2008 April

Greetings to all on 10 APR 2008

Word for the Day
sha’ashu’ai - Hebrew for plaything. “If your Torah had not been my plaything, I should have perished in my affliction.” [PSA 119.92] [1]

Quote for the Day
Ultimately, from a Jewish perspective, it may be more important to be in conversation with each other and get it “wrong” than to get it “right” but have the conversation stop. [2]

Website for the Day
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/This is a nice and simple website for all things Jewish.

Thought for the Day
Many of you grew up “in the church” just like me. So you probably remember all the sermons about the harmony of the scriptures. Preachers would painstakingly explain how every passage on a topic agreed with all the related verses. Looking back, we now realize that some of those explanations were, at best, strained and perhaps outright fabrications. Not in the sense of malicious intent, but good people just doing the best they could with the available scholarship. I pray that our kids will also be able to extend mercy as they look back on some of our misguided theology.

As far back as St. Augustine, people have written books that show the harmony of the gospels. These writings set out to bolster the argument that no contradiction can be found in the canon. Now we are realizing that each gospel was written to a community of believers at a certain time and place. Each author selected and presented stories to connect with his particular audience. Most scholars concur that Matthew was written for a Jewish audience, Mark to the Romans and John to Asia Minor. Matthew lists two demoniacs. [MAT 8.28] Mark tells of one named Legion. [MAR 5.8] Matthew and Luke give a genealogy; Mark and John do not. John records no exorcisms and most of the miracles are unique to this letter.

Each author gives a different perspective on the crucifixion and resurrection. Here is a "disharmony" that comes from Jesus last days on earth. Matthew and Mark both have Jesus and the disciples returning to Galilee just before his ascension. [MAT 28.10-16 & MAR 16.7] Now read Luke’s account and notice that he has everyone remaining in Jerusalem. [LUK 24.13-50, esp. vv. 13,35,50] I must say that I’ve never heard a preacher try to harmonize all those verses! Either they weren’t aware of the difference or they were completely baffled by this contradiction.

Ten years ago I might have been deeply disturbed by such a discovery. But since I have been looking at the Word from a Jewish perspective, I’ve learned that “contradictions” are to be expected. In fact, they serve the purpose of forcing us to wrestle with the text (or with God?). Should I be surprised at this? No, for my own soul is full of contradictions. I cannot be harmonized! For I know that there is nothing good housed inside me - that is, inside my old nature. I can want what is good, but I can’t do it! [ROM 7.18 CJB] Read all that chapter and you will see that even Paul battled deep-seated contradictions.

I’m here to tell you that this is not bad news, but good news. We can approach God despite our own convoluted souls and ply him with questions. But beware, he will do the same in return. This mutual tilling of the soil breaks up the hard compacted clumps and returns the leftovers from the harvest back into the soil to enrich it for next year’s crop.

May God Bless
Mike Toole
Lori Moores, ed.

1. Judith Kunst, The Burning Word, Paraclete Press, Brewster MA, 2006, p.63

2. ibid. p.47