tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197331802024-03-18T06:48:17.084-05:00Allan R. BevereFaith Seeking UnderstandingAllan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.comBlogger7735125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-61482526084522893832024-03-18T02:00:00.004-05:002024-03-18T06:47:42.950-05:00Plain Truth for Plain People: The Folk Theology of John Wesley (Introduction)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyULDrAAGuXN1ZSSEsqyo3TL9CY3aNSAAfsSoxy8U23VEUAuoRIZ7lB5DloUhktNxrgfWYZORh-YAJEm6K1TYE-60FwqqPkdt0xuqWTlF1f2CWgnCGUTWzspAu-dXlnvagGkw1KDsEvmdDa0EhoY7chRMtDw8zPOWJVxk9aHYS6-w5bdkQTXu1IQ/s484/john%20Wesley%20Plain%20Truth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="484" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyULDrAAGuXN1ZSSEsqyo3TL9CY3aNSAAfsSoxy8U23VEUAuoRIZ7lB5DloUhktNxrgfWYZORh-YAJEm6K1TYE-60FwqqPkdt0xuqWTlF1f2CWgnCGUTWzspAu-dXlnvagGkw1KDsEvmdDa0EhoY7chRMtDw8zPOWJVxk9aHYS6-w5bdkQTXu1IQ/w400-h209/john%20Wesley%20Plain%20Truth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>John Wesley, the founder of Methodism was first and foremost a preacher. It is estimated that he preached over 40,000 sermons in his approximately 60 year career.</div><div><br /></div><div>For two centuries, Wesley's published sermons have been an important source of theological reflection for all Methodists, in particular his 44 standard sermons that he published between 1746 and 1760. These sermons are considered to be "canonical" for understanding Wesleyan theology. In the standard sermons, Wesley provided the center of his doctrinal teaching. All the sermons after that were considered to be supplementary.(1)</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>That the sermon was intended to be the main vehicle for conveying theological discourse is not surprising given Wesley's own Anglican context in the 18th century. The sermon along with Scripture, the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, the patristic writings, and the liturgies of the Book of Common Prayer, <i>et</i>. <i>al</i>. were seen as authoritative sources for theological reflection.(2) In other words, Wesley was simply using the main means of communication in his day, and for an itinerant preacher the sermon was central. The sermon was to convey the means of salvation and instruction on holy living. While Wesley was an extemporaneous preacher, his manuscripts were published mainly for the benefit of his lay preachers. They were publications after the fact of his own itinerant ministry. While it is likely not the case that Wesley actually preached these sermons<i> per se</i>, they are in Father John's own words, "the substance of what I have been preaching for eight and nine years past."(3)</div><div><br /></div><div>To use such common means made Wesley, according to Albert Outler, an Anglican folk theologian.(4) He desired to reach the masses with his words and his teaching. In his words, he was speaking "plain truth for plain people." It is true that Wesley's 18th century prose does not lend to plain speech for twenty-first century Western Christians; but for Wesley plain truth meant speaking in a way that avoided the rhetorical elegance of quoting Latin and leaving it untranslated or alluding to thinkers of the past that required an educated populace in order to understand the connections. While Wesley's learning came through in his sermons (and he was a voracious reader), he avoided a kind of flourishing eloquence (most of the time) that required formal education. Wesley was deeply concerned that the message of his sermons remain accessible to all listeners. He writes,</div><blockquote><div>I design plain truth for plain people. Therefore of set purpose I abstain from all nice and philosophical speculations, from all perplexed and intricate reasoning, and as far as possible from even the how of learning, unless in sometimes citing the original Scriptures. I labor to avoid all words which are not easy to be understood, all which are not used in common life; and in particular those kinds of technical terms that so frequently occur in bodies of divinity, those modes of speaking which men of reading are intimately acquainted with, but which to common people are an unknown tongue.(5)</div></blockquote><div>With this in mind, I now begin a series that will look at Wesley's 44 standard sermons summarizing, outlining, and providing commentary on the main teaching of each. There are certainly Wesleyan theologians better equipped than I that have already dealt with these matters. So, one may ask why would I undertake something that others have already done? Four reasons:</div><div><br /></div><div>First, because I can. Having a rather large social media presence and regular readers, it is something that I would like to offer to those who may not read the works that have already delved into this area. I am offering these reflections free of charge.</div><div><br /></div><div>Second, within the last decade, my study and research have taken me in other directions and I am personally feeling the need to refresh myself on Wesley's theology. It is valuable to me personally to invite others to join me for this journey into Wesleyan doctrine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Third, as a pastor for many years, the sermon has also been a primary means of theological communication for me and I find that the sermon today is still essential for passing along the central doctrines of the faith to the church. In twenty-first century America, sermons have centered too much on pop psychology promoting <a href="https://outreachmagazine.com/resources/research-and-trends/66991-research-moralistic-therapeutic-deism-on-the-rise.html" target="_blank">moral therapeutic deism</a>. We need more deep theological reflection that gives coherence and meaning to the Christian faith. In good Wesleyan fashion, I believe that doctrine and practice are interwoven together. Orthodoxy and orthopraxy are integrated. I reject wholesale the belief that what one believes does not matter. I also dismiss the idea that if one has the right beliefs, how one lives is irrelevant. Both misunderstand how faith and works operate together. Faith and faithfulness are of a seamless garment. For Wesleyans, the purpose of sound doctrine is not to hunt heretics, but to know how to live as the people of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fourth, as an academic the need for offering the substance of the faith in the language of the people is essential if such scholarship is not to be viewed as somehow beside the point. Wesley's theology was indeed one of practical divinity; and his sermons are the most significant vehicle for conveying those truths.</div><div><br /></div><div>While all of Wesley's 151 sermons are important, I will be focusing only on his 44 standard sermons. Once that is completed, if I have the gumption and if I am still breathing, I may indeed venture on to the rest. While I will be utilizing the sermons published in the bicentennial edition of <i>The Works of John Wesley</i> for its critical notes, I will be following the 1872 edition of Wesley's sermons as they are available online and can be accessed <a href="https://www.wesleysheritage.org.uk/exhibits/john-wesleys-sermons/browse-sermons/?t=std" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I post on each of these sermons, I hope that you will join me in this conversation. My goal is to post on a sermon every seven to ten days.</div><div>___</div><div>NOTES</div><div><br /></div><div>(1) Albert Outler, "Introduction," Volume I. <i>The Works of John Wesley, Sermons 1-33</i>. ed. Albert C. Outler. (Nashville: Abingdon, 1984), p. x.</div><div><br /></div><div>(2) Cindy Wesley, "What have the sermons of John Wesley ever done for us? John Wesley's sermons and Methodist doctrine." <i><a href="https://www.wesley.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/10-wesley.pdf" target="_blank">Holiness: The Journal of Wesley House Cambridge</a></i> (Vol. 1, Issue 1, 2015): p. 133.</div><div><br /></div><div>(3) John Wesley, <i>Sermons on Several Occasions in Three Volumes</i>, Volume 1. <i>The Works of John Wesley, Sermon 1:1-33.</i> p. 103.</div><div><br /></div><div>(4) Outler, "Introduction," Volume 1. <i>The Works of John Wesley</i>, p. 26.</div><div><br /></div><div>(5) Quoted in Kenneth L. Carder, "Proclaiming the Gospel of Grace," in <i>Theology and Evangelism in the Wesleyan Heritage</i>. ed. James C. Logan. (Nashville: Kingswood Books, 1994), p. 83.