I am in the early stages of preparing a new Bible Study video series and Companion Book on The Writing Prophets of the Old Testament. Both the book and the video series are bing developed from the Bible Study series I prepared for my former parish in 2008 and 2009 A.D. as part of the Catechetical instruction program. The subject is the sixteen Major and Minor Prophets who wrote 17 books included in the canonical Old Testament, plus a small selection of Deutero-canonical books (or Second Canon books commonly called the Old Testament Apocrypha), including the Song of the Three Children, the story of Suzanna, and the tale of Bel and the Dragon. These were included in the Septuagint version of Daniel and are often called Additions to Daniel.
The preliminary design for the front cover uses the white letters on black background we have used on several previous works. The illustrations on the cover represent the four Major Prophets, from the left, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Daniel. The Isaiah graphic is from the 11th C.mosaic of Isaiah’s Immanuel Prophecy at Neo-moni Monastery, Chios, Greece. The icons of Ezekiel (left center) and Jeremiah (right center) are Russian Orthodox icons made in the 18th C. for the elaborate iconostasis at Kizhi Monastery, Karelia, Russia. The image of Daniel is an early 19th C. mosaic from the exterior upper walls at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Wall, Rome (© Can Stock Photo, Inc./alessandro0770).
The Companion Book will be produced first, followed shortly thereafter by the first of several episodes focused on Isaiah. So that viewers of the Bible Study video series can enjoy the high-resolution images used in the online version in much smaller sizes, the printed book will include all the images from the series. These are from the artistic and religious traditions of both the Western and Eastern Church, plus, when available and appropriate, a selection of photographs of churches which honor the memory of the individual authors. Most of these images are rarely seen in the Western Church, although some may be familiar, especially the mosaic of Isaiah. The Companion Book includes discussion of the history of each of the 17 books, its author, the traditional date credited for each book, and the major themes, with a selection of quotations illustrating the themes. These themes are explored is much greater detail in the video series.
Meanwhile, I have received proof copies of The 1928 Book of Common Prayer – Service Book Edition and am looking for volunteers to help with the proof-reading. If you are interested, please send me an email at frron.stjohnanglican@earthlink.net or call me (804) 559-2690, best times M-F 9 AM to 4 PM. I do have a deadline of late November.
I have also completed the recordings of Episode Five (William Laud – Jan. 10) and Episode Six (Gregory of Nyssa – Jan. 10) in The Lives of the Saints – Second Series. These two episodes will be uploaded on or before January 10th. I recognize that some Anglican jurisdictions celebrate Gregory of Nyssa on other dates.
I close with a prayer for the U.S. Presidential election next week. It was adapted from the Prayer for Guidance (Family Prayers, p. 595) and the Second Collect (Prayers and Thanksgivings, p.49):
O GOD, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly; Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, most especially in the choices facing thy people in the upcoming Presidential election in these United States, the grace to ask what thou wouldst have us to do, that the Spirit of Wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble. Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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