1 Samuel 15:29, Does God Change His Mind?
“And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.”
//A recent comment was made on an online forum that Calvinism must somehow overcome the stories in the Bible where God changes his mind. Today’s verse came to mind as I contemplated this. God has promised to remove Saul as king over Israel, and Saul pleads with the prophet Samuel, asking if God will relent. Samuel says nope, God is not a man, that he should ever relent.
The curious thing about this verse is it is bookended by two other verses, in the same chapter about the same topic, that indicate God can have a change of heart! Indeed, God relented of awarding Saul the kingship in the first place, and that’s what brought about Saul’s punishment!
Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” (verses 10-11)
Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel. (verse 35)
Another well-known example of God changing his mind is in Genesis, chapter 6, where it grieves God that he made mankind and he decides to drown everybody in a flood. A third example resides in Exodus, chapter 32, where Moses pleads with God not to destroy his people for their unfaithfulness. God relents. Several other examples exist in scripture, where, apparently, God can swerve toward punishment or swerve toward leniency.
So why did Samuel tell Saul that God doesn’t relent? Samuel probably had just had enough of Saul and didn’t feel like sticking up for him.
Book review: The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life
by Emmet Fox
★★★★
I guess I blew it with the timing of this review. This is a beautiful hardbound reprint of a 1934 classic, clearly meant as a gift option. The publication timing of November 2012 hints of a Christmas gift. Did any of you get Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift certificates for Christmas? My apologies, HarperOne, for not jumping on this sooner, to get the word out.
Let’s start with the dirt on Emmet Fox (1886-1951). He was a spiritual teacher, and served as minister of the Divine Science church in New York during the depression years. “Divine Science” is a New Thought branch, which appears to me to be a watered down version of Christian Science. An emphasis on healing remains, focusing on prayer and positive thinking, but with a little more room for the medical profession to step in where needed. At least, that’s my take.
Fox’s work here on “The Sermon on the Mount” became popular with Alcoholics Anonymous, though it seems to me a bit more ethereal than many current-day A.A. attendees would appreciate. Subtitles abound for this work: not only is this book (and Jesus’ sermon) the “key to success in life,” it is “the timeless manual on the power of positive thinking” and “the classic manual for harmonious living.” You aren’t going to get converted to orthodox Christianity by Fox–“all the doctrines and theologies of the churches are human inventions built up by their authors out of their own mentalities, and foisted upon the Bible from the outside”–but Fox’s appreciation for Jesus still shines. “Higher Critics” are missing the point of the Bible, for it is but a spiritual treatise. As such, you must learn new meanings for many of the words in the Bible: “prosperity,” “earth,” “heaven,” “heart,” these don’t mean what you think they mean.
The great Law of the Universe is this: what you think in your mind you will produce in your experience. Lovers of The Secret will also love Emmet Fox, especially if you have a love also for Jesus, the Master Metaphysician.
Luke 2:25-32, The Lord’s Messiah
The Holy Spirit was upon [Simeon] and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.
I have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
Jeremiah 10:3-4, Are Christmas Trees Taboo?
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
//I see this verse quoted every Christmas, by well-meaning Christians concerned about the evil of setting up a Christmas tree. The Bible itself even seems to argue against having a Christmas tree. Jeremiah, quoting the commandment of God, seems to say “quit cutting down my trees and adorning them with jewels.”
Puritans wishing to avoid all semblance of pagan influence on their celebration of Christ’s birth may indeed have their arguments against Christmas trees, but the Bible isn’t one of them. Context is everything.
Jeremiah’s concern was not with the tree, but with what the nations around Israel were making out of them. They were chiseling them into gods and overlaying them with gold and silver. They were nailing them down so they didn’t topple over while they worshipped them.
Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.
Matthew 9:20, Healing Power in the Tassels
And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”
//In today’s verse, a woman braves the crowd to reach out and touch Jesus’ garment, hoping to be cured.
Unless one is specifically looking for it, many subtleties of the New Testament go unnoticed. It almost seems sometimes like there is a contest between the Gospel writers to see who can provide the most creative hints about Jesus’ messiahship.
Take today’s verse. This subject begins way back in Numbers 15, where God tells his people to attach tassels to the corners of their garments. To this day, many Jews still wear a prayer shawl in respect for this text. Then we come to this promise by the prophet Malachi:
But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings –Malachi 4:2
The word “wings,” in Hebrew, is kanef … the very word used in Numbers to indicate the edges of the garment. Thus from this verse a legend grew that when the Messiah came, there would be healing powers in the tassels of his clothing.
So when the woman of today’s verse clasps the base of Jesus’ garment to be healed, she is publicly demonstrating her belief that he is the promised Messiah.
Book review: The Gay Disciple
by John Henson
★★★★★
I enjoyed this one! This is fiction, building upon the story of several notable but sketchy characters in the New Testament. Henson modernizes the names and nicknames of his characters (Jim for James, Rocky for Peter), which added to the enjoyment for me. I found myself embracing the puzzle of figuring out who the characters were in the Bible.
