Stuff Michael Meeks did to 2004-06

• An unusual passage to hear preached; several controversies arising: between congregationalists and presbeterians. A 2nd controversy - how to interpret old testament prophecy, the church age and the return of Christ - this text particularly featured between the traditional reformed interpretation, and Hal Lindsay, Tim LeHay who have made 'dispensationalism' popular; his 12th volume 'left behind' series. 3rd controversy: how much of the old testament do we still have to obey; 613 laws: every one still applicable ? All these hinge around Acts 15.
  • Congregationalism: what is it ? why in the US, are there ~no congregational churches outside New-England and ~the converse inside. Comes from Acts 15, the settlement history, and their basic similarities. Had a hop-scotch missionary arrangement; until the kissing stopped and the argument starts. Both agree on the Westminster Confession of faith, so no difference in their faith; just on church government. All agree, that God is not encouraging the notion of an entirely autonomous local church; instead a great example of mutual inter-dependance.
  • The controversy appealed to the Church at Jerusalem - we hear about Apostles and Elders but in terms of their leadership, they seem to be the same. Peter - a fellow elder.
  • A formal meeting of the elders to consider the issue; a 'presbetary' vs. 'a synod'. Note - the total lack of prayer then a miraculous revalation; instead they weighed evidence, heard both sides of the argument, the scriptures; then vs. 7 there was much discussion. Lots of emphasis on what God had been doing, and had done. After hearing the evidence - the final standard of authority: the summary: the word of God. Amos 9:11,12, at the end significant authority: It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us vs. 28.
  • Everyone agrees to this point; Presbyterians belive the presbetary have standing authority, over the other churches, including ones they don't necessarily attend, and can make decisions that are binding on the whole congregation. Congregationlists say this was invited authority - the reason it was being made in Jerusalem is because Antioch couldn't solve the problem, and it's only because the troublemakers had come from Jerusalem, then it was fitting for them to see if indeed it was true v24 we have heard that some went out from us without our authorisation and disturbed you. Also the letter was sent to only those churches that might have been confused - not all churches.
  • An example of Gordon's ex. congregational church in Gloster MA. from the records; one predecessor wanted to leave the church; the congregation agreed it was time for him to move on. In a decision of that magnitude they called a council of other sister church leaders / elders. When the churches met, they said: we don't think the pastor should leave. So the church: Lanesville Congregation Church accepted that counsel The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. So a reluctant church, kept a reluctant pastor for another set of years. The next year revival broke out - 1869, had more people converted than in the previous 5 years put together. We should often seek the counsel of other churches in matters.
• The second issue: Dispensationalism vs. the traditional 'reformed' or protestant understanding.
  • The Schofeld reference Bible perhaps the most effective tool for popularising this view of the timetable for Jesus' return, and how after his return there might be a period of tribulation, and after that a 1000 year reign, or millenium of Christ. That teaching behind Tim LaHey's and others' (12 volume) view etc. hinges on very few verses, one of them Acts 15.
  • Schofeld has this note, attached to James' speech: Dispensationally this is the most important passage in the New Testament. Gordon agrees, it's a good testing ground of the theory. In speaking of our dispenstaion brothers and sisters, not in a condemnatory way; most is great - the reality of Jesus' return ought to be an encouragement.
  • When James is quoting Amos - After this, I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent; they say 'After this' means the church age; this is Jesus speaking now: 'I will return', and will 're-build the fallen tent of David'. - 586BC was the last time a descendant of David sat on the throne. The next descendant of David who claimed to be King was whom: Jesus Christ. Herod claimed he was a descendant of David, but was an Edomite - at the very same time, Magi from the East came to ask where the real King was born. When crucified the superscription: This is the King of the Jews Jesus is David's greater son, the next King.
  • But according to the Schofeld reference bible he doens't get his Kingdom until the millenium; and only then will the gentiles come in along with the Jews.
  • But if that's what James meant - he must have been completely confused: he was saying it was a good thing to let the gentiles in; but if the prophecy he quotes doesn't apply until Jesus' return - it's irrelevant.
  • It so happens the vocabulary in I will return not found elsewhere; Amos 9: in the Hebrew, not 'returning', but 'restoring'. Reformed perspective - that happened when Jesus came. My Kingdom is not of this world - but it doesn't mean he doesn't have one; it's more escalated & expansive than David's. After Jesus' resurrection he says All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me we don't have to wait until Millenium times.
• The 3rd issue: which laws of the 613 apply:
  • Not so easy to tell. Today's question: Is it possible to be a faithful Jew, and a faithful Christian ? - of course it is. Ironically in Antioch, the opposite question, is it possible to be a Gentile and also a Christian.
  • The Judaisers, Unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved wisely rejected by the Elders; with 4 rules, omitting circumcision. The reason is about what circumcision means; not just 1 of 612 others; Was the commitment that symbolised commitment to the whole of the law Genesis 17: you are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.
  • What is promised from that; why that particular part of the anatomy ? why not a tattoo or something ? the Abrahamic covenant has as it's quintessential promise - a miraculous seed of Abraham through whom the world would be blessed.
  • Everyone else but the Philistines practices circumcision, but used it as a rite of passsage for adolescent boys going through puberty. So - the joke is, that you would use a puberty rite for a bloke 100 years old (for Abraham).
  • Since Christ has come; Gal 3: The seed of Abraham is Jesus Christ - if it has come, we don't need a sign that points forward to him.
  • Then the 4 requirements, 3 dietary:
    • Abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meat of strangled animals - very odd, such emphasis on food, unless you consider the context: not only the relationship to the law, but how can we get along.
    • How can we have table fellowship: Gal 2, upset over this very question. Gentiles, having just come out of their idolatorous background; abstain from food sacrificed to idols [ hard to come by nowadays ]. The issue pressing: no refrigerators, grocery stores, apart from the temples: the Markets adjunct buildings to the temple.
    • Abandoning food sacrificed to idols => not going near the temples. Like an ex. Alcholic agreeing not to have his business meetings in a bar. Paul talks in 1 Cor 8, 10 - and takes a more cautious approach.
    • Avoid blood: later Rabbinic judaism thought just get rid of the blood in the animal; in the ancient context - not allowed to eat meat with the 'life blood' in it, with it coursing through its veins. ie. you must slaughter animals before eating them. Might seem obvious, but not so - the bachaus cult at the time of Acts - they would sink their teeth into the quivering flesh of the animal, devouring it alive. Arnobius: To show yourself full of the divinity and majesty of the God, you demolish with gory mouths the intestines of goats, bleating for mercy.
    • For the Christian - this cannot be, and anti- idolatory theme. The law of love. Paul in Romans 14; I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself ie. you can eat a live goldfish - (give thanks first), But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. - very broadly applicable.
    • Finally - the 4th item; from Sexual immorality. Is the moral law still effective - you bed. Works are not meritious, but they are mandatory. Not saved _by_ works, but _for_ them. It is by grace you have been saved.
    • 2 Categories of laws: those that are fulfilled in Christ; many of them are fulfilled because they pointed forward to him; he is the passover lamb that takes away from the sin of the world. The sacrificial system, the theocracy, the punishments that go with a theocracy, set aside My Kingdom is not of this world. But the Moral requirements not set aside - since God's moral character never changes.
    • The categories can be distinguished in various ways - some are more important: justice, mercy, faithfullness - that the Pharises were neglecting.
    • So why mention this problem: sexual immorality; because it was the problem: many understood that honouring parents, protecting innocent life etc. What made Christians stand out was their view of marriage; one scholar: It has been said that chastity was the only completely new virtue that Christianity brought into the world.
    • It ran right across the sexual hysteria and obsession of the time. In villa's the art decoration was like modern internet pornography; an assault on the home-owner against any sense of modesty. Connected with paganism particularly a problem; Revalation 2: the church of Purganum enticed Israel to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality; two go hand in hand.
    • The official worship encouraged it. Juvenal says: At what temple does a prostitute not sit - part of the religious experience. Even among the best of the moralists there was this dichotomy.
    • No wonder marriage was falling apart: Seneca: Women were married to be divorced, and divorced to be married in 2nd C. Only God has the right to tell you what to do with your body.
    • Flee sexual immorality - all X rated theatre, the temple, it was everywhere - living as a Christian was counter-cultural.
    • I can't give my wife very much; - many men might wish to bring a better salary, more affection - but one thing we can give: our fidelity. Not just outward behavior, but matters of the heart. You have heard it said, do not commit adultery, but I tell you anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
    • Job said I've made a covenant with my eyes, not to look lustfully at a woman. Saint Augustine - had lived a life of Roman immorality - had done it all; when he turned around, almost the next day: walking along the sidewalk, he meets one of his former girls, and she lights up, her makeup glistens with the joy of meeting him; he averts his glance - she cries out; Augustine - its I. He breaks out into a full run, crying out over his shoulder: yes, but it is not I. behold the old has gone, the new has come - therefore flee sexual immorality, all other sins a man commits are outside his body, do you not know your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

• In contrast to many broad churches, it seems there is little room for discussion / differences of opinion; indeed - when faced with a tough applied Christian morality question; the quandry seems to be not knowing what the Church's position is, rather than any suggestion that this might be an area in which we may all legitimately and charitably differ / wrestle with applying our faith.
• The LDS apparently have a fixed view on the literal creation which is interesting. People would also tend not to choose / prefer a church whose style fitted their temperament but go to the nearest.
• The Brigham Young: As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become. is still in vogue / an accurate doctrinal statement.
• Seemed to be some feeling that the LDS were in some sense especially singled out as 'non-christian' by main-stream churches; whereas in fact this is not so: the Jehovah's Witnesses would be one obvious similar example. Similarly amazed at her level of support for George Bush - impressed with his political skill.
• Seemed to be a lack of awareness of other faiths, despite spending time teaching missionaries in Pakistan had only the sketchiest awareness of Muhammed's life and teaching, gained from a popular film.
• No well crafted polemic for Muslims; Islam bearing several superficial similarities; but having a firm Prophecy termination clause.
• Seemed to be a lack of awareness of the truth and exclusivity claims of other popular creeds; such as the JW's, the Roman Catholic church in a vague sense.

