Museum of the Bible

The following is an excerpt from the article, The Museum of the Bible in the Spotlight by Robin Ngo and Megan Sauter for Biblical Archeology Society.

"A new museum dedicated to the best-selling book of all time will open next month in Washington, D.C.—just three blocks from the U.S. Capitol. The Museum of the Bible is large and impressive. With a total square footage of 430,000, the museum boasts six floors, including part of a recreated first-century C.E. Jewish village, a ballroom, a performing arts hall, a rooftop garden with Biblical plants, and a 140-foot-long LED screen on the ceiling of the museum’s lobby. It would take a visitor 72 hours to see every artifact, read every placard, and participate in all of the museum’s activities (biblicalarchaeology.org)."

Well, it sounds like this will be a fascinating museum to visit the next time we are in Washington, D.C.. Hope you enjoy reading the full article at the following link. Blessings!

The Museum of the Bible in the Spotlight - Biblical Archaeology Society

Source:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/artifacts-and-the-bible/the-museum-of-the-bible-spotlight/mqsc=E3916960&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=BHDWeek%20in%20Revie%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=ZE7A 

Acts of God, or by God?

                                                                                 Photo: NASA.GOV.

"In insurance circles, an act of God is defined as any accident or event not influenced by man. They are accidents caused by nature. Hurricanes, floods, hail, tsunamis, wildfires, earthquakes and tornados are all considered acts of God (www.dmv.org)."

Acts of God! So, even the insurance companies call them acts of God. How do we really know these catastrophic events are acts of God, and by God? Has anyone ever actually spoken to God, and God responded with a “yes.” I can actually visualize someone asking, and having God respond by saying: “yep, that was me!” Of course, it is really not so funny because people are dying because of these events such as hurricanes Maria or Irma, and the earthquake that recently took place in Mexico. The magnitude of these events has many questioning if this is the apocalypse.

And, some may think it's probably the end of days, but I say we probably haven’t seen anything yet. Well, what if insurance companies started going bankrupt because of these catastrophes, one after another, and one had no one to go to for assistance and repairs from damages. In my mind, I even recently pictured Joel Osteen saying to himself: man, I've been teaching these people for years and they still can't think positive enough to keep this hurricane Harvey out of Houston. Of course, I really don’t know what Mr. Osteen was thinking, and Harvey was a tropical storm by the time it actually hit Houston; however, it sure caused a lot of flooding and damage. The question still remains, are we in the last days? Well, that is a difficult question to answer. According to livescience.com, "Earth could continue to host life for at least another 1.75 billion years, as long as nuclear holocaust, an errant asteroid or some other disaster doesn't intervene, a new study calculates (www.livescience.com)." So, we get an estimated guess from them, but no definite answers. There is nothing wrong with asking questions.

I say, ask the hard questions, I don't think it's heretical to try to talk to God and ask the hard questions. My question for many people is, however, what makes them so certain that because they believe or think they know something that makes it true? If you know you have empirical evidence for something, it is believed to be factual. However, having faith in something does not make something a fact, although it provides us with hope. Faith is wonderful because it has always given us hope, and answers to the hard questions, which still remain unanswered in the same way they have remained unanswered since humans have been asking them. The Scriptures provide us with hope, but that is all we get from them. The thing is that in these United States which was the breeding ground for Post-Reformation Sola Scriptura thought, some people think they know all the answers because they know the word or the Scriptures. But, as I heard someone say once, “the Bible is the word of God, but it isn't necessarily the words of God."

Regardless of what I think, I think the Scriptures do reveal something about these catastrophic events like hurricanes and earthquakes. In the Book of Genesis, God allows the flood that wiped out every living being except for those on Noah’s Ark, it seems. In the Book of Job, God allows Satan to torment Job. The Scriptures provide a rationale for both foregoing instances, although that doesn’t mean we have to understand. Personally, I do not fully understand even if both outcomes were seemingly positive, because I always end up questioning in all cases, BUT WHY? In my opinion, I think that true humility is also often admitting that we don't have all the answers, especially in understanding the Scriptures. In fact, making the assumption that one fully understands the Bible often leads to fundamentalism. One could write almost endlessly on this subject, and still wind up where one began. So, to not go on forever, I want to close with two verses from the Bible that sound comforting in these times of uncertainty.