</div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-22926534536870699442024-03-01T06:14:00.008-05:002024-03-01T06:14:50.769-05:00Ecclesiastical Fraud and Tribalistic Idolatry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqzYY20l-II6PgN6pOjTzBzDMcw8MoWHLRcij9Eu1sfkG3bLMgGYp694q4HPjmd-xtqqseYRis-Csltn4geqkt7fMcMFWPJQ9JTY8ysJTDCGL4_LwRWSGeVplMRWP-EG7KJ82q6PEcgczWvyOVC4jZ3Ow3jwbpMj9zMTUKbuoA56mq2YR3sfZWg/s1600/Bible%20&%20Flag.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqzYY20l-II6PgN6pOjTzBzDMcw8MoWHLRcij9Eu1sfkG3bLMgGYp694q4HPjmd-xtqqseYRis-Csltn4geqkt7fMcMFWPJQ9JTY8ysJTDCGL4_LwRWSGeVplMRWP-EG7KJ82q6PEcgczWvyOVC4jZ3Ow3jwbpMj9zMTUKbuoA56mq2YR3sfZWg/w400-h268/Bible%20&%20Flag.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>The one thing that excites me the most about interacting with Christians from all over the world is that it reminds me that the church is truly a global community that transcends all national identities. In worship and conversation with sisters and brothers in Christ in various places, I experience a glimpse of Revelation 7:9-12:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://allanrbevere.substack.com/p/ecclesiastical-fraud-and-tribalistic" target="_blank">Continue Reading>>></a></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-84747581226540074482024-02-15T03:00:00.003-05:002024-02-15T11:21:06.067-05:00The Asbury Revival One Year Later: A Divine Visitation or Fake Feelingrama?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkxeYbuqdqiIyB5wHCEshKXYcT2Et_7FYyTPfxQEk3UPHnOygCKFly5rM23KcdQRkrFthNcXYP_U4FgZbTa6OSdTO-apHoGqKN7IcE0myGSqbpQ9vmacD6agh6Ne0O12MccVkJ37ApxvTMZO31cdzPwk3nlI4fAhsFJ0ca_8uhuyv_dRVuH45Yg/s1280/Asbury%20Revival.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkxeYbuqdqiIyB5wHCEshKXYcT2Et_7FYyTPfxQEk3UPHnOygCKFly5rM23KcdQRkrFthNcXYP_U4FgZbTa6OSdTO-apHoGqKN7IcE0myGSqbpQ9vmacD6agh6Ne0O12MccVkJ37ApxvTMZO31cdzPwk3nlI4fAhsFJ0ca_8uhuyv_dRVuH45Yg/w400-h225/Asbury%20Revival.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>It's been one year since the "Asbury Revival." It was a two week experience of continual worship on the campus of Asbury University. Some were skeptical right from the beginning suggesting it was fake. Now, Samuel Sey, after making phone calls to local churches in the Wilmore, KY area, and based on his own experience has concluded that since the fruit of the revival has not resulted in growth of the local churches, the revival was indeed fake (his word). He writes about it <a href="https://slowtowrite.com/what-happened-to-the-asbury-revival/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please read <a href="https://slowtowrite.com/what-happened-to-the-asbury-revival/" target="_blank">the article</a> and give the writer the hearing he deserves; but I have some thoughts to offer.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>First, Christians in America have for many reasons become jaded and skeptical of our own, and at times for good reason. We all know of abusive congregations and pastors, and there are days when the egregious is so front and center, we forget about the good and faithful ministry churches are doing all over America. So, we tend to default to naysaying rather than open-mindedness and encouragement. It is not good to be naively accepting, but callously critical is not a good alternative.</div><div><br /></div><div>Second, the skepticism from the beginning has come, for the most part, from progressively oriented Christians.* Since Asbury's theological and social bent doesn't fit the progressive Christian posture, immediately there was questioning. I dare say, we would not have seen such questioning had the "revival" taken place at a Mainline Protestant seminary.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have said for years that one of the great problems with the church in America is that Christians are theologically and morally formed more by what it means to be liberal/progressive or conservative than what it means to be Christian. I have no doubt that had such "revival" broken out at a United Methodist seminary, evangelical Christians would be just as skeptical as the Asbury progressive naysayers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Third, the writer of the article concludes the "revival" was fake because churches in the area had not experienced growth. It certainly is a fair concern that in reference to numbers, the churches don't appear to have been effected by what happened a year ago, but we must not forget several things. While the Day of Pentecost added people to the church, we know that over the decades Christianity did not take hold in Jerusalem. It did take hold in distant places, perhaps from the fact that many of those Pentecostal participants were "from every nation under heaven" and took their "revival" with them when they left the Holy City. How many at the Asbury "revival" took their experience with them?</div><div><br /></div><div>Fourth, Jesus is clear in his parables that the Kingdom moves and increases in small and at times almost unnoticeable ways. The Kingdom grows like a mustard seed, it works like yeast in dough and you have to dig for it to find it, like a treasure in a field, or search for a lifetime like the merchant in search of that one priceless pearl. So much ministry in the name of Christ bears fruit quietly and slowly. No one can read the parables of Jesus and conclude that one year is enough time to discern fruitfulness. As the New Testament reminds us, God is faithful and does not discern time the way we do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fifth, one of the things we human beings do (and yes, ALL of us do it) is that we read our experience of events on to similar events. Sey concludes that the Asbury "revival" was fake because, as he writes, "I became a genuine Christian at a fake revival." I am in no position to question his experience of revivals; but I question whether his experience should be normative for all "revival" events.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, Sey is certainly correct that Christians need to refrain from seeking every ecstatic event and hyped up worship. If the mustard seed and yeast apply to the fruit of the Asbury "revival," it must also apply to the worship and ministry of the church that can be described as normally routine. If the Holy Spirit brings revival, and I believe the Spirit does, it is extraordinary and therefore not the common ordinary way God works. A little revival is good. A lot of ordinary is the way the Kingdom of God moves through the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Luke chapter 9:49-50 we read,</div><blockquote><div>"‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.’"</div></blockquote><div>Stanley Hauerwas has said that what it means for Christians in America to be liberal/progressive or conservative is more determinative than what it means to be Christian. Perhaps regardless of which labels we embrace, we need to heed the words of Jesus that those who are not against us are for us, even if they do not follow us as liberal/progressives or conservatives. </div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps we should be cautious that our skepticism does lead to false accusations of being drunk with sweet wine (Acts 2:13).<br />___</div><div>*Let me state that the discussion over the "Asbury Revival" need not be framed only in a liberal/progressive, conservative framework. There are other ways to see it. I am responding to the context I have experienced.</div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-63773504510344821222024-02-13T07:51:00.004-05:002024-02-13T07:51:52.165-05:00Calmly Considered: Why Ukraine MattersOn this episode of "Calmly Considered," Michael and Allan discuss the continuing saga of Ukraine and why it matters to the United States and the rest of the world.