Brief Book Review:The Beatitudes and Woes of Jesus Christ For The Slow Savouring of Serious Disciples

 

The Beatitudes and Woes of Jesus Christ for The Slow Savouring of Serious Disciples

Author: Joseph R. Jacobson

Publisher: PageMaster Publishing, 2020

103 pages, paperback

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

About the Author 

The Rev. Joseph R. Jacobson formerly served as a Lutheran pastor, and as a bishop of Alberta and the Territories Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada. Later, he became a Roman Catholic, and has served in that denomination as a priest. Rev. Jacobson and wife Carolyn were married for fifty-two years and nine months when she died in 2018. They have two children and eight grandchildren. He is the author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction. 

Dedication 

Rev. Jacobson has dedicated this volume: To the Chinese Christians of our own time who along with survivors of the gulag and the jihad are giving the whole Church a fresh vision of what it means to be called "disciples of Jesus." 

Introduction 

In his Introductory Comments, Rev. Jacobson states that: i) contrary to what many believe, the beatitudes and woes are stark; ii) they are descriptive not prescriptive; iii) and they describe discipleship. As stark, ground rules of Jesus for all would-be disciples, the beatitudes and woes, according to the Most Rev. Dr. Donald Coggan, a former Archbishop of Canterbury--cited by the Rev. Jacobson--"They terrify me." (p. 3) They can "terrify" us precisely because we cannot live up to the beatitudes, and the woes in Luke's Gospel all too often describe us. Yet, paradoxically, the author points out: the beatitudes cannot save us, and even though they are stark, we are graced by them insofar as they remind us of the state we are in--we are "Blessed." Originally, Rev. Jacobson wrote these twenty-four private meditations for each day during the season of Advent in 1997, revised them in 2014, and decided to publicly share them by publishing this volume in 2020. 

Structure and Content 

The author has employed a brilliant and creative method of writing these meditations. Each meditation has a two-fold message. First, each meditation begins with the words: "N.___________________________, child of God," (reminiscent of our baptismal covenant) and spoken to the reader directly by God the Father. Second, each meditation concludes with a conversational prayer-response to each particular beatitude and woe, beginning with the words: "Dearest Father." In both sections of each meditation, the author often refers to--in some meditations--several additional biblical passages, complementing the beatitude and/or woe. 

Here is a fragmented example: N.__________________________, child of God, I call you to hunger and thirst for righteousness. I do not need disciples who pay it eloquent lip service. (Matthew 15:7-8) I need disciples who pay it daily life service. (p. 32) Dearest Father, give me a fierce appetite for Your righteousness alone. Show me what it is. Show me how it works. Show me why the world needs it so desperately. Show me how much You want the world to have it. Show me Jesus and never let anything come between us! (Romans 8:38-39) I want to see my craving for anything but Your righteousness for what it really is: Deadly poison served on a silver platter. (pp. 34-35)

Over-all, I found this little Advent devotional book edifying. However, I do have a couple of critiques. My first critique is that the author does focus on total depravity in several of the meditations. In the present time, when the COVID-19 pandemic is causing many to be in a state of depression, these meditations may have an unintended adverse effect on some readers. My second critique is that the author most likely should have identified the painting on the front cover of the volume as well as the painter: The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch, in Frederikborg Castle, Copenhagen. 

That said, I would recommend this little volume to those readers who are looking for meditations for the Advent season.

Brief Graveside Sermon for Grete Olson

Brief graveside sermon by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, for Grete Olson, based on Isa 66:13; Matt 5:4; Phil 4:13. December 4, 2020, Bawlf cemetery, one o’clock.

Comfort, during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need God’s comfort. All is not well with the world. There is so much discomfort, disorientation, suffering, sorrow and uncertainty. The coronavirus has reminded us of how fragile life is. So we turn to the LORD and his word for comfort. The word comfort, comes from the two Latin words, com-with, together, and fortis-strong—as we gather together in the presence of God and through his word, we are stronger. So as Jesus promises us in the beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” we benefit physically, mentally, emotionally; and we are strengthened spiritually in our faith; because in mourning together we are Christ’s presence for each other, and that brings us comfort.

