New Wine Community

Join the Translation -- Ephesians

2010-07-28T19:35:00.006-06:00

Join a new Translation of the Bible. Naj Michael is a translator who is seeking to bring to light the cooperativeness that is lost in translation by our western cultural supra-individualistic reading of Bible.

As a faithful translator on a new version - House Script - he is looking for those who would like to participate in this project. As the best translators of the world know it take two groups of people to make a good translation. The first are those who take from the original language (of the Bible) and seek to communicate it into another language getting feed back as they go from the second group who are on the receiving end of the translation. A good translation is one that is faithful to the meaning of the original language and at the same time has the feel and simplicity of the language it is being translated to. The results are reading a book that doesn't feel like a "translation".

Naj along with his team have completed their part of a translation of Paul's letter to the Ephesians. He is looking for those who will be his western partners in helping to complete the final work. In the Denver area this will be done under the guidance of Jan Cowles who is currently overseeing readings of Ephesians.

Jan will be facilitating feedback from a few groups who will give suggestions as to how better to communicate this new House Script version of the Bible.

This course is an unconventional way of entering into the book of Ephesians. The format is a journey into the wonders of who we are in Christ and the honorable walking out of our calling. Because of this we will spend time in quiet meditation, listening and writing what we hear.

"POUND FOR POUND, Ephesians may be the most influential document ever written" Klyne Snodgrass

This course will include a look at the background information of the original readers of this ancient letter, reading of at least one commentary and a copy of Ephesians House Script version.

Where we will meet?

When, how often and for how long? For Example – 2 hours once a week for eight weeks or 3 hours every other week for five or six meetings or 90 minutes for about 11 weeks or a combination of the above and/or other times and lengths that work for every one. The crucial thing is for everyone to be together for all meetings short of accident or death.

How?

Doing class over a meal(s) and/or communion? Excursion into the Wild?

Cost?
In the spirit of the New Testament, we desire more than anything that you would listen to God regarding how much to “pay” (Galatians 6:6 NLT). We have always intended that our classes be affordable. A class of similar content would cost $500 -750 at a local seminary or college. For the 16 hours of class time we ask you to donate a minimum of $200. In wanting to honor our teacher for this course we ask you to give this by the first day of the journey.

If you find yourself wanting to join the translations contact Jan Cowles at jancowles@comcast.net or 720 252 4675 for more information.

“Holy & Pure”Part III

2010-05-05T20:06:00.004-06:00

After having the notorious 'Where do babies come from?' talk, my cousin says to my uncle, “Do you have to go the the hospital to do that?” Personally, as a young boy after listening to what parents do 'when they really love each other' I said to myself, “If I have to do that I'm never getting married.”

“I lean over at night and touch my wife who is sleeping. I am in awe and feel privileged to be in the same bed with her.” Bear my friend is talking about his wife of some 10 years. He continues on and on about his beautiful wife, and I ask “Alright Bear, what is going on? I have never heard you talk about your wife like this.”
“Oh” said apologetically with a smile. “I haven't told you for some months now I have been meeting with some other guys and we have been gut honest about our struggles. With their help I have come a long way in cleaning up my life... sexually that is, and in the process I can't believe how beautiful 'my bride' has become...really has been all along. My own polluted heart had blinded me.

Something went off for me and there was an energizing desire to clean up my thoughts and entertainment. Not just with the hope of giving up bachelorhood, but there was a stirring inside to see the way Bear was seeing. His seeing of everything in life including his bride was taking me to places I had been and wanted to return.

Some years ago I began a rigorous fight to stay as pure as possible. This in itself was a working gift from God. What I found in the next few months and year was seeing God and experiencing miracles in the church where I was working. There were others who were also caught up in this pursuit of holiness. “The pure in heart will see God” and we did. Even going to movies was different. Watching romantic scenes that would normally lead to escape of lust, now made me long to be married. I began to live with an ache of singleness that I was committed to embracing the pain with out my normal escaping of ism of work.

Bear found the beauty of holiness in the marriage bed. And for me, holiness brought seeing God and the hosts of benefits that came with that. For both of us, pure gifts of grace from the Father.

