Four Prongs for Bible Study

Four Prongs for Bible Study

            There's a four-pronged approach to Bible study and preaching which comes out of the Methodist denomination. It is based first on scripture, than tradition, reason and experience. It was developed first by John Westley and his brother early in the life of the “Method”

            Scripture is listed first because of the importance of looking at exactly what Bible passages say. Study in the Biblical Greek and Hebrew is vital. So is looking at context both literary and historical.

            Tradition based on how passages have been viewed over the centuries is seen as second in importance. The way biblical concepts are treated in hymns can be key.

            Reason is utilized in the use of scripture and tradition. Direct experiences of the Holy Spirit pointing out truth completes the set of four approaches.

Faith Challenged and Affirmed

Faith Challenged and Affirmed

            This is a tale of two calls to minister.

            The first came from my wife’s niece. Her baby had died from SIDS or Sudden

Infant Death Syndrome. The second call came for the maternity ward of the hospital where I was a chaplain intern

            I was asked to prepare a graveside service for my wife’s niece and her dead baby. I prepared by reading, Why Bad things happen to Good People. With that study, I learned in the face of tragedy it is better to affirm God’s presence that to question God’s will. I also became prepared to baptize dead babies.

            I remember going to my supervising pastor with the question of whether it is proper to baptize my wife’s niece’s dead child upon the request of its parents. I was told not to worry about theoretical theology but to be guided by doing whatever I could to comfort. That insight and the knowing to affirm God’s presence in the midst of tragedy would serve me well when I received my second call.

            That call came in at two in the morning. I went in not knowing what to expect. I was confronted by a young mother whose baby had died in her birth canal. Everyone was shock. The nurses were numb. The doctors were bewildered. The woman was angry and in the mood to question God.

            She kicked everyone out of the room but me with my cross. “Reverend ‘Why’ did this happen, I prayed for this baby? Where is God? How could this happen?”

            I braced myself then said, “I don’t know why that happened I would rather have a God not in control then have a god that let this happen. But I believe God is here and cares”

            The woman grunted and asked me to baptize her dead baby, which I did.

            Two days later I saw again and she looked ten years younger. A nurse had delivered a breast pump so she could give away her mother’s milk

 

Three Passages:

Three Passages:

Which Prompted My Father

Rev. Edgar Shirley Welty, Sr.

to Found

The Panamerican Institute

In

T. J. Baja California Mexico

By

Rev. Edgar Shirley Welty, Jr

            The prayer we used at meals in the Welty family was:

We give thanks for the plenty that is ours

And pray for those less fortunate than ourselves

            When Dad encounter Mexican children at our church in Alpine California, he saw those “Less fortunate than: our family.

          Dad also like the saying:

It is better to teach a man to fish

Than to give him a fish.

            Dad was committed to giving education rather than aid.

            Faced with long odds, Dad would say:

It is better to light one candle

Than to curse the darkness a thousand times

            Twenty-five graduates each year from PAI’s “Small School” have been lights in the darkness. 

“It Is What It is”

“It Is What It is”

Encounter with Random Vet at Safeway:

Observed tired vet carrying an olive green duffle bag in line at the “Deli”.

Ed.            Tentatively politely                 With which branch did you serve?

Vet.      With a weary tone                  I served with the SEALS. …

Ed.            Shocked at the lack of pride, I am confused.

Vet.      With a weary tone explaining            I was a weapons designer. Some guys went, “Urrah" look at the body count. Some agonized. They told me, “It is what it is”.

It is what it is.

Ed.       Tentatively politely                        I served four years in peacetime. But the first time you shoot at a human shaped target you know, “It is what it is”.

Vet.      Nods

Awkward pause

Ed            Summing up                           Thank you for the insight you’ve given me.

Vet            Embarrassed                          (Grunts)

The Bible on War

The Bible on War

A review of the biblical record shows a mixed message on war and the profession of warriors. Note the following verses:

Hebrew Scriptures

Isaiah 2:4King James Version (KJV)

⁴ And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Joel 3:10King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

Micah 4:3King James Version (KJV)

³ And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

New Testament

Matthew 10:34King James Version (KJV)

³⁴ Think not that I (Jesus) am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Matthew 26:52King James Version (KJV)

⁵² Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

About Myself as An Author

About Myself as An Author

I am a disabled veteran and patient. I was a volunteer for the Chaplains at the Veterans’ Administration’s San Francisco Medical Center.

