Having non-biblical readings has become such a canon among mainline Unitarian Universalists that Unitarian Universalist Christians face a crisis on the subject of readings. Is it proper to have non-biblical readings in worship? The question of authority isn’t clear-cut. My home library has several works of daily readings: selected sections meant to be read regularly… Continue reading Should Christian worship have non-biblical readings?
Category: Bible
Quick introduction to biblical archeology and terminology
I’m a slow reader. If I can learn something from a video in a few minutes or an hour, rather than reading, I will… The Bible’s Buried Secrets — an episode of Nova — is a great example, if you want to learn the documentary hypothesis and the development of the Torah and ancient Israel.
Holy Saturday 2015
Like each Holy Saturday, I spent the morning reading The Dream of the Rood, in this translation. Not many churches have a Holy Saturday service, so I observe it by reading. This year I’m adding 1 Peter, because of the text (3:18b-19, NRSV) He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in… Continue reading Holy Saturday 2015
The Soul of the Bible: Christmas edition
Bonus blog post, following up from earlier. So, it seems the 1908 and 1946 editions are close — there’s a preface missing the later edition — indeed, so close that the arranged version of the customary Luke 2 passage, read at Christmas shares a page number. But what’s the reading based on? It’s Luke 2:8-20,… Continue reading The Soul of the Bible: Christmas edition
The arranged reading (for Christmas and otherwise)
It’s a given that old hymns may be re-arranged to suit the particular service better, even if it’s just to choose some verses and not others. And responsive readings are often edited from their source documents to better suit the occasion. Readings for preaching are chosen, and are sometimes edited for inclusive language, but I… Continue reading The arranged reading (for Christmas and otherwise)
A source of daily readings
I’ve shortened my morning prayers and vespers to make them more appropriate for use alone, and brief enough to read before and after work. I’ve take out the provision for readings and all but the fixed psalms (and after looking for a portable New Testament and Psalter!) so I can use the one book. But… Continue reading A source of daily readings
Preparing for preaching in September
So, I’ll be preaching at Universalist National Memorial Church (UNMC) on September 21, and since I don’t preach much these days, I figured I had better start getting some words down now or else I’ll never be ready. Be prepared to see non-sequitur blog posts that link obliquely to that sermon until then; I do… Continue reading Preparing for preaching in September
Different ways to “sing” the psalm
Each evening, for vespers, I “sing” the Bonum Est Confiteri, Prasm 92:1-4 as it read in the rubrics, and included in the Coverdale version: ¶ Then shall be sang the following Psalm: Bonum Est Confiteri. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord: and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most… Continue reading Different ways to “sing” the psalm
The New Testament and Psalter is in
I wrote about a New Testament with psalter I ordered; it arrived last Wednesday. It could be worse. I can imagine furtive looks about the “faith sharing” helps, and I might agree with you. But they’re moderate evangelical and are easy enough to ignore, in part because they assume a particular insider’s attitude to scripture… Continue reading The New Testament and Psalter is in
Follow up: New Testament with Psalter purchased
I went ahead and orderod what seemed to be the most practical New Testament with Psalter; it arrives on Wednesday. Not in love with the theme and it seems to be (non-leather) softback, but the size, translation and price are right. And I can use the “helps” as a substrate to paste on prayer material.… Continue reading Follow up: New Testament with Psalter purchased