Advent Hymn: Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah

The season of Advent is a short one, with only four Sundays prior to Christmas. Thus the singing of Advent hymns is usually limited to the season—with perhaps a few exceptions when pastors and worship committees deliberately choose one or more Advent hymns in other seasons of the liturgical church year. 

I enjoy singing the Advent hymns, and lament not being able to sing them more often—especially when congregations prefer to sing Christmas carols during Advent instead of the Advent hymns. I like both the lyrics and theology of several Advent hymns, as well as a number of the hymn tunes, to enhance an atmosphere of quiet, thoughtful reflection upon these hymns’ words and the seasons themes of, among others: hope, peace, joy, love, anticipation, preparation, judgement, justice, and the coming of Jesus at Christmas and his coming again in the future, at the consummation of history. Many of these Advent hymns are based on and inspired by several beautiful biblical passages. 

One of my favourite Advent hymns is the contemporary “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah,” written by Wayne L. Wold, #240 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship. There are four short stanzas, and often congregations sing stanza one on the first Sunday in Advent, and stanzas one and two in the second Sunday in Advent, and so on. It is sung while the Advent wreath candles are being lit. 

The lyrics are as follows: 1 “Light one candle to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness./He shall bring salvation to Israel, God fulfills the promise.” The light in this hymn, as I interpret it, refers to Jesus our Messiah, who described himself in the Gospels as “the light of the world.” In our Northern hemisphere, when the days are so short and dark, light is a sign for us of life and hope. The life, ministry, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus banish the darkness of sin, death, and evil. The exhortation “to watch for Messiah” highlights the emphasis in Advent of watchfulness, expectation and preparation for Jesus. 

2 “Light two candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness./He shall feed the flock like a shepherd, gently lead them homeward.” This stanza reminds us of Jesus the Good Shepherd, who lovingly cares for each one of us and, in response, we trust him with our life’s destination.

3 “Light three candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness./Lift your heads and lift high the gate-way for the King of glory.” With the exhortation to lift our heads, we will be able to see what heads gazing downwards will miss—namely, the coming Jesus, King of glory. Reference to “lift high the gate-way” I interpret as making room in our lives for Jesus with open hearts and minds, which involve careful and joyful watching, observing, anticipating and expecting. 

4 “Light four candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness./He is coming, tell the glad tidings. Let your lights be shining!” Now the expectation, and joy are nearing their climax as Jesus’s coming at Christmas is closer. The exhortation to “tell the glad tidings” is an exhortation to share the story of Jesus’s birth. The exhortation to “Let your lights be shining” may involve deeds of loving-kindness toward others, especially those in greatest need. 

According to Hymnary.org: “Wayne L. Wold was born April 16, 1954 in Fosston, Minnesota. He presently serves as Associate Professor of Music and College Organist at Hood College in Frederick, MD. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, a Master of Sacred Music degree from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.”

His professional accomplishments are as follows: “Over 200 compositions in print.

Numerous articles, several hymn and anthem texts, and two books in print.

Performed with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, in Lincoln Center, and in numerous churches across the U.S. and in Europe.

Past president of Region One of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

Member of the editorial committee for the ELCA's Evangelical Lutheran Worship.”¹

The hymn tune is a Yiddish folk tune, TIF IN VELDELE, the metre is: 10.7.9.6. It is a very “catchy” tune, for me it has, on more than one occasion become an earworm. 

In closing, I’d like to include the following citation from The Days Before Christmas, (p. 33), by Professor W.A. Poovey, in which he encourages the faithful to sing the Advent hymns at home, in addition to during worship services: “The hymns written to be sung during the days before Christmas may never be listed among “My Ten Favourite Hymns,” but they all underscore the message of a coming Saviour and king. They are worth our study and meditation. Sing them at home during this season. Advent hymns make the message of the coming Christ more personal and vital.” To that, I say: “Amen! May it be so!”

1 Found at Hymnary.org: <http://bach.calvin.edu/person/Wold_Wayne>.

Sermon for 1st Sunday in Advent Yr C

1^st Sunday in Advent Yr C, 28/11/2021

Lk 21:25-36

Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

“A living hope in this troubled world”

Today marks the beginning of a new church calendar year. Advent, which means coming, is a season in which we prepare for and focus on the three different comings of Jesus. Jesus came in the past born as a human being in Bethlehem. Jesus comes to us in the present in many and various ways, including through the word and the sacrament, worship, prayers, and in our relationships with one another. Because Jesus comes in the present in many and various ways, it is not actually proper to refer to his coming in the future as the second coming. However, be that as it may, Jesus will come again in the future—and that is the focus of today’s gospel, although not entirely. 

You may wonder why we have this gospel passage, since Advent is the season we prepare for Christmas and Jesus’s birth, isn’t it more appropriate to focus on hope than the sobering gloom and doom of this passage? Why do we have to focus on cosmic disasters of the sun, moon and stars wearing out, the earth and seas going crazy by terrorizing nations with tornados, earthquakes, and tsunamis? As you know, earlier this month, COP26 tried to address climate change yet again and make commitments to prevent global warming more than 1.5 degrees above what it is now. And, as we watch, read and listen to the news, we learn of unprecedented floods, fires and droughts threatening our planet. Will we be able to reach or exceed the goals of COP26? If so, will they really make any difference? As many environmental critics of the COP meetings have said, this is the 26^th meeting and all they can do is talk way too much, and fail to take the necessary actions that would involve radical changes—especially for us affluent nations in the northern hemisphere. 

