tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post1789042953298795414..comments2024-03-28T13:59:11.445-07:00Comments on Left Behind and Loving It: The Holy One in Unholy PlacesD. Mark Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-24616043307019334142024-02-04T04:51:49.916-08:002024-02-04T04:51:49.916-08:00Thanks, Mark, for delving deeper into this text. Y...Thanks, Mark, for delving deeper into this text. Your reflections are always generative.<br /><br />From my readings especially related to the imperial conquest under Vespasian and Titus at the time Mark's gospel is written showing Jesus as the antithesis of Caesar, I've come to see this passage as programmatic for the following narrative. Healings restore individuals to community and exorcisms throw off the effects of imperial oppression. The imperial destruction generated a sorting in the Galilean and Judean populations that eventually led to the separation of Christians and Jews. In Mark's gospel Jesus is the anti-Caesar who brings the opposite of what Rome delivers. The messianic secret arises out of such narrative opposition - which may account for why it's so prevalent in Mark. The other gospels come long after Jerusalem is destroyed.Russell Meyerhttps://FloridaChurches.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-65079693904119043622024-02-04T04:40:02.330-08:002024-02-04T04:40:02.330-08:00Noted that the Gk has Jesus raising (egeiro) befor...Noted that the Gk has Jesus raising (egeiro) before taking by the hand. And wondering about the recognition by the demons as clarity that they cannot survive the light brought by Jesus, so their utterances are as irrelevant as some defendant's challenges to courts that find them guilty? Judges don't tend to tolerate those outbursts well... FWIW!Bill Schlesingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14304598437917344802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-64750569758669443562024-02-03T12:59:41.351-08:002024-02-03T12:59:41.351-08:00This year I'm struck by the possibility that t...This year I'm struck by the possibility that there's a direct line from Mk 1:38 to the message we hear when we finally begin to hear some of the content of his teaching: the parable of the sower (chap 4). I wonder what made him see, at this early moment of success, that his vocation would be about planting seeds rather than gathering harvest?Mark Preecenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-70256787754720226222021-02-10T09:21:53.965-08:002021-02-10T09:21:53.965-08:00I always make it a point - and did so, in fact, wh...I always make it a point - and did so, in fact, when preaching on this text recently, that the notion and language of demonization has been cruelly and unfairly used too often in Christian parlance. Indeed. <br />MDD. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17644181693534649272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-1738702382240475232021-02-10T09:20:45.190-08:002021-02-10T09:20:45.190-08:00This seems like a promising Girardian approach to ...This seems like a promising Girardian approach to me, Bruce. Nice. <br />MDD. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17644181693534649272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-15021033031473157092021-02-08T11:50:15.617-08:002021-02-08T11:50:15.617-08:00Demonised has a double meaning. It can be those ac...Demonised has a double meaning. It can be those accused wrongly -scapegoats. So also a release from false accusation and the mental distress that goes with it.Bruce MacKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186107910368395860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-27894380595427912342021-02-08T11:45:58.967-08:002021-02-08T11:45:58.967-08:00So the (goat) demons may be the ghosts of past sca...So the (goat) demons may be the ghosts of past scapegoats (bearing the accumulted guilt of the people) released into the wilderness but still haunting minds of those people. Jesus action is then a release from/ foregiveness of this persistent mental guilt. Bruce MacKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186107910368395860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-4687033895804396592018-02-17T05:21:21.458-08:002018-02-17T05:21:21.458-08:00That's a helpful way to think of it, Bill. Oth...That's a helpful way to think of it, Bill. Otherwise it seems that this story is about something from a bygone age that we can't really believe in any more.D. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-21050994418152626842018-02-17T05:20:08.012-08:002018-02-17T05:20:08.012-08:00Thanks, Barb. I was in Nicaragua when your respons...Thanks, Barb. I was in Nicaragua when your response came in and failed to see it until today. Thanks for the kind words. D. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-55379025904473433662018-02-04T06:42:46.250-08:002018-02-04T06:42:46.250-08:00My work has been to see the phenomenological ties ...My work has been to see the phenomenological ties to the text (when have you found yourself being raised up?) as a way of getting hold of the underlying experience that can be hidden in the language. So I’ve been working on a ‘translation’ of spiritual for our current perspective, and have come up with ‘context.’ There are contexts (self-pity, entitlement, victim image, fear to name a few) that ‘possess’ us. They are shared socially as well as individually, and they ‘enter’ us. Throwing out those contexts without replacing them with a different center – trust, compassion, responsibility, ‘letting go’ – just has them come in again. Those things have power (δαίμων daímōn, dah’-ee-mown; from δαίω daíō (to distribute fortunes) following Girard’s work on scapegoating, and can be used by demagogues to control and generate control of others. ISTM that they fit and follow the experience named ‘demon’ in the NT.Bill Schlesingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14304598437917344802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-38273571570075130802018-02-03T09:06:37.573-08:002018-02-03T09:06:37.573-08:00As always, I appreciate your study of and insight ...As always, I appreciate your study of and insight into the passage. I'm going through a "skeptical" phase and appreciated your sharing of your own journey in relation to the gospel.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09983459298693230117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-7068938005684967442018-01-31T20:57:23.762-08:002018-01-31T20:57:23.762-08:00I agree, Mark, and yet doesn't the gospel/Gosp...I agree, Mark, and yet doesn't the gospel/Gospel have something to say? I'm not so sure Jesus' touch was non-invasive from our perspective. Did the woman have a say? It sounds like the men's idea. Of course it's healing, but can't our (male and female) touching also be healing? How else do the hands of Jesus heal today? etc etc. I intend exploring some issues raised by the Gospel and leaving it with congregation to think about. I certainly have no great suggestions to make on such a topic in such a short time-period (or ever!). Too big to say more here, but thanks for your suggestion.Rick Strelanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09748454442741602352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-5248493136183606912018-01-31T05:52:16.853-08:002018-01-31T05:52:16.853-08:00Thanks, Rick. It's good to watch you think.
MD...Thanks, Rick. It's good to watch you think.<br />MDD. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-69334139566603036462018-01-31T05:51:11.699-08:002018-01-31T05:51:11.699-08:00I don't know, Rick. Given the current climate ...I don't know, Rick. Given the current climate of the #metoo movement and the ongoing crisis of men touching women inappropriately, I think I would not go there. This is a non-invasive touch, it seems to me, and one that brings healing. Too many men practice invasive touching as if there is some mutual benefit going on, when instead there is harm. <br />I see more danger than good coming out of the phrase 'holy' men touching women. D. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-73172243224439774712018-01-31T05:49:02.284-08:002018-01-31T05:49:02.284-08:00Hi David,
Blessings on your sabbatical. One of th...Hi David, <br />Blessings on your sabbatical. One of these days, I'm going to take one of those. In other words, I'm not a very good person to ask about how to benefit from a sabbatical. You'd be better off reading the sabbatical grant stories from the Lily Foundation, which asks "What makes your heart sing?" <br />For creative writing as a spiritual practice, I can imagine a number of places you might begin. If you are Presbyterian (and not everyone is, I've discovered), there is a Presbyterian Writer's Guild, which you can find by searching that phrase in Facebook. Other denominations may have similar groups. <br />I am part of a group that is organizing a writers' collaborative, but it is focused on publication. It sounds like you want to find one focused on spiritual growth. My suggestion is that if you cannot find one, to start one. Nothing has benefitted my writing more than a local writers group that meet regularly and holds one another accountable (gracefully). A group that is dedicated to writing as a spiritual practice could begin with Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way, and grow from there. If you're an introvert, you could begin there yourself. <br />That's all I've got off the top of my head.<br />Blessings. MDD. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-59934902754837344312018-01-29T20:55:47.784-08:002018-01-29T20:55:47.784-08:00I guess the issue of 'holy' men touching w...I guess the issue of 'holy' men touching women might be explored here??Rick Strelanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09748454442741602352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-87609101806312922252018-01-29T13:14:10.363-08:002018-01-29T13:14:10.363-08:00Mark,
