tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5309621502240443032012-01-16T21:47:30.663-06:00The introspective ramblings of one man related to the events of life and their intersection with faith.Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-19821074445688288952012-01-16T09:19:00.001-06:002012-01-16T09:19:46.837-06:00

On this the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. I ran across the text of his "I have a dream" speech at  the Jesus Creed blog, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/ and glanced through it.  I was struck by the passion, the intricacy, the biblical imagery and references.  But I was also struck by the call to excellence. To quote MLK, Jr. "We must forever conduct our struggle on the high

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-83389850848080814052011-12-25T15:26:00.001-06:002011-12-25T15:26:59.887-06:00

It's been a wonderful week for thinking about Christmas.  Isn't it amazing that our first question is "what did you get" instead of "what did you give" for Christmas? Christmas is about giving, indeed it is a celebration about giving.  I've been fortunate to be reminded of that on several occasions this week. Most of you aren't familiar with Wichita radio stations on Sunday morning, but I was

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-37311543344619117542011-12-10T09:30:00.001-06:002011-12-10T09:44:41.553-06:00

Having completed a semester of teaching the "minor" prophets, otherwise known Book of the Twelve, one aspect that was made clear in the past week is the consistency of some of the themes between the Minor Prophets (otherwise Old Testament) and the teachings of God through more recent prophets (otherwise New Testament). The first theme, and the topic of this blog, is that of God's sovereignty.

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-37657086697167381082011-11-05T09:25:00.001-05:002011-11-05T23:04:47.154-05:00

I was tremendously encouraged yesterday after class when a student actually thanked me for teaching Minor Prophets.  He indicated that without the class he would never have opened these books and would have remained unenlightened as to their major importance. He also noted that he had unintentionally slipped into the bifurcated thought pattern that there were two different gods, the god of the

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-2266886214479914192011-10-20T20:14:00.001-05:002011-10-20T20:14:13.915-05:00

Just finished two days on Habakkuk, which is much better than two day old halibut. What really surprised me this time around was the amazing description of God in 1.12-14 and again in chapter 3.  I wonder how much our perspective on God would change if we only stopped to read and consider what these small books at the end of the Christian Old Testament actually say about God.  Here's the snippets

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-47527249510862073082011-09-25T08:04:00.002-05:002011-09-25T08:04:54.108-05:00

Sorry for the delay. Teaching Greek for a year gets me out of the habit of posting relevant comments.  Now we are in the Minor Prophets. What a refreshing change, both for myself and for my students. I think some are adding to their view of God every day. What is Justice? Great question.  It is NOT social justice, it is NOT economic justice, it is NOT (add your modifier here) justice.  Those are

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-25137027613931748292011-06-04T13:45:00.000-05:002011-06-04T13:45:04.497-05:00

Last Saturday it was a wedding.  Next Monday it is a funeral.  What do the two have in common? Both are filled with hope.  The wedding takes a couple of mid-aged people and tries to join them and some teenage and older children into a single family unit.  It takes hope to even try such a thing.  The funeral takes a family who is devastated by tragedy and grasping at hope, hope that there is a

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-60490708031919412652011-04-07T20:20:00.005-05:002011-04-07T20:54:17.656-05:00

Just the other day, my notorious colleague James Bryan Smith, asked me a question about Colossians 2, and started me thinking. So I thought I would ramble about my synaptic patterns for a moment or two. My comments have to do with the way in which we separate Scripture from itself in order to serve our own agendas, rather than recognizing Scripture as "canon" and allow it to speak for itself.

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-15836471742471254012011-01-10T14:53:00.002-06:002011-01-10T15:05:52.856-06:00

First and Foremost, the Arizona shooting was a terrible tragedy. The young man accused (and captured with a smoking gun) was wrong. His behavior and actions cannot be excused by any rational person.Secondly and more importantly, the response of the nation to this tragedy is tragic. At the timeline of school shootings , there is a list of shootings around the world since 1996 reports 219 deaths

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-89032316449425055042010-11-15T08:35:00.002-06:002010-11-15T09:04:38.752-06:00

Who are we as a nation? The recent 2010 election will redefine us in part, but doesn't necessarily solve the question. Does the action of Washington DC define us through legislative actions, or are we more precisely defined by the events recorded in newspapers and reporting services across this vast land? The question of identity is frequently responded to by a series of questions that we

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-87977734014923620092010-08-14T22:07:00.002-05:002010-08-14T22:16:05.465-05:00

