This demonstrates why I am proud to serve on MRFF’s Board of Directors and work alongside Mikey Weinstein. He is not one to mince words or meanings! This isn’t JUST a freedom of speech issue. It is also a responsibility issue. We all have a responsibility as citizens of the United States to actually THINK about how our actions may effect others. In this case, as Mikey would tell you, this act directly will cause death and injury to our troops stationed abroad who will be targeted as retribution to this careless and juvenile act. All those who defend this burning had best go buy decal remover and get rid of those “we support our troops” ribbons that they so proudly display.

The reckless acts by this madman masquerading as a man of the cloth is being supported by the very people who have railed so loudly against the Muslim Community Center proposed in New York City recently. And yes…these are the same “Christian Patriots” who routinely threaten our lives at MRFF for the work we do to support religious freedoms in our armed forces. The very same that disseminate falsehoods about American Muslims secretly preparing to launch Shariah Law in the United States. The same ones that scream and war-cry in defense of freedom of religion in America – but ONLY if it is their branding of Christianity…not all the rest of those who are “not the right kind of Christian”. You know the ones…those pesky Catholics, the non-born again lost souls, those Mormons and their wacky under garments, the denominations that dare to critically think the Bible and so on.

Anderson Cooper of CNN tries to talk sense to the ignorant Pastor Terry Jones…

This is what I mean when I talk about zealots. They are so completely wrapped up in their delusions that there is no talking to them…hence my tag line on my emails…”It’s easier to write on water than to argue with a religious zealot”. Oh so TRUE!

Here is a new post just in from Sarah Jones who writes brilliantly over at www.politicusUSA…

The Sleazy German Past of Qur’an Hating Pastor Terry Jones

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Sarah Jones

Pastor Jones - Obsessed and Dangerous

The Fanatical and Illegal Past of Qur’an Hating Pastor Terry Jones, The Pastor of the church in Florida that is planning to burn the Quran has a sleazy past in Germany involving both allegations of financial wrong-doing and being convicted for using a false PhD. A German news paper, Zeit Online, is reporting that the Pastor at the center of the proposed Quran burning in Florida this September 11, was convicted in Germany for holding a false PhD.

Stephen Baar, deputy chairman of the Christian Congregation of Cologne, which was co-founded with Pastor Jones, also says Jones was “prone to violence and fanaticism” and “Baar remembers Jones as a pastor who had “not the biblical standards and values” worn on the outside, but rather “self as personality.” [read entire story here]…

Okay…so Graham is saying that a Muslim is born a Muslim; a Jew is born a Jew…but that to call yourself a Christian requires a set of specific criteria that must be met, witnessed and apparently verifiable before one is truly a Christian. (They doubt Obama’s own word that he was baptized in the United Church of Christ in Chicago due to a lack of baptismal certificate).

So now I am really confused! Which is it? Back in October of 2009 I wrote a post about that presents another view…one of this whole notion of Christian DNA. There are quotes below by some of Graham’s cohorts claiming that – in fact – there exists such a thing as Christian DNA. Please take a moment to read the following from my previous post here…

I will share with you an excerpt from an article on an emerging twisted perspective that essentially asserts that there exists such a thing as a “Christian DNA”. You either have it, or you don’t.

The New Apostolic Reformation, Adam-Kadmon, and DNA

Posted by Mishel at Deception Bytes

“Have you noticed lately that most of the big names in the Prophetic and Apostolic Movement are increasingly sprinkling the term DNA into their vocabulary? No longer content to hide their damnable heresies, they are brazenly flaunting their apostasy to the unsuspecting church through their use of double speak. It is a known fact that nothing is harder to find than something hidden in plain sight.

To understand the serious implications of their use of the term DNA, it is important to understand that the Dominionist doctrine embraced by an increasing number of apostate ministries is straight from the occult. From the very seeds of civilization, Gnostic sects and keepers of the Gnostic Kabalistic dogma have spoken of humankind evolving into a God-like being. The Kabbala calls this being the Adam Kadmon, or “God Man.” The name “Adam” refers to the entire human race and the term “Kadmon” refers to completion.

Thus, Adam Kadmon speaks of a return to our beginning, with all the knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment of the first “Adam.” Those who embrace this doctrine firmly believe we can return to the Garden of Eden by becoming the Adam Kadmon and creating Heaven on Earth.