The Encounter --Part II

2010-03-25T18:30:00.005-06:00

For the first five years of my faith journey I could not read the Song of Solomon without lusting. It was during a reading for a bible survey course that I had an encounter with this book. And it really was that strong. I remember where I was, the time of night, the weather outside, and where I was sitting. As I read the forbidden book - Song of Solomon - I was enveloped in the love of Christ. There, siting in the presence of the almighty, came to me these words “sex too, is beautiful.” It was a revelation of the Spirit. I had been reading my Bible for five years every day (or very close daily). Our third century brother whose name is synonymous with 'Great Theologian' promoted singleness for reason of holiness. Some have speculated that his bad view of body/sex is related to personal issues for him that went beyond the all the Platonic/Greek thinking that ran through his veins. But I think there could be more. Why didn't his reading of the Old Testament correct his less than good view of body and sex. He is quoted as once saying “If Abraham could have had children with out having sex, he would have.”

Without the body view of the First Testament, it is not all that hard to read into Second Testament a negative view of the body, not to mention a wholly carnal view of sex. It has been true for centuries.

But what of Song of Solomon? “Her left breast is the Old Testament. Her right breast is the New Testament. Jesus the lover rests his head between the Testaments.” This is said to be the real meaning of the Solomon. I am not making this up. This example of allegorical interpretation has spanned centuries. Does this come form a view of the Old Testament being less our guide now that we have the New Testament? Now that we have the Spirit we can really live holier and above bodily passions? Just asking questions here. Still thinking out loud. Getting back to our Jewish roots, the Song of Songs (original title of Song of Solomon) was for those married and older to read/listen to. One famous Rabbi* of the first century said that of all the books of scripture the Songs of Songs is “the holy of holies.” Sex – holy? Sacred? Altogether beautiful and holy. See part III.

* Rabbi Akiba (50- 135 C.E.)

All Boys Have A Peanut--Part I

2010-03-25T18:22:00.005-06:00

As we were about to break bread our adorable little girl announced “All boys have a peanut.” Where did that come from? What does that mean? Looking up into the air, I muter the words to myself, “all boys ...” when my wife bursts out laughing. What is so funny? All boys [laughter] have [more laughter] a penis.

Now all of us are laughing with our little one not cognizant of why, but enjoying her part in the uproar.

Kids really... do... say the funniest things.

The first mention of male and female in the Torah greets us with two anatomical words. The Hebrew words respectively mean “pointed” and “bored or pierced” for man and women who are to be fruitful and multiple. It is hard not to see child like innocence in these first mentioned words in Genesis 1.

How does all of this writing of body; penis “pointed” and vagina “pierced” make you feel? Too much info...? Blush...? Beautiful? The last word is God pronouncement “it is good”, tov is the Hebrew word for beautiful. Our view of the body (and sex) begins in the First Testament.

Though we live in a liberated and sexually free society, sex often has this tainted sense of crud (my word), certainly less than good. As a new believer in Christ I remember thinking, well, I guess God lets you have some lust if you choose to marry. If you really want to be holy you will remain single. Lest you think I was alone in this view, one famous brother from the third century said that “if righteous Abraham could have had a children without having sex he would have.”

Where does all this come from? Surely misuse and abuse of something precious and core to who we are is part of a less than good view of the body and sex. Bad theology and where it came from has its part as well. One steeped in a Greek/Platonic view of the body and passions could easily misread and read into the New Testament things that are not there. To have Plato's view of the body (and its passions) as bad, a prison to be freed from, makes it easy to find in the Second Testament words that tell the body is bad, at least less then good. The word “flesh” antithetical of “Spirit” proved that doesn't it. Isn't flesh the body and sex and...? Still, I propose there is more involved – see Part II

Give Us Back the Book (Part II)

2010-01-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

While we can and may give some specific examples of how separating the first half of the Bible from the second half has lead to seriously misreading the later half (actually 30% of the Bible), the statement below is a broad stroke example of this error.

One confident evangelical theologian wrote, back in my seminary days, "For the Christian, the Law is a dead and a useless thing." [1] Really? Useless?

I recall the II Timothy 3:16-17 commentary on the OT scriptures is that all scripture is "profitable." "All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Psalm 1 says that blessed is the person who meditates on the law day and night. Paul in his inner man delights in the law (Romans 7).

Blessed, thoroughly equipped for ones life work…I could so easily go off on a diatribe. And there are those verses in the NT that seem less than complementary to the law and these deserve dialogue. Yet the bottom line is the First Testament is useful. It seems better to hear examples of how we have been blessed and equipped by the first half of the Bible (some 70% of the whole). How have you been instructed in your daily life, world view, and knowing God?

