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mmm http://www.thecharfottepost,com tinje Cliarlotte $odt THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2006 5B Overcoming uncertainty John 3:1-3 Jesus’ days are busy So on 0(xasion He looks forward to quiet time (e.g. Luke 4:42). But this particular evening is 'interrupted by a visitor. In spite of Jesus’ weariness, He finds time to teach. Inquiry (w. 1,2) There was a man of the Phar isees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The Pharisees consider them selves to be the guardians of Gtod’s laws. They have count ed more than 600 commands in the Old Testament, which they then interpreted and supplemented. Ultimately, the ended up making their int^pretations into a protec tive hedge around God’s laws. Most Pharisees reject Jesus because they believe he broke the law (e.g., Matthew 12:1- 14) Not only is Nicodemus a Pharisee, but he is also a ruler of the Jews. This means that he is part of the Jewish Supreme Court known as the Sanhedrin, which also oppos es Jesus. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him. Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come fix)m God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Many Pharisees believe that Jesus performs miracles by Satanic power (e.g. Matthew 12:24). Nicodemus proves that is he is not one of them when he addresses Jesus as Rabbi (teacher). Nicodemus risks much by holding this opinion in opposi tion to his fellow Pharisees. Even so, many today criticize Nicodemxis for coming by night. Is Nicodemus using the cov^ of darkness out of fear of his feUow Pharisees? CSee John 9:22). Perhaps Nicode mus purposely hides his beliefs because he thinks that this is the only way to retain his seat on he council. We should not over look the fact that John uses the word “ni^t” in his Gospel figura tively to include moral and spiritual darkness (see John 7:50-53) and helps Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus’ body for burial (John 19:38, 39). Confiontation (v.3) Jesus answered and said unto him. Verily verily I say imto thee, Except at man be bom again, he cannot see the king dom of God. Jesus often begins discussions by saying something so bold that he immediately grabs people’s attention- Nicodemus wants to learn more fix>m Jesus, but he does not expect him to teach a radical trans formation. The implication is that the scholarly and distin guished Nicodemus still lacks this transformation. Jesus begins with verily, veri ly This is the translation of the Greek word amen, which Rease see JOHN 3/8B RELIGION Life IB Blood directive Jehovah’s Witnesses ’ controversial ban on transfusion complicated PHOTO/WADE NASH Jehovah’s Witnesses elders from around the world will recite a new directive on blood transfusions this week. The directive could create confusion about prohibitions of blood components. By Richard N. Oslling THE ASSOCI.ATED PRESS NEW YORK—Jehovah’s ^tness- es are renowned for teaching that Jesus is not God and that the world as we know it will soon end. But another unusual belief causes even more entanglements—namely that God forbids blood transfusions even when patients’ lives are at stake. The doctrine’s importance will be underscored this week as elders who lead more than 98,000 congregations worldwide I'ecite a new five-page blood dii’ective fix)ra headquarters. The tightly disciplined sect believes the Bible forbids transfu sions, though specifics have gradual ly been eased over the years. Ray mond Franz, a defector fi*om the all- powerful Governing Body that sets policies for the faith, thinks leaders hesitate to go further for fear that total elimination of the ban would expose the organization to millions of dollars in legal liability over past medical cases. The V^tnesses have opposed trans fusions of whole blood since 1945. A later pronouncement also barred treinsfusions ofblood’s “primary com ponents,” meaning red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. An announcement in 2000 in the official Watchtower magazine, how ever, said that because of ambiguity in the Bible, individuals are fiee to decide about therapies using the bio logical compounds that make up those four blood components, such as gamma globulin and clotting factors that counteract hemophilia. Next week’s directive could create confusion about these compounds, known as blood “fi'actions.” Without noting the 2000 change, the new directive tells parents to consider this: “Can any doctor or hospital give complete assui’ance that blood or blood fi’actions will not be used in treatment of a minor?” Aside fix)ni the new directive, a footnote in the Witnesses’ standaixi brochure, “How Can Blood Save Your Life?,” mentions the 2000 arti cle on fi’actions—but then omits its Please see JEHOVAH’S/7B Scholar re-examines views on Jews THE ASSOCMTED PRESS Julie Galambush brings a rare background to the often delicate topic of Jew- ish-(!)hristian relations and her special interest in the first-century split between the two faiths. She was an American Baptist Churches minister and teacher at the Luther ans’ St. Olaf College in Min nesota. Now a convert to Reform Judaism who belongs to a temple in Falls Church, Va., she teaches Bible at the College of William and Mary Galambush, natmaUy, doesn’t believe in Jesus’ divinity But her main emphasis is that Christians misunderstand what