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Dr TK Dunn on the Importance of the Old Testament
This is an extract from a longer interview, which I will also embed. I think Dr. Dunn has some valuable comments on the relationship of scripture and what it means for our study. And here’s the full interview from which that was extracted.
Fences: Mending or Rending
The following is a sermon I presented at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Pensacola on September 11,2005 and originally posted here on September 13, 2005. I’m reposting it because when I went to look for it, I found that the original post had somehow been truncated, and also because there is a one word at a…
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Book Recommendation: Man’s Search for Meaning
A friend mentioned this book on Facebook, and since I have greatly appreciated it over a number of years, I thought I’d post about it here. Frankl has a powerful story of surviving the holocaust and speaks of what sustained him in that experience. Key quote: Man is that being who invented the gas chambers…
Psalm 119:133 – Mastery
The Psalmist asks God to direct his paths and not to allow any evil to have control over him. I discuss variations on this theme.
A Note on Relationships between Texts
Various passages in the Bible relate in different ways. I give a sort outline of these relationships.
Psalm 119:132 – Be Gracious
Praying for something God has already made standard practice is an inherently confident prayer.
Psalm 119:131 – Panting
Going from words to meaning and from principles to sound action is hard work. We need to make the effort, but also recognize the reality: We won’t necessarily get there.
Psalm 119:130 – Light
God’s word is everywhere. Will we perceive it?
Psalm 119:129 – My Soul Keeps Them
Looking at obeying God’s laws because they are wonderful, going beyond “God said it and I do it.”
Psalm 119:128 – All
God’s call is to keep all of the law all of the time, completely. Ouch!
Psalm 119:127 – Better than Gold
What drives your life? Is it principle, or is it money and success?
Psalm 119:126 – Time to Act
There are many ways to promote lawlessness, both intentionally and unintentionally.
Psalm 119:125 – Teach Me
How can we join with the voice of this wonderful poet in praise and worship of God?
Psalm 119:124 – Grace
When is providing rules a gracious gift?
Psalm 119:123 – Patience
Do we practice patience or impatience? Perhaps if we’re doing the latter, it helps explain why we get so many opportunities.
Psalm 119:122 – Are You Beastly?
In which I present a list of “beastly” behaviors and ask whose image we are making: Of the Lamb or of theh Beast?
Psalm 119:121 – Don’t Let Them Get Me!
When you look around for your oppressors, you may be surprised at what you find.
Psalm 119:120
Fear can be destructive but in the right way and the right place it can be helpful.
Psalm 119:119 – Scorn
Which way do you point scripture when you “fire” it? Do you see your own issues? And do you remember how you have been led up to now?
Psalm 119:118 – Deceit
Rather than meditating on meaning today I reflect a bit on the difficulties of translating poetry.
Psalm 119:117 – Sustain
The psalmist presents a lawgiver God, but also a creator who redeems and sustains.
Psalm 119:116 – Supported
Our hope is founded in God, who sustains and supports us.
Psalm 119:115 – Leave!
Allowing ourselves to be influenced by the tactics of evildoers can be destructive.
Recommending a New Blog: Dr. Dolly’s Musings …
I highly recommend a new blog, Dr. Dolly’s Musings.
Psalm 119:114 – Hope
In the chaos of life, we can look to the one whose words conquered darkness and chaos as our shield.
Psalm 119:113 – Hate and Love
Sometimes we need to recognize that while we have limitations, faults, and failings, there are moral lines.