How Many Herods?

Hi-rez Chart of the Herodian Succession. Feel free to download and use

In those dark days before the ESV study bible came out, I created this chart to help myself understand the Herods that kept popping up in the New Testament. There were several Herods living and ruling in the decades surrounding the advent of Christ. Distinguishing them from each other can be confusing.

I made the first version of this chart in January of '08 on a sheet of notebook paper. Several months later I decided to improve it, and so I transferred it into Mac's stellar graphing software, Graffle, which worked out just fine.

If you have an ESV study bible you can find a similar chart near the intertestamental period. (It might be a little more accurate.) I simply based this one on facts from FF Bruce's New Testament History book. If you own your own copy of the ESVSB, you can view the chart online and print it out.

Josh

Motivation for Reformation

During the last few weeks in the Institutes I have been reading about the state of the church through the ages. Then on Sunday I watched about half of the latest Luther movie. I have watched it before, but this time I watched it with a beefier view of history, I discovered that what seemed like throw away lines, are actually very important.

After watching it, I felt inspired to put together a little clip for motivation for reformation. Watch the entire movie for maximum effect.

Enjoy!

Josh

Veteran's Day Thoughts

WWII USMC Pilot, Capt. John Lucian Smith (19 kills Pacific Theater)

There are so many Veterans from various engagements that could and should be mentioned here. However, due to time and space, I will mention just one of the less famous heroes from World War two who will take the part of representing them all.

John Lucian Smith was one of six US Marine Corps pilots who received a Medal of Honor for their valiant service during the 1942/43 turning point Battle of Guadalcanal.

It was a terrible battle that for some months looked as though it would swing in favor of the Japanese. However, providentially, the American force had strategically captured the only Japanese airfield on the island at the beginning of the battle. The Japanese would have to fly from their more distant base at Rabaul. The Americans renamed the airfield, Henderson field, quickly repaired it and soon began landing their own planes.

Henderson Field F4 Wildcat fighters (Note: the airfield is still under construction)

After an the initial landing and capture of the airfield the Japanese navy quickly reacted, fought back and managed to drive the American fleet away while they were in the process of landing the first batch of soldiers. They manged to sink several key American in the process. Subsequently the airfield and marines holding it were subjected to a fierce naval bombardment which destroyed and damaged numerous planes and much of their vital equipment.

With the support of the American navy lost, lacking adequate supplies and equipment, the American foothold on the island was precarious and became increasingly dependent on the aircraft and airmen of Henderson field to keep them from being overrun.

US Marine Patrol on Guadalcannal

While the Japanese had an numerically superior air force and slightly better aircraft, they were tenaciously repelled. John Lucian Smith heroically led his squadron to shoot down 83 enemy aircraft in the campaign, downing 19 total himself in the war. By the spring of 1943 the battle was over, and it proved to be a significant turning point in the war.

Smith, and five other airmen from the battle were awarded a medal of honor by President Franklin, D. Roosevelt. Later a movie starring John Wayne revisited their crucial role in turning the tide of the war.

John Wayne Portraying Capt. John L. Smith

Soli Deo Gloria,

Josh

Reform your life and doctrine, meet with God in the text

Questions For Thinking

Adams Synchronological Chart or Map of History

by Joshua

Before going to work today, I consulted my copy of the Teacher's Guide for Adams time-line of history. In Appendix A, I discovered a table describing thinking skills that would be helpful for teachers who are looking to promote thinking in their students. The best part of the sheet is a list of questions to get things rolling.

There was also a brief reason why teachers should ask these kinds of questions;

"As teachers , we tend to ask question in the 'knowledge' category 80 to 90 percent of the time. These questions are not bad, but using them all the time is. Try to utilize higher-order level questions. These questions require more 'brain power' and a more extensive and elaborate answer. The chart shows the six question categories as defined by Bloom." Teachers Guide Pg 18

The Chart is more than 20 feet long

Sample Questions:

Knowledge:

• Who, What, Where, When, How ...?
• Describe

Comprehension:

• Retell ____.
• Summarize the main point, in the correct order.
• What was the problem - how was it solved?
• Predict how the story will end.

Application:

• How is ____ an example of ____?
• How is ____ related to ____?
• Why is ____ Significant?

Analysis:

• What are the parts or features of ____?
• Classify ____ according to ____.
• Outline/diagram ____.
• How does ____ compare/contrast with ____?
• What evidence can you list for ____?

Synthesis:

• What would you predict/infer from ____?
• What ideas can you add to ____?
• How would you create/design a new ____?
• What might happen if you combined ____?
• What solutions would you suggest for ____?

Evaluation:

• Do you agree ___?
• What do you think about ___?
• What is the most important ____?
• Place the following in the order of priority ____.
• How would you decide about ____?
• What criteria would you use to assess ____?

