The Herald-Palladium from Benton Harbor, Michigan • 4

THE NEWS-PALLADIUM, BENTON HARBOR, MICH. PAGE FOUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1973 Bible Library Of Writings anta Visits Hospital Party (Editor's note: This second Installment of a five-part Christmas series about the Bible deals with its nature.) BY GEORGE W. CORNELL "covenant" is between God and the Jewish people to whom the promise of a national homeland is linked with their responsibility as a "chosen people" to be light-bearers on earth of one, monotheistic God of all creation. In the New Testament, the "covenant" is broadened through the work of the Jewish light-bearer, Jesus, to extend are of paramount importance. Many people boggle at miraculous occurrences reported, but only a narrow rationalism would insist that any such departures from the natural order are impossible.

Furthermore, the Bible does not deal mainly with the spectacular, but with inner prod-dings that awaken human conscience. "Our search for Him is quickened by His prior finding of us." In that sense, he adds, the Bible "is a record of the self-revelation of God." The arena of that revelation is human history. The unknown becomes known through events, through persons, through decisions and deeds. Unlike Greek and Oriental though like an insistent chord throughout the multiplextty of the Bible, sometimes muted and distant, sometimes tenderly pleading, sometimes thunderous and incisive. Yet it steadily proclaims the divine attachment to people and seeks a responding implementation among them as the way of their full being.

An "everlasting love," the V' 'J X- 1 i itt" rriiiiX- TALKING TO ST. NICK: Santa listens to patients, Billy Allen, center, and Edward Dorgan, right, at the annual Christmas party, at Becrien General hospital given by the women's auxiliary. (Santa was hospital employe, Garold Hemphill). (Staff photo) tory school, and a carol sing led by Mrs. James Walton with accompaniment by Mrs.

Willis Arnold. Santa Claus (Garold Hemphill), Mrs. Santa (Debbie Griffith), and their elves, Greg Hemphill, Brad Hemphill, Michael Bridges, and Charles Bridges, distributed gifts. Refreshments made by the hospital dietician, Mrs. Doris Collins, were provided by the auxiliary.

which sees everything as circular, an endless curving back on itself, the Bible views existence as linear, with a beginning, a middle, a final consummation. History itself thus is invested with the highest importance and hope. Scripture, however, Is not all crisp and clear. Parts are baffling and difficult, reflecting the culture and concepts of remote times. There are obs- the clock with WOMEN Making Of The Bible Despite the current turmoil over ethical breakdowns in government and society, the oldest, greatest standard-bearer of morality and civilization the Bible today is the center of a new surge of activity and interest.

Fresh translations are rolling out on the basis of better, older manuscripts now available. Sales are at a peak. And for the first time, Christianity has achieved its long-sought common Bible. The stir about the old book and its background are the subject of a five-part Christmas series, the "Making of the Bible," by Associated Press religion writer George W. Cornell.

The five installments are entitled, "The Modern Interest" in the Bible, "Its Nature," "The Origins," "The Transmission" and "The Impact" on the world. In preparing the series, Cornell drew on findings of modern archeology, the work of Scriptural scholars and historical accounts of the Bible's development throughout the ages and impact on our times AP Religion Writer Various names have been applied to the old tome the. "Book of Books," the "Sourcebook of Life," the "Supreme Monument of Human Literature," the "Great Story," the "Good Book," "Holy Writ," "Sacred Scripture," the "Word of God," the "Bible." "The best gift God has given to man," Abraham Lincoln said of it. It's a strange compendium, both- of profundity and simplicity, of universal meanings couched in specific events, of episodes in time flashed a timeless screen of eternity. Unique among writings of world religions, it esteems history as the conduit of truth and as fundamental to mankind's destiny.

The contents also offer some rich and graphic reading, even to skeptics. "Unquestionably it is the most beautiful book in the world," wrote the agnostic man of letters, H.L. Mencken. "No other literature, old or new, can offer a match for it." Actually it is not just one book but many of them, a library of books, which is the meaning of the Greek word, "biblia," from which the name, Bible, was applied in the second century to the whole collection. It includes books of history, of lush and lovely poetry, of dramas of human psychology, of tragedies and triumphs, biographies of the noble and the decadent, practical everyday maxims, short stories, romances, military chronicles, songs of aspiration and courage, mystical oracles, bristling exhortations, allegories, legends, laws and letters.