Moreover, the Greek word for “comforted” in Jesus’ beatitude (paraklethesontai) is related to the Greek word for the Holy Spirit (paraclete) the “Comforter”—and the Holy Spirit dwells within us, so we are comforted. 

That also reminds me of our verse from Isaiah: “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” The presence of God is like a mother who comforts; who provides consolation; who contributes to the well-being of her children. Just as the Israelites returning from Babylonian exile found comfort back home in Jerusalem—so as members of Grete’s family, I’m sure you found comfort in Grete’s presence and home. 

Grete Olson, child of God, daughter, sister, wife, mother, neighbour and friend has left this life to join the company of saints in heaven. I am sure that you who loved her will miss her. 

In conversation with Odell, I learned that a most appropriate Bible verse that compliments Grete’s life is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”—which Odell found on the graduation exercise folder for one year when both Grete and her future husband, Palmer attended CLBI. 

As Odell shared with me some of the life-journey of Grete, I’m sure she needed to rely on Christ’s strength to do all that she was able to do. Life was not easy for her. She was very busy raising six children on limited means; as well as meeting the needs and living up to the expectations of being a pastor’s wife which, back in her generation, among other things, often involved playing the organ for worship services and being active in the ladies aid groups. Grete worked hard providing for you family members, sewing, knitting, canning, baking and much more. The life of a pastor, a pastor’s wife and family involves challenges, struggles, disappointments, as well as times when peace and joy, hope and love prevail. 

As time went on and the family grew up; Grete and Pastor Palmer were able to enjoy some of the good things in retired life, like golfing and cross-country skiing, and visiting friends and relatives. When she lived in Rosealta and Seasons, Grete frequently befriended residents and staff. Over all, Grete lived a very full, long life, relying on Jesus for her strength to do all things. Her faith in Christ gave Grete resilience; her ability to cope with the challenges of life; and her joy through adversity; were, without doubt, an inspiration to you as well as to many parishioners, friends and neighbours. 

So, we give thanks to God for the life of Grete Olson, as we commend her into the eternal care of the LORD. 

Brief Book Review: Philosophy 100 Essential Thinkers

 

Philosophy 100 Essential Thinkers

Author: Philip Stokes

Publisher: Arcturus Publishing Ltd.

382 pages, paperback

Author

Amazon.com provides the following information about Philip Stokes: "Phil Stokes is married with two children and currently living in Thailand. He teaches English language and Critical Thinking skills at a Thai university, while pondering - ever so slowly - on the prospect of turning his scrivenings into further books. His latest work is an opensource critical thinking textbook written for lecturers and students of philosophy." In addition to this, the author has a blog (essential thinking.wordpress.com), where he states that he studied philosophy at the University of Reading and the University of Bristol. 

Structure and Content

This work is sort of a Reader's Digest version of the 100 philosophers and their philosophy. On average, the author devotes 3-4 pages to each philosopher. So obviously the volume only provides a very brief introduction into the philosophy of each philosopher. In short, it is designed as an introduction for readers who have no or very little background in philosophy. 

Professor Stokes divides the philosophers into several groups: The Presocratics, The Eleatics, The Academics, The Atomists, The Cynics, The Stoics, The Sceptics, The Neoplatonists, The Christians, The Scholastics, The Age of Science, The Rationalists, The Empiricists, The Idealists, The Liberals, The Evolutionists, The Pragmatists, The Materialists, The Existentialists, The Linguistic Turn, The Postmodernists, The New Scientists.

As for content, the philosophers focus (among other things) on everything from the origins of the universe, to dialectics such as mind and body, matter and spirit, good and evil, faith and atheism, universal and particular, individual and collective, to the meaning-or lack thereof-of human existence. 

After reading this volume, I was left with the following question: Why did the author choose these philosophers, and omit others? For example, there are only two women-Mary Wollstonecraft and Simone de Beauvoir. Therefore, I would highly recommend readers to balance this male-dominated volume with any of the following ones: Women Philosophers: A Bio-Critical Source Book by Ethel M. Kersey, Women Philosophers by Mary Warnock, The Philosopher Queens by Rebecca Buxton & Lisa Whiting, A History of Women Philosophers: Ancient Women Philosophers 600 B.C. - 500 A.D. by Mary Ellen Waithe.    