Indeed, people today are, as Jesus tells us, fainting from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. As Jesus says, there are signs, tragedies happening before our very eyes. For far too many, there is a growing lack of food security; a growing number of homeless people because of natural disasters; places in the world that may no longer be inhabited by human beings due to a changing environment. In addition to all of these tragic changes, in the world of politics it seems that there are an alarming and growing number of tyrannical governments and dictatorships, which cause even more suffering, oppression, evil and injustice for way too many people. 

Where do we find a living hope in a world like this? That reminds me of the following Peanuts comic strip: Linus and Lucy are standing at the window looking out at the rain falling. Lucy says to Linus, “Boy, look at it rain ... What if it floods the earth?”

Linus, the resident biblical scholar for Peanuts, answers, “It will never do that ... in the ninth chapter of Genesis, God promised Noah that would never happen again, and the sign of the promise is the rainbow.”

With a smile on her face, Lucy replies, “Linus, you've taken a great load off my mind.”

To which Linus responds, “Sound theology has a way of doing that.” 

Linus is correct, sound theology can give us a living hope in a world like this. Why? Well because it is rooted in a careful reading and study of the Bible, and then responding by actions of faith. 

Our gospel is not all gloom and doom. Look at verses 27 and 28 again: “Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Here Jesus quotes from Daniel 7:13-14, in which he has a vision of the Son of Man, in which all peoples and nations will serve him in his everlasting dominion. Now that certainly is a message of hope. 

There is more hope in this gospel in the closing verses. Jesus exhorts us to “be on guard.” Being on guard is not something passive, it is as he goes on to say, not allowing our hearts to be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the worries of this life. In case you’re wondering what dissipation means, well one of its meanings is expending or wasting energy without getting anywhere—kind of like spinning your tires when you are stuck in a snowdrift and not getting anywhere. As for drunkenness, well, as you know, some folks drink too much to try and escape their problems, only to discover that the problems only get worse. And, of course, several studies have shown that people who allow the worries of this life to control them can and often do end up with serious health issues, as well as may fail to act in hopeful ways because their worries paralyze them. 

In contrast, being on guard, being alert at all times and praying give us the capacity to act with a living hope in this world. 

Ironically, it is often those who face considerable sufferings who model for us the capacity to act with a living hope in this world. One such person is Bishop Desmond Tutu, who recently celebrated his 90^th birthday. Listen to his following words of wisdom.

We are His (God’s) children, created in His image, made for love and laughter, caring and sharing. I am filled with hope for the future. In spite of much to the contrary, the world is becoming a kinder, safer place. It is God’s world, and He is in charge. His gifts of goodness and kindness, reason and understanding, science and discovery are showered upon us. Revel in these gifts, enjoy them, share them, and this new millennium will become a highway of peace and prosperity for all.¹

Some people who, I think, are doing just that were interviewed on a CBC news program recently. They are engineering students at the University of Calgary. Wanting to live out their hope in this world to make their contribution to slow down climate change, they came up with a wonderful and creative plan. They realise that for many people electric vehicles are still too expensive, moreover they are difficult even to find for those who wish to purchase one. So these engineering students are presently in the process of converting a gasoline car into an electric car. They have removed the gas engine and installed an electric motor. There are other parts of the car that they also have to change in order for it to work. I’m sure they will succeed, and hope that they will inspire others to convert gas vehicles into electric ones too. 

You and I may not be engineers, or someone as famous and gifted as Bishop Tutu—however, I believe that in our small ways we can have a living hope in this world. How? Well, by carefully reading and studying the Bible and responding by even little acts of faith. Acts such as coming to church to worship and encouraging one another. Acts of phoning or visiting those who might be ill or lonely or shut in. Acts such as praying for one another, the larger church, and the world. Acts such as purchasing environmentally-friendly products and cutting down on wastes that pollute the land, water and air. Acts such as supporting the work of Canadian Lutheran World Relief—their various projects around the world do make a difference, and their project to help the BC residents devastated by the recent unprecedented flood. Acts such as supporting local charities and organisations, like, for example, the Women’s Shelter. These all may seem small, yet together, with more and more people acting with a living hope in these ways, we do make a difference, with the help of God and his grace working in and through us. For that, thanks be to God! 

1 Elizabeth Roberts & Elias Amidon, editors, Prayers for a Thousand Years: Blessings And Expressions Of Hope For The New Millennium (HarperSanFrancisco, 1999), p. 6.

Book Review: The Tipping Point

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Author: Malcolm Gladwell

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, paperback, 301 pages, including Endnotes, Acknowledgments, and Index

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

The Author

At the time this volume was published, Malcolm Gladwell had been a reporter for the Washington Post from 1987 to 1996, working first as a science writer and then as a New York City bureau chief. After 1996, he became a staff writer for The New Yorker. The Tipping Point was his first book, which became an international bestseller, along with other bestsellers, including David And Goliath. He was born in England and grew up in rural Ontario. 

Contents

This volume contains an Introduction and the following chapters: One: The Three Rules of Epidemics; Two: The Law of the Few: Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen; Three: The Stickiness Factor: Sesame Street, Blues Clues, and the Educational Virus; Four: The Power of Context (Part One): Bernie Goetz and the Rise and Fall of New York City Crime; Five: The Power of Context (Part Two): The Magic Number One Hundred Fifty; Six: Case Study: Rumors, Sneakers, and the Power of Translation; Seven: Case Study: Suicide, Smoking, and the Search for the Unsticky Cigarette; Eight: Conclusion: Focus, Test, and Believe; Afterword: Tipping Point Lessons from the Real World. 

Brief Observations

The author makes the case for viewing ideas, products, messages, and behaviours with tipping points that spread like viruses. “All epidemics have Tipping Points.” (p. 12) Gladwell’s volume endeavours to answer the following two questions: “Why is it that some ideas or behaviours or products start epidemics and others don’t? And what can we do to deliberately start and control positive epidemics of our own?” (p. 14) In the sense that epidemics begin quite small, and multiply; so too, in David And Goliath, Gladwell makes the case with a similar motif for underdogs who are often underestimated, yet have the potential to grow into significant people, making impressive contributions.