• The message of Palm Sunday about God's concern not for the immediate circumstances, as how we deal with them: That true peace comes only from cleaning our hearts.
• God does care about our circumstances: Isaiah 63: In all their distress, he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them. But the circumstances are not the real problem; our sinful reaction to them is. As difficult as our background, pressures etc. are, none of it is as tough as how we respond in a way that is pleasing to God.
• The outward circumstances of Jesus' disciples were horrific - subjugation to a foreign occupying army, and were all getting worse. The Romans whose literature we admire, whose laws we have inherited, whose art and architeture was amazing. The Romans were percieved as thugs whose brutality knew no limit; and as embodying a culture that was decadent, idolatorous and pernicious. The Jews of Jesus' day at a cross-roads: what to do about it ?
• In the minds of many - the obvious path was political; a King / General that would ride into the city and deliver it. The alternative view, that that Jesus was presenting: Israel & every single one of us must change our loyalty to Christ, but also recognise that his kingdom is not of this world - and offers a a different, inner peace that passes all understanding.
• What is our greatest and most urgent problem ? the job you just lost ? the doctor's diagnosis so discouraging ? rejection by your parents ? - or something inward ?
• Israel's sufferings were grevious; severe and would soon become horrendous. In just 40 years, the city would be destroyed, plundered then levelled. 100k Jews would be taken captive and reduced to servitude. 1million would be put to death. Forseeing this, Jesus wept as he approached it.
• More mundanely - the economic situation was oppressive, reducing many to destitution and servitude; adding the taxes up, comes to 30-40% of the average citizen, in terms of the nominal (minimum) tax to pay [ mostly subsistence famers ]. The taxation was not to fund local libraries, hospitals and public welfare, but to fund the armies of the oppressing power, to enrich Rome, to help our enemies.
• The authorities would franchise taxation - privatising it; they would sell the right to raise taxes to the higest bidder. The real tax well in excess of 30-40%.
• Pontious Pilate - Philo claims was inflexible and relentless; he had the power over life and death in all Israel. Pilate had 5 cohorts of calvary and a ~limitness number of soldiers from Syria. His ability to use them is well documented. Pilate plundered the temple, had the priestly robes in his authority - they would be lent out by him. He plundered the temple to use the money to make a 25 mile aquaduct for Jerusalem. The citizenry were outraged & demonstrated in 10s of thousands; he ordered his soldiers to go into the crowd with concealed weapons; and then at a signal slaughter them.
• Pilate insisted in bringing in Roman military standards to Jerusalem - done by night. The Jews followed him, begging him to respect their customs, and remove these images violating the 2nd commandments. When they were threatened they simultanously lay down exposing their necks so they could be killed: we would rather die than submit to your idolatory. Pilate eventually relented.
• It's not difficult to believe that Christians are marginalised in today's culture. But what is the solution ? we are indeed called to be leaven in our society - but is that the real problem ? If we only knew what would bring you peace - to each heart.
• The background of Hannukah, Passover and riding on a colt; 1st Passover:
  • Why were all these people going there ? why was Jesus going there. Nearly passover - one of the 3 ceremonies when everyone had to go to Jerusalem, 500k inhabitents -> 3 million at Passover.
  • The real message of passover - mostly lost, People assumed Egypt => Rome, just a liberation theology tract; favouring the oppressed. What better parallel ?
  • The Romans viewed the celebration of passover very suspiciously, and created a massive fortress right outside & above the temple.
  • The real lesson of passover is not about liberation - but the 10th plague, when the Angel of destruction went over Egypt and without regard to status and wiped out every 1st born Ex. 12:29 From the first born of the Pharoh, who sat on the throne, to the first-born of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the first-born of the live-stock as well.
  • Why did the Israelites survive ? - not because they deserved any different fate to it's neighbours, but only because God saw the blood and did not permit the destroyer to enter. It is only the blood that allows God to protect us from the wrath of God.
  • Passover points not to political liberation, but to our need of a redemption that we do not deserve.
• Hannukah - not a lot in scripture about it, Jesus once celebrated it.
  • Another political liberation ? 200 years ago the Greeks were oppressing the Jews - Antiocus Epiphanies - 'an epiphany - an appearance of Zeus'. Tried to eradicate the Jewish customs: he banned circumcision, outlawed the Sabbath: lazy to take 1 day off in 7; replaced it with a monthly celebration of his birthday - with the required eating of pig flesh.
  • What did God do about all this ? apparently used the guerilla warfware of Judas Macabeeus to liberate Jerusalem. Judas cleansed the temple where Antiocus had been into the holy of holies and sacrificed a pig. Then his brother entered the city on a donkey - and liberated it. This is why they welcomed him in the same way: 'liberate the city !'
  • The OT background, shows that individuals wanted to lay claim to a city, they would normally ride in on a pack-animal. David vs. Adnoija - thwarted him by making Solomon ride in on David's own mule; not a stallion (a usuper?), but a peaceful thing - the rightful owner; cf. Zechariah 9. A pilgrimage festival - everyone walks into Jerusalem; even the lame - if at all possible, people who had ridden all the way would dismount and walk, or even crawl rather than ride. One who on that day rode: because he was the rightful king of Israel.
  • And they layed down their cloaks - the shirts of their backs: everything belongs to you. Jesus goes - like a bee-line, and cleanses the temple: the shocker - what does he cleanse it of ? not like Judas of Greek idols. Jesus cleanses it not of Roman idols or insignia, but the symbols of Israel's self-righteousness. My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.
• Jeremiah's Den of robbers - people thinking that by going through the motions, God would be fine.
  • The Jews of Jeremiah's time had bought into the gospel of 'cheap grace' with a vengance: You can continue in your life of sin, as long as you go through some religious motions:
  • 'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"-safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD. - Jeremiah 7.
  • Jesus rebuked their false security.
• Our real problem - the tyrany of sin; I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin ... but if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed John 8:34-36
• People feel at peace often from ignorance of the danger they are in. Their biggest problem is they're offending a holy God, their most severe spiritual need is, that they do not know thier spiritual need.
• Park Street Church should be called Sinners Anonymous - if you don't think you need a new King in the throne of your heart - you've come to the wrong place.
• The sin you most hate has to be in your own heart; otherwise it's your own self-serving bias and self delusion. eg. merit based pay: a recepie for serious discontent: 86% of workers think they do better work than the average co-worker; only 1% admit their work is below average. The corner office it's worse: 90% of business managers report they're better than the average manager. [ more on the 98 SATS questions ], We can say with the Psalmist Who can discern his errors, oh forgive my hidden faults.
• Jesus wept and said, if you only you had known what would bring you peace. What is it ? the peace of Christ, that is first and foremost peace with God. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Christ's blood brings reconcilliation with God; welcome him in, and he starts the rennovation from the inside out.
• Peace I leave with you - my peace I give you; I do not give as the world gives - Jesus making his way to the cross, rejected by his own, betrayed by his friend, beaten the finally killed. Jesus is the model of peace: that's the peaceful life, that he has for you and me. Because Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.

• Einstein: Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler - a wise dictum for scientific but also theological truth. Much about the universe is perplexing / complex.
• Election: a paradoxical truth, one of the great mysteries of Christian faith; When the gentiles heard this, they were glad - and all who were appointed for eternal life believed appointed => destined or ordained.
• Context: just sent out by the Holy Spirit to Cyprus on their 1st missionary journey. Three strategies: started at home, Cyprus: Barnabus' home, then on to near Paul's home. Also, an urban mission. Hellenization was a city-founding wave, cities: show-pieces of Greek culture, the Church piggy-backs on this. Finally to the Jew first, then to the Gentile.
• Despite the Jews being entrusted with the oracles of God, the vast majority didn't accept Christ; this text seems to answer the question: why ? : A spiritual blindness.
• God chose our fathers, he blessed them, he showed them miracles of deliverance - then ? he endured their conduct for 40 years in the desert
• vs. 19 Then God overthrew 7 nations in Canan, gave them the promised land, again miraculously; then he gave them judges, excellent leaders - vs 21, the people then asked for a King - rejecting God as their king, ('Saul's name renders: 'You asked for it'.)
• Then David as king, and Jesus as his greater Son, - Israel's response ? even before him came John the Baptist - warning that he was to come etc. They did not recognise Jesus, yet in condemning him to death - they fulfilled the prophecy read every Sabbath - Ironic. Israel only a parade example though of the human condition.
• St Augustine - My sin was all the more incurable because I did not see it; the self-serving bias. Unless God un-stops this built-in blindness to our sin, we cannot believe in our need for a saviour. The paradox of election; man's responsibility; Acts 6:37 Whoever comes to me, I will not drive away but prefaced with All that the Father gives to me, will come to me - a paradox.
• An analogy with Physics; wave/particle duality. (pdf) John Archibald Wheeler - delayed choice experiment; when you know which way the photon goes - there is no interference, as if: an experiment later in time has affected the situation beforehand. Several equally enigmatic explanations: Wheeler: we choose what shall have happened after it has already happened, it has not really happened, it is not a phenomenon until it is an observed phenomenon; Nils Bohr: those who are not shocked by Quantum mechanics - cannot possibly have understood it Richard Feynmen - I think we can safely say that no-one understands quantum mechanics. Something entirely puzzling about this.
• Jefferson Davis says perhaps election could be compared with this - Photon detector - like faith, conversion, repentance the experiment that tells you on what path you've been on all along. Suddenly this is all that is relevant, a wonderful comfort; that your name was written in the Lamb's book of life before the foundation of the world
• As Calvin said I do not send men off to the secret election of God, to await with gaping mouths salvation there. I bid them make their way directly to Christ, in whom salvation is offered us. Whoever does not walk in the plain path of faith can make nothing of the election of God, but a labyrinth of destruction
• When you come to Christ - it will have been the case that you were chosen in him before the creation of the world; in love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons.... (Eph 1) a wonderful encouragement when we look back on our lives.
• The God who acomplishes everything according to his sovereign plan doesn't mess up. We can say with Joseph inspite of the crazy twists and turns of his life, included a prison sentance - God sent me ahead of you this was his plan, for the saving of many lives.
• This is a comfort What is your only comfort in life and death ? - the Heidelberg catechism: That I belong body and soul in life and in death, not to myself but to my faithful saviour Jesus Christ. Who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for my sins, and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil. That he protects me so well, that without the will of my Father in heaven, not a hair can fall from my head. Indeed that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation, therefore by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life, and he makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready, from now on to live for him.