 

Book Review: The Night Trilogy

Book Review: The Night Trilogy Consisting Of A Memoir, Translated By Marion Wiesel, And Two Novels: Night, Dawn, Day

Author: Elie Wiesel

Publisher: Hill and Wang A Division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux

339 pages, paperback

Author

Elie Wiesel was a Holocaust survivor, award-winning author of 57 books, Nobel Peace Prize winner, professor, and political activist.

Night

In his "Preface to the New Translation" of Night, Elie Wiesel begins by stating: "If in my lifetime I was to write only one book, this would be the one." (p. 5) He then claims that it is the key to understanding all of his other works. Then he goes on to reflect on why he wrote Night. 

Night was a testimony written by Wiesel as a witness to what happened in the Holocaust. It was written as a moral obligation to prevent the enemy from succeeding in erasing their crimes from history. "Convinced that this period in history would be judged one day, I knew I must bear witness." (p. 6)

According to Wiesel: "Only those who experienced Auschwitz know what it was. Others will never know." (p. 7) Hence the necessity of Holocaust survivors being witnesses and bearing testimony to the world.

Wiesel grew up in the town of Sighet in Transylvania. He was a devout Jew who studied Talmud, the Jewish mysticism of Kabbalah and attended synagogue.

Wiesel describes how his mentor, the Beadle, Moishe had escaped from the Nazis and came back to Sighet to warn the people there of how the Nazis were killing Jews and that their lives were in danger. Tragically no one, including Wiesel, believed him. Some thought he was even mad.

No one believed the Nazis would come to Sighet, until one day they did.

When the Nazis came, they systematically destroyed the rights, privileges and freedoms of the Jews in Sighet. They also took their silver, gold, jewelry, and other valuables. Then they were loaded into box cars and taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau. 

On the first day in the concentration camp Wiesel witnessed people being thrown into a burning pit, including young children and babies. Witnessing this evil, he wrote: 

"Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky.

Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever.

Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes." (p. 52)

One day, a young boy along with two men were hanged, and all the other prisoners had to watch. The boy however remained alive for over half an hour. Everyone had to walk past him. Behind Wiesel a man asked: "For God's sake, where is God?" And from within me (Elie), I heard a voice answer: "Where He is? This is where--hanging here from this gallows...."(p. 83)

Wiesel tells of the Jews in the concentration camp participating in the last day of the year--Rosh Hashanah service. Rather than blessing God's name, Wiesel asks God some difficult questions, functioning like a prosecuting lawyer, placing God on trial. 

"How could I say to Him: Blessed be Thou, Almighty, Master of the Universe, who chose us among all nations to be tortured day and night, to watch as fathers, our mothers, our brothers end up in the furnaces?" (p. 84)

Wiesel goes on to say: "I was the accuser, God the accused. My eyes had opened and I was alone, terribly alone in a world without God, without (sic) man. Without love or mercy." (p. 86)

Wiesel goes on to describe the cruel struggle for survival until the Americans arrived at Buchenwald on April 11, 1945. 

Dawn

In his Preface to this, his first novel, Wiesel describes the setting: Palestine under Great Britain, prior to the state of Israel. He also describes the protagonist, Elisha, a member of the Jewish resistance. Wiesel also mentions some of the questions raised in the novel such as: good and evil, hatred and revenge, terror and justice.

Elisha was a young 18-year-old Holocaust survivor. He left Buchenwald concentration camp to live in France. One day he met Gad, a messenger, who recruited Elisha to join the Jewish resistance Movement for an independent homeland. 

A Movement fighter, David ben Moshe was captured by the English and he was to be executed at dawn--rejecting appeals to show clemency. 

The Movement had captured British Captain John Dawson. Elisha was assigned the responsibility of executing Dawson at dawn.