A couple of interesting examples Gladwell provides are how Hush Puppies shoes became popular among young people and, as a “Connector,” Paul Revere’s famous historical ride with the word-of-mouth message that became epidemic. 

According to the author, there are three Tipping Point Rules that offer a way of making sense of epidemics. I’m not going to share them here, so hopefully readers of this review will read the book and find out. 

Readers will also find interesting the term “Maven,” which comes from the Yiddish, meaning “one who accumulates knowledge.” (p. 60) 

People regarded by Gladwell as “Salesmen” have the ability to persuade others who are highly sceptical. Read the book and discover which anchorperson was the most convincing: Peter Jennings at ABC, Tom Brokaw at NBC, or Dan Rather at CBS. 

The author includes a discussion on genetics and environment, and has this to say about what he refers to as “the Power of Context”: “The essence of the Power of Context is that in ways that we don’t necessarily appreciate, our inner states are the result of our outer circumstances.” (p. 152)

In his emphasis on the significance of the number 150, Gladwell cites the example of a Hutterite named Bill Gross, who said it is best to keep the number of people in a colony under 150: “If you get too large, you don’t have enough work in common. You don’t have enough things in common, and then you start to become strangers and that close-knit fellowship starts to get lost.” (p. 181)

For Gladwell: “In the end, Tipping Points are a reaffirmation of the potential for change and the power of intelligent action.” (p. 159)

Those interested in social, psychological, religious, political and economic change will likely appreciate this volume, as will experts in communication. 

Read the Bible in a Year continued: The Prophets

I realize that it has been some time since I wrote a blog post on my journey of reading the Bible in one year. In my last blog post of March 1, 2021, I had completed the Torah, which, if you haven’t read it, you can do so here.

Now I have completed reading the Hebrew Bible/Older Testament. As I reflect on my commitment to this project, which I continue to find challenging some days, regarding the time factor, my thoughts turn to the prophets and the prophetic books. The following are a few brief reflections on them.

The difficult ministries of the Prophets

God called most of the prophets into difficult ministries, which meant that they did not win any popularity contests! God’s people often failed to listen to their messages, rejecting them personally and their messages, ridiculed them, persecuted them, arrested them, and, as in the case of Jeremiah, even threatened to kill them. The lives of God’s prophets were not easy, often lonely, and extremely challenging physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. 

Symbolic Prophetic actions

The prophets, so they believed, were called by God to do some rather weird, and difficult symbolic prophetic actions. For example, in the case of Isaiah (see chapter 20) God called him to go naked and barefoot for three years. Jeremiah was told by God to wear a yoke (chapter 27:2), and the prophet Hananiah took it from Jeremiah and broke it as a sign that the oppressive yoke of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar would be removed from all nations within two years (chapter 28:10-11), and Jeremiah’s oracle regarding an iron yoke, in opposition to Hananiah’s words and action (chapter 28:12ff). God told Ezekiel to lie on his left side for 390 days symbolizing the number of years of Israel’s punishment; and then Ezekiel was to lie on his right side 40 days symbolizing the number of years of Judah’s punishment. Hosea was instructed by God to marry a prostitute symbolizing the unfaithfulness of God’s people. He was also instructed to name a daughter Lo-ruhamah, meaning Not pitied, and a son Lo-ammi, meaning Not my people. Jonah was called by God—fleeing, resisting, kicking and screaming all the way!—to go to the capital city of the enemy, Nineveh, which had inflicted so much suffering on God’s people to preach to them.

Preaching difficult messages

Speaking of preaching, many of the prophets were given God’s messages that God’s people did not want to hear, let alone obey. God called on the prophets to preach messages of repentance, judgement and punishment for violating God’s ways, condemnation of idolatry (a constant sin in the Hebrew Bible), confrontation of unethical merchants with their false weights and measures cheating the poor, criticism of self-indulgent priests and political leaders who thought God would be pleased with their worship, even though they neglected to care for widows, orphans and resident aliens. The prophets were strong advocates of justice, which is linked to keeping God’s covenant and commandments. Violation of the covenant and commandments proved disastrous as the prophets warned—e.g., the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, destruction of the Jerusalem temple, and famines in the land.

The Day of the LORD

The prophets proclaim a day of the LORD. It is a day of darkness and to be dreaded. It refers to disastrous cataclysmic events, God’s enemies will be punished; see Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18-20; and Zechariah 1:14-15. However, there are also more hopeful, and blessed references that to the day of the LORD; see Isaiah 4:2-6; 25:6-10; 30:26; Hosea 2:18-23; Joel 2:28-32; Amos 9:11-15; Zechariah 14:6-11.

Good News

In addition to the prophets being messengers of “bad news,” they were also blessed by God with “good news.” For example, Isaiah speaks of the wonderful beautiful vision of perfect Shalom in chapters 2 and 11. Jeremiah purchased a plot of land as a sign of hope that God’s people would eventually return from exile to the promised land. Jeremiah also spoke of a new covenant in chapter 31, highlighting the importance of forgiveness. Isaiah 7:14 has been interpreted by Christians as a reference to the birth of Jesus the Messiah, as well as Micah 5:2. Isaiah 52-53 refer to the Suffering Servant, whom Christians interpret as Jesus. There are also references in the prophets to Jerusalem as the capital of the world, when all nations shall live in peace.

My latest book

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Memorial Sermon for Daniel Reid

Memorial Sermon for Daniel James Reid, based on Psalm 103:13-17 & Romans 8:31-39, by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, at Skudesness Lutheran Church, two o’clock, August 4, 2021. 