• All men are like grass and their glory like the flowers of the field ...
• King Belshazzar gave a party for 1000 of his friends; focus shift - 23 years ahead, who is this man ? 5 times Nebuchadnezzar called his father, once he is the son. Standard proceedure in 19th Centuary to just write it off as so much imaginary invention - that Belshazzar was deemed to be some entirely fictional character, 'entirely the result of some figment of the Jewish writer's imagination'. Then in 1854, a british counsel digging in ruins in southern Iraq on behalf of the Birish museum, stumbled upon the ancient city of Ur - and found 3 small clay cylinders; soon thereafter translated now Akadian was begginning to be understood - and sure enough, there was the explicit mention of Belshazzar as the oldest son of the king Nabonitus, and the crown prince.
• All of a sudden with at least some egg on their face: Another problem - the details all off; the son of Nabonitus - the last king of the Babylonian empire; before it falls - before Cyrus the Persian (also known as Darius the Mede) came and took it over. Was Belshazzar King as Daniel insists, or was his father ? assumed to be further evidence of a massive historical blunder, until 1924 a Persian verse account of the reign of Nabonitus was discovered: The King Nabonitus left Babylon to spend the last 10 years of his reign in an Oasis in Arabia - and left in his place to reign as Regent his Son - Belshazzar; entrusted the kingship to him. This explains another puzzle in the chapter: the greatest honour he can give to Daniel is you will be made the 3rd highest ruler in the Kingdom - why 3rd ? because he himself was the 2nd.
• Was Belshazzar the son of Nebuchadnezzar ? Nabonitus married the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar as a bid for legitimacy - so he is the grandson; and as is typical in Aramaic / Hebrew a grandson is called a Son. Similarly the 'Queen' is the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar - not present when it says Belshazzar had all his wives present.
• Chapters are not in chronological order; but a chiasm; chapter 1 & 7 mirror each other - overthrow of kingdoms, chapter 3 & 6 correspond - threats of martrdom. Chapters 4 & 5 correspond to each other - the lesson God taught Nebuchadnezzar is brought to bear on Belshazzar. The parallels underscore the reprehensible character of Belshazzar.
• What's the banquet all about ? tons of historical evidence for such banquets - but only a few reasons for it: celebrating a victory, or a time of national emergency; [ a parody of the communion meal ] - an opportunity for everyone to re-swear allegiance to the King, and kingdom, bolstering and fortifying the people in their confidence against the threat pressing in on them.
• In the discovered cuniform tablets - we read, already Cyrus had achieved a decisive victory against Belshazzar's army in Opus (Baghdad) - until virtually the same day the massive city on the Euphrates fell to the advancing armies of the Persians.
• The drinking party - an attempt to drown your sorrows in 'Baghdad Bob' style; the speeches: how well things are going; we have killed most of the infidels and I think we will finish off the rest soon etc. Righteous people can be confident - but the wicked have to pretend as best they can
• People often say - if only God could reveal himself clearly - that would be the answer to all my problems; if only I could see him. What punctured Belshazzar's baloon: the uninvinted apperance of God's hand. When he saw it - he might have said - 'I always wondered if there was a God, how nice to know, what an encouragement' - but instead; his face turns pale - 'together his legs gave-way': the knots of his loins were loosed - he lost control of his bodily functions.
• Written in Aramaic script - but could be read in many ways - only constonants; the names of several weights - a list of weights. Really does fit with the things which Babylonias were obsessed; 1000 years before Pythagorus, had worked out his theorem - pleased by weights / lexical lists etc. this is why the text is so filled with somewhat tedious lists: enchanters, astrologers, diviners, wise man or insight, intelligence, wisdom or horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, ....
• Indeed - the Israelites learned this love of counting, and preseve the text by categorising nouns / verbs / etc. in the marginal notes. Counting every verse having the word 'and' in it more than 4 times. In the Pentatuch - figured out what the middle verse / word was; what the middle letter was: lev 11, vs 42; 'w' in hebrew word for belly - not a meaningful word or letter - but used to verify the copy for perfection; CRCs for beginners. They had numbered the 26 verses that include the whole alphabet. Thus scriptures preserved so excellently.
• The Queen mother summons Daniel from retirement at (approximately) the age of 81; You can keep your gifts for yourself, and give your rewards to someone else; what's the problem ? Daniel interprets the situation before the writing; the sacrilege and affront to God. The presence of the treasure from the temple - was proof of God's holiness, not his weakness: God was judging his own people, for the same kind of sacrilege that Belshazzar was guilty of now.
• Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin
  • Mene - God has numbered the days of your life. Americans on average overestimate their life span by (typically) 10 years. Teach us to number our days aright, so we might gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:1).
  • Tekel - weighed - our lives will be examined, and judged - not just according to what we have done, but what we have left undone, and not what we have done, but the motives.
  • Peres - divided, given to the Medes and the Persians; God said to to rich fool: you fool, this very night your life will be demanded of you, then who will get what you have prepared for yourself. Belshazzar, thinking himself in the impregnable fortress of Babylon, 2 walls, 25 feet wide, 40 feet inbetween the walls - 360 watch-towers, 90 feet high etc. surrounded by an impassable moat - the mighty river Euphrates went around and through the city. They boasted that it could withstand a 70 year siege - since they could grow the crops they wanted in the city.
• Cyrus diverted the river - up-stream. And the armies were already making their way down a shallow river bed - into the city, and took Belshazzar's life that very night.
• What do we take from it ? God views us as he viewed Belshazzar unimpressed by his achievements. A famous preacher's series of diagnostic questions; he would ask instead of 'are you a christian?':
• Imagine that in the next second, we'd be killed, and be translated from this life into the presence of God; standing before the holy God; and were he to say to us: what right do you have to enter my heaven ? - people would respond in one of a couple of ways;
  • I attend Park-Street church, sing in the choir, teach the christian formation class; I don't mean to boast - but we took the parents in when they were sick and ailing until their dying day. Seems like you want God to be fair ? - the well earned wages - unfortunately the wages of sin is death.
  • Many people have a clear concience, because they have a bad memory; but if we claim to be without sin, we decieve ourselves and the truth is not in us
• Jesus in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, I thank you God, that I'm not like other men, robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector ... But the tax collector stood at a distance, and would not even look up to heaven, and said "God, have mercy on me a sinner", and this man went home justified before God.
• Belshazzar still had moments left, that instead of heaping accolades on Daniel, could have been spent instead saying God have mercy on me a sinner - he did not.

• Pride / self conciet vs. humility. The utmost evil is pride; pride leads to every other vice, it is the complete anti-God state of mind. Pride is why Satan fell. cf. C.S.Lewis' Mere Christianity
• Nebuchadnezzar in his 25 year span, as a general / King etc. built an empire larger than the Assyrians had in 300 years; re-built Babylon into a giant city, with massive walls, temples, etc. Plenty to be proud of.
• Meticulous records for first 11 years of his reign but not the latter period; but proclamations there start in exactly the same way.
• Nebuchadnezzar talks about miraculous signs and wonders; then we get a dream, Nebuchadnezzar looses his mind; then on his repentance his restoration. How God miraculously humbled this egotist; moving him from his self centered arrogance to humility. The biggest miracle: how he can change a human on the inside, and turn him around.
• What's wrong with a little self respect though ? is the cure not worse than the disease ? for a fat head - loosing it ? worth having a better sense of what pride is: not merely self respect, having a positive opinon of your worth; rather having an inflated opinion of it.
• Scripture doesn't want us to have a good or bad self concept, but an accurate one. Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you - Romans 12:3.
• People are not proud of being rich, clever, good looking - but are proud that they are richer, more clever, better looking etc. intrinsically competitive; hence the poisoning of relationship with each others, & ultimately God, who is better in every way. A proud man always looks down on others, which makes it hard to look up and see God.
• Scripture singles out leaders as being particularly prone to this temptation; Matthew 20: You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them ... Not so with you. Instead whoever wants to become great among you, must be your servant ...: Jesus - washing others' feet.
• Pride makes us ungrateful; Deut 8: you may say to yourself "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me", but remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth. If we are so filled with thoughts of ourselves, we can't worship God.
• Makes us incorrigable, so we can't recieve criticism. If you go to committee are the only insightful comments you rember your own ? cf. Prov 18:2.
• Don't imagine that God can change us without cost. True biblical wisdom isn't self hatred: His dream starts with a vision of his genine dignity and worth: a giant, strong, stable, abundant, beautiful tree. Kings are often trees cf. Ezek 17. Many extant examples of this iconography from the ANE.
• The gracious warning: you will be cut down to size. A hyper obvious intepretation: The other wise men cowards ? Daniel brings the message home - firmly cf. 4:27 be pleased to accept my advice, renounce these sins by doing what is right
• We sometimes talk about the use of a sick-bed to bring people to repentance; but less often about mental illness. Getting through to the learning center often requires terrible pain, and chastening. Even for Jesus: Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
• Nebuchadnezzar's syndrome has been written about extensively, but however we look at it, early Christians looked at this passage to realise that not all mental illness is simply the result of daemon possession.
• Post renaissance; C 14-17th, the consensus was that when people acted in bizarre ways - it must be daemon possession.
• In Psychological Medicine, Vol 14; Crowle and Bocroft(?), an exhaustive study of medical records before the middle ages: it was not so. Based on this text and Matthew's account of Jesus' healing ministry. pwrt Ch 4, that most mental illness is not the result of daemon possession; in fact most of the cases: 57 descriptions of mental illness from that earlier period were attributed to organic causes, or environmental factors, or sin. Organic, 'humors', poor diet, sinful patterns of work, response to grief etc. demonias, lunatics and the paralytics (Matthew 4).
• Is the cure worse than the disease ? Not Nebuchadnezzar's view; he praises glorifies and exaults God because everything he does is right, all his ways are just, and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

