Biblical Fiction #3: Retelling a Love Story

Image courtesyfrancinerivers.com

Hosea is one of the Old Testament prophets who lived in the 8th century BC. He did the unthinkable (to salt-of-the-earth types): He married a prostitute named Gomer.

Now, you can imagine how this story shapes up. It is a prime candidate for retelling in fictional form, and author Francine Rivers delivers it up to us in Redeeming Love. Set during the California Gold Rush, I was at first skeptical whether this book could weave the biblical story in a thoughtful way. And so I say, thank you, Shawnee Baldwin, Archdiocesan Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, for giving me this book to read.

Courtesy of Cody Miller at www.codyfmiller.com.

Because--boy was I wrong! This book is entertaining but also inspiring. Redeeming Love imaginatively digs into the tragic childhood of Angel (the Gomer character) and her wounded psyche. Michael Hosea (obviously, the Hosea character) is a homesteader who listens deeply to God's voice and is surprised and very reluctant when God draws him to take Angel in marriage. Let the games begin! (And of course, "the odds" are in God's favor, which means everybody wins in the end.)

This book allows the reader to enter into the biblical characters in a believable (but fictional, not  way. Angel becomes a real 19th century woman who struggles with her self-worth; Michael is a stubborn, Christian man who gradually falls in love with his wife.
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This is a fun summer read, perfect for the beach or, dare I say, a Dude Ranch? Headed for Wyoming? Take Redeeming Love along, and don't forget to read the biblical Book of Hosea, while you're at it!

Image courtesy of http://www.slideshare.net/chronicwriter

Puzzled About Chiasms?

Chiasms (KI-az-uhmz) are tricky little literary devices commonly used in a lot of ancient writings that originated as spoken traditions, as the Bible did. In spoken language, chiasms are infectious to the memory--they really stick with you. Point of fact:

"The last shall be first, and the first shall be last." (Matt. 20:16)

How many of us have that New Testament saying memorized? Easy, right? That's because it's a chiasm! Notice how the word "last" appears at the beginning of the sentence and is repeated at the end. Notice how the word "first" comes at the end of the first phrase and the beginning of the second phrase. That's a chaism. It has a "mirror" structure--the second part is identical to the first, only backwards: LAST FIRST/FIRST LAST.

They're called chiasms because the pattern resembles the letter X--chi (KI) in Greek. Clever, if confusing, right?

For my money, this saying comes straight from the mouth of Jesus. He was, of course, a master of rhetoric and used the common ways of speaking for his time. Possibly Matthew refined it, but that's a whole other topic!

Want more about chiasms? They're all over the place in the Bible. Alexis Chacchia, CBS faculty member, found a wonderful introduction (or a solid refresher) on how chiasms work and where they appear in the Bible. Click on the link below to listen to this excellent podcast. (It takes about 34 minutes, but even the first 10 minutes will be eye-opening, I think!)

http://beyondreadingthebible.com/11-chiasms/

Great Bible Experiment in New Haven - September 7, 2016

I'm attending. Who's with me?

EVENT LOCATION                                        

New Haven, CT:                                                                                                                                                                    
Yale Divinity SchoolNiebuhr Lecture Hall
409 Prospect St., New Haven, CT

Moderator: Chris Stedman, Executive Director, Yale Humanist Community                                       

Event Date: 

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 - 7:00pm

Register to attend in New Haven here.

Wanted: New Students to Thrive on God's Word in Scripture!

A note from the Biblical School Parish Ambassador Coordinator:

The Biblical School graduated its eighteenth class on June 12th. Some of us know the satisfaction and richness of this experience. Recall your recent  Biblical School days: the new friends we made, the things we learned about God and about ourselves. How fortunate we were to be part of this incredible spiritual journey! Don’t you agree?

Now it's time to recruit for the Class of 2020 (!), and the Biblical School is asking for your help. This is a great way that CBS alums and current students can share with others God’s Word in the message of the Bible and the knowledge of God’s love for us.

As you reflect on your own experiences, you have the opportunity to help recruit for the coming fall term. By becoming a Parish Ambassador, the Biblical School makes it easy for you to help recruit. The School provides support and direction in the form of written materials, brochures and posters. You can be part of a team in this important process.

If you can help us out, please send me your address and I will have the materials mailed out to you right away.

Blessings,

Barbara Kaminsky, Class of 2015

860 668 6454