Worth a Thousand Words: Passing Storm

Passing Storm, Arthur Parton, Date unknown

Genesis Notes: Melchizedek

GENESIS 14
Melchizedek is only shown to us one time and yet we are reminded of him with the familiar phrase from Hebrews that Jesus is a high priest "after the order of Melchizedek." You wouldn't think there'd be a whole lot to learn from one little "walk on" part. However, as is so often the case with Scripture, there is a whole lot more to it as we can see here.

Melchizedek and Abraham. Painted Limoges enamel plaque, 1560-1570.

Most modern biblical scholarship sees in Melchizedek a pre-figuring of Christ; some scholars suggest that it was actually an appearance of Christ to Abram. He is a mysterious figure. The early tradition of the Church, which continued well up to the time of the Reformation, was influenced by the Jewish rabbinic teaching that Melchizedek was actually Shem, the firstborn son of Noah who lived a very long time. This is a compelling idea. Shem was the one on whom Noah's blessing had rested. He was destined to be a master over the Canaanites. His priesthood was domestic; that is, the one who conducted the worship of God and through whom the blessing of God was received was the head of the family. We have seen this in Noah and Abram. This role was passed from father to firstborn son.

If, in fact, Shem is Melchizedek (this name is more of a title than a name), as the Fathers taught (even Martin Luther understood and taught this), what can we make of the description of him in Hebrews 7:1-10 (please read)? In Heb. 7:3, he is described as "without father or mother or genealogy, and has neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever." In order to understand this statement, we need to know something about the Levitical priesthood in Israel, with which Melchizedek's priesthood is contrasted in the verses that follow.

The Levitical priesthood was instituted in Israel at the time of a great apostasy, a grave turning away from the covenant God had made with His people (see Exodus 32:25-29). Before that time, the priesthood had been a domestic one, as we have seen in Genesis thus far, passed from father to firstborn son. Due to the circumstances of its institution, the Levitical priesthood must be seen as inferior to the earlier one. The writer of Hebrews makes this clear. Additionally, by the time of the writing of Hebrews, the Levitical priesthood featured certain restrictions. A man could not become a priest until he was 30 and had to retire when he was 50. He also had to prove his Levitical (of the tribe of Levi) genealogy through both his father and his mother (this had become important when Israel returned to its land after foreign exile, in about 500 B.C.; there was careful attention to lineage in order to prevent any foreign corruption in the priesthood).

The priesthood of Melchizedek was not that way. There was no need for the Levitical attention to parental lineage ("He is without father or mother or genealogy..."). There was no start and end of his service ("neither beginning of days nor end of life"). It would be this kind of royal priesthood that Jesus would have (prophesied of the Messiah long before by King David in Psalm 110:4). His was the superior priesthood of the firstborn son, not the Levitical one. God's own Son became High Priest. Melchizedek was a type of the One Who was to come.]

All quotes from Genesis, Part II: God and His Family. This series first ran in 2004 and 2005. I'm refreshing it as I go. For links to the whole study, go to the Genesis Index. For more about the resources used, go here.

What We're Watching: Sneaky Pete

A con man (Giovanni Ribisi) on the run from a vicious gangster (Bryan Cranston) takes cover from his past by assuming the identity of his prison cellmate, Pete, "reuniting" with Pete's estranged family, a colorful, dysfunctional group that threatens to drag him into a world just as dangerous as the one he's trying to escape - and, just maybe, give him a taste of the loving family he's never had.

We saw an ad for this last weekend while watching Green Bay pound the Giants and were intrigued.

We were even more intrigued when we saw that Graham Yost from Justified was running it. Along with Bryan Cranston whose involvement sealed the deal. We were impressed that not only is he involved in producing it but he is not the star. Talented and willing to let someone else star. (Is there anyone who doesn't love that guy?).

The pilot was entertaining, smart, and hit the right notes. We're really looking forward to the series which will begin this week.

