Potpourri
Over the last few weeks, I have been filing away all sorts of things to post in my blog. The file is getting heavy, and I don't have much to say about any one thing, so I thought I would include a number of miscellaneous items in today's post.
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Early last week, Israeli archeologists discovered an ancient Christian structure on the grounds of a high-security prison. Mosaics, pottery, and other remains were found. The building was identified as a place for early Christian worship and was dated to the mid-3rd or early 4th century.
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More archeological finds... Excavators have unearthed a shard of pottery on which the name "Goliath" was inscribed in the purported home of the Philistine giant. While this is not definitive historical proof of his existence, it does corroborate the biblical evidence. The shard dates back to around 950 B.C., within 70 years of when biblical chronology asserts David squared off against Goliath, making it the oldest Philistine inscription ever found.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has approved a new, more gender-neutral hymnal. The new Lutheran Book of Worship will eliminate the "Father" terminology and male pronouns used in reference to God. In place of "Father," the text will read, "Holy Eternal Majesty;" in place of "Son," it will say, "Holy Incarnate Word." A bit wordy, isn't it?
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My good friend, Kevin Rhodes, has just completed a hardback edition entitled, How to Study the Bible: A Practical Guide to Biblical Hermeneutics. I have not bought a copy yet, but I can assure you that the material is thorough, well-written, and helpful. You can read a description and purchase the book here.
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Finally, the brotherhood publication, House to House/Heart to Heart recently received nationwide attention when it was featured on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. If you haven't already seen the video clip, check it out.
