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I've written
a number of books, most of them while teaching at St. Michael Academy
1992-1994. These were published through St.
Michael Press. I am not sure whether there have been any reprints
or what the availability is, or if they even have the originals.
I know that much of my work was lost. But feel free to contact them
to see what they still have. The others have not been published.
Most of my books, as well as my periodical, Selah, were written
while I was still using a Macintosh computer. Some of these files
I could possibly transfer to my PC if I could get a good internet
connection on it again. Other files exist only on a back up drive
I've saved, but I fear it is an obsolete brand. It was replaced
with an upgrade on account of its failure to work. I'm sure that
a better techie than myself would be able to access it, nonetheless.
I will describe all these works below and after reading about them
if you would really like to look at the originals and St. Michael's
doesn't have them, please, click on the 'donate' link to the left
and show me some support. I would estimate the cost of the recovery
would probably run about $2000. Otherwise, be content with the fact
that I am a young man who hasn't yet entirely lost his memory. And
in due time I will draw from them as I produce new material either
here on the web or in other media, Lord willing. Here is a list
in the order they were written and my personal assessment of each
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The Seven Millennia of History |
Taking
time to count years and dates from Genesis through Revelation it
appears we are currently on the verge of the seventh millennium
of history. Some of the earliest Christians (eg. DeuteroBarnabas
and Irenaeus) believed Christ would return to reign on earth for
a final thousand years. This book draws parallels between the first
week of creation, the last week of Daniel and the last week of Christ,
(see Holy Week Meditation below), and history itself. It
points to our unity in Christ.
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| Commentary on Galatians |
The
dispute between the party of James and Paul is thoroughly examined.
It was too much of an Orthodox apologetic work in my estimation.
Nevertheless, it does explore issues of church hierarchy which still
exist today and integrates all of Paul's epistles with Acts arriving
at precise dating and a quite three dimensional picture, especially
of Paul's heart.
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| Commentaries on 1 & 2 Thessalonians |
This
was an overly ambitious work, as I never completed an entire commentary.
The one thing I did well was to dispute the notion of a pretribulation
rapture in favor of mid or post trib. St. Michael Academy is, after
all, a school of Eschatology. It is also Orthodox, though some disagree.
Most Eastern Orthodox Christians today do not even believe in a
thousand year reign of Christ on earth after his return and that
was not the position I took. I focused on the comfort of seeing
loved ones again. Christ shall indeed return with all his holy ones
to reign on earth for one thousand years. But I went beyond that
meditating on communion and the communion of the saints. There is
only one Paschal sacrifice and we all drink from the same cup. In
faith, there is no need to wait to be reunited.
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| Enoch Revealed |
In
the caves of Qumran were found, among many other ancient texts,
writings falsely ascribed to Enoch. Tradition had it that Enoch
wrote as many as 500 books from Paradise. All of these writings
were presumably lost in the flood. But would Noah have preserved
some of them? I ventured here to see whether any of these writings
might be authentic. While most of it was immediately dismissed much
consideration was given to the Apocalypse of Weeks, which
all scholars agree is the most ancient portion. 10 weeks are given
to world history by this account. I took time to compare this with
The Seven Millennia of History (see above) and with the apocalyptic
account of Second Esdras. While some results were astonishing
others were disappointing. A fascinating study. Somebody, please,
commission me to work on this again, please!
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| Holy Week Meditation |
This
thoughtful work compares meticulously the accounts of the last week
of Christ in each of the four Gospels revealing something quite
like a motion picture in three dimensions while also demonstrating
that the testimonies are without a single inconsistency. Emphasis
is on prophetic fulfillment that points to our destiny in Christ.
It was unfortunately laced with some of the anti-Protestant vitriol
that is characteristic of St. Michael Academy and shallow in some
regards. Still, I'm chomping at the bit to rewrite this book in
a more sensitive way, especially right now while Mel Gibson's The
Passion of the Christ is still selling so well. If only I had
time and a sponsor!
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| Paul's Apostolic Authority |
Paul
asserts that his authority was from God and not from men. But did
that mean that he was a lone wolf? In what way was he united with
the other twelve apostles or the seventy? Are there still apostles
today? What are the five fold ministries? This book explores deeply
the meaning of apostolic authority and succession and calls for
unity in the church based on its findings. It is a work that everyone
should read. Hopefully, it is still available through St.
Michael Press. Contact St. Michael Academy with your request!