their scriptural writers originally meant to say about Jews. She develops that case in "The Reluctant Parting: How the New Tbstament’s Jewish Writers Created a Christian Book” (Harper- SanFrancisco). Her book originated with experimen tal classes on the New Tfes- tament she led at a Mary land synagogue. The New Ibstament is "one of the strangest Jew ish books ever written,” she writes, and one that "most Jews neither own nor read.” Yet they should read it, she believes, because it’s vital that Jews understand Christianity Thus she wrote her book especially for Jewish readers, though it will stir discussion (and dissent) among Christians. Muslims, too, would ben efit greatly fix)m learning New Testament basics, thou^ not fixim this type of book. The nutshell paradox: The New Ifestament has many passages that are sharply critical of Jews, yet it was written mostly by Jews and largely for Jew ish readers to teach about a Jewish messiah. Galambush’s theme is that modem Christians _ and most Christians across the centuries _ distort what the critical comments meant because they don’t realize that the New Tbsta- ment was recording an intense debate within the Jewish community It was a three-way argu ment. First, of course, the overwhelming majority of ancient Jews had no inter est in Jesus or rejected claims he was Israel’s mes siah. But the really hot dis pute, she says, occurred between the two factions of Jews who followed Jesus. (Dne insisted that all the commandments of the Hebrew Bible (or Old Tbsta- ment) applied to Gentiles who joined the Jesus move ment. Others like Paul, and eventually Peter, said Gen tile converts could ignore some of those require ments, especially circumci sion. The latter, “liberal” faction won out and its New Tbsta- Please see SCHOLAR/6B Sheard continues the family fervor Kamn Clark Sheaixl It’s Not Over Various pit>ducers Word Entertainment Theie was a time when the^ Qark Sisters and mother Mat- tie Moss weie the divas of gospel. The group’s fiery vocals sent congregations into a fi’en- zy The sisters no longer recoid as a gi’oup but have been releasing solo CDs at what seems to be a fever pitch tlie last few years. Kai*en has been the most pmlific, releasuig her foiutli recently Like her othei’s, “It’s Not Over” shows why she’s still one of tlie best that gospel has to offei' Sheard’s voice is a poweiTul instniment, one that can be used for traditional, contem|X)- rary and jazzy-sounding gospel. She sings the heck out of anything that’s placed before her. Her voice is best suited for big, anthein-like songs that swell. There’s no shortage on this CD. Sheard rips tlirougli such songs with a fervor that her fans have come to expect. “Oh The Glory of His Pres ence,” “Show Me Youi* Glory” and the spectaculai* “Favor” showcase the power of Sheard’s voice. It is stalling to show some age, but it’s still sometliing to behold. Sheanl can’t stay away finm the contemporary stuff that’s alienating her from older gospel fans. “Be Blessed” is very young-sounding, maybe too young. J. Moss adds “You Showed Me,” a breezy, jazzy number that has the trademark Moss harmonies. If Sheard has to go y6ung, this is how she should sound. The rest of the CD moves effortlessly between tradition al and contemporary sounds. It’s not Sheard’s best, but even at 80 percent, she’s better than most. Ratings 3aisciic; Wby? ♦ JS9 A PHOTOtTHE STOCK MARKET Church News The deadline for adding announcements to the calendar is noon on Fridays. Fax to (704) 342-2160 or e-mail cheris hodges^thechariot- tepost.com. Ongoing Grace BiWe College will host winter classes at Grace Baptist Church located at 1185 Little Rock Road in Newton through March 13. These classes maybe taken for credit. For information, contact (828) 464-7055. Millions More Movement-Charlotte will move to its new location at Little Rock AME Zion Church, 401 N. McDowell St. The group will meet the second and fourth Monday ni^ts of the month for six months. For infor mation, call (704) 333-1690. mail meckmin^^meckmin-oig. February 2 Mecklenburg Ministries presents “Chffee Ckinversations, Sex, Relationships and Faith.” A group of diverse faiths will discuss topics such as courtship, marriage, intermarriage, premarital sex and divcnxje, at the Mecklen burg Ministries offices at 601 East Blvd from 6-7:30 p.m For information, call (704) 347-2404 or e February 4 St. Paul Baptist Church, located at 1401 N. Allen St., will host an AIDS Awareness Gospel Explosion as a benefit for Metrolina AIDS Pro ject, fiom 6-8 p.m Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For mere information call (704) 333-1435 ext. 102. • New Bethlehem FBH Church of (jod, locat ed at 421 E. 18th St., will host its 31st Red and White Love Feast at 4p.m For more informa tion call (704) 525-6677 or (704) 596-3630. February 11 The Tfemple of Deliverance International Fel lowship, located at 5521 Cannon Drive, Suite 104 in Monroe, will host a “Singles Gathering” at 2 p.m. • Plaza Baptist Church, 3321 The Plaza, will sponsor a Valentine’s Banquet fixwn 6-9 p.m. A catered meal will be provided and the cost is $25 per couple and $12.50 per individual. Free childcare will be provided by Plaza Youth. Tb reserve a table, call the church at (704) 334- Rease see ALL/6B mmo
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Feb. 2, 2006, edition 1
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