Many episodes in Mark are repeated in Matthew, who almost always puts his own spin on them. Frequently, Matthew summarizes passages Mark embellishes and expands on topics Mark summarizes. Matthew also mixes and matches stories that are connected in Mark, possibly to obscure when the events are occurring. In addition to not offering a nativity … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Mark 2-5
Tag: poetry
Author’s Intent: Writing Prompts
I very rarely use writing prompts. This is usually because I don’t have much trouble initiating a writing project. I can almost always think of something to write. It’s converting it to meaningful output that’s the challenge. My method is to start writing, regardless of how it sounds, then once I have something on the … Continue reading Author’s Intent: Writing Prompts
Real Bible Studies: Matthew and Mark, Transfiguration
Matthew 17, Mark 9 One improvement Matthew makes over Mark is in how Matthew edits the episodes in his Gospel versus how Mark does. For instance, Mark 9 begins with what appears to be the wrap up of the previous episode where Yeshua predicts what’s going to happen in Jerusalem. And he said to them, … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Matthew and Mark, Transfiguration
Author’s Intent: Endings
I don’t like endings. I rarely go to funerals and whenever I leave someone’s presence, I frequently say, “See you later” rather than “Goodbye”. Equally, I never joke about death or dying. The comedian, Dick Shawn, is said to have ended his act by feigning a heart attack to avoid encores. When he suffered a … Continue reading Author’s Intent: Endings
Real Bible Studies, Matthew and Mark
Tradition of the Elders Chapters 15-16 of Matthew are an almost word for word insertion from Mark 7-8 though Matthew makes several changes to the source material. Both cite passages from various scriptures in condemning the Pharisees and Scribes for dishonoring their elders (Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16, Exodus 21:17, Leviticus 20:9). Given that Yeshua himself … Continue reading Real Bible Studies, Matthew and Mark
Author’s Intent: Allegory
All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril.Oscar Wilde In his preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde lays out his manifesto for artists. Among the tenets he mentions is the quote … Continue reading Author’s Intent: Allegory
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 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
Talking to Myself
I talk to myself. I always have. Sometimes, I hold extensive conversations with myself. Frequently, I’ll rehearse things I plan to say when I arrive at a location where I’ll be expected to speak; sometimes I repeat things I wish I had said when I misspoke at any point in my life. If I followed … Continue reading Talking to Myself
Review Reconstruction & Words
A request for reviews for Atlanta Stories: Reconstruction and Words Words Words. A number of copies of Atlanta Stories: Reconstruction and Words Words Words were sold during 2020. If you purchased one, or otherwise acquired a review copy, please consider submitting a review to Amazon and/or Goodreads or other review sites. Reviews help to get … Continue reading Review Reconstruction & Words