"You Hungry?": Antwone Fisher and the Psalms

Brothers,

In a well-crafted essay of at least three paragraphs, please give your reaction to Antwone Fisher, basing your response off of the following three questions:

1. First of all, what was your overall reaction to Antwone Fisher? Explain in detail. Also, feel free to interpret various images or themes as presented in the film.

2. What are three lessons you learned by watching the film? Explain in detail.

3. To what kind of psalm (lament, praise, or thanks) does the story of Antwone Fisher relate? How? To what specific psalm does the story relate? (please indicate psalm and re-write it in your response).

This assignment is Due: Friday, May 23 by class time.

It must be typed or submitted to the blog.

If you type, please use 12 pt. Georgia font.

Your heading should be as follows:

Your Name
Bro. Rob Peach FSC
REL 011.Section Number (2, 3, or 9)
23 May 2008

Into the Wild: Into Your Heart

Brothers,

In a well-crafted essay of at least three paragraphs, please give your reaction to Into the Wild, basing your essay off of the following three questions:

1. First of all, what was your overall reaction to the film? Explain in detail. Also, feel free to interpret various images or themes as presented in the film.

2. What are three lessons you learned by watching the film? Explain in detail.

3. To what biblical theme that we've discussed in class does the film relate? How is Alexander Supertramp's journey a spiritual one? Be detailed in your response. If a specific Old Testament biblical passage comes to mind, please reference the passage by indicating the book, the chapter, and the verse numbers.

This assignment is Due: Tuesday, May 6 by class time. It must be typed or submitted to the blog. If you type, please use 12 pt. Georgia font.

Your heading should be as follows:

Your Name
Bro. Rob Peach FSC
REL 011.Section Number (2, 3, or 9)
6 May 2008

A Warrior of the Light accepts his Personal Legend completely.

His companions say: “He has remarkable faith!”

For a moment, the Warrior feels proud, then immediately feels ashamed of what he has heard because he does not have as much faith as he appears to have.

At that moment, his angel whispers: “You are only an instrument of the Light. There is no reason to feel proud or to feel guilty. There are only reasons to feel happy.”

And the Warrior of the Light, aware now that he is but an instrument, feels calmer and more secure.


Weekly Fun Sheet for 4.7 – 4.11

o Chapter Nine: “The Remnant: Making a Home After the Exile” (pp. 211-243)

§ Monday: administer graded Quests; read from Isaiah 58: 1-11, 60: 1-7, 61: 1-2, 66: 1-23; assign “For Review” pp. 214, 218

§ Tuesday: due “For Review” pp. 214, 18; read Haggai 1: 2-15, 2:3-5; Zechariah 8: 1-8, 9: 9-10, 11: 4-7, 12: 10; Malachi 1: 6-8, 10-14, 2: 7-8, 13-17, 3: 1-10; assign “For Review” p. 222

§ Wednesday: NO CLASS EXCEPT period 8

§ Thursday: due “For Review” p. 222; read Nehemiah 1: 1-4, 2: 1-20, 3: 1-12, 5: 1-13, 5: 14-19, 6: 1-15, 11: 1-2, 12: 27-31, 13: 4-31, 8: 1-18

§ Friday: read Joel 1: 1-12, 2: 12-18; Obadiah 1:10-21; Man of Faith Film Series: Into the Wild; assign “For Review” p. 230 (due Tuesday)

The Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Brothers,

As a follow-up to our viewing of Peaceful Warrior, I would like you to type a three paragraph reflection that answers the following in complete sentences. Please be thorough in your review, referring to specific scenes, incidents, and characters where necessary.

1. First of all, what was your overall reaction to the film? Explain in detail. Also, feel free to interpret various images or themes as presented in the film.


2. What are three lessons you learned by watching the film? Explain in detail.


3. How does the film relate to a specific theme we've discussed regarding the various prophets. Give one example in which you relate one message in the film to a specific message given by a specific prophet. Be sure to quote the biblical passage that relates to the message in the film.

If you have anything else that you would like to add in reflection on the meaning of the film, please do so.

This assignment is Due: Friday, April 4 by class time. It must be typed or submitted to the blog. If you type, please use 12 pt. Georgia font.