The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy

The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy

Never has a tale of post-apocalyptic America been so gently told. It was surprising and unusual and I'm surprised I never heard of Pat Murphy before my mother urged me to try this book.

After The Plague decimates the country, the cities are all cut off from each other. San Francisco is populated largely by artists whose whims are transforming the city into something otherworldly. When they get word that they are the next target for a military cult, they decide they will fight the war their way — with art.

This had a dreamy, fantastic quality that I really liked. I especially liked Murphy's imaginings of how artists would shape the raw material of an abandoned city to show their vision. And it is an unusual book which made me delight in the way the war was fought. Some of the attacks which repelled the conventional soldiers actually made me laugh out loud. Creative and diabolical, while still somehow remaining essentially peaceful.

Worth a Thousand Words: Colts for a Cowman

Via Pulp Covers

Colts for a Cowman, sure ... but I see he needs help from the gutsy dame in the saloon.

Dare we dream - an all Texas Super Bowl?

Well Said: A good question

Our obstetrician, a squat, gruff, no-nonsense Italian American woman, responded to the [natural childbirth] fad sarcastically. "Since when did nature become our friend?" she asked. It was a good question.

Andrew Klavan, The Great Good Thing

Worth a Thousand Words: The Journal Readers

The Journal Readers (c.1660-1670). Jan Steen (Dutch, c.1625-1679).
via Books and Art

Worth a Thousand Words: The Mummy

Via Not Pulp Covers

Well Said: Overcoming the Test That Freedom Entails

Today, the Gospel reminds us that Jesus, after being baptized in the River Jordan and impelled by the Holy Spirit who settled upon him and revealed him as the Christ, withdrew for 40 days into the Desert of Judea where he overcame the temptations of Satan (cf. Mk 1: 12-13). Following their Teacher and Lord, Christians also enter the Lenten desert in spirit in order to face with him the "fight against the spirit of evil".

[...]

In meditating on this biblical passage, we understand that to live life to the full in freedom we must overcome the test that this freedom entails, that is, temptation. Only if he is freed from the slavery of falsehood and sin can the human person, through the obedience of faith that opens him to the truth, find the full meaning of his life and attain peace, love and joy.

Pope Benedict XVI, The Joy of Knowing Christ

Angelus, March 5, 2006

Another choice bit from this book I'm enjoying so much. Of course, it is actually still Christmas but we face temptations no matter what time of year it is. I especially love that phrase "to live life to the full in freedom we must overcome the test that this freedom entails..." Without temptation and the chance to resist it, we would not be free ... or human ... at all. Something I must keep in mind when I am struggling along.

Well Said: Gospel and Emperors

In Jesus' time, the term "gospel" was used by Roman emperors for their proclamations. Independently of their content, they were described as "good news" or announcements of salvation, because the emperor was considered lord of the world and his every edict as a portent of good. Thus, the application of this phrase to Jesus' preaching had a strongly critical meaning, as if to say God, and not the emperor, is Lord of the world, and the true Gospel is that of Jesus Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI, The Joy of Knowing Christ

Angelus, January 27, 2008

I'm really enjoying this book as a daily devotional. Each section is a two-page reflection on the gospels, taken from various homilies. They give me something simple yet profound to think about as I go about my day. We throw around the world gospel so often without stopping to recall the original meaning of good news. And now our eyes are opened to see that in coopting the word "gospel" Matthew is telling us something deeper and more significant than we knew. Context matters so much.

Worth a Thousand Words: A Happy New Year Dawn

Taken by my good friend Scott Danielson

Best of 2016 - Movies

My top picks from the movies we watched last year. As always, the movies may be old, but my viewing was brand new in 2016.

Cloud Atlas (2012)

A set of six nested stories spanning time between the 19th century and a distant post-apocalyptic future.

