Putting Together The Bible?

My last post brought up another issue.  I remind myself that humans were the ones to put the Bible together.  God may have inspired man to write these books, but humans put them together.  Did God inspire the Council of Nicaea to put the Bible together, or did they let go through each book, picked ones out that they thought sounded good and went with their moral beliefs at that time, and stick those selected books together?

Are there books out there that were written AFTER 400BCE that should be included in the Bible?  I'm sure there are.  God didn't just drop off the face of the Earth and not inspire people to write things.  Heck, I even think God inspires me to write stuff for this blog.  Even though I haven't published anything for quite some time, I have started (and not finished) many posts because I didn't think I could get anything out of them.  I didn't think I could finish them.  In fact, the previous post sat there for nearly three weeks while I thought through what I wanted to put.  In fact, I'll tell you some of the things I haven't released, and probably won't.

I started a post on the Satanic Bible, published by HarperCollins.  I haven't released it, because I don't want people who just look at the title to come in here and slander and post negative things about me personally, even if they didn't read the post at all.  I also have one called "We All Have That One Sin....," which was suppose to be an essay on how we all have that one particular sin that we are aware of, yet we continue to carry through with that sin.....Actually, I may go ahead and finish that one after just writing that sentence.

Back to the topic......

Here is the criteria of putting together the Bible, according to GotQuestions.org.

1) Was the book written by a prophet of God?

2) Was the writer authenticated by miracles to confirm his message?
3) Does the book tell the truth about God, with no falsehood or contradiction?
4) Does the book evince a divine capacity to transform lives?
5) Was the book accepted as God's Word by the people to whom it was first delivered?

I'm sure there have been many prophets since Biblical times.  I'm sure there are many more writings out there that deserve to be included in the Bible.  Why not go through and find new inspiration?  I know there will always be people who will be like, "You can't do that!  We've had that for nearly 1500 years!!!!" or "Nothing else is inspired by God!"

....that last sentence seems to tell me that God has left us alone.  I hope that didn't happen!  I'm reminded of a song....

When Jesus called to God upon the cross No answer came for his will must be done Then how the word trembled at his voice When he said this is my beloved son  

It isn't God but man that's dead When love is locked outside Do you deny that there's a God or is God just denied God is not dead he never died  

What man on earth can make one blade of grass And who can make one seed then make it grow With all the power and wisdom in our hands Who can command which way the wind to blow  

And who can match the miracle in an eagle's eye Or hang a rainbow in a cloudy sky God is not dead he did not die God is not dead God is not dead 

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But of course, I'm going to get emails and comments on how I'm wrong and how I should repent from my sins.  Yes, I may be wrong.  Yes, I repent everyday (or try to).  I'm not a scholar.   I've only taken a few classes on Christianity and religion in general.  I'm still a 21 year old college student who is currently away from school for a semester.  I'm still doubting.  I'm still wondering.  I'm still thinking.  I'm still learning.  Get off my back, please. 

Ordained Women

Phew!  It's dusty in here!  I've been away for a while because I haven't had anything to write for a while.

A few weeks ago during Sunday School, my pastor told us about the old changing its policy and ALC (American Lutheran Church, now part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of American) ordaining women back in the mid 70s.  Apparently, the LCMS, or Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, said they would ordain women if the ALC could find some biblical way to ordain women.  The ALC did not find a biblical reason, so the LCMS continues to disallow women ministers to this day.  The ALC did start ordaining women ministers, but only because of the changing culture.  Did Paul do the same thing when he said women should not be leaders in church?  Was he following the changing of the times?

I've been simmering on this the past few days now.

I looked up 1 Timothy 2: 11-25, which says,

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.  I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.  For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.  But women will be saved through childbearing-if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.

This passage is always used to justify not ordaining women in the church.  I want to pay close attention to some of the words in this passage.

1.)

I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man....

