The Heartless Presbytery

After they decided to send the pastor to the unemployment line right before Christmas because his church decided to vote to leave the PCUSA, and they decided that the minority needed to keep the buildings, they have taken over the old building and sent out this lovely messenger

The goal: to raise $500,000 by January 31, 2008. Three members of the congregation have already committed $250,000 – IF their $250,000 contribution can be matched by the January 31, 2008 deadline. A heartfelt “thank you” is extended to Don and Eunice Wilbur and Diana Lee – who have committed $100,000 each, and to Lee and Mari Tetwiler, who have committed $50,000.

So what happens to the money collected when it doesn't quite match 250,000? Say the 12 families only manage to raise $1,000? Does the presbytery go: oh well. and pocket the $1,000 while the church is foreclosed on?

And demands for matching gifts always impresses me. Could there be a more selfish way to give? And I wonder what the New Testament says of proclaiming your "good" deeds for the rest to see. Somewhere there seems like there's a passage about things done in secret are looked upon with far more respect by God then the one that walks around with a sign proclaiming their good deeds. But I am an Old Testament student so I could be completely off track. I've only had like two classes on the NT.

Most idiotic Dissertation ever conceived

First posted over at the Reformed Pastor

A doctoral researcher at Hebrew University discovered that the Israeli army rape less Palestinian women then other armies in similar situations. So instead of concluding the Israelis must be more moral then the other armies, the researcher argues:

that the lack of IDF rapes of Palestinian women is designed to serve a political purpose.

The abstract of the paper, authored by doctoral candidate Tal Nitzan, notes that the paper shows that “the lack of organized military rape is an alternate way of realizing [particular] political goals.”

Could this be any more ridiculous? That someone earns a degree with this utter garbage? Could it be any more plain that the researcher just hates Jews? And if she herself is a Jew that that this is an example of self hatred?

This is like these fools that wont procreate because it harms the planet.

One thing about that at least it means they won't be raising a kid with their wacko beliefs. To bad there can't be something done about stupid dissertations that have no merit.

Bhutto assassinated at rally

Pakistan's former prime minister was assassinated at a rally by a sucide bomber today.

Bhutto's supporters erupted in anger and grief after her death, attacking police and burning tires and election campaign posters in several cities. At the hospital where she died, some smashed glass and wailed, chanting slogans against President Pervez Musharraf.

Musharraf has responded by convening a meeting to discuss postponing elections again. Of course, this benefits Musharraf since his popularity is terrible. Instead of blaming Musharraf, some are trying to place the blame on militants aligned with the Taliban and Al Queda.

I think the blame can be squarely placed on Musharraf but then I've always thought Bin Laden was in the room next door to Musharraf.

Archbishop of Canterbury Dismisses Three Wise Men as 'Legend'

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual head of the 77 million-strong Anglican Communion, recently dismissed one popular aspect of the Christmas story of the three wise men as "legend."

Dr. Rowan Williams indicated that Scripture does not describe the magi as commonly depicted in nativity stories and scenes.

"Well Matthew's gospel doesn't tell us that there were three of them, doesn't tell us they were kings, doesn't tell us where they came from, it says they're astrologers, wise men, priests from somewhere outside the Roman Empire. That's all we're really told so, yes, 'the three kings with the one from Africa' - that's legend; it works quite well as legend," he said in an interview with BBC Radio Five.

He noted there was no evidence of oxen or donkeys – popular characters in nativity scenes – in the stable and that the chances of snow falling around the stable in Bethlehem were "very unlikely." Additionally, he said he doesn't know if there was a star above where baby Jesus lay. While the gospel of Matthew talks about the rising star and standing still, the Archbishop noted, he said "stars don't behave quite like that."

"There are various scientific theories about what it might have been at around that time and they (wise men) followed that trek; that makes sense to me," he said.

Real Tree vs. Fake Tree

You've heard the argument: Fake trees are more environmental friendly and you aren't killing a tree.

But how many trees would not have been planted if they weren't destined to be Christmas trees? How many fewer trees will be planted as the Christmas tree business goes south? I know just down the road, a Christmas tree farm closed up shop five years ago. They aren't planting new trees anymore. How many more will go bankrupt thanks to this "green" philosophy?

American Indians rediscover the Buffalo

Despite their considerable heft -- some weigh a ton or more -- buffalo are agile creatures capable of bounding over 6-foot-high tension steel fences that otherwise keep them from roaming away from the ranch. They also can quickly build up a 35-mph head of steam to destroy a truck in their path if they want to.

The roundup started with a bribe of "candy corn" -- a mixture of molasses, corn and oats to lure the buffalo from one large pasture to a pasture closer to where they were to be vaccinated. (Buffalo also have a keen sense of smell.) The annual roundup occurs in December to avoid additional stress on the animals from hot weather. The Ho-Chunk use tractors and trucks because their horses aren't trained to herd buffalo. Otherwise, they have little contact with the buffalo, to keep them wild.

Dozens of people watched the animals being moved from the holding pen into the chute, including tribal members young and old who had never seen a buffalo up close.