Your heading should be as follows:

Your Name
Bro. Rob Peach FSC
REL 011.Section Number (2, 3, or 9)
4 April 2008

FUN SHEET for Week of 3.11 – 3.14: (text, pp. 194-201)

• Tuesday: finish up arts and crafts; read Lamentations 1: 1-7, 10, 18-19; 2: 11-13 and Baruch 6: 1-22

• Wednesday: due For Review, p. 196; Read Ezekiel 1: 4-14, 26-28; 2: 2-10; 3: 1-11; 4: 1-8; 5: 1-3, 11-12; 12: 1-16
• Thursday: read Ezekiel 16: 1-63; 24: 15-27; 36: 22-36; 37: 1-14; 43: 1-9; 48: 35

• Friday: due For Review, p. 201; Man of Faith Series: Peaceful Warrior

Jeremiah and The Chariots of Fire

Weekly Fun Sheet for 3.3 – 3.7

The Writing Prophets: Jeremiah (read text, pp. 187-94)

• Monday: Assign Chariots of Fire reflection/reaction sheet; begin Jeremiah

• Tuesday: Jeremiah 5: 1-5, 26-29; Jeremiah 7: 1-15; Jeremiah 10: 1-16

• Wednesday: Jeremiah 19; Jeremiah 20; Jeremiah 29: 1-15

• Thursday: Fun Times with Rabbi “Shalom” Berkun

• Friday: due Chariots of Fire reaction/reflection; Jeremiah 31: 31-34; 39; 42; 43

Brothers,

From iLumina interactive biblical encyclopedia:

WHAT is success? Most definitions include references to achieving goals and acquiring wealth, prestige, favor, and power. “Successful” people enjoy the good life—being financially and emotionally secure, being surrounded by admirers, and enjoying the fruits of their labors. They are leaders, opinion makers, and trendsetters. Their example is emulated; their accomplishments are noticed. They know who they are and where they are going, and they stride confidently to meet their goals.

By these standards, Jeremiah was a miserable failure. For 40 years he served as God’s spokesman to Judah; but when Jeremiah spoke, nobody listened. Consistently and passionately he urged them to act, but nobody moved. And he certainly did not attain material success. He was poor and underwent severe deprivation to deliver his prophecies. He was thrown into prison (chapter 37) and into a cistern (chapter 38), and he was taken to Egypt against his will (chapter 43). He was rejected by his neighbors (11:19-21), his family (12:6), the false priests and prophets (20:1-2; 28:1-17), friends (20:10), his audience (26:8), and the kings (36:23). Throughout his life, Jeremiah stood alone, declaring God’s messages of doom, announcing the new covenant, and weeping over the fate of his beloved country. In the eyes of the world, Jeremiah was not a success.

But in God’s eyes, Jeremiah was one of the most successful people in all of history. Success, as measured by God, involves obedience and faithfulness. Regardless of opposition and personal cost, Jeremiah courageously and faithfully proclaimed the word of God. He was obedient to his calling. Jeremiah’s book begins with his call to be a prophet. The next 38 chapters are prophecies about Israel (the nation united) and Judah (the southern kingdom). Chapters 2–20 are general and undated, and chapters 21–39 are particular and dated. The basic theme of Jeremiah’s message is simple: “Repent and turn to God, or he will punish.” Because the people rejected this warning, Jeremiah then began predicting the destruction of Jerusalem. This terrible event is described in chapter 39. Chapters 40–45 describe events following Jerusalem’s fall. The book concludes with prophecies concerning a variety of nations (chapters 46–52).

As you read Jeremiah, feel with him as he agonizes over the message he must deliver, pray with him for those who refuse to respond to the truth, and watch his example of faith and courage. Then commit yourself to being successful in God’s eyes.

Pupose: To urge God’s people to turn from their sins and back to God

Audience: Judah (the southern kingdom) and its capital city, Jerusalem

Date: c. 627-586 B.C.

Setting: Jeremiah ministered under Judah’s last five kings—Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. The nation was sliding quickly toward destruction and was eventually conquered by Babylon in 586 B.C.

