Epistle of Barnabas / Joanna & the Zombies / Suicide / Dinosaurs / Creation & Evolution Webinar

Good morning from the island nation of Sri Lanka! Due to mechanical problems with the aircraft from the UK, we were scheduled to arrive 30 hours late! I managed to change carriers and landed only 20 hours late. Pretty rough on the body—but the spirit was exhilarated.

Here I’ve taught on Divine Silence and the Apocalypse. Fascinating topics, and of great interest in this predominantly Buddhist nation. Right across the street I was repeatedly treated—if that's the right word—to the chants of Theravada monks, and from my window I beheld several temples and stupas. There are also Hindus and Muslims in Sri Lanka.

In fact, yesterday many young men were happily beating drums and singing in celebration of the birth of the Prophet (Muhammad—he’d be turning 1454 this year). It’s “Mawlid.”

There were a good number of guests at our events, non-Christians outnumbering believers. Such “imbalances” remind me of my mission, and encourage my soul. (Speaking of which, this morning I spent an hour watching 50 fishermen—not fishing alone, but working together to bring in the catch. Hmmm.) You can read the review of this first leg of the teaching trip here.

While here I also taught (online) with my AIM-UK/Ireland colleagues: “Top 12 Questions on Marriage & Parenting.” Tonight I’ll be in Singapore for a few hours—dinner with friends before heading north to another nation (iFaith work).

CREATION & EVOLUTION WEBINAR (26 OCTOBER)

Our next webinar is on 26 October 2024. The speaker is Prof. Denis Lamoureux of the University of Alberta. His topic: "Beyond the Creation & Evolution Debate.” Denis is not only a respected friend, but a scholar with three earned doctorates—including PhDs in theology and biology, putting him in the perfect position to teach intelligently on this sometimes contentious topic.

This webinar is ideal for anyone with questions about Genesis and science (or their parents or grandparents), as well as for educators.

  • Saturday 26 October

  • 10:00-11:30 am Eastern US Time

  • Pricing: $10 (free for website members)

REGISTRATION LINK TO BE PROVIDED STARTING 2 OCTOBER

JOANNA & THE “ZOMBIES”

Two new Q&As for your consideration:

1669. What ever happened to the people raised to life in Matthew 27?
Any hint of what happened to the saints raised from the dead when Jesus died on the cross? — S.S.  

Interesting question! I believe this is your passage: At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people (Matt 27:51-53).

What happened next?—how did they make use of their extra days no earth? I have no idea! Yet the destiny of those raised to life doesn’t seem to be the thrust of the passage. The theological point is more important: Jesus' death affects all humans, present, future, and past. All are redeemed through his atoning death. They are not “zombies,” as I have sometimes heard. (Besides, zombies aren’t alive, as any fan of the genre knows.) In case you want to go deeper, here are three pieces that may be of interest:

1670. Was Joanna the manager of Herod’s household?
As I read Luke 8:3, Chuza is Herod’s steward. But is it possible that Joanna is the steward, instead of her husband? The Greek construction seems to indicate Chuza, but today I heard it preached that Joanna was the manager. How do you read it? — J.T.

You are right. The steward is Chuza, not Joanna. Note that Chuza and epitropos are in the genitive case. The preacher must have read the passage too quickly.

By the way, last night I was watching The Chosen (Season 4, episode 1), which, among other things, begins to explore the relationship between Joanna and Chuza. What an excellent series, for believers and future believers alike!

Next weekDoes Grace Have Obligations? and How Are the Wicked a Ransom for the Righteous?

WHEN HOPE RUNS OUT

Guest article: Jonathan Noyes and Greg Koukl

Why would a person take his own life, especially a young person with much to live for? When our natural instinct is to do everything in our power to preserve and protect our personal well-being, why kill ourselves? ..
KEEP READING

SPONSORED WEBSITE MEMBERSHIPS

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Our website (almost 11,000 pages of articles, audio, and video, counting both public and premium content) is full of devotional material, sermons, classes, and more. New content is added daily.