Consider yourself invited to share your examples as I plan to share ours.

[1]Quoted T.M. Moore Celtic devotional Dec, 2009

Opposite Ends -- Give Us Back The (Whole) Book

2010-01-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Some 15 years ago while I was working on a degree in counseling, one of the professors, an Old Testament scholar, noted the Bible is mostly narrative – story – and if you wanted to read the Bible well you need to read novels. I heard about a book by John Steinbeck called East of Eden.East of Eden is a classic and Steinbeck is legendary as an American writer. East of Eden is said to be the best book written by Steinbeck. At that time I didn't read many novels. My reading beyond the Bible consisted of theology, counseling, and ministry type books. I thought novel type reading was less spiritual. I know, how narrow is that? If you knew my background (another story) it would be understandable.

Wanting not to waste time I went for the best first: East of Eden. I was captured immediately and found parts of my own story within this novel. For me the timing of reading this book was pivotal. Based off of the theme from the story of Cain and Able, Steinbeck writes this wild, heavy and delightful story that takes one through three generations from the East coast to the West with characters as memorable as any classic tale.

About year later a friend who knew my love for the book told me about a reading group who was reading East of Eden. I read the book again (twice now in less than a year) just so I could join the group and be part of this night. I soon discovered that the book had been made into a movie.

I couldn't wait to track it down. It was made in 1955 (a good year), in April (a good month). The blockbuster of it's day, it was nominated for 4 academy awards and best drama at Cannes film festival. It was James Dean's first major role. No sooner did the movie begin then I began scratching my head. Why open the movie with the last part of the book? Why this must be three quarters of the way through the book (actually less than 200 pages left in a 691 page novel). Odd, I thought, as the book never does any kind of flash back in sequence. I was uneasy as the minutes ticked on. I was thinking, one can not begin to appreciate the last part of the book, with out knowing the history before it. I wanted to yell "Give us the whole story!" As key characters came into play, I was now saying "You have no idea how this person got to this moment!" It was painfully clear that we were never going to get the whole story. The movie was great, the acting was memorable and one can understand the reason for the awards; great filming and directing, capturing scenery and dramatic acting (Jo Van Fleet- winner of best supporting actress). But we miss so much without the "whole" story. I know you might be thinking that movies don't do justice to books and by their very nature movies can not include everything in books. Perhaps you think I was expecting too much, but know in my defense that I have found more than one movie/screen play of a book quite satisfying. Also, know that I am not alone in my critique of East of Eden. One NYT's reviewer noted, "The pivotal character holding everyone else together..." is "omitted..." from the movie itself.

Yet for me the worst was yet to come. The ending of the book, literally the last page, ends with the key to the theme of the whole book. From the dying lips of a father, comes, in Steinbeck existential fashion, this pointed ending. As I am now watching and waiting for this powerful end…no…unbelievable, I nearly expire, they change the ending! The theme of the whole book is not just missed but contradicted! I remember yelling, "Opposite ends...give us back the book!” I wanted to throw something at the TV. I didn't, can't say that I ever have, but I sure wanted to.

There is a parallel with another famous book where of the 1,424 pages in the particular copy I have in my hands, nearly 1,110 pages are cut off from the rest of the story. Many too, in this parallel, not only miss the background and depth of meaning of the whole book but end with an ending that contradicts the whole. And I cry "Opposite ends…give us back the whole book!"

Seeking to recovering that which was lost,

Jan Cowles

More to come…

Newest Course at School on the Way

2010-01-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

ENGAGING BEAUTY

In today's world, the average person (including the average American Christian) can easily slip through their life without ever opening their heart to Beauty--and to the life, joy, transcendence, sorrow, intimacy, romance, and pain that Beauty brings. All of us hunger for Beauty, yet few will answer its haunting call. The purpose of this class is to learn to hear that call, to recognize it--wherever it is to be found--and then learn to open vulnerably to that which we desire and fear more than anything, to allow it to transform us forever.

TIME AND PLACE

We will meet for two hours once per week for twelve weeks at Desi and Rose Starr's house on the northeastern edge of downtown Denver. If you are interested in taking Engaging Beauty, please email me a list of all the times during the week that you would be available to meet (my contact information is below). I will try to find a time that can accommodate everyone's schedules, if possible. My earnest hope is to begin this class the last week of January or the first week of February.

