The Bible Story that is a Tribute to Women

Icon of Ruth and Naomi

The Book of Ruth has always been a popular section of the bible that holds a special appeal to women for a variety of reasons.  It is a testament of female self-sufficiency and of a close relationship between strong, resourceful women.  The richness of this story even extends to championing outcasts and oppressed people, while Ruth's example also serves as a tribute to the dignity of labor.

It is established at the beginning of this story that Ruth is not an Israelite by birth but rather a Moabite, ironically a people who were not even friends with the Israelites.  But in a plot twist of God's will, she has married a Judahite (a Hebrew person from the tribe of Judah).  With this marriage, Ruth has accepted the people of Israel as her own, moreover she has adopted the God of Israel as her own. 

These convictions are greatly tested when both she and her sister-in-law, another Moabitess, experience the deaths of their Israelite husbands.  Their mother-in-law, Naomi, had also lost her own husband, Elimelech.  The three women are left to figure out how they will survive.  Given the era in which they live, a time when women were completely dependent upon the support of men, this was especially problematic.  At first, both daughters-in-law want to stay with Naomi.  But Naomi cannot provide for them and doesn't even have any other son that either daughter-in-law could take to replace the one lost; no man means no source of support nor continuing family legacy--they are literally left with nothing!  So Naomi urges her daughters-in-law to go back to their own people.  One daughter-in-law reluctantly agrees and leaves Naomi alone with the other daughter-in-law, Ruth.  But Ruth is completely devoted to Naomi and refuses to leave her, demonstrating their strong and special relationship. (RUTH 1:16-17) 

As the elder, Naomi knows she must devise a way to provide security for herself and Ruth.  With their strength of determination and resourcefulness, Naomi takes Ruth back to Judah where Naomi's late husband owned property.  But claiming this land and continuing the family lineage are tied together; Naomi knows that there exists the requirement of a close relative (usually the dead man's brother) to marry the widow of the deceased in order to continue his family line (DEUTERONOMY 25:5-10).  Naomi is too old to have more children, so both women agree to position Ruth for this purpose.  But since there is no direct heir through Naomi's late husband, Elimelech, to inherit his land, Naomi must wisely seek out an appropriate member of their extended family that would qualify for a "Levirate-like" marriage for Ruth  (adhering to the custom by which a man may be obliged to marry his brother's widow).  The proper selection would ensure them in their claim to the land with the support that it provides, along with the carrying on the family lineage for future security. 

Naomi decides on a wealthy relation that owns a lot of land of his own, whose name is Boaz.  Since it is harvest season, Naomi puts her plan in motion by directing Ruth to go to work on Boaz's land gleaning barley from the reapers.  The women are true partners in this endeavor; Ruth exhibits her loyalty to Naomi by following her instructions.  Ruth performs an admirable work ethic, working Boaz's field of barley without rest from morning to night.  Her tireless dedication is noticed by Boaz.  She works through the harvest season, steadfastly gleaning and gathering by the handfuls the leftover barley after the reapers.  Day in and day out, Ruth not only works hard but additionally proves endless devotion to her mother-in-law by saving a portion of her daily food allotment for Naomi's consumption.

Boaz is in admiration of Ruth's efforts.  He commends her on her bravery to leave all she had known in her native land behind to stay with Naomi.  He rewards her allegiance and faithful labor by making sure she is treated respectfully by his other laborers along with her receiving an equal share of the grain.  Boaz invites Ruth to eat with him and even extends her a greater territory in which to glean.  He orders protection of her so that other laborers do not reprimand her for this greater access. Ruth maintains her dedicated work ethic and virtue to be worthy of Boaz.  Despite having just been a servant in his field, through hard work and loyalty she earns the suitability to become his wife. 

Boaz rewards Ruth with a gift of barley as a sign of "redemption".  Naomi is excited, it looks like her plan of arranging a "Levirate-like" marriage for Ruth from the extended family worked and that she and Ruth will be taken care of!

But a complication arises when another, besides Boaz, surfaces who happens to be a closer relative to Elimelech.  His position gives him the first claim on Naomi and Elimelech's property.  Custom requires that land stays in the family, although a family could mortgage land to ward off poverty; yet law required a kinsman to purchase it back into the family (Leviticus 25:25).  This near kinsman aims to take advantage of this law and buy the land.  The women are disappointed; there is no offer of a "Levirate-like" marriage and they now worry that their plans for a secure future have fallen through.

But with Ruth having successfully won favor with Boaz, he steps in to advocate for her and her mother-in-law.