The word I stuck out to me.  (1 Timothy is a letter supposedly written by Paul (some scholars disagree on this, even though his name is mentioned) to Timothy regarding his ministry in Ephesus.)  Was this Paul saying this, or was he inspired by the Holy Spirit to say this?  I have trouble thinking it was the Holy Spirit saying this because of the role of women in the story of Jesus.  The first person Jesus went to after being resurrected was a woman (Mary Magdalene). Jesus felt the touch of a woman on his cloak in Mark 5:21-34.  Jesus felt his spirit leave him and enter someone else, so he bent down and told this woman that her faith has healed her.  This tells me that there is something special about the role of women in Jesus' lifetime.

2.)

She must be silent.

She must be silent?  Why?  Psalm 92 says,

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High.....

3.)

Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 

True, but when Adam did get deceived as well.  He got deceived by Eve.  The Doctrine of Original Sin came from the fact both Adam AND Eve fell temptation to Satan, and fell into sin.  Not just Eve, making the idea of Men being superior to Women completely ridiculous.



4.)

But women will be saved through childbearing-if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.

This contradicts the idea that we are saved by grace through faith found throughout Paul's teachings.  It appears to be works-righteousness.  What was Paul trying to say here?  Honestly,  I don't have an answer for that.  I do think Paul was letting his secular beliefs into his writings.


Paul states in 1 Corinthians 11:8-12,

For man did not come from women, but women from man.  For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.  In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.  For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman.  But everything comes from God.

Yes, man did come first.  However, man and woman are equal in the eyes of God.  Both are creations of his, and both deserve equal respect.  Do not hold women lower than men.  (I could also turn this into a political post, but I won't).


I have a love/hate relationship with Paul.  Some of the stuff he says I think is great, while some other things I disagree with him.  I remind myself that I'm a Christian; not a Paulinian.  Are Paul's writings fit to be included in the Bible?  Are there other writings out there that are better suited for the Bible?

Chick-Fil-A: An Open Letter To Mike Huckabee

The following is an open letter that I have sent to Mike Huckabee.


Dear Mr. Huckabee,


I have to say, even though I am Democrat, I like you.  You don't seem to be a crazy maniac when it comes to being Republican.  I respect you for that.  


However, I do have to say one thing.  I support equal rights for the LGBT community, and I support celibate same-sex marriage (this is for another place and another time).  I respect your decision on the issue, and I applaud your for organizing such a large event as Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day.


I've seen many pictures of lines nearly a mile long of people at Chick-Fil-A restaurants across the country.  Something bothers me though.  How come I don't see those long lines of people at church every Sunday morning?  As a fellow Christian in the Lutheran tradition, I have to say it bothers me that 72% of people in Hocking County (where I am from) are not church affiliated.  If you remember in Matthew 28, Jesus says, "...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit."  Why aren't we, as Christian brothers, not doing so?  Why are we fighting of little prissy and minuscule stuff like same-sex marriage?  Isn't it our job to proclaim the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ?  Shouldn't we focus on that instead?  The two great commandments that Jesus gave were to love God and love neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40).  Why aren't we doing this?  Why aren't we focusing on this instead of supporting or boycotting Chick-Fil-A?


I'm not going to badmouth you or the Chick-Fil-A company, even though I don't agree with both of your decisions (this is also for another place and another time).  Eat mor chikin, or don't.  But for God's sake, don't stop loving.


Thank you for taking your time to read my letter.  I hope it brings some good discussion among you and your colleagues in the future.


Sincerely,
Jesse Harmon.

How To Write a Truly Good Worship Song

I was reading a blog post over at CyberBretheren about how to write a truly awful worship song.  You can read the post here.

I've never been a fan of the "flowers and butterflies" aspect of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).  They all seem the same.

"I love you.
I worship you.
You are my God."

Uh huh.  Yup.  Common knowledge there.  Give me some substance.

I gave some advice that I use all the time when writing songs.

If you really want to write a good song, go out and slug someone in the face.  Then write a song about it.


I don't really mean to go out and slug your pastor or your mother.  What I mean is that you should use your life experiences as material.

Here's something I wrote back on April 11, 2011 based on Psalm 25.

