I may have spoke of this before. But the commentator marveled at the instant church.
A church of 120 who had been with Jesus for a while multiplied almost 30 times at Peter's first sermon. Obviously all of this was through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Just think of that kind of growth in you church! How would you handle it?
The vast majority of the 3,000 converts wanted to join them. If you do evangelism you are responsible for the discipleship of who are saved. The next verses after 42 describe how they did it.
Verse 42 speaks to how they did it. "The apostles doctrine and fellowship" must have involved regular group teachings and personal, one on one or small group, sharing. They also got together to pray and had an early, simple version of a communion service to remember Jesus and his saving work. That is what Jesus told them to do after all.
The ideas of priestly privilege and the concept that only the initiated should receive had not been developed yet. It was a simple thing, a remembrance.
Verses 44-45 scare those who want to take this as a literal blueprint for how Christians should live now: Those who were converted lived together and shared all their things in common. Many (or all) sold what they had to give to their new brothers. This was a full time, seven day a week commitment, not just an hour or two on Sunday. But judging from the advice Paul gives in his letters, this was not the standard for every church, just the first one.
But many groups throughout the years have tried this original church plan, with limited success. The holy orders of the Catholic church have been the longest lasting attempts to live like this. They immediately realized that there must be rules. People are sinful. After the first blush of excitement is over there will be problems. There is also the temptation to retreat from the world. Most orders understand the importance of keeping contact with the world. The wisely understood this problem too.
US attempts to form Christian communities often started with a sort of utopian model. They often failed when people got illusioned. There are still some communities that attempt to embrace a simpler lifestyle and a more vibrant relationship with God. All these, I think, are based on this Acts 2 model of the church. But this is not the only church model that the Bible shows.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Ragtime by E. L Doctorow (a long review)
Is that the guy's real name?
Well the book does not say one way on another.
This book is set on the first page in 1902 in New Rochelle, NY. The first family we meet is never named. The family is called Father, Mother, Mother's Brother, and Son. We follow them in snatches throughout the book. The last family we meet is also never named, the father is a poor Jewish man and his young daughter. He is called Tateh. So fathers play a big role.
In between Doctorow intersperses famous people of the time including Pierpont Morgan, Henry Houdini, and the characters in the "Trial of the Century" Stanford White, Henry K. Thaw, and Evelyn Nesbit. Looking in Wikipedia a lot of the smaller characters also lived. Doctorow wishes to create a story around these characters and more importantly describe the ethos of this time and place.
I think he does a very good job of describing the culture but in so doing he also reveals his own prejudices. He is certainly an atheist but also somehow believes in a karma type fate. I am reminded of some modern movies. His culture is godless, warping it quite a bit.
Perhaps the eccentric views he has Morgan espouse also reflect the author's views. It is not clear. But the waspish views of Father and Mother and the extremely legalistic moral views of Tateh are also described.
A major conflict that fills the last half of the book does not seem to have an basis in fact but serves to bring all these other characters together is the tragic plight of Coalhouse Walker, Jr. His car is vandalized simply because he is a negro. He goes on a vengeful rampage which kills many people and finally gets himself killed. If this in fact happened surely it would be on the internet.
It is a touching story that we are led to believe, because of all that comes before, actually happened. That is very misleading. Doctorow would like us to believe that it could, even should, have happened. White people had it coming.
Anyway the book ends with our poor Jewish artist Tateh moving out to California and getting rich in pictures, specifically creating the "Our Gang" comedies using his personal experience as inspiration. That is nice but a bit unsatisfying because his name is never mentioned. Searching in Wikipedia the creator of Our Gang was Hal Roach who may be Jewish but it doesn't mention. He was born in up state New York but seems to have spent a lot of time in Alaska before moving to CA. So Doctorow's Tateh is only very loosely based on Roach, that is why he is never named I guess.
So Ragtime starts out describing that might have happened but perhaps jumps over into impossibility after a while unless you subscribe to a very cynical view of life. Perhaps I do or perhaps I don't but I did not get joy in having my nose rubbed in it.
Well the book does not say one way on another.
This book is set on the first page in 1902 in New Rochelle, NY. The first family we meet is never named. The family is called Father, Mother, Mother's Brother, and Son. We follow them in snatches throughout the book. The last family we meet is also never named, the father is a poor Jewish man and his young daughter. He is called Tateh. So fathers play a big role.
In between Doctorow intersperses famous people of the time including Pierpont Morgan, Henry Houdini, and the characters in the "Trial of the Century" Stanford White, Henry K. Thaw, and Evelyn Nesbit. Looking in Wikipedia a lot of the smaller characters also lived. Doctorow wishes to create a story around these characters and more importantly describe the ethos of this time and place.