Death comes to us all. As many of you know, there are different kinds of death. Some deaths are expected after a long life, or a long period of suffering caused by chronic illness. Such deaths are regarded by many people as a blessing. Other deaths are not expected and unpredictable, as well as unwanted. Daniel James Reid’s death was an accident; it was not expected or predicted; nor was it wanted. One day Daniel was very much alive. The next day he was no longer with you.

At first you may have been stunned; shock deadens the blow. Then the anesthesia of shock wears off and we begin to feel the awful hurt and heartache of bereavement. We would fall apart if it were not for the presence of those who care: mom, dad, children, sisters, brothers, other relatives, friends, neighbours and God. They come quickly to take us in their arms and breathe comfort in our ears. Remember too, that there are many people whom we do not even know—strangers--who read or hear of our bereavement and lift prayers to God in our behalf. 

The Bible, in Psalm 103, speaks about the shortness of human life. The psalmist compares our human life with grass or wild flowers that quickly bloom, then a strong scorching wind makes them wither and die. Most, if not all of you, I expect would say that Daniel’s life was way too short. Why did he have to fall off that roof? He was only in his 30s, too young to die. I cannot answer your question why. However, I can point you to our Bible passages that speak of a God who loves us all and is with us, even in death. 

As the psalmist assures us: Just as parents have compassion for their children, the LORD has compassion for all who worship him. The English word compassion is from the Latin words “com” meaning “with” or “together,” and “passio” or “pati” meaning “to suffer.” We are always within the reach and sight of God’s compassion. Even though we do wrong, mess up, make terrible mistakes, God our Parent still has compassion for us. Daniel’s parents had compassion for him, even when he did wrong and made mistakes; and Daniel had compassion for you Taylor, Jordyn and Jack. That compassion is a gift that God gives us. Because of that compassion, the sadness and suffering seem at times so great.

After the loss of Daniel perhaps you felt that everyone and everything was against you. Such feelings do come to us, since just as there are life-forces there are also anti-life forces at work in the world. However, listen again to these words of promise from the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he writes: “What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? The One who died for us, Jesus—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.”(The Message)

In other words, the answer to whoever or whatever is against you is that they shall not have the last word; they shall not win because God is on your side. God has the last word, and God will win in the end. Why? Because it is kind of like playing a game of ball or hockey. The team with the best players will win the game. You and I are on the winning team, since we have the very best player who ever lived, namely, Jesus. He has already won the game for each and every one of us by the life he lived; by his suffering, atoning death on the cross; and by his victory over death through his resurrection-life three days after he died. 

Paul goes on to say with great confidence: “Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us (or condemn us)? (Do you think anyone has the power to separate us/divorce us from Christ’s love?) There is no way!”(The Message) Just as your love for Daniel went with him when he travelled so far away from you; and just as Daniel’s love for you remained with you even though he was working on the other side of the world in Saudi Arabia; so Jesus’ love is always going to be in us, with us, and for us.

Paul is even more confident when he answers his questions about Jesus’ love, he tells us this: “Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.

We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”(The Message) His loving embrace by suffering and dying on the cross and his victory over death by his resurrection from death is his unconditional gift to each one of us; that after we die, we too may share in a resurrection like his.

What wonderful GOOD NEWS this is for you and I! The BEST NEWS EVER! I happen to believe it. I hope and pray that you do too. It makes all the difference in the world to live and die trusting in and knowing that God’s steadfast love (God’s constant love, God’s reliable love) is from everlasting to everlasting. To be loved by our LORD and, in response, to love others, that is the ultimate meaning of life. May it be so for all of you! Amen! 

The Weekend in Black & White - July 16, 2021

 

                                                               Driedmeat Lake sunset

For The Weekend in Black & White

Wordless Wednesday: June 30, 2021

 

                               For Wordless Wednesday

Book Review: The Cellist Of Sarajevo

The Cellist Of Sarajevo 

Author: Steven Galloway

Publisher: Vintage Canada, a division of Random House of Canada Limited, paperback, 261 pages

The Author 

Steven Galloway, at the time of this publication, authored two other novels, and was a professor who taught creative writing at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. However, he was dismissed from the University of British Columbia because of charges of sexual misconduct and bullying. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, one charge was substantiated, an extra-marital affair with a student. 

Format

The novel is divided into four parts, each having a few chapters, which focus on the three main characters: Arrow, Kenan, and Dragan. The cellist is an unnamed, and in a sense, minor and mysterious character in the novel. There are a few other characters not portrayed or developed in great detail. The novel concludes with an Afterword, in which Galloway explains the true life cellist, Vedran Smailovic; actually did play Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor for 22 days, where 22 people lined up to buy bread were killed.

Some Observations

Sarajevo is under siege; principal cellist of the Sarajevo Symphony Orchestra looks out his window; he sees many of his friends and neighbours lined up on the street; waiting to buy bread. A bomb exploded and killed them. The cellist puts on his tuxedo; takes his cello down onto the street; and proceeds to play Albinoni’s Adagio. He did this for 22 days, each day to honour the dead. 

A sniper who names herself Arrow successfully has escaped from being shot by other snipers.

Kenan, husband of Amila, and dad of three children worries about the dangers of travelling to the brewery to collect enough water for the family and their widow neighbour, Mrs. Ristovski. Will he make it back home safely, or will someone shoot him? 

Dragan, a sixty-four-year-old baker remembers how Sarajevo was prior to the war—or at least how he thought it was. He sent his wife and son to Italy, hoping they’ll be safer there. Every time he goes to the bakery he risks being shot by a sniper. He is grateful for his work, and through it he has access to food, which he shares with his sister, brother-in-law, and their family. He lives with them now, since his home was destroyed. 

