Joshua 15

Much of the chapter-- much of the rest of the book of Joshua, in fact -- is very dry. Tucked in the middle of a long real estate definition is a story about Caleb.

It pays to read the whole chapter.

Review: RESOLVING PERSONAL CONFLICT by Ken Sane and Kevin Johnson

There isn't anything anti-Christian in this, but not much particularly Christian,either. It's based largely on modern psychology with a little Jesus on top.

Honestly, this book made little impression on me. I wouldn't recommend it on that basis alone.

Joshua 14

Caleb and Joshua were the faithful spies sent from Kadesh-barnea. Because of his faith, Caleb was allowed to pick his portion of the land.

Naturally, at the age of 85, Caleb chose not only an unconquered city, not only a fortified unconquered city, but a fortified unconquered city full of giants.

'Cause that's just the kind of guy he was.

Joshua 13

Even though Joshua had grown old, the land still wasn't entirely taken.

Just like God promised, remember?

Don't steal

This one's very straightforward. Read it however you like, in whatever version you like, and it's hard to get anything else out of it.

These are called the Ten Commandments, not the Ten Suggestions. Failing to obey them reveals a serious lack of trust in God. This one's no exception. The thief doesn't trust God to take care of him; he trusts his own ability.

Of course, if his abilities were that good, he wouldn't have to steal in the first place.

Joshua 12

This chapter is a list of the kings defeated by Israel under Moses and Joshua.

It's dull, but vital. This didn't happen in some distant, mythological past. God gave a specific place to specific people at a specific time. He invites us to check his work.

Joshua 11

If this looks different, it's because I'm trying something different. I doubt anyone will mind too much. 

This chapter covers the conquest of northern Canaan. We're told that God hardened the hearts of the Canaanites so they wouldn't make a deal like the people of Gibeon. 

 He hadn't promised the land to anyone else, and he wanted the people already there out. 

The real American religion

A few weeks ago, I wrote that football was a religion is many, and I stand by that. But while I was typing that, I realized what the actual religion of America is.

Simply put, the religion of America is America.

Before we go any farther, let's nip some objections in the bud. I don't hate this country; I love it, and I'm glad I was born here. I'm also not a godless Commie. Communism is a dilapidated building on a nonpartisan foundation, which only eliminated pickpockets by eliminating pockets. As for godless ... love for God is why I say what I do.

It's unfortunate and wrong, but we've always identified bibical Israel and America. I said it a while back, but nothing can be Christian. People can be, but things can't. Ergo, this isn't a Christian nation.

Let me repeat that. This isn't a Christian nation. It's also not a nation of Christians, as I've heard it put. Think about it. If this country has 200 million Christians, why does Hollywood keep putting out movies that are deliberately provocative? Why does TV get more offensive as it goes along? Why does it seem like the entire world is dead-set on using our worst instincts to separate us from a little money?

Why are we excited when our children learn to kill because someone told them to, to protect a country whose very constitution places it in opposition to God? I think Leopard Ravenhill put a very well when he asked, "Would we send our daughters to have sex with the enemy if it were for 'the good of the country'? Yet we send our sons to kill for the same reason!"

America didn't die to save you. You weren't created in the image of America. It's all well and good to say you love God and country, but what happens when you have to choose?

Joshua 10

Where the author of the book gave six chapters to this conquest of Jericho and two to Ai, the rest of the southern part of Canaan took less than a chapter.

It helped that five kings allied together, but it is clear a pattern had been established.

Review: PARALYZED BUT NOT POWERLESS by Kate Adamson

I read this on my wife's recommendation. Since she's smarter then me, I've learned over the years to pay a little attention to what she says.

Mrs. Adamson had the same kind of stroke that I did, but our circumstances were very different. Because of those differences, I can't honestly say that this book helped me.

I can appreciate the work that went into this, and the fact that so much credit is given to God, and I'm certainly glad for anything that gets the word out about this rare condition. In the end, though, this is a story of personal triumph, and that's just not a genre I like.

Joshua 9

The Gibeonites had a terrible choice. God had told his people to destroy everyone in this land. The only way to save their lives was to trick the Israelites into ensuring them.

What would you have done?

Joshua 8

Ai 2: The Rematch.

Guess how it went this time.

Don't sleep around

The commandment actually says, "Don't commit adultery", but our culture has so completely lost the meaning of that phrase that I found it necessary to put a different way.

