Not My Grandmother's Christianity

I've been in the Deep South, read: Alabama, for the last two days and besides heat that I swear would give Death Valley a run (that's Death Vally, CA for all you Clemson or LSU fans...sorry), I also noticed that there were Bible verses everywhere.  On billboards and churches and the sides of restaurants and on license plates...I mean that as a good thing, of course.  But I began to notice that they were almost all in the King James version of the Bible.  With "Thee" and "Thou" and "Shalt."  I don't why I noticed (or even cared), I just did.   Don't get me wrong, I'm not cracking on the KJV.  If I did my wife would shut down this blog and perhaps leave me (in a pool of blood that is).  So no, I'm merely making the observation of an outsider.  Put your guns down. 

The reason I think I noticed, is because it's not that way here in Richmond.  You tend to see Scripture, but in multiple versions, I think the NIV (not New Improved Version...you were thinking that weren't you!) is predominant, but you see The Message and NAS and RSV.  So that got me thinking about my late grandmother.  Because she was a died-in -the-wool Baptist and she favored the King James Bible. In fact, there were a lot of things Grandma favored.  And a lot she didn't.  And beware getting caught up in the latter by her.  Because if she did catch you…there was going to be some major ear grabbing. You know, that acceptable form of assault which is in the same category as kicking someone under the table, smacking someone in the back of the head, and just about every form of physical abuse my wife or kids hit me with.  (Quick aside:  Don’t grandmothers and other nefarious sorts around the world know that Thomas Edison became deaf from an eargrabber…just saying)

Then I thought about growing up going to church with my Grandma.  Church back then was synonymous with dressing up, hymn-singing to a pipe organ, and sitting on hard wooden pews listening politely to the sermon.  It was, at least for a little boy, quite a formal affair. Now, fast forward 30 some odd years later to the present...to where my family goes to church.  While we have people who prefer to dress up, it is by no means a requirement. On Sunday, people wear jeans (shorts in the summer), shirts are untucked (including the pastor), a few of the ladies walk around barefoot, and we have cushioned seats (the shame!).  Heck, we actually have a Goth woman at our church..leather, nose ring, and combat boots…and she fits in with us like an old shoe (that means good).  I don't believe Grandma would approve.  We even have a Christian rock band with guitars and a drum?? Whaaaaattt?? I think someone is in danger of getting their ear grabbed. 

Now Grandma was certainly set in her ways, but her heart was for God.  And, while I believe she would be shocked at some of the trends in the church today -at the breezy, relaxed atmosphere at many church services, at the de-emphasis in Christian music of the traditional hymn in favor of the contemporary worship melody with its rhythmic, chorus-laden beat, at the familiarity with which people talk of (and to) the Lord. (Guilty). I think eventually, she would get it.  She would see that the important things - the Triune nature of the Godhead, the Gospel of Christ, the inerrancy of Scripture, to name a few, were still intact.  I think that would overshadow the superfluous like what version of the Bible you prefer. And then maybe she'd let go of my ear.    

The Coolest Thing You'll Read This Week!

It's late, so my title is lacking.  I re-stumbled over an old lesson that I think is pretty cool. I promise - if you stick with me, you will be glad you did.

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Most of you are familiar with the story about Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3).  It is essentially Jesus explaining to Nicodemus that in order for one to enter into the kingdom of heaven he has to be born again.  Upon Nicodemus' ridiculous (my opinion) response about a man being unable to enter his mother's womb a second time Jesus explains further.

Jesus answers, "Truly, truly I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  What is amazing is that after Nic. still doesn't understand Jesus insults him.

He says to Nic., "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?"  So Jesus is astonished that Nic. isn't getting it.  Why, I ask, does Jesus expect him to understand this new teaching. Because it's not new. Now not to overstep my pay grade here, but as I understand it, back in those days, young boys who were being groomed to one day be rabbis had to have the Tanakh (Old Testament) memorized.  So a rabbi of Nicodemus' stature would have been expected to not only have it memorized, but to know it better than just about anybody. (And since he was a rabbi in a time when Israel was occupied by Rome he likely knew it in several languages).  Now to the cool part.

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If you look in Proverbs 30:4 it reads:

"Who has ascended into heaven and descended?

Who has gathered the wind in His fists?

Who has wrapped the waters in His garment?

Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is His name or His son's name?

Surely you know!"

Starting to see where I'm going??  OK.  Last part to put this together.  In the verse in John most Bibles translate that as "born of water and the Spirit", but the Greek word used for spirit is the same word used for wind...pneuma. So is it possible that when Jesus told Nicodemus that "He had to be born of water and the wind" He expected "the teacher of Israel" to immediately be reminded of the verse in Proverbs, which he undoubtedly knew...and realize that he was face to face with God's son?  When Jesus was incredulous that he didn't understand...even that was a key for Nicodemus.  "Surely you know."  

Notice how badly Jesus wanted him to not just get it, but to make the connection, see God before him, bow down to worship him and have eternal life. I was stunned when I first saw this.  Hope you are too. 

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If this isn't the coolest thing you've heard this week you need to check your pulse.  If you do think this is the coolest thing you've heard, share it with someone.  I promise not to send them spam.

Tomb of a disciple discovered

Quick prelude.  Phillip, in case you don't recall, was the disciple who told Nathaniel about Jesus.  When Nathaniel responded with "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Phillip replied, "Come and see."  I like biblical archaeology for the simple fact that it reminds us that our faith is based in history, in real people, real places, this person lived and died.  I find it fascinating and comforting.  Enjoy.

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An Italian professor has announced the apparent discovery of the tomb of St. Philip, one of Jesus Christ’s apostles, at the ancient city of Hierapolis in the Aegean province of Denizli.
 The discovery of the grave of the biblical saint, who was killed by the Romans 2,000 years ago, will attract immense attention around the world, said Francesco D’Andria. St. Philip, one of the 12 apostles, came to Hierapolis 2,000 years ago to spread the Christianity before being killed by the Romans, the professor said.
D’Andria has been leading archeological excavations at the ancient city for 32 years.

  
“Until recently, we thought the grave of St. Philip was on Martyrs’ Hill, but we discovered no traces of him in the geophysical research conducted in that area. A month ago, we discovered the remnants of an unknown church, 40 meters away from the St. Philip Church on Martyrs’ Hill. And in that church we discovered the grave of St. Philip,” said D’Andria.
D’Andria and his team have not opened the grave but are planning to do so soon.
 “St. Philip is considered a martyr. In fact, the church built in his name on the Martyrs’ Hill is, for this reason, also called Martyrion, despite the fact there were no traces of the grave of St. Philip. As we were cleaning out the new church we discovered a month ago, we finally found the grave. With close examination, we determined that the grave had been moved from its previous location in the St. Philip Church to this new church in the fifth century, during the Byzantine era. We are extremely happy and proud to have discovered the grave of a saint whose name appears in the bible – this surely is an important discovery for religious tourism, archaeology and Christendom,” the professor said.