After intense daily blogging on the Psalms and the Fathers for the last seven months, it is time to take a break. I am teaching four heavy courses, directing IBEX, pastoring Sojourners, teaching a Bible study, preparing for a TMC chapel and a Shepherds Conference seminar, proposing my Psalms manuscript to two publishers, planning a trip to Israel, appreciating my dear wife, and taking an occasional break to watch an NBA game. Something has to go in this frenetic pace - and the blog is what has to be retired for awhile. My prayer and wish for my faithful readers is taken from one of my favorite church fathers, the “blessed Polycarp.” Notice how his prayer is soaked with scripture.
“Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal High Priest himself, the Son of God Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and truth and in all gentleness and in all freedom from anger and forbearance and steadfastness and patient endurance and purity, and may he give to you a share and a place among his saints, and to us with you, and to all those under heaven who will yet believe in our Lord and God Jesus Christ and in his Father who raised him from the dead. Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings and powers and rulers, and for those who persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, in order that your fruit may be evident among all people, that you may be perfect in him.”
Polycarp, To the Philippians (ca. AD 120)
PS. Will certainly notify you here when my linguistic commentary on James is published. This will probably be in around three weeks, just in time for Shepherds Conference. A foundation is funding a free copy for everyone in attendance!
Holmes, M. W. (1999). The Apostolic Fathers (219). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.