The novel gives us a realistic impression of how disruptive and destructive war can be in a city. There are ruined buildings all over; the tram, the public transportation system is no longer available; inflation is sky-rocketing; food is scarcer and the price of it is more than double prior to the war. People like Kenan, a clerical assistant in an accounting firm, no longer work and have to sell house appliances or other items to buy food; while those involved in the black market exploit others, have plenty of food, and drive new Mercedes. 

A commander named Nermin assigns Arrow the sniper the job of keeping the cellist alive while he plays on the street. 

The cellist and the music are a symbol of the necessity of mourning the dead and living in hope for the future of Sarajevo. 

Galloway addresses several issues regarding the realities of war, including: good and evil, the consequences of individual and collective actions, the fear of death, despair and hope, the eternal questions of why and how long in the face of suffering and injustice, to name a few.

Reflecting on the vulnerability of civilization, Dragan observes: “It needs to be built constantly, recreated daily. It vanishes far more quickly than he (Dragan) ever would have thought possible.” (p. 248) 

In his Afterword, Galloway briefly mentions some of the historical details of the 1992-1996 Siege of Sarajevo, and thanks all of those who inspired him and contributed to his writing and publication of the novel.

Reading this novel makes yours truly more grateful that we Canadians have been blessed to live in a peaceful nation compared to far too many other countries in the world. May we never take this peaceful blessing for granted! 

Book Review: One Hundred Tons Of Ice

One Hundred Tons Of Ice and Other Gospel Stories

Author: Lawrence Wood

Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press, paperback, 184 pages, including Credits, Bibliography, and Notes

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

The Author

At the time of publication, Lawrence Wood was pastor of Fremont United Methodist Church in Fremont, Michigan. Previously he served in Harbor Springs and Alanson, Michigan. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. His writing has appeared in The Christian Century. He is currently senior minister at St. Andrew by the Sea, a community church in Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

Contents

This volume begins with a section entitled Overture, followed by four parts: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring. Each of these four parts contains several chapters. The chapters are thematic in nature, and the chapter titles often reveal the theme. Here are a couple of examples: In Summer, one title is Dixon, Illinois. In Fall, one title is the Peaceable Kingdom, which also includes a black and white image of the familiar painting of the same name by artist Edward Hicks. 

A Few Brief Examples

In Overture, Wood begins with a wonderful story about a couple and their Newfoundland dog surviving an episode of falling into ice-cold water after the ice they were on gave way. Afterwards, the husband became more cognizant of the holy in the ordinary stuff of life. Wood then goes on to cite a quotation from an insightful ninety year old layperson: “The last book of the Bible is still being written, and I’d like to add a verse or two.” Wood then suggests: “Maybe that is what preaching is all about—telling the sacred story of our own day.” (p. 2) 

In Summer, Wood shares a story about actor Fred Astaire and commercial exploitation. Another story I’d never heard of relates how “The Great Molasses Flood” (pp. 34-35) was a disaster killing and injuring many.

In Fall, Wood tells the story of Mr. Jefferson’s Bible and the Jesus Seminar—both of which decided what sayings and doings of Jesus were authentic, ending up with much different Gospels than those in the canon. We need the variety found in our canonical Bible. In Jesus and Mrs. Fish, Wood tells the story of the affluent Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish. She was not impressed with high society and ostentation, yet she extravagantly entertained them. She epitomized the greed of “more is never enough,” saying: “We’re not really rich. We have only a few million.” (p. 88)

In Winter, Wood ponders the question, what did Jesus look like? He includes the legend of Veronica’s handkerchief image of Jesus’ face; the legend of the Shroud of Turin; Michelangelo’s Jesus; French painter Leon Lhermitte’s portrait of Jesus; and Warner Sallman’s familiar portrait of Jesus. Wood concludes: “We are created in the image of God and are called to be the body of Christ, and believe it or not, that is his true likeness.” (p. 116) In the book’s title story, One Hundred Tons of Ice, readers will discover the story of “the Ice King,” (p. 142) Frederic Tudor, and where he sold the ice. It is a story of “one person’s ‘junk’ is another person’s treasure.” Everyone and everything is useful to God. 

In Spring, Wood includes a story called Here Today, in which readers learn about John James Audubon and his encounter with what he estimated were one billion passenger pigeons in 1813. By 1914, the last bird died in the Cincinnati Zoo, making the species extinct. The Old Rugged Cross, as the title suggests, relates the story of the hymn’s origins. Wood also reflects on Simon of Cyrene carrying Jesus’ cross as well as the would-be followers of Jesus carrying their crosses. 

Pastor Wood shares some priceless stories in this volume—stories that are endorsed by Professors Thomas G. Long, David Buttrick, and William H. Willimon on the back cover. Highly recommended to preachers and others who love stories. 

Book Review: Albert Schweitzer's Mission Healing and Peace

 

Albert Schweitzer's Mission Healing and Peace: With Hitherto Unpublished Letters from Schweitzer, Nehru, Eisenhower, Khrushchev, and Kennedy

Author: Norman Cousins

Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company, hardcover, 319 pages, including Acknowledgments, Editor's Note, and Index

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

The Author

Norman Cousins wrote for Saturday Review, and later became professor of humanities in the medical faculty of the University of California, Los Angeles. He also authored Anatomy of an Illness, Human Options, The Human Heart, and The Words of Albert Schweitzer. He was the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Medicine degree at Yale University by the Connecticut Medical Association and the New Haven Medical Society. 

Contents

In addition to Acknowledgments, Editor's Note and Index, the main body of this volume is divided into "Part I. A Visit to Lambaréné" and "Part II. The Correspondence, Introduction, Letters: 1957-1963," and a concluding "Epilogue."