<div><br /></div><div>Podcast</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="102px" scrolling="no" src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allan-r-bevere/embed/episodes/Calmly-Considered-Why-Ukraine-Matters-e2fgr82" width="495px"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>YouTube</div><div><br /></div><iframe width="495" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s_dg_HCeN4E?si=MNpujmx96Uij4lnq" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-47015444111689485972024-02-08T03:00:00.005-05:002024-02-08T03:00:00.370-05:00Equipping Pastors in Cuba<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavPc0QQyipszAnz-iJfc48cyfe0XFIgz__cnn1E7lUYjyQFnIYrwcvRz2PzLh9KYIrWUB3v2sGSAe7pioOl6z67z6fI4SzWvDDzUO2H7RaWoZ4SjGSuUTxlruN1WGeoSQ_BpRnlAG3rLIfPWffd5eUQdAeRRxOBwoTqv6uaxyYVA7oQEYzpsoTw/s394/Cuba%20Methodist%20Logo%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="394" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavPc0QQyipszAnz-iJfc48cyfe0XFIgz__cnn1E7lUYjyQFnIYrwcvRz2PzLh9KYIrWUB3v2sGSAe7pioOl6z67z6fI4SzWvDDzUO2H7RaWoZ4SjGSuUTxlruN1WGeoSQ_BpRnlAG3rLIfPWffd5eUQdAeRRxOBwoTqv6uaxyYVA7oQEYzpsoTw/w400-h369/Cuba%20Methodist%20Logo%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I am pleased to have been interviewed along with traveling companion, Karen Reaume on our recent trip to Cuba.<div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0fMWFQA30A62yRdEgi1Urk?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-47834434178004101712024-02-01T08:47:00.000-05:002024-02-01T08:47:06.421-05:00Word Revisited: The Bible, Politics, and ImaginationOn this episode of "Word Revisited," <a href="https://substack.com/@scotmcknight1" target="_blank">Scot McKnight</a> discusses his book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Not-Enough-Imagination-Making/dp/1506488048/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VCEAL7X6XI32&keywords=mcknight+the+bible+is+not+enough&qid=1706794134&sprefix=mcknight+the+bible+is+not+enough%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Bible Is Not Enough: Imagination and Peacemaking in the Modern World</a></i>.<div><br /></div><div>Podcast</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="102px" scrolling="no" src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allan-r-bevere/embed/episodes/Word-Revisited-The-Bible--Politics--and-Imagination-e2f6rpi" width="495px"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>YouTube</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XB67P9C3t3U?si=JF7Yg7xd7TlS3S2k" title="YouTube video player" width="495"></iframe>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-14475461076501893502024-01-25T06:58:00.003-05:002024-01-25T07:05:02.377-05:00The Wesleyan Way: Our Holiness Heritage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC6NV2d-NFtOJ8qYS8tdk1328-EQ0UbMLdYSaKSQckS9xuHAjN10Itsz4mYG_gu7hiT8VFafECwe5wu6gDKDAcNULMPiIRLr-f9LYp538hmx_UstuWXndIk7WXiNeaGSigxL6ZM3zWYIkbpH_2utkT0Mk0fE17JigFmhfjyyhVylshCmQP1VUsQ/s1280/Holiness%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC6NV2d-NFtOJ8qYS8tdk1328-EQ0UbMLdYSaKSQckS9xuHAjN10Itsz4mYG_gu7hiT8VFafECwe5wu6gDKDAcNULMPiIRLr-f9LYp538hmx_UstuWXndIk7WXiNeaGSigxL6ZM3zWYIkbpH_2utkT0Mk0fE17JigFmhfjyyhVylshCmQP1VUsQ/w400-h225/Holiness%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On this episode of "The Wesleyan Way," we interview Rev. Craig L. Adams, retired United Methodist pastor who is the keeper of the Wesleyan Holiness Heritage Facebook group. Craig discusses the holiness roots and heritage of United Methodism.</div><div><br /></div><div>Podcast:</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="102px" scrolling="no" src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allan-r-bevere/embed" width="495px"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>YouTube</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h82GOTofoSA?si=ZomVoAaW1D3UFraD" title="YouTube video player" width="495"></iframe>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-23564269408817957742024-01-05T17:29:00.003-05:002024-01-05T17:29:40.020-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ARWVxDmkVnzZOFBEQIPA6TASOcQHvtVmlIVXdA5Zs8OWVKPy_ZP1X7RbbxwpmWXh2_Bp_um8ADVoG0Y9xY-8K9al_MjVywRwnQdssLr-mZX78loiFPi20qI5uaBAOOFc48l7bswQttGcSzXbU_RNcg8apeNTHWH5xdvtK_dTMe2vv4S8_JDT8Q/s2048/Book%20Mark%20NDC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1463" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ARWVxDmkVnzZOFBEQIPA6TASOcQHvtVmlIVXdA5Zs8OWVKPy_ZP1X7RbbxwpmWXh2_Bp_um8ADVoG0Y9xY-8K9al_MjVywRwnQdssLr-mZX78loiFPi20qI5uaBAOOFc48l7bswQttGcSzXbU_RNcg8apeNTHWH5xdvtK_dTMe2vv4S8_JDT8Q/w286-h400/Book%20Mark%20NDC.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><div>My latest book, <i>Keeping Up with Jesus: A Narrative Devotional Commentary on Mark</i> is now available on Amazon. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1631998919 " target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1631998919 </a></div><div><br /></div><div>It is also available at Barnes & Noble. <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144562730?ean=9781631998911">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144562730?ean=9781631998911</a></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-12851607589082317762024-01-04T08:13:00.002-05:002024-01-04T08:28:49.609-05:00Believing Is Seeing: Speaking Christian in Today's World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j0xpbs8llipr34d6CmLjaRf-3pzZgXSeXf3e-oWb48r0RbxJmaNk0EJlYI9gOWFsugHv5z38QkBlnwRREci1bPZnnOcTz1R5r9Gs53TOZYx6Bh2BU5pOCPYQRKyynOgh_CspFHCW3zlr1c1bUROxC-TIrZB2bZVoBADG4Z6AHYkGkocpB10KoA/s320/BeSee%2001.04.2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j0xpbs8llipr34d6CmLjaRf-3pzZgXSeXf3e-oWb48r0RbxJmaNk0EJlYI9gOWFsugHv5z38QkBlnwRREci1bPZnnOcTz1R5r9Gs53TOZYx6Bh2BU5pOCPYQRKyynOgh_CspFHCW3zlr1c1bUROxC-TIrZB2bZVoBADG4Z6AHYkGkocpB10KoA/w400-h225/BeSee%2001.04.2024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>On this episode of "Believing Is Seeing," Allan interviews Rev. Dr. Joy Moore, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, and <a href="https://www.luthersem.edu/faculty/jmoore002/" target="_blank">Professor of Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota</a>. They discuss how Christians can speak distinctively on moral issues in today's society.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/1ubWLvEn5Fb" target="_blank">Podcast: Believing Is Seeing: Speaking Christian in Today's World</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gHyoSUzac8" target="_blank">YouTube: Believing Is Seeing: Speaking Christian in Today's World</a></b></span></div><div><br /></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-45437902882305359402023-12-31T15:50:00.002-05:002023-12-31T15:50:23.429-05:00My New Year's Resolutions for 2024.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq5e9CkLRP5FvcV7MjCx23bKsH1Ew36qMqWyTowjFzhdMsNVCCmHrtX10Wq_IqHhm0dWccsv4Blg6W6u1bDA4IftLGtFfPHUdTN8LtWR8CJaDSOz9rhw2YfXQYDAHwzrVPJ1vbA7FydpayHWb6nx6tg5IkcSAJEtxSGv9dDbmrh_q0U9Q0AbdKg/s1156/2024%20Resolutions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="828" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq5e9CkLRP5FvcV7MjCx23bKsH1Ew36qMqWyTowjFzhdMsNVCCmHrtX10Wq_IqHhm0dWccsv4Blg6W6u1bDA4IftLGtFfPHUdTN8LtWR8CJaDSOz9rhw2YfXQYDAHwzrVPJ1vbA7FydpayHWb6nx6tg5IkcSAJEtxSGv9dDbmrh_q0U9Q0AbdKg/w336-h470/2024%20Resolutions.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><br />Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-79275355719424546812023-12-31T01:00:00.019-05:002023-12-31T01:00:00.151-05:00The Bible in a Year: Series Links<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4NGcF9hDz2sCrxnmHL098KUTW9zHATG1vbhhrQ4oZV6bQk2dWtyncFhRg2xRMIIkAHEDwd-R-WN-mOpvkuG5iEGaobTn9IoOLTv4Ox7LCnPeoFgQxrVLTq6BQsVD3Y-2LaWRk28RqXN-WKLzUG3dlztX--LIqvTXyfOG7sw1k3Rm44rRhpM/s596/Daily%20Devotions.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="596" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4NGcF9hDz2sCrxnmHL098KUTW9zHATG1vbhhrQ4oZV6bQk2dWtyncFhRg2xRMIIkAHEDwd-R-WN-mOpvkuG5iEGaobTn9IoOLTv4Ox7LCnPeoFgQxrVLTq6BQsVD3Y-2LaWRk28RqXN-WKLzUG3dlztX--LIqvTXyfOG7sw1k3Rm44rRhpM/w400-h266/Daily%20Devotions.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><b>These videos were produced in 2021, but the month and day are applicable for all years.</b> The next month's readings will be posted on the last day of the previous month. <i>Please bookmark this page for easy reference.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2022/12/the-bible-in-year-january.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- January</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/01/the-bible-in-year-february.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- February</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/02/the-bible-in-year-march.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- March</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/03/the-bible-in-year-april.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- April</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/04/the-bible-in-year-may.