Cartoon Saturday

I use to love Saturday mornings when I was younger; it was the morning for cartoons on TV.  With 24/7 cartoon networks today and ready access via the internet, kids today  probably do not have the same level of anticipation.   However, in the 1960s, cartoons, especially animated ones, were in limited supply.  I have always loved cartoons, comics, and animation.  While going through some old files, I stumbled across a few cartoons I created back in the late 1980s or early 1990s.  So, in honor of Saturday mornings,  I thought it appropriate to post one.   In the one below, some individuals might recognize a slight tip of the pen to Aesop’s fable “Boys and the Frog.”

Jesus and Caesar’s Coin

While working on my paper for the SBL meeting in New Orleans, I chased a little rabbit about the coin of Caesar in Mark 12:13-17 (parallel,  Matthew 22:15-22 and Luke 20:20-26).   I had never really paid attention to that fact that not only does Jesus make reference to the image on the coin, but also to the inscription.   Most preachers/teachers are good at quoting an abbreviated part of the verse, “Whose likeness/image is on this coin,” but neglect to add “and inscription.”  Jesus  seems to be implying that both he and his audience would have recognized the inscription.  Would Jesus and his audience have read and understood a Latin inscription?  Probably not, so it is unlikely the coin used for illustrative purpose was a denarius carrying a Latin inscription.  (Beside, denarii did not circulate in the East this early.  This fact undercuts the “typical” Tribute Penny, that is denarius, associated with Tiberius).   The coin was most likely a tetradrachm minted in Antioch.  This particular coin would have had a Greek inscription, which is an inscription both Jesus and the audience were more likely to have understood.  Perhaps they would have understood it only too well: obverse, TIBEPIOS SEBASTOS KAISAP (Tiberius Augustus Caesar); reverse, THEOS SEBASTOS KAISAP (God Augustus Caesar).  See Peter E. Lewis, “The Actual Tribute Penny,” Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia, Vol. 10 (July 1999), 3-13.  While Lewis does not approach this text-segment with New Testament exegetical skill, he still makes some interesting observations.  It is extremely difficult to find image of this coin.  However, an excellent example, copyrighted by the American Numismatic Society, is avail via the link I created:  Antioch Tetradrachm.

Pompey the Great and the NT

Pompey the Great (106-48 BCE) is never mentioned in the NT; however, like the old saying goes, “the dead rule the living.” Pompey set in motion events, situations and persons who would influence the events within Judea well into the first-century and beyond.  The silver denarius below, minted in the year 42 BCE by Pompey’s son, Sextus Pompey (67-35 BCE), is a good window into his legacy for the study of the NT.

Obverse:  Head of Cn. Pompeius Magnus right; behind jug; before lituus; inscription around MAG PIVS IMP ITER.

Reverse:  Neptune standing left, wearing a diadem, holding an aplustre in right hand and cloak over the left arm; placing right foot on a prow; on either side, one of the Catanaean brothers, Amphinomos and Anapios, who are bearing parents on their shoulders; above is PRAEF; in exergue CLAS ET ORAE IT EX S C.

On the obverse, the right is weakly struck with a few banker marks.  On the reverse, the left is weakly struck.

This particular coin type was Sextus Pompey’s attempt to connect himself with his father, Pompey the Great, and to memorialize his father who had been killed during the Civil War against Julius Caesar.  After Caesar’s death, Sextus was appointed Prefect of the Fleet and Coastlines in 43 BCE, which is the approximate translation on the reverse of the coin above.  However, because of the pressure brought by Octavian, and Pompey’s own pirate-type actions against corn supply ships, Pompey found himself in conflict with the Triumvirate (Octavian, Mark Anthony, and Lepidus) and was declared an enemy of the state. Sextus, however, had a large fleet at his disposal, often numbering in the hundreds, and was able to control a great part of the Mediterranean Sea.  Sicily became his stronghold, and he used it as his center of power.  He continued to control the Mediterranean Sea until the defeat of his fleet and his death in 35 BCE.

