest level of Biblical, Theological and Ministry education to those outside of a seminary setting (and it's one of my favorite things about GS as a whole!).

The course I'm teaching along with their descriptions are:

Biblical Studies 202 - Invitation to the Old Testament (aka. The Hebrew Bible)

Duration: 12 week course, Sunday mornings at 11:30am

Description: The Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament as it is commonly referred to by Christians, makes up 77% of God’s written word. Yet for many Christians it remains largely unknown and/or unread. The Hebrew Bible is often-confusing to the modern Christian reader…but it doesn’t have to be. This course is designed to give students a walk-through of the Hebrew Bible, enabling them to gain a big-picture understanding of what God was doing through Israel and how that is crucial for any understanding of what He goes on to do in the New Testament through Jesus and the Church. Students will explore the main sections of the Hebrew Bible, as well as the various genres, motifs, images, and stories found in its pages. The goal of the course is to ground the Christian in a thoroughly Biblical understanding of the Hebrew Bible so that they can then more fully understand and appreciate the message of the Gospel.
Expected Cost: $1o-15

-------------

Biblical Studies 204 - “Apocalypse Now??”

Duration: 10 week course, Wednesday evenings 6:30pm

Description: War in the Middle-East! One-world Government! Tsunamis! Earthquakes! Are we living in the “Last Days”? Is Armageddon right around the corner? What does the Bible teach about all this? Is the Apocalypse at hand?? Questions like these concern what theologians call “eschatology”, that is, study of the end-times. In this course James-Michael Smith will lead participants through a survey of various ways Christians have looked at the end times and the relevant Biblical passages. Challenging popular misconceptions put forth by the media (both Christian and secular), “Apocalypse Now??” will equip the reader of Scripture to understand and interpret the Bible’s teaching on eschatology in a thoughtful and reflective manner and read Scripture on its own terms rather than through the lens of modern imagination. Regardless of one’s end-time views, this course will challenge as well as edify the believer in their walk with the God who controls all human history!
Expected Cost: $15-20

--------------

These courses are open to anyone (but preference may be given to those who have completed BS 101 - Bible for the Rest of Us...which, for those who have not taken it yet, is also being offered this semester!).

To register or for more information, contact Good Shepherd's Connections & Communications Pastor, Rebecca Grayson.

Old-Earth testable model offers alternative to Young-Earth and Neo-Darwinian accounts

2009-12-22T14:39:00.001-05:00

Old-Earth testable model offers alternative to Young-Earth and Neo-Darwinian accounts

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Responses to various 'Prophecy expert' claims

2009-12-21T00:05:00.001-05:00

Responses to various 'Prophecy expert' claims

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Pre-order "Bible for the Rest of Us" on DVD!!

2009-12-15T00:58:00.014-05:00

Here's a sneak peek at the cover for my new DVD course "The Bible for the Rest of Us":

Here's the text from the back cover:

"Does studying the Bible sometimes make you feel like a dummy? You’re not alone! The Bible is a confusing book. But it’s not just for scholars and clergy-it’s for the rest of us too. This 6-session course takes a closer look at how to read, study, interpret and understand God’s Word more accurately and responsibly.

Each week participants can follow along in their workbooks (which are included in PDF format) as topics such as translation, inspiration, text-criticism, and interpretation are explored in detail. On-screen notes, charts and graphics help bring the information to life and provide an in-class feel ideal for small groups or Sunday School classes. The course is divided into five parts, with each session between 20-40 mins. in length:

Part 1 - Bible Basics (5 sessions)
Part 2 - The Hebrew Bible (2 sessions)
Part 3 - Interpreting the OT (3 sessions)
Part 4 - The New Testament (2 sessions)
Part 5 - Misunderstood Passages (4 sessions)

Whether you’ve studied the Bible for decades or just received your first copy, you’ll definitely be exposed to a fresh encounter with God’s Word each week!

"The perception in America is that Christians are products of a blind allegiance to the Bible. Unfortunately, this view is fairly accurate. Bible for the Rest of Us will change that. This course transforms a person's understanding of the bible and will empower them to grow into more informed and educated believers." --Chris Macedo - Pastor of Worship, Good Shepherd UMC

“James-Michael's "Bible for the Rest of Us" was an excellent experience. It was better than some of my seminary classes. James-Michael combines a heart for God and intimate knowledge of his word with a high capacity to teach with humor, wit and simplicity. Its a real treat for anyone interested in learning more about the Bible on its own terms.” --Rich Tuttle - United Methodist Pastor

“Standing on a firm theological foundation, James-Michael is able to clearly communicate the timeless truths of the Christian faith in a way any listener can understand and appreciate.”
--David Hickman - Executive Director, CharlotteONE

James-Michael Smith (M.Div, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is a teacher/speaker who writes as the national Methodist Examiner [www.examiner.com] and The Olio [theolio.org]. He served for five years as pastor of discipleship at Good Shepherd UMC in Charlotte, NC where he oversaw the church’s PASSAGE school of theology, Discipleship, Adult Education, FUSION Young Adult Ministry, Men’s Ministry and Small Groups. He speaks on occasion at CharlotteONE: (www.charlotteone.org), a citywide worship gathering of young adults in the metro Charlotte area. He loves teaching about and discussing obscure biblical passages, philosophy of religion, the Hebrew Bible, and theological or spiritual truths (as well as anything pertaining to the Simpsons, MMA, or Ron Burgundy)."

I'm taking pre-orders for it now. The cost of the 4-DVD, 16-session course is $100 (about 1/3 the price of comparable DVD curriculum sets!) and it should be ready to ship by New Years. If you'd like to reserve a copy, just click on the paypal link. Or you'd prefer to pay by check you can email me at jamesmichael7@yahoo.com for details on how to do so.