Boaz meets this near kinsman at the city gate, a location famous for settling contracts. This kinsman first says he'll purchase Naomi and Elimelech's land but when he hears he must also marry Ruth, he withdraws the offer. 

Boaz then satisfies custom by marrying Ruth and becomes the "kinsman's redeemer".  

Ruth and Naomi partnered to succeed with their plans despite Deuteronomy 23:3-6 which excludes any Ammonite or Moabite from the congregation of the Lord (joining the Israelites).  They were able to do this because Ruth had already set a precedent of exception by having married Naomi's son, a Judahite, and with her regarding herself a member of his family even after his death she was able to proceed in her marrying another Judahite.  This not only benefited the two women, but also went on to benefit all of God's people; both Boaz and Ruth become the ancestors of David and--resultingly--of Jesus Christ Himself.  As such, Ruth teaches Jews and Christians alike how outsiders can become good, exemplary followers and there is no reason to exclude them.

That is why this section of scripture is held in great esteem by both Jews and Christians.  For Jews, who fall under the category of Jews-by-choice, this book uniquely addresses the difficulty of trying to apply the laws given in books such as Deuteronomy which excludes outsiders.  For Christians, Ruth prefigures being the outsider who is grafted into joining the ranks of God's chosen people.   

Her story that she shares with Naomi makes The Book of Ruth one of the greatest mother-daughter stories ever told.  Women continue to celebrate it as a tribute to what godly women can accomplish, not the least of which was setting into place a descendancy celebrated by Jews and Christians that eventually went on to change the world!

America Entering Era of Religious Renaissance?

Is America actually starting to experience a religious renaissance?

A fair question to ask with the current rise in the faith-based movie industry.  What kickstarted this trend?  Could this enthusiasm lead to other areas of entertainment?  

I decided to research this to get a pulse on whether or not we are on the brink of something bigger, and I am sharing some findings of interest.

In order to project, we first need to review.

It used to be that just advertising and doing a media tour to create buzz around a new release of a faith-based film was not nearly enough.  According to an April 2017 article by the web's largest business news site, Business Insider, this specialized film market used to have to go the extra mile down a longer road that led across the country, building "a grassroots marketing campaign focused on certain congregations and churches, bus them to movie theaters, and let word of mouth build."

2004's "The Passion of the Christ"

Such was even the case a decade ago for Mel Gibson's blockbuster movie, "The Passion of the Christ".  This path of national organizing and outreach paid off particularly big for this 2004 breakthrough film.  "The Passion of the Christ" still holds the record for the highest grossing R-rated movie all of time.

Even Roma Downey, in her new book "Box of Butterflies", shares that after her TV show "Touched by An Angel" aired its first episodes on CBS in 1994, the series needed better ratings to secure a contract with the network for more episodes.  Both the cast and crew realized that it was necessary to journey nationwide for the personal touch in outreach to churches and youth groups.  These efforts were successful in eventually building a large enough faithful following, culminating into millions of viewers, to convince the network to make the program a part of their regular Sunday night line-up.  "Touched by an Angel" went on to become  the number one show and aired for a total of 9 seasons.

Now, however, as the Business Insider article from last year pointed out, two major developments over the past couple of years have emerged to make faith-based motion picture marketing a whole new ball game.  Both the upsurge in use of internet movie streaming and even the conservative reemergence in Washington's political leadership, as made evident in the Trump presidential victory, have improved the climate for this industry and created new opportunities. 

Invigorated, faith-based film fans are now even more freely seeking out the authenticity of values while still acknowledging the complexity of issues, as  film marketer/producer Erik Lokkesmoe pointed out in the Business Insider story.  Lokkesmoe, who runs Aspiration Studios, said the faith-based film industry has outgrown being limited to direct outreach to librarians, community leaders, teachers and pastors to grow fan support; the industry more needs to connect with the rising comeback influence of the Conservatives.  This community's ardent support for faith-based entertainment partially comes from feeling that their faith is under attack and their show of support serves as an affirmation.

Such people believe their film favorites can change the world, according to The Business Insider story's interview with studio/distributor Pure Flix.  Considered the Netflix of the faith-based film industry, Pure Flix has more than 5,000 titles available to stream and believes their audience, which many now call the "aspirational" audience, are looking for a message.  According to the company's CEO Michal Scott, "You have to drive the message first and then wrap an organic story around the message."  If it's just a great story, than it's just another mainstream Hollywood release.

Scott further shared that if a film accomplishes that formula, the aspirational audience tends to further engage by buying the book that the movie is based on and/or by starting community outreach. 

