Open Thread - Saturday, December 24

Submitted by Goin South on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 5:35am

Glory be to God on high
And in earth peace, goodwill towards men.

(Gloria in excelsis Deo, Book of Common Prayer of 1662, based on Luke 2:14)

Luke's story of Jesus's birth, the only one to be found anywhere in the Greek bible, includes an episode where an angel appears to shepherds near Bethlehem announcing the birth of a Messiah. After the good news is delivered, a multitude of heavenly hosts appear to sing the little hymn above. These lyrics were deemed so important that they were incorporated as part of the basic Christian liturgy where they have remained for two millennia. They have been set to music by Handel, Vivaldi, Rutter and many others, and why not? In a world beset by PermaWar from the top of one hemisphere to the bottom of the other, any news of peace, even in the form of an apparently failed prophecy, sounds sweet to our ears.

The only problem is that they got the words wrong. A little like me trying to sing along with "Stairway to Heaven," the editors of that 17th century version of the Book of the Common Prayer relied on the King James Version of the Greek bible, a translation based upon Erasmus's faulty edition of the Greek text. Somewhere along the line in the by-hand copying and transmission of the text, a Greek sigma was dropped, transforming a genitive into a nominative. Both the Vaticanus and the Sinaiticus codices include that important little "s" in Luke 2:14, so the best historical bet is that it was in the "original" text. It's not that both peace and goodwill are being delivered to all humanity. Instead, peace is coming to people of good will. As the Church Lady would say, isn't that interesting?

From the other side of the world, there is another text tradition collected in the Tao Teh Ching. Peace is a pre-eminent topic in its verses just as it is in those written by Luke:

Fine weapons of war augur evil.
Even things seem to hate them.
Therefore, a man of Tao does not set his heart upon them.

Chapter 31

The author(s) of the Tao Teh Ching were not expecting peace to be delivered to us from on high. Instead, we were to look within:

Attain to the utmost Emptiness.
Cling single-heartedly to interior peace.
While all things are stirring together,
I only contemplate the Return.
For flourishing as they do,
Each of them will return to its root.
To return to the root is to find peace.
To find peace is to fulfill one's destiny.
To fulfill one's destiny is to be Constant.
To know the Constant is called Insight.

Chapter 16

But perhaps Luke's conception of the source of peace is not so different from the Tao Teh Ching. In the build-up to Luke 2:14, Zechariah sings a song of peace upon the birth of his son, John the Baptist:

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
To give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
To shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the path of peace.

Luke 1:76-79

If our feet must be guided into the path of peace, then perhaps shalom/eirene is not something delivered from heaven or the North Pole by UPS at Christmastime. Perhaps in Luke's understanding, peace is learned and practiced and cherished within us until it begins to emanate from us to influence those around us. After all, the peace announced by that heavenly multitude turns out to come only to people of good will, people of peace.

May peace be with you in the midst of the turmoil around us.

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Submitted by HenryAWallace on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 7:23am

Before I paste, I didn't get how you think the text of Luke 2:14 should have been worded. (I did get what you think Luke 2:14 would have meant if it had been worded differently, but I didn't understand what you think the wording is supposed to be.) Either way, peace hasn't happened, not the the world and not to "men" of goodwill.

Passing thought: Of course, every human was born. Christianity is based not on the birth of Jesus, but on belief in his resurrection. Yet, Christians, or at least modern Christians, seem to have made so much more of Christmas than of Easter.

Okay, here is all of Luke, Chapter 2 in the KJV:

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

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Submitted by riverlover on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 7:06am
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And like most(?) of us, it's simply a reference book to check what was written in Leviticus 4:12 (random, I am not lookin').

But women were treated as chattel, years from virginity as the marker? Anna was the first nun described? a spoiled woman non-virgin, who as a widow sought safety in the cloisters, whatever the religion. I am fuzzy about the offerings pre-Christianity. Other than Islam, a competing "new" religion.

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Submitted by HenryAWallace on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 7:28am

The views of women in early Christianity (and not so early Christianity), of course, derived from the views of women in early Judaism (and not so early Judaism). http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ari-hart/should-i-thank-god-for-not-making...

However, I don't think that the impetus of early man to subjugate and denigrate women was necessarily tied to Abrahamic religions. I have a theory, but since I made it up, I keep it to myself.

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Submitted by Goin South on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 7:28am

The key is the Greek word eudokia(s). The basic meaning is good will or pleasure. The question is whether the text is eudokia (nominative case, as in the KJV) or eudokias (genitive case, as in the oldest codices). If it's genitive, then it can be "peace among people of good will" instead of "peace (and) good will among people."

