Hi Larry and all. First I would dispute that definition of the Greek pharmakeia. According to the Greek-English Lexicon by Gingrich, Arndt, Danker and Baur, it and its related words refer to sorcery and magic, specifically dealing with poisons and potions, and as a less-common usage, medicine and remedies.
Secondly, I can't help but wonder why Santa Claus and contraception are being so thoroughly discussed here. They are not current issues. Is there some other topic behind this?
For fun I've been reading the Cadfael Chronicles, a series of about 20 books by author Ellis Peters, historical murder mysteries about a 12th-century Benedictine monk who solves murders. I've read 16 of them so far. They are fairly short, somewhat predictable at times, but well written, insightful and interesting, often touching on theological and moral issues.
This quote "What happens if you eliminate anything from the Bible that offends your sensibility and crosses your will? If you pick and choose what you want to believe and reject the rest,..." begs the question: don't we do that all the time? Of course, we use sophisticated theological and hermeneutical gymnastics to rationalize it (especially the way we dissect the Old Testament) and it all comes out sounding plausible, unless we are willing to ask the tough questions, read and consider those passages that we have buried. So to pretend we don't pick and choose is patently false.
How children are chosen: I am pretty sure that it is the local school director that makes that decision. I am the CRWM consultant to COCREF here, but I don't handle all the information. Since the funding is coming through WWCS directly to COCREF, I am not in the pipeline.
One of my hopes is that there will be a more unified effort from the CRCNA in regards to Haiti. As congregations gain appreciation for the excellent work being done through the CRCNA agencies in Haiti, they will be motivated to join and support those efforts, instead of going it on their own or dispersing the efforts in a myriad of other channels. There are so many Christian as well as non-evangelical programs in Haiti, most of them doing good work. But as a denomination, I think we should focus our efforts, like a sports team unifies for a common goal, or like an army that focuses on one goal. On a baseball team, for example, each player fulfills his role in his own position and during his turn at bat, and has to concentrate on doing his own job well. But each one has to do that a part of a team. Imagine if the pitcher decided to start throwing the ball into the outfield! Or if each batter only tried to hit home runs? (hmm, that does seem to happen sometimes). There is also a principle in warfare, in which the maximum available force is brought to bear on one objective if an attack is to be successful, and every good general knows not to disperse forces too much or squander them in small operations.
So it should be in our denomination: instead of many dispersed and diluted efforts by individuals and congregations, the best way for us to approach Haiti now is with the whole denomination, including all individuals and congregations, pulling together in support of our denominational agencies that are already there and doing a great job. So I mean to say that nobody should do anything else? No, but that the primary efforts be made in unison.
Steve Brauning
Christian Reformed World Missions
Dominican Republic
Thanks for this powerful, insightful and touching report. What is hard to assimilate is that this is happening in Brazil. it's happening in Darien, Panama. It's happening in Tapachulo, Mexico. It's happening in Pedernales, Dominican Republic. Etc. Etc. Etc. Much to pray for, much to work for.
Posted in: What Books Are You Currently Reading?
"The Road from Eden: Studies in Christianity and Culture" by John Barber
and
"The Creators" by Daniel Boorstin
Interesting insight into faith and culture.
Posted in: Santa Claus, Contraception, and the CRCNA (Part 2)
Hi Larry and all. First I would dispute that definition of the Greek pharmakeia. According to the Greek-English Lexicon by Gingrich, Arndt, Danker and Baur, it and its related words refer to sorcery and magic, specifically dealing with poisons and potions, and as a less-common usage, medicine and remedies.
Secondly, I can't help but wonder why Santa Claus and contraception are being so thoroughly discussed here. They are not current issues. Is there some other topic behind this?
Steve
Posted in: What Books Are You Reading in 2020?
For fun I've been reading the Cadfael Chronicles, a series of about 20 books by author Ellis Peters, historical murder mysteries about a 12th-century Benedictine monk who solves murders. I've read 16 of them so far. They are fairly short, somewhat predictable at times, but well written, insightful and interesting, often touching on theological and moral issues.
Posted in: Where Do You Live? Say Hi Below!
Happy New Year to all from Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic!
Posted in: Five Things to Know About Kinism
The CRCNA should reveal who this pastor was and what church.
Posted in: When God Offends
This quote "What happens if you eliminate anything from the Bible that offends your sensibility and crosses your will? If you pick and choose what you want to believe and reject the rest,..." begs the question: don't we do that all the time? Of course, we use sophisticated theological and hermeneutical gymnastics to rationalize it (especially the way we dissect the Old Testament) and it all comes out sounding plausible, unless we are willing to ask the tough questions, read and consider those passages that we have buried. So to pretend we don't pick and choose is patently false.
Posted in: Discussion Starter: Child Sponsorship
How children are chosen: I am pretty sure that it is the local school director that makes that decision. I am the CRWM consultant to COCREF here, but I don't handle all the information. Since the funding is coming through WWCS directly to COCREF, I am not in the pipeline.
Steve Brauning
CRWM, Santo Domingo
Posted in: Haiti: Earthquake and Beyond
One of my hopes is that there will be a more unified effort from the CRCNA in regards to Haiti. As congregations gain appreciation for the excellent work being done through the CRCNA agencies in Haiti, they will be motivated to join and support those efforts, instead of going it on their own or dispersing the efforts in a myriad of other channels. There are so many Christian as well as non-evangelical programs in Haiti, most of them doing good work. But as a denomination, I think we should focus our efforts, like a sports team unifies for a common goal, or like an army that focuses on one goal. On a baseball team, for example, each player fulfills his role in his own position and during his turn at bat, and has to concentrate on doing his own job well. But each one has to do that a part of a team. Imagine if the pitcher decided to start throwing the ball into the outfield! Or if each batter only tried to hit home runs? (hmm, that does seem to happen sometimes). There is also a principle in warfare, in which the maximum available force is brought to bear on one objective if an attack is to be successful, and every good general knows not to disperse forces too much or squander them in small operations.
So it should be in our denomination: instead of many dispersed and diluted efforts by individuals and congregations, the best way for us to approach Haiti now is with the whole denomination, including all individuals and congregations, pulling together in support of our denominational agencies that are already there and doing a great job. So I mean to say that nobody should do anything else? No, but that the primary efforts be made in unison.
Steve Brauning
Christian Reformed World Missions
Dominican Republic
Posted in: The Hope and Heartbreak I Encountered at the US-Mexico Border
Thanks for this powerful, insightful and touching report. What is hard to assimilate is that this is happening in Brazil. it's happening in Darien, Panama. It's happening in Tapachulo, Mexico. It's happening in Pedernales, Dominican Republic. Etc. Etc. Etc. Much to pray for, much to work for.