I think he does a very good job of describing the culture but in so doing he also reveals his own prejudices. He is certainly an atheist but also somehow believes in a karma type fate. I am reminded of some modern movies. His culture is godless, warping it quite a bit.
Perhaps the eccentric views he has Morgan espouse also reflect the author's views. It is not clear. But the waspish views of Father and Mother and the extremely legalistic moral views of Tateh are also described.
A major conflict that fills the last half of the book does not seem to have an basis in fact but serves to bring all these other characters together is the tragic plight of Coalhouse Walker, Jr. His car is vandalized simply because he is a negro. He goes on a vengeful rampage which kills many people and finally gets himself killed. If this in fact happened surely it would be on the internet.
It is a touching story that we are led to believe, because of all that comes before, actually happened. That is very misleading. Doctorow would like us to believe that it could, even should, have happened. White people had it coming.
Anyway the book ends with our poor Jewish artist Tateh moving out to California and getting rich in pictures, specifically creating the "Our Gang" comedies using his personal experience as inspiration. That is nice but a bit unsatisfying because his name is never mentioned. Searching in Wikipedia the creator of Our Gang was Hal Roach who may be Jewish but it doesn't mention. He was born in up state New York but seems to have spent a lot of time in Alaska before moving to CA. So Doctorow's Tateh is only very loosely based on Roach, that is why he is never named I guess.
So Ragtime starts out describing that might have happened but perhaps jumps over into impossibility after a while unless you subscribe to a very cynical view of life. Perhaps I do or perhaps I don't but I did not get joy in having my nose rubbed in it.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Adventure traveling
Traveling is still and adventure. I thought I ad planned it out, really I did. But I did not ask for help from the people on the other end, people I do not know, people I thought might be too busy. I underestimated the serious problem arriving on shabbat (sabbath) would be.
I hate the long flights but this year things were much much better. Traveling this year had a lot to do with waiting. April dropped us off at the airport. We got into an elite line, just our blessing. It meant we had to wait in the gate lounge for three hours. We got to Toronto only to find that the flight to Tel Aviv was delayed. We waited four hours. Then after a blessedly short 10 hour flight we arrived in Tel Aviv to the reality that the only way to the kibbutz would require a $250 taxi drive. The knew if we wait until after shabbat we can get a $15 bus ride directly there. But that require an 7 hour wait until shabbat is over.
So we took the taxi to the central bus terminal in Tel-Aviv. Then we waited outside for a couple of hours that seemed like more sitting out on the sidewalk. Few speak English and those that do are hard to understand. Thus I did know I could enter at least an hour before we did. Then it took us a while to realize that while the escalator was blocked the elevator worked up to the top floor where the buses were.
Barbara got the very bright idea that Tvias was the same thing as Tiberias in bus parlance. I asked a driver who after consulting with someone who spoke English replied "yes". So I warily got on with DW. We drove on an inerurban bus that stopped a lot to Tiberias. We stopped in a relatively large town called Afula (while I had never heard of). The next stop was Tiberias. I could hardly believe it. It took only 2:15 of while I dozed a lot. DW dozed at the bus station while I read. I finished my Doctorow book, "Ragtime" from leaving Houstonto waiting in the bus station. I gotta go soon so signing off. Probably tomorrow a review of Doctorow.
I hate the long flights but this year things were much much better. Traveling this year had a lot to do with waiting. April dropped us off at the airport. We got into an elite line, just our blessing. It meant we had to wait in the gate lounge for three hours. We got to Toronto only to find that the flight to Tel Aviv was delayed. We waited four hours. Then after a blessedly short 10 hour flight we arrived in Tel Aviv to the reality that the only way to the kibbutz would require a $250 taxi drive. The knew if we wait until after shabbat we can get a $15 bus ride directly there. But that require an 7 hour wait until shabbat is over.
So we took the taxi to the central bus terminal in Tel-Aviv. Then we waited outside for a couple of hours that seemed like more sitting out on the sidewalk. Few speak English and those that do are hard to understand. Thus I did know I could enter at least an hour before we did. Then it took us a while to realize that while the escalator was blocked the elevator worked up to the top floor where the buses were.