This herd started in 1997 with four animals and grew to 385 a few years ago, Mr. Snake said. It provides naturally raised meat free of charge to tribal elderly meal sites and to Ho-Chunk community and ceremonial programs. "In our traditional way of life, we hold the buffalo in high esteem," said Tribal Chief Clayton Winneshiek. "It is recognized as a spirit blessed by our creator and given to us to use."

The Ho-Chunk are restoring native prairie grasses in pastures where the buffalo roam. The Muscoda ranch is on 642 acres that the 6,600-member tribe, formerly known as the Winnebago, purchased in 1994 with profits from tribal casinos.

The Ho-Chunk's aboriginal territory once covered several million acres in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

Tribal leaders are anxiously awaiting the return of 1,550 aboriginal acres from the former Badger Army Ammunition plant near Baraboo, declared surplus by the Army after almost 25 years of inactivity. Indian mounds also are believed to have been built there by ancestors of the Ho-Chunk.

The Ho-Chunk hope to establish a herd of about 1,000 buffalo on the Baraboo land within the next several years to produce more meat for the people, and to possibly sell it commercially outside the tribe.

Four Old Testament Women

The first woman I want to talk about is Tamar, a Canaanite. She was married to the son of Judah who died. By Israelite custom, Judah's next son should marry her so that she can produce a son. He wouldn't go through with the custom and was killed by God for it. So it fell to Judah's youngest son who was but a boy. Judah claimed he was to young and that he would marry her when he gets older. As the years passed, it became clear to Tamar that she was going to stood up at the altar so she pretended to be a temple prostitute(she hid behind a veil) and slept with Judah after securing notable items as collateral. Her one night stand with Judah caused her to become pregnant. Judah was not happy since she was supposed to be his family and now she went outside the family and got pregnant. He demanded to know who and she produced his items which embarrassed Judah greatly. (Genesis 38)

The second is Rahab. She was the prostitute that the spies of Joshua ran into when they were spying on Jericho. She hid them when the city guards began searching for them. In exchange for her help, she and her family and possessions were spared when the city fell. She was welcomed into the Israelite society. (Joshua 2,5:13-ff)

The third is Ruth. Ruth was a Moabite woman who married the son of a Judien: Elimelech. Now as an aside Elimelech means in Hebrew My God is King. Now Elimelech died leaving a widow in Naomi but she had two sons:Mahlon & Kilion who could take care of her. One of these sons was the husband of Ruth and the other son married another Moabite woman named Orpah. After ten years, both sons died leaving Naomi with her two daughter in laws. She told them both to go back to their families and that she was going back to Judah. Orpah did as she suggested but Ruth refused. She would not allow her mother in law to be all alone and she went back to Judah with her. Where she was soon married to a kinsman of Naomi named Boaz. (The Book of Ruth)

The forth woman is Bathsheba. Bathsheba was a beautiful woman and wife of the loyal soldier Urriah, a Hittite. Now Urriah was away fighting for King David under the command of Joab but David was in Jerusalem and was looking out from his window and he saw Bathsheba and his lusts came to the forefront and he sent word to her to come to room. Which she did and he slept with her and then sent her away. She sent word that she was pregnant and this caused a panic in the throneroom of David. He sent word to Joab to send Urriah back to Jerusalem. When he arrived, David asked him about the battles and after the pleasantries were over he suggested Urriah go home and be with his wife. Urriah did not because he was refraining himself during this holy war. So David tried to get him drunk so that he would sleep with Bathsheba but he still remained away from his wife. So David sent him back with sealed orders. He was to be "accidentally" killed in battle and so Urriah was killed. Now it was later found out because Nathan the Prophet confronted David about this.

So why are these four Old Testament women important and why are they singled out and named? Because if you turn to Matthew 1, you will see that all four women are in the genealogy of Christ. Two Canaanites, a Moabite, and a possible Hittite. And the first three were in the genealogy of David.

Queen Elizabeth II becomes Britain's oldest monarch

"This is just another normal working day for the queen," a royal spokeswoman told AFP

I'm sure she has LOTS of work to do every day. I'm so sure. [note sarcasm]

She surpasses her great grandmother Queen Vicoria who had an entire era named after her. I wonder if this era will be known as Elizabethan. Somehow I doubt it.

Why you should learn Hebrew...

I'm looking at a passage across Bible translations: Hosea 11:5

NIV: Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?

ESV: They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.

TNIV: “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?

NRSV: They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.

RSV: They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.

ASV: They shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to me.

Now, when you look at the Hebrew, it begins with a Lo which is the Hebrew word for no or not. So the NRSV and the RSV are thrown out right there.

And the first verb is Yashoov which is a third masculine singular verb for return or turn. That's he or it. Not they. That just throws out all the remaining translations. The verse actually appears to translate to me as

He/It will not return to the land of Egypt but Assyria will rule him/it because he/it turned from me.

But I sit here scratching my head on where all these translations are getting a third common plural translation. And wondering if I'm mistaken...

