glintofpewter

It's Friday - a few reactions. Seems dated. That he puts the righteous in a box with little promise of a way out reminds of a pastor who once said to his affluent congregation that they needed to access or find a poverty of Spirit. I like the idea that forgiveness is not something Jesus gives but that the womans coming to Jesus is a result of her experiencing forgiveness. At least that's what I thought Tillich was saying until I got to the end of the chapter. Two quotes Dutch

Friday is fine with me

Chapters are short I'll try to keep up. Other book studies were done in a single thread. Dutch

Love Daniel Nahmod's songs. I don't see sheet music which would help get the choir or congregation to sing

Pro Hayes at Yale has something relevant to your observation but it is another topic. Dutch

You seem overwhelmed. I have deconstructed the Bible as much as others I think But deconstruction doesn't mean that some of the stories can't be told again in child friendly way. After all some of us let our children believe in Santa Claus until they didn't want to. The power of a story is that it can be told with different meanings .The Garden of Eden story can be told without original sin and substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus. You can read the account in the Family Bible or the Beginners Bible and add your own commentary. Without too much of a stretch those accounts lend themselves to talking about growing up and moving out on your own. I assure you that this is a valid reading that has been around for 1000 years or more. Reading them with an emphasis on being good stewards of the planet also works well. Even if you focus only on the stories of Jesus for children you will be avoiding the in-your-face confrontational stories in which he seems mean to others. As troubling as the story of Noah is, there are two readings that are child friendly. One we used in pre-school focused on caring for the animals. Another is that God acted out of anger and said he was sorry. Children aren't interested in an adult reading of the story. I think they hear at an age appropriate level different meanings. If it is told in a non-rigid way - that one reading of the story is the only true way to understand it - then at each age they can read it again. Then one day they will be able to read the story as an adult without losing their faith. Jonah and the Whale, Ruth, Esther, David and Goliath Some will object to this last one but kids who hear stories with simple violence are not harmed IF the parent is there to help them process and find a positive understanding. Little kids can accomplish big things. Also Abraham, Joseph, Moses. The ten commandments are too succinct but here is a paraphrase that you will find useable and without "adultery". There are others like this but I am biased http://tcpc.ipbhost....8933#entry28933 If you are ever able to influence the choice of Sunday School curriculum I recommend the new Progressive Christianity stuff. http://www.tcpc.org/...cfm?page_id=114 Remember that we all put our own meaning into a story. Be centered, relax and trust that you will find the reading of each Bible story that fits your child. Take Care Dutch

It is a good thing that the audio post feature has not been activated. If it had we could sing Happy Birthday to markn902 and Jagged Zen Monkey. A silent Happy Birthday to you both.

Hi Jeanie, I taught children's Sunday school and was a part time christian Director for about 20 years. I have not been involved for about 10 years so am I am not current in knowing what is available. Some of my comments are based on selections I read at Amazon. I think you just need to consider what is appropriate for a particular age. Not all stories can be child friendly. I think your choice of The Family Story Bible by Ralph Milton is a good one. The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories is for a younger reading level. Based on the Garden of Eden story I would recommend it. http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Bible-Timeless-Childrens-ebook/dp/B003I7415W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325114037&sr=8-1 The Common English Version is written for a third grade level. We gave this Bible to incoming fourth graders. Your Young Christian's First Bible-CEV-Children's Illustrated http://www.amazon.com/Young-Christians-First-Bible-CEV-Childrens-Illustrated/dp/1585160768/ref=pd_sim_b_4 I found this blog Help! I’m A Children’s Pastor http://www.helpimachildrenspastor.com/2011/10/which-bible-version-is-best-for-kids/ Welcome to the forum. Dutch

Gave me time to catch up on church work.

I am touched.

Yvonne, That was the bulletin? not the annual reports? Ouch!

Donald Rumsfeld could not have said it any better.

Christiansoul, I will keep them in my prayers Dutch

wayseeker, how fun!

Christmas has come to my house, I have feasted. Experienced "Too Hot to Handel" a Gospel Jazz arrangement of the Messiah. Here is one version of the jazz piece that comes right before the Hallelujah chorus. Not the one I experienced but this has the same energy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6eTuffwM4Q&feature=relmfu and here the last two tracks off the cd. dutch

My knee jerk reaction was because I once had to present the Rainbow Bible to middle schoolers (it was what the committee had decided on).

I don't like study Bibles. I think that commentary should be outside the texts not bound with them. I encourage you to read widely.

We do "cite" the Bible don't we but perhaps the 6th commandment does not so much forbid killing but as ask us to consider what does "kill" ,or taking another's life, mean, today, you and me. The men who had so many committee meetings they lost a civil war understood "Thou shalt not kill" as a discussion starter. Here is what the Larger Catechism says http://www.reformed....-150.html#fn648 I apologize for leaving the Scripture citations numbers in the cut and paste. Dutch

It may be that the 6th commandment is in conversation with the accounts of massacres, etc. and not part of a unified message. There is more than one view in the Hebrew Bible. Dutch

Douglas Johnston on Faith-Based Diplomacy http://fora.tv/2007/...Based_Diplomacy In this talk two of the tools used are 1. Helping believers (in any religion) find the best teachings in their religion. 2 Helping believers recognize globally accepted values of human rights and then finding support for that in their Sacred texts. It is an interesting dynamic because the best of religions has been part of the evolution of those globally accepted human rights and values and then those accepted values inform the reading of Scripture. "Universal set of values" is OK with me as long as we understand that they do not exist separately from us; that we are continually maintaining them and changing them and that we rely so much on prophetic voices to bring us back to the highest value if we forget. Dutch

a not uncommon view well expressed: The Bible as authority - but when we read it our understanding is less than absolute. Morality Is Absolute -- and Evolving Rabbi Eric h Yoffie http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-eric-h-yoffie/morality-is-absoluteand-e_b_942477.html

A different way saying what others have been saying here.

Jenyll Yup. Generally I think this is true but I did observe a friend who had not thought out her own ideas about gays be influenced by a church her husband worked in. It was through other conversations about real life experiences that moved her back toward being more accepting of gays. But in general yes. Dutch

Religious pluralism makes no value judgments about all actually being equally valid. Denial of the ability to evaluate religions is a postmodern stance. That is the weakness of the postmodern. What religious pluralism does ask is relationship and dialog. In that relationship both subjects grow in their understanding of their own religious beliefs and their understanding of the other. And if one religion requires or motivates something of or in its adherents that is reprehensible according to popular consensus then in that dialog, which also takes place in the public square there will be changes. Dutch

Happy thanksgiving all.