Posts by Theoblogian “Sam Yeiter.”

July, 2006

The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jonah

One Sam's radical approach to the "Sign of Jonah"

Posted Monday, July 31, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
Categories:    Comments: 9
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Almost certainly it will happen to me again this week.  I will get that look…the one that asks, “Is he serious?  He can’t possibly believe that, can he?  Where did we find this guy?  Who was his Hermeneutics instructor?”  Yes, that look is filled with questions.  But I have endured it before, and I will endure it again…and nothing Josh and Adam can say will shake me.  For I believe Jonah rose from the dead. Read more of The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jonah


June, 2006

The Englishman’s Greek Concordance Comes Through Again!

An observation in John

Posted Monday, June 05, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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A couple months ago I was wrapping up my study for the final sermons in my series on Mark.  This time through I was considering the concept of faith in the book of Mark.  I whipped open my Englishman’s Greek Concordance, and stumbled upon a glorious curiosity.  Read more if you dare. Read more of The Englishman’s Greek Concordance Comes Through Again!


April, 2006

Which Tomb? An Easter Series - Part 5

The Conclusion (or, Sam overpromises again...)

Posted Friday, April 14, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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In this post I will offer my conclusion on the issue.  I knew setting out that I might not be satisfied with my findings, but I certainly enjoyed the ride.  I hope that you have enjoyed thinking about our Lord's unfinal resting place.  I look forward to your analysis of the data.

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Which Tomb? An Easter Series - Part 4

Option 2: The Garden Tomb

Posted Thursday, April 13, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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It is difficult to find scholarly works that take the Garden Tomb seriously.  There are some who defend the position unashamedly, such as Chadwick, but not many of them find a voice in the literature.  However, the Garden Tomb remains a live option, and in some ways, the only alternative to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, so it is to it we now turn.  We will deal with the Garden Tomb more succinctly because of the paucity of scholarly work devoted to it. Read more of Which Tomb? An Easter Series - Part 4



Which Tomb? An Easter Series - Part 3

Option 1: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Part 2

Posted Wednesday, April 12, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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In this post, I will conclude my treatment of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  This post has one of the more enjoyable section titles I've ever used..."To Kokh or not to Kokh?"  Perhaps I am easily amused.  Enjoy, please.  History is fun! Read more of Which Tomb? An Easter Series - Part 3



Which Tomb? An Easter Series - Part 2

Option 1: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Part 1 (don't get confused by all the parts.)

Posted Monday, April 10, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, though one of the most gaudy and sickening shrines, has, far and away, the most support as the location of Jesus’ burial in the literature.  Most modern scholars support the Holy Sepulchre Church as authentic, even if they wish it were not.  Since it is the favored position, we will begin with it.  This post includes the first half of my discussion on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

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Which Tomb? An Easter Series - Part 1

Introduction and Bibliography

Posted Thursday, April 06, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
Categories:    Comments: 4
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            While cynics may believe that having two possibilities for the tomb of Jesus is just a cash cow for the Israeli tourist economy (and certainly it does not hurt their economy), there are good reasons to support both as the real tomb.  There are enough facts and theories that neither side is embarrassed of its position.  Over the last 150 years or so, the question of the validity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been asked.  So far, only the Garden Tomb has been able to contend with that church as a possible grave site for Jesus. Read more of Which Tomb? An Easter Series - Part 1


February, 2006

The Fate of Infants and Unborn Children Who Die - Part 6

Conclusions and Closing Thoughts

Posted Saturday, February 18, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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In this final post I offer what I consider to be the most and least likely responses to the data at hand.  In some ways I feel like my conclusion is too brief...but perhaps I'm just spent by this point.  I've been editing, re-writing, and re-thinking all along the way, and yet have come to the same conclusions.  If you have experienced the sort of grief we've been talking about, I hope that this paper has helped you work through some of that.  If you want to carry on the conversation with me on a personal basis, my e-mail is always open, I'd be glad to talk with you.

                                                                                                    - Sam

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We're Bad, and that's Good

Let's not get our hamartiology from Serenity.

Posted Saturday, February 18, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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I recently watched Joss Whedon’s (soon to be cult classic) Serenity.  I suggest you run out right now and rent this movie.  I suggest this for two reasons: First, it’s a fun, provocative movie (though disturbing at times – this is not a good flick for kids).  Second, I’m going to ruin vast parts of it for you if you read any further than this summary.  Aside from just being a rather interesting movie, it takes on the topic of sin and handles it in an interesting way.  So, watch the movie and then come back to read and interact with this post…

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Well, that explains it.

Bode Miller’s foibles accounted for...