One becomes Adam Kadmon through activation of the divine nature. When enough of man kind has activated their divine nature we will evolve and become the “Corporate Christ.”DNA stands for Divine Nature Activation and it is being tossed around in the Christian community like rice at a wedding. Doing a quick online search using the term DNA activation will return a myriad of occult websites for your perusal.

Adherents of these occultic beliefs claim that the inactivated part of our DNA is preventing us from becoming God. They claim we have the divinity and enlightenment of the Adam Kadmon encoded into our DNA. As more and more of us activate this Divine Nature we will corporately become the Adam Kadmon, return to the Garden, and usher in heaven on earth.

Is this starting to sound familiar? It should. It is exactly what the false apostles of the prophets of the New Apostolic Reformation teach. It is also what the New Age teaches. The Dominionists cloak their beliefs and their Luciferian agenda in more palatable terms to appeal to the undiscerning. However, it makes no matter what you wrap cyanide in to make it easier to swallow; it is still going to kill you.

For those of you who may not have read previous articles of mine, the names of these “apostles” are discussed throughout my writings with respect to their associations in various ways to Sarah Palin. Dutch Sheets spoke at Palin’s church in January 2009; C. Peter Wagner is a leader in Dominionist Theology; and the others are all intertwined.

“We participated in a leadership meeting on Monday prior to the conference where Dutch [Sheets] released the vision of the Apostolic Alliance. It was a powerful three days of God imparting His DNA into this apostolic movement for national transformation.” ~ April 2008 e-newsletter by Prayer Focus Ministries describing the Apostolic Alliance gathering in Colorado Springs, Colorado

In an apostolic network the person in charge of maintaining the DNA of the network is the lead apostle, who consults with those he or she chooses, and no one else.” ~ ”Goodbye, Theologians,” C. Peter Wagner, September 06, 2006, “Guest Commentary,” Ministry Today

God is trying to get us to a place of really understanding who we are. The church is having an identity crisis. When the people of God begin to realize that the purpose of Jesus on the earth was to birth a new breed of people who would carry the DNA of God within them and bring heaven to earth daily, we will begin to live with purpose. When the people of God begin to realize their identity as the very offspring of God and that as He is right now, so are we in this world, the church will begin to shake the nations with the power of God.” ~ ”The New Breed – Part 2,” Ryan Wyatt, Abiding Glory Ministries, Open Heaven

Insight is the God given ability for you to know your Identity, your Kingdom ID; your spiritual DNA; your uniqueness in the earth and in the Body of Christ. There is no one like you. You are predestined for Greatness. ~ Chuck Pierce School of the Spirit, Faith Summit Church, Monday, March 24, 2008

The Living Word or Bread of life once again desires to be made flesh through a body of people joined with Him in a holy consummation. As we live not by natural bread alone, but by the living Word proceeding from the mouth of God, the bread of abundant life, even so the hidden truth of godliness will become part of our spiritual DNA.”~ ”Shepherd’s Rod, Part 1: Blood and Fire,” Paul Keith Davis and Bob Jones: Oct 11, 2004

I have called the best of every blood line in earth unto this generation…I have elected to bring them forth in this generation… the Elect Generation… even the bloodline of Paul… of David… of Peter, James and John… They will even be superior to them in heart, stature and love for me’…Your children will possess the spirit without measure…They will move into things of the supernatural that no one has ever moved in before… coming into the Divine Nature of Jesus Christ… a Church that has reached the full maturity of the God-Man! This generation…is going to see the beginning of this World-wide New Order.” ~ Vineyard Prophecy Conference, 1989

Can you imagine what kind of dangerous dogma leaders of Dominionist Christianity could formulate with this skewed thinking? Doesn’t take much to leap from here to a weeding-out selection based on whether you were born with the Christian DNA – or not.

But, back to the junior Graham’s comments about President Obama just days ago in response to a Pew Poll that showed 18% of Americans think Obama is Muslim. I may be going out on a limb here…but I would hazard a guess that this is probably the same group that made up the 24% of Americans who actually think their taxes have been RAISED under the Obama Administration.