*Note: Those who have completed the course in person at GSUMC or AFUMC can get it for half price!!*

SAMPLE CLIPS:

Introduction to the course:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z6apsAQCvM&feature=player_embedded

Scripture and Science:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv2h9WQd2ic

What does it mean to be 'Lukewarm'?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chwwiW8hKog&feature=player_embedded

And please tell everyone you know, particularly Pastors and Small Group leaders. Grassroots marketing is where it's at! Depending on the success of this curriculum, there might be more to follow! :)

Blessings!
James-Michael

Running the race

2009-12-13T22:09:00.004-05:00

So, this past weekend I ran a marathon.

Yes, you read that right. James-Michael Smith, the non-runner, ran 26.2 miles. I finished the Kiawah Island Marathon in 4 hrs, 58 minutes and 39 seconds. I was hoping for between 4:30 and 5:00 so accomplished that goal (though I was a little disappointed that I had to slow down and walk at mile 21 for a little while).

What's really cool is that I was able to run for a good friend who injured her hip during training and wasn't able to run. She let me run in her place and was even there to cheer me on and run the final mile with me. It was answered prayer because originally I missed the registration deadline and thought I wouldn't be able to run at all.

The purpose of running the marathon for me was to see how it compared to earning my black belt in terms of difficulty and endurance. And while it was definitely grueling (especially the last 6 miles!), my black belt test was much more painful in terms of overall soreness and feeling absolutely dead at the end! But it did give me a good idea of what serious runners go through and just how dedicated they are to their sport. For instance, my roomate, and runner extraordinare, Wade Barts ran it and finished more than an hour and a half faster than me!

The greatest part was running it with a number of my good friends and having friends there supporting us. Having people cheering for you and supporting you the whole time is a wonderful feeling. It definitely helps to know you're not running the race alone.

I bet this is one of the reasons why the authors of Scripture used the image of long distance running to present the Christian life on so many occasions:

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:4)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (1Cor. 9:24)

I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. (Gal. 2:2)

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? (Gal. 5:7)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2Tim. 4:7)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb. 12:1-3)

'Lukewarm' Christians?

2009-12-08T23:16:00.005-05:00

'Lukewarm' Christians ?

A look at the background behind the letter to the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3 reveals the meaning of this phrase...and it's not what most people have come to believe it to mean. Historical context is crucial; especially when it comes to NT Interpretation where most of the texts are letters to specific people or groups of believers at specific times in history.

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The lion and the lamb in SW GA

2009-11-29T21:19:00.002-05:00

I had the privilege of teaching a combined group of adult Sunday School classes this morning at Americus First UMC down in Americus, GA (where Habitat for Humanity's headquarters is located among other things) and it was a great way to end a trip home for Thanksgiving. The adults there, most of whom were in the 50s-70s age range, were awesome. It's so great to come across adults who realize what it means to be lifelong learners.

The subject of my talk was interpreting the book of Revelation, with a specific focus on the theme of apocalyptic irony and upside-down symbolism in the book. This is one of the most helpful keys to interpreting Revelation without going off into doctrinal crazyland, as so many have done in the past. We looked at how in Revelation, Jesus is said to be a "Lion", but is seen in reality as a slaughtered "Lamb" (ch.5). Likewise, the faithful servants of God who are sealed and protected from the "wrath of the Lamb" (a seemingly oxymoronic statement if there ever was one!) are said to be "144,000" from "the tribes of Israel", but they immediately are seen in reality to be "an innumerable multitude" from "every tribe, language, people group and nation" (ch.7).

Thus, the 144,000 who are sealed are in reality all those who "follow the Lamb wherever He goes"...even if that path should lead to suffering persecution and ultimately death (chs. 7 & 14). It's not some class of super-saints who will enjoy a closer existence with God in an etheral "Heaven" while the rest of God's people live forever here on earth (as Jehovah's Witnesses often teach), nor is it confined to ethnic Jews who come to faith in Jesus during the "Great Tribulation" 7 (or 3-and-a-half, depending on who you talk to!) years before Jesus sets up a Millennial earthly kingdom in Israel (as many Rapture-Theology proponents have taught). The 144,000 of Revelation are all God's faithful followers, willing to lay down their lives for the One who laid down His life for them, depicted through Apocalpytic prophetic imagery as the true "army of Israelites"...with the true "Lion of Judah" being the slain Lamb leading the charge!

Revelation is such an amazing book!

Blessings,
JMS

Bible Q

2009-11-28T19:44:00.001-05:00

Bible Q&A - the conquest of Canaan and genocide

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The struggle of studying Scripture

2009-11-22T21:05:00.002-05:00

Here's the intro from my DVD curriculum "Bible for the Rest of Us", where we discuss the struggle involved in studying the Bible, why it's okay to experience such a struggle, and the importance of community in engaging in the struggle.

Anyone interested in pre-ordering a copy of the full set of DVDs can email me at jamesmichael7@yahoo.com. The cost for the entire course is $100 and includes PDFs of the participant's workbook.

Also, those who have taken the course already at GSUMC or AFUMC get a %50 discount!

The Bible coming to an XBox near you

2009-11-16T11:57:00.003-05:00

The Bible coming to an XBox near you

Why you want to be 'Left Behind' (video from my course on Bible interp)

2009-11-15T18:02:00.002-05:00

So to piggyback off of my last post (and since I'm currently working on a course covering End Times views for next semester), here's a segment from my Bible for the Rest of Us course. The section is on famous passages in Scripture that have been misinterpreted over the years. And I can't think of a more misinterpreted passage than Jesus' words in Matt.24...