Posted Friday, February 17, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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This is one Theoblogian's response to an interview between NBC and Bode Miller aired right before the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics.  If you are a parent (or thinking of becoming one), you'll want to read this...especially if you've ever considered homeschooling. Read more of Well, that explains it.



Serenity Soon

Coming soon to a blog near you....this one, actually.

Posted Thursday, February 16, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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While I am waiting for me to finish my series on the Fate of the Unborn (which I highly recommend), I thought I would take Brian's advice, and let you know about a post I have coming on the movie Serenity, so you can go watch it in advance.  I will be ruining endings, etc, if you haven't watched it.  Now, it's PG-13, but with a few variations on violence, it could have been R (in my opinion).  As it stands, most of the violence is done Jurassic Park style...you know the guy gets gutted and eaten alive by the velociraptors, but it's off-camera...you just hear his screams.  I think Serenity is a good movie, and fun to watch, but I wanted to give you a bit of warning if you're squeamish. Read more of Serenity Soon



The Fate of Infants and Unborn Children Who Die - Part 5

Concepts Which Seem Inclusive

Posted Thursday, February 09, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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In this fifth (and next-to-last) installment, we deal with five concepts that contribute to my view that the unborn do, in fact, receive salvation.  I introduce an idea herein that has moved some to gather kindling, firewood, and a bit of rope.  Oh well, what's a little martyrdom among friends?

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The Fate of Infants and Unborn Children Who Die - Part 4

Concepts which seem restrictive

Posted Thursday, February 02, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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In this post and the next, we will look at concepts that seem to either restrict salvation from or extend it to the unborn.  This brief post deals with the former (bad news first).  Because of its brevity, I am including the Works Consulted in this post as well.  This might be helpful for those who have wanted to utilize my sources.  Read more of The Fate of Infants and Unborn Children Who Die - Part 4


January, 2006

Thoughts from the Shower

Toward a proper self-identification

Posted Tuesday, January 31, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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I work out every morning at a gym next to my work.  My tennis nemesis from the summer, good friend, Rish, has become my racquet ball nemesis and lifting partner.  Often our stories at work begin, “Rish and I were talking in the shower this morning….”  Ah, the showers.  Well, the other morning (in the showers) I looked over and noticed a tattoo-laden gentleman.  None caught my attention except one on his shoulder blade.  It was a five-digit number.  I have no idea of its meaning to him, but it reminded me of a prisoners number, branded onto him.  I began to think of one of my favorite protagonists, Jean Valjean, as represented in the musical, Les Misérables.

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The Fate of Infants and Unborn Children Who Die - Part 3

Passages which seem to apply (but are difficult to put into either previous group)

Posted Monday, January 30, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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               In this brief post we will deal with only three passages.  They do not seem to lean decidedly in either direction, with regard to the redemption of the unborn.  They do, however, introduce concepts that will become important in later discussions.  I have attempted to be thorough in my inclusion of relevant texts, but if you feel that I am omitting any key passages, please let me know (with or without your interpretive comment is fine). Read more of The Fate of Infants and Unborn Children Who Die - Part 3



Sam Yeiter - Healer

Considering our role as under-physicians...

Posted Thursday, January 26, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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A while back I performed my first healing service.  Some of you know me (and for those that don’t, I’m a hard-line, cut-of-the-old-cloth Baptist who believes the sign gifts – tongues, prophecy, healing, etc – are a thing of the ancient past)…ok, now that everyone knows me, back to the healing...are you surprised?  Never thought you’d see the day, did you?

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The Fate of Infants and Unborn Children Who Die - Part 2

(Apparently) Inclusive Passages

Posted Sunday, January 22, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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This installment deals with passages that seem to favor the idea of all (or at least most) infants going to heaven should they pass away. Read more of The Fate of Infants and Unborn Children Who Die - Part 2



The Fate of Infants and Unborn Children Who Die - Part 1

(Apparently) Restrictive Passages

Posted Thursday, January 19, 2006 by Sam Yeiter
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This paper was originally researched and written in December of 2000.  This was about 5 months after the birth of our first (and only surviving) daughter.  Later, in 2002, and again in 2003, my wife had bizarre miscarriages which endangered her life and obviously took the lives of our two other children. 

I begin this way for two reasons.  The first is that this is a painful issue for many, myself included, and I am hoping that all who might leave comments or questions will realize the grace and sensitivity the topic merits.  The second reason is that I want to be honest about my theology.  I have always attempted to disconnect my experience from the construction of my theology.  I know that this is partially impossible, but I believe we must let the text guide us, not our feelings or experiences (though they might help us ask the right questions of the text).  

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December, 2005

Jonathan Edwards: Reconsidering Closed Communion and the Internal Condition

It's my hobby-horse, and I can ride it as long as I like!