All characters tell their story in first person, beginning with Lazarus, the man whom Jesus raised from the tomb. Lazarus is presumed to be the “Beloved Disciple” of John’s Gospel, a conclusion Henson considers “undoubtedly” true, and that the Gospel writer “could hardly have made any more clear.” Henson shares this opinion with other recent scholars, including Ben Witherington (see Revelation, The New Cambridge Bible Commentary) and a fascinating book by James David Audlin that I’ll be reviewing soon. In my own book about John’s Gospel, I also tie Lazarus to the Beloved Disciple, so I am sympathetic to the arguments.
Henson goes a step further with Lazarus. Who is this grown man, greatly loved by Jesus, living with his two sisters on a large estate? Speculation helps fill any void, so Henson makes him gay, and Henson’s lessons through his semi-fictional characters are not exactly subtle. Jesus and Lazarus soon embrace, a bit more intimately than one might expect. But is this inappropriate topic matter, or uncomfortable for Christian readers? The Beloved Disciple, you recall, reclines on the breast of Jesus at the Last Supper. Says Lazarus, as he bemoans not being able to tell his story, “Maybe for my lifetime, maybe for many hundreds or even thousands of years, my story would be taboo, until that day came when Christians would no longer be afraid of love. I wanted to tug at John’s sleeve, ‘Tell them how beautiful [Jesus] looked! Tell them about his glistening hair, his twinkling eyes and his hairy chest!'”
As it turns out, nowhere in the book is Jesus portrayed as gay; only that Jesus feels no discomfort at sharing a physical closeness with Lazarus, the same as he does with any disciple, male or female. Jesus’ favoritism toward Lazarus exists (at least in Lazarus’s mind), but is actively tempered.
From Lazarus, we move on to several more characters, and I won’t spoil your enjoyment by listing them. I’ll just say the book got better and better for me as it went. If there is a common theme surrounding Henson’s choice of characters, it’s that each feels marginalized or unsettled before meeting Jesus. This is not an evangelical book, merely a book about the atmosphere Jesus brought to all he came in contact with. It certainly doesn’t solve life’s problems or explain all the mysteries of what happened in the first century. But at the same time, this book won’t be quickly forgotten.
Matthew 16:18, The Gates of Hell
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
//Jesus’ endorsement of Peter, here, carries a lot more meaning than one might understand from a cursory reading. As with so much of the scripture, first-century context is critical.
Jesus is leading his disciples through Caesarea Philippi as he makes this statement. The home of Pan, the goat god. You can visit the site of Pan’s monstrous altar-in-a-cliff even today, and see the huge crack in the rock there, known as the Gates of Hell.
Upon this rock will I build my church. Peter’s name, of course, means “rock,” and Jesus is using a play on words to emphasize both a pagan cliff and the name of his chosen leader. Whether he refers primarily to Peter or to the cliff face is arguable, but one thing is clear: the context of the gates of hell cannot be ignored. Could Jesus be hinting that the foundation of God’s reign is moving not only from the priests to simple fishermen, but also from Jerusalem to Gentile lands?
John 18:28, Is the Bible Inerrant?
Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
//I’ve discussed this verse before, and the way John’s Gospel seems to contradict the other three regarding the date of Jesus’ death. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus dies after the Passover. In John, as evidenced by this verse (he dies that very afternoon), the crucifixion occurs before the Passover.
This seeming contradiction concerns many, who propose odd ways around it, hoping to keep the scripture intact. But should it worry us? I don’t think so. Let me explain with a current-day example.
Suppose little Johnny and Suzie are reminiscing about last year’s Christmas in their home. Johnny says Santa arrived with presents before midnight. Suzie insists he came after midnight. Is there a contradiction, here?
Maybe not. Maybe there is some way to reconcile the two stories, so that neither is mistaken. But now let’s add a twist, when it will be clear that we’re missing the point.
Did you know Santa brings all the fun toys before midnight? He brings boring stuff, like clothes, after midnight, once all the good stuff runs out. Suddenly, it’s not about what the clock says anymore, is it? It’s about a deeper meaning. It’s about Suzie hoping Christmas turns out to be more fun this year.
Likewise with John’s Gospel. John’s timing of when Jesus dies is because the way he remembers Jesus is as God’s Paschal lamb. In John’s story, Jesus dies while the other lambs are dying in the Temple. But this idea never crossed the minds of Matthew, Mark or Luke, who never once mention Jesus as a lamb.
So is the Bible inerrant? Does a contradiction exist? Or do we just have two different ways of remembering Jesus?
Book review: The Meaning of the Bible
by Douglas A. Knight and Amy Jill Levine
★★★★★
Fascinating reading! Definitely a book that will be on my top-10 list this year. It took me forever to get through it, simply because there is so much information. I might have worn out a highlighter on this one.
You may have read Law, Power, and Justice in Ancient Israel by Knight a year ago. I reviewed Levine’s book, The Misunderstood Jew, last year: see http://www.dubiousdisciple.com/2011/09/book-review-the-misunderstood-jew.html These are two very knowledgeable and interesting scholars, who have now collaborated on a new project.