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- May</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/05/the-bible-in-year-june.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- June</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/06/the-bible-in-year-july.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- July</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/07/the-bible-in-year-august.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- August</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/08/the-bible-in-year-september.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- September</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/09/the-bible-in-year-october.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- October</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/10/the-bible-in-year-november.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- November</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2023/11/the-bible-in-year-december.html" target="_blank">The Bible in a Year-- December</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-83378301192603333462023-12-25T01:00:00.001-05:002023-12-25T01:00:00.478-05:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPgSOboVQMgg7hg6NdhIcek8oRAOX1cwLibxopiMmMM7XH2veau_1AfOW2DObohziGaErXGRBUoidSIAZWMbz7ZG7nSng2kofyPHYh-vJaA57h6FntuCVV8cp4_A33jsMcqb08M23EedRSMbCTPV14RiYf2Iu96LQzS6aNVyNFIvgun8jRCtp3g/s820/Christmas%20tree%20animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPgSOboVQMgg7hg6NdhIcek8oRAOX1cwLibxopiMmMM7XH2veau_1AfOW2DObohziGaErXGRBUoidSIAZWMbz7ZG7nSng2kofyPHYh-vJaA57h6FntuCVV8cp4_A33jsMcqb08M23EedRSMbCTPV14RiYf2Iu96LQzS6aNVyNFIvgun8jRCtp3g/w390-h400/Christmas%20tree%20animated.gif" width="390" /></a></div><br />Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-25985317338935881812023-12-22T07:57:00.000-05:002023-12-22T07:57:34.464-05:00Calmly Considered: The Year in Review 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZlw4d0RlZQyruOhcgPIM_aZgQRRIl1GrzY0xZqw05VD4uEaE8S1MvfatlSFFj3idnL7e6MOCTwCpK8gMwATxXRn-Qu83cg8iKGt0gdWS-2AxKoWMSvw26utWfBCQXmbZT7xAif3y5khEp8uhB4Y2n-T5u-IrJ80EQAG3o-HeCH-xBBMReGawDA/s320/cc%2012.21.2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZlw4d0RlZQyruOhcgPIM_aZgQRRIl1GrzY0xZqw05VD4uEaE8S1MvfatlSFFj3idnL7e6MOCTwCpK8gMwATxXRn-Qu83cg8iKGt0gdWS-2AxKoWMSvw26utWfBCQXmbZT7xAif3y5khEp8uhB4Y2n-T5u-IrJ80EQAG3o-HeCH-xBBMReGawDA/w400-h225/cc%2012.21.2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>In the final episode of 2023, Michael and Allan reflect on 2023 and look forward to 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/kfz4iorMJFb" target="_blank">Podcast: Calmly Considered: The Year in Review 2023</a></b></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O7_dCqH-r1o?si=TW4H6X9J3wqzvpeK" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>" target="_blank">YouYube: Calmly Considered: The Year in Review 2023</a></b></span></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-5038079953884466972023-12-18T08:28:00.003-05:002023-12-18T08:28:31.654-05:00Today Is Charles Wesley's Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOenoK84TXq33TGlRuJYICvT9TCVuw41pQ06Z4eto1oZV9Hh0U-k9ZeMWSkM9EWigzSVZC1Jk-p0LTYmaq-pE8gwonqLP1vDhBCDVkUXBLTJeW85FOmUtai41reYNkre92maYG7iOQ-6sQjwlPfnHTThaOdFwJNwMYfqnaHvBItWmJzEQ131XXAQ/s793/Wesley%20Charles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOenoK84TXq33TGlRuJYICvT9TCVuw41pQ06Z4eto1oZV9Hh0U-k9ZeMWSkM9EWigzSVZC1Jk-p0LTYmaq-pE8gwonqLP1vDhBCDVkUXBLTJeW85FOmUtai41reYNkre92maYG7iOQ-6sQjwlPfnHTThaOdFwJNwMYfqnaHvBItWmJzEQ131XXAQ/w303-h400/Wesley%20Charles.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br /><div>He and his brother John founded the Methodist movement. He is the author of over 5000 hymns. Charles was born on this day 316 years ago in 1707. In his honor, I share with you one of my favorite hymns.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mISbGETVr84?si=ybRmK2WL67Sv-CQm" title="YouTube video player" width="490"></iframe>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-65559100908558116372023-12-06T03:00:00.004-05:002023-12-06T14:59:40.212-05:00Did Jolly Old St. Nicholas Punch Another Bishop in the Face?<p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOvSCAbVBVTav8CtposCXixmH4pXubxWUmQul28ogJ2PcxGAMCrFZnG6JXRNjxYkp7mfoGX1dLuSKi-G3u0WT56NzFT_1Sy7IZ1eCUwaSCaB9mm8excESqJYQXKoc_eGZfyUVJiQxFLHGbkQR81ug7wayo7TdnqVzDX1kCc5haH90Iap1cggSCw/s2100/arius%20nicholas%20fight.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2100" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOvSCAbVBVTav8CtposCXixmH4pXubxWUmQul28ogJ2PcxGAMCrFZnG6JXRNjxYkp7mfoGX1dLuSKi-G3u0WT56NzFT_1Sy7IZ1eCUwaSCaB9mm8excESqJYQXKoc_eGZfyUVJiQxFLHGbkQR81ug7wayo7TdnqVzDX1kCc5haH90Iap1cggSCw/w400-h286/arius%20nicholas%20fight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i>NOTE: When this post was written, it incorrectly stated that Arius was a bishop. He was a presbyter.</i><div><br /><div>December 6th is the <a href="https://www.stnicholascenter.org/how-to-celebrate/resources/articles/st-nicholas-and-justice/history" target="_blank">Feast of St. Nicholas </a>of Myra (270-343) who has come to us through the centuries as Santa Claus. At this time of year, the theological geeks among us post memes on social media reminding us that there is a tale that Bishop Nicholas irritated with <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arius" target="_blank">Bishop Arius</a>' heretical pronouncements about the person of Jesus slapped Arius across the face in disgust at the <a href="https://www.history.co.uk/articles/the-council-of-nicaea-resolving-the-crisis-in-early-christianity" target="_blank">First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea</a> in 325 AD. Since theologians tend to live quiet lives of tedium, attending conferences that typically do not lead to violence and other such drama, perhaps it is comforting to think every now and then we can encounter something other than yawns and the need for a coffee break.<div><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>The <a href="https://www.stnicholascenter.org/who-is-st-nicholas/stories-legends/traditional-stories/life-of-nicholas/bishop-nicholas-loses-his-cool" target="_blank">Saint Nicholas Center</a> recounts the tale:</p><p></p><blockquote><p>In AD 325 Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea, the very first ecumenical council. More than 300 bishops came from all over the Christian world to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity. It was one of the early church's most intense theological questions. Arius, from Egypt, was teaching that Jesus the Son was not equal to God the Father. Arius forcefully argued his position at length. The bishops listened respectfully.</p><p>As Arius vigorously continued, Nicholas became more and more agitated. Finally, he could no longer bear what he believed was essential being attacked. The outraged Nicholas got up, crossed the room, and slapped Arius across the face! The bishops were shocked. It was unbelievable that a bishop would lose control and be so hotheaded in such a solemn assembly. They brought Nicholas to Constantine. Constantine said even though it was illegal for anyone to strike another in his presence, in this case, the bishops themselves must determine the punishment.</p><p>The bishops stripped Nicholas of his bishop's garments, chained him, and threw him into jail. That would keep Nicholas away from the meeting. When the Council ended a final decision would be made about his future.</p><p>Nicholas was ashamed and prayed for forgiveness, though he did not waver in his belief. During the night, Jesus and Mary his Mother, appeared, asking, "Why are you in jail?" "Because of my love for you," Nicholas replied. Jesus then gave the Book of the Gospels to Nicholas. Mary gave him an omophorion, so Nicholas would again be dressed as a bishop. Now at peace, Nicholas studied the Scriptures for the rest of the night.</p><p>When the jailer came in the morning, he found the chains loose on the floor and Nicholas dressed in bishop's robes, quietly reading the Scriptures. When Constantine was told of this, the emperor asked that Nicholas be freed. Nicholas was then fully reinstated as the Bishop of Myra.</p><p>The Council of Nicaea agreed with Nicholas' views, deciding the question against Arius. The work of the Council produced the Nicene Creed which to this day many Christians repeat weekly when they stand to say what they believe.