Knitting Update

Well, as promised, here is a picture of my work in progress. It's not very big, I know, but then I've been a bit busy over the last week and time has been a bit limited. The measurements are 6 inches from left to right, and 1.5 inches top to bottom. There's a long way to go.

Rosie and James are coming to stay with us this weekend. Really looking forward to seeing them again. As a result, blog will be quiet. Until Monday.

Old Testament Interpretation II

The same lecturer who made the analogy I used in my previous post, has some interesting thoughts on this issue. Below is my understanding of his main argument.

The Old Testament was written, read and then re-read by communities down through history, up to the present day. In fact, it was the re-reading and re-appropriation of many of the Psalms that led to their collection and eventual canonisation. For example, Psalm 2 starts ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’. This was probably used originally at successive Judean king’s coronations. However, it was likely collected and canonised due to eschatological re-readings surrounding hope (that is re-readings appropriating the language to the Messiah), after the exile to Babylon. And more recently, the passage has been re-read christologically (that is with Christ in mind) by the New Testament writers (e.g Heb 1:5). The process of re-reading and appropriation is therefore intrinsic to much of the Old Testament.

Jesus also partook in the tradition of re-reading the psalms. His beatitude about the meek inheriting the earth is a re-reading of an ancient Hebrew idea expressed clearly in psalms 25 and 37 (amongst others); the idea of land. In his appropriation, Jesus stretches ‘land’ to refer to the whole earth, he stretches the chronology of the passage to refer to the Age to come, and his promise includes all followers of Jesus, not just the nation of Israel.

Jesus constructs a trajectory of meaning that arches across time, cultures and covenants. The pillars of this trajectory include Deuteronomy and psalms 25 & 37. This allows us to bridge the chasm between author and reader without denying it’s existence.

What do you all think, a solution or not?

Old Testament Interpretation

Tim has recently been making some noise, both on and off his blog, around the issue of authority and the Old Testament. I have been struggling with the problem of how the OT text can be interpreted today. While I like the idea of reading the OT within a narrative context (see Tim’s post), I don’t see how setting it in the context of a story makes interpretation any easier. There is still a gap between the then and now that makes appropriation difficult. If we read the text as it’s contemporaries would have read it, then we lack application today; yet if we read it with today in mind, we run the risk of distortion.

One of my lecturers has used the analogy of a young couple looking to rent a flat to describe the dilemma. There is a tension between the original state of the property as the lease agreement was signed, and the degree to which the couple may alter the flat to make it their own. A subjective reading of the OT takes the view of the tenant, but when does the re-decorating of the original become a distortion and not an enhancement. A more objective reading would take the view of the landlord; that the apartment should stay as originally designed without any alterations or modifications, leaving the tenants without a homely environment.

In fact, this is not a problem only for the OT. To a lesser degree, we have a similar appropriation gap with the New Testament texts. What are peoples thoughts on how to solve/ live with this problem?

Knitting as a spiritual discipline

It is time to come out of the closet. I knit in my spare time. But, before you judge me as some kind of effeminate weirdo, bear these points in mind.

1. Knitting helps develop patience (a fruit of the Spirit, I believe).
2. Knitting an item of clothing helps develop commitment.
3. Making your own clothes helps develop thankfulness for the clothes we already have and take for granted.
4. The rythmic repitition involved in knitting can be a useful prayer aid.
5. Knitting can be a further step on the journey towards a sustainable life.

After a few weeks of practicing on small pieces, I have just begun my first attempt at an adult scarf. I will be posting photos as I progress. If there are any kindred spirits out there (unlikely I know) then I can recomend this site for learning.

Off to Gregynog

Will be away for a few days in mid-Wales. Blog will therefore be quiet. Until later.

Fuel protests

So, after all the fuss, nothing really happened. Gorden blamed the oil producers and the oil producers blamed Gordon. A few farmers caused havoc on the M4 but the expected fuel crisis never really materialised. It seems to me like most of the discussion in the media misses the point.

At the end of the day, we are running out of oil (therefore it is bound to get more expensive), and our excessive use of it is killing the planet (raising taxes helps to reduce this). I wish that we would leave behind all the guff about expensive fuel and start to act positively. On a government level this means serious investment in alternative technologies, and on a personal level this means using public transport and generally cutting down on the amount of energy we use.

Rant over.

Welcome, new bloggers

After sending out emails asking a bunch of mates to start blogs and join the conversation I have already had three positive replies. No women yet though (come on ladies). All the new blogs are listed on the left under 'Amigos'. Lets hope we can use this as a forum to encourage each other in our faith and lives in general. God bless bloggers!

New job started today

Today I began my new job as a trainee probation officer. For the next two years I will be learning the ins and outs of what it takes to stop offenders reoffending. First day went well, all the other guys doing the course seem friendly enough and the 9-5 hours didn't kill me. I have a residential three day course in mid-Wales starting on Monday, where I will be introduced to the academic side of the trainee role. Let's hope I don't end up sleeping in any randomn train stations after too much wine (eh Rob).

1st Year Wedding Anniversary

Well we have made it through our first year, and what a day we are having to celebrate. Starting with a cooked breakfast at my Mum's for 10, church for the rest of the morning, a boat trip round gower in the afternoon and fine dining at Oxwich (the hotel we got married in) this evening.