Chariots of Fire: Film Reaction and Reflection

Brothers,

In the Book of Isaiah, we read about the prophet’s vision of the Seraphim and his willing response to God’s question, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah gives a confident, “Here I am! Send me!” As a prophet, it became Isaiah’s vocation to voice God’s displeasure with the people’s sins in Judah; Isaiah became God’s mouthpiece, “running the race” for the sake of upholding God’s glory in a land stricken by greed, violence, and idolatry.

That said, think of how this idea of vocation and of being a prophet fits into the story of Chariots of Fire. As a reaction to the film, please answer the following questions in complete sentences:

1. What is vocation?

2. What is the vocation of the two main characters in the film: Eric Lidell (the Scotsman) and Harold Abrahams (the Jewish man)? How do these guys view their vocation?

3. What obstacles do they have to overcome?

4. How do you think they fulfill God’s will?

5. What is your general reaction to the film? Did you like it/dislike it? Explain.

Weekly Fun Sheet: 2.25-2.29

Week of 2.25 – 2.29: (text, pp. 181-86)

· Monday: Quest

· Tuesday: Warrior of the Light follow-up; introduction to Zephaniah, Nahum, and Habakkuk

· Wednesday: 2 Kings 21: 1-6, 16; 22:1-20; 23:15, 19-25

· Thursday: Zephaniah 2: 3, 3:11-13; Nahum 2: 1-9; Habakkuk 1:1-17; 2: 1-20; 3: 16-19

· Friday: due, For Review (p. 186); Chariots of Fire; assign film reflection/reaction

Brothers,

This week we take up more on the writings of the prophets, particularly the lesser known guys of Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel tormented by the Assyrians): Zephaniah, Nahum, and Habakkuk.

But before we get to them, it would be helpful to know some of the historical situation (see page 183), which involves a line of kings from Hezekiah to Jehoiakim, spanning from about 721 B.C. to about 598 B.C. when the Babylonians begin their invasion of Jerusalem and start exiling the inhabitants of Judah.

It is during this time that the Deuteronomic historians start writing what we call The Bible, namely, the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament.

As usual, pay attention to what the prophets are saying. The same storylines and themes that we’ve discussed still apply to what the prophets mentioned above are saying: repent, reform, redeem yourselves! None of which is possible without God’s love and mercy rooted in the human mind and heart. For it is in the heart and minds of humanity that divinity is realized.

Isaiah: A Warrior of the Light

A Warrior of the Light accepts his Personal Legend completely.

His companions say: “He has remarkable faith!”

For a moment, the Warrior feels proud, then immediately feels ashamed of what he has heard because he does not have as much faith as he appears to have.

At that moment, his angel whispers: “You are only an instrument of the Light.
There is no reason to feel proud or to feel guilty. There are only reasons to feel happy.”

And the Warrior of the Light, aware now that he is but an instrument, feels calmer and more secure.

• Weekly Fun Sheet for 2.05-2.08
• The Writing Prophets: Isaiah, ctd.

• Tuesday: assign Warrior of the Light, due TUES. Feb. 12 on blog or hard copy; Isaiah 5: 1-7; Isaiah 6: 1-13; Isaiah 7: 1-14

• Wednesday: due “For Review” (p. 176); Isaiah 11: 1-9; Isaiah 29: 1-4, 13-16; Isaiah 35: 1-10

• Thursday: Fun Times Rabbi “Shalom”

• Friday: introduce Man of Faith series: Chariots of Fire

Brothers,

Since the beginning of the first semester we have read from Paulo Coelho’s Warrior of the Light. The book is a compilation (collection) of short sayings on accepting failure, embracing life, and rising to your destiny.

Interestingly—and I don’t know if you’ve noticed this—each passage that you’ve chosen has corresponded with some theme that we’ve discussed in class for the day’s or week’s Scripture readings.

Take, for instance, the passage above. How do you think it applies to Isaiah’s vision and response to God’s call in 6: 1-13? Both the passage above and the Bible passage have to do with vocation—a calling to which the “warrior” must respond in order to fulfill his mission in life, to “accept his Personal Legend completely.”

Keeping that in mind, I would like you to create your own Warrior of the Light saying based off of some message or theme revealed in the chapters that we read from Isaiah this week. The reflection is due Feb. 12.

Create your own saying in the format and style that Coelho uses to get his point across. In other words, imitate the way he writes his notes, using the passage above as a model. Notice the structure of his saying:

1. He begins with a specific statement about what the Warrior of the Light does or doesn’t do; believes or doesn’t believe; acts like or doesn’t act like.