It doesn't just mean you're not supposed to cheat on your husband or wife. It's more than that. Adultery is having sex with another you aren't married to. That includes when you're single as well.

And that still isn't all. Jesus equated lustful thoughts with adultery. Just thinking about it is as bad as doing it. As always, he was spot-on. By the time we sleep with someone, we've rolled it around in our hearts dozens of times. I assume, anyway.

I've never physically cheated on my wife, and I don't think she would cheat on me either. I know we both have in our heads, though.

And that's what matters.

Joshua 7

After taking the mighty city of Jericho, the Israelites are defeated by what can only be described as the podunk little town of Ai.

I don't think it's giving away too much to say it isn't God's fault.

Joshua 6

This is the part of the book everybody knows about.

I'm no expert, but it seems like God gave them a thoroughly ridiculous plan for taking a city. And then he never told his people to do it that way again.

Tradition for its own sake

A while back someone accused me of saying that I hated tradition. That person was incorrect. She also had a serious case of selective hearing and numerous other problems with me, but this is neither the time nor the place to talk about that.

What I actually said was,"I hate tradition for tradition's sake."

We Southern Baptists are bad about this. We tend to think apostolic Christianity is whatever our grannies did. Who else would call something "contemporary" when it came from the 1970s, as opposed to "traditional", which is how they did it in the 1950s.

We have a seriously skewed view of time.

But we're here to talk about tradition.

I'm not against having traditions. I'm thankful for those who came before me, and I'm glad to have giants on whose shoulders to stand. We should build on the foundation we have, but not be bound by it.

Too often, though, we think our job as Christians is to pass along the way we were taught. It's not. I doubt many of our traditions are in Scriptrure. That means at some point, someone made them up. If they don't work anymore, someone can stop them.

But that takes courage.

Joshua 5

Circumcision was the sign of being part of the people of God.

Does this mean that the generation that conquered the Promised Land wasn't part of the people of God for 40 years? It's something to think about...

Review: THE SILMARILLION by JRR Tolkein

This is a prequel to both The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, and consists of a collection of Elvish legends. It is not so much a coherent story as a group of texts written throughout Tolkein's life and hammered into shape after his death by his son, Christopher.

I found it easy to admire, but hard to love. Tolkein created Middle Earth as a place to put his Elvish language, and saw these legends as far more important than his more popular works. That may be true, but "important" doesn't equal "interesting".

To put it bluntly, this is a boring book. I can only recommend it for the most obsessive Tolkein fan.

Joshua 4

The next generation was always on God's mind.

Crossing the Jordan was in a big deal, that he wanted remembered.

Joshua 3

What was so special about the city of Adam?

Nothing that we know of, but that's where the waters of the Jordan stopped.

Don't murdrer

This seems easy to keep. I haven't killed anyone, and I assume you haven't either. So we can pretty much check this one off, right?

Maybe not.

Jesus equated murdrer and hatred. Wanting to kill someone was as bad as actually killing him. Lack of opportunity or courage for sin is no excuse for sin.

I've hated. Everyone I know has. I'm pretty sure you have, too. If what Jesus said is true,we're all murderers, and we all need forgiveness.

Joshua 2

it's important to remember that even at this stage Israel wasn't entirely homogenous.

God has always taken anyone who would obey him, even lying whores.

Joshua 1

"Be strong and courageous."

Even though God was giving them the land, the people still needed to do their part.

Closed-minded?

"The purpose of an open mind is the same as that of an open trap: to close it eventually on something solid." -- GK Chesterton 

Many believe Christians are closed-minded because we believe we have the only way to salvation. At the same time we're accused of believing in fairy tales.

Which is it? Too credulous or too incredulous?

The fact is that I'm more open-minded than any secularist I know. To believe the Bible, we  Christians have to believe that at least two people walked on water. We have to believe that the earth's rotation stopped or slowed, that dead people came back to life, and that not everything has a materialistic explanation.

Doesn't sound very closed-minded to me.

Deuteronomy 34

some people have had a problem with this chapter, because it's about the death of Moses, and since Moses obviously couldn't have written about his own death, this book and therefore the whole bible is untrustworthy.