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• Remarkable proliferation of listing in the text; a hallmark of it's authenticity, many such surviving texts contain long lists, something the Babylonians were fond of.
• Chuck Colson recounts a remarkable anecdote: 1940s, 350k soldiers of Europe sent to Belgium, the expeditionary force pushed back by a brilliant pincer movement; to Dunkirk, the Germans suddenly halted; They sent a 3 word message - and if not
  • hard to know what is more suprising - the unimaginable valour & courage; or that most of Britain immediately understood the obscure allusion to this text. Just as Shadrack, Mishak and Abednego were willing to sacrifice their lives, rather than bow the knee to the ravages of a deified state, they were willing to give their lives rather than surrender to Hitler.
  • If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. And if not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
  • The British army's valour - standing up to the tyranny of Hitler's army. And if not - galvanised the nation, to perform what subsequent historians called the miracle of Dunkirk.
• 400 years of spiritual and moral decline in Israel after David; God, already had promised to exile them and punishment for this - cf. Deut 28.
• The furnace mentioned 10 times in the chapter - the big stick to catch the few non-conformists. Pagan religion often becomes more and more coercive as it becomes less and less convincing. Persecution of Christians ever more severe in Rome, until the 4th century: killing people in their thousands because they refused to offer sacrifices to the Emperor who increasingly claimed to be lord and God.
• At the end Nebuchadnezzar does not convert: he says Praise be to the God of S., M. & A. - this other God, not his, hasn't surrendered his will [ cf. lapse in the next chapter ]. He fails to do the one thing idolators must do to come to God: destroy the idol. Huge amount of gold in the Idol (probably purified by the same furnaces).
• Moses, destroyed the golden calves, and burned them in the fire; ground to a powder as fine as dust; then threw the dust into a stream that flowed down the mountain. A clean break from idolatory. Ephesus - similarly burning their scrolls.
• This is perhaps why it is a precious but unusual thing to find people in the later decades of life coming to God - too much gold added to their idol, too much to tear down.
• But you say - Nebuchadnezzar couldn't know that history - but in his dream - the rock not cut by human hand breaks the idol, making it like chaff on a threshing floor ... wind swept them away....
• If your idolatory is shopping - time for some plastic surgery: cut up the credit card. If it's drink - get rid of the wine-of-the-month club subscriptiion, don't keep it just-in-case. If it's the TV that's contolling your life, take it to the dump; just unplugging isn't enough.
• What about Christianity - isn't it coercive ?
  • Religious conviction often been seen as an excuse to cram it down others' throat; but should be shared with gentleness and respect. In history, many have done irreperable harm to the good name of Christ by getting this wrong; in ways repugnant to the savior whose kingdom is not of this world.
  • The fear of the Lord - the beginning of wisdom, it's true - when God appears to a man/woman - you can tell who he is: the one saying do not be afraid. Scripture uses fear in two opposite senses: dread (to be afraid of), or to hold in awe / reverence:
    • Moses when God appeared in a pillar of fire: Do not be afraid, God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning. same Hebrew word; two opposite senses.
    • Wordly fear: God might to something to upset us; Godly fear: we might do something to upset God. The motive of Godly fear - is (strangely) love; the more we love God, the more afraid we might do something to offend the savior who paid for us.
    • Psalm 130: If you, O LORD , kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. - impossible if fear means dread; instead, means to hold in awe.
  • The threat of Hell - an escalation of the Nebuchadnezzar method ? the threat of hell is directed in scripture most not against the wicked, but the complacent & self-righteous. Our savior insists on the reality of ultimate judgement; that we are infinitely valuable, and although this life is not fair, the next life is.
  • Hell is no deterent to people with no faith; if you don't believe in God, you don't belive in his justice; in this life God lets us get away with murder - Rom 2 God's kindness is to lead you to repentance (not his threats of eternal Hell).
  • Gordon, wanted to meet with a man who had walked out on his wife & children for another woman; a man of seemingly great insight. After appealing to him, he replied: what would be the point of my taking your time - I havn't forgotten those marriage sermons, I just decided to ignore them. I've always said that the trouble with Christianity is, that it's not scary enough. If I were sure that leaving my wife would put me in eternal fire, I wouldn't do it, but I don't believe that, and none of the christians that have admonished me, believe it either. - after all don't we all believe in mercy, forgiveness, grace.
  • The difference between Daemons and the redeemed, they know God's commandments forward and backwards, the difference is - they don't care - but have forgotten what makes sin, sin - an afront against the holiness of God, and the terrible price of it's forgiveness. No claim that the redeemed never mess up - a lot of times we do; but we never give up repenting, returning to Christ, hating their sin.
• We do not need to defend ourselves against you in this manner - no excuse, no justification, Peter & the apostles We must obey God, rather than men. They do express however a model faith; faith, not presumption. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king; and if not .... Answering Nebuchadnezzar's taunt Then what God can save you?
• God never promises immunity from trial, hardship, or furnaces, The same prayer of Job though he slay me, yet will I hope in him. The same prayer of Jesus in Gesthemany Father, everything is possible for you, take this cup from me, yet not as I will, but what you will. Let God, be God, but not any other.
• God's promise is not to save us from the fire, but to save us in it - yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, your rod and your staff comfort me - it is often in the deepest darkness that God is most near.
• The furnace that refined the gold idol, is refining their faith. God's aim is not a trouble free life, but a more Christ-like one; he'll be in the furnace with us.
• The idols that tempt us are not so crude; the idolatory of success - will do anything to persue it. Some's idol is popularity, or getting that boyfriend/girlfriend, those who allow power or material prosperity to run their lives. The love of money is the root of all evil. Health can become an idol, all happiness depends on getting well - life is useless without getting rid of this chronic problem or disability.
• Rev. Christo Kulichev pastor of the congregational church in Sofia Bulgaria, 1985 - preached the gospel and would not co-operate with the communist authorities, 8 months in prison, 3 years in exile. I prefer to be in prison with Jesus, than to be free without him. Even if I were with with my family, and back in my pulpit there would be no satisfaction if I was outside God's will. The prison becomes a palace, when I am there with Christ.
• Do you prefer to be in the furnace with the Angel of God, than be in fields of green pasture without him ?

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• Jesus knew that people would have a profound existantial crisis, as to whether we should confess him in front of others (Mark 8): What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels..
• All the miracles in this text - eclipsed by one, even the King of the super-power changing his mind and worshiping God. The miracle of Shadrack, Mishak and Abednego's refusal to conform to others.
• King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold 90 feet high, 9 feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura.. Why ? in the Pagan mind-set, they offer incense to Daniel (2:46) - in order to offer it to his God. Similarly to an image of the King's to him.
• How is it possible to have a divinely inspired dream, whose lesson is the brevity and futility of the work of our hands; and it's ultimately destruction, then do this ? Some speculate many years have passed from the last chapter; but commitments and loyalties are very transient. The text implies the opposite.
• Nebuchadnezzar seems to have learned something from his dream - the wrong lesson, an odd long, skinny image - probably not a statue of a body; the 10x1 ratio makes it likely it's an obelisk. Almost identical objects in Egypt. On the sides of an obelisk depicted panels of the Gods and King, a beautiful and impressive object. Depictions of Gods giving to the King emblems of victory and authority. A reminder of the right to rule, a deification of the social order.
• Demands everyone shows it respect; Nebuchadnezzar fixates on the gold in his dream - and tries to 'fix' the problem; this image, gold top to bottom; no feet of clay. Nebuchadnezzar has an idea for holding the society together under him: civic religion. Everyone will get together and bow down to this vague image - make it what you want; but bow down, make it a symbol of your aliegence / conformity.
• The 3 didn't give in - astonishing, given their background & what they had to loose - they are mayors / governors, having come from being captives. The whole pomp and circumstance - easily rationalise going along with it: "what good will we be dead ?; Nebuchadnezzar is not asking us to disbelieve in our God, or believe in his God, but offer him respect; like pledging aliegance to the flag."
• Why is the obelisk 90 feet high ? impress the world with the power / prestige; who in their right mind would not bow down ? then get the movers and shakers - to the dedication; all the cool people are on board.
• God has a strategy in the composition of a healthy church; God puts social misfits there, in positions of authority to shame the world's order. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Cults choose to target the football starts, the cheerleaders so the lemmings follow. God chooses the weakest, and most foolish; (1Cor1).
• Everyone agrees, everyone is doing it - why arn't you !? Calvin: the most dangerous folly of all is to confuse consent with reason - Moses (Exodus): do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.
• We all acknowledge in self reflection, the incredible power of music to impact / motivate us. Feeling goose-bumps watching the olympics and hearing our national anthem honouring a winner. The music - not there as window-dressing; this music has another purpose - to make you feel like a party pooper if you don't go along. Hitler's Nuremberg rallies - the music to whip the crowd up.
• Then the big stick - over and over again, in case you are one of the rare individuals that will rebel and be non-conforming. It's so well known, you might think this is all flannel from a children's story in Sunday school; but these were not the last ovens to be used against faithful Jews who refused to bow the knee against the claims of a deified state.
• Martin Buber: Every nation is inclined to make an idol of it's own inner spirit. Israel's calling was to erect a throne to God, rather than to itself. That is why every nation is bound to desire to get rid of us at the time that it is in the act of setting itself up as the absolute. It wants to marginalize and muzzle the voice of the faithful, rule it out of court - inadmissable, not allowed to be expressed in the public square.
• Every day in a position somewhat similar - we have to take a stand; the 3 don't act like Gideon (in Israel) to try to destroy the idol / get at their neighbours - but instead are trying to preserve themselves from idolatory. Their faithfulness at the risk of their lives; ours - often at the risk of our status.
• We are not to be ashamed of Christ; I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. Luke 12:8-9.

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• The message Nebuchadnezzar's worst nightmare is going to come true; all his work will ultimately be destroyed. It's true that not all dreams are true cf. Ecclesiasties; but God does use dreams - clearly measure dreams vs. the word of God - nevertheless God speaks in dreams; Jacob's Ladder, Joseph's dreams, Mary's husband - warned twice, Joel's prophecy ... your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
• The statue - is really an idol, he was used to bowing down to worship physcial representation; the essence of idolatory isn't worshiping an image - but rather worshiping the creature not the creator. Their land is full of idols, they bow down to things their hands have made - do you worship the work of your hands ? idolatory. Col 3 greed is idolatory.
• An enormous dazzling idol; what God is saying is: as bad as your literal idolatory is - far worse, is your worship of your life's work - this kingdom of Babylon; all of it is destined for the junk-heap. In Chapter 4 - we see him strutting around, admiring the city he helped to build, the massive fortifications, the hanging gardens etc. is not this the great Babylon I have built by my mighty power ... for the glory of my majesty - this is the justification for my existance.
• God's message for Nebuchadnezzar's - Daniel starts with You oh King are the King of Kings, the God of heaven has given you ... - not are a jerk, not simply sycophantic adulation, but acknowledging the true dignity of the King, ... you are that head of gold - acknowledging the truth - honouring the King, but 3 times over reminding the King that it all comes from God.
• The future - progressive decline from Gold to Iron, things go from bad to worse - not an endless cycle, but through divine intervention - the best is yet to come. The English expression feet of clay - a reminder of the intrinsic weakness of human structures.
• Idols are to be pulverised - Moses & the golden calf etc.
• Nebuchadnezzar allowed to see the terrible loss that would be sustained if he continued to give himself over to such futility, 'Nabu bless his offspring' ?
• Daniel - overhearing the nighmare of your enemies; we hear Pilate's wife's nightmare, Gideon 300 vs 35,000 got courage from the Mideanites nightmare.
• We get to hear the nightmares of our opponents; Betrand Russell - responding to his Daughter who converted to Christ, I believe that when I die I shall rot ... there is darkness without and darkness within.
• Why does Daniel accept a promotion in such a loosing line of work ? yes - the kingdoms of the world are doomed for the ash heap; but - what you do for Christ stands forever. He commits himself to a life of integrity and faithfulness, in the government of Babylon.