Observations

In "A Visit to Lambaréné," Norman Cousins noted how Dr. Schweitzer left book manuscripts he was working on laying around, so that some were easily scattered and even stepped on by animals. 

He also pointed out the irony of Dr. Schweitzer who could have enjoyed a career as a professional concert organist and pianist playing without complaint an out-of-tune, dilapidated, old upright piano in Lambaréné. 

Cousins observed how witch doctors had power over people by threatening them with evil spells if they went to the Schweitzer Hospital. 

"Dr. Schweitzer did not come to Africa for the purpose of building a towering medical centre. He came in order to meet the Africans on their own terms. What he built was an African village attached to a functional medical and surgical clinic." (p. 53)

Dr. Schweitzer could be gruff with the Africans--he could be patronizing, treating them like children. However, Dr. Schweitzer regarded his role at the hospital as father not only to the Africans, but to everyone. "He had a sense of total personal responsibility for everyone and everything at Lambaréné." (p. 55)

Dr. Schweitzer told Cousins that his correspondence (including to  the leaders of nations, among others) was increasing and getting further behind and was time-consuming. 

Cousins observed how energetic Dr. Schweitzer was--he could still vigorously work at nearly 83 years of age. He also noted the Doctor's sense of humour during mealtime.

Helena, Dr. Schweitzer's wife, told Cousins about her tuberculosis when she was young; her skiing accident that broke her spine; her daughter Rhene, who married Jean Eckert of Zurich, an organ builder; and how she had helped Dr. Schweitzer for many of the over 40 years in Lambaréné, prior to her becoming ill and walking with a cane. Cousins also states that he enjoyed other cordial visits with Mrs. Schweitzer, who had an interest in world events as well as his family. She died 2 months after his Lambaréné visit. 

On one occasion, Dr. Schweitzer spoke with Cousins for 2 hours about philosophy and philosophers. He was influenced by Hegel and the Stoic school. He also spoke about his own philosophy and his published and unpublished works. 

Cousins describes, in some detail, staff members who came from various countries and their duties in the hospital and lepers' village. Several of them had served in Lambaréné for many years. This was the case in spite of the fact that, according to Cousins, both the Schweitzer Hospital and leper village were under-staffed.

Cousins describes another conversation with Dr. Schweitzer about ethical, political and health issues in relation to nuclear energy and nuclear fallout from testing. 

The Doctor surprised Cousins when he gave him his unpublished manuscript of The Kingdom of God--which he had hand-written on the back of all kinds of forms and old letters. This epitomized Dr. Schweitzer's stewardship and commitment not to live in luxury.

In another conversation, the Doctor told Cousins the more he studied Christian theology, the more he thought that over the centuries it had become too complicated and obscure. As principal of a seminary Dr. Schweitzer realized that he could no longer believe or teach what he was taught; and could not teach what he believed. Therefore he painfully gave up his position as principal at the seminary. He confessed: "I decided I would make my life my argument. I would attempt to have my life and work say what I believed." (p. 125) 

Cousins left Lambaréné having accomplished the purpose of his visit: he had Dr. Schweitzer's unpublished manuscript of The Kingdom of God, and his promise of a future statement on world peace and the problem of nuclear testing. 

Part II "The Correspondence," contains letters of Cousins and Dr. Schweitzer up to the year the latter died in 1965, as well as letters to others. "Most of the correspondence was on the key issues of the times--the deterioration of international relations, the hazards of the nuclear arms race (including dangers to the environment caused by testing), and the pervasive sense of uncontrolled drift toward a nuclear holocaust." (p. 143)

Cousins also includes Dr. Schweitzer's "A Declaration of Conscience" statement, which was broadcasted on radio from Oslo, and was deliberately chosen by Schweitzer because the Nobel Committee resided there. In it, he described the dangers of testing uranium, hydrogen and cobalt bombs and their radioactive fallout. He also appealed to citizens of the world to press their governments to end the testing of atomic weapons. Dr. Schweitzer's statement was also broadcasted on many transmitters throughout the world.

Many of the letters focus on the banning of nuclear weapons testing; the question of Berlin; and the Cuban missile crisis.

Dr. Schweitzer was grateful to have served in the medical profession into his nineties. 

According to Cousins, in his "Epilogue," Schweitzer's greatest achievement was spreading his moral vision internationally. "The greatness of Schweitzer--indeed, the essence of Schweitzer--was the man as symbol." (p. 303) 

Cousins goes on to cite how Schweitzer inspired people around the globe to found hospitals in impoverished places; medical clinics; and an orphanage. "Schweitzer demonstrated that one man (or woman) can make a difference." (p. 306)

Dr. Albert Schweitzer's freedom to sacrificially serve others mirrors the spirit of Jesus, and undoubtedly continues to inspire hundreds, thousands, and perhaps even millions today. Thank God for the Albert Schweitzers of this world! 

Review of 2 Dr. Ole Hallesby Books

Under His Wings

Author: Ole Hallesby

Publisher: Augsburg Publishing House, paperback, 177 pages

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

The Author

Dr. Ole Hallesby was one of Norway's leading authors of best-selling, popular books such as Prayer, and Why I Am a Christian. He was a seminary professor until his death in 1961. 

Contents

This volume consists of a Preface, and eleven chapters, entitled: Be Still Before The LORD, Under The Blessing Of God, The Meek, Under His Wings, In The Day Of Trouble, Our Earthly Calling, The Fear Of God, Faith And Assurance, Martha And Mary, When The Blind See, Closing Words. Each chapter begins with a biblical passage, followed by a meditation on it. 

Brief Observations

Dr. Hallesby first published this book in 1932, it was renewed in 1960, and this paperback edition came out in 1978. He states the book's purpose and intended audience in the Preface: "This book has been written for the many believing Christians who from time to time are filled with dismay at the Word of the Lord, and who almost continually feel weary and discouraged in their struggle against sin." In short, he had a pastoral concern for the spiritual well-being of his readers. 