2. In the following three lines, he describes some type of conflict that the Warrior deals with and what his conduct is in dealing with the conflict.


3. The last line is a concluding statement that resolves or eases the sense of conflict the Warrior feels or deals with. It is usually some life lesson or moral—what could be called a maxim: a principle, a rule of conduct, or a moral truth.

Your Life and the Words of Prophecy

Brothers,

This week's choice of readings is all about God's call to ive in a apirit of compassion. What does that mean? Well the word, "compassion," literally translates as, "to suffer with." The prophets were therefore calling the Isrealites to reach out to the oppressed as a sign of faith, rooted in a love that is selfless and generous in service to others. That same challenge is still relevant to us today, for no one's life is free of suffering--be it emotion, psychological, physical, or spiritual.

That said, I would like you to do the following as part of a journaling assignment that will be due this FRIDAY (February 1) by class-time. You may submit to this blog, but I will accept no excuses for missed reflections.

Whether you submit to the blog or hand in a hard copy, please TYPE your assignment with the following header in the top, left-hand corner:

Name
Br. Rob Peach, FSC
REL 011
Date Due

And so it goes:

As we read from Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah, please underline key quotes that bear specific relebance to your own, everyday life. I want you to be honest and, again, specific in describing the kind of experiences you deal with on the daily that relate well to the quotes you underline from these writing prophets.

By the end of the week, you should choose ONE of the quotes underlined that best fits your experience and write about it in a well-developed, page-long reflection, keeping in mind the following questions:

• Why did I choose this quote?
• What is it saying?
• How does it apply to my own life, this week or in general? (be specific)
• What can others learn from it? What do I have to teach them from my own experiences?

The Kingdom Breaks Up: Enter the Prophets

A Warrior of the Light accepts his Personal legend completely.

His companions say: “He has remarkable faith!”

For a moment, the Warrior feels proud, then immediately feels ashamed of what he has heard because he does not have as much faith as he appears to have.

At that moment, his angel whispers: “You are only an instrument of the Light. There is no reason to feel proud or to feel guilty. There are only reasons to feel happy.”

And the Warrior of the Light, aware now that he is but an instrument, feels calmer and more secure.

Weekly Fun Sheet for 1.07.08-1.11.08
The Second Book of Samuel (cross reference text, pp. 146-158)

· Monday: in-class review (Crossword, Ch. 5 & 6); 1 Kings 12: 1-20, 25-33; 13: 1-34
· Tuesday: 1 Kings 16:23-33; 1 Kings 17: 1-16; 1 Kings 18: 17-40
· Wednesday: 1 Kings 19: 1-18; 1 Kings 21: 1-29; 1 Kings 22: 29-38
· Thursday: in-class review Due “For Review” pp. 152, 158 (10 pts.); 2 Kings 2: 1-17
· Friday: 2 Kings 2: 19-22; 2 Kings 4: 1-44; 2 Kings 5: 1-19

Some things to consider:

Brothers,

This week we are introduced more formally to the life and sayings of the prophets, most especially: Elijah and Elisha. Their words of wisdom provided the Israelites with guidance and warning in a time of great division, a time after the reign of Solomon when the kingdom of Israel was split in two: Israel in the North and Judah in the South (cf. map on page 150).

As you read about the “nonwriting prophets,” keep in mind that they are not a bunch of sooth-saying fortune tellers with top-secret access to divine knowledge. Rather, they are disciples of God, united to His spirit by way of contemplation—that is, prayer—and action. Their entire faith, and the faith of the Jews in general, is thus exemplified by their lifestyle of prayer and service. The agenda of the prophets is only to love and remind the Israelites that they, too, are capable of fulfilling God’s will through love.

In the words of Mary Reed Newland, author of your textbook, “…the prophets’ ringing accusations and pleas for fidelity and goodness have become a literature ranked among the noblest writings of the ancient world and among the most useful for the modern” (149). And so their message is just as fitting for us today, as we strive to do God’s will—that is, live out our Personal Legend’s—of love in a society continually afflicted by distraction, division, war, violence, and materialistic greed.

BRobPeachFSC