The Movement told the British that for every Movement member the British captured and executed the Movement would capture and execute a British soldier. Their ideology was to use violent, terrorist tactics against the English to force them out of Palestine. 

"If we must become more unjust and inhuman than those who have been unjust and inhuman to us, then we shall do so. The commandment Thou shalt not kill was given from the summit of one of the mountains here in Palestine, and we were the only ones to obey it. But that's all over; we must be like everybody else. Murder will be not our profession but our duty." (pp. 162-163)

According to the Movement's leader, called the Old Man, they were to live by the eleventh commandment--hate your enemy.

The night before Elisha is going to kill John Dawson, he is plagued with the following thoughts: "He who has killed one man alone is a killer for life. He may choose another occupation, hide himself under another identity, but the executioner or at least the executioner's mask will always be with him." (p. 195)

Day

Day, Wiesel's second novel, is a sequel to Dawn. 

The protagonist in the novel is hit by a taxi crossing Times Square in Manhattan, and struggles between life and death.

Is there meaning in life after Auschwitz? The tragedy of indifference and survivor's guilt are, among others, themes in this novel. 

After surviving surgery, the protagonist's worst enemy was a fever. He tells the doctor: "You see, Doctor, what people say is true: man (sic) carries his fiercest enemy within himself. Hell isn't others. It's ourselves." (p. 245)

The novel then moves to Paris, where the protagonist--who is still not named--meets Kathleen. In the beginning of the book he had been with Kathleen on their way to a movie, when the taxi hit him. 

In his thoughts, the protagonist struggles with theodicy and seems angry with God. "Man (sic) prefers to blame himself for all possible sins and crimes rather than come to the conclusion that God is capable of the most flagrant injustice." (p. 264)

"Yes, God needs man (sic). Condemned to eternal solitude, He made man (sic) only to use him as a toy, to amuse Himself." (p. 265)

The protagonist--a Holocaust survivor, seems like he is Elisha from the first novel, even though he's still not named--suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and has nightmares and screams. 

Elisha's thoughts as a Holocaust survivor are imprisoned by the past: "You cannot hide suffering and remorse for long. They come out. It was true: I was living in the past. Grandmother, with her black shawl on her head, wasn't giving me up." (p. 325)

He continues this line of thought concerning survivor's guilt: "We cannot forget. The images are there in front of our eyes. We feel ashamed and guilty to be alive, to eat as much bread as we want, to wear good, warm socks in the winter." (p. 325)

At the end of the novel, a Hungarian artist friend, Gyula, appears. He speaks of life and death and shares his thoughts about their meaning. He leaves by carrying out one final act.

These three works of Elie Wiesel are very sobering, difficult and challenging to read. However, I would recommend them as essential resources on the Holocaust. 

My New Book: Praying The Lectionary Cycle B

My newest book has just been published by CSS Publishing Company. The prayers are based on Revised Common Lectionary semicontinuous cycle B. For more information, and to purchase either a hard copy or ebook, click here. 

My top 10 list of must-listen to Canadian musicians during COVID-19

Alberta: Joni Mitchell

Joni was born in Fort Macleod, Alberta. As a singer-songwriter, she has explored and excelled in several genres, including: folk, pop, rock, and jazz. She was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada. Joni has released at least 19 albums. It is difficult to choose one song of hers. My choice is from her 1994 Turbulent Indigo album. I'd classify it as a lament--appropriate during this time of COVID-19--focussing on the biblical story of Job, Sire of Sorrow. 

British Columbia: Luke Wallace

Luke Wallace is a young singer-songwriter, folk musician. He has released 5 albums, I'd never heard of him until recently. I was quite impressed. Listen to his latest album, What On Earth here. 

Manitoba: Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennitt was born in Morden, Manitoba, and is a multi-talented musician, exploring and performing: world music, Celtic, and Middle Eastern genres. In addition to her singing and song-writing, she plays the harp, accordion, and piano. She was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada, a Western Canadian Music Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and Juno Award winner. My favourite song is her rendition of Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, The Lady of Shalott. 