In a 2016 interview with MovieMaker.com, Jon Erwin, co-director of the religious sports drama "Woodlawn", described the faith-based film movement as a "mini revolution".  He sees himself and the others who presently lead this niche industry as the early pioneers who are blazing a trail as they take it to the next generation.

In the same article, "God's Not Dead" star Kevin Sorbo described, "TV today is full of so much violence, hate, and one-sided politics.  People are starving for projects like "God's Not Dead"."  His movie succeeded in becoming the number one Christian film in 2014.  Sorbo continues to be cast in a variety of other faith-based films. 

Sorbo went on to share that a good percentage of the faith-based film enthusiasts comprise Middle America, what Hollywood and New York have dismissed as "the flyover states".  "Those flyover states have millions of people that have morals and values that still mean something."


With these millions craving morals and values, indeed the renaissance in this one art form of motion picture may very well spread to other art forums and influencing platforms.  And if the success of faith-based films is any indication and even continues to swell still more, than those of us in those other forums and platforms should be preparing our surfboards to ride its spillover effect across America...from sea to shining sea.


For further reading, visit the articles referred to in this site:
 
http://www.businessinsider.com/faith-based-movies-in-trump-era-2017-4
https://www.moviemaker.com/archives/moviemaking/directing/box-office-prophets/
and the new book release, Roma Downey's "Box of Butterflies"

The Morning Brew Book Review: BOX OF BUTTERFLIES by Roma Downey

Can Roma Downey, forever loved for her hit series "Touched by An Angel" and a leader in the faith-based television and film industry, also have the midas touch in the literary world?  Is her new book, "Box of Butterflies: Discovering the Unexpected Blessings All Around Us", worth opening?

If it has Roma Downey’s name on it, one has come to expect quality.  I am happy to report that this autobiography even exceeded my own high expectations.  It is due to be released on March 6, and throughout my read I kept thinking to myself what great timing it is for such a transformational book to go out into a world that is full of so much pain and need.  

 

"Box of Butterflies" is Roma’s testament to faith as tied into her personal journey through life.  The title refers to a joyous gift Roma received from her husband, Mark Burnett, who knew how special the butterfly is to Roma and what it has come mean to her over the years.  The butterfly is the perfect constant metaphor that mirrors Roma’s own life of highs and lows--while a creature that is ultimately admired and prized, it nonetheless endures humble beginnings as a caterpillar, faces and survives the dark of the cocoon, and must go through much struggle to emerge as a beautiful being that reaches for the sky in flight--such an existence reflects Roma’s own start in life during a grim chapter in Ireland’s recent history, her tragic sorrows, her disappointments and struggles as she drew strength from her beautiful, vibrant faith which continuously lifts her up and carries her.  

Roma doesn’t just recount her past; she bares her soul as she reveals deeply personal and painful moments, like when she lost each parent while still very young.  But Roma also describes how leaning on God and trusting Him sustained her.  As we all must go through such painful rites of passage, her story  actually achieves being life-changing for the reader—benefiting one with its guidance through familiar  tough times and its encouragement on surviving them.  As I read it, her relatable experiences touched upon many of my own memories, she has a way of making the reader feel as though he or she is a twin of fate.  I can’t recall ever having been so choked up as a reader with the range of emotional experiences Roma brings to life on each colorful page, while at the same time being incredibly edified in the faith by her wisdom and perseverance.

The biblical passages, poetry, artwork, and motivational adages all harmonize for maximum effect, deepening Roma’s narrative and adding layers of increased understanding and emotional attachment for the reader.  

The book contains a table of contents that identifies chapters comprised of various virtues and universal feelings, each section delving into that particular topic as reflected in Roma’s life and written in a way that we can all identify with or aspire for.

Della Reese & Roma Downey

On one especially sad note for this book, Roma’s former "Touched by an Angel" co-star and motherly friend, Della Reese, passed away before its release.  But not before she wrote the foreword for it, making this message all the more priceless.

While Roma Downey is an accomplished actress and producer, I can attest that her writing lives up to the same high caliber for the ability to connect, move, and entertain.  It is no coincidence that you do truly feel touched by an angel with this story!

ASH WEDNESDAY IS THE VALENTINE'S DAY FOR GOD

Most everyone knows what Valentine's Day is all about:  Celebrating Love. 

The main commercial thrust defines this as a holiday celebration of romantic love, yet it can also mean celebrating the love within family bonds such as between father and daughter.  But with Valentine's Day falling on Ash Wednesday this week, this offers the unique opportunity for one to accentuate affection for the greatest love of all:  The Love of God.

