God is with you

A posting at the Methodist Corner blog by Allen McGraw got me thinking about God-with-us. He referred to the song "Signs" by Five Man Electrical Band. I used Bing to find the song lyrics and then smiled as I couldn't help myself -- I started singing it (the song's guitar chords at a different site).

Near the end of the song, the man says, "thank you Lord for thinking about me, I'm alive and doing fine." God is with us during hard times. Not that he prevents suffering, but that he's right there with us. Jesus suffered on the cross ... in our place ... for our sins. God knows our pain. As a great piece of inspirational music from Joe Parks said, "We're never alone with Jesus."

"Encounter with Jesus" Bible Study Technique

There are lots of different Bible Study methods and approaches. When it comes to the gospels, here's a way to focus on Jesus and spiritual development:

First, select a passage from one of the gospels (a red-letter edition of the Bible may be helpful). Read the passage through and answer the below questions. You may also want to have a Synoptic (parallel) Gospels Bible handy.

Where's Jesus?

• Where is Jesus in this passage?
• Where was Jesus prior to this event?
• With what type of people is Jesus dealing? (crowd, circle of friends, Gentiles or Jews, followers of Jesus, members of what sect)

What does Jesus say?

• Summarize or quote everything Jesus says.
• Note what Jesus does not say. Silence is often very telling. It can also unnerve people.
• Note Jesus' feeling, tone, and attitude.
• Is your first impression of Jesus' attitude really right or are you making Jesus "like us" -- too human? Look for alternate explanations for Jesus' behavior or how Jesus said something.

What are others' response to Jesus?

• What do others say about Jesus?
• What are people's impressions about Jesus; how do they feel about him?
• How do people respond to Jesus?

How does this passage and insight help me develop spiritually?

• What are my impressions of Jesus from this passage?
• What characteristics of Jesus would I like to see in my own life?
• Did the people's responses to Jesus in the passage convict me or inspire me ?
• What is Jesus saying in this passage that could or would change my life? How can I work with Him to make it happen?

Reference: If you’d like learn more, read or download the full Discipleship Journal article.

News Roundup

News features

• Pagans, ancient and modern
• Children of Abraham
• 21st Century diplomacy & Religion
• Sacred Wilderness: An African story
• "Secrets" of Mary Magdalene (quotes are mine - take with a large grain of Kosher salt)

References

• Beliefs and Practices (from FaithStreams)
• Women and the Church (from FaithStreams)
• The Word in Song (music, from FaithStreams)
• History of "Lift every voice and sing"
• "Lift Every Voice" exhibit (Univ.Va.)

Archeologists blast upcoming Jesus documentary

Scientists debunk an upcoming Discovery Chanel documentary about 10 possible burial sites of Jesus. It sounds interesting, though. After all, the March 4 TV show is directed by Oscar-winner James Cameron, who claims that Jesus' bones (and those of his family) were found in some ancient ossuaries in Jerusalem.

Ironically, the BBC visited this "story" over a decade ago and archaeologists at the time criticised the claims even then. Discovery Channel has even added a special "Lost Tomb of Jesus" site to plug the show's assertions.

The AP article in USA Today online mentions several areas of misinformation and disagreement with the claims. Adding to this is the fact that forgeries of ancient artifacts are well known to have been made. But, hey -- it's TV -- anything for a buck.

Despite this, I still suggest watching the show. Christians need to view and be knowledgeable about material that can affect Christians who are "young in the faith" or the unchurched who might be swayed by misinformation. After all, if there really were bones of Jesus, there was no resurrection. Mass media and even information available on the Internet can easily turn false information into "facts" that then get repeated as "gospel." View the show, but view it with an analytical eye.

• Other Discovery Channel pages about Jesus
• The Jesus Ossuary: A critical examination (PDF)
• "Jesus tomb" debate gets ugly fast
• Has the tomb of Jesus been discovered?
• Examining the 'Jesus tomb' evidence
• Experts say 'Jesus tomb" is a fantasy (ABC science news)
• Panelists poke holes in "Jesus tomb" show

Christians divorce Jesus from Judaism

In her article in "The Christian Century" magazine, Amy-Jill Levine criticises Christians for misusing Jesus -- incorrect portrayals of Jesus in regards to Jews and Christians, social issues, and more.

Jesus, she reminds us was:

• Not against the Torah (Law)
• Not against the Temple, but rather its leadership
• Not the only one concerned with social issues

"This divorcing of Jesus from Judaism does a disservice to each textually, theologically, historically and ethically."

To disregard history, she says, is to be unfaithful to both Judaism and Christianity.

Jesus: God or Man?

The ACTS International web site has an excellent online tract, "Jesus Christ: Is he God or Man?". Of course, I wince a bit when Christians use "Christ" as though it was Jesus' last name. Christ comes from the Greek word pronounced "Christos" and means the same as the Hebrew word for "Messiah".

So if you really want to avoid inappropriately using Christ as a last name, perhaps you could say, "Jesus the Christ".

What is Methodism?

St. Andrew's by the Sea UMC in San Clemente, California, has a good video series. (Windows Media file format) You can find them at their Methodism 101 page:

• History of the Methodist movement (WMV file)
• Our Methodist Heritage (WMV file)

Gateway Church (a United Methodist Church, though they seem to avoid admitting that in their name for some reason) has a 10-part series on "Theology 101 for Methodists". Here's their information on what United Methodists believe about...

• Jesus
• The cross
• Sin
• Being in relationship with God
• The Resurrection of Jesus
• The Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost)
• The Bible
• Heaven and Hell
• The Second Coming
• The Holy Spirit
• Baptism
• Holy Communion

Christ of the Deep

Italian swimmer and diver Duilo Merchant wanted a symbol to inspire those who loved and explored the sea. The result was a statue of Christ, with arms outstretched and gazing updward. Originally casted in 1954, a total of three 4,000 pound bronze statues have been made from that mold and placed underwater. The first casting stands beneath the waters of the Mediterranean Sea; the third one rests on the ocean floor at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Florida.

The statue in Florida is known as Christ of the Deep and is one of the most-photographed dive sites in the world. It's also a popular site for underwater marriages. Some divers view Christ's posture as one of praise and prayer; others see it as Christ inviting lovers of the sea to come to him.

• History and photos of these Christ statues
• "Christ of the Deep" poem
• 360 degree panorama view including the statue
• Other photos of the statue

Could you "Surrender all"?

C. Samuel Storms discusses materialism in the Discipleship Journal article, "Is Jesus really enough?".

"Surrender" is a word often associated with battle. But what does it mean for Christians to surrender in a spiritual sense? Princeton University's WordNet addresses some of the connotations of "surrender" that fit the Christian use:

• "Yield" (to Christ)
• "Deliver" (hand over ourselves and our lives to God. "We are thine, O Lord")
• "Relinquish control" (to our Savior)

Miriam's Well says "The Law of Surrender is that all Power comes from above."