So, it’s nearly the end of January which means that we’re just a couple of weeks away from Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.
So, what are you going to be doing this Lent? Give up chocolate…again?! Don’t misunderstand me, fasting from treats is a good thing to do, but why not do something a little different this year?
With that in mind, why don’t you join me for Scripture study? Throughout Lent I will be posting videos on YouTube three times a week. Each video will be nice and short, enough time for you finish a nice cup of tea (or coffee, if that is your poison).
For an audio-only version of this video, please click here.
We’ll be working through St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians using the RSV-CE translation. More details to follow in the run-up to Ash Wednesday!
17. What books appear in the Bible after Acts of the Apostles?
The 9 epistles sent by St. Paul to different Christian communities.
18. How are these epistles arranged?
They are arranged roughly in order of length, from the longest to the shortest.
19. What are the names of the cities/communities to which Paul writes?
Romans (City of Rome)
1 & 2 Corinthians (City of Corinth)
Galatians (The region of Galatia)
Ephesians (City of Ephesus)
Philippians (City of Philippi)
Colossians (City of Colossae)
1 & 2 Thessalonians (City of Thessalonica)
20. From where did Paul write the epistle to the Philippians?
He wrote it from prison (or while under house arrest).
21. What city was he in most likely at the time?
Rome.
22. Why did Paul write his letter to the Philippians?
Paul’s primary purpose in writing this letter was to thank the Philippians for the “gift” they sent him (probably money), which they sent to him upon hearing of his incarceration.
23. Who probably delivered this letter for Paul?
A man by the name of “Epaphroditus”. This man was the emissary from the Philippian congregation. He was quite sick and near death during his time with Paul.
24. What are the main themes of the letter to the Philippians?
Joy, regardless of the circumstances, through Jesus Christ.
25. What Christian hymn does Paul quote in the letter in Chapter 2?
He quotes the song known as “The Carmen Christi” (Latin for “hymn of Christ”): “Though he was in the form of God…”
26. What is the main theme behind the letters to the Thessalonians?
Christ’s Second Coming.
27. What claim-to-fame do the Thessalonian letter have?
It was most likely the first piece of the New Testament to ever be written.
I’ll post some more answers tomorrow. Happy Lord’s Day!
I’m just about to start a new Bible study on the book of Philippians. This will be the third time I’ve done gone through that book of the Bible in a study group context. I’ve therefore decided that it’s finally time to tidy up my commentary in the Scripture section of this site.
So far I’ve completed the Introduction and Background sections. I should have finished the remaining sections by the end of the month. I have a few plans for this area of the site in July. Watch this space…
Those of you who know me will know that I’m someone who is not a very “Christmas-y” sort of person…
Why?
Well, it’s probably partly because all my childhood recollections of school between September to January are dominated by memories of interminable carol rehearsals! I hate shopping at all times of the year, but especially during the Christmas rush. I hate picking up pine needles and I think fake trees are, well, fake. I don’t like the dark or cold which I usually associate with Christmas. I always look forward to the extraordinary liturgy of the Church at Easter, but at Christmas it is largely unchanged. And finally, nothing annoys me more than the saccharin-coated cheeriness which seems to be induced in people every December.
When reading any book of the Bible we must first talk about its literary genre. What kind of writing is it? Is it apocalyptic? Is it poetry? Is it historical? The literary genre to which a document belongs affects how we understand it.
If we get the literary genre wrong, it is extremely likely that our interpretation will be faulty. Therefore, when we are looking at a book of the Bible which is an epistle i.e. a piece of correspondence, we must read it as such. It is also extremely helpful when reading a biblical epistle to first examine the conventions of letter writing at the time of the Apostles.
A friend recently asked that we should study the First Epistle of St. Peter together. Since I’ve had to explain the mechanics of ancient letters a few times now, I’ve decided to devote a blog entry to the subject so that I can easily refer to it in future 😀
(There is a technical difference between an “epistle” and a “letter”…
but we’ll ignore that distinction in this post)
Snooping on Mail
To see the structure of ancient letters more clearly, let’s examine a short letter written by a Pagan in approximately AD 150:
Apion sends heartiest greets to his father and lord Epimachus.
I pray above all that you are well and fit; and that things are going well with you and my sister and her daughter and my brother.
I thank my Lord Serapis that he kept me safe when I was in peril on the sea.
As soon as I got to Misenum I got my journey money from Caesar – three goldpieces. And things are going fine with me. So I beg you, my dear father, send me a line, first to let me know how you are, and then about my brothers, and thirdly, that I may kiss your hand because you brought me up well, and because of that I hope, God willing, soon to be promoted.
Give Capito my heartiest greetings, and my brothers and Serenilla and my friends. I sent you a little picture of myself painted by Euctemon. My military name is Antonius Maximus. I pray for your good health. Serenus sends good wishes, Agathos Daimon’s boy, and Burbo, Gallonius’ son.
Deconstructing Apion
There are several distinct features in this letter:
1. Greeting. The author first identifies himself (“Apion”) and then identifies to whom he is writing (his father “Epimachus”):
Apion sends heartiest greets to his father and lord Epimachus.
2. Prayer. The author prays for the health and well-being of the recipients (his father, siblings and niece):
I pray above all that you are well and fit; and that things are going well with you and my sister and her daughter and my brother.
3. Thanksgiving. The author gives thanks to his god (“Serapis”):
I thank my Lord Serapis that he kept me safe when I was in peril on the sea.
4. Body. There is then the main contents of the letter. He speaks a little bit about military life and expresses gratitude to his father.
As soon as I got to Misenum I got my journey money from Caesar – three goldpieces. And things are going fine with me. So I beg you, my dear father, send me a line, first to let me know how you are, and then about my brothers, and thirdly, that I may kiss your hand because you brought me up well, and because of that I hope, God willing, soon to be promoted…
5. Personal greetings. The author asks that his greetings be conveyed to some other people. Finally, he sends greetings from those who are with him.
Give Capito my heartiest greetings, and my brothers and Serenilla and my friends...Serenus sends good wishes, Agathos Daimon’s boy, and Burbo, Gallonius’ son
Sorry it’s a bit late this week – I had two bigposts that I wanted to write at the weekend and I kinda ran out of time… :-/
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 2nd, 2011
Last week we heard Jesus’ parable of the two sons and the vineyard. The Readings this week also focus around the image of the vineyard…
The bold refrain of the psalm this week is “The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel”. In our First Reading this image of the vineyard is used to describe how God gave Israel every possible blessing, yet all these graces were scorned. For this, Israel will have to pay the price. Yet, in our Gospel we hear how, through the rejection of Christ, the Gentiles come to have a share in God’s Kingdom.
For this week’s Readings I would suggest reading the Psalm first since it clearly establishes the metaphor of the vineyard and explains Israel’s exodus in those terms. I would then move on to the First Reading to hear how this metaphor is also used to describe God’s coming judgement. Next, I would read the Gospel as it shows how Jesus uses this familiar image to predicts His own death. I would optionally conclude with the Second Reading.
So, it’s nearly the end of January which means that we’re just a couple of weeks away from Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.
Those of you who know me will know that I’m someone who is not a very “Christmas-y” sort of person…
When reading any book of the Bible we must first talk about its literary genre. What kind of writing is it? Is it apocalyptic? Is it poetry? Is it historical? The literary genre to which a document belongs affects how we understand it.