Critiquing Beth Moore...this could be dangerous! :)

2009-11-12T16:20:00.005-05:00

Let's face it...Christians, particularly Christian women--particularly Southern Baptist Christian women!--love Beth Moore.

That's an understatement...like saying "Catholics love the Pope."

Christian women LOVE Beth Moore.

And what's not to love? She's encouraging, witty, humorous, self-deprecating, candid, smart, a snazzy dresser, and (I gotta admit) a good lookin' lady!

More than that, her Bible studies (of which there are a bazillion--now thankfully available in stores other than Lifeway!) are like crack to the women (and even men!) who participate in them.

Seriously, how many people do you know who've done a Beth Moore study and haven't then done a dozen more?

I know from my experience as a former Pastor of Discipleship who oversaw the church's small group ministry! I couldn't keep these studies on the shelf in my office, and was constantly asked if the church could buy the newest one for this or that women's group!

Most of the time I was happy to oblige because even though they do not target my demographic (18-40 yr old males), I could see that they were really helping grow people's faith and study of Scripture.

The only study of hers that I ever had reservations about, from a Pastoral perspective, was her "Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy." However, I truly believe people benefit from hearing opposing theological views, so I didn't want to tell the group asking to do it that they could not--especially since Beth did try to lay out other End Times views in the study and stated that good faithful Christians did not always agree with the view she was presenting.

So instead of saying no, I told them to wait a few weeks so I could go over the study and see how best to incorporate it into small group ministry at Good Shepherd.

I purchased the participant's guide and proceeded to work through it. I was pleased at how good the first half of it was. Other than the sentimental language that Beth is (in)famous for ("precious one", "dear sister", etc.), I found the first 5 sessions of the study to be very well done and insightful.

However, the second half of the study is where Beth's theological sketchiness begins to emerge. By sketchiness, I mean her adherence to the recent theological system of thought known as Premillennial Dispensationalism. This view is widespread among evangelical Christians--particularly Southern Baptist and Charismatic brothers and sisters--but is a recent innovation in theology from a church-history perspective.

So rather than veto the study, I decided to take Beth up on her advice to participants throughout the book that they check with their pastors and church leaders for different perspectives (something I commend her for including!). I came up with an appendix to the study that I printed out and included in the leader's guide to the study. This way, the group could do the Daniel study, get Beth's insights, be exposed to the system of theology presented in it, and then be made aware of how it contrasts with more theologically sound views (of various traditions from church history, not just Good Shepherd's) held by the entirety of faithful Christians for the first 1800+ years of Christian history.

Below are the leader notes I appended, which I encourage anyone from any church who does Beth's Daniel study to use as well. The page number in the Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy Participant's book is given, followed by a topic or quote from Beth along with my notes in response.
------------------------------------------

“Daniel: Lives of Integrity Words of Prophecy”
(Participants’ Workbook)

By Beth Moore

*Notes reflecting what many evangelicals
believe to be a more Biblical approach
to the study of Daniel, Revelation,
and Eschatology in general.*
Copyright - James-Michael Smith, 2009

Session 6

[p.119]: Babylon

Moore takes Babylon quite literally. However, in Scripture, Babylon as well as Jerusalem and Egypt function both literarily and symbolically on different occasions—context determines which is the case in any given passage.

[pp.120-121]: Rev.18

Many, if not most, evangelical scholars hold that:

“Babylon” is primarily symbolic of the Roman Empire in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD

“Babylon’s fall” describes primarily the coming fall of Rome to John’s original readers.

Such a fall of the mighty Roman empire foreshadows the fall of all worldly evil empires at Christ’s return.

To try to identify “Babylon” as a literal city or state in the future obscures the point of the passage and often misleads the reader into trying to identify a particular ‘Babylon’ in current world events instead of seeing the bigger picture of universal evil being defeated by Christ.

Session 7

[p.136]: “One is to develop a working knowledge of the dispensational-primillennial model of understanding the end-time events…My hope is that you’ll be able to chart end-time events on a timeline in potential chronological order by the conclusion of our series…Check with your pastor and other teachers. Ask their views and their recommendations of sound materials they’d suggest.” -Beth Moore

Note: A Disclaimer about Pre-mill Dispensationalism

While it is good to be familiar with all views on end-time events, many evangelicals thoroughly reject the model taught by Dispensational Premillennial teachers and believe “charting” end-time events to be of relatively little importance, as it can sometimes force a pattern onto the text that the text itself may not be speaking of.

Dispensational Premillennialism originated with John Nelson Darby in 19^th century England and was popularized by C.I. Scofield, D.L. Moody, and Charles Ryrie. Dallas Theological Seminary was founded in order to train pastors and teachers in this view and many of the scholars Moore quotes from in this study are DTS graduates. Despite its popularity, Dispensational Premillennialism is held by very few Christians outside of North America and Australia (and almost no Christians before the 1850s) and is not borne out by a careful reading of Scripture. For a thorough critique of Dispensationalism from an evangelical Methodist standpoint, we recommend the section on Dispensationalism in Ben Witherington’s book “The Problem with Evangelical Theology” (Baylor Univ. Press, 2006).

However, Moore’s acknowledgement of the multiple views held by others is commendable and should be emphasized.

[p.141]: On Daniel’s vision of the beasts and kings: “Basically, two possibilities exist for fulfillment of this prophecy. It must either apply to ancient Rome or it must be yet future.” – Beth Moore

This is a false dichotomy. Apocalyptic literature is much more fluid and images frequently function as both referents to then-current events as well as a broader future fulfillment.

