I very recently read the geneologies closely, I had recently finished a course "Taking another look at the women of Jericho" Focus on Rahab. Lo and behold Rahab is in the geneology of Matthew! Vs 5 Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab,,,, We get to Jesse and King David. But pretty ordinary and even outside thenorm people in the linage leading up to King David. Both show pretty ordinary people leading to the Messiah wether one might have been a king or not. I use to have a red stripe in my hair (just for fun) after it turned white. Today I pur the red ribbon in my hair to honor a spiritual ancestor named Rahab . Yes we do have tangled roots and we still have Jesus, pretty cool!
As humanity moves into the future I think our community is less our biological lineage, and more the community we create around and among us. I do not feel I bear the sins of my fathers and mothers, nor do I have the honor of my ancestors. The history of my ancestors is interesting and valuable to my self-understanding, because of the culture handed down to me. But, I do not feel personal shame, nor do I take personal pride in what my ancestors did. I had no control whatsoever over their sins, nor any control of their honorable acts other than the morality handed down to me, which I either embrace or reject. Obviously, it is not so simple. If I live (I do not) on the land of my ancestor's plantation that was worked by slaves, I had no control over them in the past, yet I am not entirely devoid of that impact. What should I do with that knowledge? I personally can trace ancestors on my maternal side all the way back to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and several other bishops and anglican priests that followed after him. There is a comment here about power, social status, and opportunity in the fact that there was several generations of high ranking clergy back in my lineage. It is of historical interest to me, but I see no particular pride or shame I should bear for that biological connection. The biggest impact I see is that my mother and all of the family I knew in my life were Episcopalian as I am now. I started there, but circled out through various denominations, and a period of "none," and now am back as a member of Trinity Episcopal Church Buckingham, PA where anthropologist Margaret Mead is buried. Fascinating information, but how I walk in the world is my choice. I am not my ancestors. By the way, I am a scientist, although I am also a lay leader in my church. I have participant in several programs at nearby Princeton Theological Seminary, including their One Year Online Certificate in Theology and Ministry (2016). There is a thread here, but I attribute it to culture and not genetic inheritance. Interesting!
This quote says so much to me: “Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.” Linda Hogan
I very recently read the geneologies closely, I had recently finished a course "Taking another look at the women of Jericho" Focus on Rahab. Lo and behold Rahab is in the geneology of Matthew! Vs 5 Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab,,,, We get to Jesse and King David. But pretty ordinary and even outside thenorm people in the linage leading up to King David. Both show pretty ordinary people leading to the Messiah wether one might have been a king or not. I use to have a red stripe in my hair (just for fun) after it turned white. Today I pur the red ribbon in my hair to honor a spiritual ancestor named Rahab . Yes we do have tangled roots and we still have Jesus, pretty cool!
As humanity moves into the future I think our community is less our biological lineage, and more the community we create around and among us. I do not feel I bear the sins of my fathers and mothers, nor do I have the honor of my ancestors. The history of my ancestors is interesting and valuable to my self-understanding, because of the culture handed down to me. But, I do not feel personal shame, nor do I take personal pride in what my ancestors did. I had no control whatsoever over their sins, nor any control of their honorable acts other than the morality handed down to me, which I either embrace or reject. Obviously, it is not so simple. If I live (I do not) on the land of my ancestor's plantation that was worked by slaves, I had no control over them in the past, yet I am not entirely devoid of that impact. What should I do with that knowledge? I personally can trace ancestors on my maternal side all the way back to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and several other bishops and anglican priests that followed after him. There is a comment here about power, social status, and opportunity in the fact that there was several generations of high ranking clergy back in my lineage. It is of historical interest to me, but I see no particular pride or shame I should bear for that biological connection. The biggest impact I see is that my mother and all of the family I knew in my life were Episcopalian as I am now. I started there, but circled out through various denominations, and a period of "none," and now am back as a member of Trinity Episcopal Church Buckingham, PA where anthropologist Margaret Mead is buried. Fascinating information, but how I walk in the world is my choice. I am not my ancestors. By the way, I am a scientist, although I am also a lay leader in my church. I have participant in several programs at nearby Princeton Theological Seminary, including their One Year Online Certificate in Theology and Ministry (2016). There is a thread here, but I attribute it to culture and not genetic inheritance. Interesting!
You can listen to today's window HERE, via Riverside Church in NYC: https://www.spreaker.com/user/riversidenyc/bsag-11-21
I love when you describe how the seemingly different biblical descriptions are tied together theologically and also politically.
This quote says so much to me: “Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.” Linda Hogan
I always appreciate your reflections on the Biblical text . Yet what is sad when we also hand down the Physical an emotional Traits!