My son has been reading Shayne Claiborne and bouncing ideas off of me and his own facebook cronies. What I find interesting is that the challenge of Claiborne and many of his ilk are not directed toward the biblical text, but toward how individuals have appropriated the biblical text in their lives and proclaim their practice as the "christian" way. For the historically minded (that includes

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-47969196454812101322010-08-11T09:19:00.003-05:002010-08-11T09:31:21.036-05:00

I have had several conversations this past week that have revolved (that's a Greek Perfect... an action completed in the past that still impacts the present) around the same topic: the oversimplification of God and/or the Bible. It is common for a child who is learning a new, complex concept to want to get it in a simple terms and ideas initially. It is even common for adults, who learned a

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-38320530283965772452010-07-19T10:34:00.005-05:002010-07-19T10:54:06.076-05:00

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of taking my son back to Manhattan. With two other drivers available, I spent my time in the back seat reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. Those who know me well will know that I do not read "pop" religious literature on a frequent basis. However, since my wife is reading the book with some ladies at church and I had just returned from vacation, I decided to give

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-59895510715619809982010-05-21T08:39:00.003-05:002010-05-21T08:56:26.850-05:00

The past two weeks have seen a rare occasion, two sons graduating from two institutions on two different weekends. With our first college and final high school graduations under our belts we stop and pause to reflect. Is graduation the end or is it actually a commencement and a new beginning? Something has been achieved and yet there is so much more to achieve. For those familiar with this

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-25239569697556216662010-05-10T08:38:00.002-05:002010-05-10T08:56:13.041-05:00

During my recent mental excursions I was pondering Genesis 2:15-3:22, specifically the first and last verses, and how to relate this theological account to a contemporary (careful not to confuse that adjective with the less specific 'modern') audience. My circuitous route took me from Genesis to the Gospel of John and its strongly characterized relationship in chapter 1 with Genesis 1. The

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-41747227397784620202010-04-13T21:20:00.002-05:002010-04-13T21:31:52.797-05:00

After spending a brief 45 minutes on Philippians 2:19-30 in class, it became apparent that there was more to say. Philippians 2:19-30 is an underrepresented segment of Paul's letter to his dear co-workers and co-participants, and perhaps even co-conspirators for the kingdom, who happen to reside in a very Roman Philippi. Squished between the Kenosis Hymn (don't know if anyone has called it that

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-52548773149111661452010-04-05T21:18:00.002-05:002010-04-05T21:23:42.194-05:00

Working with class on Philippians 2.1-4 is sooo very cool. The content and language precision make it a primo teaching opportunity on interpretation, theology and a host of other concepts that get left behind in our normal haste to reach 2.6-11.The real key to getting the most out of this passage is to leave your list at home!!! Paul is not writing lists to be followed in a legalistic fashion,

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-89754062284100572272010-03-29T07:51:00.002-05:002010-03-29T07:58:15.670-05:00

Here is a question to ponder, "Does the Bible really matter?" If the answer is no, why spend so much time studying it. If the answer is yes, why not take it more seriously. A headline in the Wichita Eagle on March 29, 2010 states "Agriculture, Humane Society agendas clash". The first line reads "An escalating conflict in the United States pits . . . " That is the real issue. How is conflict

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-11113960771277696942010-03-26T16:43:00.003-05:002010-03-26T16:51:29.992-05:00

Today in Philippians we began with the question, "What is Philippians about?" Based on our discussion on Wednesday, the "correct" answer for today was not "joy", "Epaphroditus" or "Timothy" but to model a relationship that should be emulated. As we moved through the prayer section it became obvious that we too quickly skip over important information to get to the "hot topic" area. Paul begins

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-46981792832007275342010-02-15T16:22:00.004-06:002010-02-15T16:53:28.018-06:00

Well, I've returned to the classroom and opened the Bible again. I've spent several weeks on Paul prepping the class before we turn to Ephesians and Philippians. But this week we got to Ephesians chapter 1. It is interesting as I have looked at the outlines the students provided. Some have no structure, thus their reading of the letter has no structure. Words and ideas flow from words and

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-21838145198660823082010-01-14T22:25:00.002-06:002010-01-14T22:27:02.371-06:00

My professional organization, the Society for Biblical Literature, is conducting a survey as part of a Grant to start a Website. Please encourage your friends to take a moment and complete it.http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NH3V5ZZThanks,More posts coming soon as I start a class on Paul, Ephesians, and Philippians!!!