[p.141]: “We presently live in the church age, but the 10 kings prophesied in Daniel 7 may emerge in the future. Many scholars ‘hold that the time of the 10 horns is yet future, that the present church age is not seen in this vision, and that the 10 kings will coexist over a future revived [or realigned] Roman Empire.’” –Beth Moore

This interpretation by Walvoord—a dispensationalist scholar—is based on many other assumptions. The primary one with which we disagree is that the “church age” is not envisioned. Dispensationalists see the Church as a type of “historical parentheses”, a period in history when God puts His dealings with His other people, Israel, on hold.

[p.146]: On Characteristics of the Anti-Christ

The Anti-Christ may be a future individual, but may also be a corporate evil symbolized by a human figure in Scripture. The passages which Moore notes when describing the Anti-Christ are not speaking primarily of a future individual when read in their contexts.

[p.146]: On “Israel” as God’s People: “This could be the nation of Israel (as His covenant and chosen people), Christians, or both.” -Beth Moore

The modern political nation of Israel is not the same as the Biblical nation of Israel. Modern Israel is a secular western democracy; Biblical Israel is the Covenant people of God. There is a difference and Dispensationalists make a serious mistake by confusing the two.

[p.149 and 151]: “The ‘woman’ symbolizes the nation of Israel…Compared in their contexts, they refer to a horrific season of unparalleled persecution through which God will sustain Israel as a nation.” … “Dispensationalists understand Israel to be a people of God distinct from the church.” -Beth Moore

This again is a mistaking of the modern nation of Israel with the Biblical concept of God’s people. The result is that now there are two “peoples of God”—Israel and the Church. But this is not a Biblically sound notion. There is only one “People of God”—those who believe in and follow the Messiah, Jesus (cf. Ephesians ch.2). This ‘People of God’ is made up of both Jews (Messianic Jews) and Gentiles (non-Jewish followers of Jesus).

Session 8

[p.166]: On Israel and the Church: “I believe God has two distinct peoples: national Israel and the church.” –Beth Moore

See comments above regarding the concept of “two peoples of God.”

[p.166]: On Paul’s writings: “Chapters 9-11 of the Book of Romans contain very difficult passages to understand fully. Paul wrote them under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and yet I believe even he found them beyond human comprehension…” – Beth Moore

This is an opinion that most evangelical scholars do not share. Inspiration does not mean that the author did not understand what he wrote; it means that God superintended what was written to preserve it from error. [For more on the Christian Doctrine of Inspiration of Scripture, we recommend “The Living Word of God” by Ben Witherington and “The Blue Parakeet” by Scot McKnight.]

Paul’s discourse in Rom. 9-11 has been handled quite well by Tom Wright (“Paul for Everyone: Romans, part 2”) as well as Ben Witherington (“Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary” and “The Problem with Evangelical Theology”). After the conclusion of this study, we recommend participants read these works—especially Tom Wright’s.

[p.167]: A look at the “Tribulation” See the hand-outs, “Assumptions within the Pre-Trib Dispensationalist view” and “A Conversation between a Pre-Trib Dispensationalist and an Amillennialist” (available by email request)

[p.168]: “The nation of Israel will endure and emerge from the future terror of the Antichrist…” -Beth Moore

The Israel spoken of in the Bible is, again, not the current political nation of Israel. Rather, it is the “Israel of God”—those who follow the Messiah, both Jew and Gentile united under the New Covenant, and are therefore God’s People. (cf. Psa. 73:1, Jer. 31:31, Rom. 9:6, Gal. 6:15-16, Eph. 2:11-13, 3:6, Rev. 7)

[p.168]: On “Christ’s secret return partway to the earth…”:

There is nothing in Scripture about Christ “secretly” returning to rapture believers to Heaven. The only passage that can be appealed to as speaking of a “rapture” is 1Thes. 4:13-18. Yet when read in context, there is nothing “secret” about this event—it is accompanied by trumpet blast and a loud shout.

Rather than describing a secret rapture, the 1Thessalonians passage is describing the return of Christ to reign in power and execute final judgment. The imagery of “meeting the Lord in the air” is a well-known image of a Roman Triumphant Procession whereby after a tremendous victory, citizens of the city would go out into the countryside to meet their victorious ruler and accompany him back to the city where he reigns in power. This is Paul’s metaphor for Christ’s triumphant return to earth as true victorious emperor of all creation.

[p.171]: On “the days of Noah…”

The Dispensational Premillennial view that Jesus’ words about some being “taken” and others being “left behind” referring to a rapture does not hold up under a close reading of the text. Note Jesus’ words carefully:

³⁷As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰ Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. ⁴² "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matthew 24:37-42

The ones “taken” in the days of Noah were those who were taken away by the flood judgment. The ones who were “left behind” were Noah and his family. The idea that this is referring to a rapture and that believers will be “taken” is actually the exact opposite of what Jesus is saying! Only those who are faithful will be “left behind” after God’s judgment on the world—just as Noah and family were left behind after God’s judgment on the world and Lot and his daughters were “left behind” after God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.

Session 9

[p.179] On “Many wonderful things will also happen toward the end…”

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:17) happened at Pentacost. It is not a future event waiting to happen. The events Moore is talking about began happening after Jesus’ ascension and will continue until the end.

Session 11

[pp.223-224] On Matt. 25:32:

Jesus’ words “these brothers of mine” are not referring specifically to the Jews. Jesus said, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:48-50) Jesus’ “brothers” are His followers. This is something that the Dispensational Premillennial view seems to miss.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary which Moore repeatedly refers to is a Dispensational Premillenial commentary by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck—two classical Dispensational teachers. It contains many interpretations that simply go far beyond the text of Scripture. An example of this is found on p.224 beginning with the phrase “A Gentile going out of his way to assist a Jew in the Tribulation will…” This is not found anywhere in Scripture and is a conclusion that is based on a prior system of Dispensational tribulation hypotheticals.

