Revelation of Jesus Christ (2)

Here are Martin Luther’s first thoughts about the book of Revelation.  He wrote this 490 years ago:

About this Book of the Revelation of John, I leave everyone free to hold his own opinions. I would not have anyone bound to my opinion or judgment. I say what I feel. I miss more than one thing in this book, and it makes me consider it to be neither apostolic nor prophetic.

First and foremost, the apostles do not deal with visions, but prophesy in clear and plain words, as do Peter and Paul, and Christ in the gospel. For it befits the apostolic office to speak clearly of Christ and his deeds, without images and visions. Moreover there is no prophet in the Old Testament, to say nothing of the New, who deals so exclusively with visions and images. For myself, I think it approximates the Fourth Book of Esdras; I can in no way detect that the Holy Spirit produced it.

Moreover he seems to me to be going much too far when he commends his own book so highly [Revelation 22]—indeed, more than any of the other sacred books do, though they are much more important—and threatens that if anyone takes away anything from it, God will take away from him, etc. Again, they are supposed to be blessed who keep what is written in this book; and yet no one knows what that is, to say nothing of keeping it. This is just the same as if we did not have the book at all. And there are many far better books available for us to keep.

Many of the fathers also rejected this book a long time ago; although St. Jerome, to be sure, refers to it in exalted terms and says that it is above all praise and that there are as many mysteries in it as words. Still, Jerome cannot prove this at all, and his praise at numerous places is too generous.

Finally, let everyone think of it as his own spirit leads him. My spirit cannot accommodate itself to this book. For me this is reason enough not to think highly of it: Christ is neither taught nor known in it. But to teach Christ, this is the thing which an apostle is bound above all else to do; as Christ says in Acts 1[:8], “You shall be my witnesses.” Therefore I stick to the books which present Christ to me clearly and purely.

The 1522 “Preface to the Revelation of St. John” in Luther’s translation of the New Testament. Pages 398-399 in Luther’s Works Volume 35: Word and Sacrament I (ed. E. Theodore Bachmann; Philadelphia: Fortress, 1960).

I try to imagine what dark brew Luther was drinking before he penned these words.  How could he have missed those first three opening words in the Greek? Apokalupsis Iesou Christou.

thinking of heart issues,

Todd

Revelation of Jesus Christ (1)

G. K. Chesterton wrote,  “Though St. John the Evangelist saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw no creatures so wild as one of his own commentators.”

Perhaps you might think that about me by the time that we get through this book.  🙂 Thanks for joining me on this journey.  It is May 1, 2012.  Let us begin.

thinking of heart issues,

Todd

Questions for Bob Millet

I must be honest.  In the first decade after Y2K, I have been very wary of Bob Millet.  In fact, the attitude has been almost equal toward his conversation partner, Greg Johnson.

But I find it interesting in God’s providence that both of these men are coming to my beloved hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho.

So I got questions.  Lots of them in the upcoming weeks.  Before both of these men arrive and speak in the Colonial Theatre on June 13, I just have to get them down on paper.

These questions will be churned from direct source material, Bridging The Divide, authored by Millet and Johnson.  Follow my random inquiries.  Hopefully, sincere questions.  And perhaps you might have similar musings and amusements.

1.  Millet writes, “In the words of our friend, John Stackhouse, ‘God cares about people more than he cares about ‘truth’ in the abstract.  Jesus didn’t die on the cross to make a point.  He died on the cross to save people whom he loves.’ ” (xxiii)

Does Bob consider himself a modern or a postmodern? (Interestingly, I teach as a modern, but I parent like a postmodern.)

2.   In Greg Johnson’s introduction in the book, he talks about a “dialogue approach” being very difficult.

But does Bob consider loving conversation and dialogue more difficult than loving confrontation?  When would he think that there is a need for loving confrontation in an interfaith discussion?

3.  Bob talks about having a “shelf of MacArthur’s books.” (8)

I have read some of Bob’s books quoting MacArthur.  Which core book written by John MacArthur would Bob recommend for the LDS community in Idaho Falls to read?  And why that book?  Because of what particular doctrine?

Bob Millet & Greg Johnson coming to Idaho Falls

Dr. Bob Millet and Greg Johnson will be speaking at the Colonial Theatre in Idaho Falls on Wednesday, June 13, 2012.

Read or peruse these books before you attend this community event.

Earth Day 2012 in Idaho Falls

My wife works as a nurse in the women’s center at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.  In appreciation for a job that Kristie displayed on a particular shift at the hospital, management gave her two free movie tickets.

Tonight, around 8pm, we went to the Edwards Theatre and watched “October Baby“.  We were the only ones in the theatre room.  My wife cried through the whole movie.

Watch it.  And see how you might desire to celebrate life as God’s gift on this incredible planet.

B.B.C. circled by the LDS chapels

Have you ever watched the movie “Baptists at Our Barbecue” (2004)?  Well, you will find our church building sort of circled in a cluster of LDS chapels in Ammon, Idaho.  To all of our LDS friends and family, don’t be a stranger.  Come visit with me.   I like discussing God, gospel, scriptures, scouts, and Mitt Romney.

Former LDS bishop Earl Erskine

Former LDS bishop, Earl Erskine of Ex-Mormon Files, is in the town of Idaho Falls for the weekend.  I would imagine that a couple thousand people from the community plan to hear what Earl has to say.

This reminds me of the days of former LDS leader, James R. Spencer, in Idaho Falls.

So I hope to meet Earl and hear what he has to say tonight.  Maybe I will see some of you.

grace and peace in the city,

Todd Wood