Barbara got the very bright idea that Tvias was the same thing as Tiberias in bus parlance. I asked a driver who after consulting with someone who spoke English replied "yes". So I warily got on with DW. We drove on an inerurban bus that stopped a lot to Tiberias. We stopped in a relatively large town called Afula (while I had never heard of). The next stop was Tiberias. I could hardly believe it. It took only 2:15 of while I dozed a lot. DW dozed at the bus station while I read. I finished my Doctorow book, "Ragtime" from leaving Houstonto waiting in the bus station. I gotta go soon so signing off. Probably tomorrow a review of Doctorow.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Clark Pinnock
Clark Pinnock quote: "Most wonderfully the Spirit is God's face turned towards us."
This is probably enough. Clark Pinnock is a great modern Christian writer. Some people might enjoy reading his stuff. Check it out.
The complete quote: "Most wonderfully, the Spirit is God's face turned towards us and God's presence abiding with us, the agency by which God reaches out and draws near, the power that creates and heals"
Peter's first sermon was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
This is probably enough. Clark Pinnock is a great modern Christian writer. Some people might enjoy reading his stuff. Check it out.
The complete quote: "Most wonderfully, the Spirit is God's face turned towards us and God's presence abiding with us, the agency by which God reaches out and draws near, the power that creates and heals"
Peter's first sermon was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Acts 1
Our Life Group was discussing whether it was necessary for the disciples to replace Judas, completing the twelve again.
The commentator explains at least part of the question very well. "Jesus chose twelve to establish the continuity with the old covenant and at the same time to announce the arrival of the new." So twelve was an important number.
But that does not really answer of whether they still needed 12 after Jesus had gone back up to heaven. But it was an important symbol when Jesus was on earth.
The commentator also mentions the expression "continually in prayer". The discples, beginning the new church, we continually in prayer. He asks do our churches know anything about being continually in prayer. I do not think ours does. Some might perhaps. I confess I don't.
But I know that at the beginnings of the renewal at Redeemer Episcopal there was continuous prayer. They met every morning before work, getting up a couple hours earlier than they would need to normally. The Azusa revival at the turn of the 1900's also had continuous prayer. Revival brings continuous prayer and visa versa.
The commentator explains at least part of the question very well. "Jesus chose twelve to establish the continuity with the old covenant and at the same time to announce the arrival of the new." So twelve was an important number.
But that does not really answer of whether they still needed 12 after Jesus had gone back up to heaven. But it was an important symbol when Jesus was on earth.
The commentator also mentions the expression "continually in prayer". The discples, beginning the new church, we continually in prayer. He asks do our churches know anything about being continually in prayer. I do not think ours does. Some might perhaps. I confess I don't.
But I know that at the beginnings of the renewal at Redeemer Episcopal there was continuous prayer. They met every morning before work, getting up a couple hours earlier than they would need to normally. The Azusa revival at the turn of the 1900's also had continuous prayer. Revival brings continuous prayer and visa versa.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Lawndale Annex
DW and I went to an art exhibit opening at Lawndale Annex Friday night. It was mostly paintings but there were some sculpted objects and a couple of videos. Lawndale Annex is in the 4900 block of Main Street. They have ample parking.
We were talking about a painting when we were introduced to the artist. He was a normal looking young man with very short reddish hair. You always think of artists looking artsy in some way. He did not make that effort. The place was packed. There were a lot of the observers who did make the effort to look artsy.
I said something complementary about the three dimensional quality of some the objects in the painting. That got him talking about his motivation for the piece. I tried to act intelligent to keep him going but I had no clue how to react. I could not see where in the painting his motivations showed up.
The canvas was large, maybe three feet by four feet. Lots of the canvas was bare white. There were objects of different styles. Some objects seemed to have a relation to each other. But other things had no relation that I could see.
He did not mention any message, thank God, because I certainly could not see one. He said he was breaking away from realism in previous works. This work was a whimsy. He did not use that word. He said something about making fun, of himself, of his previous work. He called it playful.
But it was stark. There were different kinds of images, some flat and one color, some showing shadows. None of the objects were identifiable. Maybe that is what he meant by playful.
I mentioned to him two flat shapes in the lower right that DW and I thought looked like demons. That reminded him in a previous work he did draw characters from a fantastical SciFi book, I forgot the name. He said that was the geek coming out in him.
He stayed talking to us for a few minutes then politely excused himself to move on. He was so ordinary I do not think I would recognize him again.
We were talking about a painting when we were introduced to the artist. He was a normal looking young man with very short reddish hair. You always think of artists looking artsy in some way. He did not make that effort. The place was packed. There were a lot of the observers who did make the effort to look artsy.
I said something complementary about the three dimensional quality of some the objects in the painting. That got him talking about his motivation for the piece. I tried to act intelligent to keep him going but I had no clue how to react. I could not see where in the painting his motivations showed up.