This ignores three points. First, as far as I know, these five never claim to be solely by Moses. Second, there's no reason God couldn't have revealed the future, including the death of Moses, just as easily as he did the past. Third, there is good evidence that someone edited these books later, and there's no reason to think this editor wasn't inspired too.

You can always find a reason to disbelieve if that's what you're after.

Review: T4T Steve Smith

This is a companion volume to Church Planting Movements, detailing the training used by a  Chinese leader to plant native- run reproducing house churches. In fact, T4T stands for Training for Trainers, reflecting the belief that the trainees today will be trainers tomorrow.

The first half gives the story of the movement and the great things God continues to do in China, the movement, and T4T. The second half is entirely practical; it has the whole T4T course as well as suggestions for adapting it to North American churches.

I have long been an advocate of the way the persecuted church does things. I highly recommend this book, for  telling the reader not only what was done, but why.

A note on Joshua, and the law

Joshua will begin on Monday.

If you've been reading along, you just finished the first five books the Bible. You have five of the longest and most difficult books under your belt now. You can handle the rest.

The first five books are called the Pentateuch, the Law of Moses, and many other names. They are the backbone of the Old Testament; that OT is a commentary on its opening books. Remember that as well keep on.

Deuteronomy 33

I was wrong. The song was Moses' next-to-last words.

His real last words were a blessing, which is just like Moses, and just like God.

Honor your parents

this does not mean to obey them slavishly. If your mother or father tells you to do something contrary to God's word, you have not only a right but an obligation to disobey them. This commandment is meant to cause obedience, not despotism.

The way I understand it, honoring my parents means making them glad I'm their son. "Danny and Cathy's boy" should make them proud, not ashamed. That's what I want from my own daughters; not mindless obedience, but for people to know that they were raised to do what's right.

That would honor my wife and I.

Deuteronomy 32

The last words of Moses were a song about God.

In the promised Land, the most important thing to know about was him..

Deuteronomy 31

Let's be perfectly clear about something. The Israelites didn't take the Promised Land because none else wanted it. It was and remains some of the most strategic real estate on the globe. They didn't win it because the nations already there were weak. They weren't great empires, but they were very strong in their own right. The Israelites didn't conquer it because they were so overwhelmingly powerful; they were a bunch of riff-raff, the children of the same riff-raff that God had received from Egypt.

They got the land because God was with them.

"That's just what Christians do"

I heard that from a sister the other day. She wasn't a friend; I think I'd met her once before. We had attended the church she belonged to once, but we didn't know each other. She came to drop off food and money, and to introduce her friend and to let us know that her Sunday School class had decided to take care of us. When told she didn't have to do all that, she said, "That's what Christians do."

We love one another.

Let me reiterate that we don't worship with this congregation. We didn't know these people. We never specifically asked for their help. But that's just the latest we've heard from them. Our own congregation has been a tremendous help. We have been blessed by people around the world.

I'm not saying non-Christians can't be loving, or that all professing Christians are. Both are obviously untrue. I am asking one thing:

If you have the love of God in you and it's not overflowing onto others, please be sure you have the love of God in you.

Deuteronomy 26

why does this farmer bringing his tithe say to the priest, "The LORD your God"?

I don't know. Someone should look into that..

Review: EVANGELISM AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD by JI Packer

If John Piper is the heart of modern Calvinism, JI Packer is the brain. I don't agree with them about Calvinism, but they're always worth reading. This book is no exception.

It's a common misconception that Calvinism kills missions and evangelism. Even a cursory study of missions shows that that isn't true. Packer uses this small book to show that, because of God's sovereign will, only the Calvinist can be sure of winning converts through evangelism.

This book is very well-written and, if one accepts his basic premises, eminently logical. It pains me to say it, but because of the theological bias I can't recommend it.

Deuteronomy 29

God remakes the covenant.

The one made at Sinai wasn't with the people who would enter the Promised Land, but with their parents..

Deuteronomy 28

God made a lot of promises, both good and bad.

Look at the history of Israel and tell me he doesn't keep his word.

Deuteronomy 27

Most of this chapter consists of curses for disobedience.

It's not that God ever wants to curse his people. It's just how we are.

Keep the Sabbath holy

I hate to burst your bubble, but Sunday is not the Sabbath.it's the day Christians meet to worship together, but that's very different from the Sabbath.

This commandment is based on the fact that God rested on the seventh day of creation. In essence, it makes us give God one day in seven.