</p></blockquote><p></p><p>But did it actually happen? Did the patron saint of children give Arius more than coal in his stocking?</p><p>Well, the story is most likely apocryphal. First, most scholars doubt that Nicholas was present at the First Council of Nicaea. The only mention of Nicholas' attendance was offered by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodorus-Lector" target="_blank">Theodore the Lector</a> two hundred years after the Council in his <i>Historia Tripartita</i>, but the best lists of council attendees do not include him.</p><p>But even if Nicholas was there, fisticuffs did not take place. The first mention of the incident comes one thousand years after the council in the fourteenth century AD by Bishop Petrus de Natalibus. He <a href="https://www.roger-pearse.com/weblog/2015/02/28/did-st-nicholas-of-myra-santa-claus-punch-arius-at-the-council-of-nicaea/" target="_blank">writes</a>,</p><blockquote><p>It happened that saint Nicholas, now an old man, was present at the Council of Nicaea, and out of jealousy of faith struck a certain Arian in the jaw, on account of which it is recorded that he was deprived of his mitre and pallium; on account of which he is often depicted without a mitre.</p></blockquote><p>Notice Petrus doesn't mention that he punched Arius specifically, but a "certain Arian."</p><p>The truth of the matter is that we know little of the real St. Nicholas. It is difficult to extrapolate fact from legend. So, while it could be possible, though not likely that Nicholas was present at Nicaea, he certainly didn't punch or slap Arius or anyone else during the deliberations. It wasn't acceptable then, nor is it proper now to slap a fellow cleric over a disagreement, albeit an important one. While it may be a disappointment to some contemporary theologians, such drama will always be out of place during theological deliberations.</p><p>So, keep the coffee coming.</p><p>___</p><p>For Further Reading in Addition to the Links Above.</p><p>"Let's Stop Celebrating St. Nicholas Punching Arius," <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/blog/let-s-stop-celebrating-st-nicholas-punching-arius">https://www.ncregister.com/blog/let-s-stop-celebrating-st-nicholas-punching-arius</a>.</p><p>"Did St. Nicholas punch Arius at the Council of Nicaea?" <a href="https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/54016/did-st-nicholas-punch-arius-at-the-council-of-nicaea">https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/54016/did-st-nicholas-punch-arius-at-the-council-of-nicaea</a>.</p><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-59502931459564668582023-11-30T01:00:00.000-05:002023-11-30T01:00:00.163-05:00The Bible in a Year-- December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUyTh09s426e3DS16KwCHSHoPQTOwvGxpqkO6QxElmX_v7D4FpDhwiW-v6DbMnkjqOksruNrt5KLYaSKxwMc7dGOSBrKYhCzqLnza3nrENHHZ-7XsU7PZ77UvzI9h-Ql140k_FV4fdprc-JDikHF8bHgmxRDOEri3NRRyv4BjylgRYM1SqKw/s596/Daily%20Devotions.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="596" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUyTh09s426e3DS16KwCHSHoPQTOwvGxpqkO6QxElmX_v7D4FpDhwiW-v6DbMnkjqOksruNrt5KLYaSKxwMc7dGOSBrKYhCzqLnza3nrENHHZ-7XsU7PZ77UvzI9h-Ql140k_FV4fdprc-JDikHF8bHgmxRDOEri3NRRyv4BjylgRYM1SqKw/w400-h255/Daily%20Devotions.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><b>These videos were produced in 2021, but the month and day are applicable for all years.</b> The next month's readings will be posted on the last day of the previous month. <i>Please bookmark this page for easy reference.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>December 1, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-337-1.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 337) 1 Corinthians 9-11</a></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>December 2, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-338-1.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 338) 1 Corinthians 12-14</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 3, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-339-1.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 339) 1 Corinthians 15-16</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 4, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-340-2.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 340) 2 Corinthians 1-4</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 5, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-341-2.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 341) 2 Corinthians 5-9</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 6, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-342-2.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 342) 2 Corinthians 10-13</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 7, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-343-galatians-1.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 343) Galatians 1-3</a></div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>December 8, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-344-galatians-4.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 344) Galatians 4-6</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 9, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-345-ephesians-1.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 345) Ephesians 1-3</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 10, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-346-ephesians-4.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 346) Ephesians 4-6</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 11, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-347-philippians.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 347) Philippians 1-4</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 12, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-348-colossians.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 348) Colossians 1-4</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 13, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-349-1.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 349) 1 Thessalonians 1-5</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 14, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-350-2.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 350) 2 Thessalonians 1-3</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 15, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-351-1-timothy-1.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 351) 1 Timothy 1-6</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 16, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-352-2-timothy-1.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 352) 2 Timothy 1-4</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 17, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-353-titus-1-3.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 353) Titus 1-3 & Philemon 1</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 18, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-354-hebrews-1-6.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 354) Hebrews 1-6</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 19, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-355-hebrews-7-10.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 355) Hebrews 7-10</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 20, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-356-hebrews-11.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 356) Hebrews 11-13</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 21, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-357-james-1-5.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 357) James 1-5</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 22, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-358-1-peter-1-5.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 358) 1 Peter 1-5</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 23, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-359-2-peter-1-3.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 359) 2 Peter 1-3</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 24, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-360-1-john-1-5.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 360) 1 John 1-5</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 25, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-361-2-john-1-3.