The focus is on the Old Testament (the Jewish scriptures), and the Jewish flavor is evident. Be forewarned: it’s a liberal treatment, perhaps unappreciated by conservative Christians. Be aware also that it doesn’t provide the meaning of the Bible, as if any one such meaning can be discerned from so diverse a collection of writings and opinionated Bible authors. But if the world of the Bible fascinates you—from its political atmosphere, to its social and cultural aspects, to the battle for authority between the northern and southern kingdoms, to the hope and hopelessness of dispersion and captivity—this book won’t disappoint. An incredibly rich history awaits, as you journey into the power struggles between kings and prophets and Deuteronomists, and the religious atmosphere pervading it all. Bible times were certainly not an era of separation between church and state.
In four parts, Knight and Levine discuss the development of the Bible from many different angles, including:
1. Ancient Israel and the settlement of Palestine.
2. Law and Justice in Israel and the Diaspora
3. Respect and understanding of the Divine, including the temple cult.
4. Emerging politics, economy, sexuality, and what it means to be a “chosen people.”
5. Wisdom literature, including the theodicy of Job
Sounds dry, doesn’t it? Not even a little. Knight and Levine may not deliver on their promise to explain the meaning of the Bible, but they certainly bring the Bible alive … and yet reach a melancholy conclusion: the Bible is not a book of answers, but of questions.
Luke 3:23, The Two Genealogies of Jesus
Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli.
//So begins the genealogy of Jesus, according to Luke’s Gospel. Matthew’s Gospel traces an entirely different genealogy, claiming the father of Joseph to be Jacob (instead of Heli) and going in a completely different direction.
These two genealogies have been endlessly discussed, with explanations for the differences provided by both liberals and conservatives. Both genealogies, of course, converge at King David, though Matthew traces his genealogy through David’s son Solomon and Luke contradicts this to say it was instead through David’s son Nathan.
Why two different parental lines? And why aren’t conservative Christians more distressed about this obvious contradiction? Let me call your attention to the phrase “so it was thought,” in today’s verse. This, according to some, provides an explanation for why Luke went a different direction: Luke must have been tracing Jesus’ lineage through his mother, Mary, instead of his “supposed” father, Joseph. The claim, in this case, is that Luke recognized Joseph not as the son of Heli but as the son-in-law. Heli was presumably Mary’s dad.
Matthew wrote first, and it’s possible that Luke purposefully corrected Matthew. Why would Luke do this? Because Matthew’s genealogy contains a serious problem, as I’ve pointed out on this blog before. Matthew traces his genealogy through a man named Jeconiah—a man God cursed, promising that no descendant of his would ever sit on the throne of David (see Jeremiah 22:30). Perhaps Luke could not stomach this problem, and made a point of noting that Joseph was not the true father (Jesus being born instead of a virgin), but traced Jesus’ lineage through Mary, instead? Happily, it still traces back to King David.
What do you think? Does this explain the difference in genealogy? I remain skeptical. If Luke meant to trace Jesus’ genealogy through Mary, why didn’t he just say so? Still, I do admit the logic in thinking this way.
Fantasy Football, Anyone?
Put on the whole uniform of the Team, that ye may be able to stand against the blitz of oncoming linebackers. Don the hip pads of truth, the shoulder pads of righteousness, the cleats of preparation. Don’t forget the facemask of faith and the helmet of salvation. Then clutch the pigskin with much Spirit, for that is what the Play Book of your Coach in Heaven demands.The River of Life
Twice before Lee Harmon has written about Christian topics, once on the gospel of John and once on the book of Revelation. But the question people keep asking him is this: As a liberal Christian, why do you care so much about the Bible? Others wonder whether he is truly a Christian at all.
The Way It Happened
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| Revelation: A love story gone awry. | The Gospel: A love story set aright. |
What really happened 2,000 years ago? How did a persecuted minority of end-time believers known as Christians, with their dreams of Armageddon and a conquering Messiah named Jesus, evolve into the largest religion in the world? Author Lee Harmon explores the period in which the New Testament was written in his books about John's Gospel and Revelation.
(Bloggers: you may be eligible for a free review copy! Just contact us.)
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Lee Harmon interviewed on The God Show about the History Channel's miniseries The Bible and Lee's latest book, John's Gospel: The Way It Happened.
About Lee
Hello! I'm an author, historical Jesus scholar, book reviewer, and liberal Christian, which means I appreciate and attempt to exercise the humanitarian teachings of Jesus without getting hung up on any particular supernatural or religious beliefs.
The Bible is a magnificent book that has inspired and spiritually fed generations for thousands of years, and each new century seems to bring a deeper understanding of life’s purpose. This is true of not only Christianity; through the years, our age-old religions are slowly transforming from superstitious rituals into humanitarian philosophies. In short, we are growing up, and I am thrilled to be riding the wave.
I avidly read all thought-provoking religion titles. New authors: I'd love to read and review your book!
Contact me here.
About Leslie
Hi! While Lee writes the articles and reviews the books, I edit, organize, and maintain the blog. The views expressed here are Lee's but I'm his biggest supporter! :-)
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