It's not that God demands we spend the day serving him in some arduous way. It's permission to rest within the very fabric of creation itself.

We here in the West are spoiled to our weekends. We forgot that they are a recent invention. They were certainly unknown in the ancient world. The idea of doing nothing but resting for one day in every seven seemed ludicrous then. It seems that way to some people now.

It's still the fourth commandment.

And who am I fooling? I like to burst bubbles.

Deuteronomy 30

when you've had enough and turn back to God, he'll forgive you and bless you more then you can possibly believe.

Now that's a promise right there..

an American religion

It's football. I don't like it. There. I said it.

I grew up in Alabama, possibly the worst football-crazed state in the union. I got out of the habit of watching games when I was in the Navy, and never got back into it. My life didn't make much difference. The fact that it didn't make much difference proves it was just a habit.

But that's not why I call it a religion.

You may ignore this as a rant from a bitter old band nerd, and you'd be partly right. I was in the band. I played saxophone, so I wasn't even cool among band nerds.

But that's still not why I call it a religion.

I've been in Sunday School classes where all anyone wanted to talk about was the previous day's game. Let me say that again. People cared more about how well a bunch of college kids moved a piece of leather up and down a field than anything God had to say. When that sort of thing happens, you're not worshipping Christ anymore. You're worshipping at football team.

Two events pushed me over the edge. The first was at a car plant where I worked. People were hooking up car batteries on the assembly line so that they could turn on the radios to listen to  constant coverage of the hiring of a coach. If asked, they'd all say that Jesus had complete control of their lives, yet they were at anything that had to do with football.

The second happened that next fall. I had to go to this local Quik-E-Mart between SS and the main services, and in the short time I was there no less than three strangers approached me, wanting to know what team I was for. One guy even had reasons I should root for the same team as him. It made me realize that in 30-some-odd years no  one has come up to talk about Jesus, but in a few minutes three strangers had walked up and evangelized for football teams.

Am I saying never watch a game or talk about it? Of course not. I do think John Piper had it right when he said, "You should care about sports, but not that much."

I was raised to be a fan of Alabama football, but Alabama football didn't die on a cross.

Deuteronomy 25

God hates cheating.

How can you love someone you're busy ripping off?

Review: THE MESSAGE REMIX NEW TESTAMENT by Eugene Peterson

I'm only reviewing this product. I don't dare review the content.

I have to confess that I haven't read every book I've reviewed. Some have been audiobooks. A gold star to whoever figures out which ones.

The Message has gotten a lot of flak over the years for the very loose quality of its translations. It reads very well, though, and sounds even better spoken. The author himself has said that it was not a Bible and shouldn't be used as one, but it's been heavily marketed that way by NavPress, who I hold fully responsible.

All that to say this: I liked it. I don't see using it as a Bible, or giving it out on one, but it was refreshing to hear things put very differently from what I've used to. The Bibles I've been accustomed to have all been in the King James tradition (KJV, NKJV, and ESV), so it was very interesting hearing the New Testament in unfamiliar language.

In fact, that one thing I didn't like was that it had so many readers. None of them were terrible, but they weren't great either. I understand why it made sense from a marketing standpoint, but as a listener it didn't help.

Overall, I recommend it. If you're young and haven't read the New Testament, that is a good introduction. If you've read it a thousand times, it never hurts to hear it with fresh ears.

Besides, it's never a bad idea to hear God's word.

Deuteronomy 24

The Hebrews were not to take advantage of anyone less fortunate than themselves.

After all. It wasn't that long before that they were slaves.

Deuteronomy 23

The Israelites weren't to charge each other interest.

Lending money at interest is the basis of our economy. This is the wealthiest nation that has ever existed precisely because of something that God expressly forbade.

Don't take God's name in vain

I have always been leery of one particular cuss word. (You may call it cursing or swearing, but where I'm from we say cussing)  As long as I avoided that one word, I could pretend I was obeying this commandment.

It goes far beyond cussing, though. Taking God's name in vain is also called blasphemy, and that's just putting God's name on something that isn't God. Since I wasn't remotely like Christ, calling myself Christian was blasphemy, plain and simple. It was taking God's name in vain.

Taking something you like and calling it God is how most of us break this rule. What does it say that we don't even agree on what we don't believe in?