The one thing that these polls DO show us is how misinformed and uniformed our population is. Now THAT is scary! When you get talking heads like Graham spewing his rhetoric during a growing climate of hate and intolerance in America against all things perceived to be UN-American…it is truly asking for increasing escalations of violence.

We see it routinely with the 3 femme-fatals (yes, I spelled it that way on purpose) who visibly reveal a hyper-adrenalin jag out of whipping up the zealots in the same manner using twisted words as weapons in the name of Christ, while simultaneously smiting the President of the United States of America.

Our contributing walkaway minister from an Assemblies of God church, “Jubilant”, has this to contribute about Graham’s remarks…

Franklin Graham on Obama: “Obama’s problem is that he was born a Muslim”. What problem is he talking about here? Since when is religion in our seed…our DNA?  If that is so, then children born to Christian parents are automatically saved contrary to the Bible’s teaching on a personal salvation. My ancestry is Native American Indian. Does that make a “problem” for me? Does that make me a “savage” and “heathen” according to the early Christians?

Not every “seed” of a Jew is a Jew, just like not every “seed” of a Muslim is Muslim. So Franklin, stop talking about seed! It doesn’t hold up for the Jew and it doesn’t hold up for a Muslim.

Furthermore, Graham’s use of the word renounce was incorrect and intentionally misleading. Renounce means to give something up. You have to have something to give it up.  Franklin’s words are deceiving by saying Obama “renounced the prophet Mohammed and he has renounced Islam…” Obama was never a practicing Muslim so he had nothing to renounce or give up. Franklin has insinuated to the right wing that Obama was, at one time, a Muslim.

Obama says he is a Christian. He said he prays to Jesus every night. Who in the world is Franklin Graham to say “Now it’s obvious that the president has renounced the prophet Mohammed and he has renounced Islam and he has accepted Jesus Christ,” Graham went on to clarify. “That’s what he says he has done, I cannot say that he hasn’t. So I just have to believe that the president is what he has said.”

Let me rephrase that statement. Franklin Graham says he has accepted Jesus Christ. That’s what he says he has done, I cannot say he hasn’t. So I just have to believe that Franklin is what he has said”. He was a rebellious teenager who drank beer and rode motorcycles, you know, so who knows if what he is saying is true.

See how easy it is to instill doubt about someone’s salvation?

Religious leaders of the right wing churches have become politicians. They are not Pastors who care for the flock, but preach a political agenda while using the Bible as cover. They have their parishioners’ captive to their message of voting out every politician who does not adhere to their extreme views and voting in those that do, under penalty from God.

Franklin believed Nixon was the best President. Read for yourself from the Nixon tapes. Billy Graham is talking to Nixon…

“Graham: And he said there’s a lot of people that, uh, he said they don’t know what you’re going to do next. They said, `boy, say that Nixon is some president.’ [ Nixon laughs ] And, uh, Franklin says you’re the greatest president that, uh, that we’ve ever had in the history of America. [ Nixon chuckles ] And, I believe it. I believe… It’s really tremendous.”

Franklin, you knew exactly what were you doing by planting the seed of doubt in people’s minds. You are standing on the back of your father who counseled every President for your own political agenda. You have pandered to the right wing extremists. You are in essence calling for a crusade at the polls.

More to come…

Jubilant

Thank you, “Jubilant”!

Why does that make me so happy? Because to stem the tide of religious extremism, and in this case Christian Dominionism in America, we need to all join together as one voice. A voice that stands up to our homegrown zealots and unitedly say “ENOUGH!” Enough of what you are doing in this country, and enough of spreading your fanaticism like a virus to countries worldwide.

THE GROWING ROLE OF NATURAL THEOLOGY

Pastor Howard Bess

By Howard Bess

A few weeks ago I wrote a column entitled “The World Is Talking to Us.”  In it I referred to natural theology.  This column is an expansion on the theme of natural theology.

Natural theology has a rich history.  It is full of ups and downs in influence and popularity.  During the middle and late 20^th century neo-orthodoxy was in vogue.  Its most notable proponents put natural theology on the back burner.  In the late 20^th century and early 21^st century the influence of natural theology has come roaring back.

And what is natural theology?