*Show me your ways, Oh, Lord.teach me your paths ?????????Guide me in truth and teach meRemember Me! Oh Lord, Remember Me. 

Remember not the sin of my youth.Remember not the sin of today,According to your love, Remember Me.For you are good, Oh Lord, Remember Me! 

The troubles of my heart have multiplied.Free me from my anguish and my sinMay integrity protect me.Let me not be put to shame, Remember Me!

After reading it through, I figured there was not enough pain and pleading in this song -- now that I look back, it's more like a poem then a song -- so I rewrote it.

**Show me your ways, Precious Lord.
To you, I life up my weary soul.
Guide me in truth and teach me
Remember me! Oh Lord, Remember me! 

Remember not the sin of my youth.
Remember not the sin of today.
Please, dear God! Pardon my guilt.
Remember me! Oh Lord, Remember me! 

Relieve the troubles of my heart.
Free me from my anguish and my sin,
Please let integrity protect me.
Remember me! Oh Lord, Remember me! 

Consider how many brothers are my foes
and with violent hatred, they hate me.
Oh, guard my life, and protect me.
Remember me! Oh Lord, Remember me!

I don't know if I'm still happy with this, but you gotta start somewhere, right?

*©2011 Jesse Harmon Productions
**©2012 Jesse Harmon Productions

John 12:1-11

Sorry for not posting lately.  Not much to say.  I've been doing a lot of yard work (trimming trees, tearing out bushes, etc).  I've also been dealing with a case of identity theft, so that's taking up a lot of my energy trying to get that sorted out.  I've been to the bank many times and have been to the sheriff's office many times.

I've been reading John as part of the New Testament in a Year class at my church, and was struck by the following section.  You can read mine below, or you can use the new Blogger Bible feature to the very left of your screen. (<--- over there).

John 12:1-3 

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor.  Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.  Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, and expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair.  And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  

One would not typically anoint the feet of a living person.  He or she would wash the head.  You would only wash the feet if someone were dead.  Mary was (rather unconsciously) preparing Jesus for burial, even though he was still alive -- although he wouldn't be for long.

John 12:4-6 

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?  It was worth a year's wages."  He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

As each gospel was written, it seemed to me that as time progressed, each gospel portrayed Judas as being more and more evil.  I recall Mark simply saying that Judas betrayed Jesus.  Matthew and Luke both call him a traitor, and John gives a whole spiel about Judas' thievery.  John writes about Judas' bad character even before the betrayal.  He breaks away from the story at hand to step up on his soap box.

One thing I have noticed with all four gospels is that they all clearly state that Judas was the betrayer, even before it was to happen in the story.  You see, "Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, did yada yada yada....."  I'm always like, "Why did you (the author) give it away!?"  It's a bad move to give away information like that.  It's like me telling you that the dad dies in the movie The Road.  "The father, who later dies, caught the man who stole their cart of food and clothes and made him strip naked."  See? I gave it away.  It doesn't makes sense for me to do that.  Why did the gospel writers do that?  I guess they expect the reader to be familiar with the story of Jesus and who Judas was.  Still, if the reader knew who Judas Iscariot was, why even mention him as the betrayer?  This just doesn't make any sense to me.

John 12:7 

"Leave her alone," Jesus replied.  "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.  You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."  

Jesus is basically saying, "The poor have been poor for years.  They can wait a few more minutes."

John 12-8-11 

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, who he had raised from the dead.  So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

It's interesting to note how the high priests want to kill Lazarus.  However, you don't see this happen.  This never got past the planning stages.  I guess they had too much on their plates (Jesus) to deal with Lazarus.  In the movie The Last Temptation of Christ, Lazarus is seen being killed by Saul to discredit Jesus.

____________

Go out and buy the book The Road by Cormac McCarthy (of No Country for Old Men fame) and read it.  It's incredibly tragic.  After reading it, go watch the movie.  Both are heart-wrenching and you WILL cry.  This is probably one of my favorite fiction books of all time.

Amazon Books: The Road
Amazon Movies: The Road