Concluding comments:

Overall, the applications Beth Moore makes in her Daniel study are excellent and many of her historical points are insightful and quite accurate, particularly in first 5 sessions. However, because she adopts a prior Dispensational Premillennial theology, including a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of believers, many of her conclusions about various key passages in Scripture are based not on the context of the passage, but rather on the system of interpretation that she has been taught. The Futurist reading by Dispensationalists of the second half of Daniel—as well as Jesus’ Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25) and the book of Revelation—results in much speculation and the ignoring of certain historical events, which the texts primarily refer to.

Those who do this study should make a point of doing a study or taking a course by other evangelical teachers and scholars, which can offer a corrective to the popular Dispensational theology put forth by Beth Moore. Thus, they will be better equipped to separate the many good points and insights Beth presents from the faulty premises upon which much of her eschatology is based.

Iron sharpening iron,

James-Michael Smith

Methodist Examiner

So I hope people who read this will see that while I respect Beth Moore and don't think her studies should be avoided or burned as heretical, I do believe that the system of End Times folk-theology which she has been taught and which she in turn is passing on through this study is what needs to be "Left Behind."

Bracing for inevidable death-threats from the multitudes of angry Christian women,

JMS

:)

ps: For more of my articles on things pertaining to Prophecy and End Times click here

The lost world of Genesis one

2009-11-10T16:06:00.003-05:00

Book Review:
The lost world of Genesis one
by John Walton

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The origin of American Methodists

2009-11-05T16:37:00.001-05:00

The origin of American Methodists

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Resource Review: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary, vol.1

2009-11-02T14:04:00.004-05:00

ZIBBCOT, Vol.1 – Genesis-Deuteronomy

For over a century, studies comparing the OT and the ancient Near East have hovered on the fringe of hermeneutics and exegesis. Since these studies were at times exploited by critical scholars for polemical attacks against the biblical text, evangelicals were long inclined to avoid or even vilify them…Ever since the discovery of the Babylonian flood and creation accounts, critical scholarship has been attempting to demonstrate that the OT is derivative literature, a disadvantaged step-sister to the dominant cultures of the ancient Near East. These scholars have attempted to reduce the OT to converted mythology whose dependency exposes its humanity…It is no surprise, then, that evangelicals have often rejected the claims of these critical schools of thought. (p.viii)

Thus begins Zondervan International Bible Backgrounds Commentary on the Old Testament, vol.1 - Genesis-Deuteronomy (ZIBBCOT). The opening essay on methodology, from which this quote is taken, then goes on to lay out the purpose of ZIBBCOT:

There is, however, nothing inherently damaging to orthodox theology and beliefs about the Bible if its authors were interacting at various levels with the literature current in the culture. All literature is dependent on the culture in which it arises—it must be, if it intends to communicate effectively…The biblical text, in other words, formulated its discussion in relation to the thinking found in the ancient literature. It should be no surprise, then, if areas of similarity are found. This is far different from the contention that Israelite literature is simply derivative mythology. There is a great distanced between borrowing from a particular piece of literature (as has been claimed in critical circles) and resonating with the larger culture that has itself been influenced by is literature…some genres will operate differently in the ancient world than they do in our own culture, so we must become familiar with the mechanics of the genres represented in the ancient Near East. (p.viii-ix)

Volume 1 of ZIBBCOT explores this relationship between the books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy) and the surrounding literature of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Babylon, Assyria and Canaanite cultures. By looking at the texts of Scripture within their cultural background and noting the similarities as well as the differences between them and the literature of the ancient world, valuable insights can be gained as to their content, purpose and theological contributions to the community of faith.

Evangelicals have largely avoided (or simply been ignorant of) cross-cultural background analysis of the Biblical texts due largely to the conclusions of 19^th-20^th century critical scholarship, as noted in the excerpt from the essay above. However, the result has often been eisegesis (where modern meanings or assumptions are read back into the text) rather than exegesis (where the text’s original meaning and intent of the author determines its meaning) on the part of the very group of Christians who claim to hold Scripture in such high regard. This gives credence to the caricature of evangelicals as fideistic, unlearned, non-critical thinkers who are blissfully unaware of findings from actual biblical scholarship.

But ZIBBCOT (and other works by top-notch evangelical biblical scholars over the past few decades) render such caricatures obsolete. Below is a review of what I feel are the strengths and weaknesses of this commentary set.

[It should be noted at the outset that my comments only apply to vol.1, as I have not had access to vols.2-5...though I hope to review subsequent volumes in the future.]