I served in the U. S. Army four years from April 20^th 1976 until April 21st 1981.  When I enlisted, I already had an A.A. (in Arts and Letters from Grossmont Community College) and a B.A. (Russian Area Studies from San Diego State University. Because of my education I started as a Private First Class and was promoted automatically to Specialist Four, I became Class leader at my Advanced Individual Training. I was then posted to the 24^th Engineer group/18^th Engineer Brigade in West Germany. There I earned my promotion to Specialist Five, a sort of Technical Sergeant. Among my many career moves my time in uniform in Europe was the most memorable. During my time overseas, I earned an A.S. in Business Administration.  

My vocation is as a minister of the Word and Sacrament in the United Church of Christ. After earning a four year Master of Divinity Degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary, I was ordained in 2000 and was called to serve a suburban church in upstate New York. I have acted as a Lutheran Pastor in rural New York and Tiburon California. I am semi-retired.  I presently work in Social services. 

            I am in the process of writing/publishing three books. The first which is nearly ready for the printer is entitled, “Thanks: Giving and Receiving Gratitude for America’s Troops; A Soldier’s Stories, A Veteran’s Confessions and A Pastor’s Reflections” The second is a workbook entitled, “Spiritual Insight Training for Veterans”. The third shall be called, “God and America’s Wars”

            My contact information is as follows:  email; edgarwelty@gmail.com, Phone; (415) 454 8948, Postal Address; 250 Fawn Drive, San Anselmo, CA 94960

The United States Volunteers - America, Inc. The 31st Regiment

• The United States Volunteers - America, Inc. The 31st Regiment
  Company Overview

The 31st Regiment is the California organization of The United States Volunteers - America, Inc.

 A non-profit organization that provides Final Military Honors for Veterans.

The USV-A has units throughout the United States. Each Regiment is numbered according to the date of admission to the United States. In the case of California, the 31st state. The USV-A is not an agency of the US Government, but subscribes to public laws, regulations of the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army; however, USV is not an affiliate or in any way part of the United States Army or the Department of Defense. USV is not a militia and does not have or pertain to have constabulatory powers nor does USV consider itself a paramilitary organization.


The USV is a U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Veterans Service Organization (VSO) authorized to provide Final Military Honors, with the VAMC Voluntary Services Program as an Honor Guard, by the Final Honors Director for each State’s National Guard as an AP3 Honor Guard for FMH and works closely with VA National Cemeteries. The USV-A is a non-combat ceremonial organization using a military style structure of organization; members receive no pay for their services, receive no VA benefits and are never deployed as a defense force.

Persons dedicated to the purposes of this organization that are eligible and approved for membership under USV-A regulations and who maintain timely payment of membership dues may join the organization. As a general rule most members have served under honorable conditions with prior military service. However, Patriotic citizens eighteen years or older may also be eligible to apply for auxiliary membership.


Members wear modified U.S. Army uniforms with distinctive insignia, rank and USV historical buttons that do not bear the Great Seal of the Nation; uniforms are in compliance with AR670-1 Chapter 30 in accordance with rules as a military association. Uniforms are worn during the performance of ceremonial duties, during training, for meetings and conferences.


Members train and are certified in accordance with AP3 and TACOM regulations using only ceremonial rifles specially adapted for blank ammunition. Rifleman duties are restricted to persons who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces or who have successfully completed a government approved firearms safety course and have a current certificate verifying the successful completion of such government approved firearms safety course.

Members exercise their membership privileges as approved and authorized by the USV-A Board of Directors. Member units have all rights afforded under state nonprofit public benefit corporation laws. USV has only volunteer members that are non-paid professionals. Members pay dues to belong and pay all their own expenses, including purchasing their own military uniforms and equipment and providing their own transportation to and from services. The USV-A does not charge for services, however, tax-deductible donations may be accepted.


Volunteers are needed to provide Final Military Honors Teams to honor Veterans. The USV-A provides training and proficiency for final honors and color guard teams.


Additionally, members may train in skills related to Homeland Security to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross, local, state and federal agencies during times of crisis. However, USV members are not permitted to function as a USV unit or to wear USV uniforms for emergency volunteer work. Those individual USV members that are trained and certified by the aforementioned organizations may serve at the invitation of the emergency organization to participate in such service provided that said organization is an authorized and legally recognized emergency organization so empowered by local, state and Federal government.

• Mission

The primary mission of the USV-A is Final Military Honors, member units may be involved in many other community services providing Color Guard services for Veteran ceremonies and public affairs projects.

• Website

http://usvamerica.org/