Dr. Hallesby writes from the perspective of Norwegian Haugean Pietism, founded by Hans Nielsen Hauge. He repeatedly compliments the Haugeans for their faithfulness. 

In his first chapter, based on Psalm 37:7, Hallesby sees stillness as a blessing in that it connects us with eternity, which, in turn, through grace, makes us more aware of our sin, which drives us to Jesus for forgiveness.

Professor Hallesby has some interesting insights in his chapter on The Meek, based on Matthew 5:5 and Philippians 4:5. He states: "The word for meek in the Norwegian tongue signifies slow courage, calm courage, gentle and mild courage." (p. 36) He goes on to discuss how little courage human beings have regarding: the confession of wrongs, giving generously, being humble, and suffering. He then cites several examples of Jesus' "meek courage," which involves love, faith, humility, and servanthood. 

I appreciated Dr. Hallesby's short chapter In The Day Of Trouble, based on Psalm 27:5. Perhaps he is speaking from his own experience--I know it has been my experience as a pastor--when he states: "Believers, too, can be exceedingly mean to each other, both in thought, word, and deed. Moreover, nothing hurts us as much as when Christian people are unkind toward us." (pp. 78-79) Tragically, the lack of unity and love has caused way too many serious, unresolved conflicts and divisions in the church--moreover, it has scandalized non-Christians and turned them off of the Christian faith.

In his Closing Words, Dr. Hallesby speaks of the paradoxical and scandalous nature of the Cross: "The Cross, the most incomprehensible thing of all in connection with the God of the Bible, became the dearest and most indispensable of all to my broken and contrite heart." (p. 172)

Readers who are struggling and discouraged in the faith would likely find some counsel and encouragement in this volume. 

Temperament & the Christian Faith 

Author: Ole Hallesby

Publisher: Augsburg Publishing House, paperback, x plus 106 pages

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

Contents

This little volume contains: a Foreword To The American Edition by Dr. Hallesby, A Tribute written by O.G. Malmin, and seven chapters, entitled: Temperament, The Sanguine Temperament, The Melancholic Temperament, The Choleric Temperament, The Phlegmatic Temperament, The Significance of the Temperaments. The Foreword To The American Edition was written, may possibly have been one of the last things Dr. Hallesby wrote on August 5, 1961, since he died on November 22, 1961. 

In each of the four classic temperament chapters, the author includes their characteristics, strengths and weaknesses, hints for Pastors and Spiritual Counsellors, and self-discipline. 

Brief Observations

This little volume was first published in Norwegian as Temperamentene i kristelig lys in 1940, four years before the Briggs Myers Type Indicator Handbook was published, which changed its title to the “Myers-Briggs Type Indicator” in 1956; and the “Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis,” originally developed by Dr. Roswell H. Johnson in 1941, and later revised by Robert M. Taylor and Lucile P. Morrison. 

Dr. Hallesby provides readers with the origins of the words temperament, sanguine, melancholic, choleric and phlegmatic. “The term comes from the Latin temperamentum, which means the right blending—in this case, of the bodily fluids. ...the sanguine (blood) being rich-blooded, warm, lively; the melancholic (from the Greek melaina chole, black bile), dark and gloomy; the choleric (from the Greek chole, yellow bile), hot-tempered and violent; and the phlegmatic (from the Greek phlegma,phlegm or mucus), cool, slow, and sluggish.” (p. 8) 

The sanguine person is an extrovert, tends to: live in the present, is bubbly, lively, happy, a social butterfly, in touch with the feelings and thoughts of others, superficial and unreliable—unintentionally forgetting promises and obligations. They are ultimately people of hope. 

The melancholic person is an introvert, and tends to be: deep and thorough, depressed, sceptical, dislikes the superficial, aware of their limitations, sensitive, faithful, dependable, too self-absorbed, uncompromising, hard to get along with, proud, impractical. Melancholic people are often intellectuals, artists and philosophers. 

The choleric person tends to be: quick-tempered, practical, active and emphasizes doing, strong-willed, self-reliant, intuitive, energetic, insightful into human nature, responds quickly and boldly in emergencies, lacks compassion, is too self-confident and domineering, revengeful, and can become violent. Choleric people are active, practical and hard-working, and can motivate others in their work. 

The phlegmatic person tends to be: calm and has a well-balanced temperament, is stoic, good-natured and easy to get along with, peace-loving, dependable, practical-minded, emulates stability, can be slow and lazy, self-righteous, and indifferent or blasé, as a leader can deal well with all kinds of people, and excel in administration. 

Dr. Hallesby emphasises that as complex human beings, we all have a combination of the temperaments, with one usually more predominant than the others. It is Hallesby’s hope that becoming more aware of one’s temperament will enhance one’s relationships with both God and other human beings; as well as understanding the temperaments of others better with a view to becoming less judgemental of them. 

This little volume is helpful in identifying one’s temperament(s). However, it is most likely best read along with other resources like the Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. 

 

Read the Bible in a Year continued: The Torah

As I shared in my January 18, 2021 bog post, which you can read here, I have made the commitment to read the whole Bible this year. I recently completed reading the Torah, and am now well into the Book of Joshua. I'm following the Good News Translation Bible's plan, titled: "Read the Bible in a Year." However, each day I read a different translation, I'm blessed to have eight English translations of the Bible. For those readers who may have only one or two translations, I recommend the Bible Gateway website, where you can select several translations.

I confess, there are some days I find it quite challenging to read the assigned chapters. For example, when I began the Book of Joshua, chapters 1 to 7 were assigned on that day. This takes time, as I like to write brief notes on each daily reading. It is rather challenging some days to devote the necessary time required--especially when one has a busy day with other commitments. Being retired makes one grateful to be able to choose these kind of commitments. 