Deuteronomy 22

This first part of the chapter is given to various levels, while the latter part is devoted to laws about rape, adultery, and other sexual topics.

It's a shorter version of what he'd already told their parents.

Deuteronomy 21

This chapter covers a lot of ground, from unsolved murders to rebellious children and beyond.

Remember that Moses was teaching them to live in the land, and these were things they needed to know.

Why nothing can be Christian

Nothing can be because that word is a noun and not an adjective.

It means two things: a person who is the Christ, and a person who is surrendered to him. Neither applies to stuff.

Jesus didn't die to justify music. There is music that is more and less glorifying to God, but no Christian music.

Jesus didn't die to justify books. There are books more and less glorifying to God, but no Christian books.

Jesus didn't die for justify stores. There are stores more and less glorifying to God, but no Christian stores. 

Does this mean we should shop wherever we want and fill our minds with whatever garbage we find? Absolutely not; in fact, it should make us more careful. Adding a thin veneer of Christianity doesn't make something bad good. Let's stop looking for an imaginary "Approved by God" sticker and start being discerning.

Deuteronomy 20

The Israelites were to fight when God said, where God said.

Some people think this chapter is handbooks for Christian war. They're wrong.

Review: MEDITATIONS by Marcus Aurelius

The Roman Emperor wrote this about 170 AD. It's considered not only a classic of Latin literature, but the pinnacle of Stoic philosophy as well.

The problem with reading it comes from its age. The way I read it was in a very old translation of an ancient book. People don't write this way anymore, for the very good reason that people don't really talk like that anymore. I don't speak for everybody, but the style seemed choppy and repetitive to me.

A far worse problems in Stoicism itself. It is a profoundly man-centered phii lodge, and one that fits with the self-made image that Americans have of themselves. Unfortunately, it' required a totally godless outside,

Stoicism as I understand it teaches that mankind can only get better by his own efforts. It can basically be summed up in the phrase "Man up." It's ultimately the worship of oneself.

I don't recommend this book. It teaches wrong ideas in a boring way.

Deuteronomy 19

You want proof that people were bad? Just read this chapter.

Remember that there's no point in prohibiting something people aren't likely to do..

Deuteronomy 18

In the middle of several repetitions of the law already given, there's a messianic prophecy.

'Cause that's just how God rolls.

In.

Don't make any idols

The second Commandment is different than the first, just because we're not inclined to make idols with our hands. We love to make them with our minds, though.

Have you ever thought, "My God isn't like that," or picked what you liked about God and ignored the rest? I have, and in so doing I've created false gods to worship.

God is what he is. You can take him or leave him, but you can't change him. That option isn't available.

Deuteronomy 17

Solomon was not a good king.

By God's standards, which are the only ones that matter anyway.

Deuteronomy 16

The people were not to appear before God empty-handed.

They were to appear, every man of them, at least three times a year, with evidence of the blessings they'd received.

As that great theologian Loretta Lynn said...

 "Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but no body wants to die." I'm not claiming to understand what she was thinking when she wrote that, but it sounds like a good description of most professioing Christians to me.

Anyone who believes in Heaven and Hell would rather go to one and miss the other. That's only natural. Nobody who's heard about Hell wants to spend any time there. The trouble is that most people don't think they're going, and the few who do don't really understand it. Regardless, nobody wants to die to find out.

Even professing Christians, who should know better, are afraid of any kind of dying. Unfortunately, that's exactly what Christ calls people to.

Specifically, he told his followers to die to self. He wants us to subvert our wills to his. He wants us to be lost in him. We all want the benefits of having Jesus without the inconvenience of bending to someone else's will. In short, we want to go to Heaven but we don't want to die.

Deuteronomy 15

why would God insist on perfect animals for sacrifice? I can imagine a couple of reasons.

First, he's God, and peserv are best. Second, it would have  a temptation to use thie tabernacle as a place to dump inferior livestock.

Review: THE JEFFERSON BIBLE by Thomas Jefferson

Yes, that Thomas Jefferson.

After his presidency, Jefferson took a razor blade to the New Testament, cutting out all of the supernatural elements. About 75 years after his death Congress published the result under Jefferson's title, The Life and Morals of Jesus Christ. It has simply become known as the Jefferson Bible.

There have been many attempts to "de-mythologize" the life of Jesus, to use Emil Brunner's word. Jefferson's was one of the boldest; he just cut out what he didn't like.

