Archives
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Brentwood wraps its arms around AIDS patients_60903
Posted: 6/06/03
“Magic” Johnson speaks at Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston, brought to the church by their mutual concern for patients with HIV/AIDS. An affiliate ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas church provides housing and care for AIDS victims. Brentwood Baptist Church Brentwood wraps its arms around AIDS patients
Editor's note: This is the second in a year-long series highlighting the 11 characteristics of a healthy church identified by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge
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Around the State_62303
Posted: 6/20/03
The Boykins The Griners The Wagleys Around the State
Three Texans recently received degrees from New Orleans Theological Seminary. Justin Joiner of Austin received the master of divinity degree in Christian education; John Pemberton of Kingwood received the master of divinity degree in Christian thought; and Paige Schultz of Corpus Christi received the master of arts in marriage and family counseling degree. Jo Anny Russell, daughter of Juilano and Sheila Britton of Canutillo, recently graduated from Midwestern Theological Seminary with a master of arts in Christian education degree. She also received the North American Professor for Christian Education award. Texans receiving degrees from Southern Theological Seminary include Arthur Murphy Jr., master of divinity; Christopher Bass, master of theology; Calvin Wittman, doctor of ministry; Osmond Ingram Jr., doctor of education; William Smith, doctor of education; Tod Tanner, doctor of education; Jerry Johnson, doctor of philosophy; and Joshua Bullock, bachelor of science.10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge
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Bible Study for Texas for 7_13_62303
Posted 6/20/03
July 13
Hosea 1:10-2:5, 2:14-23, 3:1-5
Restoring the relationship
By Sam Dennis
In my church, folks like to hear me talk about the love and promises of God. A favorite is the story of the Prodigal Son: Of the son's sin and rebellion culminating in his leaving home only to come back. When I get to the part where he comes back, and I talk about how "while he was yet a great way off his father saw him," I surmise this was because his father was on the front porch looking for him, and collectively, the congregation smiles.
And why shouldn't they? Folks like stories like this–stories with a happy ending and stories that help us see the joy that comes from restoration.
A great paragraph starting with "yet" (1:10-2:1)
The folks in Hosea's day liked happy endings too. After the way things had begun in this man's life, don't you know that hearing and considering a word like that found in verse 10 of chapter 1 represented a welcome hope? In fact, verses 1:10-2:1 of Hosea make for one marvelously promising paragraph (marked in the Hebrew text as 2:1-3), and one I'd call great. For just look at the word it begins with, "Yet"! For it is with that one little word that our lesson is begun and real hope is found.
A paragraph of contrast
But this paragraph should do more than just sound good to us. We note its contrast from the paragraph before. Remember it? "When she had weaned Not Pitied, she conceived and bore a son, and the Lord said call his name Not My People, for you are not my people and I am not your God" (1:8-9).
Here there is little doubt as to how different it sounds compared with what we're reading now. And though verses 8-9 of chapter 1 tell of the birth and naming of Gomer's children, the implication that this was a command to Hosea and a reflection/testimony of the relationship of God to Israel is real too. We must remember that God's command to Hosea included that word "because" (1:3-4). So this paragraph now bears words of hope, even reconciliation and restoration.
We also see reversal. All that was done before with the action of Hosea and the pronouncements of God will be undone in the days to come. This is beautifully demonstrated by the language (names) that are now the very reverse of before. "Lo ammi" (not my people) will become, "Ammi" (my people, 2:1). And "Lo ruhumah" (not pitied, or loved) will become "Ruhumah" (my loved one, 2:1). Even Jezreel, the name given to the firstborn of Gomer and meaning "scattered," will find itself reversed as "the people of Judah and the people of Israel will be reunited." (1:11).
A turn for the worse? (2:2-14)
Now a quick read of Hosea can be confusing. For at verse 2 of chapter 2 there is a change yet again. And, just as was pointed out in the last lesson that without judgment there can be no restoration, these verses demonstrate this dictum as well.
Here we see that a "back and forth" pattern is developing. Robert Chisholm suggests this is true of all of Hosea, dividing his analysis into "five panels" that move from judgment to salvation, and then back again and repeating.