Every coins carries with it explicit and implicit cultural and social cues, and this coin is no different. Honor is one of the easiest social values represented in this coin.  Sextus was honoring his father with this coinage and investing him with honor. Of course, by association this honor also accrued to Sextus, like father—like son.  It is also a significant honorable title that Sextus uses on the coins, a title granted him by the Senate, that is, Prefect of the Fleet and Coastlines.  To highlight that it was by Senate approval, the inscription on the reverse includes S C, Senatus Consulto, translated as “by the decree or authority of the Senate.”  One the reverse, also is highlighted one of the key social institutions of the day:  kinship.  The selection of the mythical scene on the reverse emphasizes this fundamental social institution.  It is the story of two brothers, Amphinomos and Anapios, who helped their parents escape from the volcanic explosion of Mt. Etna by carrying them on their shoulders out of harm’s way.  In the process, lava miraculously part for them as they fled. Here is familiar piety at its apex.  Some have suggested that the two figures on either side of Neptune (who might represent Pompey the Great) could be Sextus and his older brother Gnaeus Pompey, who was killed during the Civil War in 45 BCE.

For NT background, Pompey is the Roman general who expanded the borders of the Roman Empire into Judea.  From 63-62 BCE, the hegemony of Rome would hold sway over Judea for the next several hundred years.  It was Pompey who conquered Jerusalem and entered the Temple into the Holy of Holies.  In this respect he followed the precedent of the Selecuid ruler Antiochus the IV a hundred years earlier, with the exception, according to Josephus in Antiquities of Jews, 14.3, that Pompey did not molest any of the Temple treasury.  Pompey’s action also anticipates the action to occur 140 years later when Titus captures Jerusalem (70 CE); only this time, the Temple is destroyed and its treasures carried off to Rome.

One of Pompey’s key actions was to set the governance structure of Judea.  Pompey resolved the internecine conflict between Aristobulus II and Hyrcanus II by deposing Aristobulus (sending him to Rome in chains) and by installing Hyrcanus as high priest.  However, Antipater, father of Herod the Great, held the real power.  While Pompey’s is not mentioned in the writings of the NT, veiled allusions in the Psalms of Solomon may make reference to this time in Judea.  See specifically Psalms 2, 8, and 17.

Oxyrhynchus Hymn

Several blogs of late, Mark Goodacre among others, have called attention to the YouTube musical version of the earliest Christian hymn.

“The Oxyrhynchus Hymn (P. Oxy. XV 1786) is the earliest known manuscript of a Christian hymn – dating from the 3rd century AD – to contain both lyrics and musical notation. It is now kept at the Papyrology Rooms of the Sackler Library, Oxford. The text, in Greek, poetically invokes silence so that the Holy Trinity may be praised.”

While considering early hymns, I would recommend one of my favorite books on hymns in the New Testament:  Robert J. Karris, A Symphony of New Testament Hymns (Collegeville, MN:  Liturgical Press, 1998).

“Novel” Interpretations

When individuals approach biblical texts for interpretation, they often want to present new or innovative interpretations.   However, “new” interpretations are often greased by gimmick and present nothing new.   Charles H. Cosgrove, in an essay entitled “Toward a Postmodern Hermeneutica Sacra,” captures well that in a creative interpretation:  “. . . newness is not always something novel; it may be seeing the familiar in a new and transformative way.”  Well said, and kudos for those who can see from creative perspectives.

Epilogue Myanmar

Unfortunately, I was not faithful while blogging in Myanmar.  The second week in the country I was without Internet connections, and during the third week, I found myself teaching several extra class sessions.  I spent most of my energy getting ready for these class times.  However, I have selected a few pictures that give brief windows into the country.  On a later post, I will give an overview of my general reflections on my Myanmar experiences.