With regards to now having read the Torah, which literally means "teaching" or "instruction," here are a few notes. 

Two of the most significant defining moments in the history of Israel are, of course, God giving Moses the decalogue (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-21) on Mount Sinai; and the exodus combined with the institution of the Passover (Exodus 12-14) as a festival to be celebrated in perpetuity to remember the exodus out of Egyptian slavery. Both of these defining moments are acts of God's grace toward Israel, and lay the foundation for their nation. The other religious celebrations, including the Sabbath, and such festivals as Sukkot/Tabernacles, and Weeks are also rooted in God's grace.

However, after reading about the origins of the tabernacle and the sacrificial system associated with it, one does wonder about God's requirements. This time round, after reading about all of the minute details of the offerings and sacrifices; their contents and quantities, and the rituals connected with them; I have more empathy towards the levitical priests. They were given huge responsibilities, and I think their work would have been endless. It would have required a lot of time to prepare many of the offerings and sacrifices prior to officiating in their rituals. Moreover, one wonders where and how the levitical priests were able to find all of the animals required for the offerings and sacrifices. It would have helped them a great deal if they were people who had the gift to remember details. 

We like to view God as "gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." However, with regards to the sacrificial system, one wonders--sometimes God seems overly legalistic and unmerciful, quick to anger and punish those who even make a minor mistake regarding the content and/or quantity of a particular offering or sacrifice. The punishment seems, at times, extreme. For example, in Numbers 15:32-36, a man who gathered sticks on the sabbath was commanded by the LORD to be stoned to death. 

On the other hand, there are occasions when God is gracious and merciful. For example, he does listen to both Abraham and Moses when they intercede for their people; that God not destroy them in his wrath. God heard their pleading and had mercy on his people. 

God's grace also blessed Abraham and Sarah with their son Isaac in their old age.

God's grace endowed Moses with the energy, wisdom and leadership skills and gifts to lead the Israelites through the sea, the wilderness, and up to the promised land. God's grace provided for the Israelites throughout their wilderness wanderings. God's grace provided for the needs and status of resident aliens, orphans and widows. 

After reading the Torah, I am grateful however that I'm not required to remember, let alone keep, all of the 613 laws therein--even though a number of those laws do make sense in their context and even today (for example the dietary laws), and promote the health and well-being of society as a whole. 

There but by the grace of God go you and I.

Brief Book Review: The Psalms: Structure, Content & Message

 

Author: Claus Westermann

Publisher: Augsburg Publishing House, paperback, 128 pages

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

The Author

Claus Westermann (7 October 1909 - 11 June 2000) was a German Protestant Old Testament scholar. He was a professor at the University of Heidelberg from 1958 to 1978. 

Born to African missionaries, he finished his studies in 1933 and he became a pastor. During his theological studies he started studying the Old Testament, and became particularly interested in the content of the Psalms. 

He has published several other works, including: Handbook To The Old Testament, Handbook To The New Testament, and The Old Testament And Jesus Christ. 

Westermann is considered one of the premier Old Testament scholars of the twentieth century. Particularly notable among his scholarship is his lengthy and comprehensive commentary on the Book of Genesis, especially covering Genesis 1-11. 

Contents

There are 13 chapters, plus an Introduction and a Selected Bibliography. The chapters include: 1. The Community Psalm of Lament (CL). 2. The Community Psalm of Narrative Praise (CP). 3. The Individual Psalm of Lament (IL). 4. The Individual Psalm of Narrative Praise (IP). 5. The Psalm of Descriptive Praise or Hymn (H). 6. Creation Psalms. 7. Liturgical Psalms. 8. Royal Psalms. 9. Enthronement Psalms. 10. Wisdom Psalms. 11. Psalm 119. 12. Conclusion. 13. The Psalms and Christ. 

Brief Highlights

It has been many, many years since I read this volume. I picked it up from my bookshelf since I decided to preach on the Psalter pericopes of the Revised Common Lectionary this church year, 2020-2021, and thought it would be a helpful resource for sermon preparation. (My sermons can be read at my main Dim Lamp site.) Although it is only 128 pages, Professor Westermann packs quite a lot into it. 

In his Introduction, Professor Westermann states that Psalms: "are prayers (words directed to God in supplication or rejoicing), poetry (poetical expressions of thought), and song (they go beyond the mere speaking or even recital of a poem and become music)." (p. 11) I would add that there is the element of story in the Psalms; which focus on a variety of human experiences and saving actions of God. The Introduction also focusses on the: origins, collection, superscriptions and notations, musical designations, poetic forms, types and genres of the psalms. 

In his chapter on IL, Westermann makes the following observation concerning enemies: "Psalm 22 contains, to be sure, an extensive description of enemies, but not one single petition against them. On the other hand, Psalm 109 consists of almost nothing but petitions against enemies. Between these extremes are many intermediary forms of petitions and complaints about enemies." (p. 67)

In his chapter on H, the author relates time and space to Hymns/Psalms of Descriptive Praise: "The praise of God should extend to the uttermost limits of time and space, for only thus can God be affirmed as the Lord of time and space, no matter how far they may extend." (p. 84)

In his chapter on Liturgical Psalms, Westermann identifies occasions and types of these psalms: Pilgrimage songs for festivals, songs of Zion regarding the city of Jerusalem, psalms of blessing, psalms with entrance instructions into the temple, psalms of procession with the ark. 

Christian readers will likely be interested in the chapter on The Psalms and Christ. In his discussion, the author states: "In three passages the Psalms point unambiguously to what has happened in Christ." (p. 123) Readers can learn more about them by purchasing this book.