Yet, with all its diversity, a cohesive thread runs through it that all creation is a gift, that life is freely bestowed to be appreciated and nurtured in harmony with its Giver. That is the keynote, that mortals are not alone, that they exist through a greater Being than themselves, that they and the universe in all its endless variety, beauty and possibilities are beholden to a gracious God. Through the Bible, that divine will unfolds among them, through their experiences, through their variable resistance or adherence- to it, through action on the earth. The message is in happenings, in the tromp of events. Like an orchestra, it draws on many, varying instruments.

But like the structure of a symphony, it revolves around a central theme, the "why" of life, generating essence and intent. That basic purpose, as registered through Scripture in a thousand contexts and cadences, is the establishment of loving mutuality between people, their Creator and each other to bind up the separate fragments of existence and make the partial living whole. This is the Scriptural heartbeat, a call to love and its corollaries of justice and harmonious inter-enrichment. It looms as the motivating drive, the primary, most powerful building force and integrating goal of creation. "Abide in my love that your joy may be full," Jesus said as he finished a mission of utmost, self-giving love poured into the human bloodstream on that first Christmas.

That raison d'etre, that clamant reason to be, pulses Napier M-l 39 Mrs. Dan Klein was general chairman assisted by Mrs. Ronald Keigley. Preparations for the festivities included decorating the wards and collecting and wrapping gifts. The auxiliary was assisted by area clubs with these projects.

Outside decorations were provided by the Berrien Springs Lions club and trees were donated by Barry Wilson of Eau Claire. HOME SOCIETY Nuptials Charles Cady, Thorn Janssen and Tim Janssen and Ted Janssen was junior usher. A reception was held at the Dowagiac Conservation club. The couple is residing-at route 2, Decatur. The bride is a graduate of Decatur high school and attended Western Michigan university.

She is employed by Consolidated Die Cast, Dowagiac. Her husband is a graduate of Decatur high school and is employed by Modar, Decatur. Some More About S'Mores Top each graham with 2 or 3 chocolate kisses and 1 or 2 miniature marshmallows; place in warm oven. JVhen chocolate is melted, sprinkle with roasted diced almonds and a little salt. Eat warm or top each with another cracker, press together and cool before serving.

BERRIEN CENTER -Christmas came to Berrien General hospital Dec. 17 when the auxiliary gave its annual party for the patients. Mistress of ceremonies was Mrs. Richard Chaudoir. Entertainment was provided by the Michigan Lutheran high school Festival Singers, directed by Ronald Pape; songs and recitations by first and second grade students of Miss Ruth Kaiser of the Andrews university labora CLUBS CHURCH Gorwin MRS.

JAMES CORWIN Trudy Janssen eBi'ia ft 9tm Km Km c1 3 1 Is a tuv 'Zll3 S. round prophets described it, endowed on the world and its creatures and intended to radiate among them. "Hold fast to love." To appreciate the significance and message of the Bible, however, demands some recognition of its nature, what it is and what it isn't. Although it throbs with chronicles of men and nations, and while it is indispensable to students of ancient history, its objective is not simply to recite history, but to interpret its implications for humanity's final well-being. i Although it glows with passages of some of the most sublime literature of all times, as many an artistic critic has attested, its purpose is not to produce gems of lyric expression but to illuminate basic realities of life.

Although it is a treasure-trove of ethical wisdom and practical guides to living honorably and well, it sees these virtues not just in terms of individual expediency, but as affecting the entire order of existence and its future. Although it crackles with gripping narratives, its point is not simply to absorb attention but to bring out unchanging aspects of human behavior, of love, hate, loyalty, deceit, the facts of inter-relationships and their consequences. It is not a textbook of science, astronomy or geology, analyzing the "how" of physical processes, but an exposition of "who" and "what for" lies behind them. Bible scholar William Barclay says to approach it as technical data is to "miss the very soul of the Bible." It is a religious document, an affirmation of a necessary sur-. passing source of the cosmos, of a purposefulness and loving logic put into it for humanity's growth in character, awareness and ultimate development.

