Week of 23 September 2008
Farther Along
The story is told of a young man who was preparing for a long trip. He told his friend,
"I am just about packed. I only have to put in a guidebook, a mirror, a microscope, a lamp, a telescope, a volume of fine poetry, a package of old letters, a few biographies, a book of songs, a sword, a hammer, and a set of books I've been studying."
"But you can't get all that into your bag," said his friend.
"Oh yes I can," he replied It doesn't take much room."
With that, he placed his Bible in the corner of his suitcase and closed the lid.
The value of the Bible to many people is explained in this spoken prologue to a Gospel song, above: The Bible is a guidebook; it guides the believer on conduct in daily life.
It's a mirror where the believer see himself or herself.
It's a "microscope" and "telescope" because the Bible shows us the smallest and the biggest things. Jesus compared himself to a "lamp" and "the light of the worl."
The Bible is "fine poetry." The "letters" are the letters (mostly by Paul) in the New Testament.
There are biographies in the Bible. These are the four "Gospels" of the life of Jesus in the New Testament. The songs are the psalms, the most popular book in the Bible.
The sword is the sharp blade that cuts right from wrong.
Jesus was a carpenter (or the son of one). Hammers are used to build a strong foundation.
Finally, the "books" are the books of the Bible.
IN THE BEGINNING
Three versions of the most famous opening in Western literature: the incipit (beginning) of Genesis. The first is a spoken version with musical accompaniment (also available in our library, without music). The second is a setting for chorus by the American composer, Aaron Copland. The final version has only the first line and is from the Austrian composer, Haydn's THE CREATION. Note how Haydn makes the word "light" stand out in his setting.In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth and the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said let there be light and there was light. And God said let there be light and there was light. And God saw the light that it ws good. And God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light day and the darkness he called night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
WEDLOCK
In this ballad, a text from Genesis is used to argue that woman should neither control man nor be abused by man:When Adam was created, he dwelt in Eden's shade (as Moses has related) before a bride was made. Ten thousand times ten thousand things wheeled all around, before a bride was formed, or yet a mate was found. He had no consolation but seemed as one alone. Till, to his admiration he found he'd lost a bone. Great was his exultation to see her by his side. Great was his elevation to have a loving bride.
This woman was not taken from Adam's head, we know: and she must not rule o'er him, it's evidently so. This woman she was taken from near to Adam's heart, by which we are directed that they should never part.
Jesus Christ, The Apple TreeThis woman was not taken from Adam's head, we know: and she must not rule o'er him, it's evidently so. This woman she was taken from near to Adam's heart, by which we are directed that they should never part.
The new student of the Bible will learn that the Jewish Bible, at one time the only Bible, was later taken by Christians as the first Testament before Jesus. Thereafter it became known as the "Old Testament"; while the Testament about Jesus became the "New Testament." Moreover, Christians read many verses in the Old Testament as in some way foretelling Jesus or events in Jesus' life. This is called a typological reading. Objects or persons in the Old Testament are "types" of Jesus or the Christian experience. In this reading, for example, the famous Tree in Eden which brought death into the world due to Adam's sin, now brings life through the cross, as in this song. Note that Jesus' tree is always green and with fruit.
HERE IN EDEN
(Eve)
FORBIDDEN FRUIT
(The snake)
Listen closely let me fill you in about the rich ripe round red rosy apples they call forbidden fruit, what I'm about to say is confidential so promise you'll be mute, because if every creature in the garden knows, they'll come round like hungry buffalos and in no time there'll be none of those precious apples left for you and me. Now in the average apple you're accustomed to skins, seeds, flesh and core. But you will find that these are special apples that give you something more. Why every seed contains some information that you need to speed your education, the seeds indeed of all creation are here. Why be foolish, my dear? Come with me to that tree. (The snake)
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