“…So it is not the will of your [a] Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost (Matthew 18:14, NRSV).”

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, [a] I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me (Psalm 23: 4, NRSV).”

Blessings and I hope you enjoyed reading!

References:

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), Bible

https://www.dmv.org/articles/acts-of-god-car-insurance-coverage/

https://www.livescience.com/39775-how-long-can-earth-support-life.html

https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/geocolor-image-of-hurricane-irma

Last Minute Decisions for a Post

I hope everyone is doing well, and having a good summer. Well, Labor Day is only a few days away, and for many that is the end of summer. Of course, down here in South Florida, I think summer is actually over on the first week of November…lol. If you live down here, you know what I am talking about. As I always tell everyone, it stays hot and muggy for a long time here. Anyhow, I noticed that tomorrow is the end of the month, and I had not posted anything. I have to post something, at least once a month, so this is it. This is an apologetics blog, and I was thinking that maybe I should write something about the images of coins in the eyes that show up on the Shroud of Turin image. That may be a great idea and theme, but I don’t really think I have done enough research to just write something about it at the last minute. Okay, I decided what to write about. It probably isn’t the first time I write in reference to this, and it probably won’t be the last. I am going to share a reading from the Gospel of Matthew that I always enjoy, and make a brief comment. In fact, it was the Gospel Reading at church on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, and it is found in the Gospel of Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43. It reads as follows:

“”24 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn....’”

...36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears[a] listen (NRSV)!””

I always enjoy reading the Scriptures, and I hope you just did, as well. This parable is one of those that seems very clear and to the point. My take on it has always been very similar to the homily given by the Dean at church on that day of the liturgical year, I will still share my views, regardless. Obviously, in this passage, the weeds are growing together with the wheat; however, it appears that it is difficult to differentiate one from the other. Hence: “The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them.” Basically, if one applies this passage to our time and age, we also do not know the difference; therefore, it is not our job to pull the weeds. Jesus said: “40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers.” The emphasis is that “Son of Man will send his angels,” and they will do the job. Well, that is my post whether you agree or not. Either way, I am not into interpreting Scriptures, and I really do not recommend it to anyone because the assumption that one literally and wholly understands what is being read is often made during interpretation…to me that is being slightly arrogant. Of course, that is just my opinion! Hope you enjoyed reading! Blessings!

Reference:

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), Bible

Literacy

I hope that all are having a wonderful summer. This month I have been a bit preoccupied with a few things to the extent that I almost felt like taking a hiatus, even though I usually only post about one or two articles monthly. Some might call this having too much on the plate. But, there is really no need to always post something of my own when there is so much written material out there that one can share, especially on the internet these days. Of course, there was a time that there was no internet, and people read books, magazines, and newspapers. I am sure that there are some younger folks out there that can’t remember that far back, but trust me it is a true story…lol. Actually, if we go back a few thousand years in our civilization, there was a time in which we had not developed writing, and this is what this post is about.

In this post I am sharing an article from the Biblical Archeology Society. A brief excerpt from the article is below:

"Reading and writing are integral parts of our everyday lives, but this was not true for everyone in the Biblical era. How did the alphabet develop in the Holy Land, and who could read it (https://members.bib-arch.org)?"

Read the full article on articles with relevance at the link below. Blessings!

