1997 Issue 1
In spite of all the good things that could be said about the country after the close of the War for Independence, all was not well. Many things troubled the people and brought them to the realization that a new Constitution was needed.
In 1786, it looked to many as if liberty would never be the permanent possession of those who so boldly declared it in 1776. Independence had brought a number of economic problems both within the country and in regard to citizens seeking to do business overseas. M. E. Bradford notes, "Furthermore, there were Indian insurgencies along a now open frontier, problems with foreign debt, problems with opportunistic internal tariffs interrupting interstate commerce, a large domestic debt, and a pattern of domestic insurrections coming to a head with Captain Daniel Shay's Rebellion in Massachusetts during the fall and winter of 1786-87."
James the son of Alphaeus, brother of Matthew, is also called "James the Less," Mk. 15:40, probably meaning 'James the younger," or "James the shorter," to distinguish him from James the brother of John. His mother was probably one of the women who went to Christ's tomb early on Sunday to anoint Jesus' body, Mk. 16:1.
The mother of James the son of Alphaeus is called "His (Jesus) mother's sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas," in John 19:25 and "Mary, the mother of James" in Mk. 16:1. Now, we can learn several things here: (1). If James is identified as the son of Alphaeus and Mary; and if Mary is said also to be the wife of Clopas, then there must be an identification of the two fathers' names. The Hebrew name Halphai in the Talmud and the Aramaic name, Chalpai, in I Maccabees are almost transliterated into Clopas. This in the Greek form becomes Alphios. James' father, therefore, may be the disciple Cleopas, who walked with the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. His son, James, is mentioned seven times in the New Testament. (2). If James' mother was the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus, then that makes James and Matthew, the first cousins of Jesus. Matthew and James, then, would be distantly related to James and John, the sons of Zebedee, also first cousins of Jesus, on his mother's side, according to some Greek texts of Mark 16:1.
Though I am a part-time writer, I am a full-time pastor of a church. I know the time constraints of a busy pastorate dedicated to ministry among God's people. My original interest in computers was primarily with two goals in mind: to save time in the office and to produce more appealing study materials. I am a big believer in the necessity of redeeming the time and of contemplating whatsoever things are beautiful. Computer products have more than lived up to their billing in both respects.
By Pike and Dyke: A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic by G.A. Henty.
Unknown to many of our own generation and that of our children is the heroic Dutch fight to keep Protestantism from being uprooted by the Spanish. Few have been taught of the persistent efforts of the Prince of Orange or of the huge obstacles he faced as leader of the Dutch Protestants.
Shepherding A Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp.
Many parents are looking for godly material to help them in the raising of their children. Sadly too many books on this subject contain a mix of secular psychology and unbiblical methods within their pages. This volume provides refreshing material for thirsty parents. Its content is Biblical and practical. The book is divided into two parts: Foundations for Biblical Child Rearing and Shepherding Through the Stages in Childhood. From the outset the author reminds the reader of the importance of helping our children focus on the heart and what flows out of it. Parents cannot be satisfied simply with outward conformity.
When we look at the world around us and the present generation now growing up, we must ask ourselves what kind of preaching does this generation, my generation, need to hear? What exactly does this modern world need to hear? Do we need to preach and witness a more "relevant" gospel to ears accustomed to the seductive language of this age? Do we need to make our presentation "slick" for people who are used to television, movies and magazines that entice and pamper their egos? No. What my generation and the world needs is what God says it needs: His pure gospel, no frills, just the truth of His inspired, complete Word.
