Recently, on Wednesdays, I’ve been publishing Real Bible Studies but this week, I’m taking a break. This is mainly due to the fact that I’m finishing up a month filled with many twelve hour work days, and I’m just not in a very creative mood right now. Plus, I have another writing project that’s been … Continue reading Author’s Intent: Fatigue
Tag: religion
Boom Town: Introduction
10 January 2016: Marietta Street, Atlanta, Georgia. “Associated Press, Atlanta, Georgia, March 15, 2013: Officials with the Cairo Foundation will neither confirm nor deny reports concerning the disappearance of founder David Cairo and several associates during the recent uprising in the Congo. Sources report contact was lost on Saturday when rebels overran the compound the … Continue reading Boom Town: Introduction
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
Decommissioned Church
3 July 2021: Macon, Georgia. 4 July 2021: Macon, Georgia. 5 July 2021: Macon, Georgia.
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
Real Bible Studies, The Gospel of Mark
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
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
Worthy, Zelda Burch
Early in Abigail’s sophomore year, a local church starts distributing anti-gay literature and holding protests near campus. Her friend Delores is very angry and insists their LGBTQ group organize counterprotests and confront the parishioners head-on. Abigail is among those who want to take a less confrontational stand against the church. After several discussions among their … Continue reading Worthy, Zelda Burch