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-15618490996471812952009-12-20T23:01:00.002-06:002009-12-20T23:20:35.655-06:00

What goes into the process of interpretation? Today as I got out of the car I almost uttered the words "Thanks for waiting for me!" Fortunately I did not. As some of you might know, those words by themselves do not indicate whether my companions waited for me or not. They could easily indicate that they had already headed for the store and the bargains waiting inside. They could just as

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-46179831822615539402009-11-09T23:12:00.003-06:002009-11-09T23:23:45.120-06:00

After nearly a semester of discussion, lecture, and writing on the board (not me, the students) we have reached the prophet Malachi. What an amazing book it is!! The marvelous reward today was that the students paid more attention to the small, apparently insignificant themes in Malachi that were large, very significant themes in the other eleven prophets (that's why it is called the "Book of

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-22186875471169069072009-10-18T20:22:00.003-05:002009-10-18T20:28:19.869-05:00

What does one do when, while teaching a class on the Minor Prophets, one's pastor starts preaching from HOSEA? Is there an echo in the house??? Having moved away from Hosea some 4 weeks ago and progressed through six prophets and one hundred years of history in class, is it possible that HOSEA has something to speak to the society today?What are the idols that modern American "people of God"

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-73822260270465130392009-10-12T08:07:00.002-05:002009-10-12T08:20:42.479-05:00

Six down and six to go! we have discussed four prophets associated with the 8th century BC and two with the 7th, all the while wondering, "Does context matter?" Do Nahum and Habakkuk have anything new to add to what the 8th century prophets already proclaimed? Where is the focus on harlotry, the chasing after other gods? Where is the doom, the gloom, and the denial of hope for those who for

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-37214631452086743762009-09-21T22:02:00.003-05:002009-09-21T22:17:56.575-05:00

Well, another day in the world of Davis 301 and the Minor Prophets. Today's topic, Micah! After being pummeled by Hosea and his wife Gomer (i.e., STOP!) and the apparent sexual immorality of the whole book (not!, but significant 13 times with Harlot alone), it was a relief to move to Amos, (only once). But here we are again in Micah and the first thing you know we're talking about harlot wages

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-63487677742002320742009-09-19T23:01:00.002-05:002009-09-19T23:14:10.515-05:00

I really enjoy teaching the class on the Minor Prophets. I REALLY enjoy teaching the class on the Minor Prophets. Do you get it?? The Minor Prophets, so far Hosea, Amos, and Micah, are extremely relevant to the world we live in. If the Church read them and took their message to heart she would either be a) really ticked off or b) ready to repent and take God seriously. Take Micah for example

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-67625205774265315102009-09-06T09:24:00.002-05:002009-09-06T09:46:26.116-05:00

Well I'll admit, the reason for this post originates in a comment my youngest son made yesterday at the football game. While sitting in the near nose-bleed section he turned to me and asked, "Is it all right that I want to turn around and tell that guy to just shut up?" We were blessed to have a professional football commentator behind us informing those in the area of all the ways that the

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-15913758757212091962009-08-05T09:55:00.004-05:002009-08-05T10:10:32.595-05:00

As promised this blog is on 'I'-sight. One of the finest professors I ever had, Dr. William Coble, summed up the Christian life in this fashion, it is the challenge between "ego-centrism" and "Christo-centrism". In the twenty years since I heard those words I have continually been impressed with the truth of that simple expression. Pamphlets like "My Heart His Home" and illustrations like "

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-66011884984540893882009-08-01T17:35:00.003-05:002009-08-01T17:51:06.857-05:00

Thanks for asking! Mine is a bit confused. I have had the pleasure of sitting under the eye drop giving hands on nurses, nurse anesthetists, and MD's who shine bright lights in my eye and remove the lens that permits the light to refract and bounce upon my retina. One eye sees very well and the other is not quite as advertised, (yet). So what does this have to say about the Bible?I'm glad you

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-675186208814237942009-07-26T19:02:00.003-05:002009-07-26T19:26:42.878-05:00

What should one do when one comes to a point where one recognizes one's human limitations? That is a profound question! Since we recognize ourselves as human, mortal, finite beings, there is a point (or many points) when we come to realize our limitations. The question then becomes, "What now?" I came to a moment this week where I recognized my limitations. As a result of having cataract

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-83056170073580611922009-06-26T14:40:00.002-05:002009-06-26T14:55:53.501-05:00

With the recent death of a "famous" singer in California and the worldwide outpouring of grief at his passing, need I say anything about the death of a "famous" teacher, or about the deaths of hundreds of thousands of "unknowns" who changed this world and the people in it for the better? When the final analysis is complete, is a person's "music" the defining factor or is it their "character" and

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-19384905297658555142009-06-22T22:32:00.003-05:002009-06-26T14:56:45.186-05:00

