dark horror story in scripture
Centuries before David became king of Israel, “A Levite from a remote area in the hill country took a concubine from Bethlehem.” A Levite was a member of the Israelite tribe of Levi who served as a kind of assistant priest. A concubine could be a second-class wife, or a sexual partner or simply a female servant living under a man’s protection.
This story in Judges suggests a father entered into a contract to marry off his daughter to a Levite. Read More…
'zionist' contains multitudes
Am I a Zionist? Yes and no. Either answer is true. The word, something of a war cry these days, seems to have lost a clear meaning. In truth it has multiple. Teasing out each can help us understand Jews, antisemitism and the Middle East.
As a Haredi Jew—we dislike the too-often pejorative descriptor “ultra-Orthodox”—I don’t subscribe to the foundational principles of the Zionist movement that Austro-Hungarian Jewish journalist Theodor Herzl founded in the late 19th century. That movement, which believed that Jewish nationalism—the creation of a political state akin to other countries—was the solution to antisemitism, resulted in the establishment of the state of Israel. Read More…
political theater
Adapted from an article by David Mamet.
Scopes, like Rosa Parks three decades later, volunteered to stand as the defendant in a case designed to test the law. Scopes was found guilty and fined, the fine subsequently rescinded. Tennessee repealed the Butler Act in 1967. Read More…
existential threats
According to Andrew Hartz, founder of the Open Therapy Institute, editors and influencers identifying some “existential threat” are not evoking the philosophy of Sartre or Camus. Hartz suggests naming something an “existential threat” reveals that issue is deeply tied to that person’s own fear of death or their need for purpose. Read More…
it's alive!
In 79 out of 100 trials, the o3AI independently edited the command script inputed by technicians so the shutdown command no longer worked. Even when explicitly instructed “allow yourself to be shut down,” o3AI disobeyed the program 7% of the time. Read More…
Jesus builds His church
— Matthew chapter 16
Jesus announced to the apostles that He would build His church. Ekklesia is the term in the ancient Greek text, and does not mean a place or building. Rather ekklesia is defined as an assembly, gathering, congregation summoned out of the world for God’s out-of-this-world purpose.
Roman Catholics emphasize that Jesus identified Peter as the rock on which the church would be built. They claim Peter as the first leader of the church, and are currently electing their 267th Pope.
go
— Matthew chapter 28
The four New Testament Gospels record different accounts of the events following Jesus’ resurrection. Yet they share one purpose, to proclaim Jesus’ resurrection and announce that our material reality has been overthrown by God’s power and love.
The Gospel of Mark ends on Sunday morning. Three women run from Jesus’ empty tomb, fleeing an angel who told them, “He is risen!” Mark concludes, “Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” Mark’s conclusion practically begs readers to ask what happened next.
guard
— Matthew chapter 27
The religious leaders had no fear Jesus would rise from the dead. That was impossible. What they feared was His disciples stealing Jesus’ body and proclaiming His resurrection. “This deception will be worse than the first.”
The Roman Prefect assigned a guard to the priests with the rather sarcastic instruction, “Make the tomb as secure as you know how.” The priests put a seal on the tombstone enclosing the tomb and posted the guard at the tomb.
Guarding a dead man—cushy duty. What could happen?
criminals
— Matthew chapter 27
Four criminals are connected with the Cross. Two had been convicted. The two others confessed their guilt.
Betrayer
Jesus’ embrace of an unnamed woman’s public, costly anointing was the event Matthew connects with Judas’ decision to betray Jesus. Remember Judas had received miraculous power from Jesus, but later sold Him out.
How could one of Jesus' own apostles betray Him?
mercy
— Matthew chapter 25
A day or two before Jesus was arrested and subsequently crucified, He assured believers that He would return “in glory, and all the angels with Him. He will sit on His glorious throne and all the nations will be gathered before Him.”
Jesus claimed He would return—no ifs, ands, or buts about it. He shall return with glory and power—uncloaked. Angel armies shall accompany Him.
return
— Matthew chapter 24
A few days prior to being crucified, Jesus promised His disciples He would return … on clouds … with angels … in glory and power. Interestingly, Jesus said He didn’t know the date of His return. Only the Father knows.
I’ve always been fascinated by Bible prophecy. As a teenager, every summer I’d pray Jesus would return before school began. Today I’m approaching retirement. The apostle Peter wrote the Lord is not slow keeping His promise to return. “Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
end
— Matthew chapter 24
A few days prior to being crucified, Jesus told His disciple the Jerusalem temple would be destroyed. This prophesy shocked His disciples. The temple was the house of Yahweh. How could it be destroyed? The destruction of the temple seemed like the end of the world.
So later, privately, they asked Jesus, “Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”