I was stunned at how good this film is. I was amazed at how it would jump from person to person between stories, from moment to moment, and we always knew what was going on, where we were in the story and (most importantly) WHY those moment were parallel. (Ok, maybe not for the first third of the movie. That was the learning phase.)

And by the end, I was in awe that we were watching six completely different genres of movie, along with all the other connections. (Full review here.)

Bridge of Spies (2015)

Insurance lawyer James Donovan is tapped by the government first to defend Rudolph Abel for being a Soviet spy, then to go to Berlin and negotiate an exchange of Abel for American U-2 pilot Gary Powers.

An engrossing drama that pulls us back into the Cold War years or, as in my case, evokes all the spy novels I read about that era.  I really appreciated the reminder that it is tough-minded, ethical people with the ability to see the big picture who helped keep an even keel then.

3:10 to Yuma (1957)

Dave Evans (Van Heflin), a small time farmer, is hired to escort Ben Wade (Glenn Ford), a dangerous outlaw, to Yuma. As Evans and Wade wait for the 3:10 train to Yuma, Wade's gang is racing to free him.

This was a fascinating encounter between two men who have chosen the opposite ways to approach life. Both have regrets, both wrestle with how to live — all in the context of this lean Western. And I never knew Glenn Ford had such a subtle, wicked, serpent-like performance in him.

Tell No One (2016, French)

Eight years ago, Alex's wife was murdered.

Today she emailed him.

Fast paced, excellent thriller. (Full review here.)

Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman (2015)

I picked this up because my husband loves documentaries and race cars. I expected to tolerate it but instead I fell in love with this well rounded, subtle picture of a deeply private man. (Full review here.)

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)

We were both delighted way beyond expectation by this classic comedy. We knew Alec Guiness played 8 parts but we didn't expect the wonderful script full of nuances which left us slightly shocked (in a happily funny way). We didn't expect the subplots which gave the film comic depth and kept us interested. We didn't expect the skill with which Dennis Price and Joan Greenwood smoothly played their parts. We certainly didn't expect the twist at the end.

This is definitely a movie that isn't watched enough these days.

Departures (2008 Japan)

When Daigo is laid off of work he and his wife move back to his family home in a small town. Misunderstanding a job description, he finds himself being trained as an "encoffiner" to prepare corpses before their cremation. This puts him in an uncomfortable position since handling the dead is a taboo subject for Japanese.

By turns poignant, funny, and moving, this is one I've thought of a lot since I saw it. (Full review here.)

The Train (1964)

When the Allies are close to Paris, a German officer becomes obsessed with getting a trainload of French art back to Germany. The French Resistance recruits the stationmaster (Burt Lancaster) to help keep the art from leaving France.

A WWII action thriller which pushes us to consider the price of art, national identity and culture against that of human life. I can't stress how excellent Paul Scofield was as the German officer.

Hell or High Water (2016)

Two West Texas brothers begin robbing banks but they aren’t typical robberies. They only take loose bills and target branches of one particular bank. They are pursued by a crusty Texas Ranger (Jeff Bridges) nearing the end of his career.

This is a heist film crossed with a modern Western. It was everything we hoped it would be and more. The opening with the deliberate framing of the three crosses begs the question throughout the film — is there a "good thief" and what does that mean beyond the easy Hollywood cliche of good intentions?

The Petrified Forest (1936)

A lonely "last stop" gas station near the Petrified Forest brings together a sophisticated wanderer, a young girl longing for adventure, and a gangster who is smarter than he looks.

This classic is known as the film that got Humphrey Bogart noticed, a precursor to film noir, and the first film where the gangster is an American. None of that prepared me for how modern it felt (Slim's character was completely unexpected), how funny it was in places, how artfully it was written, and how wonderful all the acting was. And, yes, Humphrey Bogart was absolutely wonderful in it.

Central Intelligence (2016)

A former picked-on nerd, turned CIA superspy, goes to his high school hero for help on his latest mission.