ZIBBCOT’s Strengths

Unique Content. The greatest strength of this commentary is its presentation of material that, until now, has been largely tucked away in dusty volumes of ancient Near East journals or relegated to footnotes in technical commentaries—and thus gone unnoticed by the average preacher, teacher and educated layperson! ZIBBCOT brings this information to the forefront, with the pertinent material from ancient Near East literature presented in context of the Biblical passage to which it relates.
Visual Aesthetics and Clarity. Photos, illustrations and graphical presentation of information is EVERYWHERE in this commentary! Almost every page contains images from the ancient world, which give the reader a sense of the visual context as well as the literary. Seeing actual depictions of how the Egyptians viewed the structure of the universe as consisting of the various gods of their pantheon (pp.8, 16) does more to help the reader understand the cosmology of the ancient Near East than mere description ever could. Having an image to put with strange ancient names such as Re, Maat, Osiris, Atum, Marduk or Enkidu gives the reader a better sense of who the ancients worshipped or honored.
Ease of Access. Rather than a series of articles or an alphabetical listing of ancient Literature topics, ZIBBCOT is set up as an actual commentary. After introductory essays on each book of the Pentateuch follows a verse-by-verse tour of all relevant background material from the ancient literary world. Thus, one can go straight to the passage in Scripture one is wanting context on and find it with ease, rather than having to wade through topical articles or do cross-referencing with journal articles and dictionary entries. For instance, if I want to know how the sexual purity code of Leviticus 18 compares and contrasts with other laws from that period, I just turn to the section on Lev.18 (pp.309-311) and can see a chart comparing it with the laws of Hammurabi and Hittite purity laws. This shows how Israelite purity laws stand within the overall cultural world in which they were given--but contain key differences from the surrounding cultures, which would make Israel stand out as a peculiar people among their ancient Near East neighbors.

ZIBBCOT’s weaknesses

Cost. There’s simply no way around it: the average Christian will not likely spend $49.99 on a single commentary covering 5 books of the Bible, much less $249.99 for the entire set. This is a fact that the church must come to grips with. Christians choose to spend their money on cheaper, less-informative books, gifts and trinkets (aka. 'Jesus junk') from Christian bookstores rather than on valuable, meaty resources such as commentaries. This is an unfortunate reality; and one that is not likely to change anytime soon it seems. However, given the quality of ZIBBCOT, both in content and in manufacturing (full-color layout, durable heavy paper, hardback binding) it’s hard to see how the price could be reduced. Therefore, churches should see to it that they have this commentary set (as well as other more expensive excellent resources!) available to their small group leaders, Sunday school teachers and other leadership for use on a regular basis, so that their teaching ministry has access to the best information possible.
Endnotes. One of the biggest frustrations I experienced in using this commentary was having to constantly flip to the end of the section in order to read the extensive endnotes found throughout the chapters. For instance, the commentary on Genesis alone contains over 700 endnotes (that means flipping to the back fo the chapter hundreds of times in order to see what is being noted)! The commentary would be MUCH easier and more enjoyable to use if it had gone with footnotes at the bottom (or in the side margin) of each page. The slick visual layout may be compromised a bit, but that's a small price to pay for not having to constantly flip 100+ pages ahead in order to see what is being cited or explained in greater detail!
Lack of Theological Reflection. While the editors do a good job of giving the relevant cultural and literary information applicable to the text of Scripture in question, there is relatively little theological reflection or attempt at integration of the material in a way that the average reader can absorb. It’s one thing to know that serpent-human conflict appears in the Gilgamesh Epic, the Story of Adapa, and Egyptian literature—it’s another to know what this means for the author (or readers) of Genesis 3. It would be nice to have more of the editors thoughts on how the background information affects various theological interpretations. But in order to know what General Editor John Walton believes an informed reading of Genesis 1 actually leads to regarding questions of cosmology, creation and integration with modern science, one has to go to his separate book on the subject. However, ZIBBCOT has chosen to keep theological reflection to a minimum it seems. This is, of course, understandable for a reference work of this nature; but it may be a disappointment to many who are otherwise unfamiliar with the impact of ancient Near East studies on the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible.

Overall Evaluation

I would absolutely recommend ZIBBCOT vol.1 to any serious student of the Pentateuch. It should be on the bookshelf of everyone who preaches or teaches from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus or Deuteronomy on a regular basis. The ancient Near East context of the Hebrew Bible has been long-ignored or under-utilized by evangelical and/or conservative Christians in general (and by many liberal and mainline interpreters as well!). This commentary set seeks to bring students, pastors and teachers up to speed on the effect of comparative background studies from the literature of the ancient world on interpreting the Pentateuch. And this is precisely what ZIBBCOT vol. 1 accomplishes.

Questions from children - Who created God?

2009-11-02T12:29:00.001-05:00

Questions from children - Who created God?

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Weekends with Wesley - thoughts on ordained ministry

2009-11-01T21:00:00.001-05:00

Weekends with Wesley - thoughts on ordained ministry

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A Methodist's take on predestination and free will

2009-10-21T00:57:00.001-04:00

A Methodist's take on predestination and free will

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Common cliches about the Bible

2009-10-17T22:10:00.001-04:00

Common cliches about the Bible

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You gotta dig if you want the treasure!

2009-10-17T17:47:00.002-04:00

Here's a clip from the introduction to the course I teach on interpreting and understanding the Bible called "Bible for the Rest of Us." I developed when I was working as the Discipleship Pastor at Good Shepherd and taught it during this Fall semester of Passage (Good Shepherd's school of theology).

In this clip, we begin the class by looking at E.W. Bullinger's comparison of Scripture to the surface of the earth...

If you'd like to bring Bible for the Rest of Us to your own church, school or ministry, email jamesmichael7@yahoo.com for scheduling information.

Big thanks to Mark Blanco for filming and helping me step into (extremely) amateur video editing! :)

Blessings,
JMS

Was David really 'a man after God's own heart'?

2009-10-12T12:52:00.001-04:00

Was David really 'a man after God's own heart'?

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Bible 101 - ALL translations are interpretations

2009-10-09T14:58:00.001-04:00

Bible 101 - ALL translations are interpretations

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What does the Bible teach about Heaven?

2009-10-06T15:43:00.001-04:00

What does the Bible teach about Heaven?

