Conservative Friends Bible Study of Mark #17 Mark Chapter 09: Verse 42 - 49 Artwork

Ohio Yearly Meeting's Podcast

This is a podcast of Ohio Yearly Meeting. We are a collection of Conservative Quaker Meetings based primarily in Ohio. By conservative, we do not mean politically conservative. Conservative Friends are known for their commitment to conserve the Original message of the first generation of Quakers. These Quakers, in turn, saw their movement as a revival of primitive Christianity. We hope the installments of our podcasts will present the understandings of Conservative Quakerism.

So, if thee is interested in learning the differences between Conservative Quakers and other Quakers, or would like to understand differences between Quakers and other Christians, thee may well be at the right place. On the other hand, the Conservative Quaker perspective is so strikingly unique in contemporary society, that it will be a balm to many seeking spiritual fulfillment. To assist these seekers is the true intent of publishing our podcast.

A good many of the podcast installments will be presented by Henry Jason. Henry is knowledgeable in the Greek of the New Testament and has a fascinating way of tying the meaning of the original words with the writings of early Friends. Listening to him provides a refreshing view of scripture and is an excellent way to learn about original Quaker theology. Henry's podcasts are usually bible classes and so they are often interspersed with discussions, questions and insightful comments by his students.

The music in our podcasts is from Paulette Meier's CDs: Timeless Quaker Wisdom in Plainsong and Wellsprings of Life available at paulettemeier.com.

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Ohio Yearly Meeting's Podcast

Conservative Friends Bible Study of Mark #17 Mark Chapter 09: Verse 42 - 49

March 30, 2022 • Henry Jason

Henry begins the session by going back to Mark 9:35, to help the class understand a Jewish custom that would not be easily understood today: the act of Jesus sitting down to talk to His disciples. When a teacher in Jewish culture sat down to say something, those of the Jewish culture would have understood that their teacher had something very important to say, and that they should listen even more closely.

Next is a further examination of Mark 9:37 (when Jesus takes a child in His arms) and the use and meanings in the Scriptures of Truth of the Greek New Testament word “dechetai” which is often translated in English, “welcome”. In this discussion, Henry also mentions that children were largely invisible in Jewish culture, and Jesus’ act of taking the child in His arms would have been most unusual for a teacher to extend that kind of recognition of, and fondness to, a child.

The discussion then moves on to considering Mark 9:42-49. In that discussion are discussed whether Jesus’ had a literal or hyperbolic view of our responsibility when we struggle with sin, and our responsibility of how we should deal with sin in each of our lives when we discover it. The session finishes with an examination of the Biblical concept of Hell, and how the Holy Scriptures both in Mark 9:47-49 (and a few other related verses in other parts of the Scriptures of Truth) help give us more understanding about the Biblical teaching of Hell.

Host's notes:

Dechetai: receive, take, welcome, accept, bear with

Eis: child, slave

Pisteuō v. – trust, put one’s trust in, have confidence in, have trust in; believe, have faith

Pistis – trust, confidence; belief, faith

Scandalon: an obstacle; that which causes stumbling, trouble or sin

Scandalezo: cause someone to sin, to anger or to shock

Gehenna: “The Valley of Gehennom”. Originally where babies had been sacrificed. Later, in and around New Testament times, it was a dump with a smoldering fire.

Hades: the abode of the dead.

Zoe: life

Zoe ionias: eternal life

Basileia tou theo: kingdom of God

Kingdom of Heaven literally: Kingdom of the Heavens (Greek: “Basileia tou Uranus”

Mikros adj. – little

Pur – fire

a.) a destructive fire
b.) a purifying fire separating the pure from the dross

The words to our music are from George Fox’s 19th Epistle in 1652 (page 14 in The Epistles of George Fox ) . The music was composed and sung by Paulette Meier.

A complete list of our podcasts, organized into topics, is available on our website.

To learn more about Ohio Yearly Meeting (Conservative) of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), please visit ohioyearlymeeting.org.

Those interested in exploring the distinctives of Conservative Friends waiting worship should consider checking out our many Zoom Online Worship opportunities during the week here. All are welcome!

We also have several Zoom study groups. Check out the Online Study and Discussion Groups on our website.

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