Disciple Bible Study – Beguine Again

Feb62014 by jrcowles2 Comments

Pro-Life God? (Part 1)

Essay, Religion, spiritual practice, Spirituality

Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer: there is nobility in preserving it coolly and proudly through long youth, until at last, in the ripeness of instinct and discretion, it can be safely exchanged for fidelity and happiness. – George Santayana Among conservative pro-life people, it is an article of faith that the God of the Bible is staunchly, reliably, and uncompromisingly pro-life. But like virtually all articles of faith, the dogma of the pro-life God becomes progressively more fragile and untenable the more it is examined. Since many religiously motivated pro-life people take their ethical principles, and the justification thereof, from the Bible -- in fact, all religiously motivated pro-life Christians do --...

A Story from the Prophet Anna

Christianity, Lectionary, Spirituality

Well hello! My name is Anna. I have been living at the Temple in Jerusalem for years. I am an elder and a prophet. I've been here longer than I can even remember. I love worshiping God so much that I hardly ever want to go home. But you know what that means? I get to see a lot of what goes on around here! As an old lady, I love to see babies. They just thrill my heart. According to Jewish custom, there were a few things that would happen: If it was a first born child, the baby would be dedicated to God. It says in the book of Exodus: "Consecrate to me all the firstborn; whatever is the first to open the womb among the Israelites, of human beings and animals, is mine." (Ex. 13:2) It also says that first born children should be set apart and given to God. (Ex. 13:12) Let's s...

Disciple Bible Study: Week 12, Reading 5

Christianity, Post-a-Day, Religion, Spirituality

I’m participating in Disciple Bible Study, a 34 week intensive. For five days, we have different readings. I have decided to document my initial noticings from a close reading of the scripture. Well, an attempt at a close reading. Week 12 Theme: God Restores the People Readings: Ezekiel 1-5, 37 Noticings: 1:20 – spirit!! Just goes to show we didn't invent the spirit. 1:28 – G*d is like a rainbow 3:2 – Ezekiel eats the scroll. Check with Revelation & John of Patmos. 4:4-8 – this interlude is weird. Lieing on your left side or right side. 5:7 – Israel is a trouble maker. J 37:11 – the bones are Israel 37:24 – David shall be the king. Hmmm. What is the upcoming hierarchy? There are no more Davidic rulers? Were the Maccabees "Davidic?" How is this resolved? ...