Proverbs 8:22-36 reads as follows:
“The LORD made me as the beginning of His way, the first of His works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth; while as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world. When He established the heavens, I was there; when He set a circle upon the face of the deep, When He made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the deep showed their might, When He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not transgress His commandment, when He appointed the foundations of the earth; Then I was by Him, as a nursling; and I was daily all delight, playing always before Him, Playing in His habitable earth, and my delights are with the sons of men. Now therefore, ye children, hearken unto me; for happy are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. But he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul; all they that hate me love death... (JPS Tanakh).'
The big question in these previous verses is who is "I?” Is “I” referring to a person? It is certainly not the writer of the Proverbs who was there. The verses once again say:
“…When He established the heavens, I was there; when He set a circle upon the face of the deep, When He made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the deep showed their might, When He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not transgress His commandment, when He appointed the foundations of the earth; Then I was by Him, as a nursling…”
Who was it that was there?
The first creation account says in Genesis 1:26 that: "And God said: 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness... (JPS Tanakh)."
The verse says “our image” and “our likeness,” it does not say “my image” and “my likeness.” Why is the verse using a plural statement? Plural normally refers to more than one.
I believe that New Testament writers give us insight on these questions. I will present two New Testament writings that give us more insight on this question.
John 1: 1-17 reads as follows:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'")
And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (Holy Bible, ESV).”
The foregoing verses from the book of John say that Jesus was there at creation of all things in the beginning.
In letter to the Colossians, Paul gives even more relevant insight to what perhaps is being said in the initial writings I presented from the book of Proverbs.
Colossians 1: 15-23 reads as follows:
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister (Holy Bible, ESV).”
I believe that the “I” which is being mentioned in the initial verse from book of Proverbs which I presented to you was none other than Jesus Christ. Paul says that “all things were created through him and for him.” I do not know if this is convincing enough to you, but it definitely is to me. I definitely want to know more about Jesus Christ, do you?
Proverbs 30:4 reads as follows:
“Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest (JPS Tanakh)?”
Who has established all the ends of the Earth and is His son’s name Jesus Christ?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
The Sudarium of Oviedo and The Shroud of Turin
In the Cathedral of Oviedo, Spain, there is a piece of cloth that measures about 84 x 53 cm. This cloth has no image on it; however, it does contain stains that are visible to the naked eye, and more is visible under the microscope. The sudarium can be historically traced as being in Palestine until briefly before the year 614. Experts claim that:
“the very fact that the cloth was kept at all is a sign of its authenticity, as it has no artistic or monetary value at all. All the studies carried out so far point in one direction, with nothing to suggest the contrary the sudarium was used to cover the head of the dead body of Jesus of Nazareth from when he was taken down from the cross until he was buried (www.shroud.com/guscin.htm).”
The research gets more interesting when the sudarium is coincided with the Shroud of Turin. Below are the details of how that has been done using photography, and this is how the reports read:
“The sudarium alone has revealed sufficient information to suggest that it was in contact with the face of Jesus after the crucifixion. However, the really fascinating evidence comes to light when this cloth is compared to the Shroud of Turin.
The first and most obvious coincidence is that the blood on both cloths belongs to the same group, namely AB.
The length of the nose through which the pleural oedema fluid came onto the sudarium has been calculated at eight centimetres, just over three inches. This is exactly the same length as the nose on the image of the Shroud.
If the face of the image on the Shroud is placed over the stains on the sudarium, perhaps the most obvious coincidence is the exact fit of the stains with the beard on the face. As the sudarium was used to clean the man's face, it appears that it was simply placed on the face to absorb all the blood, but not used in any kind of wiping movement.
A small stain is also visible proceeding from the right hand side of the man's mouth. This stain is hardly visible on the Shroud, but Dr. John Jackson, using the VP-8 and photo enhancements has confirmed its presence.
The thorn wounds on the nape of the neck also coincide perfectly with the bloodstains on the Shroud.
Dr. Alan Whanger applied the Polarized Image Overlay Technique to the sudarium, comparing it to the image and bloodstains on the Shroud. The frontal stains on the sudarium show seventy points of coincidence with the Shroud, and the rear side shows fifty. The only possible conclusion is that the Oviedo sudarium covered the same face as the Turin Shroud (http://www.shroud.com/guscin.htm).”