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Why the KJV and NKJV shouldn't be your first choice in Bible Study

2009-10-05T12:32:00.001-04:00

Why the KJV and NKJV shouldn't be your first choice in Bible Study

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The god of American Christianity

2009-10-02T14:56:00.001-04:00

The god of American Christianity

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'Contradictions' in the Bible - 3 days and 3 nights

2009-09-29T13:56:00.001-04:00

'Contradictions' in the Bible - 3 days and 3 nights

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I finally got my LMA black belt

2009-09-27T22:21:00.003-04:00

Saturday, Sept. 26th I tested for my black belt at Leadership Martial Arts. The test was a grueling 3+ hrs of drills, technique demonstration, live sparring and forms. Our head instructor, Sensei Derek Richardson, brought in a panel of martial artists to judge us. We had never met them and they didn't know us, so they were judging solely on what they saw from us that day.

My friend and training partner, Mark Blanco (who will be testing for his black belt sometime in the coming months most likely!) recorded the entire event and compressed over 3 hours into a short video with excellent graphics commentary and time-lapse for the repetitive parts (such as our ridiculously hard "warm up" excercises!). He was also kind enough to include slow motion clips of me getting beat up on by two of our highest ranking women at the school...two women you definitely don't want to mess with!

I started training in martial arts when I was 8 years old. I've studied various traditional styles from Okinawa, Japan, Korea, as well as techniques from many others styles and fighting methods for over 2 decades. Yet each time, I was never able to earn my black belt in any one of them because I would have to move (i.e. Dad's appointment to a new church, going to college, etc.).

I started training at LMA about 3 years ago and it was the first school that was genuinely a Mixed Martial Arts school. I had plenty of experience in the traditional martial arts, but was a complete noob in the areas of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Muay Thai. Looking back, I'm proud to say that I earned my first black belt at LMA and it truly represents, to me, the culmination of a goal set by a scrawny 8 year old growing up in Georgia.

Thank you first and foremost to my Sensei, and friend, Derek Richardson. And secondly, a HUGE thank you to all my training partners and friends at LMA (you know who you are...and I cherish the bruises from each and every one of you!). And to Houston and Logan, my fellow black belts who endured 3 hrs of pain, CONGRATS GUYS, WE SURVIVED! :)

Oh yeah...here's the video:

Blessings from the Dojo,
JMS

John Wesley: the early years

2009-09-25T00:13:00.001-04:00

John Wesley: the early years

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Handling Denominational or theological divisions within the Christian faith

2009-09-24T00:40:00.001-04:00

Handling Denominational or theological divisions within the Christian faith

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5 Fiction books that changed my life

2009-09-22T23:12:00.009-04:00

I was thinking tonight about books I've read over the years that have pretty much shaped who I am, specifically fiction books. I'd like to share them with the Dojo readers in no particular order:

Watership Down

Richard Adams

This is, quite simply, my favorite work of fiction ever written. You almost immediately get swept up into the world of this colony of rabbits and their flight and fight for survival. You become familiar with their culture, vocabulary, and even their folklore, all through their own eyes. The novel has deeper undertones and themes regarding society and British politics...but I was completely unaware of them at the time I read it. I fell in love with the characters (especially Bigwig!) and was totally enchanted by the world Adams created. If you saw the horrible animated version on TV back in the 80s don't let it keep you from reading the book. I literally shed tears at the end of this epic.

Out of the Silent Planet & Perelandra

C.S. Lewis

These are the first two books in Lewis' lesser-known "Space Trilogy" (the third being "That Hideous Strength", which I didn't really enjoy that much). Despite the relative shortness of these two little books, there is more deep theology packed into their pages than in all the Narnia books combined. Perelandra is my favorite of the two, but it doesn't make sense without having read Out of the Silent Planet. If you've ever wondered about the Gospel and how it would look to beings on other planets, Lewis gives you much to ponder.

Joshua

Joseph F. Girzone

Simply put, "Joshua" is a fictional account of Jesus moving to the outskirts of a small middle American town and his relationship with the local people, churches and synagogue. I read this shortly after reading Philip Yancy's "The Jesus I Never Knew" and gave me a fresher understanding of Jesus than I had ever experienced before, particularly giving life to the "friend of sinners" mentality and what it might have looked like in today's culture. Girzone is a retired Catholic priest, yet his depiction of Jesus will engage ANYONE, regardless of their church/denominational background. This book (along with the 4 sequels) absolutely changed my life as I strove to live more like Jesus in everyday situations...years before people started asking "WWJD"!

Shogun

James Clavell

Having always been interested in Samurai, and having seen episodes of the mini-series as a kid on TV, I picked up Shogun expecting to be transported into the world of Japan during feudal times...I was not disappointed. More than that, there is so much regarding the politics of religion and clash of cultures that anyone interested in history, particularly as it pertains to Christian missions, can get wrapped up in this majestic tale of the stranded Captain Blackthorne and his slow transformation among the samurai in Lord Toronaga's ranks. This is historical fiction at its finest.

Jurassic Park

Michael Crichton

This was the first full-length novel I ever read in less than 48 hrs. It was also the smartest. NO ONE blended heart-pounding action and frontier scientific theories like Crichton did. And in none of his books is this better demonstrated than in the original Jurassic Park. As great as Spielberg's movie adaptation was (and it was amazing!), the book is exponentially better (pun intended!).

