Comments for Tight Lines

Comment on Using Power by Steve Bilynskyj

Steve Bilynskyj — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:05:40 +0000

You are absolutely right. Samson was obviously pretty careless about his vows, as we all can be with our commitments when things seem to turn out well despite our carelessness.

Comment on Using Power by Gary and Carol Lane

Gary and Carol Lane — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 17:02:47 +0000

We really enjoyed your insights on the life of Sampson on Jan 20. So many good personal applications. We were wondering, though, if grabbing the jawbone of a donkey wasn’t also a violation of Sampson’s Narazite vows, along with touching a dead lion. A minor point of curiousity but we thought we would ask. Thanks.

Comment on Family by Jim

Jim — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:51:40 +0000

Maybe Jesus knew more than we do (lol). Paul tells us later that if you’re married, your heart will be divided. We all know that sometimes family vs. Jesus is not always a tension that is easily resolved.

Comment on Unforgivable by Beth Bilynskyj

Beth Bilynskyj — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:46:24 +0000

Evidence of the law of non-contradiction in scripture…

Comment on End of the Story? by Steve Bilynskyj

Steve Bilynskyj — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:17:38 +0000

James, it’s nice to see someone is actually reading this. I appreciate you sharing your extensive research. I read the discussion on your church web site and see that you have examined this question far more than I. You have made me aware that I need to be more tentative and cautious in asserting the conclusion that Mark ends at 16:8. However, I believe I understand your own conclusion still to be that it’s likely that Mark’s own hand does end there, and that 16:9-20 is an addition with ancient credentials, perhaps approved by Mark and/or Peter. Without the time or knowledge to investigate further myself, all I can say is that I find the huge weight of current scholarly opinion seems to be against regularizing Mark 16:9-20 as normative along with the rest of the Gospel. Part of that contrary opinion, as far as I can make out, comes from considerations of internal evidence, language, theology, borrowing, etc. You deal with the matter of borrowing from the other Gospel endings quite a bit in what I read on your web site, but the language and theology issues much less so. Perhaps it’s there in your book. In any case, I think there are interesting questions to pursue about why Mark’s own hand leaves off at 16:8. In my sermon, I’m planning to draw a parallel with Charles Dickens’ unfinished final work, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. It also has had a number of endings written by others attached to it, including one by a confidant with whom Dickens had discussed the plot upon setting out to write. Though certainly of a different character from the Word of God, the Dickens example shows how an abrupt stopping point generates passionate and creative response, which I believe the Gospel does call for in Christian living. Thanks again for your thought provoking comment. May God bless you and your congregation with a joyful celebration of our Risen Lord.

Comment on End of the Story? by James Snapp, Jr.

James Snapp, Jr. — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 03:16:59 +0000

“Just check it out,” indeed. Have you carefully investigated the evidence pertaining to Mark 16:9-20? If Mark 16:9-20 does not have much manuscript support for authenticity then NO passage of Mark has much manuscript support for authenticity, inasmuch as Mark 16:9-20 is attested by every undamaged Greek copy of Mark (over 1,500 copies) except two, and every undamaged Latin copy of Mark 16 except one (which has an anomalous text throughout Mark 16), and every Syriac copy except one. Mark 16:9-20 is supported by over 40 Roman-Empire-era patristic writings, including writings from three individuals in the 100′s — Justin, Tatian, and Irenaeus — whereas the two Greek copies in which the text of Mk 16 stops at v. 8 are from the 300′s.

For more information on this subject, see my research-book. Write to me and I’d be glad to share a copy with you.

Yours in Christ,

James Snapp, Jr.

Comment on Truth Will Out by beth

beth — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:58:24 +0000

I LOVE this icon! See death, all bound and defeated at the bottom? And Jesus is literally PULLING Adam and Eve out of their graves…nothing gnostic about this resurrection. Power indeed! God bless you, dear, as you write and deliver this sermon.