Biblical Literacy Podcast

In today’s lesson, Mark took a journey of Christmas through the Ages. He grouped how Christmas was celebrated, or not, during three periods of time following Jesus’ birth.

1. Roman. There’s no record the first church celebrated the birth of Christ. But does that make it wrong? Consider Jewish feasts not in the Old Testament writings. Yet Jesus celebrated them. 2. Medieval. Began mid to late 300s. Christmas first established on December 25th as a day of repentance. Powerful influence for good. Christmas plays began. Pagan celebrations translated into a part Christmas celebrations. 3. Modern. Advent. Arrival of Jesus with three focuses: Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem; Jesus' arrival in your life, and Jesus will arrive again.

Mark concludes that Jesus takes the dark days in life and fills us with joy, so we have reason to celebrate all year long.

Mark was interviewed by Brent Johnson. Mark identified several folks in the audience that would be more interesting to interview than him, but the focus was on Mark this day. Brent began by asking Mark: Some fun questions like; Wild Socks, Where and Why, Quarks, What and Why and Tennis matches planned soon. You will enjoy the answers to these questions as they show a very diverse and at the same time a focused Mark. Mark then discussed why books have such a significant meaning and what he was reading. Mark’s reading list contains a myriad of many different documents, books, legal documents and even Construction documents. What a typical day was like. Mark walked us through his day from wake up, quiet time, work day and finally home. Mark discussed the various projects he was involved in here at home and in England.

Project Use Stone Chapel –- Funerals and Lectures New Building –-Learning Center Yarnton Manor--British LTL Session closed with an appreciation for the focus that Mark has on using his knowledge, skills, resources and love of GOD and spreading that love to others here and abroad.

Pastor David Fleming continued the study in the Minor Prophets with Amos 5 & 6.

His lesson contained three points:

1. What time is it? A time of peace and prosperity for Israel, but lamentations are coming. Time for God to stop the party. God is continually working out His plan and purpose.

2. What do we do? The faithful seek God and live. He is not the one lost or hiding.

3. What if we don’t? God will take away His blessings. Our pride is our undoing.

Listen to Pastor Fleming share that now is the time to seek God with an open heart and live. How we treat others is a direct reflection of how we feel about God. Seek God and seek good.

11-20-22 Biblical-Literacy

Mark continued the study of Amos in the Minor Prophets Series.today’s lesson focused on important passages in Amos.The Hebrew biblical language has only 6,000 to 7,000 words.Compare that with the average English speaking person who knows 20,000 to 30,000 words.The realm of meaning for a Hebrew word contains many similes and metaphors according to what the writer intended.Improperly translating the Hebrew can lead to Scripture taken out of context and the original meaning lost. In reading Amos, and all Scripture, we should understand the context and lifestyle. It can often result in surprising results.

Mark continued in the study of the Minor Prophets with the final lesson on Amos. Mark focused on passages in Amos that reflected when they were written and what we can learn from those passages today. God’s word is inerrant, meaning no error. His Word is written exactly as He intended. Mark explained that we all look for Confrontation bias— confirmation that supports what we already believe.

Listen to Mark expound on Scripture passages that shows us how to honor life. We are good at seeing sin in others but not in ourselves. God opposes the proud and haughty but helps the humble. We are on our own road to Jericho.

Mark interviewed Sharon Dirckx, PhD in Brain Imaging, University of Cambridge, speaker, author, and adjunct lecturer at The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Mark first posed questions to Dr. Dirckx regarding her personal and professional background. She became a Christian while attention Bristol University. Dr. Dirckx shared her testimony and how her studies of brain activity and a doctorate in brain imaging increased her faith. She has also studied theology at Oxford. Her focus last night at the Lanier Theological Library Lecture and again in today’s class interview discussed the questions: Are we just our brains? What is the difference between our brain and our mind or consciousness? Where does God fit? Listen to Dr. Dirckx present hope for all believers as she continues her studies on the brain, the mind, and the work of God in our lives. Dr. Dirckx maintains evil forces and the Holy Spirit have different impacts on the mind noting that the Holy Spirit will never take us beyond what we are willing to go.

Mark Lanier continued with the study of The Minor Prophets - Part II of Amos.

Mark shared extensive historical context and background. Amos was from Judah in the eighth century. His occupation was a breeder of cattle/sheep, a traveling consultant and dresser of figs. Mark also identified passages in Amos which speak of God’s judgment on Israel the northern kingdom.

Finally in Points for Home: 1) You and I live on a timeline. 2) Do we hear the word of the Lord? 3) How do we know we are listening to God’s word?

Listen to Mark explain the historical and cultural difference between Judah and Israel and how God intends for us to live today.

Dr. David Capes taught today in the continuing study of the Minor Prophets with an introduction to Amos. The prophet Amos was a shepherd and a man of means in the 8th century BC. He prophesied the future of the northern kingdom Israel by speaking to the people what God revealed. He spoke of judgment coming against Israel and other neighboring countries and why. Although Amos’ words highlighted doom and gloom, Dr. Capes teaches, through the words of the prophet Amos, there is wisdom in obedience to God.

Points for home: 1) The Bible contains judgment and promise. 2) God is God over all people. 3) Obedience brings blessings.

10-16-22 Biblical-Literacy

Mark returned to teaching on the minor prophets with the study of Obadiah.

Listen to Mark explore Obadiah with insights into Israel’s culture at the time as he reveals

powerful truths from the one chapter book: God is the present tense. He not a territorial

God. God is 100 percent reliable.

We enjoy a musical treat from Phil Keaggy based on Mark’s lyrics concerning Obadiah.

Points for home include:

1) We all have a long way to go to find the holiness of God.

2) We aren’t fooling God.

3) Let’s get serious about our faith.

During this class Pastor David Fleming and Pastor Jarrett Stephens interviewed Mark Lanier.

Questions and discussion evolved around Mark’s spiritual and personal life. Listen to Mark

respond to habits, family, personal tastes, what he does for fun, his method of writing, his many

projects and nonfiction books that express his passion for Christ.