This picture above is of the only church in Bagan (and it is unofficial).  Christianity is thriving in Myanmar, but it often thrives in the same way a single blade of grass does in the crack of a sidewalk.  Because of my concern for all creatures great and small, I was taken by this smallest member of the church.  As the writer and scholar Andrew Linzey reminds us, until we bring animals onto the agenda, and into our worship, we will continue to think of them only in utilitarian ways.  When animals join us in worship, we are reminded that God is the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of all creation.

Pagodas everywhere.  This picture was taken also in the city of Bagan.  These pagodas represent only a small group of the thousands that dot this city.  One is reminded by the pagodas, and by the ever present monks, that Myanmar is a Buddhist country.  The population is roughly 94 % Buddhist and 6% Christian (and of that 6% almost half are Baptist).  Needless to say, Christians are a minority in Myanmar.  The Myanmar Institute of Theology in which I taught has a wonderful program called “The Judson Center.” Its purpose is for inter-religious dialogue between Christianity, Theravada Buddhism and primal religions.  It seeks to foster understanding, peace and harmony between these different religious traditions.

The smile on this young child’s face captures the spirit of the people of Myanmar.  I was the recipient many times of their gracious and giving hospitality.

Life is lived outside on the street, in the market place, and under the Bo trees.  This picture captured for me the colorful world that is Myanmar.

In Myanmar

I have not blogged for a few days because internet connections have been sporadic, but I wanted to jot a few words because these last few days in Myanmar have been incredible rich.

Bob Johnson and I have been leading seminars at the Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT).

My seminar focuses on the Johannine writings, Gospel of John and Revelation.  There are seventeen students in the seminar.  It is a wonderful group of students, and even though we meet from 3:00 to 6:00 each afternoon and the students have already had classes all day, they are still eager and engaged.  It is quite an honor to be with these students.  The students are working on their MDiv and MTS degrees, and they come from many parts of Myanmar and from many different tribal groups.

We have experienced unprecedented hospitality from the folks of MIT.  They  have helped in making sure we are where we need to be and have everything that we need.  MIT is a thriving school with activities going day and night.  It is clear that the young people in this country have a passion for learning.

With the completion of this week’s classes, we have a break of week and will travel up country (north) to Mandalay and to some of the surrounding areas.  When we return, we will have one more week of classes.

Baptist life in Myanmar is characteristically vibrant.  There are over a million Baptist in this country in a total of 4,626 churches.   The Myanmar Baptist Convention is getting ready to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of Baptist work in Myanmar (1813-2013).

Here is the view from my hotel room.

The building in the background is the Shwedagon Pagoda.  It stands 326 feet high, and it is covered in gold.

My pre-reading for preparation for this trip noted that it was the rainy season, and the readings did not lie.  It was rained every day with the exception of one.  Most tourists avoid this time of year in visiting the country.

Epistle 3, Sunday, 12 July 2009: On the Road to Myanmar

Today was spent in attending the Maitrichit Chinese Baptist Church pictured below, and also in a celebration of the lay ministry of Thawesak Mahachavaroja, who Central awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree in May 2009.

Two impressions come immediately to mind of the church service.  First, the worship service was very familiar.  With the exception of languages, Chinese and Thai, one could have been any many Baptist services in America.  The order of service was the same, announcements, prayers, sermon, and taking of the offering.  The songs were some of the popular ones I sang in the 1960s:  “Faith is a Victory,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Wonderful Words of Life.”  The arrangement of space had a familiar feel.  The pulpit was elevated and occupied the center of the platform.  The cross was the focus behind the pulpit, and the offering plates were on the center communion table.

It is clear that the church is a very vibrant community of believers in the heart of Bangkok and in the heart of Buddhism.  As one person told me, only 1% of the population is Christian.  Any it can be a challenge to get to church on a Sunday.  In the States, the road are nearly empty on a Sunday morning as one makes his or her way to worship; however, here every shop is open, the streets are jammed, and most worshippers live a long way from the church.  It is truly a sign of the Christians’ in Thailand commitment as they faithfully maneuver their way to worship on Sunday.