My conclusion is that there seems to be some sort of evidence here that can give further credibility to the reality and the purpose of the Shroud of Turin. I cannot prove anything, but certainly this evidence points in the positive direction. What do you think about all this information concerning The Sudarium of Oviedo and The Shroud of Turin?
References:
http://www.shroud.com/guscin.htm
“the very fact that the cloth was kept at all is a sign of its authenticity, as it has no artistic or monetary value at all. All the studies carried out so far point in one direction, with nothing to suggest the contrary the sudarium was used to cover the head of the dead body of Jesus of Nazareth from when he was taken down from the cross until he was buried (www.shroud.com/guscin.htm).”
The research gets more interesting when the sudarium is coincided with the Shroud of Turin. Below are the details of how that has been done using photography, and this is how the reports read:
“The sudarium alone has revealed sufficient information to suggest that it was in contact with the face of Jesus after the crucifixion. However, the really fascinating evidence comes to light when this cloth is compared to the Shroud of Turin.
The first and most obvious coincidence is that the blood on both cloths belongs to the same group, namely AB.
The length of the nose through which the pleural oedema fluid came onto the sudarium has been calculated at eight centimetres, just over three inches. This is exactly the same length as the nose on the image of the Shroud.
If the face of the image on the Shroud is placed over the stains on the sudarium, perhaps the most obvious coincidence is the exact fit of the stains with the beard on the face. As the sudarium was used to clean the man's face, it appears that it was simply placed on the face to absorb all the blood, but not used in any kind of wiping movement.
A small stain is also visible proceeding from the right hand side of the man's mouth. This stain is hardly visible on the Shroud, but Dr. John Jackson, using the VP-8 and photo enhancements has confirmed its presence.
The thorn wounds on the nape of the neck also coincide perfectly with the bloodstains on the Shroud.
Dr. Alan Whanger applied the Polarized Image Overlay Technique to the sudarium, comparing it to the image and bloodstains on the Shroud. The frontal stains on the sudarium show seventy points of coincidence with the Shroud, and the rear side shows fifty. The only possible conclusion is that the Oviedo sudarium covered the same face as the Turin Shroud (http://www.shroud.com/guscin.htm).”
My conclusion is that there seems to be some sort of evidence here that can give further credibility to the reality and the purpose of the Shroud of Turin. I cannot prove anything, but certainly this evidence points in the positive direction. What do you think about all this information concerning The Sudarium of Oviedo and The Shroud of Turin?
References:
http://www.shroud.com/guscin.htm
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Some Have Received Their Reward in Full
They have received their reward is a catchy phrase used by Jesus while speaking about giving to the needy and about praying. The thing is that my NASB translation says: "they have received their reward in full." Jesus places a great deal of emphasis on the fact that we must beware of doing things to be seen by others because we will not; I repeat will not have a reward from our father who is in heaven. Mathew 6:1-6 says:
"6:1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
6:2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6:3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
6:4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
6:5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6:6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Holy Bible, ESV)."
My personal thought on the foregoing is that it sounds like something we should be very concerned with. If Jesus said it then it is very important. Moreover, I am sure we can wait and receive our reward from our father in heaven in due time.
Jesus makes His closing argument a bit further down in Mathew 6:19-21, when He says:
"6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Holy Bible, ESV)."
References:
Holy Bible, ESV
"6:1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
6:2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6:3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
6:4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
6:5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6:6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Holy Bible, ESV)."
My personal thought on the foregoing is that it sounds like something we should be very concerned with. If Jesus said it then it is very important. Moreover, I am sure we can wait and receive our reward from our father in heaven in due time.
Jesus makes His closing argument a bit further down in Mathew 6:19-21, when He says:
"6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Holy Bible, ESV)."
References:
Holy Bible, ESV
Friday, September 10, 2010
A Brief Look at Messianic Origins and Titles
Historically, a Messianic Hope is a unified view of perhaps what could be called the Messiah or the Messianic expectation. “The messianic hope of each specific group with intertestamental Judaism probably had its own distinctive features (Scott, p.310).” For instance, the Sadducees perhaps completely rejected the Messianic idea entirely while the Qumran expected more than one Messiah.