Yet, despite frequent assertions to the contrary, it is not basically an account of "man's quest for God." Its prime intent is "to show that no quest on man's part is possible except under God's prompting," says noted Scrip- ture scholar George A. Buttrick. JNJobiPs his you 4 the promised blessings to those of every race who respond in trust. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." The Jewish Scriptures begin with the Torah, the first five books sometimes called the Pentateuch, derived from "Penta," Greek for five. These lay down the basic laws of creation and its divine origin, of Israel's beginning glimpse of divine unity and concern in human affairs, the giving of the Ten Commandments after deliverance from Egyptian slavery.

Afterward come books of statutes and history, chronicles of kings and wars, the questioning of Job, the hymn-like book of Psalms, the wise sayings of Proverbs, the cynical fatalism of Ecclesiastes, the voluptuous love poem of Solomon, the trenchant insights of the prophets and various stores with a point. The New Testament begins with the four gospels, meaning "good news." These are the four narratives of the life of Jesus by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which are followed by the Book pf Acts, recounting experiences of the apostles. Then come the epistles, a collection of letters by disciples of Jesus and at the end, the visionary Book of Revelations. The odd quality of the Bible is that it is not just a book but an experience and' an individual experience for the reader who approaches it in its own integrity, as a book of faith, authoritative in that field. Its secret is in its effect on people, from the uneducated to the keenest intellectuals.

All sorts of them convicts, professors, primitive tribesmen, war prisoners, businessmen, laborers have recounted its dynamic operating power on them. "For the word of God is living and active," Scripture puts it, "sharper than any two-edged sword." Sparkling rhinestone banded low heel pump 'in Cold or Silver FAIBPUIN PLAZA 1 It also uses allegories and parables to convey truths not easily confined to flat journalistic prose, much as great paintings or music convey meanings that can't be captured in mere language. The Bible consists of two major parts, the 39 books of Jewish Scripture plus seven other Jewish writings included by Catholics and 27 books of additional Scripture about Jesus. Christians accept both a's the progressive breakthroughs of truth as people were able to receive it, from primordial times onward, gropingly at first, often distortedly and grossly, but with gradually maturing clarity. The two sections commonly are called the "Old Testament," a pejorative designation by Christianity and not by Judaism, which does not regard its Scriptures as old or superseded, and the "New Testament," espoused by Christians as the culminating revelation to human beings through one of them fully attuned to the divine way.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." The term "Testament," as applied to Scriptures, means a "covenant," or agreed working relationship, between two parties. In Jewish Scriptures, the 4.49 Simulated pearl trimmed evening bag just one from dozens in the collection FAMILY FASHION SCHOOL Janssen DECATUR Miss Trudy Noreen Janssen was married to James Edward Corwin Dec. 1 in Holy Family Catholic church, Decatur. The Rev. Fr.

Leo Taubitz officiated. Parents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Janssen, route 2, Decatur, and parents of the groom are Mr. and.

Mrs. Edward Corwin, route 2, Decatur. The bride wore an organza and Schiffli embroidered gown featuring a ruffle at the hemline and on the chapel train. A lace and seed pearl headpiece held her chapel length veil and she carried yellow roses, white carnations and baby's Miss Connie Morehouse was "maid of honor. Mrs.

Chris Wallace and Miss Tena Janssen were bridesmaids and Miss Debbie Corwin was junior bridesmaid. Stacey Diane Hemenway was flower girl and Mark Paul Janssen was ringbearer. Carlton Drane was best man. Ushers were Chris Wallace, cure references and monotonous chronologies that seem irrelevant except to specialists. "There are high peaks and low valleys," says Scripture scholar Fred Gladstone Brattom Some Christians regard the Bible as verbally infallible, as if divinely dictated.

Yet it contains seeming inconsistencies and its authors reflect their individual personalities and cultures, rather than being just passive instruments. Nevertheless, they felt so driven by God's will that they often spoke for Him, "The Lord says Their vision and their aspirations obviously were inspired, surpassing their times. Some Christians also insist on the literal factuality of various accounts which others see as symbolic, such as those of Adam and Eve and Jonah being swallowed by a big fish. Whether or not cast in the pictorial imagery common to the Hebrews, it is the meanings that DAILY 10-10 SUN. 12-7 go every romantic Our little prices c4 Only 6 More Shopping Days 'til Christmas fi )l B9 mpma Our party collection designed to reflect glittering evenings.

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