Ash Wednesday represents the first day of Lent in the Western Church, occurring 46 days prior to Easter.  It is marked by services of penitence, during which the ashes of burned palms from the preceding year's Palm Sunday are blessed and used by the priest who traces a cross onto the forehead of each worshiper to signify a better appreciation of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Each time the priest draws this, he recites, "Remember, man, that dust art thou, and unto dust thou shalt return".  (Genesis 3:19 KJV)  This commencement of the Lenten period of time leads

Priest traces cross onto parishioner's forehead

believers to devote themselves more fully to an increased self-examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, and self-denial.

While this description of Ash Wednesday may sound more grim and painstaking than anything that resembles Valentine Day's pleasure of love, the whole idea is to demonstrate the beauty of the ultimate sacrificial love reserved solely for God Himself.  All of the above-named practices, themselves true expressions of love, are the combined preparations for not just any death but for a holy one in order to be eternally--and blissfully--joined together with God.

The origin of Ash Wednesday is not biblical, but actually came later in church history.  

The idea for it began with the formation of Lent itself,which was accepted into the beliefs of the Church at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.  The Council adopted the 40-day duration, beginning on the 4th Sunday of the year, for fasting which became known as Lent.  While repenting, fasting, and focusing on God are  important all year long, this period of time encouraged a more keen rededication of these practices which remains an annual opportunity to this day.

The exact origin of Ash Wednesday itself is unclear, but in 601 A.D. Pope St. Gregory I (the Great) moved the beginning of Lent on the calendar from the 4th Sunday of the year to the day that was to became Ash Wednesday; now 46 days before Easter, this change allowed for 40 days of fasting along with 6 Sundays counting as Feast Days.  This raised the total to  46 days for Lent.  It is believed that Pope Gregory, as found in the earliest existing copies of the Gregorian Sacramentary, then went on to institute the "Day of Ashes" as the onset of Lent.  This later became the Catholic tradition of Ash Wednesday, the ritual of marking the forehead of each worshiper with ashes in the shape of the cross.

There are biblical roots for the actual practice of using dust or ashes to demonstrate regret for sin as found in Esther 4:1 with Mordecai, Job 42:6, Jonah 3:5-6 with the inhabitants of Nineveh, and in  Daniel 9:3-4.  In biblical times, this show of repentance was often followed by fasting.

Repenting (feeling remorse for disappointing God), Fasting (practicing self-denial to build the spiritual strength needed to overcome obstacles to a closer relationship with God), and a greater focus on God (expelling selfishness for the unrivaled exaltation of God), are all Christian acts that fittingly testify to the greatest love of all.  And these practices, as believers well know, carry far more value than the traditional Valentine's Day gifts of chocolates, bouquets, or even diamond jewelry. They are the actions that speak volumes in securing unification with the utmost of all loves.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE Still Stands Tall

The Cast for the Ingalls Family on Little House

Despite the passage of time, the wooden ranch house of the Ingalls family--for which the title of the classic television series "Little House on the Prairie" is named for--symbolically remains standing more solidly today than even that old fairytale one fortified of brick that a wolf failed to blow down.

More than a generation later, "Little House" makes its home on INSP TV. It conveniently airs at 5 p.m. then again at 6 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

Through the magic of television, I can say I "grew up" with Melissa Gilbert's Laura Ingalls. I enjoyed the series back in the 1970's, and a happy memory associated with it was that my maternal grandmother (who did not live nearby) also watched the show. It gave us something to talk about over the phone and share during a visit, making it a special bonding experience.

The characters of Laura Ingalls and Dr. Baker

I also watched it with my mother, who would comment how much more neighborly and what better Christians people seemed to be back in this era of the late 1800's, which were the years that "Little House" was set in. I remember asking my mother if she had a choice, would she chose to live back then or in the present? She had to think about it, but decided that it was better to live in the present because we have better medicine and people back in the 1800's died of what had become very curable things by comparison. The great irony of this is that my mom ended up dying at age 64 from lung cancer, a disease that modern medicine still has yet to overcome.

At the present, about 40 years later, once again for the first time in all these years, I am watching "Little House". With my mature prospective, I have a deeper appreciation for the talent that went into the program. Especially for the multitude of jobs Michal Landon worked to make it a quality series. His positions ranged from executive producer, producer, writer, director, and actor. His series "Bonanza" airs right after "Little House" on INSP, so I am able to view his growth as an actor, even sometimes as a director and writer. And in

Michal Landon in Bonanza

this age of the internet, I am able to look up stories behind the series that only adds to the appreciation of Michal Landon's many talents in specific as well as of his programs in general.

Sometimes my husband will watch "Little House" with me. He is a decade older than me and did not watch this show when it first aired back in the 1970's, although he did watch "Bonanza".  With his fresh prospective on "Little House", my husband is particularly moved by the hardships depicted, and agrees that we live in the lap of luxury by comparison.