COST

The cost will be $25 per class (which is $300 for twelve classes). If you are interested in taking this class but would not be able to because of financial reasons, or if you are someone who would like to help subsidize this class for a needy brother or sister, please let me know.

REQUIREMENTS

You will only be required to buy one book for this class, The Healing Path by Dan Allender. It costs about ten dollars plus shipping on Amazon.com. I'll copy the rest of the readings and place them on Google Documents as PDF files, and you will be able to read them for free or print them off if you want to. The reading for this course should be manageable and engaging, and I will do my best to require only what is necessary, while making additional resources available to those who would find them life giving. Along with the readings, you will be asked to commit to spending at least one hour a week alone with the Romancer, that is, in solitude and contemplative prayer. If this is intimidating to you, don't worry, we will discuss it in depth during our first class and grow in our understanding of it throughout the course. I promise that by the end of the course you will look forward to spending your hour in silence!

MY END OF THE DEAL

In my adult life, I have probably thought about Beauty and intimacy with God more than I have consciously thought about anything else, and I have suffered much in pursuing Romance and the Romancer. I promise to bring all of my passion and desire to teaching this class on the subject I love most. If you are interested in taking this journey with me, please contact me (Alex Malaska) by phone at 330.402.2216 or by email at alexmalaska@gmail.com. And I look forward to seeing God transform our hearts as we engage Beauty together!

Back to Origins - Genesis 1-11

2010-01-04T21:15:00.009-07:00

School on the Way presents an intimate and interactive look at Genesis 1-11. We will explore the wild and terrible, wonderful and mysterious scenes of Genesis.
Among other things you will:

Learn the difference between Greek and Hebrew thinking
Find out what God thinks of us (that alone may turn your world up side down)
Read Genesis in the context of ancient cultures and stories.
Understand the best translations (and options) of the original language
Hear what others thru the centuries have said as they have read/listened to Genesis.
Listen to what God is saying to and through each other.

The Journey - We will go to the very foundations of the planet and back. In many ways my job is to be your tour guide. There will be teaching and dialogue as well as reflection. This class will be a little like the TV show LOST, you gain some new understanding (as the episodes unfold) only to get a whole new set of questions. For years I've read and taught these earlier chapters of Genesis with increasing fascination and inquiry. Every new class brought fresh insights and questions with each return to this ancient record. An insatiable appetite has driven me to spend hours studying the best thoughts on the original Hebrew text.
A degree in Old Testament has me reading much of the background context for the earlier chapters of Genesis including ancient parallels to Genesis. We are interacting with others who currently and in centuries past have reflected long and deeply about these chapters. I have been blessed with the prayers of our church in asking for God to lead in the preparation for this course. Because of seeing so many things that I have missed through the years I still feel like a beginner coming to these early chapters of Genesis. My guarantee is you will learn a ton (and not just from me).

If this has your interest read on…

Back to Origins is an inch by inch re-thinking of Genesis 1-11 (leaving no stone uncovered). Initially this journey was a 32 hour trek. In order to keep the trip from becoming an American tour blitz, we have made it into two 16 hour journeys.

The world before we knew it -- (Genesis 1-2) first 16 hours
The world as we know it -- (Genesis 3-11) second 16 hours

Core beliefs of our philosophy:

The Heart is center (Becoming listeners of the heart)
We are made for intimacy with God.
Spiritual Warfare is real.

Because of our philosophy the format for every one will include:

Study partners and dialogue (No more than two people to a commentary or research book)
Getting prayer support for this class– We are in a battle
Personal reading/listening outside of meeting together
Commitment to an initial 16 hours of class time
Listening to the body of God's people (various backgrounds and gifts)
Listening to both Jews and Christians thru the centuries
Listening to the creation – (Ps. 19 says creation "pours forth speech")
Listen to people made in the image of God
Listening to God's heart… and ours

While I am leading us thru this grand canyon of exploration everyone will be active as an observer and finder. In varying degrees every one will be both student and teacher. There will be an emphasis on hearing and seeing what the Spirit is saying to us personally both individually and collectively as we explore (dig) the vast ancient peaks and valleys.