Of all these sample question categories, I think comprehension is my favorite. Take for example, the grand narrative of the bible.

How well can we,

A.) Retell the biblical narrative to others who need to know their origins, their sin, need of a savior, and the gospel?

B.) Summarize the main point of the biblical narrative, in the correct order?

C.) Say what was the main problem and how it was solved?


Soli Deo Gloria,

Josh

Reform your life and doctrine, meet with God in the text

Post 9/11 And The Social Media Revolution

WARNING! I may be out on a wire here

I think everyone can see that the world has changed quite a bit since 9/11; The social media revolution being one of the biggest changes. As far as I can tell, no where in the history of the world has global informational connectivity been as readily accessible as it is today.

The possibilities for Christians to make much of God on the Internet are endless.

The resurgence hosted this short clip a few days back.



Any thoughts?

[HT: RESURGENCE]

We Fade Like Grass

US General Douglass MacArthur

In his farewell address to congress, US General Douglass MacArthur said, "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away." MacArthur then described himself as "an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty."

Concerning War itself, MacArthur restated what he had said after accepting the formal surrender of Japan; "The problem basically is theological."

French General Ferdinand Foch

Ferdinand Foch (Fo-sh) is one of those "old soldiers" who have faded away in the mists of time. At the beginning of World War 1 he was in command of part of the 2nd French Army, by the end of the war he was Supreme Commander of the Allied Armies.

General Foch is a man worth researching. Here are some of his more notable quotes.

Only a week after taking command of 9th Army during the great allied retreat to the sea with allied armies retreating all around him, he held his ground tenaciously and said this: "Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I attack."

After liberating Châlons and being congratulated by the Bishop of Châlons he replied: "Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, (Psalm 115:1)"

On the treaty of Versailles: "This is not a peace. It is an armistice for 20 years."

Foch, a triumphant hero in his day, like countless others is now long forgotten by most. However I don't think we should be overly surprised or dismayed by this. God speaks very clearly in His Word on what we should learn from this phenomenon.

(1 Peter 1:24, 25)
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

From before Cain through this very moment the problem of war has been a theological one. Mankind is helplessly caught up with itself rather than God the creator.

The problem with great men fading from memory is also theological. Because the glory of the great ones is a far cry short of the glory of God. Even much more than the glory of a grass hut is from the glory of granite palace.

In every age great ones have come and gone. Great speeches have been spoken, and forgotten.

Even if they are not forgotten yet, ultimately those words (and the ideas they represent) cannot stand the test of time - yet by faith we know the Word of God will. Untold millennia from now who will remember anything from our world? Who will want to? The only things that will last from our time will be those things done for Christ in accordance to His Word. To be truly great in an eternal, everlasting sense is for God to be shown great in our lives.

Forever is still a hard concept for me to grasp. I can't force my mind to feel the weight of it, but I can rest assured that the Word of God will endure f o r e v e r.



Soli Deo Gloria,

Josh

Reform your life and doctrine, meet with God in the text

India's 62nd Independence Day

10th Class Boys From Our School Salute The Indian Colors During Their March Today

It was sixty-two years ago today that India became an independent nation. This morning our school held a celebration in honor of this event. [Video at bottom of post]

10th Class Boys Demonstrate Their Acrobatic Skills

10th Class Science Project Award Winner

8th Class Science Project Award Winner

Indian Airforce Maneuvers

Here is a little video I put together from the event this morning;

India's Famines

1943 Famine in Calcutta, India

India has advanced considerably since their independence from the British empire in 1947. No longer a third world country, they haven't suffered from major famines since the early 1970s which even then was averted by emergency foreign aid.

During the middle ages famines were so bad that entire provinces of India were depopulated. Famines continued to rage through the centuries claiming millions of lives up through the time India was incorporated into the British empire.

India was and still is (to some extent) heavily dependent on massive amounts of rainfall for a good harvest. However this year has been a dry one for several regions of India. I have been told that millions of dollars of crops have been lost already, and that there has been some talk of famine. By God's grace it does not appear that this year will be anything like the famines India has experienced in the past.

Famines are pretty sobering experiences, the bible has a lot to say about them. It is natural, even healthy for us to ask ourselves why they happen. Ultimately God says that He is sovereign over all things, including rain (Jer 5:24, Amos 4:7) Jesus points out that it is really amazing that God ever allows rain for those who don't believe in him. (Mat 5:45)

We can't say that anyone deserves drought more than another. Ultimately none of us are innocent - as Christ says about those whom the tower of Silaom fell on (Luk 13:4) - they were no more deserving of that terrible fate than any others. None of us are innocent, we all (Americans) deserve a 9/11, a hurricane Katrina, a Southeast Asia Tsunami, an Iranian Earthquake, and ultimately the greatest disaster of all, the second death that awaits everyone who's lives are not hid in Christ.