"Little House" remains the showcase for powerful writing and performances. This classic reminds everyone that TV was expert at how to tell a story and its stars were masters at  how to give unforgettable performances.  We are reminded that there was a time American television realized the value of family values and good principles. "Little House" serves as evidence that American television wasn't always the present day version of unscripted, and even oftentimes sloppy, Reality TV.

With Melissa Sue Anderson and Melissa Gilbert around my own age, I've thought to myself what a feeling it must be to have your childhood frozen in time! Their youth is recorded

Melissa Gilbert & Melissa Sue Anderson

forever for future generations to be entertained by. And with sequels and nostalgia being so popular today, wouldn't it be something to see the two Melissa's recreate their roles as grown women in the next century? Even just as one made-for-television movie, we could return to watching Mary and Laura facing another era with the virtues and class that Charles and Caroline had instilled. This fresh blast from the past is just what Doc Baker would prescribe to inspire us anew.

For the past year I've gone through a round if not two of viewing "Little House on the Prairie" again in its entirety. I do wonder, should I live long enough and still have access to viewing the series, what the next 40 years might bring to my prospective toward the storytelling of that small but sturdy home on the frontier? It is hard to fathom where the institutions of faith and family will be by the year 2058.  But at least there is this recorded volume that demonstrates faith and family are actually timeless by nature and only with the bonding of both--these two durable materials of which "Little House" is truly constructed of--can humans firmly retain their capacity for the delicate virtue of humanity itself.

The Morning Brew Book Review: THE BENEDICT OPTION by Rod Dreher

This recommended faith-based reading is not a pleasant perusal to go to bed by, but it amounts to a necessary wake-up call.

The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher (published by Penguin Random House LLC, 2017) is not relaxing and certainly not escapism; in fact, I found it to be downright disturbing.  

But, that's the point.  

By reading this book, you will learn about how cultural fates have come full circle and the perfect social-political-corporational storm has amassed to bring America to the brink of what the author calls "the Post-Christian Era".  Page after page, Dreher builds his case to prove that the diminishing Christian presence and practice here in the West is gasping from its greatest existential threat--one that even surpasses the Dark Ages.  

When I read this book last year, it was the first time I had seen such a harsh description of the state of Christianity in America today.  But instead of losing heart and abandoning the book, I found it all very relatable--not only now the dwindling of church attendance, but also the headlines of the growing legal and corporate threats to anyone trying to live by biblical standards in our schools and at the workplace.  And for what I hadn't understood before, the alliance of the social-political-corporational forces at work against Christianity, the author provided useful analysis and context.  

Dreher describes this Christian crisis in time and what it means for those of us who care.  His candor is refreshing and even relieving.  He further dives into how we blindly arrived at this point, causes that even predate America's existence as a nation.  Dreher identifies and expounds upon the following turning points:

* The 14th century's loss of belief in the integral connection between God & creation
* The 16th century's collapse of religious unity/authority in the Protestant Reformation
* The 18th century's Enlightenment, displacing the Christian religion with the cult of Reason
* The 18th-20th century's Industrial Revolution 
* The 20th century to present's Sexual Revolution

Dreher's historic research is impressive and vast.  All of it leads to the climatic question: Where do we go from here?

Dreher then lays out his book's namesake strategy for rebounding (or shall we say, reinventing) our position in society for the sake of the survival of practicing our beliefs.  Not surprisingly, it calls for the formation of isolated societies which instantly brought to my mind how the Amish have endured for so long.

It is that strategy, one that the author calls the Benedict Option, for which the book is titled and that is named for St. Benedict who during the Dark Ages incorporated this same idea for the survival of Christianity during that period.  In fact, Dreher reports on his visits to the monastery of St. Benedict in Norcia and interviewing the monks there to add to this blueprint.

As the reader starts to mull over this new yet ancient theory on using counter-culture and what form it would even take in present day America, Dreher offers up certain examples of efforts already underway in this country but which are on a much smaller scale; scattered seeds bearing some blossoms as proof of the ideology's possibility and viability.

But can such seeds be enough to eventually take root to grow into the force needed to save Christianity in America?  

Either the last chapter has yet to be written to confirm its call for action, or there is an entire sequel waiting to unfold in response.  In either case, The Benedict Option is a must-read to explore how course-changing historical events have pooled together to produce waves that threaten to reach beyond us and well into the future to completely drown out Christianity.  This book is the tsunami warning.  The take-away for each reader is to decide which option represents the highest and firmest ground to grab onto.   