Unfortunately for Thomas Jefferson, it doesn't work that way. You can't just keep what you like of the Bible and threw the rest away. The Bible is a single book. Someone once said that there's a reason our Bibles are leatherbound and not loose-leaf. Jefferson tried to make a Jesus skeptics could believe in, but he ended up just writing a Jesus in whom no one could believe.

Deuteronomy 14

Why did God make so many rules? Because the Israelites were meant to be different,

Why was this weekend to be different? Because they were God's.

.

Deuteronomy 13

God was serious about the  Hebrews not turning to other gods.

Very serious.

Deuteronomy 12

no syncretism.

Syncretism is the blending of religious beliefs. It couldn't be done then, and it can't be done now..

Don't know any other gods

The first commandment is pretty simple. Of course, that doesn't mean we haven't found it way to screw it up.

The analogy that always occurs to me concerns my wife. i can't have a bunch of girlfriends as long as I make my wife first in my affections. In the same way, I can't worship a lot of gods as long as Yahweh to most important.

The thing to remember about this commandment is that God is all you get. It's a good thing he's all you need.

Deuteronomy 11

Remember God. Remember what he did.

And tell your children..

Who are you planning on shooting?

Over the years, nothing has drawn more fire my way from professing Christians than my pacifism. At the same time, I've noticed that those most concerned with their rights, especially gun rights, claim to follow Christ.

Most people say they have them for protection. Do you need guns to protect your property? Jesus said to give up your property .

Are they to protect you and your family? God promised to do that.

Please don't think I'm picking on guns or their owners. I'm against people being killed with swords, tire irons, and harpoons. As long as someone is alive, he can be saved. Once he's dead, that's it.

I'm not saying that owning a gun means you aren't a Christian. What I am saying is to examine yourself in the light of Scriptures.

Deuteronomy 10

No matter how angry the Hebrews got, no matter how much they screwed up, God wouldn't leave them without guidance.

That's comforting.

Review: THE GREAT GOD PAN by Arthur Machen

Arthur Machen, and this book in particular, is hugely influential in modern literature. Other than authors, though, it seems few have even heard of him, which is too bad.

Despite his title, this book is less about paganism than about science, at least as those words were understood in the early 20th century. At its heart it's a mystery; the supermarket and pseudoscientific elements don't fully appear until the end. The episodic structure serves the plot well,

In my opinion, Arthur Machen more than deserves his reputation. I know it's not fair everyone, but I thought this was a very good book.

Deuteronomy 9

this is a recounting of the events at Sinai.

Remember that the oldest among them would have been teenagers at the time. They  needed to hear the word had happened

Deuteronomy 8

God warned the Hebrews not to forget him, and they did it anyway.

Go figure.

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are very misunderstood.

They're not just a bit of thou shalt nots, though in the King James Version, a very old translation of Scripture, most of them start with those three words. Instead, they're rules to live by.

These rules seem restrictive at first. Instead of having your back, though, they let you develop to your full potential. You can only drive as fast as you want on the autobahn because there are very strict rules about how to act there. Freedom unbound is chaos.

The Ten Commandments are:

1. Don't know other gods.

2. Don't make idols

3. Don't take God's name is vain.

4. Keep the Sabbath holy.

5. Honor your parents

6. Don't murdrer.

7. Don't sleep around.

8. Don't steal.

9. Don't lie.

10. Don't covet. .

Deuteronomy 7

The Israelites tried their best to be just like the other nations, but they weren't.

They were God's..

Deuteronomy 6

Do what God said, and teach your children to do the same,

And be sure to tell them why..

Bible study, or you study?

Emily had her first Bible study last week. Without any prompting from me, I might add. She just wanted to. Words can't say how happy she makes me.

Too often a Bible study degenerates into a study of the people involved. The only thing more disheartening than how many times I've heard, "What does this passage mean to you?" is how often I'm said it.

Frankly, I don't care what you think, just like you shouldn't care about what I think. Let's worry about what God thinks instead.

Deuteronomy 5

The law begins with the Ten Commandments.

Get them right, and then you can worry about the rest.

Review: THE ILIAD by Homer

Let me save you some time. Achilles gets mad and refuses to fight. A lot of men with Greek names die. Achilles gets less mad and agrees to fight.