Its a buddy movie, it's an action movie, it's a comedy, and it's fairly predictable. Also, there is some vulgar humor. But it's not really about jumping through high rise windows or quelling knife wielding opponents with a banana. Though those things do happen.

The heart of this movie is about friendship, heroes, bullying, and knowing what matters in life. That heart is what won me over. As well as Dwayne Johnson who, as so many have pointed out, makes the biggest difference with his sweet smile, sincerity, and comic timing. It's fun and it's got The Rock. What more do you need?

Best of 2016 - Books

My top picks from the books I read last year. You may find old books here but if they're on this list, then they were new to me!

7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness 

by Eric Metaxas

Eric Metaxas wrote this book to ask two questions: (1) What is a man? (2)What makes a man great? He answers them by looking at the lives of seven men who are worthy of emulation.

This grabbed both my and Tom's attention. We still talk about the stories and people in this book. (Full review here.)

Also, don't miss his follow-up book about 7 Women. We both liked that one too. (Full review here.)

Slow Horses 

by Mick Herron

A different sort of spy book. Spies who have failed at their jobs get sent to Slough House where they do paperwork.

Funny, suspenseful, intelligent — I loved this and both the sequels. (Full review here.)

We also discussed this on A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast.

Reading Dante 

by Giuseppe Mazzotta

2016 unintentionally became my year of Dante as I wound up reading the Divine Comedy four times. Don't ask how I unintentionally read it four times. Sometimes these things just happen.

Anyway, seeking commentary I found this book by a professor who's been teaching Dante's Comedy for decades and was selected for Open Yale Courses video. Whoever translated those videos into these chapters also deserves praise. I can feel the force of personality as well as the depth of knowledge — all communicated in a very understandable way. This was simply wonderful in deepening my appreciation of the magnificent work Dante did upon The Divine Comedy.

Church of Spies: The Pope's Secret War Against Hitler 

by Mark Riebling

Another one that both Tom and I loved. I still think of it frequently.

Nonfiction, by a non-Catholic, defending Pope Pius XII against claims that he supported the Nazi regime. Reads like a spy thriller.

I bet the audiobook would be great. (Full review here.)

The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains 

by Owen Wister

A Western with all the expected trappings: cow-boys, guns, horses, beautiful school mistresses, villainous scoundrels, and the hauntingly beautiful isolation of the Wyoming range.

But, more than that, it is a wonderful character study told in surprisingly contemporary writing. (Full review here.)

Bearing False Witness: Debunking Centuries of Anti-Catholic History 

by Rodney Stark

A wonderful book using facts and statistics to combat lies about the Catholic faith which are still being spread by experts who should know better. In fact, those experts are why the author wrote the book.

As he says in the introduction: "Finally, I am not a Roman Catholic, and I did not write this book in defense of the Church. I wrote it in defense of history." What better reason could there be than that? Truth for truth's sake. (Full review here.)

Lydia Chin / Bill Smith 

mystery series by S.J. Rozan

Lydia Chin is a young American born Chinese woman who is also a Chinatown detective. Bill Smith is older than Lydia and white. His detective work tends to take him to construction sites and security jobs. They often act as partners which works well both for mystery solving and as a story telling device.

The twist in this series is that one book will be told by Lydia and the next told by Bill. The author has a rare talent for writing in completely different voices for both Lydia and Bill.

Enjoyable all round. (Full review of the first two books here.) We discussed Concourse on A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast.

Earthrise 

trilogy by M.C.A. Hogarth

This is a really fun space opera series which is continually flirting with becoming romance novels. (Full review here.)

The Great Good Thing: A Secular Jew Comes to Faith in Christ 

by Andrew Klavan

A great conversion story by a thriller author. Both inspirational and influential - my prayer life changed after reading it. I listened to the audiobook which was read by the author. (Full review here.)

