Melchizedek: Eternal Man of Mystery

August 29, 2011 in Theology with 2 Comments

Who is this Melchizedek guy, really?

Some people say Melchizedek was just a king with no special significance otherwise. Some people call him an angel. We discussed him as a type of Christ here, and others would say he (or, rather, He) is a pre-incarnate Christ.

I’m reading a new book, Has God Spoken?, and the author discusses the Dead Sea Scrolls. There is one, dubbed the “Melchizedek Scroll,” from Cave 11, that has interesting things to say about the mystery man.

It appears to substitute Melchizedek’s name for several references to God in the Psalms. Psalm 7 and 82 are mentioned, although specific verses/translations aren’t given. The book continues,

“Finally, the Melchizedek Scroll renders Isaiah 61:2, ‘the year of Melchizedek’s favor,’ as opposed to ‘the year of the LORD’s favor,’ again equating Melchizedek with the Almighty. ‘What the Melchizedek Scroll claims,’ says [Dr. Craig] Evans, ‘is simply astounding: Melchizedek is God himself!’”

What do you think? Who is this guy? An Old Testament foreshadow of Christ, or God Himself?

The First Creed

August 26, 2011 in Theology with 2 Comments

“I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. I believe in Jesus Christ …”

The Apostles’ Creed, can you do it? Lutherans, and recovering Lutherans, gimme an, “Amen.” I quit church when I was 13, but a decade later, when someone brought it up (and quoted the first line) I could recite the whole thing. Creeds are powerful things.

Did you know that one of the earliest Christian creeds is recorded in 1 Corinthians?

I started reading my new BookSneeze book, Has God Spoken?, a couple days ago. It’s an apologetic work, and a pretty good one so far, but this bit on 1 Corinthians 15 is pretty amazing:

“Oxford scholar and philosopher Dr. Terry Miethe concurs. Says Miethe, ‘Most New Testament scholars point out that one of the ways we know [15:3-8] is a creedal statement is that it appears to have been in a more primitive Aramaic, and it’s also in hymnic form. This means it was stylized Greek, non-Pauline words, and so on, which indicates that it predated Paul and was widely used, probably even used and recited in worship experiences as a form of worship or a song or a hymn or a creedal statement, and was there fore universally acknowledged.’”

What is 1 Corinthians 15:3-8?

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

“[6] After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. [7] After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. [8] Then last of off He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”

Before the New Testament was even written the Church had a statement – sung, chanted, recited, whatever – that declared Jesus’ death – and it’s purpose and prophecy, resurrection, and appearance to His followers. The thing was written, accepted, adopted and recited while those it referenced were still alive.

The author’s comments agree,

“It is mind-boggling to realize that Christianity can confidently point to a creed that some of the greatest scholars, theologians, philosophers, and historians have traced to within just three to eight years of Christ’s crucifixion.”

Pretty cool.

The Mindset List: 2015

August 25, 2011 in Student Ministry with 0 Comments

I get a kick out of this every year.

Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List, providing a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall. … it was originally created as a reminder to faculty to be aware of dated references, and quickly became a catalog of the rapidly changing worldview of each new generation.

Some highlights from this year’s list, which is here.

1. There has always been an Internet ramp onto the information highway.
2. Ferris Bueller and Sloane Peterson could be their parents.
5. There have always been at least two women on the Supreme Court, and women have always commanded U.S. Navy ships.
11. More Americans have always traveled to Latin America than to Europe.
16. Women have never been too old to have children.
19. We have never asked, and they have never had to tell.
21. They’ve always gone to school with Mohammed and Jesus.
37. Music has always been available via free downloads.
38. Grown-ups have always been arguing about health care policy.
63. They won’t go near a retailer that lacks a website.
71. Refugees and prisoners have always been housed by the U.S. government at Guantanamo.

Interesting stuff. What might it mean for those of us in ministry? Youth/student/college ministers specificaly?

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