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Themes, Structure and Opening

March 4,2012 - Posted by Allen Hutchison

After a far-too-long hiatus, let’s dive back into the world of Deuteronomy.  We’ve already discussed the nature of Torah, briefly considered how covenants relate to the fifth book of the Bible, and reflected on the fact that God has revealed Himself and His desire for relationship with the men and women He created.  The book of Deuteronomy is ultimately about righteousness – how to judge righteously, how to act as a righteous community, and how to reflect the righteous character of God Himself in your inner person (thoughts, attitudes, will) and external actions.

In the midst of that utmost concern for righteousness is a concern for others.  The book’s original audience was certainly Israel, but more specifically the people within Israel who had power in that society, the heads of household who led their tribes and families.  A continual emphasis in the book is how one should treat others, especially those within the community who do not have the sway that a community leader might -- the orphan, the widow, the foreigner.  You will find as we proceed that the communal aspect of the book is overwhelmingly.  The community itself was meant to help individuals act righteously and to enforce the judgments made for/against individuals.  Righteousness in the people of God is a communal reality, not an isolated endeavor.

A God Who Can Be Known

January 1,2012 - Posted by Allen Hutchison

In light of the recent Christmas holiday we just celebrated, let’s talk for a moment about the amazing reality that the Creator God of the universe has revealed Himself to humanity.  He has revealed His unchanging character to man and has gone so far as to give us a full explanation of Himself through the coming of His Son at Bethlehem.  In the Old Testament, even after the terrible separation brought about by sin in the Garden, God revealed Himself time and time again.  To Noah, to Abraham, to Moses, to David.  This Creator God whom man had pushed away pursued relationship with man.  This all-powerful, all knowing God communicated how the broken relationship was to be mediated and what expectations He had of the people He lovingly called His own.  He made His presence abundantly clear and known and wanted to be in the midst of the people He loved…

What is Deuteronomy? Part 2

December 10,2011 - Posted by Allen Hutchison

The name “Deuteronomy” is technically a bit of a misnomer.  The word comes from the Greek name originally given to the book.  “Deuter” – means ‘second.’  “Nomy” means ‘law.’  So, ‘second law.’  But as we went over last time (Part 1), the focus of Deuteronomy isn’t so much law as it is instruction and teaching.  Because the Torah that Moses is giving to the people isn’t about God being some kind of a cosmic kill-joy.  It is about giving life and setting His people apart for the blessing of the world.


Also, Deuteronomy isn’t a second law.  Some people have wondered if the ‘second’ label comes from this book being some kind of ‘second’ giving of the law -- maybe because the 10 Commandments appear for the second time in Deut 5 (the first being in Exodus 20).  Another option is the reference to a copy of the law that is mentioned in Deut 17:18.  Regardless, Deuteronomy is certainly not a second nor a different law.  The teachings in Deuteronomy fit into the system of living that has already been given to the Israelites in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.

What is Deuteronomy? Part 1

November 26,2011 - Posted by Allen Hutchison

I would venture a guess that people generally don’t first turn to Deuteronomy when they read the Bible.  Admittedly, Deuteronomy’s a little different.  It’s got some strange commands (Deuteronomy 14:21 anyone?).  It’s not as straightforward as certain New Testament passages (Ephesians 4:32).  But Deuteronomy is not simply a set of ancient laws that we somehow have to move forward thousands of years into modern life.  Quite the opposite.  Deuteronomy is Torah.  And in Torah is life.  Because of the One who has given it...

We have a winner...

November 3,2011 - Posted by Allen Hutchison

After letting the poll run for some three weeks, we have a (very close) winner... Deuteronomy!  1 John was a close second, so we'll keep that in the wings and see how this goes.  Here's a tenative game plan of how we'll approach the book.  1) Set the literary context and the historical context 2) Look at big picture of the book (outline, themes, etc.) 3) Begin going chapter by chapter, paragraph by paragrph (and verse by verse if we want/need to!).  What sorts of things would you like to discuss as we go through the book?  What format would you all like: more of a play by play, or a brief write up with discussion type questions to prompt interaction in the comments?  Or both?  Let your voice be heard in the comments.

Up and running

October 11,2011 - Posted by Allen Hutchison
Happy Runner - courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/lululemonathletica/

The new website has been up and running for just over a month now.  So far so good.  We reached 200 user accounts last night (here's to you, "enpassant"!).  Now that we've got a little bit of use under our belt and we're looking at different ways to improve the site, it's time to turn out attention to the blog.

As with a previous post, we want to spend some time on the blog looking at Scripture.  If you spend any time at Glenwood, you realize very quickly that the Bible is our foundation for all we do.  Even in an online space, we want  to dedicate time and energy to understanding it well.

If we look at the Old Testament together, I'm thinking we start with Deuteronomy.  The fifth book of the Bible is often overlooked simply because it contains a lot of rules/regulations, and it covers material already discussed in books two, three and four of the Bible (Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers).  But Deuteronomy is so much more than a bunch of statutes and a retelling of Israel's early history.

How are you using the new site?

October 11,2011 - Posted by Allen Hutchison

Do you have your account yet?  Having an account provides you a number of benefits.  We've got folks using the site for a wide range of reasons.  Here's just a handful of examples:

Book of Remembrance

September 27,2011 - Posted by Allen Hutchison
Book of Remembrance

The book of Malachi begins with a clear statement from God that He loves His people.  Yet the last of the minor prophets spends the vast majority of the book as the mouthpiece for a deity that has been forgotten.  Or rather, His love has been forgotten.  Both the priests and the people have forgotten the significance of their relationship with their God, the LORD of hosts (or perhaps a more modern translation would be "LORD of Armies").  This is the God of everything, who has all power, dominion and authority.  If they would but love Him as He has loved them, then H

Ground Rules

April 7,2011 - Posted by Allen Hutchison

Regarding the specifics of interaction on this blog:Please note that only people who are logged in with a Glenwoodcc.org account will be able to leave a comment (you can login in at the top of site or register for the site here).  This online space is primarily intended to be a place of further dialogue and interaction for the people of Glenwood Community Church, but we desire it be an encouragement to all who read it.  As such, these interactions are not private or hidden.

Glenwood Blog

April 7,2011 - Posted by Allen Hutchison

The goal of this blog is to be a resource and encouragement to the body of Glenwood Community Church and the internet at large.  The plan is to cover a wide range of topics, from working through books/passages of the Bible, to discussing song lyrics we sing in a service, to how to best engage our children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.