The Last of the Mohicans
J. Fenimore Cooper
Purnell and sons Ltd
Printed by Dean & Sons
This is an old book, but nevertheless and fantastic story. It is set in the Americas, where the French and British are in dispute over various territories. The local red-Indian tribes have moved from their traditional hunting grounds, either because they have to, or to follow their new masters.
We start out with a simple journey; two young women are to be escorted home through difficult territory by a young Major. He has an Indian guide, but the guide is not all he appears. The journey is not completed, and the adventure begins. Without ruining the story I can say that they do not all get home safely – the story is too realistic for that. Friendships are made, savages prove to be both savage, and civilised (though the book does not admit so much, it is implied in many scenes), and the white man is not shown in too bad a light. There is plenty of action, particularly towards the end, when war breaks out.
It’s the characterisations that make a story, and these are all real people, but remember that the language is old, and sometimes difficult to penetrate. Each chapter starts with a short quote, often from Shakespeare, which I assume is suppose to set the scene, as in the introductions to chapters in some books that start “In which our hero …”. For me this didn’t work, perhaps it was the language, or perhaps it was my lack of knowledge of the classics. I’d recommend an up-to-date version if you’re going to read it.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Four Gospels, One Jesus?
Four Gospels, One Jesus?
Richard A. Burridge
SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
ISBN:0281047804
Another level, to help you get closer to the real person
How do you read the Bible? I think it can be read in a number of ways, too often we read it just as a reference book, which is not the way it was intended of course. When we study the Bible, we look at all the information we can get to find the context for the stories we're reading about. We try to understand what life was like in Jesus lifetime, we look at who wrote the gospels and when. All this is to help us to get a better understanding of the one Jesus that we a so concerned about learning about and from.
Jesus was a real person, so what was he like? There are some things that we can get from the texts we read. Even a superficial reading will give the impression that Jesus was clearly a charismatic teacher, ans someone who is not afraid of confrontation. I should add that he was also a Jew, with some amazing gifts, who made some astonishing claims. Quite quickly we arrive at the “God, mad or bad?” question, which tells us that Jesus is someone who is difficult to ignore.
To find out more we read the Gospels more carefully and try to understand who the author was, who he was writing for, and where he got his material. That gets us a little closer, but from the texts we still struggle with some of the apparent contradictions. Why are there four accounts? Are they just accounts from different reporters? Can we assume that these 'eye-witness accounts' suffer from the same problems as modern eye-witness accounts? Does that account for the differences? Did it all really happen?
If you're still with me, then you should read Four Gospels – One Jesus. The approach here is to try not only to understand some of the answers to the questions above, but also to understand how early Christian writers and their contemporaries wrote biographies. The approach they use is not the same as 20th Century writers. Each Gospel is examined for its main theme using characterizations from the early church as a base. For example, in Mark, Jesus is a Lion; In John an Eagle. The use of these images is carefully explained, and can be a helpful way of remembering the main themes. For those who are familiar with Lord of the rings, Tolkein is referenced often, sometimes this is a strain, as in the description of the eagles who rescue Frodo and Sam from the mountain. In John, Jesus the Eagle is not under the command of anyone, but G... is clearly being directed by Gandalf, so the analogy breaks down too early.
Overall, this is a helpful book if you are really trying to get closer to the character of Jesus. It generally has an easy style, and is thought provoking, without getting too technical. If, like me, you finish the chapter on John, and ask “How are we ever going to get back to one Jesus now?”, then just read on.
Here are some links that might help:
Reign of Terror, Reign of Love
Reign of Terror - Reign of Love
Kefa Sempangi
A first hand account of life and death in Amin's Uganda
An Aslan Lion Paperback ISBN 0 86548 192 0 - First UK edition 1979.
Have you ever had a book scream "READ ME!" every time you walk past it? I bought this one ages ago, at a book sale somewhere, because the back cover starts "There were five of them, they stood between me and the door of the church vestry, pointing their rifles at my face." The author obviously survived because he wrote the book and I just love stories that show Gods power. It turned up while I was browsing through the book cabinet, and sat on top of the pile waiting to be read.
These stories are often moving and challenging, so I don’t always read them on the train. This one took my mind off having to stand for forty or more minutes.
As the book opens Kefa Sempangi is a professor at the Makerere University in Uganda and is also a leader of the Revival Fellowship. The mood is positive after the overthrow of Obote. We follow Kefa, his church and the developing situation in Uganda. Kefa starts a home for destitute children, and learns from God that he cannot save every one. Jesus says "Kefa, you are not the Messiah. You are not in charge of my vineyard. You are only one small worker …. This is the child I want you to take".
The church achieves amazing growth through the belief and dedication of its leaders. The leadership holds all night prayer meetings to resolve their problems, and seek Gods direction. It must leave them tired the next day, but there are never any complaints. Their commitment was my first challenge. As problems start with Amin’s assassins Kefa does not know how to pray for the children who have witnessed the massacre of their family, so he simply reads them John Gospel. The child is healed. There are many other healing, dramatic escapes from the assassins, victories over witch craft, and unexpected conversions as the church and Kefa grow. God is also seen to teach them in unexpected ways. In the middle of a crisis a woman asks them to pray because she needs a bed. Kefa is annoyed with her, agrees and sends her away. Next week she is back, praising Jesus excitedly – she has a bed. Kefa is more annoyed and tries to keep her quiet. From this he learns that "A religion is true if it works, if it meets all the needs of the people". My second challenge is to understand what this means for us 2001.
The story of Kefa’s escape from Amin is too good to tell here, so I’m keeping it for a talk at some time, unless of course you all read the book!!
