Reflections of a Canadian Churchman

Transitions, the Apocalypse of Weeks, the Animal Apocalypse (1 Enoch 81-93)   Transitions     1 Enoch 81-84   As discussed, 1 Enoch is a composite text which has complicated literary and textual history .    Scholars are divided on how the sections of the book are to be demarcated .   We have skipped over 1 Enoch 37-80  (“The Similitudes of Enoch” and the “Book of the Luminaries”  or “Astronomical Book” )   to which we will return in our next session .   Nickelsburg sees 81-82 as a natural conclusion of 6-36 , i n that Enoch receives a final vision, written on tablets, which he is to share with his offspring .   Other scholars  (Collins,  VanderKam )  think that 81  and 82 form the conclusion of the “Book of the Luminaries”. In chapter 82, we are told that Enoch  has also written down the content of his revelation and is passing it on to his son Methuselah.  Thus, i t is difficult to know if 81-82 really belonged to the earlier  “ Book of Watchers ”  as a conclusion , as a conclusion t

Homily for the 20 th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 29) Year A, 2020 Sunday, October 18, 2020 Trinity Church, Aurora & St. Stephen’s, Maple The Rev. Daniel F. Graves Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10   “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7   I’m trying to get my mind around the upcoming winter.   We have now firmly entered the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, as of tomorrow, we will once again be under further public health restrictions here in York Region, and the golf season is wrapping up.   This may seem trite, but after I had to give up ballroom dancing for the pandemic, at least during the summer months I had the consolation of golf!   But now, as the long dark months are before us, without an end of the pandemic in sight, with further restrictions being imposed, I worry how difficul