Titles and names for the messianic hope were various during the first century. Most of the titles came from the Old Testament, but adapted by intertestamental writers. Messiah means the Anointed which is perhaps more clear in Isaiah 45:1. The Levitic Messiah perhaps originates in Numbers 25:10-13. Son of Man is found in Daniel 7:13-14, 2 Esdras, and others. 1 Enoch 46 contains references to the Son of Man which read as follows: “The Son of Man… is the One who would remove the kings.” The Servant of the Lord is another title that is found in the book of Isaiah. One of the more known appearances of this title is found in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. The foregoing verses are perhaps one of the best prophesies of the crucifixion of Christ. Another title is The Prophet like Moses which originates in Deuteronomy 18: 9-22. Another title is Elijah, and based on Malachi 4:5-6 some expected an Elijah-like figure. Even more titles also existed with relevance to a Messiah… (Scott, p. 307-356).
All of the previously mentioned titles and are closely associated with titles used in early Christianity because Christianity is a branch of Judaism that believes that Jesus Christ is the Jewish Messiah that was being expected to appear. Furthermore, Christianity is a form of Judaism that has been westernized in many places
Which title is most significant to me is perhaps The Servant of the Lord, and it is because of the great miracles that Jesus performed. When you read in Isaiah 29: 18-19, it reads: “the deaf shall hear…the eyes of the blind shall see….” When the disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus if He was the one or should they wait for another, Jesus replies by quoting this portion of Isaiah 29 which is what He was doing ( performing miracles). Moreover, Jesus raised the dead including himself which no other has been able to do. Jesus Christ’s significance in history is that He was that Messianic Hope that was being awaited.
The titles that I think would have the best chance of communicating the role which Jesus plays in history are The Son of Man and The Servant of the Lord, although all titles really apply to Jesus. I previously mentioned the significance of The Servant of the Lord. But, the Son of Man had a past, present and future significance. Daniel 7:13-14 reads:
"I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed (Holy Bible, ESV).”
In conclusion, The Son of Man is given an everlasting kingdom, and Jesus is returning as Acts 1:10-11 says:
"And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven (Holy Bible, ESV).”
References:
Holy Bible (ESV)
Scott Jr. J. Julius, Thomas D. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 1995.
Titles and names for the messianic hope were various during the first century. Most of the titles came from the Old Testament, but adapted by intertestamental writers. Messiah means the Anointed which is perhaps more clear in Isaiah 45:1. The Levitic Messiah perhaps originates in Numbers 25:10-13. Son of Man is found in Daniel 7:13-14, 2 Esdras, and others. 1 Enoch 46 contains references to the Son of Man which read as follows: “The Son of Man… is the One who would remove the kings.” The Servant of the Lord is another title that is found in the book of Isaiah. One of the more known appearances of this title is found in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. The foregoing verses are perhaps one of the best prophesies of the crucifixion of Christ. Another title is The Prophet like Moses which originates in Deuteronomy 18: 9-22. Another title is Elijah, and based on Malachi 4:5-6 some expected an Elijah-like figure. Even more titles also existed with relevance to a Messiah… (Scott, p. 307-356).
All of the previously mentioned titles and are closely associated with titles used in early Christianity because Christianity is a branch of Judaism that believes that Jesus Christ is the Jewish Messiah that was being expected to appear. Furthermore, Christianity is a form of Judaism that has been westernized in many places
Which title is most significant to me is perhaps The Servant of the Lord, and it is because of the great miracles that Jesus performed. When you read in Isaiah 29: 18-19, it reads: “the deaf shall hear…the eyes of the blind shall see….” When the disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus if He was the one or should they wait for another, Jesus replies by quoting this portion of Isaiah 29 which is what He was doing ( performing miracles). Moreover, Jesus raised the dead including himself which no other has been able to do. Jesus Christ’s significance in history is that He was that Messianic Hope that was being awaited.
The titles that I think would have the best chance of communicating the role which Jesus plays in history are The Son of Man and The Servant of the Lord, although all titles really apply to Jesus. I previously mentioned the significance of The Servant of the Lord. But, the Son of Man had a past, present and future significance. Daniel 7:13-14 reads:
"I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed (Holy Bible, ESV).”
In conclusion, The Son of Man is given an everlasting kingdom, and Jesus is returning as Acts 1:10-11 says:
"And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven (Holy Bible, ESV).”
References:
Holy Bible (ESV)
Scott Jr. J. Julius, Thomas D. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 1995.
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