Eddie Carranza Carranza itibaren Göktepe Köyü, 16980 Göktepe Köyü/Orhaneli/Bursa, Türkiye
Bryan's thesis/position is: "The Old Testament Sabbath is still binding but has undergone a transformation and been fulfilled in the Lord's Day, the Christian Sabbath." He defends his thesis primarily from Isaiah (and Mark). I don't have time to detail out his arguments. Suffice it to say, I do not see his conclusions as necessarily following from Isaiah (or Mark). Nor do I think he reasons cogently. The reality is that Scripture does not provide the clarity on this issue to come to Bryan's conclusions. The observations he makes on the text are keen and helpful, however. The way that he lives out the Sabbath is beautiful-- and challenging me to continue to rethink what I do as a father and what I should teach as a pastor on this subject. Lord help me. Most agree that the Sabbath did not originate with Mosaic Law, but was incorporated into it. Sabbath begins in Genesis 2 & Exodus 16. This important observation, however, does not require that the OT Sabbath is binding today. Bryan writes: "The people of God begin to celebrate the New Creation and the New Exodus on the day in which that reality was introduced. The Sabbath is changed from Saturday to Sunday, the day on which Christ rose from the dead and rested from his labors over the evil one." (40) As I see it, this sentence describes _a_ beautiful way to worship and feast on Sunday. It is not, however, clearly taught in Scripture. John Frame, in "The Doctrine of the Christian Life," implicitly acknowledges that this is not clearly taught in Scripture: "God, Jesus, and the apostles had warranted first-day worship, and, implicitly, a first-day Sabbath." (569) My conscience will not allow me to preach the view defended in this book. The Sabbath and 4th commandment are complex for the Christian. Bryan wants to avoid reductionism and legalism but I think he wades into it (see below). Competitive people can make backyard horseshoes or hoops into a win-or-die event. The solution is not to avoid league horseshoes/hoops, but to repent. Horseshoes and hoops, league or no league, can be done as worship or as idolatry, on any day of the week. Again, does the Bible clearly teach that we are to reserve the Lord's Day for fellowship only? Can a single/no-chidlren believer joyfully play on league team with a heart full of praise and a desire to win teammates to Christ? "It is important to distinguish between recreation and organized sports. The former are a joy to the Lord (Zech 8:4-5). Part of feasting is sporting about, enjoying the day, throwing the frisbee, sledding down the hill, shooting hoops, throwing horseshoes, playing tennis. It seems to me, however, that organized or league sports are decidedly different. In the former case, the recreation serves as a means of enjoying fellowship and feasting with the people of God. The focus can still be the Lord and his day. In the latter case, however, the sport has become the focus itself. No longer is it the means to the end, it is the end itself. While we may still get to church, the sense of reserving this day for the Lord and his people is gone. For my family, therefore, sports that include scheduled Sunday practices or games are out." (101-02)
it was a new view to world and us as people who live here
Gift from a good friend - i love it! very inspirational.
I read all of these poems out of order and it was amazing. Right now I'm stuck on the love poetry "Darling I never knew such loving", "Wedding poem for Shel and Phil", "The discovery of sex", and "There comes the strangest moment". But there are other hilarious poems as well. Garrison Keillor's intro is fascinating for those of us who have grown up with "A Prairie Home Companion" but never really known about the man behind the stories. On one level this is a collection of wonderful poems. Each is an individual whirling leaf in the storm, perfect and enlightening in a small way. As a singer I was struck by the similarity between poetry and music: each contains a single emotion, portrays a single situation and through that single image the reader or listening can draw broader conclusions. I don't know if there's anyway to post it, but I have made sound files of the above listed poems. In my mind poetry is meant to be read and heard for its full effect. On another level, this collection gives a subtle but true view of the Midwestern mind. I came away with an understanding of the Midwestern culture of quiet truth, a need for work, accepted humanity, a soul-level religion and purposely politics. The biggest image is action with purpose and an attachment to life and tradition.
Like her books. Enjoyed the set.