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 361) 2 John 1, 3 John 1, Jude 1</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 26, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-362-revelation.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 362) Revelation 1-3</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 27, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-363-revelation.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 363) Revelation 4-8</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 28, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-364-revelation.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 364) Revelation 9-12</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 29, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-365-revelation.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 365) Revelation 13-16</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 30, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-366-revelation.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 366) Revelation 17-19</a></div><div><br /></div><div>December 31, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/12/daily-devotions-session-367-revelation.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 367) Revelation 20-22</a></div><div><div>___</div><div>Sources: <a href="https://www.cokesbury.com/9781501881237-NRSV-Wesley-Study-Bible?refq=nrsv%20wesley%20study%20bible" target="_blank">The Wesley Study Bible</a>, <a href="https://www.cokesbury.com/The-New-Interpreters-Bible-One-Volume-Commentary?refq=new%20interpreters%20bible%20one%20volume" target="_blank">The New Interpreter's Bible One-Volume Commentary</a>, and <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/p/about.html" target="_blank">Yours Truly</a>.</div></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-83246495243221945912023-11-28T09:13:00.003-05:002023-11-28T09:13:31.931-05:00The Cover of My Forthcoming Book.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDLH1bCvzkWH0oXdl_OAxn7Yt-L6oFmXYh1B9Yvp7nRjT4SZa_iKydCgVw7nGYEC5ye-h6ePl8Vuyd3NkMfrxIeTE2EJjAdyvSUE1rK0Imy22yB64qyeoHqDqR73kIunJBfU7Jv9iL4p1KVsgKnifYBJoyQE3cBOjPDXp_hyphenhyphenRT3ETNMwyfzCAZg/s2048/Book%20Mark%20NDC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1463" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDLH1bCvzkWH0oXdl_OAxn7Yt-L6oFmXYh1B9Yvp7nRjT4SZa_iKydCgVw7nGYEC5ye-h6ePl8Vuyd3NkMfrxIeTE2EJjAdyvSUE1rK0Imy22yB64qyeoHqDqR73kIunJBfU7Jv9iL4p1KVsgKnifYBJoyQE3cBOjPDXp_hyphenhyphenRT3ETNMwyfzCAZg/w286-h400/Book%20Mark%20NDC.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br />Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-19425184087307244922023-11-14T08:09:00.002-05:002023-12-12T20:31:34.661-05:00Word Revisited: The Apostle Paul-- Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogD7X7gPNmkn73xob0j2A4vXfZfyA0aAGPYr2MZixC1merujKg2YYq4SEd2wMdxvrTmMmX8SUXkAWUCS-e3JRXSGdVB-cVGSt4bzJch05cbUkdiTQV9UqGT2YrQTnLZaExWFq3DBqSb_udPmiV-Z-CNPB_-catyncbsdEjyBIOhu5N1567-pqZw/s320/WR%2011.14.2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogD7X7gPNmkn73xob0j2A4vXfZfyA0aAGPYr2MZixC1merujKg2YYq4SEd2wMdxvrTmMmX8SUXkAWUCS-e3JRXSGdVB-cVGSt4bzJch05cbUkdiTQV9UqGT2YrQTnLZaExWFq3DBqSb_udPmiV-Z-CNPB_-catyncbsdEjyBIOhu5N1567-pqZw/w400-h225/WR%2011.14.2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On this episode of "Word Revisited," I chat with Dr. Michael J. Gorman, the Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, Maryland. He is the author of numerous books and specializes on the theology and letters of the Apostle Paul. <div><br /></div><div>Michael's Amazon author page is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michael-J.-Gorman/author/B001JP7N0K?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7IPMuuUm5AtkHEcigPSsND" target="_blank">Podcast: Word Revised: The Apostle Paul-- Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity?</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQEm7MoNVLo&t=172s" target="_blank">YouTube: Word Revised: The Apostle Paul-- Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity?</a></b></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-41063376346223627392023-11-12T08:50:00.005-05:002023-11-12T08:50:39.227-05:00Is There a Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrTDqbBifrTVRwqaQegv2U9e2P5n80wRuEd5Wqmg7hnx1F5puzdAZQPJHm7vUM2CTmwtN7iZ6YnDjfvHWGkhldgJr_FveJnCgaKEoEkw_UgBhyphenhyphen-5FU-sqeuyz8Ss2DTXXeUGn2jwma2ofuqsonbE2E5eb7O-IXLKB7oObd3uz74StVmUIpTR3Nw/s477/rapture.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="477" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrTDqbBifrTVRwqaQegv2U9e2P5n80wRuEd5Wqmg7hnx1F5puzdAZQPJHm7vUM2CTmwtN7iZ6YnDjfvHWGkhldgJr_FveJnCgaKEoEkw_UgBhyphenhyphen-5FU-sqeuyz8Ss2DTXXeUGn2jwma2ofuqsonbE2E5eb7O-IXLKB7oObd3uz74StVmUIpTR3Nw/w400-h340/rapture.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>In this post, I appeal to N.T. Wright, a prominent New Testament scholar and theologian. Regarding 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, which is often associated with the concept of the "rapture" in some Christian traditions, Wright offers a different interpretation from the popular dispensationalist understanding of the rapture.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="https://allanrbevere.substack.com/p/is-there-a-rapture-in-1-thessalonians" target="_blank">Continue Reading>>></a></i></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-34649138934815715722023-11-07T19:03:00.001-05:002023-11-08T21:24:43.506-05:00Calmly Considered: The Israeli Palestinian Conflict<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNm3854kdlQz7InYmvRyCJl3ks1g_nY9ajRNxvTeNBsv2DjEQsWiRobtKEtP9PkdsPLhBIORI23btV08Ngo-paG0B3kcM3g_Vn1IJDa5PeIFJ2RUzNKF2REn2-ZnhCgN8qhelG-Lyt5EGhXOGil_ddc3zR0q8LYKF5xsMUEvWvCZfETveJg5ysw/s320/CC%2011.07.2023.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNm3854kdlQz7InYmvRyCJl3ks1g_nY9ajRNxvTeNBsv2DjEQsWiRobtKEtP9PkdsPLhBIORI23btV08Ngo-paG0B3kcM3g_Vn1IJDa5PeIFJ2RUzNKF2REn2-ZnhCgN8qhelG-Lyt5EGhXOGil_ddc3zR0q8LYKF5xsMUEvWvCZfETveJg5ysw/w400-h225/CC%2011.07.2023.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>On this episode of "Calmly Considered," Michael and Allan discuss the perennial tragedy of the Israeli Palestinian conflict.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zrayZ51vNR1cRTOQC3uco" target="_blank"><b>Podcast:</b> Calmly Considered: The Israeli Palestinian Conflict</a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIj76vWqW7w&t=7s" target="_blank"><b>YouTube:</b> Calmly Considered: The Israeli Palestinian Conflict</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-71822929086314311002023-11-03T13:12:00.002-05:002023-11-03T13:18:05.842-05:00The Epic of Eden: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtU51Dea9e0EL84jHlCgBQ-wHc7SN1jTYjTLhL2ajGTUxo9Eo-1pvSfhUMMBFQdBl5Wpk0YUcadkLeRLz6XPut0zuSGo4aGq2AaYdI-yuPJUzQvkfjvzoFwVaJq8-Od7LG0erpbgyV5iz85IG0PRFWmhCmA6Wh6feByIMpCuXzrwcx30sG_KF2xg/s1500/Book%20Epic%20of%20Eden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtU51Dea9e0EL84jHlCgBQ-wHc7SN1jTYjTLhL2ajGTUxo9Eo-1pvSfhUMMBFQdBl5Wpk0YUcadkLeRLz6XPut0zuSGo4aGq2AaYdI-yuPJUzQvkfjvzoFwVaJq8-Od7LG0erpbgyV5iz85IG0PRFWmhCmA6Wh6feByIMpCuXzrwcx30sG_KF2xg/w266-h400/Book%20Epic%20of%20Eden.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div><div>Sandra Richter's <i>The</i> <i>Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament</i> is a commendable work that effectively bridges the gap between modern Christian understanding and the ancient Hebrew worldview. Richter, a seasoned scholar in Old Testament studies, presents a well-researched and accessible narrative that invites readers to delve deeper into the cultural and historical contexts of the Bible.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>One of the book's strengths is its clarity in addressing the often perplexing nature of the Old Testament. Richter's approachable style demystifies complex concepts and provides readers with a "big picture" that connects disparate stories and laws into a coherent and understandable framework. This is particularly beneficial for those who have found themselves lost in the details or disconnected from the relevance of the Old Testament to contemporary Christian faith.</div><div><br /></div><div>Richter's scholarly rigor is also a noteworthy aspect of the book. She provides ample historical and archaeological evidence to support her insights, which not only enriches the reading experience but also strengthens the reader's trust in the biblical narrative’s reliability and significance.