Natural theology is the pursuit of an understanding of God through reason and ordinary experience.  The classic antithesis of natural theology is revealed understandings of God and life apart from reason and ordinary experience. The tradition of revealed truth was the tradition in which I was raised.  The Bible was the revelation of God to human kind; or at least it was the tool to carry the revealed message of Jesus Christ, the incarnate son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity.  For me that point-of-view was not effectively challenged until graduate studies at Garrett Theological Seminary.

The faculty at Garrett was a world class group of theologians, philosophers, sociologists, historians and Bible scholars.  While studying at Garrett I had an enormous change of mind and perspective.  I learned that every word of the Bible had a human (male) author, who could be fixed in history and who wrote for a particular purpose for a particular audience.  Even Jesus could be fixed in time and place and his messages could be placed in relationship to particular audiences that could be defined by social status, religious beliefs, and economic circumstance.

The Bible was no longer a Holy book that stood above critical study.  I was handed the almost overwhelming challenge of sifting through the entire body of Bible material with a critical mind.  But the challenge was even larger.  A critical, inquiring mind had to pursue the significance of our world, a solar system, a galaxy, and endless space.

I have been forced to natural theology for my basic understandings of life.

The first message of the natural world is that everything is in motion.  Everything is evolving.  Nothing is fixed.  All static understandings of life are at least questionable if not totally unacceptable.  The next step is mind boggling for most.  If all things are evolving, any reasonable understanding of God must be of a God who also is constantly changing.  Every static understanding of God is out of sync with actual operation of the universe.

Such thinking not only brings up the names of Darwin and John Scopes, but also philosopher Alfred North Whitehead and theologians Charles Hartshorne, John Cobb Jr., and Schubert Ogden.  They all have one thing in common.  They are natural philosophers/theologians who take their basic understanding from observing a world in constant changing evolution.

A new generation quote by Rachel Held Evans

Today there is a flood of young Americans who know that what was will never be again.  In earlier days, this conclusion about the nature of life took people toward uncertainty, skepticism, agnosticism, atheism, and hedonism.  A new crop of thoughtful Americans is not buying the skepticism.  Our new crop of thinkers is a hopeful bunch.  Knowing that the evolving process brings new understandings, they are embracing the challenges that are presented by a new kind of world.

This, I believe, is the driving force behind the emergent church and proposals for a new Christianity.

In the earlier column I wrote that natural theology reveals a consequential world that sets limits on the amount of abuse that human beings can heap upon it.  This consequential reality sets limits, makes judgments and imposes penalties.  This is not simply a physical reality.  It is a spiritual message about the way we live.

Another truth that we learn from natural theology is that new opportunities to do life right are always emerging.  In an evolving life, the old is constantly passing away and the new is constantly arriving.  The Bible message of new birthing and new beginnings is as modern as the latest electronic technology.

Darlene and I attended the college graduation of a grandson in May.  In July a  grandson married.  A granddaughter begins study on her PhD in September.  Yet another granddaughter is a university academic counselor.  Then there is a granddaughter who teaches music in an elementary school.  Two other grandchildren are about to enter their second year of college education.  Four other grandchildren are making excellent progress on their educational journey.  Natural theology says that an incredible array of creative possibilities await each of them.

And we hear a voice from the heavens say “Behold I make all things new.”

THE END

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer, Alaska.

This is what we need, a more hopeful message. It is not enough to point out what isn’t right in the battle of good religion vs. bad religion. We have to emphasize what it is on the good religion side that sets it apart from the bad. In this case, whether you are a mainline non-Dominionist Christian – or not – Pastor Bess leaves us with a very uplifting message revealing a kind and compassionate side of this good religion.

I was just asked to join the California Council of Churches and California Church IMPACT organizations as a consultant this past week. This is a tremendous opportunity in so many ways. CCC is an advocacy group of mainline Christians who fight the fight for social justice programs and do educational outreach. They have approximately 1.5 million members. This is no small happenstance. It is the direction we all need to be going and I am humbled by this opportunity. Developing inter-faith coalitions as a show of solidarity and strength in numbers and voice.

No matter what our personal spiritual beliefs are – this is about freedom. And if we continue to look at this with myopic blinders on, thinking to ourselves that this is not relevant to our personal little piece of this world, these devout believers will win this battle. In order for us to diffuse them we must look to each other and find our common grounds in order to be a force that will shut them out.