The Morning Brew Book Review: BLOOD BROTHERS By Elias Chacour

Imagine you're a Christian child and a native of the Holy Land, living there as you and your family practice your faith in the very setting of Jesus' earthly life.  In the company of all your close as well as extended relatives, your home's setting is surrounded by where Jesus was born and raised, where He ministered, performed miracles, died and was resurrected.  But then, suddenly and without warning, you find yourself swept up in the raging violence and terror that begins the Israeli-Palestinian conflict…

My recommended faith-based reading for this week, Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour, is one of my all-time faith favorites as a story that has withstood the test of time for many reasons both earthly and spiritual.  One obvious--and unfortunate--explanation for its endurance is this book's earthly subject remaining so relevant.  Just last month, we saw President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.  And then last week, we saw Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas’s response of declaring the Oslo Accords (Israeli-Palestinian peace talks) now dead.

But the book's true gem of stamina is its special spiritual focus on reflecting the light of Christ in a dark place, and it is this quality that ensures its being a timeless treasure for believers no matter the headlines.

Blood Brothers was first published by Chosen Books, a Division of Baker Book House Company, back in 1984 with several reprintings that followed including my own expanded edition.  Despite its publication date,  this book remains the crucial backstory of the current headlines.  Preserved in print, its reverberating theme now climaxes as a call for a peaceful resolution before the coffin permanently closes on the two-state solution.

I was introduced to this book several years ago, when my children were still small and I wanted to find a way to introduce them to this matter but felt that the books I had read on it were too grim to share.  So I asked an organization that I belonged to, the United Methodist Church’s Task Force on Peace with Justice for Israel/Palestine, if they knew of a book that could explain the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without the end result creating the negative feelings of Anti-Semitism, Anti-Palestinian, or Islamophobia.  Being that we are an Orthodox Christian family, I also had some concerns about how the overall Christian connection would be framed.

The resounding recommendation I received from the UMC organization was Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour with David Hazard.  I went on to purchase this book for my son, but of course I also read it.   With all my previous readings, interviews, and attending lectures on this conflict, I had became rather well-versed about the many complexities of it which included the “Nakba”.  This is the Palestinian word for the catastrophy (their description for when Zionists arrived in Palestine and forcefully took the land in the Zionist quest to reclaim biblical Israel).  But what made this book of a Palestinian prospective different for me was that this story was told through the first-hand eyewitness account of a native devout Christian, Elias Chacour, who possessed the impressive pedigree of belonging to a family that could trace their lineage, along with the roots of their Melkite community in Galilee, all the way back to the very time when Christianity was born!  

Blood Brothers is Elias Chacour's own personal story, throughout which he bears his soul chapter by chapter in reflecting on what it was like to be a young boy caught up in the war of 1948, with the aftermath of dispossession and persecution.  While a reader with some knowledge on both sides of this issue might simply assume that since this story is about what a Palestinian experienced from 1947 on, then it must be all about devastation and loss.  But what such a reader is unprepared for is how Chacour's story surprisingly uplifts as he shares how his family struggles to survive in ways that were in lockstep with gospel teachings.  "Blessed are the peacemakers" became more than a directive; it justified their refusal to take up arms in their own defense.  

Chacour grows from being a child during the Nakba to a coming of age during the settler colonialism period that followed.  It was during this latter phase, as many fellow Christians were struggling to hold onto their faith, that our main character began to realize he was being called to serve the church.  Chacour provides his scattering flock with comfort, inspiration and enduring strength.  Though challenged, he balances retaining his truthful witness of the injustices all around him while reaching out to "love thy enemy".  Page by page, the reader experiences Chacour growing in his faith and humanity, his effectiveness leading to his climb in the ranks of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, earning credentials and credibility along the way as he evolves from survivor-turned priest-turned bishop-turned peace activist.  He even goes on to become an award-winning humanitarian.  All of these accomplishments lead to him to gain the admiration of his people, and eventually even the respect of Israeli officials and world leaders.

This book is further enhanced by its endorsing foreword by former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker III (who held that position during 1989-92).  Reading this message from someone in such high standing gives authenticity to the value of the book from an official American prospective.  It was the dedicated work of Sec. Baker that paved the way to the Madrid Conference in 1991, an endeavor which was the forerunner to open the door to the Oslo Accords a couple of years later.  And it was Oslo that has been the blueprint for the  peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians which had existed (at least on paper) right up to our present year. Sec. Baker's own efforts toward Holy Land peace makes his foreword all the more influential as well as informative for the reader.  