A Reply to a posting over at Backwoods

I originally wrote this to post to a comment over at Backwoods but then thought I shouldn't really post this lengthy of a comment there. So essentially Ben is trying to go through the ordination process and his CMP is a jackass. So first what was said...

First there was this little tidbit

Since I know that they are tracking your posts

Then this

He didn't tell you the most outrages comment which was that God is a child abuser since he sent his son to die for us. Something totally unnecessary because he LOVES everyone and we are all going to heaven any way.

Well as long as they are reading this like the gestapo...

If Christ died for nothing because everyone is saved anyway, then the PCUSA is completely irrelevant. There is no reason for anyone to go to your churches. You are doing nothing except taking money like used car salesmen from the dwindling numbers that come to your church for nothing. Since all are saved, there is no need for your CPM, your presbyteries, your national offices in Louisville. There is no need for Sunday worship. There is no need for pastors. Ther eis no need for Sunday School. No need for Bible Studies. There is no need for prayer. There is no need for fasting. There is no need period. Close up shop and let your members spend their money on themselves like good people that believe in nothing.

Since you believe God loves everyone so everyone can do whatever they want without consequence your church is irrelevant. Stop wasting your member's money on nothing. Especially on worshipping a child abuser that doesn't care. You're going to heaven anyway so why bring people to your church to proclaim your message of nothingness.

That's the message of Universalism. Is that really the one you note takers want to send?

Feel free to ignore the fanatical writings of this orthodox believer. But then I'm sure you haven't made it this far.

Germany puts Zimbabwe in spotlight over abuse

Addressing the meeting in Lisbon attended by Mugabe, Merkel said the world could not stand by while human rights were "trampled underfoot."

And what exactly are they going to do to stop it? After all they didn't want to do anything with Iraq. They don't want to do anything with Iran. Or North Korea. Are they going to sit down and beg them to stop? And they will say we have done no such thing and nothing will be achieved. If you're going to make bold statements like that you should be willing to back them up. I don't see Germany doing that. Do you?

Every Biblical Studies-Theology student should join

...the Society of Biblical Literature. It costs students $25 and you get access to the nearly every journal published since Volume 1 on JSTOR. There's a few here and there where it says not available but so far those are ones published before 1900 and they are few in number. And its only $25 for students.

Reformed Theological Seminary offers Free Lectures

Is everyone aware of this?

RTS offers http://virtual.rts.edu/ a lot of course lectures via itunes for free. A more direct link is http://itunes.rts.edu/

They have three Old Testament courses:

Genesis to Joshua 29 lectures
Judges thru Poets 36 lectures
Isaiah thru Malachi 34 lectures

Three New Testament Courses
Gospels and Acts 48 lectures
Pauline Epistles 47 lectures
Hebrew thru Revelation 45 lectures

5 courses in Church History
Church History 1 32 lectures
Church History 2 30 lectures
Church and the World 27 lectures
History and Theology of the Puritans 16 lectures
History of Missions 35 lectures

2 Courses in Prac Theology
Disabilities in the church 29 lectures
Education Ministry in the church 24 lectures

9 Courses in Theology
Intro to Pastoral and Theology 22 lectures
History of Philosophy and Christianity 36 lectures
Theological Foundations 24 lectures
Systematic Theology 1 (38 lectures) 2 (20 lectures) 3 (38 lectures)
Pastoral and Social Ethics 43 lectures
Christian Apologetics 26 lectures
CS Lewis 26 lectures

Plus different small sets on different things like 3 lectures on New Perspectives on Paul

And that's not to do away with the great deal of courses offered by Covenant Theological Seminary. They offer 20 courses as well at http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worldwide/default.asp

Including

Ancient & Medieval Church History
Apologetics & Outreach
Biblical Theology
Calvin's Institutes
Christ-Centered Preaching: Preparation and Delivery of Sermons
Christian Ethics
Christian Worship
Francis A. Schaeffer: The Early Years
Francis A. Schaeffer: The Later Years
God & His Word
God's World Mission
Hebrews to Revelation
Humanity, Christ & Redemption
Life & Letters of Paul
Life & Teachings of Jesus
New Testament History and Theology
Old Testament History
Psalms & Wisdom Books
Reformation & Modern Church History
Spirit, Church, & Last Things
Youth Ministry

My Class at church

Hey did I say 6 weeks? I actually meant 9 weeks. Yeah. We're right on schedule. I have no idea what you're talking about. This is a nine week course and always has been.

We're now at Slide 111 of 298. We talked about the 12th Dynasty of Egypt today and also threw in the minor Dynasties 13 and 14 which were concurrent dynasties. Not a good thing when two dynasties claim to be the rulers of Egypt at the same time.

Next week we continue the history of Genesis starting with Abraham at Sodom and Gomorrah. The schedule will be to go up to Joseph then return to the 15th Dynasty of Egypt and move through to the Merneptah Stele. Then we'll go back to Moses and face off against the Pharaoh of the Exodus. Otherwise known as Amenhotep II.