After discussing the Pendulum effect, I had a variety of thoughts so I'll stick to the most pertinent. Pendulum's are amazing things. They are attached at a "pivot" and consist of a "bob" and a "rod" that suspends from the pivot and is attached to the "bob." In my reflections on the previous post it became apparent that the analogy used implies that the "pivot" would be God, the "bob" us,

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-38071851176476938612009-06-18T23:50:00.002-05:002009-06-19T00:17:07.366-05:00

Today I had the pleasure of a lengthy discussion with a former student at Friends who is now in graduate school. These discussions are a tremendous joy as I am able to see how the time at Friends is now maturing as they become more than they were and begin to take on an understanding of who they are and how they fit in the world. Today's discussion focused on the Pendulum effect of learning. So

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-68365716821564193842009-05-28T22:33:00.003-05:002009-05-28T22:48:23.203-05:00

I just returned to my computer after seeing the movie Star Trek with my sons.  You are probably asking what does Star Trek have to do with the Bible!  The answer is "more than you think." But for this blog, there is only one comparison worth noting.Near the end, Leonard Nimoy (Spock 1) greets Zachary Quinto (Spock 2) by  saying "I am not our father." Despite the temptation to discourse on the

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-63849314881308455092009-05-15T07:30:00.002-05:002009-05-15T07:43:14.509-05:00

I've been listening to some recordings of lectures by Raymond Brown on the Gospel of John as I drive back and forth to Wichita.  He is speaking to a group in England and raises the issue of translation.  As one of the preeminent scholars on John's Gospel in the 1960's through the 1980's, Brown is quite qualified to discuss biblical translation theory.  However, he doesn't discuss the theories

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-13383721689934017902009-05-10T08:46:00.004-05:002009-05-10T09:17:07.709-05:00

My town was hit by a "derecho" on Friday morning.  Not being a meteorologist I didn't know what hit us until the next day when I read its description in the newspaper.  All I  knew was that the power went off at 5 a.m. and didn't return quickly.  As the daylight began to shine in the darkness I saw a tree down in my backyard.  As neighbors began to move out word spread that the downtown area was

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-43486996871071007202009-05-04T10:12:00.003-05:002009-06-21T14:54:50.492-05:00

As I attempt to help students learn to read the Bible, one of the confusing elements that I encounter is the tendency for students to look to have definitions that rule out optional understandings rather than descriptions that provide boundaries for understanding. The cultural approach to learning experienced by our nation's young people rules out multiple answers, tests are given with a "

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-64512091304731113822009-05-01T21:58:00.000-05:002009-05-01T22:08:20.214-05:00

Today was the final exam in Romans class. As I read through the responses on some of the short answer questions I was forced to pause and examine my own motives for asking the questions.  What is important for students to recall when they study biblical works such as Romans? Is it enough just to "learn the lingo" that is being used or should they learn more?  How much time do I spend in class

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-86413912588821827222009-04-28T23:18:00.001-05:002009-04-28T23:27:47.522-05:00

Teaching Greek on Monday raised some interesting questions.  We were discussing the passage in 1 John 2:12 "I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake." (NAS95).  The question was raised about forgiveness because the Greek uses the dative case " to you all" and not the accusative or genitive as might be expected (you all or your).  It raised

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-47539399365406656962009-04-26T19:19:00.000-05:002009-04-26T19:27:07.430-05:00

As I sit at my comfortable table and type on this modern contraption of a computerized keyboard, I ponder the last hour's events.  A planned trip to Wichita by my son's school group, the threat of severe storm, and the washing away of the expectant travel opportunity.  Why, when the threat of a storm is present, do we tuck our heads and run for shelter?Doesn't the most growth come through the

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-43144620439183998002009-04-26T09:28:00.000-05:002009-04-26T09:32:23.216-05:00

We just finished a lovely evening catching up with our friends Russ and Etta Bauck.  Friends at KSU Russ and Etta serve with OCI in the Philippines.  It is a real sign of the friendship that God builds that we can spend 4 hours together catching up and pick up as though no time had passed since our last meeting.  That kind of friendship is not built in a brief moment, but through shared

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530962150224044303.post-26126464980626549002009-04-20T21:25:00.000-05:002009-04-20T21:29:43.364-05:00

Hey, Its a great day to start a blog.  This is actually just a test blog so that I can recommend it to my pastor when we start our own church website.  Hopefully you aren't disappointed.

Stan Harstine, Ph.D.https://profiles.google.com/102957587361482691202noreply@blogger.com