Recently I have begun planning for a sabbati...Mark,<br />Recently I have begun planning for a sabbatical after 30+ years of ministry. I am interested in a theme of communication of faith, share story and human community through the vehicle of creative writing. I'm not so much interested in publication as I am benefitting my congregation for spiritual growth and faith development. I guess I'm hoping for a bit of spiritual growth myself. Any direction or suggestions you could offer will be much appreciated. Thank you.David M. Doanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-34084370691528066282018-01-28T16:01:14.538-08:002018-01-28T16:01:14.538-08:00Again, insightful thinking, Mark, and thanks. The ...Again, insightful thinking, Mark, and thanks. The clean/unclean thing is a big deal in this Gospel. <br /><br />The demons might get their theology right (they know who Jesus is) but they dehumanise and marginalise (cf later with the Legion demoniac). Jesus repairs that brokenness within the community. <br /><br />I'm also curious about the time-references (here but elsewhere too). Sounds a bit like burial/resurrection time? In addition, Jesus 'raises' the woman from her unclean state; and himself 'gets up' (anastas).<br /><br />And when Jesus says: For this I have come out' might he mean (simply) 'I have come out here into the desert to prepare for my mission' (as he did earlier in the testing)? Simon's violent response to Jesus being out there is very curious.<br /><br />Again, many thanks for the blessing your comments give.<br /><br />RickRick Strelanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09748454442741602352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-1078894703524855792015-03-25T18:57:37.957-07:002015-03-25T18:57:37.957-07:00Beritanya bermanfaat gan. Saya tunggu berita selan...Beritanya bermanfaat gan. Saya tunggu berita selanjutnyaHanudinhttp://goo.gl/HMOrjynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-50726867526631471012015-02-13T18:49:56.928-08:002015-02-13T18:49:56.928-08:00thanl you ganthanl you ganobat herbal radang tulang belakanghttp://acemaxsyunz.blogspot.com/2015/02/obat-herbal-radang-tulang-belakang.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-45375804706016391272015-02-07T21:12:39.124-08:002015-02-07T21:12:39.124-08:00Thanks Vic. Living the mystery is part of the joy,...Thanks Vic. Living the mystery is part of the joy, isn't it? Blessings, <br />MDD. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-39620941822742434492015-02-07T21:11:36.810-08:002015-02-07T21:11:36.810-08:00Thanks. Blessings on your work. Thanks. Blessings on your work. D. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-47673067623824417302015-02-07T18:41:32.937-08:002015-02-07T18:41:32.937-08:00Thank you, wise sir. Your word studies are very h...Thank you, wise sir. Your word studies are very helpful! And, this week, I am very grateful for your honest reflection on (yet another) healing story. I do not know what it means, though we offer healing prayers each week in our chapel, during communion. Jesus said do it, and so we do. And I struggle between seeing how important it is (in Mark particularly?) in the gospels and how far we seem from that day. I do not want to dismiss those stories and turn it all into psycho-babble. And yet, healing through bringing wholeness, connection, community is all I can understand of it. I live in the mystery and the quandary. We pray and we limp. Pray and stumble.Vic Mansfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06194671996997775313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-69607473351089469352015-02-07T10:38:42.019-08:002015-02-07T10:38:42.019-08:00Mark thank you for these comments. I too will be ...Mark thank you for these comments. I too will be leading a time of special prayer for healing and wholeness and I too, struggle with what exactly that means. Your words have helped me think about the ways in which the kingdom "cures" and "sets free" and "raises up", even though we are all still limping along. tkoesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03915039255750601015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-29083534160198846862015-02-06T05:01:00.257-08:002015-02-06T05:01:00.257-08:00Thanks, Jerry. I appreciate your remarks about the...Thanks, Jerry. I appreciate your remarks about the blog and the book. D. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.com