It's very sobering.

Here are a few photos that tell the stories of famines past in India.

Relief in Bellary, Madras Presidency 1877; more than 5 million died in India

Drought was a major cause of famine

Terrible

The 1876-1878 Great famine was tied to increased taxes and drought

Binnamungalum Relief Kitchen Bangalore 1877 same place as above photo

December 28th, 1943 Famine relief. Royal Air force airman hands out food.

As I write this article all I can think is how merciful God has been to withhold famine from our land for so long, and how great a warning the previous famines stand to instruct us not to turn away from Him. I pray also, that we will see the goodness of God in sending Christ to die for all our sins, and will live accordingly, by His grace.

I think there is a helpful connection between these two verses:

learn to do good; seek justice; correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause

"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow." Isiah 1:17,18


Soli Deo Gloria,

Josh

Reform your life and doctrine, meet with God in the text

Those Who Went Before

Madras Christian Cemetery

A few years ago I visited the cemetery of a major church in Chennai, India. Cemeteries are located sparsely in India since the vast majority of the deceased cremated. Cemeteries are mainly used by minority populations of Christians and Muslims.

This particular cemetery was an old one that the British established back in the late 1700s or early 1800s. I was struck by the heroic epitaphs which revealed how they lived and died a few centuries ago. So many long forgotten stories.

One epitaph in particular caught my attention and so I decided to see if I could find out more about the guy.

John Noble's Resting Place

NAT 1779
OB XVI. July 1827
AET 48

Here Rest
The Earthy Remains
Of
John Noble C. B.
Founder Of The Corps
Of Horse Artillery
On The Madras Establishment

Distinguished By All That
Adorns The Soldier The Citizen
And The Christian The Ardour
Of A Chivalrous Spirit Tempered
By Sound Judgment And Sustained
By A Just Confidence In His Own
Resources Generous And Warm
Affections Regulated By Strict
Integrity And The Crown Of His
Other Virtues Unaffected And
Humbly Piety

After A Brilliant Career Of
Military Service He Returned
From The Short Enjoyment Of
His Well Earned Honours In His
Native Land To Lay His Ashes In
This Theatre Of His Former Glory

G.552

Royal Horse Drawn Artillery

A few days later I googled him and found some hits that revealed more about his life. I discovered that most of the resources on his life are available in Google books. Apparently Noble was a good friend of the Duke of Wellington. You history lovers out there will remember him as the able British commander who defeated Napoleon at the decisive battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Duke of Wellington

Here is Col. Noble's obituary;

THE LATE. COL. NOBLE

We have to add another to the long list of distinguished individuals whom this present year has taken from amongst us, in recording the demise of Lieut.-Colonel John Noble, of the Madras Artillery, Companion of the Bath, in his 48th year: which event took place during the night of the 16th instant, on board the Roxburgh Castle, when she had just completed her voyage from England.

The military career of Lieut.-Colonel Noble, C. B., was equally brilliant and useful. He participated in most of the principal services of the coast army, during the last 32 years, and was, on all occasions, distinguished for judgment, spirit, and decision. He formed the noble corps of horse artillery, both European and native, for which command he was selected in 1805, by Sir John Cradock, on the recommendation of his Grace the Duke of Wellington, whose confidence on service, and whose friendship in private life, Lieut.- Colonel Noble enjoyed and merited.

An obituary notice is, generally speaking, of all things the most difficult to pen. There are the many to conciliate and the few to satisfy; but, in the instance of Lieut.-Colonel Noble, the suffrages of most men will surely be united ; for while few have attained a more honourable distinction as a soldier, still fewer have acquired an equal degree of love and esteem as members of society. He had the happy talent to command without severity, and to preserve discipline and good order without losing the affections of his officers and men. He ruled through the medium of attachment, and those who served under him were professionally efficient and privately happy. He may, in word, without out disparagement to others, and without the fear of envy, (for envy dwells not in the tomb,) be held out as an example to the generality of those he has left behind him. His abilities were of the first order; and his tact and observation, aided by experience, had gained for him an unusual knowledge of his profession. He was pious without ostentation, just from principle, friendly from feeling, generous from the nobleness of his nature, brave and enterprising from a chivalric spirit, decided from an excellent judgment and consequent self-confidence. Character distinguished him, truth guided him, and honour accompanied him. He is gone! and his fame is the comfort and consolation of his surviving friends.—Mad.Gov.Gaz. July26,

Madras Horse Artillery in Action

It seems to me that this man was a Christian, a warrior, and a gentlemen. A lot has been recorded about his military career, I wish more had been recorded about his walk with the Lord as he served in Southeast Asia. It was once said, "how often faithful work is forgotten, and forgotten work is recorded above."


Soli Deo Gloria

Josh

Reform your life and doctrine, meet with God in the text