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| Paul's Jewish Education |
This
was a companion work to Commentary on Galatians (see above)
for students at St. Michael Academy. The Judaism of today is different
in many ways than the Judaism of Israel in the first century. The
book seeks to distinguish Jewish Christianity from Gentile Christianity
and define precisely the problem of "judaising" in the
church, sorting out the parts of our Judean heritage that are liberating
from those which continue to enslave us. Providentially, it was
written from an Orthothodox Christian perspective and given to an
Orthodox College. With so much emphasis on religious formalism,
the Orthodox seem to be most in need of its message. I would like
to rewrite this work some day after I have spent more time with
our Jewish friends and learned Hebrew fluently. I think I could
do a much better job with it than I first did if I just took my
time.
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| Evangelical Orthodox Christianity |
This
was in two parts. The first was an imaginary dialog, thoroughly
apologetic, with people of various faiths, an atheist, a Mormon,
a Jehovah's Witness and some others. The second was an exposition
of the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. It had some serious flaws
but is still useful to newcomers to St. Michael Academy.
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| The Sign of Jonah |
When
Christ told the unbelievers of his day that he would give them the
sign of Jonah, what did he mean? Jonah was in the belly of a whale
for three days and three nights but Christ, though raised on the
"third day," was only in the tomb for a day and a half
- Friday evening to Sunday morning. Here I offer that Christ may
have been referring to the three remaining millennia of history
but conclude that he was referring to our universal need for baptism
and the prophetic ministry in Christ.
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| A Family Portrait: Searching for Unity in the Age of Communication |
How
can I explain this work? It was a kind of journal but it was written
in the past tense. I was attempting to make heads or tails out of
what God was saying to me during a time of confusion in my life.
Certain miracles were recounted. Some photographs were taken, proving
the miracles were real. It was originally intended as a gift to
my mother after my father's death. But then my brother also died.
And I discerned at that time there was a message the Lord wanted
me to bring to the whole church, and through the church to the world.
The message was that holiness precedes unity. Later I realized that
it was meant more for documentation than mass publication. Parts
of it will be drawn from it in A Testimony (see below).
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CURRENT
AND FUTURE PROJECTS
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| A Testimony |
Having had the chance to look back on my life I realize that reality has been more exciting than fiction. I've also wanted to leave a legacy of wisdom to my children. So I've decided to write my life's story in a book form, this time with the intent to publish for sale. I'm taking my time with it. It's been a few months since I added any chapters. I'm trying to make it gripping for casual readers outside the family, to make it marketable. And that is challenging, particularly as I have an intellectual side. But I don't think I've been given so much insight just to keep it to myself. God said, "let your light shine before all men." And it is really His light, not mine. Would you like to read the first few chapters? Care to comment? I'll be happy to send you a little of what I've got by email. Click here to write and ask. |
| Fathers Bible |
This work is in my heart and will probably take a minimum of twenty years to complete even with a good team. I pray that it will come to be quickly. In 2005 there should be two new translations of the Bible coming out, one by Oxford University and the other by a Greek Orthodox commission. Outside of the much criticized Brenton version, they will be the first English translations ever to be based entirely on the LXX. I would like to create an entirely new translation that considers carefully the differences between all existing translations and, without being cumbersome, explains the choices in the notations. Naturally, the translation itself would be excellent but the distinctive feature would be the notes, which would include also references made by the church fathers prior to 325 AD. The early fathers carried the Scriptures in their hearts to such an extent that almost every passage was referenced by them. They demonstrate the authenticity of God's word and the fidelity of at least some of the Lord's servants. I believe also that discovering the hearts of the fathers in this way will ultimately be a key to unity in the church, divided as it currently is into so many denominations. I look for both on/off-line versions. The off-line version would be updated every five years or so based on the collective wisdom of an online community. The on-line version will be arranged in a moderated forum that gives each user the ability to add their own journal and notes, attaching it to any passage. They can make any of their notes either private or public and they can restrict access to designated groups. I expect automated translation features to also become available, even-voice-to-text and text-to-voice. This would enable those who are illiterate or who speak other languages to enjoy Bible study in groups. Live chat would also be featured, enabling anyone from anywhere in the world to get immediate answers to their questions. The on-line Bible itself would hyperlink to the notes given in the off-line version, facilitating deeper study of each reference and comment taking the beloved child directly to each source. It requires that all of the writings of the early fathers reside within the database rather than on that of a third party. |
| Body & Blood |
More than likely this will be my next book to come out. It is directed toward pastors and leaders in the church who would like to get a richer blessing from the service of Holy Communion. It is for the whole congregation to read. I am very happy with what I have so far. I am looking for someone to help me edit and co-author it. It deserves all the loving attention an artist and beloved servant and his family can bring. |