Monday, November 27, 2006
Monday Question of the Week . . . Advent
Advent is one of my favorite times during the church year. What are some of your favorite ways celebrating the season of advent?
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2 comments:
Robert Miller's book, Born Divine, is a nice study book for Advent and Chistmas. http://www.westarinstitute.org/Polebridge/Title/Born_Divine/born_divine.html
Here is a description of the book:
"In this compelling study of the birth and infancy of Jesus, Robert Miller separates fact from fiction in the gospel narratives and relates them to stories about the miraculous births of Israelite heroes and of Greek and Roman sons of God. Born Divine analyzes the Christian claim that the birth and childhood of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. The historical and theological dimensions of the virgin birth tradition are discussed with honesty and insight. This wide-ranging book also presents additional infancy gospels from the second century through the Middle Ages."
Here is an exerpt:
" The belief that the prophets were pointing to Jesus, though perhaps helpful at the time Matthew wrote his gospel, has long since outlived its usefulness. It is a belief that distorts the scriptures and has had ugly consequences in history. Out of respect for Judaism and for the Bible, therefore, I propose that Christians have an intellectual and moral duty to abandon this obsolete, self-serving, and dangerous belief. What do you think?"
Robert Miller's "Born Divine: The Birth of Jesus and Other Sons of God" is an excellent Advent study book.
John
Hmmm. "Robert Miller separates fact from fiction..."
It's probably best that we all read the Biblical text for ourselves and determine what most lifts our soul to worship.
In reading the description, I get the idea that the Hebrew Scriptures (the O.T.) have very little bearing upon the N.T. It sounds as if the sovereignty of God is called into question, as well as how God can work in history.
I'm not naive about such things, as I have investigated such claims in discussions with Atheists and Agnostics, as well as in study for the M.Div.
It is too bad that people cannot accept the mystery of Christ. It's too bad that people have to label parts of the N.T. as "fiction". It's sad that people cannot say with the man seeking Jesus for healing of another, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief." Instead, books are written that others may be shaken off the foundation which is Christ.
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