That means embracing each other whether mainline Christian (such as Pastor Bess), Atheist, agnostic, Buddhist, mainline Muslim, Wiccan or a person who really doesn’t care enough about any of it to even take the time to pick a label! All of us in these respective groups make up 70% of America. We ARE America. And when we start looking at what we CAN do – instead of what we can’t do – we will start making a difference that will benefit generations to come.

And THAT is what it will take to preserve our freedoms…

This was caught on tape by a couple of Homer, Alaska residents who within their constitutional rights were expressing freedom of speech…on PRIVATE property, no less. Billy Sullivan owns a small business at the head of the marina named “Dockside Fish”, and Kathleen Gustafson is a local teacher whose husband is a commercial fisherman.

But what is quite clear in this footage is that she clearly does not believe that the 1st and 4th amendments actually apply to others…and especially teachers! Notice the mocking snicker, eye roll and body language expressing condescension and disrespect when Kathleen answers Palin’s question about what she does by replying, “I’m a teacher” at 1 minute & 8 seconds. Do you think Sarah holds that same disrespect toward her dad who made a living as a teacher? Gotta wonder…

Shannyn Moore did an article on this over at Huffington Post and makes some very good points to counter the perception that Palin, like Kathleen, is there in Homer, Alaska to work along side her fisherman husband. As though, 1) it is actually their JOB; 2) that the Palin’s are by any stretch of the imagination commercial halibut fishers; and 3) that this wasn’t what it really was…a film shoot for TLC.

Not only is Sarah’s banter and arrogance as obvious as watching a blowfish swell, notice how the acorn has not fallen far from the proverbial tree when Willow chimes in with all the attributes of a chick about to call out another into an alley for a bar brawl. As Shannyn correctly sums up…”charming”.

BTW…some are focusing in on whether this is Willow or Bristol. It appears to clearly be Willow especially on the video when she turns her face directly toward the camera. The bigger issue here is that it is an irreverent offspring of Sarah and Todd’s behaving in a way that my daughter would never think of behaving. I raised my daughter to respect others and when you disagree, do it with intellect – not mouth. But if mouth is all you have…then mouth is all you have…just sayin’!

It really does require actually reading this exchange, not just because some of it is hard to hear due to Todd and his side kick obstructing Billy’s filming of this, but if you are like me…it is easier to read some of this garbage over again when it is in print.

The following is the transcript of a cell phone video shot by Homeroid Billy Sullivan.  Billy gave Kathleen permission to hang her banner (PALIN WORST GOVERNOR EVER) on his place of business at the Homer docks in clear view of Palin’s Discovery entourage.

Palin: like how? What’s up?

Kathleen: You swore on your precious Bible that you would uphold the interests of this state, and then when cash was waved in front of your face, you quit.

Palin: OH, you WANTED me to be your governor!  I’m honored! Thank you!

Kathleen: I wanted you to honor your responsibilities. That is what I wanted.  I wanted you to be part of the political process instead of becoming a celebrity so that you could (inaudible). And if that’s the best you could do, then good for you. If that’s the best you could do.

Palin: Here’s the deal. Here’s the deal. (inaudible) That’s what I’m out there fightin’ for Americans to be able to have a Constitution protected so that we can have free speech…And ALSO there…

Kathleen: In what way are you fighting for that?

Palin: Oh my goodness!

Kathleen: In what way?

Palin: To elect candidates who understand the Constitution, to protect our military interests so that we can keep on fightin’ for our constitution that will protect some of the freedoms that evidently are important to you too.

Worst Guv EVER! (sign chat)

Kathleen: By using your celebrity status, certainly not by political status.

Palin Daughter: How is she a celebrity? That’s my question.

Palin: I’m honored!  No, she thinks I’m a celebrity!

Palin Daughter: That’s funny that you think she is.

Kathleen: Well, you’re certainly not representing the state of Alaska any longer…even though…

Baby Grizzly attack

Palin Daughter: She’s representing United States?

Kathleen: Yes, I know. You belong to America now, and that suits me just fine. Yeah.

Palin: What do you do here?

Kathleen: I’m a teacher

Palin: Oh. (Eye roll and protracted grimace)

Palin Daughter: Oh.