My biggest challenge was early in the book, where there is a description of their confession. Kefa finds it a difficult experience, confessing all his "personal jealousies" and other very private sins. One of the other elders explains that when they hear confession (it happens in a group!), it is not the sins that they hear, but Jesus power of forgiveness. They seem to derive enormous power from Jesus’ forgiveness. That seems to me to be a part of Christianity that we are missing.
Pete Fisher 10/1/01
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
John 21:15-25
Outline
Preparation
Request that some sheep are made - from cotton wool, and straws.
Background
Start with video clip from Miracle maker to give background – Peter's denial of Jesus (1:05:00-1:07:20)
Reading. John 21:15-25
stand for Gospel
Introduction
Simon says – as a game- but in reverse – so Don't do what Simon says.
Prayer
Look at Peter
What had happened to get Peter here?
his background
the 'school bully situation' [slide 3]
Declared love for Jesus – everyone else may leave you I won't
Defended Jesus – inappropriately (sword incident)
John 18:10
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
Denied Jesus – three times.
What did we see last week?
Disciples, at Simon's direction had returned to previous profession – fishing, and failed.
John spots Jesus on the shore
Peter :“It is the Lord” – diving and swimming to Shore
Motivations?
A chance to put things right?
Pure excitement?
Love?
What's in a name?
“Simon son of John”
Where has Peter gone? Simon was renamed Peter in John 1:42
Jesus looked at him {Simon} and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter [ Both Cephas (Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) mean rock.] ).
From then on John refers to Simon as either Peter, or more often Simon Peter until now.
Today's conversation:
[slide 4]
1)
Do you truly love me more than these?
Boats & nets, or disciples – disciples – refer to the claim
You know I love you
Weak, guarded response
Feed my Lambs
[get some lambs]
Only the young ones – an important start
2)
Do you truly love me?
No confusion – Just Jesus
You know I love you
Weak, guarded response
Take care of my sheep
[get some sheep]
Peter is asked to be a shepherd. To look after the welfare of the sheep
3)
Do you love me?
Is there any love you can show in your response
You know all things – you know that I love you
Response from the hurt caused by the first reasonable question.
Feed my sheep
[get some people]
Finally the whole job is back, and Peter is back.
What's been going on? - Some thoughts
How have thing changed over the course of the conversation?
Questions, Commands , Responses
Jesus
Questions [slide 4 overlay 1]
Get easier – From detailed strong specifics – “truly love” and “more than these” to simply “love” - which of course is all that any of us are asked to do.
Commands [slide 4 overlay 2]
(or opportunities) get harder / more extensive
from “Lambs” to “Sheep”. And finally there's the prediction of what's going to happen, which mirrors Peter declaration.
Peter [slide 4 overlay 3]
Peters answers change very little, but do go from being self centred towards being God centred. Some commentators believe the answers show that Peter has already learnt his lessons, centring on what Jesus knows, rather than what he himself feels – then the final answer just extends this. However, what happens next shows that Peter, is still Peter – and has a long way to go. What Peter shows throughout these three questions is that he really wants this, that's why he's prepared to go through the questions – to put right, if he can, his previous failure.
If you really want something, you'll do whatever it takes to get it What do you really want:
15 Minutes of Fame:
The Word – I'd do anything to get on television – Sitting in baths of snakes, or worms.
Fame academy – queue for hours, and have some professionals be really rude to you – possibly all for nothing. Is it worth the risk, are you really going to get chosen from all those thousands of people.
Big Brother – live for twelve weeks with a group of people who've been chosen for their incompatibility. Perhaps you'd prefer to live in a real version of the “Truman Show”.
The Marathon – all that training, in all weathers, working up from 5 miles to 25 miles slowly, painfully ...you must really want it
Chocolate – what would you do for a bar? - Lets find out ---
Jumping
Running
Hand stand?
Sit quietly ---
[give out chocolate]
How de we know what we want?
Ask yourself the question “What would you be prepared to give up to get whatever it is?”
Your answer might include Chocolate, or it might be more – your home, your friends, your family, your religion, your Life
Remember the parables Jesus told – the treasure hidden in a field, and the extremely valuable pearl.
Paul said:Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
“What would you be prepared to give up to know Jesus better?”
“What would you be prepared to give up so that others can know Jesus better?”
Mission will bring changes to the Church – one way or another.
Peter had been prepared to give up his life for Jesus, and now Jesus predicts that that is exactly what he will do, but that it will not be in the way that he had expected.
Peter's Error
From understanding to error – it happens every time we see Peter:
Transfiguration
Luke 9:29-33 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
You are the son of God --> to Get behind me Satan
Mark 8:29-33 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”
Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Its his way, and its repeated here, but Jesus turns the attention back on to Peter – “What is that to you – you must follow me”
Exchange ends with You must follow me
What does it mean for us to Follow Jesus?
Try these:
Three Dumb Hunters
Three idiots decide to go hunting. The first one says he's going to get a buck. He goes out, and indeed comes back with a buck. The other two hunters ask how he did it. He says, "I see tracks. I follow tracks. I get buck."
So the second hunter says that he's going to get a doe. And he does. They ask him how he did it, and he says, "I see tracks. I follow tracks. I get doe."
So the third hunter says, "I'm just gonna shoot at anything I see."
So he goes out and comes back half a day later all beaten, bruised, bloody, and totally trashed. The other two hunters ask him what happened and he says, "I see tracks. I follow tracks. I get hit by train!"
Perhaps thats not the right way?
Someone called Robert Leighton said:
The flower that follows the sun does so even on cloudy days.
[pause]
The flower that follows the sun does so even on cloudy days.
Peter certainly had plenty of cloudy days – look at Acts, and the tradition of his death.
Keep you eyes on Jesus, and don't let anything distract you, you can never be sure exactly where He'll lead you
I must also end with Jesus saying to all of us “You must follow me”
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