Chapter 48: Ideology (The Count of Monte Cristo)

by Tyler Dirks

This scene from The Count of Monte Cristo (by Alexandre Dumas) will help you tremendously as you imaginatively immerse yourself in the story of Joseph, son of Jacob (especially as you seek to understand Joseph’s shrewd, sharp, and subversive interactions with his perfidious brothers). The procureur entered with the same grave and measured step he […]

Martha’s Conversation with her Counselor After “THE INCIDENT”

by Tyler Dirks

Counselor: How are things? Martha: Not great. Counselor: [silent gaze…] Martha: Well, you know how I’ve been really jazzed about Jesus? Counselor: Yes… Martha: Well, I invited Jesus to come have dinner at our house, and I expected my relative(s) to help me serve Jesus. I was humbly and honorably committed to the rigors and […]

Carried to heaven in a ‘fiery chariot’ of zeal and violence

by Tyler Dirks

I recently sent the following text message to a world renowned bible teacher in our denomination… How do you interpret Matthew 11:12? “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.” Do you take it to mean that ‘Pharisees are trying […]