While you can be sure that you will gain a fuller knowledge and understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by reading Blood Brothers, know that you will also be treated to the story's testimony of how the depth of faith not only can succeed to sustain oneself, moreover it can inspire to educate and edifiy the faith in others who also face crisis. 

If you consider the Holy Land special and if you favor a peaceful solution to this region's sufferings, then you will prize Blood Brothers as much as I do.  Elias Chacour's classic proves that while following the Christian path is not always one that can avoid the dark division of politics and differing religions, Christians can nonetheless discover a way to avoid the demonization of others and truly "love thy enemy" even under the most dire of circumstances—and that is the treasured message mirroring this teaching of Jesus that makes Elias Chacour’s book one of the best faith-based books you will ever read!

The Morning Brew Book Review: THE SECRET CHORD by Geraldine Brooks

Welcome to the Christian Coffee Clutch's first edition of "The Morning Brew Book Review"!

Introduction

Although I am an Orthodox Christian and this blog is primarily for Christian camaraderie, nonetheless with the commonalities and crossovers of other major religions there is certainly a place at this table for all people of faith and even for those just curious about religion in general.  I see such diversity as a strength for connecting, not a weakness of ambiguity.  Our coffee clutch is not really about pushing pluralism, it is more about the awe of discovery.  I have found that during my own interfaith dialogue experiences, not only did I learn about another person’s faith beliefs while they also learned something about mine, I unintentionally ended up reaping an increased knowledge about my own religion.  At such times, when my counterpart brought up a point that I had not considered or did not know much about, I would say to myself, “That’s interesting!  I wonder what my own religion’s approach is to that very same point?”  I would then go back to my Orthodox Christian sources and gain the benefit of being further schooled.

The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks 

Hits the High Note

Such was the fascination I felt and rewarding education I obtained as an Orthodox Christian reading Geraldine Brook’s The Secret Chord (published by Viking - An imprint of Penguin Ran House LLC, 2015).  This is a story about the life of the Old Testament's King David as seen through the eyes of his court prophet, Nathan.  However, it is not the Christian Old Testament account of King David's story, but rather in this version Ms. Brooks follows what has been recorded about David’s life as revealed in Jewish sources which include the Tanakh and the Talmud.   I had much appreciation for the obvious research Ms. Brooks did to construct the foundation of her story about this consequential point in ancient times, which makes for a must-read for any true lover of history no matter if that reader is a practitioner of any religion or even one who practices no religion at all.

While there exists no source that supplies solid and thorough information about David’s complete life story, Ms. Brooks took the numerous informational dots she had collected and connects them with the blending in of her own unique created brand of entertainment.  Her story is a captivating—and just as important, plausible—rendition of describing events like the violent battles, or even of a horrific rape, in disturbing graphic detail.  She also paints each scene in her own poetic style to add vibrancy to the historic story settings. Ms. Brooks also craftily reveals critical character motivation even for the most controversial figures (David being chief among them) along with their page-turning development.  All of these components work together to unfold her own exclusive and plausible story of David in its entirety.   For historical fiction in general and biblical historical fiction in specific, plausibility is key.  Ms. Brooks leaves the reader feeling that it all really could have happened that way.

Naturally, there are moments in “The Secret Chord” that are not in line with my own faith’s beliefs.  One example being that Orthodox Christianity does not officially hold the view that there existed a homosexual relationship between David and Jonathan.  This is not due to homophobia or heterophobia as Orthodox Christianity does not preach either; there is just no supporting evidence found in our scripture for it.  Even in David’s Song of Lamentation the language describing their relationship is interpreted as a powerful profession of love and grief with no explicit sexual suggestion.  Whether by reason of doctrine or dramatic license, Ms. Brooks’ story took a different view on this as well as some other points, but none of which interferes with nor detracts from the enjoyment of her story. 

Another layer of interest I found is a personal one.  I, too, albeit as someone with a different faith prospective but as someone who shares Ms. Brooks’ passion for David’s story, have authored a book about David and Michal, "CONDEMNATION: The Calamity of Israel's First Crown" which will be published by Archway, a division of Simon & Schuster, and made available in 2018.  Given Michal’s tragic life, along with how women were characterized and treated, David and Michal’s story is not an easy one to write for any female of today’s world.  As such, it was especially interesting for me as a female to see another woman’s take not just on the tragedy of Michal, but also on the belittlement of women evident in the treatment of them as well as additionally showcased in the amount of polygamy that occurred.  There is also the challenge of considering the justification for the excessive amount of  bloodshed, of the innocent along with the guilty.  I found it refreshing that Ms. Brooks did not gloss over such subjects but approached each of them by tactfully opening the door to some healthy debate, acknowledging the complexity while even offering critique.

