Matthew Burden's Blog, page 23

Podcast Interview

 Hi, folks--I've fallen a bit behind on a few things while preparing for some work as a camp pastor at a local Christian summer camp, so in the meantime here's another podcast conversation about my recent book, Missionary Motivations. It's the "Raw Mission Podcast," produced by the UK branch of Frontiers, which specializes in ministry to the Muslim world. Click on the picture below to be directed to the episode page.

The Evangeliad (28:20-21)

(Click here for an introduction and previous installments of the Evangeliad)
Section 28:20-21 (corresponding to John 7:19-20)
Jesus knew that the leaders wished his demise,So there in front of the crowd's watching eyes,He confronted their thoughts, the rulers and priests,Using the stories retold at the feast:
"Why is your anger roused at my teaching,When you fail to keep that which you're feasting?--For Moses taught too, he gave you the law;But do you follow its heart? Not at all!
Why then do you seek to kill me?" he said.The crowd was confused--"You're crazy," they said,"Or perhaps there's a demon inside of you.Who would be trying to kill you, who?"

Photo of the Week

Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy.When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem,for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
- Isaiah 52:8-9

Quote of the Week

"In order to begin living a life that benefits from being lived in accordance with God, you ought to begin here: You should, with indelible memory, and ever mindful of giving it your unceasing attention, recollect for yourself all the things that God, in his love for humanity, has done for you, and all the special dispensations and benefits he is giving you now for the salvation of your soul."

- Mark the Monk (fifth century)

A Prayer from John Donne

Wilt thou forgive that sin, where I begunwhich is my sin, though it were done before?Wilt thou forgive those sins through which I run,and do run still, though still I do deplore?When thou hast done, thou hast not done, for I have more.
Wilt thou forgive that sin, by which I wonothers to sin, and made my sin their door?Wilt thou forgive that sin I did shuna year or two, but wallowed in a score?When thou hast done, thou hast not done, for I have more.
I have a sin of fear that when I’ve spunmy last thread, I shall perish on the shore;swear by thyself, that at my death thy Sonshall shine as he shines now, and heretofore.And having done that, thou hast done, I fear no more.

Church History: Of Heresies and Councils (4th-5th centuries)

(Click here for the church history series page)

Lecture audio: Of Heresies and Councils(click here to listen or right-click to download)

Lecture Notes Outline:
Arianism’s Assault on the West
     - Imperial-backed Arianism resurgent in Italy in the 380s
     - Ambrose of Milan defends the orthodox faith
     - Arianism continues to spread through invading Goths

Alexandria, Antioch, and the Nature of Christ
     -  Alexandria – spiritually-oriented Christianity, emphasizing Christ’s divine nature
               - Alexandria’s major orthodox influence - Athanasius
     - Antioch – practically-oriented Christianity, emphasizing Christ’s human nature
               - Antioch’s major orthodox influence – John Chrysostom
     - An Alexandrian heresy – Apollinarianism (late 4th century)
               - Christ has a divine soul in a human body
     - An Antiochian heresy – Nestorianism (early 5th century)
               - Christ has completely separate divine and human natures, without union (two natures in two hypostases)
     - Council of Ephesus (431) – the Third Ecumenical Council
               - Cyril of Alexandria
               - The first great schism: the Antioch-influenced Church of the East
     - An Alexandrian heresy – Eutychianism (mid-5th century)
               - Christ has a united nature in which the human is subsumed in the divine (one nature in one hypostasis)
               - The “Robber Council” of Ephesus (449)
     - Council of Chalcedon (451) – the Fourth Ecumenical Council
               - Chalcedonian definition: Christ has two complete natures—divine and human—not mixed in any way, but inseparably united in one person (two natures in one hypostasis)
               - Monophysite/Miaphysite rejection
               - The second great schism: the Alexandria-influenced Oriental Orthodox Churches (Coptic, Ethiopian, Syriac/Jacobite, and Armenian)

The Evangeliad (28:15-19)

(Click here for an introduction and previous installments of the Evangeliad)
Section 28:14-19 (corresponding to John 7:14-18)
Then at last, when the feast was halfway doneAnd pilgrims were starting to think of their homes,Jesus went publicly into the courtsOf the temple's own grounds, there to speak forth.
And when he taught, the crowds were astounded."Who is this man?" the question resounded."He comes from nowhere, and learned from no one,But in teaching he's wiser than everyone!"
"My teaching is not my own," Jesus said,
"But comes from the One by whom I was sent.If any were willing His will to do,They would recognize what I teach unto you;
They'd know if it comes from God, or perhaps,If it stems from my own desire and craft.He who speaks from himself seeks his own way,His own glory and adulation and fame.
But the one who seeks the glory of HimWho gave him a mission, sent him therein,That one is good and faithful and true,Filled up with righteousness through and through."

Photo of the Week

Lead me through the fields of sunshine and the pastures green;On Thy arms of love and mercy, let me ever lean.Lead me, lead me, O Thou blessèd One;Lead me, lead me, lead me gently on.
- from a hymn by Henry H. Tilson

Quote of the Week

"Be constantly committed to prayer or to reading [Scripture]; by praying, you speak to God, in reading, God speaks to you."
- Cyprian of Carthage

A Two-Week Break from Blogging

I'll be taking a couple weeks off from the blog as my family and I enjoy a bit of summer vacation together. New posts will resume on Monday, July 3.