Read the actual Apocalypse and calm down

Everytime I run across a cute or quasi-clever neologism that hitches the suffix –ocalypse to some popular impulse to set everyone's hair on fire, I think: Now whoever came up with that very likely has never actually read the Book of Revelation or has not done so recently or seriously. The same is true of the Bible generally. What does panic indicate so clearly and accurately as someone who does not know the Bible, is unaquainted with the promises and the nature of God, and has no sense of the sheer goodness and grace of God and his desire that none should perish? Put another way, when you find that reading the actual Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) has a calming effect on you, when you come away from it profoundly reassured, then you know you are the right track and you can also recognize that all the folks in panic mode over everything are, to put it kindly, not. 

This is good advice for seminary students, too

This article is good advice for seminary students, too, with just two needed amendments:

(1) In theological circles, what the author characterizes here as secondary literature, i.e. highly specialized academic journal articles from the last 20 years, is really more tertiary or quaternary at best, and thus even farther removed from the great books and essential authors that one should read, especially when one bears in mind that prayer is truly the primary theological discourse of the faith and scripture is its primary literature.

(2) His characterization of nearly all the literature required for a vocation or professional education is substitutable or replacable by the latest and most up-to-date practical resource. But, while this is certainly true of programmatic helps and how-to resources in the field of ministry, as well as in the latest trends in, say, progressive political theology and biblical hermeneutics, etc., there remains that body of great books: Augustine's Confessions, Calvin's Institutes, Kierkegaard's Christian Discourses and Sickness Unto Death, Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship, are in no danger of ever being replaced. (I would like to think that one day Oecolampadius' Sermons on the First Epistle of John will be widely numbered among them.) Meanwhile, one thing the article makes clear is the requisite decision and resolution to slow down, actually read, and soak in the books and their ideas, and to do so on their own terms, giving them your firsthand engagement.

If I could add a third amendment, let it be this:

(3) Extrapolate and this reader's wisdom to life beyond college and seminary. Don't think it must be confined to that narrow "interim" between adolescence and adult responsiibility. This is one of the open secrets and blessings, often overlooked, of the pastoral office, or (as it should be called), the pastor's study. If you understand and structure your pastoral rule of life aright and take pains to communicate it to your congregation (so that they and your staff help you protect it), then you will find you are actually paid and expected to not just read scan the latest articles on techniques for ministry, but to dive deep into and inhabit the most important and essential texts of the Christian faith. It begins with daily reading of scripture, of course. But more on this in a forthcoming piece. 

Before you assume you know where all your parishioners stand on public issues

... some of the latest numbers from Gallup. Just a snapshot of the nation at present, but it's good to stay on top of such things before you jump to conclusions.

The Toothless Impeachment

This is perfect for what is sure to go down in history as "the toothless impeachment."

Now back to your regularly scheduled blog, where prayer is not something you claim to be doing for the sake of political posturing.

Salix Babylonicus: A Youth / Adult Sunday School Discussion Guide

This review of The Secret of Salix Babylonicus is two years old but, like the book itself, improves with age. I hope one day soon to produce a longer study guide for multiple sessions, but the reviewer has done a good job in identifying some probing questions that are bound to evoke rich discussion. So many themes at work in this story! I remain grateful for the sympathetic review. And what is Salix about if not music therapy, pastoral listening, the ministry of presence, all of which revolve around sympathy?

Christmas at Heritage (2019): "The Sound of Christmas"

Here is the video of the University of Dubuque's Christmas at Heritage. This year (2019) the theme was "The Sound of Christmas," featuring the music and narration of Elisabeth Von Trapp. It was my pleasure once again to serve as "narrative guy." Having selected scripture readings in the Cambridge tradition of Lessons and Carols (2018), arranged and adapted translations of Romanos the Melodist (2017), woven non-traditional scripture readings into other narratives for a fresh perspective à la Year D (2016), and written a three-person play (2015), it seemed time to return to the approach take six years ago (2014) when I was first invited to take part in this lovely, annual event and write some fresh poems for the occasion. The whole video is worth viewing. You will doubtless enjoy the folk style of our distinguish guest, the wind and vocal ensembles, and the full choir which was in fabulous form, but if the time is short and you want to hear my "two bits" (or five bits, actually), you can hear Mrs. Von Trapp deliver these narrative poems at the time codes below:

I. What News is This? (15:11)
II. The Savior Has Appeared! (28:35)
III. The Promised, Pure Daystar is Born. (40:55)
IV. Closer Now, Deeper Down (53:45)
V. The Sound of Christmas (1:04:54)

Oecolampadius bio cited

I was glad to see my little translation of Theophil Stähelin's biography of Oecolampadius cited in Dr. Verne Poythress' recent article on the Basel Reformer, which you can read here.

 

Dr. Poythress' blog, BTW, was ranked #31 on Jeremy Myers' list of the Top 100 Christian Blogs a few years ago. The list is not dated, so it is hard to tell how old it is—some obvious changes will soon be apparent—but the Frame-Poythress blog is quite current and full of good resources.   

Six weeks to Advent: A timely reminder to "Waste Not the Fragments"

Now is a good time to order this inexpensive new commentary on Year D's suggested texts for Advent. Enough fresh texts here for several adult Bible study or Sunday school sessions. Order one per student; put your own questions to text, commentary, and conversation partners.