</div><div><br /></div><div>The inclusion of personal anecdotes and pastoral concerns adds a layer of warmth to the book, making it not just an academic treatise but a heartfelt guide. It is evident that Richter is passionate about helping believers understand their spiritual heritage and see the Old Testament not as an outdated relic but as a vital part of their faith journey.</div><div><br /></div><div>The theological insights offered in this book are profound yet practical. Richter does an excellent job of showing how the themes and covenants of the Old Testament connect to New Testament teachings and the life of Jesus. This connection is pivotal for Christians who seek to understand the continuity of Scripture and the overarching redemption story.</div></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-90264956750839797482023-10-31T09:59:00.004-05:002023-10-31T09:59:31.409-05:00Christians and the Celebration of Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefxqUNhzJOLKQkRNF7C0bXGQFQugXncBVfbOJlyQh-U5I4UkXQa3zvyO1kDU0waY3tOgedLQLx-LkAcGlrOWj014vQJTdC7Jjv5KyGVLvGMBCIjpxGRSGZgJu03WRvgZESH9yPoxjCUZ-oZjFajjq1ZFWv2aKzGreWYHaOn4cDV20Gz_9iL676w/s2560/Halloween%20pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2560" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefxqUNhzJOLKQkRNF7C0bXGQFQugXncBVfbOJlyQh-U5I4UkXQa3zvyO1kDU0waY3tOgedLQLx-LkAcGlrOWj014vQJTdC7Jjv5KyGVLvGMBCIjpxGRSGZgJu03WRvgZESH9yPoxjCUZ-oZjFajjq1ZFWv2aKzGreWYHaOn4cDV20Gz_9iL676w/w400-h250/Halloween%20pumpkins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I know some Christians are skittish about the observance of Halloween. I have never been. I went Trick-or-Treating as a kid and we took our children as well. In fact, I think the celebration of Halloween has sound theological ramifications. Please consider the following:</div><div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>First, it must be remembered that the word "Halloween" is a corruption (a blending together) of "All Hallows Eve," the day before the observance of All Hallows Day or All Saints Day. Hallow is related to the word "holy." In Latin and in Greek the "saints" (sanctis and agioi) are literally "holy ones"). So, those who are promoting something called "Jesusween" have completely missed the meaning of Halloween and invented an irrelevant word.</div><div><br /></div><div>Second, Halloween does have its roots in Christian influence as it began the yearly observance of remembering the saints who have died-- originally martyrs and confessors, and later all the faithful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Third, Christians believe that while evil still makes mischief in the world and death still takes all of us, in the death and resurrection of Jesus evil and death have been decisively defeated; they just refuse to give up. Martin Luther referred to the resurrection of Jesus as God's Easter laugh. It was the decisive practical joke played on the devil believing that crucifying God's Son would destroy God's plan. Unbeknownst to him, Satan participated in his own undoing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fourth, to dress up on Halloween as characters (e.g. witches, the devil with a pitch fork) which have come to represent the forces of evil is our way to participate in the practical joke of the resurrection. In dressing up as those forces we mock them, knowing that they hold no power over us, even though they continue to try. Because of Jesus we no longer fear them; in fact, we laugh at them. In the celebration of Halloween we give the principalities and powers their due, which is not much. We are reminded on October 31st not to take them too seriously.</div><div><br /></div><div>What better way to observe the victory of All Saints Day on November 1st, than by celebrating the defeat of the demonic by our ridicule the day before?</div></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-19036488235160203832023-10-31T00:00:00.000-05:002023-10-31T00:00:00.148-05:00The Bible in a Year-- November<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHBLabyzH3NYPGuGYL37F6un6VRpwouDY5HgQ7vmaasDILsn-MgdEV-FhVN09P9AM-_307ZTPZSuKe0BWhSassCpj-ENFm9fEacQLGWrMSyZlgsBYuonq5E-wdFN66FBVhYke35gAmC4cjoWa3XwVc0LppKDTMKo1M-ZElPyorOpW5RU78dw/s596/Daily%20Devotions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="596" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHBLabyzH3NYPGuGYL37F6un6VRpwouDY5HgQ7vmaasDILsn-MgdEV-FhVN09P9AM-_307ZTPZSuKe0BWhSassCpj-ENFm9fEacQLGWrMSyZlgsBYuonq5E-wdFN66FBVhYke35gAmC4cjoWa3XwVc0LppKDTMKo1M-ZElPyorOpW5RU78dw/w400-h255/Daily%20Devotions.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><b>These videos were produced in 2021, but the month and day are applicable for all years.</b> The next month's readings will be posted on the last day of the previous month. <i>Please bookmark this page for easy reference.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>November 1, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-307-luke-19-20.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 307) Luke 19-20</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 2, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-308-luke-21-22.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 308) Luke 21-22</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 3, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-309-luke-23-24.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 309) Luke 23-24</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 4, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-310-john-1-2.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 310) John 1-2</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 5, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-311-john-3-4.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 311) John 3-4</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 6, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-312-john-5-6.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 312) John 5-6</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 7, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-313-john-7-8.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 313) John 7-8</a></div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>November 8, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-314-john-9-10.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 314) John 9-10</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 9, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-315-john-11-12.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 315) John 11-12</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 10, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-316-john-13-15.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 316) John 13-15</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 11, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-317-john-16-18.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 317) John 16-18</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 12, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-318-john-19-21.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 318) John 19-21</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 13, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-319-acts-1-3.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 319) Acts 1-3</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 14, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-320-acts-4-6.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 320) Acts 4-6</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 15, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-321-acts-7-8.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 321) Acts 7-8</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 16, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-322-acts-9-10.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 322) Acts 9-10</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 17, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-323-acts-11-13.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 323) Acts 11-13</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 18, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-324-acts-14-15.