Writing and Literacy in the Biblical World · The BAS Library

Source:

https://members.bib-arch.org

Brief Personal Thoughts on the Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation is perhaps one of those books in the Christian Bible which many would rather not touch with a ten-foot pole, as the saying goes. However, many post-reformation denominations, or groups feel very free in the interpretation of it. I won’t say who, but I am sure they know who they are. The other day I was reading a portion of The Watchtower, a publication distributed by the Jehovah's Witnesses. The article I was reading was titled: The Four Horsemen Who Are They? Plainly and simply, one can immediately spot that the article is based on interpretation of the Book of Revelation; however, the interpretation seems to be bounced off of other books from the Scriptures for basis. Moreover, in this article one can read about Jesus being crowned King of Heaven in the year 1914. This idea is based on revelations 6:2, and bounced off of Hebrews 10:12, 13. This idea also comes from Jesus implying the conditions on Earth for the beginning of his rule, and this thought is bounced off of Mathew 24:3, 7, and Luke 21:10, 11. Since 1914 could be viewed as the beginning of troubles on our planet, World War I is used as a foundational basis; thus, the era of “the last days” began (2 Timothy 3:1-5). The Book of Revelation used independently from the other books referenced would not yield the same results, perhaps. In fact, my initial thought was, okay, this sounds a little out of context since the Bible doesn't have any actual timelines with relevance to this subject matter; therefore, this interpretation seems a little far stretched. While continuing to read the same article, and the subject of the Four Horsemen and how they manifest, I start to wonder if maybe this perhaps isn't too far-fetched after all, since I really can’t make an argument for or against. Still, as I said before, many Christians would rather not touch the book with a ten-foot pole, when it comes to understanding or interpreting it.

The reality is that the Book of Revelation barely made it into the canon of our Christian Bible; I believe the Apocalypse of Peter probably had a first choice, but somehow this book supposedly written by John, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, actually did make it. According to one of the New Testament classes I took at Seminary there are, at least, four different types of methods to interpret Revelation, and they are historicist, idealist, preterist, and futuristic. Of course, this article is based on my personal brief thoughts, and I won’t go into details about the four foregoing; however, I do encourage you to learn more about each, especially if you want to understand more about the subject. I personally cannot tell you which interpretive method is best, or if any are correct. But, I suppose if we're going to be Christians that believe in the Bible, we have to deal with the fact that the book is part of the canon. My personal take on the New Testament entirely is that we didn't really get the full canon we use today until 367 AD, thanks to St. Athanasius of Alexandria to a large extent. Basically, I am not a fundamentalist when it comes to the Scripture.
   

In closing, this is just my personal opinion, and my own brief look at the subject. I do know one thing, and it is that the Book of Genesis (the first book) begins with the Tree of Life, and the Book of Revelation (the last book) ends with the Tree of Life, and this is something to ponder, deeply! Moreover, regardless of whether those interpreting the book are being radical or conservative, I cannot prove whether they are right nor wrong, can you? One last quick note: one of my favorite texts from the Book of Revelation is found in chapter 3; verse 20 which read as follows:

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me (RSV Bible).”

Hope you enjoyed reading, blessings!

References:

RSV Bible

The Watchtower

Unifying the Faith is Four Years Old

Happy Fourth Birthday!

Ritual Baths at Magdala

Magdala is believed to have been Mary Magdalene’s hometown which is on the shores of the Sea of Galilee; hence, Mary of Magdala. Based on my personal research, Mary Magdalene was most likely a very important leader of the early Church. However, this post is about Biblical archeology. Being a Biblical archeology buff, I receive updates every week from the Biblical Archeology Society on what is happening in the field. Below is an excerpt from an article on one of the latest discoveries.

"The most recent excavations at Magdala, by the Magdala Archaeological Project under the direction of Marcela Zapata-Meza of the Anahuac University of Mexico, revealed four ritual baths, or mikva’ot. These baths and the synagogue further strengthen the image of a Jewish city bursting with religious life (http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org)."

I find all this stuff fascinating. If you also find this stuff fascinating, you can read the entire article at the following link, and while you are there you can get informed on all other things offered at the their site, such as free E-books. Blessings and enjoy reading!

Discoveries in Mary Magdalene’s Hometown - Biblical Archaeology Society

Reference:

http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/discoveries-in-mary-magdalenes-hometown/?mqsc=E3885353&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=BHDWeek%20in%20Review%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=ZE7A5FZ00.