That's the story. You're welcome.

Deuteronomy 4

God gave the people a reason not to worship idols,

Other than, "because I said  so," which is a pretty good reason..

Deuteronomy 3

I knew Og's bed was big, but not that  he was the last of a race of giants.

If anyone ever asks why there are no giants , tell them God killed the the last one.

God the Holy Spirit

The most misunderstood and mysterious member of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. Some groups within Christianity have focused on him, but we should never emphasize one member of the Trinity over the others. Neither, though, should we neglect any.

The Holy Spirit is always there, pushin us toward holiness. He brings non-Christians to God, and Christians closer to him. He inhabits believers, and gives them strength and gifts to build each other up. He inspired Scripture, and get people today to read it.

In all this, he never points to himself, but to the Father and the Son. He's God the Holy Spirit, and that's what he does..

.

Deuteronomy 2

Never oppose God.

Sihon and Og learned that the hard way.

Deuteronomy 1

The majority of this chapter is devoted to a retelling of Israel's failure to enter the land.

This isn't surprising. Israel was once again about to enter Canaan, and they needed to hear it.

You knew it was coming sooner or later

What I'm talking, of course, about a post on homosexuality.

Simply put, the Bible is against it. Both testaments speak out clearly against homosexual behavior. As I've said before, you cannot make a case for from Scripture.

Does that settle it? For me it does. Short of the voice of God himself, I don't know of a higher authority.

Notice that I said the Bible was against homosexual behavior. It is not a sin to be tempted. Let me repeat that, because there seems to be a lot of confusion about it among bothChrististians and non-Christians. It is not a sin to be tempted. Want proof? Jesus was tempted.but without sin (Heb 4.16).

It's not wrong to sometimes have homosexual thoughts. It's wrong to dwell on them, and it's wrong act on them, but isn't wrong to have them.

I'm not trying to let those who engage in homosexual behavior off. It is adultery, and a heinous sin against God. I'm just trying to put into perspective. Homosexual adultery will send you to Hell. Just like heterosexual adultery.

I'm sorry I have to waste time on this, but that's our culture. Hopefully, future generations will see it as aberration

A correction, dang it

In the review of Christian Apologetics, I kept referring to the author as "Douglas Groothius". His last name is actually spelled "Groothuis".

Dang it.

Review: CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS by Douglas Groothius

apologetics is not apologizing for something. Rather, it's a defense. In this case, it's used for a vigorous defense of the Christian faith.

I'd seen Groothius' name before, but never read any of his work. It turns out that this is a very intellectual and very rigorous book. It's not the kind you skim, or dip into here and there.

Far too many apologetic works come across like they're afraid of people using their brains. Thankfully, Groothius' book one of those, it requires effort, but rewards that effort, I recommend it highly.

God the Son

During his life on earth, he was known as Jesus Christ. The first thing to know about that is that "Christ" isn't a name; it's a job title. It's the Greek word for the Hebrew term "messiah", and both words mean "anointed one". He would more properly be "the Christ", but it's not like I'm qualified to correct anyone's grammar.

The Son is the Christ of Christianity. He is the way we obtain forgiveness of our sins. He's easily the most understandable and approachable member of the Trinity, simply because he lived and remains as partially human. He is the point where human and divine meet, and it's significant that the crossover came from God's side, not ours.

He lived the perfect life we couldn't, and died for people who would spit in his face and deny his very existence. This isn't the time or place to discuss all the issues raised by the union of God and man. I can't even understand all the questions, much less the answers.

He died for me even though he didn't have to. That's all I really want to say.

A note on Deuteronomy

I'll start Deuteronomy on Monday, for exactly the same reasons I gave for putting off the start of Numbers..

Numbers 36

Just because God is always right doesn't mean nobody else can be.

And he is never afraid to admit it when they are 

Israel

I'm not a supporter of the State of Israel.

I realize that most Southern Baptists would consider that heresy. I have good reasons for thinking that way, though, other than just wanting to be contrary.

As with so many other things, it comes down to evangelism. The State of Israel discourages it. In fact, it has gone so far as to expel people for converting Jews to Christianity. It was founded specifically as a Jewish nation, and seems determined to stay one, 

But should we be trying to convert Jews at all? Billy Graham seems to think not; he's gone on record saying that we shouldn't. In th this, though, he is opposed to Christ, who sent his disciples to convert Jews and did so himself.