A second impression is related to the languages spoken in worship.  As the name of the church implies, it is a Chinese church here in Thailand.  The church is composed of mainly Thai, but many of them are naturalized citizens of Thailand or have had children born in this country.  However, strong Chinese roots continue.  The church is 40% Chinese speakers and 60% Thai.  So throughout the service, a translator is always going back and forth between the two languages.  Of course on our day, with Molly Marshall, President of Central Seminary, giving the sermon, a third language was added to the mix.  However, even more language was added, and of course from a New Testament perspective, this was of interest to me:  Aramaic.  The only language that united us all in worship was this ancient language of Jesus and the world of the New Testament.  Now granted there was only one word of Aramaic spoken, but it was one word we all knew and could say together:  Amen.  It seems appropriate word.  It is a word used 105 in the New Testament and is most frequent in the Gospels.

Ok—one last observation.  The church has wooden pews without pads, and I love it.

I grew up withthem and there is something a bit more religious to me with sitting on a solid wooden pew.

Epistle 2, Saturday, 11 July 2009: On the Road to Myanmar

Besides catching my breath today from yesterday’s travel, a group of about eight of us went to see “The Grand Palace.”  This palace is actually a complex of buildings built around the late 1700s.  It contains a royal residence, some government offices and especially noteworthy the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

What is most striking are the colors found in the architecture.  The vivid and bold colors capture an onlooker so that one’s eye is constantly taking in an array of bright and bold colors.  In fact, the style and construction may give an observer sensory overload.  The picture below gives a good example.

Other interesting aspects on the grounds of the complex were the statues related to the myths associated with Buddha.  Many of the images/statues depict the combination of both animal and human figures together.  For Western eyes these images combining humans and birds or humans and lions, as the pictures note below, may appear grotesque.

I am reminded, however, of the very interesting hybrids found in Revelation.  Particularly striking is the image in Revelation 9:7-10:   “In appearance the locusts were like horses equipped for battle. On their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, ⁸ their hair like women’s hair, and their teeth like lions’ teeth; ⁹ they had scales like iron breastplates, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle. ¹⁰ They have tails like scorpions, with stingers, and in their tails is their power to harm people for five months.”

My sense is that this image would not strike Buddhists as that unusual or strange.  Finding points of connection are always helpful in dialogues with those of different traditions.

Epistle 1, July 9 and 10: On the Road to Myanmar

I have arrived in Bangkok, and I am writing this blog entry after having finished 18 hours of air time and 7 hours of waiting around time.  I have been up for the last 30 hours.  Of course this seems exhausting, until one considers the time it took Adoniran Judson to get to Southeast Asia.  He left on February 19, 1812 and arrived June 12, 1812.  Four months!  This puts my 30 hours in perspective.  One should never complain about traveling today.  I always consider it a major magical that in less than 24 hours I have been in Kansas City, Chicago, Shanghai and finally Bangkok.

One interesting aspect of the trip was the concern over the Swine Flu.  Upon landing in Shanghai, we were not allowed to leave our seats until each person has his or her temperature taken.  On to the plane came two sets of technicians clothed like they were out of the science fiction movie.

All you could see were their eyes.  They used lasers across our foreheads to check our temperatures.  If someone had an elevated temperature they then used a thermometer.  If that person failed, then he or she was quarantined immediately.  Evidently, I was a perfect 98.6 degrees.

One other thought struck me as I was waiting in the Shanghai Airport:  the bilingual signs.  The photo below is an example.

It reminded me of the first-century (and what does remind me in some way about that pivotal point in history).  The world of the NT was bilingual with Latin and Greek.  While the sign illustrates the official government language of China is Chinese, the language that will speak to most people is English.  In the ancient world it was Greek.  Even though Jesus spoke and taught in Aramaic and lived far the centers of culture and power, he probably knew enough Greek to get by.

For the next two days, Saturday and Sunday, we will be in Bangkok.  We will have the opportunity to see some of the sights of this ever expanding city and to see some of the Baptist work that is happening.