“Contending without Contention”

Last updated on: June 12, 2022 at 1:38 pm by Dan Peterson

“Contending without Contention” 2022-06-12T13:38:02-06:00 Dan Peterson

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A landscape in Bavaria (Wikimedia Commons public domain image)

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I’m very tardy in mentioning it — I’m a bit occupied over here, with little free time and far out of sync with North American time zones — but a new article appeared at noon on Friday in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship:

“Contending without Contention,” by one Daniel C. Peterson

Abstract: “Think not,” said the Savior at Matthew 10:34, “that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” And this has in fact been the case — too often literally, but certainly figuratively. In the Old Testament, the Lord accurately foretold the situation that we commonly see: “I will take you one of a city,” he explained, “and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion” (Jeremiah 3:14). Unfortunately, those who aren’t so “taken” are often not entirely happy with the beliefs and practices of those who are. “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth?” Jesus told his audience at Luke 12:51–52. “I tell you, Nay; but rather division.” But is Jesus not the Prince of Peace? Has he not also commanded us “That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39)? Jude 1:3 tells us that we “should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” but we are also told not to be contentious in carrying out that assignment. Doing both simultaneously can be an extraordinarily great challenge. But it is the Lord’s challenge to us.

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A new item has been posted on the website of Hank Smith’s and John Bytheway’s Follow Him podcast. It’s their Old Testament episode 25, which is focused on 1 Samuel 8-10; 13; 15-18:

Dr. Daniel C. Peterson

“THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S”

PART I

Why do the Israelites demand a king? Dr. Daniel Peterson explores the rise and downfall of Saul, Saul’s complicated relationship with David, and how pride often comes before a spiritual fall.

PART II

Dr. Peterson continues and discusses the fall of Saul, David and Goliath, and his personal testimony of Jesus Christ.

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Last night, we attended a dinner in Salzburg that featured a male and a female vocal soloist and a string quintet, all dedicated to the music of Mozart. Among other things, they performed excerpts from his wonderful opera Die Zauberflöte (“The Magic Flute”). One small portion of the lyrics from the duet “Bei Männern welche Liebe fühlen,” which was included on last night’s program, is of especial interest from a Latter-day Saint perspective:

Mann und Weib und Weib und Mann

Reichen an die Gottheit an.

Here’s a loose and unpoetic translation:

Man and woman and woman and man

Approach the Godhead.

Posted from Ruhpolding, Upper Bavaria, Germany

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