Miscellaneous
Quote of the Day
If you’re “making the Bible relevant,” then change your name to “the Holy Spirit.”
Αυτω η δοξα
Jesus and the Napkin
I was asked at church this week about the napkin mentioned in John (20:7), namely if there were any significance to it being folded. I knew where this was going because I’ve heard/read of this before. Basically it is said that the folded napkin in the tomb finds parallel in the Jewish master/servant relationship. Supposedly a servant would never attend to the table after a meal unless the master was finished. The master would indicate that he was finished with his meal by tossing his napkin (with which he cleaned his hands and face) on the table. If he were not finished, he would fold it neatly as to indicate to the servant he would return to the table. Thus, Jesus’ folded napkin indicates that he would be returning.
After reading through the few commentaries on John I have and reading a few other resources (a search for articles on the matter yielded zero results), I have found nothing that even remotely suggests such a practice as the background. In fact, most of what I read indicates that the orderly placement of the burial cloths suggests Jesus’ body was not taken by grave robbers, who would have had no interest in the tidiness of the tomb.
I am sure this idea is as popular as it is because it sounds good as an illustration, but my initial digging has left me no reason even to suspect that this is the reason for John’s inclusion of the detail.
If you know from whence this little gem of a story came or if there is indeed any good reason to think it true, I’d be glad to know!
Out of curiosity, what are some of your favorite illustrations you’ve heard that have given you pause?
Αυτω η δοξα
I’ve been dormant…
… for at least for the last couple of weeks. I’ve been reading, writing, Andrew had his tonsils out, and I’ve not had much to say. There–silence broken.
Αυτω η δοξα
Just the evidence I needed!
I don’t mind dressing up a bit for Sunday morning service. I don the requisite suit, button-up shirt, and neck tie and have been for years. Sunday nights are much more casual–nice blue jeans, button-up shirt, and non-tennis shoes. However, I’ve entertained the notion lately of leaving the neckties in the closet, at least for the summer months. I actually like the look of the coat and tie, but let’s face it–they can be a bit uncomfortable. Aside from that, it’s hot in the summer here in the south (you northerners really don’t know what a hot summer is!) and the time it takes us to get all six of us from the vehicle to the church is plenty of time for my collar to become dampened with sweat. Yes, it’s cool in the building, but by then the damage is done.
But now there is evidence that compels to leave the neckties in the closet–scientific evidence that it’s best not to where them!
According to public health officials in the U.K., who are trying to reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections, are forbidding doctors from wearing neckties because they
- “are rarely laundered”
- “perform no beneficial function in patient care,” and
- “have been shown to be colonized pathogens.”
Resemblance?
I was reading through Anthony Thiselton’s The Living Paul: An Introduction to the Apostle’s Life and Thought this morning and something caught my eye. The portrait of Paul used on the cover art bears a rather strong resemblance to Gerard Butler, better and forever known as King Leonidas from 300.
What do you think?
Αυτω η δοξα
Urban Legends: The Preacher’s Edition (via Kingdom People)
If you haven’t already happened upon it this morning, check out Trevin Wax’s post regarding urban legends that are perpetuated from the pulpit. I can say that I’ve never preached any of these, but I have regarded a few of them as true over the years.
What are some other urban legends that you have heard/used in sermons or bible studies?
Αυτω η δοξα
Universalism
If universalism is true, then do we really need churches? If they’re all saved in the end, why not indulge every inclination of the flesh here and now and just wait for the glory train to take you home? Why worry with the pursuit of righteousness and holiness if at the end of your life God will just wrap you in warm fuzzy blanket of love and overlook your life of debauchery?
Seems like there’s a major obstacle to all of this–the Scriptures.
Αυτω η δοξα
1QM
Amid all the Qumran documents, is there a cooler name than the War Scroll? I think not!
Αυτω η δοξα