So, for a second time in Hosea (the first being verses 1-9 of chapter 1), this section begs the negative, consequential aspects of God's relationship to Israel because of their sin (vv. 1-13). Here, though, the emphasis is not on what Hosea is to do but what God will do.
The words are telling, even chilling, both in their pain and consequence. One can't help but feel sympathy for the difficult relationship of Hosea to Gomer. We suspect his pain over Gomer must be the same as the pain God felt over Israel because of her sins. For though Hosea's marriage is not mentioned here at all, one senses his struggles with Gomer are providing him ample illustration and empathy.
Another "yet" from "therefore" (2:14-23)
In this next section we find another "yet"–though this one is one only understood by the word "therefore" (v. 14). As chapter 2 ends, it does so with a turn. It is a turn from heartache, divorce and rejection to God's great love and reconciliation. To speak of how, we read: "Therefore I am now going to allure her: I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her" (v. 14). And God, the one who so loves Israel, is pictured as the Lover Supreme, the one who will restore and change Israel from what she was. "I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the valley of Achor (a valley of trouble/calamity) a door of hope" (v. 15). So we now have a love song! One Boo Heflin has called "a love song par excellence."
But there is more, for to this reconciled wife God makes certain promises. The recurring use of the phrase “in that day” (vv. 16, 18, 21) helps us organize the thoughts of this promise. And, whatever else they mean, the following each reveal it will be a great day indeed.
Look at what is said, “In that day you will call me husband.” This is a cry of God to Israel, his commitment as a groom he makes specific promises of love. First, he will remove from Israel the names of the Baal gods (vv. 16-17). Second, he will make a covenant that will return the creation to harmony (v. 18). Third, he will make their relationship a “forever” one–one that is in righteousness and judgment (vv. 19-20). Fourth, he will restore the land agriculturally, which is seen by Baal worshippers as the core of their need, hence the temptation to worship Baal, the god of fertility (vv. 21-22). Finally, his restoration of Israel will reverse the symbolic names of Gomer's children–Jezreel or “scattered” will become as its positive meaning suggests, “to sow” in the words, “I will plant her for myself in the land” (v. 23). To “Not loved,” Lo-ruhamah, “I will show love” (v. 23). And to “not my people,” Lo-ammi, I will say … “you are my people” (v. 23).
Now back to Hosea and Gomer (3:1-5)
10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge
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Bible Study for Texas for 7_20_62303
Posted: 6/20/03
July 20
Hosea 4:1- 12; 8:1-10,14
God's charges against Israel
By Sam Dennis
In August of 1998, William Jefferson Clinton escaped the indignity of being the first sitting president brought before a grand jury as he volunteered to give his testimony via technology, the technology of videotape. Ken Starr, independent counsel, agreed, and a four-hour testimony ensued in the Map Room of the White House.
10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge
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Bible Study for Texas for 7_27_62303
Posted: 6/20/03
July 27
Hosea 11:1-11
God's heart yearns for his people
By Sam Dennis
The love of God is something we count upon in our Christian faith. We probably would say it is what moves us to God in the first place. Most Christians know the verse, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world …,” and have been taught to quote it for encouragement to self and others.
10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge
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Bible Study for Texas for 7_6_52303
Posted: 6/20/03
July 6
Hosea 1:1-9
Trouble brewing in God's family
By Sam Dennis
I don't know what it is about Fridays but, like many of you, I'm conditioned to leaving the office when mine come, with the radio tuned to “oldies” and reality on a button called “hold.” I just love leaving it all behind. Sort of a Fred Flintstone and Barney thing–hearing the whistle blow and leaving the rock quarry with a twinkle toe dart and a “Ya-Ba-Da-Ba-Doo!” For as the oldies tune sings, I do so love feeling–“glad all over.”
10/10/2003 - By John Rutledge
Jo Anny Russell, daughter of Juilano and Sheila Britton of Canutillo, recently graduated from Midwestern Theological Seminary with a master of arts in Christian education degree. She also received the North American Professor for Christian Education award. 