My Lady Jane 

by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and , Jodi Meadows

What if history was just a little bit different when England's King Edward died and Lady Jane Grey was caught up in a political conspiracy to ascend to the throne? What if some people were shape changers who also had an animal form?

Of course, that would be an alternate history, probably written for young adults. For what it was — a humorous, inventive, light, romantic, alternative history — it was practically perfect in every way. It was sometimes silly but always charming and I was glued to it in every spare moment. I listened to the audiobook which I wholeheartedly recommend. (Full review here.)

The Help 

by Kathryn Stockett

After covering the movie when it was selected by a movie discussion group regular, I revisited the book to see if it was as good as I recalled. The movie was a by-the-numbers telling with broad strokes.

The book, as I rediscovered, was so much more than that. I decided to try it in audiobook form after seeing that Octavia Spencer was one of the narrators. And the audio really makes it soar. Worth reading and rereading, whether in print or audio.

2017 Book and Movie Challenge

My 2016 Book Challenge went really well and I updated my post so you can see how it went, if you like. Some of it was planned and some I fell into ... so I'm curious to see how this year goes.

1. Chronological Bible Reading
   I made it partway through Jeremiah last year. And into the Book of Wisdom from the middle column. I'm waiting to read the New Testament until I get done with the old one first. I'm not on a timetable. There's no reason to rush through just to read the Bible in a year.Here's the plan I'm using.
   
   
2. The High Window by Raymond Chandler
   This is the last Chandler I haven't read. Might as well finish all that lovely prose this year.
   
   
3. A History of the Jews by Paul Johnson
   
   
4. The Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila (reread)
   
   
5. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
   I was looking around for another author somewhat like Dickens and Gaskell's name kept coming up.
   
   
6. Thomas More by Peter Ackroyd
   I've always wanted to try Ackroyd's writing and who better to read about than Thomas More? It might be more More than I want (haha) but it can't hurt to try.
   
   
7. Robert Heinlein Mature Science Fiction
   Looking around for new science fiction to try, I wound up back in an unexpected spot — back with one of the acknowledged masters from 40 years ago. I thought I'd read a lot of Heinlein's books but it turns out not to be the case. I'm looking forward to diving into both the juveniles and adult books. There's nothing like old science fiction, after all!
   
   UPDATE: As I entered the new year, I found myself with lots of science fiction authors from Heinlein's time (which spanned a considerable part of science fiction history in my lifetime). I am going to read Heinlein, to be sure, but I am also going to look for more authors who I've just plain missed.
   • Pat Murphy: The City, Not Long After
   
   
8. Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza
   
   
9. I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity Izzeldin Abuelaish
   

This is going to be my year of Shakespeare movies, I think. There are several I've been wanting to see and plenty more to discover once I begin seriously looking. I've always shied away from Shakespeare but Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing made me want to dig deeper.

I've got just a few to begin with - will add more as I go.

1. Hamlet - David Tennant
2. Hollow Crown series
3. Macbeth
4. Taming of the Shrew

Worth a Thousand Words: The Boulevard Montmartre on a Winter Morning

The Boulevard Montmartre on a Winter Morning, Camille Pissarro
via Lines and Colors

Worth a Thousand Words: The Magpie

The Magpie, Claude Monet, 1868–1869

Worth a Thousand Words: Trio

Trio
taken by Remo Savisaar

Lagniappe: Rule #8

Rather, very, little, pretty — these are the leeches that infest the pond of prose, sucking the blood of words. The constant use of the adjective little (except to indicate size) is particularly debilitating; we should all try to do a little better, we should all be very watchful of this rule, for it is a rather important one, and we are pretty sure to violate it now and then.

Rule #8, "An Approach to Style," Elements of Style, Strunk & White

Well Said: Principle and Practice

The Church is intolerant in principle because she believes; she is tolerant in practice because she loves. The enemies of the Church are tolerant in principle because they do not believe; they are intolerant in practice because they do not love.

Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange