TGIF
Well, I’ve finally made it.
I’m immortal.
Jonathan Menn was kind enough to mention me in a footnote in his “Biblical Eschatology, Second Edition”.
It’s right there in the preface;
1. It was listed as the “book of the year” for 2013 by Michael Newnham (http:// michaelnewnham.com/? s = biblical + eschatology), who also lists it among the top 10 books he recommends that every Christian should read (http:// michaelnewnham.com/? p = 20063). The book also was listed as the number 6 best book of 2014 by Sam Storms (http:// www.crossmap.com/ blogs/ the-best-books-in-2014-part-two-5782).
Menn, Jonathan. Biblical Eschatology, Second Edition (Kindle Locations 233-236). Resource Publications, an Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Thus, my name will now be remembered forever, or at least until the third edition comes out.
Why am I so pleased about being a tiny footnote in a massive, 800 page, book?
Because I’m big on metaphors and being a footnote is now one of my favorites.
We’re all footnotes in the lives of others…a small piece of a much greater whole.
I remember so many people, so many encounters… with people who weren’t around long enough to merit a full chapter in the story of my life, but who impacted me enough in some way that I remember them.
Maybe they offered up a kind word fitly spoken or a “random act of kindness ” that got me through a hard place.
Without what they did then, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
They mattered.
I have footnoted folks who did the opposite as well…Â they delivered a careless or cruel comment that cut to the bone or went out of their way to make a bad day worse.
They mattered, too.
My guess is that no one in either group group remembers me…but I’ll remember them forever.
I’m undoubtedly a footnote in other peoples lives as well…both for something good I did and for wounds delivered.
I spent some time this morning praying that people forget…
Every day brings new opportunities to be part of someone else’s story…to make an impact for the moment that may last a lifetime.
The question is whether they will remember you fondly or otherwise…
Make your own application…
Michael
You’re more than a footnote and you’re part of a much larger book –
“…all mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated; God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice; but God’s hand is in every translation, and his hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall lie open to one another.”
Duane,
Awesome quote…and thank you!
Hard to get better than John Donne…
I’m proud of you big brother!
Well now i’ll have to buy another book… ?
Fortunately it is a book that i’d like to read anyway – just as soon as i get some new glasses…
We are all footnotes? Yes, sometimes footnotes are very important. God make me a good one.
Donne was an Anglican priest, right?
Not a surprise.
Love his poetry.
Bob1
Yes. John Donne and George Herbert (both Anglican priests) are remarkable. I have the quote above and “Death Be Not Proud” slated to be read at my funeral… (Always plan ahead!)
I didn’t make the footnotes or anything, but I am really glad that I was able to pass this book on to you. I don’t believe God specifically allows bad things to happen so that He can make good things happen, but I do believe He makes good come out of bad things. My dad only ever got interested in eschatology to begin with because Calvary Chapel in general and the pastor of our Calvary Chapel specifically was really into the pre-trib pre-mil Left Behind view. My parents pretty much got kicked out of the church when my dad started studying the subject and providing different information in the bible study he led. Who would have thought that that would end up leading, years later, to him writing this amazing book.
And, again, this website was formed in response to multiple stupid and terrible things, and I started participating in it because of stupid and terrible things, but one positive was I got to tell you about the book my dad wrote that I thought you would probably like.
j2,
I’m very glad you were here for all the reasons you note…and I’m very glad you sent me this book. 🙂
Menn is j2’s father? That explains her insightful approach …. (BTW – I went to Amazon and they had one paperback copy left – surely they’ll restock )
“My parents pretty much got kicked out of the church when my dad started studying the subject and providing different information in the bible study he led. ”
Yep, that’s what usually happens.
I snagged this book on kindle.
I’m doing an eschatological study right now where I am covering this topic in a much broader path than the typical dispensational point of view. I’m making of few of my folks a bit unsettled, and it may be more than they can handle. People need to be well taught in this area of theology, and confining eschatology to only a dispensational understanding does not do that. However, it seems that some people would rather just hear what they already believe than to learn what all of the orthodox, confessing church believes
“…it seems that some people would rather just hear what they already believe than to learn what all of the orthodox, confessing church believes.”
Ain’t that the truth!
Michael, you’ve become a very prominent footnote in my story over the last 15 years or so.
I have the first edition of Jonathan’s book, and it is excellent!!