Baptism, Temptation, and Disciples Most scholars agree that Mark was the first Gospel and both Matthew and Luke made liberal usage of Mark, going so far as to lift entire passages without changing a word. Mark tells a simple, straightforward story of an itinerant preacher and miracle worker who begins as a follower of John … Continue reading Real Bible Studies, The Gospel of Mark
Tag: essays
Author’s Intent: Motivation
A common question for any writer is why we write. For me, I have a desire to express myself and do so better in writing than speaking. This has been consistent throughout my life. When speaking extemporaneously, I often disengage my brain, leading to either saying the exact wrong thing at the exact wrong time, … Continue reading Author’s Intent: Motivation
Real Bible Studies, Matthew 14, The Death of John
The entirety of Matthew 14 corresponds with Mark 6:14-56. As with other sections borrowed from Mark, Matthew makes notable changes to the story, which tailors the meaning to his audience, and these changes hint at the message Matthew wishes to convey to his readers. Mark 6 begins with the story of Yeshua’s rejection at Nazareth … Continue reading Real Bible Studies, Matthew 14, The Death of John
Author’s Intent: Expanded Universe
My Expanded Universe of Fictional Atlanta came about when I realized a character I created for a play I was writing in 2011 was the same individual maligned by the lead character in a novel I had shelved around 2000. That novel, Boom Town, featured a character named David Cairo (pronounced “kay-ro” like the Georgia … Continue reading Author’s Intent: Expanded Universe
Real Bible Studies: Matthew 11
Messengers from John After giving his disciples their marching orders, Yeshua is approached by messengers from John, inquiring if he’s the leader John has been predicting. Rather that state it outright, Yeshua instructs the messengers to report what they’ve seen to John and let him decide. In much of Christian orthodoxy, John is heralded as … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Matthew 11
Weird Al Yankovic
Weird Al through the album covers. In the mid-70s, an accordionist by the name of Alfred Matthew Yankovic took a staple of FM radio, the humorous song parody, and turned it into a cottage industry that’s transformed him into a cultural icon known as Weird Al. Starting with song parodies for which he accompanied himself … Continue reading Weird Al Yankovic
Real Bible Studies: Matthew 9-10
Tax Collectors and Sinners Yeshua returns to Capernaum, where the crowd brings out a paralyzed man. Yeshua is quick to forgive his sins, which raises charges of blasphemy from the scribes. To counter this, Yeshua tells the man to rise, take up his bed and walk, which the individual does, astounding the crowd. Afterward, we’re … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Matthew 9-10
Status Quo
8 April 2017: The Forum, Norcross, Georgia. The only thing politicians love more than the status quo is an electorate that never questions or violates it. They relish voters who go to the polls from election to election and mindlessly rubber stamp incumbents regardless of the job they’re doing. It means they get to do … Continue reading Status Quo
Real Bible Studies: Matthew, Healings & Miracles
Matthew 8 Following the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew provides a chapter detailing several healing miracles performed by Yeshua. These mostly take place around Capernaum, which is Yeshua’s main base of operations for this part of the Gospel. Matthew’s concentration on the teachings and healings of Yeshua lend weight to the notion that Yeshua is … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Matthew, Healings & Miracles
Keep Going
30 April 2019: Warner Robins, Georgia There’s an expression I hear frequently that one’s “reach exceeds the grasp”. I’m certainly no stranger to that idea, given my creative mind, which often causes me to dream up far more elaborate stories than I could possibly write. Sometimes, though, it’s necessary to push oneself beyond the perceived … Continue reading Keep Going