Sticmann ink

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Showing posts with label Genesis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Genesis. Show all posts

Friday, November 12, 2010

Creation structure

Mike Bull has shown how the chiastic structure in Leviticus 24 fits into the feasts of chapter 23 and into the surrounding text through the sevenfold creation pattern laid out in Genesis 1.
His book, Bible Matrix goes into this pattern in much more detail. I haven't gotten through it yet, but from what I've read it looks fantastic.
Posted by Joshua at 10:06 AM 0 comments
Labels: Genesis, Leviticus, OT

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Heroes

From the introduction of Everett Fox's translation of Genesis:
A word should also be said here about hero traditions. In the great epics of the ancient world the hero often stands as a lonely figure. He must overcome obstacles, fight monsters, acquire helpers (whether women, "sidekicks," or magic objects); and his triumph in the end signals man's triumph over his archenemy, Death. Every battle won, every obstacle hurdled, is psychologically a victory for us, the audience, a cathartic release from our own frustrating battle against death.
The Bible sees things rather differently. Death is also overcome, but not only by the individual's struggle. It is rather through the covenant community, bound together by God's laws and his promises, that the heroic vision is lived out. Despite the triumphs of the characters in Genesis, it is really in the book of Exodus that the great battle scenes (the plagues in Egypt, the Red Sea) and meetings with the divine (Mount Sinai) take place. And it is therefore God himself who is most properly the "hero" of these stories. No major character in Genesis achieves success without depending fully on God, and the standards that are held up to them are ultimately seen as God's own, to be imitated by imperfect humankind.
Posted by Joshua at 10:10 PM 0 comments
Labels: Genesis, OT

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Enjoyment and entertainment

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

He could have left it without form, without color or variation. He could have made it without hills and mountains and valleys. Without streams and lakes and oceans. Without trees and birds and leafy sea dragons. All those colors in the sunset really aren't necessary. All food could taste like cold oatmeal. He could have made sex feel like brushing your teeth. But he didn't.

The creation was made good. It was made to be enjoyed. This says a lot about it's creator. He is to be enjoyed, because He is good. Now, all these things are good and enjoyable because they point to a good and enjoyable God. Without God at the center, all these things become worthless and abominable. Sex sought outside of a godly marriage relationship is degraded to adultery or pornography or rape. Gluttony elevates food to a god-like mastery over the life. Entertainment is the deification of Enjoyment.

Paul exhorts the Philippians, saying,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
How much of what is called entertainment fits any of these descriptions? One may be tempted to include proficient, well-crafted movies or music or plays or books as "excellent", but Paul sets the mark high. The Greek word for excellence is aretē, a virtuous course of thought, virtue, moral goodness.

Is there value in entertainment? Is it more than just an "activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time"? What edification comes from tv shows created for the purpose of selling consumers to advertisers? What is commendable about learning all the stats of the coaches and players of games? Is there truth in top 40 radio? "Christian" radio?

King David declares in Psalm 101,
I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.
In his Confessions, Augustine laments his fascination as a youth with reading of the wars and murders and adulteries of the gods,
For Thou didst grant me Thy discipline, while I was learning vanities; and my sin of delighting in those vanities Thou hast forgiven. In them, indeed, I learnt many a useful word, but these may as well be learned in things not vain.
So much time is wasted in these things. Moses put it aptly in Psalm 90,
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!
Posted by Joshua at 8:32 PM 0 comments
Labels: Augustine, entertainment, Genesis, NT, OT, Philippians, Psalms, wisdom
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