But surely we don't want to be against God's chosen people? There are two points to be made here. The first that the modern State of Israel is not the same as biblical Israel. Claiming Jewish ancestry doesn't redeem anyone, as the Bible makes clear

The second that no one is talking about being against Israel. I'm not against it any more than I am any other secular nation. I'm just talking about being utterly neutral toward it.

If I'm wrong, I'll be happy to apologize. But the Bible says I'm not.

Q

Numbers 35

manslaughter was very circumscribed. The death of a person was a very serious matter. The guilt of murdrer could only be expunged by the death of the murderer, so the definition of accidental killing was extremely limited.

But so was the definition of murdrer.

Review: COLLECTED WORKS by T. S. Eliot

Keep in mind these are collected, not complete, works I didn't.

I've always liked Eliot's poetry. It turns out, though, that I hadn't read much. This book contains a lot and as a result I like it even more. Unfortunately, this collection also contains a volume ohis essays on literary criticism, which I found dull. 

Enjoy the poems, but skip the essays.

Modern medicine and I

The chief of medicine is to keep me alive as long as possible.

Mine is to spend eternity with my Savior.

They'renot opp opposing goals, nor are they mutually exclusive. But they're very different.

Numbers 34

This looks like another chapter that mattered then but is irrelevant now. That's just not true..

The Israelites army wasn't allowed to run amok. The boundaries of the land, and thus the area in which the army could operate, were strictly limited. By whom? By God.

Numbers 33

The first part of this chapter seems utterly pointless. It's a list of places the Hebrews camped between Egypt and Canaan.

However, it shows that ours is a historical faith. Unlike many, it's rooted in both time and space.

.

Numbers 32

Several tribes wanted an inheritance outside the Promised Land. Provided they helped fight, God was willing to give it to them.

As long as they don't conflict with his, God accommodates our plans. That's amazing

God the Father

This is who we usually mean when we say "God". His name is usually rendered "Yahweh", an attempts transliterated the Hebrew into English. Sometimes it's given as "Jehovah". Either way, it means, "I AM", a reference to God's eternal nature.

He is the head of the Trinity in some way we can't understand. The Son and Holy Spirit defer to him. It was his idea to create, and his idea to redeem his creation. He is the originator of everything.

There's a lot more that could be said, but I'll leave it at that.

Review: EXPERIENCE GOD'S POWER IN YOUR LIFE - LIFE CHANGING by Burton Rager

Before I go any further, I want to say that "Burton Rager" is one of the best names I've ever run across.

This is actually a collection of11 short books. Together, they make a good introduction to the various Christian beliefs, and would make a decent framework for a series of sermon or lessons.

However, there's a downside. The advantage and disadvantage to ebook publishing is that anyone can do it; there are no publishers, buyers, or editors to worry about. Unfortunately, Rager needs an editor. It's never so bad as to be unreadable, but it's bad enough to be noticeable.

If you don't mind some mangled English, I highly recommend this.

Numbers 31

Miriam was not neutral toward the Israelites, but actively against them. It placed itself in a battle with God.

And so it was destroyed.

Numbers 30

Keep your word. Period.

Nothing else. Just keep your word..

Numbers 29

What a dull chapter.

What? You were all thinking it. At least, those who read chapter were. God already knows what's on your mind. Why not be honest with him?

.

Numbers 28

God didn't demand offerings because he had to be fed, as so many so-called gods did.

He was owed them because he'd told the Israelites to offer them.no other reason was necessary..

The Trinity

One of the most difficult beliefs I'm Christitanity is the doctrine of the Trinity. This is the belief there is one God, exists in three eternal persons.

God Father is the Creator of everything and the one most prominent in the Old Testament. God the Son is the Savior of all and is featured in the New Testament. God the Holy Spirit, probably the most mysterious member of the Trity, isn't front-and-center in the Bible, but has always empowered people to do God's work.

There are three separate gods; there is one God. That one Hasn't appeared in three different forms. He really is three different persons in one God.

How can three be one? I don't know. Anyone who says he does is probably lying..

Numbers 27

Even as to his own death, Moses obeyed God.

Why did God pick a murderer to represent himself? Who knows? But from their first meeting to his last official act, the nearly-constant refrain eas, "Moses did as the Lord commanded".

.