Part of the format will be decided on by everyone in the class. This includes:

Where we will meet?
When, how often and for how long?For Example – 2 hours once a week for eight weeks or 3 hours every other week for five or six meetings or 90 minutes for about 11 weeks or a combination of the above and/or other times and lengths that work for every one.The crucial thing is for everyone to be together for all meetings short of accident or death.
How - Doing class over a meal(s) and/or communion?
Excursion into the Wild?

If you find yourself drawn and are wanting be considered for a group we ask you to do the following:

Ask God whether you should be part of the exploration
Read Gen 1-11 in any version (The Message is one suggestion). As you read note the things you are seeing and hearing. For all of us the first assignment is to mark (take note of) all the huh's that you come across. Huh's are the things that make you scratch your head, that surprise you, the things that don't seem to fit, the things that strike you as odd… Huh !
Consider the cost of time, (16 hours together as a group, weekly checking in with a study partner and personal time reading/listening).

If you find God saying yes to you, come to an initial meeting and/or personal interview in consideration of being part of this wonderful adventure. We normally look for 7 people or so and no more than 12 for the class.

Cost: In the spirit of the New Testament, we desire more than anything that you would listen to God regarding how much to “pay” (Galatians 6:6 NLT). Classes taught by others may have a set fee. We have always intended that our classes be affordable. A class of similar content would cost $1,000-$1,400 at a local seminary or college. For each of the two treks (16 hours each) we ask you to donate a minimum of $200. In wanting to honor our teacher for this course we ask you to give this by the first day of the journey.

Our personal guarantee is that you will not find a class taught on Genesis that is as interactive as is detailed as is challenging in scope.

Genesis Tour Guide,
Jan Cowles
jancowles@comcast.net
NewWineCommunity.blogspot.com
720-252-4675

School on the Way exists to train and release teachers for the purpose of equipping house churches for the spontaneous expansion of healthy homes of Jesus within walking distance of every person in Colorado...the world.

The Wonder of the Unexpected

2009-04-26T13:35:00.000-06:00

I open an email and contained there in is a wonder of the unexpected. In the form of a video, I am affected to celebrate what is planted in every person. A real image of heaven or as I like to think of it … a new earth, a place where the uniqueness of all and every, is put on display for awe and cheering. I hear passages to a new world from passages of an old text. Telling words - "When he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be marveled at in all of them". Marveled at … in all of them, how can this be? Surely in some of them… no, it is in all of them, those we never believed could have this kind of substance and in reality who don't believe it themselves. Those who are pretending to have something great even betraying their own confidence as they foolishly boast while doubting it all the same. And the reality - they don't know the glory within and would of course be in awe themselves if they could see it.
The confession, the repentance - we are amazingly and wonderfully made. Can we say this along with a shepherd boy who took on a goliath and became a king (or was he already a king in boys clothing)? Does the creator say in the forming of every one…and thing "it is good, it is beautiful, amazing and wonderful are the works of my hands."

In the garden words directed to Papa "I am glorified in them". Seeing in them, the refection of his own image and their own image. The angels strain over the fence to get a peak at this display. "With this in mind we constantly pray that …by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith… so that the Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him…"

And the video that prompted it all - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Contact Info

2009-02-07T15:27:00.001-07:00

Jan Cowles jancowles@comcast.net 720-252-4675

School on the Way

2009-02-07T15:20:00.002-07:00

We believe there is a need for a new way (that is really an old way) of training. To that end our classes gather in a household community as seen in the New Testament house church. While still offering a high level of scholarship, our teaching is a Hebrew style of dialogue and interaction with an emphasis on listening to and obeying what the Spirit is saying.

Why "on the Way"?

We are mobile, moving, changing, leaning into, following Jesus as way of life, growing, learning and developing as we go, believing we can disciple the nations thru the New Testament model of house churches.

What is the format?

The format is dialogue with God and self, along with a community made up of 2 or 3 others, as well as the whole class/group, and those around the world and throughout the centuries. We do life together, eating, listening, praying, studying, meditating, fellowhipping together with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Our specifics goals are –

To teach teachers thru an educational style that is fully Biblical. We believe this model is the most natural way for teachers to learn how to teach others.

To give teaching its rightful place: Not centralized in a way that takes away from the other gifts of the body, but as part of the fivefold gifts in Ephesians 4: that are for the equipping/supplementing of what God is doing in each house church.

Lastly we believe in all of this we can offer some of the best of College and Grad-school/Seminary in the context of community