Posted Friday, December 16, 2005 by Sam Yeiter
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This is a paper that was written for my Jonathan Edwards course at Trinity.  It's fairly lengthy...but i'm not as thoughtful as Charlie, so the whole thing is here.  It deals with the issue of Edwards' firing from his first (and really only) church.  I take for granted some awareness of historical events (both of the times and of his life), so if something confuses you, please feel free to ask.  Also, I am not a church historian, nor an historian in general, so it is possible that i'm wrong about details...let me know if you see this as well (i don't have the grade yet, but i imagine that i'll make some adjustments to this post when i get his feedback).

Finally, i hope you find this edifying...and i highly recommend reading some Edwards for yourself.

                                                                                                            - Sam

 p.s. Most of the endnotes aren't worth looking at (for the casual reader), but make sure you check out numbers 7 and 11... 
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November, 2005

Is Government a Product of the Fall?

A consideration of dominion and headship - or - My apologies to Adam

Posted Tuesday, November 08, 2005 by Sam Yeiter
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I know Adam has been working on a post on the subject of Imago Dei...so my apologies to him.  But between you and me, I think it might be years yet before he finishes it.  Anyway, this goes in a different direction (i think).  Have you ever wondered if there would have been human government had there been no Fall?  Well, if you have, you're in luck.  Wander off with me as we consider dominion, headship, and government.  I welcome your comments and floggings.

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October, 2005

Remembering Well

Toward a Scriptural View of Communion - or - My communion can beat up your communion.

Posted Monday, October 03, 2005 by Sam Yeiter
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   We all do it.  We appeal to logic when we approach an issue that we feel scripture does not speak to explicitly.  Often this approach is helpful, and I would even say valid.  However, I believe that all too frequently we fail to do adequate study because we trust our logic so thoroughly.  I recently found reason for this accusation in myself with regard to communion, and I think probably it is a safe one to point at the academic/pastoral world as well.  I recall spending about eight minutes talking about the Lord’s Supper at seminary…add that to the 12 seconds I got at college, and all totaled I had only spent eight minutes and twelve seconds trying to think biblically about communion.

   This past week I was called out and asked to give a scriptural defense of open communion over against closed communion.  I could bring up a couple of texts that could be interpreted my way, but in the end I found myself saying, “Well, we are one body in Christ.  Open communion is simply the better picture of unity.  Ergo, closed communion is stupid and anyone who believes in it is stupid (insert other ad hominem attacks here…)

   As soon as I took a breath, I realized that I had not ever really studied it.  I am not suggesting that we abandon logic in the Christian life, but I found that for myself I had only logic and a proof-text.  So off I went…and now, off I go.

 

(If you read this post before 10/6, I have made several updates and shortened it a bit.)

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September, 2005

Jonathan Edwards endorses Theoblogian.org

From the sermon: The Importance and Advantage of a Thorough Knowledge of Divine Truth

Posted Thursday, September 01, 2005 by Sam Yeiter
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Yes, in a statement issued by Jonathan Edwards in 1739, Theoblogian.org is said to be one of the seven ways he "entreats [us] to consider" pursuing divine knowledge.  Read on for more details.    Read more of Jonathan Edwards endorses Theoblogian.org


August, 2005

Is God Getting Older?

Toward a Biblical View of the Omnitemporality of God

Posted Friday, August 05, 2005 by Sam Yeiter
Categories:    Comments: 12
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For a long time, I've been intrigued by the questions surrounding time.  I even went to the length of checking out a lecture series by some BostonCollege physicist from the library.  I ended up more confused than when I started (of course), but it did raise a lot of interesting questions.  Well, in the theological world, the question that interests me is, "How does God relate to time?"  I'm still a newbie to this topic, so I welcome your thoughts along the way...

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July, 2005

Church Growth

Toward a view of acceptable church growth.

Posted Monday, July 11, 2005 by Sam Yeiter
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Brian and i recently had a discussion about church growth...so i thought i'd put up some of my thoughts about it...although i highly recommend that you read Brian's as well...he has some neat thoughts there.

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What Can One Church Do?

Toward a Biblical View of Homelessness

Posted Thursday, July 07, 2005 by Sam Yeiter
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I would like to open a discussion on the Church’s response to the homeless.  Particularly, what should be the response of a little church?  I’m hoping that it’s a given that God cares for the homeless, and that the Church ought to be involved if it’s something God cares about.  In this post I recount my experience with one man whose story I believed.

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June, 2005

Holy Matrimony?

Toward a biblical view of vow-officiating for unbelievers -or- Sam holds a lightning rod aloft

Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Sam Yeiter
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I hope to begin a dialogue on the question of marrying those outside the Church.  I hold a double standard, expecting one thing of unbelievers and something probably quite different for believers.  In this post i will only address the former.  I look forward to a vibrant discussion.

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