Suggestions for the upcoming NIV 2011 translation

2009-09-21T13:32:00.001-04:00

Suggestions for the upcoming NIV 2011 translation

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Ravi Zacharias responds to Wall Street Journal articles by Richard Dawkins and Karen Armstrong

2009-09-17T13:44:00.001-04:00

Ravi Zacharias responds to Wall Street Journal articles by Richard Dawkins and Karen Armstrong

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Kanye West's apology to Taylor Swift

2009-09-15T12:34:00.001-04:00

Kanye West's apology to Taylor Swift

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Why belief in the rapture should be left behind

2009-09-14T14:16:00.001-04:00

Why belief in the rapture should be left behind

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The Gospel in plain language

2009-09-08T15:33:00.003-04:00

The Gospel in plain language

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Paul and his view of women - misogynist or progressive?

2009-09-05T13:42:00.001-04:00

Paul and his view of women - misogynist or progressive?

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Bible 101 - Understanding the Gospel of Matthew

2009-09-04T13:06:00.001-04:00

Bible 101 - Understanding the Gospel of Matthew

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Sex and the Christian

2009-09-03T14:11:00.001-04:00

Sex and the Christian

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Christian and Muslim dialogue regarding idolatry

2009-09-01T11:59:00.001-04:00

Christian and Muslim dialogue regarding idolatry

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Fall Season of CharlotteONE:...you don't want to miss it!!

2009-08-27T16:18:00.003-04:00

"CharlotteONE will kick-off her fall season on Tuesday, September 15th @ 7:00pm at First United Methodist Church in Uptown. This new season will include: Todd Phillips, Donald Miller, David Crowder (Nov. 18), Charlie Hall, Daraja Children's Choir and others! For more information about CharlotteONE go to www.CharlotteONE.org or www.facebook.com/CharlotteONE."

Fall Schedule:

Sept. 15 - Todd Phillips

Sept. 19 - City-Wide Service Project (Bethlehem Center / 9am-12pm)

Sept. 22 - Todd Phillips

Sept. 29 - Todd Phillips

Oct. 6 - David Hickman

Oct. 13 - David Hickman

Oct. 20 - Donald Miller (FREE)

Oct. 27 - James-Michael Smith

Nov. 3 - James-Michael Smith

Nov. 10 - Charlie Hall

Nov. 17th - NO CHARLOTTEONE

Wednesday, Nov. 18 - David Crowder at Forest Hill Church

Nov. 21 - City-Wide Service Project (TBA)

Nov. 24 - David Hickman

Dec. 1 - Daraja Children's Choir

A U2 worship service - Has Bono gone Methodist?

2009-08-27T15:32:00.001-04:00

A U2 worship service - Has Bono gone Methodist?

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Intelligent Design 101 - Is ID religious Creationism in disguise?

2009-08-26T12:41:00.001-04:00

Intelligent Design 101 - Is ID religious Creationism in disguise?

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Jesus' prediction of the Temple's destruction...from an eyewitness account (Part 3)

2009-08-14T16:25:00.001-04:00

Jesus' prediction of the Temple's destruction...from an eyewitness account (Part 3)

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Francis Collins approved as Director of the NIH, some atheists not happy with Obama's choice

2009-08-11T14:28:00.002-04:00

Francis Collins approved as Director of the NIH, some atheists not happy with Obama's choice

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When God is not there...

2009-08-08T14:07:00.001-04:00

When God is not there...

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Who are the 'Sons of God' and 'Daughters of Men' in Genesis 6? (Part 2)

2009-08-04T15:46:00.001-04:00

Who are the 'Sons of God' and 'Daughters of Men' in Genesis 6? (Part 2)

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I'm now writing for The Olio

2009-08-04T14:47:00.002-04:00

The Olio (www.theolio.org), is a collection of Christian writers who contribute articles and devotionals in the areas of culture, theology, discipleship and other things pertaining to the Christian walk.

The word “olio” means “a miscellany, a medley” and that’s what this site is all about as it pertains to the journey of following Jesus. More than 40 leaders, thinkers, and practitioners will be converging on this site each month to share their thoughts on their journey.

I'll be a regular contributor, along with a number of other excellent up-and-coming Christian writers, thinkers and bloggers. Be sure to check it out!

Here's a link to my profile there: http://theolio.org/contributors/james-michael-smith/

Enjoy and help spread the word!

JMS

Bible Interpretation 101 - What is a "chiasm"?

2009-07-31T14:54:00.003-04:00

Bible Interpretation 101 - What is a 'chiasm'?

Do you know what a 'chiasm' is?

Here's why you should...

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Questions from a Muslim friend

2009-07-29T16:24:00.003-04:00

Questions from a Muslim friend

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Intelligent Design debunked by 'flaws' in design?

2009-07-28T13:32:00.003-04:00

Is Intelligent Design debunked by 'flaws' in design?

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A quick take on predestination

2009-07-28T01:00:00.001-04:00

A quick take on predestination

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What have they done with Jesus?

2009-07-18T17:05:00.003-04:00

Book review:
What have they done with Jesus?

A quick look at an excellent resource by
a top New Testament scholar.

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Can God be trusted?

2009-07-17T01:31:00.001-04:00

Can God be trusted?

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Bible 101: What's in the New Testament

2009-07-16T00:36:00.003-04:00

Bible 101: What's in the New Testament

Do you know??

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Light

2009-07-15T15:14:00.001-04:00

Light & dark in John's Gospel - why context is important

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What are Spiritual Disciplines?

2009-07-14T14:05:00.003-04:00

What are 'Spiritual Disciplines'?

Is this what you think about when you hear the term?

If so, you may want to read this article... :)

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UFC and the UMC

2009-07-13T15:27:00.003-04:00

UFC and the UMC

Okay, what possible connection could there be between the sport of Mixed Martial Arts' flagship organization and the state of the United Methodist Church??

Seriously, have these two organizations ever been mentioned in the same article before? I dunno. But now they have.

Enjoy,
JMS

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