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• If the 17th/18th centuries 'age of reason', this is the 'age of credulity' - Boston university sociologist Peter Berger; 33% of Americans believe in Astrology, 54% in psychics, 40% consulted a fortune teller, 1/3 believe the world has been visited by an alian, 38% believe in necromancy, national-science-foundation 43% check newspaper horoscopes from time to time. If the figures even approximately true, Americans would feel at home in down-town Babylon.
• The Babylonians virtually the inventors of the occult. GK Chesterton said 'when people stop beliving in God, they don't believe in nothing, but believe in anything'
• This chapter - shows the incredible superiority of God's wisdom over mantic wisdom.
• Nebuchadnezzar suffering from a recurrent nightmare dreams vs. the 1 dream interpreted. We can empathis Job complains 4:7, when I lie down how long will it be until I wake up. Why didn't he sign up with a 'sleep technician' - why demand something impossible backed by a gruesome death penalty.
• What could frighten a man like Nebuchadnezzar wealthy beyond imagining, whose word was everyone's command, what could drive him to morose fits of rage, and to impose this penalty on his closest advisors ?. He's recoiling at the horrible thought of loosing it all.
• Reinhnold Niever - describes the lust for power as being prompted by a concious realisation of the profound insecurity of our existance: Man is tempted by the basic insecurity of human existance - to make himself doubly secure. That is why he grasps after position, fame, power - but - the more he attains, the higher he climbs, ironically the more anxious and insecure he feels. knowing that at the hight of his attainments, it can only make his fall all the more terrible. This is what feeds the vicious cycle of distrust and brutality that is so often witnessed in petty tyrants and absolute dictators, this strange insecurity of those who outwardly you would think have no reason to be insecure. As you were lying there oh King, your mind turned to things to come - and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.
• In the 2nd year of his reign all the fighting and empire building was over; in just 25 years, he had put together a kingdom, more expansive and powerful than anything witnessed to that time. Larger than the Assyrians that took 300 years to build. The realisation that it can all be lost so easily; indeed within 25 years of his death, it gave way to the Medo-Persian empire. Ecclesiastes tells us a dream comes when there are many cares.
• The magicians replied in Aramaic, Nebuchadnezzar established it as the language of the middle east. If you do not tell me what my dream was, and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble - the astrologers reply - Oh King - live for ever; but he wants those who claim to know the end from the beginning; you should have no problem seeing what is veiled in the human conciousness. So then, tell me the dream, and then I will know you can interpret it for me
• Instead of telling the astrologyer when you were born and letting him tell you how sensitive, wonderful, brilliant etc. you are, instead - tell him all about you, and get him to tell you exactly when you were born.
• Despite all their degrees, the ability to read Sumerian, for the ancient rites; in the end the false prophets are masters of deception, and fakery - they can't do it.
• Marcus Aurelius' - struggle with the prophet Alexander, he had him provide an omen for a major battle against the Germans; he came up with an elaborate procedure throwing 2 live lions in the Danube with very expensive spices. The 2 lions promptly swam across the Danube where the Germans beat them to death; they then lost resoudingly - their greatest loss in a single battle: 20k men. Alexander's explanation - the oracle hadn't specified which side would have the resounding victory.
• Cicero - it amazes him that one Auger could meet another on the street without bursting out into uncontrollable laughter.
• Isaiah - I am the LORD, who has made all things ... who who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers
• What does it imply about Satan and the demonic realm ? what about the spirits they consulted. Surely a golden opportunity for them. But, despite the propoganda - Satan is not what he seems to be; he is not God, only an angel and a fallen one at that. Goodness is itself; badness is only spoiled goodness.
• Satan has creaturely limitations, much as you and I, he can do that which is superhuman, but not that which is supernatural. Can a daemon open the eyes of the blind ? - he can blind you; close the eyes of the seeing - but so can you or I. Destruction is simple, it's construction that's difficult.
• Does the enemy of our souls know everything ? - certainly crafty beyond any, but: These are things into which even Angels long to look - they don't know everything. Yet of God the psalmist says O Lord, you have swearched me and you know me, you know when I sit down and when I rise, you percieve my thoughts from afar ... before a word is on my tongue you know it completely - Jesus could read men's thoughts and hearts.
• The magicians had it right up to a point - What the king asks is too difficult, no-one could reveal it to the King, except the gods - but - and they do not live among men - wrong; Daniel drops to his knees; prayer his first instinct not a last resort. He receives the answer in a vision of the night a dream. The King can't sleep, but Daniel under the thread of death sleeps.
• Daniel intervenes fast to save the lives of his religious opponents; defends pluralism, to win them over.

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• Daniel very different book of the OT - not life within the theocracy of Israel, with the King answerable to God, and his messangers the prophets; instead living as a minority in an ambivalent or hostile culture.
• The 2nd lesson, God's involvement in circumstances; each time; vs. 2 - the Lord gave Jehoakim king of Judah into Nebuchadnezzar's hands vs 9. - God gave Daniel favour and compassion in the sight of the official vs. 15 - to these four men God gave knowledge and undersatnding; 3 gifts, each astonishing.
• The opening verse; people claim there are several errors in verse 1:
  • Nebuchadnezzar was not (quite) King then, but only crown prince - leading general; totally pedantic, prolethic references: eg. writing a modern history "in 1975 President Bush earned his MBA at Harvard" - "he wasn't a president then!?". Not misleading, not an error.
  • Secondly, it's claimed he didn't get their or besiege the city - not enough detail in the documents; the word translated besieged often means opposed, cf. elsewhere.
  • Thirdly - a blatant contradiction ? this huge error celebrated since the French revolution - took place in the 3rd year of Jehoiachim but in Jeremiha 25 / 36 we read the fourth year. Mid 1960s the D.J.Wiseman keeper of antiquities professer of Assyriology, in his research discovered the answer. Used inclusive reconing; ie. reigned 2 monthe in 2003 counted as your first year; Jeremiah writing from Judah - inclusive reconing - counted the 4th year. Daniel forcibly enrolled in the University of Babyolon, you have the accessional (partial) year + 3 years. So - ultimately when you look at it and do your homework - it's a great proof of the veracity of scripture & it's transmission. If written later & made up, - it would agree.
• The big point - the disaster that year; Lamentations, Jeremiah lamenting over the ruins of Jerusalem; Nebuchadnezzar beseigned it - people reduced to canibalism inside; he broke down the walls, entered the city, levelled it and the temple.
• If you were to describe it - how would you; Historians: Nebuchadnezzar outnumbered them 1000 to 1; but faithful Israelites know it's not numbers that count. Not an accident - it's God's doing. God gave Jerusalem into his hands.
• How could Jehoiachim not see the crisis and repent in time ? he can save by few or many; his father was Josiah, one of only 2 (of 41) that were faithful from beginning to end, 2 Kings: neither before nor after him was there a king like him who turned to the Lord like him - with all his heart - a privileged upbringing; Jeremiah - his teacher, the inspired prophet. I the Lord have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. Jehoiachim wilfully shut his eyes, dug his heels in and refused to repent.
• God gave Daniel favour - doesn't often give us favour; Jesus: if the world hates you - it hated me first. the candour of the officer - scared of death; civil and constructive.
• God intervenes by giving Daniel wisdom. To think that God let Daniel get an A+ in this harmful literature, filled with diviniation, sorcery - an A+ in comparitive religion; to win them he had to fully understand them. Augustine: Wherever Christians find truth - it is the Lord's - he even plants truth in the hearts of our enemies.
• Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam, stop the discussion before an argument breaks out. He finds common ground with a guard that doesn't share his point of view; no stridency, proposes an empirical test - treat us the way you think best. The anti-atkins diet; Daniel on the carbs get pleasingly fat, the others on the protein diet waste away. 10 days not long enough - 10: just a substantial amount of time. Similarity '10 times better' - just substantially better.
• Solomon - warns strenuously against prostitution in Proverbs; But in 2 kings 3, proof of his wisdom allowed 2 prostitutes the dignity of their case being heard in a maternity dispute. It takes great wisdom to distinguish moral vs. civil law. But in fact Christianity should not try to legislate morality, we don't campaign against the greatest sin: idolatory - people can worship money around us with impunity.

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• Two major themes in the book; faith under pressure, and God's sovereignty. Also, for spiritual expatriots, only in this place/time to be ambassadors.
• Daniel prospered in Babylonian government, working for the tyrant responsible for the decimation of Israel, destruction of the temple etc. Daniel goes along, but has a line beyond which he will not pass.
• 605BC God visits his judgement on the southern kingdom, he brought to Jerusalem, to defeat Jeohiachim. Daniel's life spans the 70 year exile.
• The Babylonians had a great idea - not enough to just defeat your enemy, or capture their bodies - you want to win their hearts and souls; The way to pull off this conversion - is to crop the leadership and go after the young people; deport the children of the elite, bring them to Babylon, enroll them in the university and go to work turning their minds.
• They had 4 ingredients to convert them into faithful Babylonians.

  • Deportation - isolation; very strict requirements; young, handsome, no defects, extremely able etc. the very best. Separated, given foster parents.

    Based on later Persian analogies, 14 years old when separated, never again would he see his parents; never mentioned in the book. The whole support system, family, friends, faith etc. to make him maximally vulnerable to Babylonian re-programming.

    Daniel 1000 miles to the East coming to Babylon ('Gateway to God'), coming to an amazing city. Meant to be a paradise of God, the university something like a seminary. The river ran around the city, and through it allowing fast transport.

    A triple wall fortification, the outer wall; 25ft thick - 2 chariots could pass easily on the road at it's top.

    Entering the city, a 75ft wide road; through the Ishcarr gate adorned with blue enamel bricks and gold. Imagine how this must have looked to someone coming from Jerusalem; architecturally breathtaking.

    Inside the city - the 7 stage ziggurat; reaching an elevation of 300ft - a sky-scraper of the ancient world. at the top a 'helipad' where 'Marduk' was supposed to land and come down the steps to bless the people.

    Of course the hanging gardens, built for Nebuchadnezzar homesick Median wife - a marvel of the ancient world

    Most Jews were swept off their feet by the obvious material superiority of the Babylonians: like a plasma TV: I want it! whatever the price.

    Fewer than 10% of the jews in captivity wanted to come back later; in spiritual terms the antithesis of Jerusalem.