While I have constructed a very different angle on the lives of David and Michal in my upcoming book, I have aimed to also achieve the same entertaining plausibility that Ms. Brooks has accomplished.  And I hope to attract a diversity in readership that “The Secret Chord” has proven, as I have attested to, is possible.

AFTER MOST CELEBRATE "NEW CHRISTMAS", OTHERS AWAIT "OLD CHRISTMAS"

The Bible does not specifically
reveal the date of Jesus' birth

For Christians worldwide, a celebratory date does not always match the celebrated day.  This is why there is so much confusion with what has come to be known as the “New Christmas” as opposed to the “Old Christmas”.  

Not until the 4th century was
Christmas officially celebrated
on December 25th

The Bible does not specifically reveal the date or even time of year when Jesus Christ was born.  It wasn’t until the 4th century when Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on December 25th.

There is debate as to why he chose that particular date.  Some believe it was because of the celebration of Annunciation,

Orthodox Icon of Annunciation

which is when the Angel Gabriel told Mary she was going to give birth to God’s son, which was on March 25th.  Factor in nine of months of pregnancy brings us to the date of December 25th.  Additionally and of special spiritual significance, some early Christians were of the understanding that March 25th was also the date when Jesus died.  This was a calculation based on the 14th of Nisan in the Jewish calendar. 

Others believe that Pope Julius I chose December 25th because pagans at that time were already holding midwinter festivals during this month, and since people were already accustomed to celebrating things at that time it was convenient to work in Christmas.   One such pagan festival was called the “Saturnalia”, it honored the Roman god Saturn and was held between December 17th and 23rd.  Another celebration was “Dies Natalis Solis Invicti”, this celebrated the birthday of the Roman sun god Mithra and was held on December 25th.  The Romans thought that on this date the Winter Solstice was occurring, which is the day that has the shortest time between sunrise and sunset, which bolstered their belief that with the days that followed becoming longer that this was proof that their sun god was unconquered.  In their religion of Mithraism, the holy day was Sunday which is the origin of our word for this day of the week.

Pagans already worshiped Winter Solstice on Dec. 25th,
the sun winning over winter darkness.
Christians saw Jesus as "light of the world",
and chose same date with their different
focus on "light".

For these pagans, the Winter Solstice was especially sacred because it meant winter was over and spring was coming; they worshiped the sun winning over the darkness of winter.  But for Christians, it has instead always been Jesus who represents the light of the world, so it made sense to match the theme but hold their own celebration of Jesus on this same date.  These early Christians even borrowed some of the customs of the pagan celebration, such as Holly, Mistletoe, and even singing Carols, and gave these Christian meanings.

The Julian calendar was used during this period.  But it was flawed, not correctly matching the solar elapse of time.  It wasn’t until 1582 when Pope Gregory XIII established the “Gregorian Calendar”, which is what we use today, adjusting the now new date of December 25th and causing Christmas to come 10 days earlier than the December 25th date on the Julian calendar.  Many in the world were not happy with this adjustment at first.  Only gradually over the period of the next few centuries did this change become accepted and adopted by most of the world.  But there remained some who continued to refuse the Gregorian calendar, and they persisted in celebrating their December 25th date of Christmas on the Julian calendar which was a full 10 days behind the Gregorian calendar.  These different celebrations came to be known as the Gregorian’s “New Christmas” and the Julian’s “Old Christmas”.

Orthodox Icon of Epiphany

By the 19th century, due to its flawed measurement of time, the Julian Christmas ended up falling on January 6th which not only is the date for Epiphany (the celebration of Jesus’ baptism by St. John the Baptist), but it was also believed to be the same date when the Wise Men finally arrived in Bethlehem to worship the baby Jesus.  This duality lent itself to the Julian Calendar’s Christians to not only celebrate Epiphany but to do so in a way that mirrored their celebration of Christmas.  

As time went on, many of those who continued to follow the Julian calendar began to want a separate day from Epiphany to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  This caused most of them to adopt the Gregorian’s December 25th date for Christmas.

But, to this day, there remains many of the Orthodox and Coptic Churches that never accepted the Gregorian calendar.  Due to their continued Julian calendar reference, not only do these churches still celebrate the “Old Christmas” (which is December 25th on their Julian calendar compared to January 7th on the Gregorian), they also celebrate other Christian festivals, such as Pascha (Easter), on different dates than most of the Western Christians.

While Christmas dates may still vary for different Christians, nevertheless all believers everywhere equally pour out their own expression of devout and joyous worship to celebrate the day that their  Savior, Jesus Christ, came into the world as a newborn baby.