Kathleen: I also have a few other jobs. I’m married to a commercial fisherman.  And so I fish.

Palin: Oh that’s cool.  So am I!  I married to-we probably have a lot in common!

Kathleen: Yeah. You know, I think that we do.

Palin: Hi! (waves to camera) Are we on video?

Kathleen: Too bad. I’m more of a still camera girl myself. (inaudible) I am, I am…I will tell you I’m very pleased to meet you.

Palin: I’m honored to meet you, I really am. And, no we both agree on the freedom of speech and the-

Kathleen: Yes we do.

Palin: you know – the protection of that. So, um, no I and, you know… best of everything to you too and Yeah.

Kathleen: Thank you for coming over.

Palin: Well, okay. It’s nice to meet you anyway.

Worst governor EVER! sign torn down...Free speech anyone?

What does “freedom of speech” MEAN to Palin? I am guessing not the same thing that it means to the rest of us (unless you are for her and not agin’ her). After all, when this little show wrapped up with Sarah and her daughter doing a bang up job of emulating characters on the set of “Mean Girls”…Kathleen’s 30 foot banner proclaiming Palin as the “Worst Governor EVER!” was promptly torn down. (Isn’t that destruction of private property?)

Yeppers! Family Values ala the neoconservatives. (Setting an example for your children of mocking others I am CERTAIN is a family value)

Like Palin, it is a LOT like Newt Gingrich calling for a return to much needed Christian “values” in America when it is public knowledge that Newt’s second wife was his mistress back in the day when he lead the House of Representatives as Speaker…railing against Clinton’s sexual indiscretion…and feeling justified that announcing to his then current wife (his ex-high school teacher) that he was leaving her for his 2nd wife while she lay ill cancer surgery. Oh…and did I mention, he also apparently felt it was a “family value” to NOT pay his child support.

But now Newt is firmly devoted to his 3rd wife and a newly converted Catholic…so I am sure that you are as convinced as I am that he really means it this time! (cough!)

"And I MEAN it this time!" Newt

Personal life

Gingrich has been married three times. He first married Jackie Battley, his former high school geometry teacher, when he was 19 years old and she was 26.^[55][56] They had two daughters. Gingrich left Battley in the spring of 1980. According to Battley, Gingrich visited her later that year while she was in the hospital recovering from cancer surgery to discuss the details of their divorce. Six months after it was final, Gingrich wed Marianne Ginther in 1981.^[57][58]

Gingrich began an affair with Callista Bisek, who is 23 years his junior, in the mid nineties, which continued during the Congressional investigation of Bill Clinton and the Lewinsky scandal.^[59] In 2000, Gingrich married Bisek shortly after his divorce with second wife Ginther was finalized. He and Callista currently live in McLean, Virginia.^[60]

A Baptist since graduate school, Gingrich converted to Catholicism, his wife’s faith, on March 29, 2009.^[61]

Who ARE the people???

Check out this web site…http://www.ffcoalition.com/about/ “Faith & Freedom Coalition”. They will tell you straight up that they are virtuous! Just ask ‘em!! And if you aren’t convinced about the sincereity of their deication to a pious and devout life to God and family, check THIS one out!http://www.torenewamerica.com/pray-and-act “Renewing American Leadership” – or – in their oh-so-clever acronym…”ReAl”. Going to the About US page is unbelievably laughable! But you really have got to do it…http://www.torenewamerica.com/who-we-are. And on that page when you open it you still find Mr. “Family Values Guy” himself telling you about how this country so desperately needs to be lead by people such as himself to pull us from the clutches of those ill-repute liberals.

Hey! Wasn’t Newt a teacher also? Too? And an elite one at that…those darn University professors!

After we scratch our heads asking just who ARE these frauds…it begs the bigger question…WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD VOTE FOR THEM???

***Kathleen and Billy…you are my heroes today! You stood up and spoke out…***

Bible Mythology

by Pastor Howard Bess

Mythology has a bad name in everyday language.  A myth is commonly understood as a repeated statement that is not true.  This is not the definition that I am using.  I am using myth as the correct name of an honored, respected and widely used literary form. A myth is any story or report in which God or a god is the primary actor. By this definition the Bible is filled with myths.