    Nebuchadnezzar carried off the instruments from the temple to the temple of his God (Shinar) - reminiscent of the tower of Babel; their self aggrandising idolatory. Daniel going back where Abraham came from. The same fate awaits this Babylon as met the old one. Yes - God did come down to that tower - but not to bless.

    The first step - to isolate him from kith & kin, in a controlled environment, and wowing him with high culture.

  • Massive re-education; deliberate indoctrination. Ashpanaz was to teach them The language and literature of Babylonians - language an important way to impose culture on other people; eg. the USSR mandatory to learn Russian, William the Conqueror's French in England.

    The point of the language - access to the literature; before there was TV, and movies - there was literature before mass culture was formed / re-inforced by these it was by literature.

    At the university a curriculum, 30k extant cuniform texts survive from the Babylonian period; you can read it, tons of texts, formulas for divination, sorcery, interpreting unusual flight patterns of birds, astronomical tests, mathematical texts, scientific texts etc.

    Impress parocial people - wow these people know so much more than my mum & dad - they must be right about everything.

  • New names - Daniel -> Belthehasar. On any understanding names are precious to us, people become attached to them. Not something to do with convenience / punctuation - a neferious purpose afoot. Daniel - 'God is my judge' Beltheshazar - incorporates the name of a godess May she preserve the king Mishael - 'who is what God is' Azariah - 'God helps' goes to Abednego - 'servant of Nabu' a God of Babylon. Getting rid of faith confessions in the public square. Similar to Jaques Chiraq's headscarve prohibition; secularism can't abide the profession of real faith.

    If his job was to be a pain in the neck; he could have chaffed at his new name, and pretended not to hear it, and be obnoxious in some way; there was a degree of accomodation. But there is a line beyond which he will not pass - he doesn't call himself that. 9 times when he refers to himself, he uses the name Daniel; Gabriel the angel uses his real name too.

    There is an accomodating spirit - call me what you want; but my name is Daniel.

  • The menu - prescribed food, from the King's table. He resolved not to defile himself with the royal food & wine.

    • One suggestion is that he was a vegetarian/teetotaller unlikely, it was necessary for the orthodox to eat the passover lamb. Also, Chapter 10 out from the thumb of the king he eat meat and wine.
    • Keeping a kosha diet ? true, Babylon relished eating pork, and horse meat - unclean. But, no-where in the bible is wine called unclean; wine of any kind acceptable in theory.

    • A better solution: nothing to do with the nutritative value - but who was providing it. The King assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the King's table - vs. 8 the royal food and wine.

      Eating it was feasting at the King's table. Communion - the Lord's supper - eating at his table; his feast. In Biblical world concepts; when you eat with a person at a solemn meal - you make a covenant with them. If you then are disloyal it's an offence against them. cf 11:26.

      Jesus makes the same point - king David had Ahitopel turn against him - Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. The covenant nature of sharing a meal; and it's forshadowing of Judas.

      Daniel drew the line here, at this sign of unqualified submission to the King. Not important where he drew it, but that he did. The stand he takes, is known only to the guard, his 3 buddies and to God. But, 3 times a day, he would be reminded of his refusal; he'd be reminded who his real King is, and who is the real Lord of his life; true to his name: Daniel, he knows who his judge is.

      When David stopped eating at Saul's table (1Sam20) - he saw it as an act of revolt worthy of the death penalty. Ashpanaz doesn't share Daniel's faith, but in his approach to his superiors, he has an absence of stridency; is honest, will not defile himself, God had given him favour in the eyes of Ashpanaz - says try it irenic dealing, choosing his battles well.

      Not afraid of getting contaminated by the literature; in order to use it to convert those whose intent was to convert him. To turn the tables on his opponents in this wonderful battle of truth.

• His stand is not against the other students, condemning them for their racism against Israelites, against sexual immorality, whatever. His stand is ultimately against denying the sovereignty of God.
• Nebuchadnezzar later gives expression to the faith he learned from Daniel; he commends the gospel by his faithful service, and earnestness. he served the King better because he served God first. Even as Paul exhorts slaves to serve their master as if they were serving Jesus themselves. So essential to adorn the gospel by the integrity of our lives.

• Hit www.openoffice.org - log in again, again.
• Work out what module the bug is to be filed under cat CVS/Repository - and try to correlate name with a list of 60+ different names to calculate bugzilla component.
• Create a new bug - select the right version from the drop-down, enter a description of the bug, cws etc. and (preferably) patch.
• Submit the bug, set the right target, close the bug.
• Now commit the patch.

• Gordon uncomfortable @ the Christmas sermon: expected to decry the consumerism so rampant at Christmas; even the The Wall St. Journal's recent suggestion that Christmas should be split into a religious festival 'Xmass', and a secular occasion 'X-cessmas' where people spend money they do not have to buy things they do not need.
• Many challenges associated with giving & receiving gifts; reciprocity - gratitude / equivalence ? The receiving problem; expressing gratitude for some gifts a challenge, also discerning any hidden meaning [ the pallette of deoderant present ? ].
• The gift of Christ: the trivialised pictures of Angels - cookies, tree-decorations, Hollywood paints them too small.
• The shephards were equivalent of bar-room bouncers; arms like your thighs, some limp angel choir won't do. Many of the Bible's angels are massive; they express in their manifestation some of their invincible power; the 7 thunders; legs like firy pillars, face like the Sun, legs straddle the sea. Satan is 'only' a fallen angel. Smart, brilliant, comprehend the ineffable.
• Visiting giant sequoia in a national park; massive towering evergreens - took loads of photos, drove on, and then glimpsed even more massive trees. Realised had taken all the film of the Ponderosa Pine - 200ft; The Sequoia - 300ft, 35ft diameter, God planted the Poderosa so you could appreciate the Sequoia.
• Simlarly Angels allow us to see the size of God; more awesome than all who surround him. The shephards presumably assumed it was the end of time:
• Only 2 Angels destroyed all of Sodom & Gemorah. All the 1st born in Egypt in a single night. The Angel of the Lord killing 185k Assyrian attackers in a single night etc.
• But, their message Don't be afraid, good news of great joy - today .. a Savior has been born to you what did they go and see ? - 'only' a baby ? perhaps he could only 'coo' at them.
• Why waste time doing that ? - Christianity not about some lofty imparted teaching about things we can to do ingratiate ourselves with God; but instead that God himself has come down, to live a perfect life of obedience, which God can impute to us. Jesus - salvation personified.

• Pop Psychology - sensory defensive disorder (SDD), not recognised by the American Psychiatric association - you can tell if you have it by a simple servey:
  • Are you bothered by tags/labels in your clothes ?
  • Are you annoyed by sounds that don't seem to bother other people ?
  • Does it bother you to walk barefoot on grass/sand ?
  • Are you bothered by bright lights or garish colors, or objects you think are too close to your face ?
  • Do you avoid parties, even at Christmas, if you think there will be a lot of people, because the noise bothers you - and people stand close to you ?
• 3 answers out of 5 == SDD case, a candidate for Sharon Heller (PhD in developmental psychnology). ~15% are supposed to suffer from it. The cover of her book could trigger an episode though.
• Whatever the future of SDD, an analogy in the Spiritual realm. An assault from stacks of unread mail, bills to pay, a TODO list that grows indefinately. In the face of this, we can feel like a tightly wound spring. What is the remedy ?
• The Price of Peace, - the inner peace that Christ brings. The hostility between Jew and Gentile in the NT period, amazing - that Christ would reconcile them, and meet with them.
• Frank Snowden - an authority on racial prejudice in the ancient world 'Blacks in Antiquity' - makes this remarkable assertion: Christianity swept racial barriers aside; in the early Church blacks found real equality. 'Simeon called Niger' & others in scripture; rich, poor, black, white - 3 black Africans that became Pope; nothing new - that Christ brings peace where formerly there was alienation.
• Christ has also come to bring a sword; - such counter cultural values create a threatened response - the sword in the other's hand.
• Live and let live - just a license for bystander apathy. Instead we are called to love people in action - racial equality, questioning the ethics of pre-emptive war, fighting for the weak and vulnerable etc.
• The peace - not that of forgotten sin, not that of an untroubled concience, but a cleansed one. Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
• Peace I give to you, my Peace I leave with you, I do not give as the world gives... an unshakable confidence that he did all things well. Glory to God in the highest and on the earth, peace and goodwill towards men.
• Should get ahead some more, so not doing Christmas sermons by Easter.