The text critical issue is well-settled, so newer translations assume the Greek text has the genitive. Some translations take a step toward interpretation and assume it's God's good will to which reference is being made. There's some basis for that since the word is often used elsewhere in the Greek bible with reference to God's will or intention. and the genitive could be objective or subjective. I just like keeping it simple and letting it refer to the good will of a portion of humanity.

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Submitted by HenryAWallace on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 7:41am

wording you thought would be more correct than Luke 2:14 as it appears in my prior post. The phrase, "Peace among people of good will" is all I was looking for.

As stated, I don't think peace exists, either among humanity in general or among people of good will. Acceptance, maybe; peace, no. In fact, I believe that the absence of peace must trouble people of good will more than it troubles others.

BTW, fwiw, I think most Americans understand "possessive" more readily than "genitive."

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Submitted by Goin South on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 7:42am

You're exactly right that death and resurrection is primary in mainstream Christian theology, but the ancient hymn in Philippians 2 emphasized incarnation as part of the process of the divine humbling, and then there's the whole "Logos becoming flesh" idea in John that recognizes the importance of incarnation. I had a professor once who liked to put things as dramatically as possible:

Imagine that, God emerging into this world halfway between piss and shit.

Viewed yet another way, it is yet another angle on the concept of the divine immanent in us.

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Submitted by riverlover on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 6:54am
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It may happen that good will needs to stand guard or attack those of dissimilar view,including our Leaders. They do not exude good will at all. There is probably a Chinese statement along the lines, maybe in The Art of War. The tribes at Standing Rock are expressing their interest to hold strong to their treaty-given lands, but they express love toward their attackers. Strange how Quaker that sounds.

Practice Peace in your mind and Pass it Forward, that is my resolution for the new year.

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Submitted by Goin South on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 7:11am

I love that:

Practice peace in your mind and pass it forward.

Amen.

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Submitted by dkmich on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 7:06am

We have two days with family and enough food to feed an army. The grandsons get all their favorite meals with enough leftover to eat them again. Merry Christmas everyone.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Submitted by Goin South on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 7:35am

Our time is dampened by losing a four-legged family member this week in tough circumstances, but caring for Clark in his last days has pulled us together closer as a family, one of the many wonderful gifts he bestowed on us during his life.

We're more or less expecting to hear our daughter's engagement to her long-time boyfriend announced at a dinner with his family and ours later today. He's bought a ring and sweetly asked our "permission" in the past few weeks. We're just hoping that he's already cleared it with her so that she doesn't respond that she wants to think about it for awhile after he pops the quesiton in front of everybody. LOL. That could put a damper on things from the boyfriend's perspective and make it a touch uncomfortable.

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Submitted by Lookout on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 9:11am
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I find it interesting that they never seem to get to the new testament and the prince of peace - they're stuck with the old testament god of wrath.

It is the difference between "an eye for an eye" and "turn the other cheek".

I liked the Ghandi quote from neoconed's comment in Rusty's essay's “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

I hope you all have a great day whatever your spiritual path!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Submitted by Goin South on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 10:15am

First of all, what's to be expected from an Iron Age collection of writings? The Code of Hammurabi seems even more brutal and uncivilized to us. The talion principle, eye for an eye, also in CH, is actually an attempt to limit violence. In those times, if you came and fought with my brother and killed him, I might gather up my clan and go to your home and kill you and the rest of your family. Hammurabi includes the bizarre "case" of an builder whose structure falls down and kills the homeowner's daughter. The case's outcome is that the homeowner can then kill the builder's daughter. The Hebrew bible expressly rejects that kind of justice in several places.

Also, there are a lot of beautiful, poetic descriptions of a loving, merciful God in the Hebrew bible along with more powerful statements about social justice than any found in the Greek bible, including the quote from Amos that you use in your sig line.

As a whole, it's people struggling to understand themselves and their world. They are always a reflection of their time and place. Sometimes, they head off on the wrong track. At other times, there's a grain of truth or a beautiful image that is still striking today. Read as an ongoing project to understand life, death, love, hate, I think it can inspire more respect and empathy than disdain.

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Submitted by Lookout on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 11:13am
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I'm not dissing anyone's beliefs. No doubt as a piece of literature the bible can be beautiful.

My comment is about my part of the world where people holler Christian, but are racist, intolerant, and narrow minded. So like Ghandi, I have no problem with Christ, I just find the followers blind to the path of peace and love. A common prayer down here - Dear Jesus, please protect us from your followers.

Just a reminder, I live between Dayton, TN site of the Scopes Trial, and Anniston, AL site of the freedom riders bus burning...both activities of the south's self proclaimed Christians.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 11:58am
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Submitted by pro left on Sat, 12/24/2016 - 12:21pm

Scottish Blessing

If there is righteousness in the heart,
There will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character,
There will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home,
There will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world.
So let it be

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