Robert Laurin was a very special friend.  He was the Professor of Old Testament at American Baptist Seminary of the West.  He taught during the same years that I pastored churches in Southern California.  Eventually he spent a period of time as the president of American Baptist Seminary of the West.  He identified himself as an Evangelical.  He had the credentials.  He was a graduate of Westmont College and received his seminary degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.  He earned his PhD at the prestigious University of Edinburgh in Scotland.  He authored books and scholarly papers.  He wrote a highly respected introduction to the Old Testament.  One of his students described him to me as “the finest classroom teacher I ever had.”   Bob and I found ourselves attending the same meetings, and over the years we became friends

One day I asked him about how he handled the key stories of the Old Testament in his classroom.  His response was clear and became my model.  “Early in my education I came to accept that many of those key stories of the Old Testament were not history.  I tried to find other terms to identify them.  I called them stories.  I called them parables.  I tried not to call them myths out of concern that students would misunderstand.  I finally faced the fact.  They are myths.  I have never again called them by any other name.”

Robert Laurin emboldened me, and I have never again called them by any other name.

The phenomenon of the Israelite people is difficult to explain.  For many centuries they perpetuated themselves as a unique people without the unifying power of a king or a homeland.  They maintained themselves as a unique people, while living the life of nomads.  They kept their unique identity during years of slavery in the foreign culture of Egypt.  A small group of Israelites spent decades in Babylon as a slave/servant people.  Great pressures were put on them to embrace the religion of their masters.  They refused to bow down to any God but their Yahweh.  They did not integrate.  They took the time to review and to find new meaning in the collected myths of their heritage.

Some of the Israelite myths are more important than others.  At the heart of their self-understanding are a small number of key myths.  God promised Abraham that he would be the founder of his chosen people.  On God’s command, Abraham went out “not knowing where he was going.”  Abraham’s commitment to God was so complete that by God’s instruction he was willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac.  Jacob wrestled with God on the banks of the Jabbok River.  Jacob received the blessing of God, but limped the rest of his life.  God gave him a new name, Israel.  Israel means “he who wrestles with God.”  God recruited Moses and Moses led the children of Israel out of their slavery in Egypt.  At Mt. Sinai God gave Moses ten commandments and wrote them on stones.  “You shall have no other Gods before me” rang in the head of every Israelite.

These are the myths, along with other supporting myths, which made Israelites a unique people who will not disappear or go away.

When we move to the story of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth in the New Testament, we find the same phenomenon.  In the gospel writings we find basic myths that surround the Christ story.  As Christians we reinforce the importance of these myths every year

with our celebrations of Christmas, Good Friday and Easter.  We enshrine the virgin birth, the death of Jesus for our sins, and his resurrection from the dead every Sunday in the singing of hymns and our communion celebrations.

The narratives of the birth of Jesus, the death of Jesus for our sins, and Christ’s resurrection from the dead are just as surely myths as are the Jabob/Jabbok River and the Moses/Sinai stories.

Mythology is not history. Mythology is more than history.  Mythology is in many ways the antithesis of history.  History happens in time.  Mythology supersedes and goes beyond time.  Mythologies endure because they draw our attention to values and insights into life that will not go away.  Mythology takes us into the realm of God.  The Bible myths take us into the realm of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Jesus.

Do myths and history ever join hands?  That is not a decision that can ever be addressed by critical Biblical scholarship.  Whether or not myths and history walk with locked arms will remain a matter of faith choice.

This is not an attempt to make that choice for anyone.  This volume is an attempt to introduce the reader to the mythologies of the Bible.  My goal in writing is that at least a few people when asked “Do you understand what you are reading?” will be able to respond with a knowledgeable “yes.”

Pastor Howard Bess lives in Palmer, Alaska

We barely understand what we are reading in today’s storytelling (journalism and non-fiction) and it is in our common form of the English language, let alone the unusually cumbersome English used in biblical translations. So we are fed the translations by other humans who are reading these stories and relaying to us their interpretations. Christian Dominionists tell us that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, yet they release updated versions. How does that even add up? And now that this is an interwoven part of our political platform in America, we are told by the “neo(new)-theo(theocrats)-religio(religious)-politician(90%republican)” that even they do not understand it with training and that we are not supposed to:

Once again…I thank Pastor Bess for prompting us to think.