• Don't get over excited by literary conventions, if a girl writes, Yours faithfully - not necessarily yours. Thus we have to understand the norm to grasp the ending of 1 Cor.
• Hammering home the point - do everything in love - writing to a divided and factionalized church.
• The convention in Paul's day - Graeco-Roman letters for a span of 400 years around here, frozen in literary conventions; thousands of examples very similar. Either abrupt endings, or greetings from loved ones with the author, directed to loved ones with the recipients - typically family members or very close friends. Also, often a personal thing - since many letters written by scribes - like a signature. Close - wishing health / well-being etc. fare-well.
• The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings - used to a life-long friend or two; Paul has a huge family of God in mind; and at the time was in Ephesus the hub of the province of Asia.
• Aquilla and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord - they came from Corinth with Paul to Ephesus - in the literary mould - but warm and deep; and so does the church that meets in their house - a 'Church' is not a building but people in relationship with Jesus.
• Re-inforcing the points he's made over and over again - he insists that Christians recognise they belong to a world-wide fellowship; I believe in the holy catholic church - catholic in it's true sense: true/universal.
• I Paul write this greeting in my own hand similarly in other letters.
• Going on, he deviates from the prosper/fare- well/good-luck formula The grace of the Lord Jesus be to you: grace - Gods Riches At Christ's Expense.
• Lots of sten rebukes / painful corrections in 1 Cor. the last word is: My love to all of you in Christ Jesus - ends with love, the motivation for it all.
• So - the two problems:
  • Too little love ? If anyone does not love the Lord - a curse be on him. Come O Lord - seems strange. cf. 1 Cor. 4 When we are cursed we bless. Paul, James condemn cursing. Translation problem: the word is anathema - talking about people who call themselves Christians but do not love Christ - as earlier in the letter.
  • Too much love ? Greet one another with a holy kiss - plain Greek; the history of interpretation of this text is amazing.
    • C 2nd: Justin Martyr a ritualized act - part of the official liturgy between prayer and the Lord's supper. The passage no-where suggests ritualisation.
    • C 3rd: segregate the sexes for kissing.
    • C 4th: segregate the clergy from leity kissing each other.
    • Later - got rid of the facial kiss - kissing the hand.
    • C 13th - moving to objects - minister would kiss a tablet and they would pass it around the pews.
    • The Armenian church - just bowing instead.
    • Nowadays - kissing was perhaps a peace sign - shaking hands often used instead.
  • Kissing is not and was not normal behavior for people who are not family members / in love. 5 times in the new testament people are told to kiss each other. In our text 2nd Cor 13:12, Rom 16:16, 1 Thes 5:5, 1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
  • Keeps saying a Holy kiss - Tertulian: very hard for women whose husbands had not converted; church talking about love and kissing each other - rumours about orgies - the world's gutter minds; can not concieve of love without carnality.
  • Christians are for committed relationships with people, of the same sex even; where women and men love each other and are, affectionate. The world hears love and thinks sex.
  • The bible gives lots of examples of kissing - almost all in the context of family: never just casual or meaningless / prefunctory. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss - it's possible to be manipulative / hypocritical with this.
  • Jacob kisses his grandsons - and embraced them on his death-bed. Joseph kisses Jacob as he dies. Kissing after reconcilliation, Jacob/Esau - brothers wanting to kill the other; Easu ran to him and kissed him, wept. The parable of the prodigal son - his Father saw him and was filled with compassion ... ran to him, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
  • The world needs more such love, dying for touch, community and fellowship that's palpable. Dr Rene Spitz 20 years ago wrote about orphanages, where little children: well fed, cared for, were dying regularly from an unknown wasting disease (marasmus). Dr Henry Chapin discovered that the children needed to be held - so they would hire other people - who would hold the babies, stroke them etc. Death from the wasting disease dropped to almost zero.
  • Touch deprevation; Harlow's Infant chimpanzees experiments - fascinating. We're more than monkeys - but not less; we need touch.
• When the world thinks it needs more sex, the bible says it needs more love.
• If you have children - you need to love them / hug them - Gordon's children much bigger then him; difficult but worthwhile.
• In the family of God, shake hands in a way that communicates your deep concern, when you hug do so in a way that shows God's love; kiss where acceptable with care and affection. We love because he first loved us.

no device index

/etc/sysconfig/displaymanager

ping: sendmsg: Operation not permitted

• SuSE install had re-sized (great) the original XP FAT32 partition making it un-bootable; later removed the IBM rescue partition since it was chewing a great chunk of disk.
• Booted from a Win98 CD (no floppy in the machine), fdisk \mbr - failed to resurrect booting.
• Attempted to install Win98 over the Windows XP install - mixed results; ended up with an unbelievably broken NTFS partition and a knackered Explorer.
• Gave up; re-partitioned the disk using fdisk (big mistake), set about a fresh / formatted Win98 install. Fdisk decided to allocate more than 100% of the disk, most of it over the top of my Linux partition.
• Downloaded misc. ISOs from Novell, but no CD writer to burn them to anything; had to buy a 'personal' edition copy of SuSE 9 from the LinuxEmporium - what a stupid state of affairs.

lppasswd -g sys -a root

Of the objections to the colon and the semicolon listed above, there is only one that I am prepared to concede: that semicolons are dangerously habit-forming. Many writers hooked on semicolons become an embarrassment to their families and friends. Their agents gently remind them, "George Orwell managed without, you know. And look what happened to Marcel Proust: carry on like this and you're only one step away from a cork-lined room!" But the writers rock back and forth on their office chairs, softly tapping the semicolon key and emitting low whimpers. I hear there are now Knightsbridge clinics offering semicolonic irrigation - but for many it may be too late.

• The context is a chapter on the resurrection, the Corinthianss deny the consequences of the bodily resurrection - 3 things to shock them to their senses.

  • If there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptised for the dead - one of the most difficult passages in the new testament; 40 alternative hypotheses. Mention one: that of the Mormons, also present in C 3rd,4th Gnostics - proxy / vicarious baptism, or baptising dead bodies. Early church viewed the positions as unconvincing & no-where authorized. Unlikely to be a random un-commented ad-hominem. The theif on the cross wasn't baptised before death, confessed sins, and his faith - today you will be with me in paradise, on the other side of the moment of death - no sign of baptism. In the immediate context it doesn't advance the argument.

    One explanation with a higher degree of plausability; People who are baptised under the earging of those who are about to die, so they might be re-united. Last words are accorded a great weight, no motives etc. we know such appeals were made by those about to be martyred.

    eg. 2 Maccabees 7 - apocryphal - a mother and 7 children face martyrdom having watched her first 6 sons be tortured to death she says to the last: Do not be afraid of this executioner, but be worthy of your brothers and accept death, so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them. It seems clear that people would urge their friends and relations to be reconciled to God and baptised as they were being put to death.

    An alternative variant is that, the dead person appealing - is none other than Paul, shortly after in vs. 31 I die every day. ie. if there is no resurrection you would be fools to be baptised at Paul's entreaty.

  • The apostles are fools to live such self sacrificial lives. When Paul talks of his sufferings he links them with the resurrection.

  • If there is no resurrection: let us eat and drink tomorrow we die - an allusion to the Epicurian motto ? the Epicurians not intending a life of abandoned drunkenness, but an incentive to the good life - fine dining, excellent cuisine, music, art, theatre etc. - enjoy your friendship etc.: refined hedonism.

    Jesus tells the parable of the man building a barn to store all his good things up ( Luke12) with Eat, drink and be merry - but God said to him You fool ! this very night your life will be demanded of you. People who live for the moment, live for far too little. God wants us to have deeper, more lasting fulfillment. We are far too easily pleased with drink, food, sex etc., God has joy everlasting at his right hand.

• The crowning point: the Corinthians have been sold a contemporary bill of goods that "matter doesn't matter" Do not be misled, bad company corrupts good character. Conformity is more pernicious than you think. Candid camera, funniest are the conformity to social pressure - the elevator piece, every victim turning to face with the hired crowd. The Christian however is invited to go the other way.
• The truism has been mis-applied by Christians; it does not allow people to judge others more effectively, instead to challenge us to examine ourselves, to see how we've bought into our own culture. Nor does it seem an invitation to sign up for a Monastry - we are called to be good company, to be a friend of sinners like Jesus was. Paul says to avoid bad company ( 1Cor5) you'd have to leave this world.
• The flip-side is good company promotes good character - good to have cross-cultural friendships for a good critique. C.S.Lewis said to read an old book between each new one to get a different perspective. The effect of the outstanding example in Earnest Gordon's experience in To End all Wars [ must read the book ].
• Summary - the resurrection is real, and a bright future to look forward to as we pack-up in old age. Gordon's encouragement as his retina gives up.

• The Corinthian's drunk deep of the Greek dichotomy between the body & the soul. Paul refutes this in 12... God loves the universe, and our bodies - had a gospel for the whole person not just the soul; healing the sick - not telling them to ignore their bodies.
• God is also interested in more than your soul, but also your body - the body is not made for immorality. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, you are not your own you are bought at a price, therefore honour your body.
• Park Street committed not only to mission in a spiritual sense, but also to physical bodies; many medics are sent to heal the sick, the international justice mission - using christian criminologists, forensic specialists, lawyers, judges - honouring the God of justice.
• Christ's resurrection the prototype, we will be like him. Paul doesn't just assert that he was resurrected, but that it is knowable. Acts 1 He appeared to the apostles over the period of 40 days
• Paul gives 6 examples of his appearing; not to just some isolated individuals: some believers, others sceptics, etc. appeared to 500 at a time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep - the vocabulary of the first Christian martyr (Stephen) who as he was being stoned prayed do not hold this sin against them - and then he fell asleep. Many of these gave their lives for their testimony.
• You can have misguided religious fanatics who are willing to die for what they believe in; servicemen can similarly. Christian witnesses in contrast were persecuted for their testimony to the resurrection - that hundreds of them would be willing to go to cheerfully to their death for something they knew was false; is strange indeed.
• 3 witnesses mentioned all who didn't want to see the resurrected Jesus - hostile witnesses.
  • Peter - denied Jesus 3 times before he died to servant girls. Hours before he had sworn to die with him rather than deny him. An uncomfortable re-union with Jesus after the resurrection. What turned Peter from a weak kneed quitter to someone who would confess Christ before the Sanhedrin days later ?
  • James - disbelieved in Jesus - his half brother - considered him a mental case. Mark 3:21: no one talks like this who is sane. Yet - he was turned around, after Jesus' death; James was a leader of the Church in Jerusalem, and in AD 62 was stoned and clubbed to death for his faith.
  • Paul - like Osama Bin-Laden, any chance of him becoming a Christian ? exactly the same with Paul. He was self-satisfied, assured and self righteous. He was trying to purify the land from false prophets, not on his way to a prayer meeting in Damascus, but to kill more Christians. Jesus stopped him in his tracks, and turned him around - an example that no-one is beyond saving. What does God think of those who kill people: Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief ... is a trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance: that Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst 1Tim1 - something we can all echo.
• The ultimate proof of the resurrection is that Jesus is alive and well, and can come into your life and change it right now. By the grace of God I am what I am and his grace to me was not without effect.
• Not making us perfect immediately, but setting us free from being a slave to sin. Christ is alive and well, he wants you because he can do with your life, more than you can do with it.

• Our testimony like that of John Newton, (Amazing Grace), from a dysfunctional home, abandoned by his father, mother died when he was 6. Went to sea, no other way to survive, a life of debauchery. Would enjoy new sailors coming aboard, making fun of their faith, and encouraging them in drunkenness and all the rest. Age 22 he had witnessed, crossing the Atlantic with slaves; with 1/4 of them dying of dysentry and malnutrition - and was untouched by it, so hardned was his heart.

  At a point age 22 on a similar voyage, in a great storm, the mast split, half the deck lifted up, the sails gone and all the sailors crying out for their lives. Newton suddenly confronting ultimate reality - had the gall to cry out May the Lord have mercy. As he said it, he began thinking of his whole life of blasphemy, that every ounce of his being was against God; didn't even know how to swim, would surely drown. 27 days later, as they were eating their last provision, drinking their last drops of fresh water, they hit land on the coast of Ireland. Newton got off that boat a new creature in Christ.

  He left the slave trade, and spent the rest of his days fighting against slavery. He became a pastor, but instead of wearing robes, always wore his sailors uniform into the pulpit so he would never forget that once I was blind, but now I see

Dec  4 17:58:55 linux kernel: hda: read_intr: status=0x59 { DriveReady SeekComplete DataRequest Error }
Dec  4 17:58:55 linux kernel: hda: read_intr: error=0x10 { SectorIdNotFound }, LBAsect=72506408, sector=47634008

• Man born of woman, is of few days, and full of trouble Job 14 If a man dies, will he live again ?.
• The Corinthians didn't get it - drunk the contemporary Greek thinking. The resurrection is patterned on Christ; If Christ has not been raised our preaching is useless, and so is your faith, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins etc. ( 1 Cor 15) - the antithesis to Pascal's wager: If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men..
• The Apostles creed: I believe in the holy spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body & the life everlasting, Amen.
• Today you will be with me in paradise - yes to prefer to be away from the body and at home with Christ is good but there we get clothed with a new body.
• How are the dead raised ? With what kind of body will they come - a cynical Greek view, it's a disgusting idea - a re-animted cadaver ? - arthritic ?
• Appeal to the natural analogy of sowing a seed to create a new plant to cover 3 points:
  • The necessity of death: How foolish ! what you sow does not come to life unless it dies - Corinthian smug self satisfaction - already you have all you want (4:8) - Kingship is on the other side of the grave. To wear the crown you have to bear the cross. Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies - it remains only a single seed, but if it dies it becomes many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. - John 12.
  • Is it 'just a spiritual resurrection' ? - no. The continuity & discontinuity. While the seed doesn't really die - it seems to disintegrate; it gives an impression of dying. When you sow, you don't plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else: continuity plant an acorn - you don't get a maple tree: it's still you. Discontinuity - death; God gives it a body as he has determined
  • All flesh is not the same: Men, animals, birds, fish - God creates amazing diversity. The sun, moon, stars are all different - and radically different from us - none of us wanders around shining. God is incredibly creative and can do it.
• A huge amount we don't know - are babies ressurected as adults ? are octogenarians resurrected as 65 year old retirees, we don't know; we do know:
  • The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable - our bodies are given to decay and degeneration, death then disintegration.
  • The body that is sown in dishonor, is raised in glory - bodies a source of permanant embarassment; Death - the ultimate humiliation Sherman Newland a surgeon at - Yale Medical School in his book 'How we die' says: If peace and dignity are what we delude ourselves to expect, most of us will die wondering what we or our doctors have done wrong... By and large dying is a messy and painful business. Not a rosy picture. Paul acknowledges this - as it is sown in dishonor - but it is raised in glory and honour Well done my good and faithfull servant, because you have been faithful in little - take charge of 12 cities.
  • The body that is sown in weakness, is raised in power - Newland again: A study of those who die in old age; 84 years+ the lesson from 23 case histories - whether the cause is the anarchy of disordered bio-chemistry; or it's opposite, we die of old-age because we have been worn, torn and progammed to cave in. The very old do not surcumb to disease, they implode their way to eternity. Even if they happened to die of pneumonia autopsies reveal they could have died the next day of any of 10 other causes. The body will be raised in power though: look to Jesus, he appears through locked doors; he appears so suddenly he startles them A ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have Luke 24.
  • The body that is sown a natural body, it is raised as a spiritual body - not physical vs. spiritual; the resurrection in a material thing. The natural body is animated by the soul, the resurrection body is animated by the spirit. When it is sown it embodies the soul, when it's raised it embodies the spirit The holy spirit currently gives life only from the heart out, a promise of the resurrection.
• Don't sign up for a liquid nitrogen bath: Listen I tell you a mystery - we shall not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a flash - in the twinkling of an eye - fastest known unit of time then before the nanosecond, at the last trumpet
• Why sleep ? just like a body sleeping through the night, touch the person and they don't respond, they're just away for a while. Has Jesus turned your grave into a bed ? Gordon encourages people when considering funeral arrangements - to get the undertakers to dress people in their coffin in pyjamas not a suit - they're just sleeping.
• How will God wake us - with a loud command, as at creation. Blaise Pascal - What is more difficult to be born or rise again - that that which has never been to be, or that which has been, to be again ? - Teach me to live that I may dread, the grave as little as my bed, teach me to die so that I may rise glorious at the judgement day.
• The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed The Trumpet - a call to herald the presence of God as at Mount Sainai, or as in Matthew 24: to signal that the troops are on the way.
• Then death will be defeated, Then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory'
• Challenged to follow the example of Amy Carmichael a missionary to India: refused to be photographed ( despite being rather pretty ): why would you want to preserve your likeness now, when in just a few moments we'll be transformed into his likeness. When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
• Not to be so heavenly minded - you're no earthly good, of course it gives us comfort in aging but Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - living not just for now - For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.

source *.Set.sh || exit 1;

gkb_xmmap cz

• The Trinity: 17 texts mentioning the Father, Son & Holy Spirit in the same breath - baptising in the name of all 3; co-equality. All Christian churches agree on the doctrine, E. Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, etc.
• The translation of the sacred name of God (Yahweh) to Greek rendered 'Lord' used in the NT applied to Jesus. cf. Acts 2 quotation of Joel 2 Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
• Stephen - as he was stoned to death [NB. fell asleep] said, Lord Jesus recieve my spirit. Remarkably parallel to Jesus's words from the cross, but to God.
• He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all Creation ... [things] visible and invisible. EM radition yes of course, but really a grand theory of everything.
• How about Creation. With a Ptolemaic vision - the Earth the center it makes transparent sense that God was incarnate here. vs. Carl Sagan's - the pale blue dot - a thin film of life on an obscure lump of rock and metal, a lonely spec in an eveloping cosmic dark.
• several major misunderstandings:
• Facts do not speak for themselves: By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command. When we see them we think: The heavens declare the glory of God. I can't even convince you you're awake - only with your eyes open can you see the evidence that you are.
• ~200bn stars in the milky way, ~100bn galaxies. Oh Lord our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth - When I consider the heavens the work of your fingers, the heavens that you set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him.
• Bible doesn't require a young earth, some suggest creation in 4004BC, based on genaeology in scriptures. Genaeologies are almost always selective, Matthew: Jesus is the son of David, son of Abraham. David ~1k BC, Abraham ~2k BC, Matthew knows that. Later more comprehensive: 14+14 generations mentioned, but the OT mentions at least 3 names he omits; that's standard proceedure; typical in the ancient world.
• Bible doesn't prohibit plant/animal death before the fall. More than 700 distinct species in the fossil record, when did they exist ? the dinosaur question, 2 options:
  • No death before Adam/Eve sinned, they continued to inhabit the planet with us until they were wiped out.
  • Is that likely ? Jurrassic park: in the wisdom of God, why have Tyrannosaurus Rex in the garden of Eden ?
  • God in his wisdom got rid of the dinosaurs long before we arrived - 65million years ago. Assumes death arrived before the fall.
• Every time death is mentioned with respect to the fall, the bible stresses it's human death. The animals didn't sin, humans sinned. Death enters through that act, but only to men.
• Psalm 104, talks about creation, walks through Genesis 1 verse by verse. The 4th day, darkness - The beasts of the field prowel - what are they prowling for - carrots ? the lions roar for their prey - God gave them sharp teath, excellent steroscopic vision, fleetness of foot etc.
• God clothes the man/women with animal skins - but just glosses over this - of course animals die.
• Genesis not an exhaustive or exclusive account of creation. Not exhaustive: no account of creation of air, fire, water, or angels. Not exclusive, the doctrine of concurrence:
  • Why does it rain ? a christian view of meterology ? We should have a Christian meterological society so we don't have to have pagan meterologist on TV !
  • The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth ... he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth, he sends lighting with the rain, and brings out the wind from his storehouses. (Psalm 135).
  • Jesus said it was true too: He makes his rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5)
  • No more of these 'cold fronts' and 'isobars' - it's all God isn't it ?
  • Jeremiah goes so far as: Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain ? Do the skies themselves send down showers ? No, it is you, O Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this. - the sky can't do it unless God does it.
  • The laws of nature are just the customary ways in which God provides his providential care of the universe. They're his laws.
  • Elijah having prayed for rain after a prolongued drought - sends his servant to look for a cloud - God does it all, yet uses a cloud. God normally uses secondary causes - yet he does it all.
• The 7 days in Genesis 1 - need not be literal; or are literal 'heaven' days; not a new view caused by embarassment by evolution. Held by St. Augustine in 7 AD. The first fundamentalists held this view. God created the Sun for the marking of days, sun created day 4. The 7th day is still going on. God's 7th day rest is still going on Hebrews 4. Genesis 1: 'evening/morning' every day, but not on the 7th.
• What is a 'heavenly day' ? no idea. What is a doorpost and threshold in heaven ? - no idea; a useful anthropomorphism.
• A week, an unnatural measure of time; all man's 7 day cycles plaguerised from scripture. Natural: day, month, seasons, year. We get a lot of weeks; God has one. We're looking forward to the ultimate Sabbath - entering into God's rest.
• Empirical evidence - encourage us to apply what the bible says about creation. All human beings have a common ancestor - we go back to 1 ancestral pair. The Eve hypothesis - mitocondrial DNA, 100k years ago, same for Y chromosomes. A very 'fortuitous' mutation happened 100k years ago, no burial before then, not long thereafter art.
• Universality of the fall, everywhere you go - everyone is sinning. The !Kung San of the Kalahari desert - wonderfully peaceful hunter-gatherers, don't even spank their children - an anthropologists dream come true: all loving and peaceful. Problem is in further studies it was discovered they have a murder rate greater than NYC.
• Design: requires a couple of things; improbability is not enough. Throw a cork - draw a bull's eye exactly under it - not amazing. Have to design the bull's-eye first.
• You have to know God to know the evidence of his design; unity & diversity How many are your works Lord. You can't predict the Emu, you can't predict the gravitational constant - it reflects his soverign will not some necessity.
• The beauty of nature; it's just like him to make things like that. The Spirit's effort in creation - spirit breath - seen anyone die ? - an astonishing thing; all of a sudden the life goes out - and what you most notice - the stopping of breath; no more breath.
• God formed man from the dust and breathed into him life, Jesus breathed into his disciples the Holy Spirit. The world is not just a rock, but covered in life everywhere.
• How is it possible for such an enormous squandering of time: 10bn years of supernovae - millions of years of carboniferous plant growth to make the gas so you could drive to Church. Millions of species / stars dying that we might live.
• The cruciform theory of the universe: Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies it stays a single seed. All kinds of natural analogies preparing you to live a life of indebtedness.
• It's all as nothing prepared to what God was prepared to do 2000 years ago sending his Son to die for us. It was not with perishable gold/silver that you were bought - but with the precious blood of Christ. Who is worthy of these things ?