Thursday, November 05, 2009
Hidden hymns and singin' for supper
In In the Beginning Was the Meal (Minneapolis, Fortress Press, 2009), Hal Taussig's discussion of the hymns embedded in John and in some of the New Testament letters is an eye-opener.
I knew there were snippets of hymns in the Scriptures. But to imagine the entertainment/worship time of the earliest Christian plenary meals as being a time of singing those hymns as a way of transmitting and firming up early theology and Christology -- well, I just find that very exciting.
It also helps me to see the Gospels themselves as liturgy, not only meant to be read aloud but sung, acted out and performed. The letters, parts of them, too.
And this all helps balance out the historical reality that the festive meal was not a "Christian" institution, by showing that the early Christians *made* it their own.
Lovin' all my books this semester, but Taussig's is the one I recommend for the regulars around here.
--ER
I knew there were snippets of hymns in the Scriptures. But to imagine the entertainment/worship time of the earliest Christian plenary meals as being a time of singing those hymns as a way of transmitting and firming up early theology and Christology -- well, I just find that very exciting.
It also helps me to see the Gospels themselves as liturgy, not only meant to be read aloud but sung, acted out and performed. The letters, parts of them, too.
And this all helps balance out the historical reality that the festive meal was not a "Christian" institution, by showing that the early Christians *made* it their own.
Lovin' all my books this semester, but Taussig's is the one I recommend for the regulars around here.
--ER
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The last time I heard this discussion was in defense of "Jesus
Christ Super Star".
I wonder if the early Christian congregations had a Cantor?
Christ Super Star".
I wonder if the early Christian congregations had a Cantor?
"It also helps me to see the Gospels themselves as liturgy..."
Careful, you're moving rapidly eastward from Geneva.
Careful, you're moving rapidly eastward from Geneva.
Egads, drlobojo, you are correct. Methinks that Elizabeth had Biblical knowledge of them both, though. . .
"Take up thy cross and follow Me," I heard my Master say;
"I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today."
He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know,
And in that will I now abide, Wherever He leads I'll go.
It may be thru' the shadows dim, Or o'er the stormy sea,
I take my cross and follow Him, Wherever He leadeth me.
My heart, my life, my all I bring To Christ who loves me so;
he is my Master, Lord, and King, Wherever He leads I'll go.
Wherever He leads I'll go. Wherever He leads I'll go.
I'll follow my Christ who loves me so: Wherever He leads I'll go.
"I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today."
He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know,
And in that will I now abide, Wherever He leads I'll go.
It may be thru' the shadows dim, Or o'er the stormy sea,
I take my cross and follow Him, Wherever He leadeth me.
My heart, my life, my all I bring To Christ who loves me so;
he is my Master, Lord, and King, Wherever He leads I'll go.
Wherever He leads I'll go. Wherever He leads I'll go.
I'll follow my Christ who loves me so: Wherever He leads I'll go.
Are seminarians still reading Walter Brueggemann's The Prophetic Imagination? As you enter the major prophets, particularly Jeremiah, it is helpful.
My only encounter with him has been his intro, commentary and reflections on Exodus in The New Interpreter's Bible.
BTW, I spent five hours yesterday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., reading big chunks of (Second) Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
Jeremiah is one country song after another. And I'd never just sat and read Ezekiel's call, in 1-3. I'm glad it was daylight and I had some lights on! Yikes!
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BTW, I spent five hours yesterday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., reading big chunks of (Second) Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
Jeremiah is one country song after another. And I'd never just sat and read Ezekiel's call, in 1-3. I'm glad it was daylight and I had some lights on! Yikes!
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