Many of our friends in challenging locations have asked for (or hinted about the possibility of receiving) website membership. The cost is only 10¢ a day—$36.50 a year—easy for most North Americans and Europeans to afford, but not so easy for others.

There are currently more requests than we can fund—without your help. This week we’re seeking donors for Sri Lanka (I am there now); Qatar and Cameroon (I’ve visited these nations only once), and Saudi Arabia (where I taught in May).

  • Sri Lanka — 28 subscriptions

  • Qatar — 20 subscriptions (5 already covered)

  • Cameroon — 10 subscriptions

  • Saudi Arabia — 20 subscriptions (5 already covered)

Deepest thanks to all of you who donated last month, for Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria, and the Emirates. There was even a bit extra—applied now to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Words of appreciation:

  • “I am so happy! Trust me to ensure the opportunity is maximised. This is such a privilege!” (Nigeria)

  • Wow! Thank you so much. We are so grateful. (Ghana)

  • People are making good use of these resources. Thanks to all the donors too! (UAE)

  • This is going to be a huge blessing to 20 smiling brothers and sisters! (West Africa)

We’ll list more locations in October. If you’re interested in purchasing subscription(s) for brothers and sisters in any of these countries, simply reply to this newsletter and I’ll be in touch.

EARLY CHRISTIAN WRITINGS (8) 

There’s so much we can learn from the early church—both good and bad! If you’ve just started reading this series, previous installments may be found in the newsletter stack. Click the image below for the first nine volumes of the ANF.

The Epistle of Barnabas (100 AD?)

Ths interesting epistle may not have been penned by Barnabas, but is attributed to him. The oldest complete manuscript appears in the Codex Sinaiticus (early fourth century). It is just possible that Sinaiticus is one of the 50 Bibles commissioned by Constantine. In this manuscript, on display in the British Library, Barnabas appears between the N.T. and the Shepherd of Hermas. This does not mean the Christian church universally accepted it as scripture—yet clearly many believed that Barnabas, like Hermas (which we will examine next year), was worth reading. Here are a few things I noticed on my recent reading:

  • Baptism cleanses us of sin (chap. xi). This, by the way, is the unanimous views of all the ancient Church Fathers.

  • The world lasts 6000 years, then comes the “millennium” [taking Rev 20 literally] (chap. xv.).

  • Christ rose on the “eight day”—the day after the Sabbath—meaning that Sunday was the day observed by Christians. (In other words, no “Sunday Sabbath.”)

  • Abortion is forbidden: “You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. You shall love your neighbor more than your own soul. You shall not slay a child by procuring abortion; nor again, shall you destroy it after it is born” (chap. xix).

Next week: Fragments of Papias (60-130 AD)

COOL QUOTES

  • Wealth is like sea-water; the more we drink, the thirstier we become; and the same is true of fame. ― Arthur Schopenhauer (1778-1860)

  • Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous. — Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

  • Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. — Miles Kington (1941-2008)

  • The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. — John Piper (1946—)

Next week: a few jewels from the ancient Persian / Syrian father, Aphrahat (c.280-345).

DINOSAUR EXTINCTION!

It’s been a sensational Asian odyssey so far. I’m meeting all sorts of people, enjoying fellowship, feeling used by God, preaching the Word—these all help me to feel emotionally and intellectually engaged. Yet similar feelings, for which I am truly grateful, don’t arise only when I’m away from home.

For example, shortly before leaving for Asia I was thrilled by an email from an eminent scientist. Remember the asteroid collision (some 65 million years ago) that wiped out the dinosaurs? This person is the one who discovered the impact crater (in the Yucatán Peninsula). He’d read one of my books, is very positive, and said he wants to collaborate.

How exactly—I have no idea! I’m no scientist, just a friend of science. But I’m intrigued—and agreed. As my old friend Scott Green used to say, “Be curious.” I am. Are you?

Have a great week!
Douglas