Some more only seemingly random thoughts
Some more observations on the book of Acts, early chapters.
1. What were they all in one accord about?
2. What caused the early Christians to be willing to spend time together, minister together, share possessions?
3. What turned Peter into this orator all of a sudden?
4. What emboldened Peter and John to realize that the Sanhedrin, the "Jewish Senate," the legislative, political, judicial, and religious body, the group that had power of life and death over them, to realize the Sanhedrin was not speaking for God, and what emboldened them to say they must obey God rather than the supposed representative of God on earth. Of course, the subtext might be that the Sanhedrin, as the elitists, didn't have much real "street cred" with the working class any way, and it is the working class that is most represented in the disciples. But Peter and John are doing more than being sarcastic about class differences. They know where that kind of talk can lead them.
The revolutionary nature of the first four chapters of Acts are lost on us 1970 years later, but I'm not sure why. What did all this? Humanly speaking, their experience, but supernaturally speaking, it can only be accredited to the Holy Spirit.
On to another topic. Teaching and Learning. I am reading Dee Fink's book right now, and it really is good. I only wish some of these books could be reduced to what they are saying that is truly unique; it would save me a lot of time. If nothing else, I can believe Fink has actually taught college students.
The problem where I teach is that many of the students aren't really college students. Oh, officially they are, but they do not define themselves as that in their own understanding. It is not, for one, a priority. If asked to define themselves, a lot wouldn't put student first. That is shown by the fact, fairly well documented, that students don't study the requisite two hours per class hour, or six hours per three-hour class. I have toyed with the idea of being so easy that they students wouldn't have to meet the six-hour limi. But I discarded it. Lowering expectations doesn't help anyone.
1. What were they all in one accord about?
2. What caused the early Christians to be willing to spend time together, minister together, share possessions?
3. What turned Peter into this orator all of a sudden?
4. What emboldened Peter and John to realize that the Sanhedrin, the "Jewish Senate," the legislative, political, judicial, and religious body, the group that had power of life and death over them, to realize the Sanhedrin was not speaking for God, and what emboldened them to say they must obey God rather than the supposed representative of God on earth. Of course, the subtext might be that the Sanhedrin, as the elitists, didn't have much real "street cred" with the working class any way, and it is the working class that is most represented in the disciples. But Peter and John are doing more than being sarcastic about class differences. They know where that kind of talk can lead them.
The revolutionary nature of the first four chapters of Acts are lost on us 1970 years later, but I'm not sure why. What did all this? Humanly speaking, their experience, but supernaturally speaking, it can only be accredited to the Holy Spirit.
On to another topic. Teaching and Learning. I am reading Dee Fink's book right now, and it really is good. I only wish some of these books could be reduced to what they are saying that is truly unique; it would save me a lot of time. If nothing else, I can believe Fink has actually taught college students.
The problem where I teach is that many of the students aren't really college students. Oh, officially they are, but they do not define themselves as that in their own understanding. It is not, for one, a priority. If asked to define themselves, a lot wouldn't put student first. That is shown by the fact, fairly well documented, that students don't study the requisite two hours per class hour, or six hours per three-hour class. I have toyed with the idea of being so easy that they students wouldn't have to meet the six-hour limi. But I discarded it. Lowering expectations doesn't help anyone.
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