The canvas was large, maybe three feet by four feet. Lots of the canvas was bare white. There were objects of different styles. Some objects seemed to have a relation to each other. But other things had no relation that I could see.
He did not mention any message, thank God, because I certainly could not see one. He said he was breaking away from realism in previous works. This work was a whimsy. He did not use that word. He said something about making fun, of himself, of his previous work. He called it playful.
But it was stark. There were different kinds of images, some flat and one color, some showing shadows. None of the objects were identifiable. Maybe that is what he meant by playful.
I mentioned to him two flat shapes in the lower right that DW and I thought looked like demons. That reminded him in a previous work he did draw characters from a fantastical SciFi book, I forgot the name. He said that was the geek coming out in him.
He stayed talking to us for a few minutes then politely excused himself to move on. He was so ordinary I do not think I would recognize him again.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Revelation 13
This is sort of a climax here. The beast comes out of the sea. He has ten horns and seven heads.
I really do not have a handle on this. Perhaps too many distractions right now.
In verse 3 one of the heads is killed but then comes to life. Perhaps this is a parody of Jesus' death and resurrection. Anyway this sign causes people to worship this beast.
He is given authority for 3 1/2 years. We think of a Beast like "Beauty and the Beast" a awful looking monster like thing, perhaps like Chewbacca. Both these beasts that speak were good hearted. But I think the beast might be the opposite - good looking but evil. It would be sort of the opposite of those two modern fictional characters.
Call it my paranoia but I suspect the Beauty and the Beast send up was done conscious of the Revelation image. It was a sort of to make a mockery of it. Perhaps people who love this play/movie will object to this. The Beast with a good heart is a great image, even romantic. Still I think the intention of the writers originally was impious. That does not mean it cannot be used for good.
That's a weird aside. But this is a serious problem. We often do admire the wrong things. This beast that does amazing signs and speaks with tremendous authority is often wrongly worshiped. On can think of Hitler in the 20th century and Napoleon in the 18th (?) century. Both spoke with authority and had great followings.
But John certainly had Roman authority in mind here. Perhaps even specifically the head that died but then came back to life could refer to Nero who killed himself but whose policies were mimicked by Domitian. The heads could refer to successive Roman emperors.
The emperors were considered like gods and they were worshiped in temples. Those who did not worship were persecuted and sometimes killed.
But we are told to consider the fruits of such men/beasts. We will know when Jesus returns and be the one who is truly worthy of worship. We will not have to guess. We must not be distracted by great signs. Hitler resurrected the German economy and created great things like superhighways and automobiles. I am not sure what signs Napoleon did. The Romans continued to keep the peace and also build great roads and aqueducts. It was considered miraculous at the time. But it was not worthy of worship.
I really do not have a handle on this. Perhaps too many distractions right now.
In verse 3 one of the heads is killed but then comes to life. Perhaps this is a parody of Jesus' death and resurrection. Anyway this sign causes people to worship this beast.
He is given authority for 3 1/2 years. We think of a Beast like "Beauty and the Beast" a awful looking monster like thing, perhaps like Chewbacca. Both these beasts that speak were good hearted. But I think the beast might be the opposite - good looking but evil. It would be sort of the opposite of those two modern fictional characters.
Call it my paranoia but I suspect the Beauty and the Beast send up was done conscious of the Revelation image. It was a sort of to make a mockery of it. Perhaps people who love this play/movie will object to this. The Beast with a good heart is a great image, even romantic. Still I think the intention of the writers originally was impious. That does not mean it cannot be used for good.
That's a weird aside. But this is a serious problem. We often do admire the wrong things. This beast that does amazing signs and speaks with tremendous authority is often wrongly worshiped. On can think of Hitler in the 20th century and Napoleon in the 18th (?) century. Both spoke with authority and had great followings.
But John certainly had Roman authority in mind here. Perhaps even specifically the head that died but then came back to life could refer to Nero who killed himself but whose policies were mimicked by Domitian. The heads could refer to successive Roman emperors.
The emperors were considered like gods and they were worshiped in temples. Those who did not worship were persecuted and sometimes killed.
But we are told to consider the fruits of such men/beasts. We will know when Jesus returns and be the one who is truly worthy of worship. We will not have to guess. We must not be distracted by great signs. Hitler resurrected the German economy and created great things like superhighways and automobiles. I am not sure what signs Napoleon did. The Romans continued to keep the peace and also build great roads and aqueducts. It was considered miraculous at the time. But it was not worthy of worship.
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