"Well, it was a nice dream."

I just got back to Iraq from my 15 days of required leave.  I got to attend the wedding of my dear friends, D-Rock (former roommate) and D-Boy (who is actually a woman).  I hung out with J-Town and Randalf pretty extensively (both former roommates/ future hopefuls).  And, of course, I spent most of my time at the house ( Read more... )

Here's a summarization of the last chapter of 1 Peter.
I'll try to conclude the study with one more post, to follow.
Chapter 5 breaks down a bit more finely...

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5:1-4 concerns the conduct of Christian leaders.
Peter encourages the elders, among whom he identifies himself merely as "your fellow elder," to uphold "the flock of God among you" with ( Read more... )

A Note on Submissive Roles

Notice the admonishments not to be afraid. It is issued to both the women who are submitting to their husbands (3:6), and to those who "suffer for the sake of righteousness," who face "intimidation" (3:14). It is interesting that the calling given is one of not being afraid. Isn't fearfulness a requirement for ( Read more... )

In my last entry I reviewed 1 Peter 1-2.  In summary so far, 1 Peter establishes the precious, perfecting grace found in Jesus Christ (1:1-2:11) which calls us after him (2:21-25), out of the world, and yet as examples to the world (2:12-20).  Now I will continue, at a great length, with Chapter 3.  I'll keep anything beyond summarizing ( Read more... )

While reading The Politics of Jesus, I was shocked by a blitzing of Bible verses that deal with the Christian call to suffering.  There's a lot more than I anticipated.  Now, verse blitzing is not fundamentaly wrong, but it is often used for selflish interpretations that ignore the actual specific context for each given verse.  I was particularly ( Read more... )

It's been a sobering day.  I thought I had won the support of the investigating officer of my application for conscientious objection.  That is definitely not the case.  Further, it turns out that the Chaplain seems to have set out to discredit my efforts.  My immediate supervisor, squad leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, and company ( Read more... )

I've been drafting and editing a journal entry for a few days now.  Hopefully it will be completed and posted soon.  In the meantime, here's a glance from John Howard Yoder's The Politics of Jesus, which, so far, is certainly living up to its fine reputation.  The second chapter of the book, The Kingdom Coming, follows the Gospel of Luke (with ( Read more... )

"Blessed are the [gentle/ humble/ meek] for they shall inherit the earth." -Matthew 5:5

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." -2 Timothy 1:7

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Are Matt. 5:5 and 2 Tim. 1:7 contradictory?  Nay, they are easy to reconcile.  In Matt. 5:5, Jesus cannot be promoting in himself or in his people an ( Read more... )