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 324) Acts 14-15</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 19, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-325-acts-16-17.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 325) Acts 16-17</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 20, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-326-acts-18-20.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 326) Acts 18-20</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 21, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-327-acts-21-23.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 327) Acts 21-23</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 22, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-328-acts-24-26.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 328) Acts 24-26</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 23, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-329-acts-27-28.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 329) Acts 27-28</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 24, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-330-romans-1-3.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 330) Romans 1-3</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 25, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-331-romans-4-7.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 331) Romans 4-7</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 26, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-332-romans-8-10.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 332) Romans 8-10</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 27, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-333-romans-11-13.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 333) Romans 11-13</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 28, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-334-romans-14-16.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 334) Romans 14-16</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 29, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-335-1.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 335) 1 Corinthians 1-4</a></div><div><br /></div><div>November 30, <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/2021/11/daily-devotions-session-336-1.html" target="_blank">Daily Devotions (Session 336) 1 Corinthians 5-8</a></div><div>___</div><div>Sources: <a href="https://www.cokesbury.com/9781501881237-NRSV-Wesley-Study-Bible?refq=nrsv%20wesley%20study%20bible" target="_blank">The Wesley Study Bible</a>, <a href="https://www.cokesbury.com/The-New-Interpreters-Bible-One-Volume-Commentary?refq=new%20interpreters%20bible%20one%20volume" target="_blank">The New Interpreter's Bible One-Volume Commentary</a>, and <a href="http://www.allanbevere.com/p/about.html" target="_blank">Yours Truly</a>.</div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-62588649763363034562023-10-14T09:40:00.007-05:002023-10-28T17:51:34.898-05:00A Quick Take on the Book of Revelation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C8EL-Af_xE6OJ0gDTzWIAMtP-psfpdCBsughEKoIRga5m025vRYO7NgyhXd-jZxFa0eOHXwFWlA2szt5iBUljFJJ1mBXRz-Y_U1vVBCNv7w9Ofdgnyzja5J_h9Z3Dd7ZYPt7_pDphncBoZ5gDHrRf57ls2weVHQQckosRvAomOlZas8CSiDn4A/s2592/Lamb%20Victorious.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C8EL-Af_xE6OJ0gDTzWIAMtP-psfpdCBsughEKoIRga5m025vRYO7NgyhXd-jZxFa0eOHXwFWlA2szt5iBUljFJJ1mBXRz-Y_U1vVBCNv7w9Ofdgnyzja5J_h9Z3Dd7ZYPt7_pDphncBoZ5gDHrRf57ls2weVHQQckosRvAomOlZas8CSiDn4A/w300-h400/Lamb%20Victorious.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><div>To use the Book of Revelation as a manual for end-times weather forecasting is to misuse it.</div><div><br /></div><div>1) A serious exploration of Revelation reveals that its primary purpose is not to provide a literal chronicle of the end of the world. Instead, it can be interpreted as a symbolic representation of the challenges faced by the early Christian community, a message of hope, and an invitation to remain faithful in the face of adversity.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>2) It’s crucial to consider the historical and cultural contexts in which Revelation was written. The author wrote it during a time when Christians faced severe persecution from the Roman Empire. For these early believers, the apocalyptic imagery and dramatic visions of Revelation served as coded language, offering solace and assurance that, despite the oppressive forces against them, God was in control and would ultimately triumph.</div><div><br /></div><span></span><div>3) Revelation is filled with vivid symbols and metaphors that challenge a strictly literal interpretation. Creatures with multiple heads and horns, stars falling from the sky, and bowls of wrath are not meant to be taken as specific future-world events. Instead, they symbolize broader truths and the internal and external struggles faced by the believers. Recognizing the heavy use of symbolism offers a more nuanced understanding of the text, moving away from a strictly end-times perspective.</div><div><br /></div><div>4) Revelation contains numerous parallels and references to other biblical texts, particularly from the Old Testament. Books like Daniel, Ezekiel, and Isaiah also employ apocalyptic imagery, but these aren't tied to end-times prophecies. Recognizing these connections can help readers understand that Revelation's primary intent is not to convey a timeline for end-of-the-world events.</div><div><br /></div><div>5) Amid the dramatic events described, Revelation repeatedly emphasizes hope, perseverance, and the promise of ultimate victory for those who remain faithful. These messages are not confined to a singular apocalyptic event. By focusing on these themes, readers can see Revelation as a source of encouragement for believers across all ages and facing various challenges.</div><div><br /></div><div>6) The Book of Revelation contains apocalyptic elements and visions meant for the recipients of the seven churches of chapters two and three. Reducing it solely to an end-times prophecy misses its richness and depth.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>7) What is currently happening in the Middle East is not predicted by the Book Revelation. If it couldn't mean that to the first readers, it can't mean it for us today.</div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-57937057609976235212023-10-09T07:11:00.003-05:002023-10-09T07:11:45.602-05:00Why Indigenous Peoples' Day? Are We Erasing History?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLJ8-C0OmqqW1zp47HQKUZOKXAg2mUDrXvJ4EpX1cTpdF2l8SU9cFYQPg9Ixi6p58qj0qyS_TQ0Hn5lo-S_nWrlj2CduY-REAQPrrB32ijSxEIwkMf5blrkWLjNG8HvKKALk520-vANwDHXpTwLvAwpXltq7ZkYFDV47md2JWcyKMllPoRdf97Q/s1284/Columbus%20Day%20Indigeneous%20Peoples'%20Day.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="1284" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLJ8-C0OmqqW1zp47HQKUZOKXAg2mUDrXvJ4EpX1cTpdF2l8SU9cFYQPg9Ixi6p58qj0qyS_TQ0Hn5lo-S_nWrlj2CduY-REAQPrrB32ijSxEIwkMf5blrkWLjNG8HvKKALk520-vANwDHXpTwLvAwpXltq7ZkYFDV47md2JWcyKMllPoRdf97Q/w400-h111/Columbus%20Day%20Indigeneous%20Peoples'%20Day.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><div>I am a fourth generation Italian America. My great-grandparents came to the United States from Italy and Sicily just after the turn of the twentieth century. They came to America from poverty to build a new life and that they did. I am proud of my heritage and I have passed it along to my children.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because of my background, one would think that I observe Columbus Day (as Christopher was from Genoa, Italy) and reject its replacement, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but that is not the case. Some have said that to replace Columbus Day is to erase history, but I believe the opposite is the case. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a recognition that there is much more to the story of America’s “discovery,” than Columbus accidently finding a new world looking for a better way to ship spices. As a Christian, whose Bible does not spare the faithful from the frailties and foibles of its central characters, so I believe the unsavory parts of American history should not be covered over or politely minimized.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://allanrbevere.substack.com/p/why-indigenous-peoples-day" target="_blank">Continue Reading>>></a></div>Allan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.com0