New Brunswick: Charles Thomas (better known as) "Stompin' Tom" Connors

Stompin' Tom was a Canadian country and folk singer-songwriter from St. John, New Brunswick. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, founder of 3 record labels, promoting his own music as well as other Canadian musicians, and a popular Canadian storyteller. One of his popular songs is about Canada's favourite sport, The Hockey Song. 

Newfoundland and Labrador: Great Big Sea

Great Big Sea was a Newfoundland and Labrador folk-rock band in existence from 1993-2013. The band members were: Alan Doyle, Bob Hallett, Sean McCann, Darrell Power. They interpreted traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, Scottish, and Cornish heritage. From 1996-2000, they won the Entertainer of the Year award at the East Coast Music Awards. Wave Over Wave is an ode to the sailor's way of life. 

Nova Scotia: Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan is a Nova Scotia singer-songwriter, who plays: piano, keyboard, guitar, ukulele, banjo, and harp. Sarah is the winner of 9 Juno Awards, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, and inducted into the Order of British Columbia. She was also instrumental in establishing the Sarah McLachlan School of Music in Vancouver, and which has now expanded to Edmonton, providing music education for inner city children. She is also a member of the Canadian charity, Artists Against Racism. Visit this page on her website to listen to and watch several of her songs, including my favourite, I Will Remember You. 

Ontario: Bruce Cockburn

Bruce Cockburn is my favourite, all-round, Canadian singer-songwriter. Bruce has had a long, productive, and distinguished musical career, and is still an active musician. Over the years, Bruce has experimented with and excelled in  several genres, including: folk, rock, jazz, blues, to name a few. He has released 36 albums, making him one of the most prolific Canadian singer-songwriters. A person of deep faith, he addresses many contemporary issues in his songs, with a prophetic voice reminiscent of the biblical Jeremiah. It is very difficult for me to choose one of his songs, since so many of them are my favourites. Give a listen to Tried and Tested, on his 2003 You've Never Seen Everything album. 

Prince Edward Island: Gene MacLellan

Although Gene MacLellan was not born in PEI, he lived there several years, where he was active as a singer-songwriter. Many will remember Gene's song, Snowbird, which made Anne Murray famous. Gene struggled with depression throughout his lifetime, and in 1995, tragically committed suicide. He released 4 albums ( a 5th one was released posthumously). I remember first seeing Gene on the CBC TV program Singalong Jubilee, and was immediately impressed with his music. From 1980 until his death in 1995, he performed only in small noncommercial venues such as churches, prisons, and nursing homes. Posthumously, Gene was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, and given the East Coast Music Association's Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award. My favourite song is Put Your Hand In The Hand from his 1977 album, If It's Alright With You.  

Quebec: Kate and Anna McGarrigle

Sister Kate and Anna McGarrigle were active Quebec singer-songwriters from 1975-2010, until Kate's death in 2010. They performed folk-rock and country-folk genres, and released about 10 albums together, plus collaborating with other musicians, including: Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and The Chieftains. In addition to singing and songwriting, they played several instruments, including: button accordion, banjo, fiddle, guitar, piano, keyboard, flute, and harmonica. In 1993, they were appointed Members of the Order of Canada, and in 2004, received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award. One of my favourite McGarrigle Sisters's songs is Travellin' on for Jesus. 

Saskatchewan: Connie Kaldor

Connie Kaldor is a Saskatchewan-born folk singer-songwriter. Connie started her full-time musical career in 1981, releasing the first of her 16 albums. In that same year, she created her own independent record label, Coyote Entertainment. She wrote the lyrics for Svetlana Zylin's musical, feminist interpretation of the Bible, The Destruction of Eve, which premiered in 1998. Connie is a three-time Juno Award winner for best children's album. In 2003, her television show @ Wood River Hall, debuted on VisionTV. Connie was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2006. One of my favourites (I'm also Saskatchewan-born) is the title track from her album, Love Sask.  

What do you think of my list? Do you have other favourites? I'd be happy to find out if you care to share them in a comment below.  

The Weekend in Black and White - July 10, 2020

Flåm Church, Norway

 

                        For The Weekend in Black and White