Bob

  

                Bob Marley’s music continues to have a positive effect on many who listen to it. Rasta or not, his music provides both a relaxing and intellectual outlet, in addition to an intriguing message that he conveys regarding his life and faith in each song.  In class we examined the song “Exodus” which called for an exodus from Babylon due to the oppression and injustice that’s exists. In quite a few of Marley’s songs, he addresses two topics that are inter related, 1) Leaving Babylon for Zion, and 2) From this a close similarity to the scaffolding of the Israelite ideology can be seen.

Due to the characteristics of the living situation of the Rastafari who lived elsewhere besides Ethiopia, Babylon is referenced making a connection from the Rastafari to the ancient Israelites who faced the “Babylonian Captivity”. This is a reoccurring theme in many of Marley’s song, whether it be facing oppression in present day Babylon, or turning ones back on capitalist ideology.

 Another song that I came across while listening to Bob was the “Rasta Man Chant”.  During this song, although quite simple lyrically, he conveys the fall of Babylon. Repeating “Babylon your throne gone down” as the chorus, the message is quite clear, and the rejection and dissatisfaction with Babylon is evident. Later in the song he sings,” I say fly away home to Zion”. Similar to the Israelite view of Jerusalem being Zion, the Rastafari believe that their original home of Ethiopia is Zion. Just as the Israelites had a final destination, the Rastafari mirror that with their emphasis on and desire to return to “Zion”. Finally, he conveys his main desire he wishes to project to the song. “One bright morning when my work is over, Man will fly away home”.  

While commonly not perceived correctly, especially by college students, Bob wrote music and lived his lifestyle the way he did for Religious purposes, not just to “chill” and be a laid back pot smoker. Using the Rastafarian principles, which are pretty closely related to that of the ancient Israelites,  Bob was promoting and living a valid religious message, and effectively encompassed this in his music.

Rastafari

The video definitely provides a useful in depth look into the daily lifestyle, rituals and the living situation of a Rastafarian group in Jamaica. I found their prayer rituals quite interesting, as I was not aware that they had set times to wake up, pray and mediate. Also, observing their lifestyle, it struck me as quite impressive that their devotion to their faith has led them to such a basic yet extremely fulfilling lifestyle.

In class we have examined the different symbols and their importance and meaning to Rastafarian society. At the root of these, one can come to see that importance, and the purpose of their use.  The text states, “Cashmore and Paget Henry have observed that marginalized peoples, especially minority groups who lack access to political and economic power often turn to “symbolic processes and “symbolic strategies in attempt to articulate their grievances and to effect social change”.

Applying this to the Rastafari, this would effectively explain why the symbols of the Rasta colors, along with the Dreadlocks and turbans would be used to prove this point. The rasta colors, are that of Ethiopia, the place that rasta will eventually return to. These colors are of huge value as they are related to the birth(and hopefully final destination) of the Rastafari. Wrapped up with the blunt reality of Babylon the dreadlocks which “express the Rastafarian belief in and commitment to naturalness” prove their devotion to their faith, as well as a commitment and devotion to naturalness and being connected to the earth.

Rasta colors with turbans serve as a type of crown, keeping together the dreadlocks in what my opinion is a compound symbol. The  colors and dreadlocks along with the turban serve as,” Rejection of the Babylonian character of Jamaican society and a commitment to the struggle for selfhood and dignity through the development of African Centered Cultural Identity”. To conclude the way that the symbols are portrayed in the book, as well as in the movie are very similar, with the main difference being with the video you can visually apply what is said in the text. The rasta colors along with the dreadlocks and turbans show how the rasta use symbolic processes to “articulate” their grievances and beliefs as well as project their commitment and devotion to their faith.

Kebra Negast

The different avenues of the spread of Christianity are quite fascinating. In class, we have examined different groups who have come to certain beliefs as a result of their respective contexts and circumstances. Historically Christianity has clashed with other cultures, and religion. In the Kebra Negast reading, the royalty of Sheba as well as Solomon worship the King of Israel. Solomon passes his beliefs to the Queen of Sheba which is quite interesting in regards to the fact that these beliefs traveled in such a fashion. The transformation from polytheistic to monotheistic beliefs is apparent and in turn the God of Israel is brought to Ethiopia. Ultimately, the Rastafari utilize Kebra Negast symbolically which helps them understand existence and tolerability.

Truthful or not, I really enjoyed reading this story. From an outsiders perspective, people fail to grasp the roots of religion in different areas of the world. From our study in class, it is obvious that regardless of the validity of these tales, they function as effectively explaining how a certain faith came to be.  Personally, I think it is very intriguing that while Ethiopia is known today as an extremely poor country, there is definitely a connection to the roots as a result of the involvement of Solomon in the story. What happens between Solomon and the Queen makes him come off as somewhat self-centered around his wisdom and desires. However regardless of the ignorance of modern morals, it serves a purpose in explaining how Christianity spread to Ethiopia.

Conceptual Blending

The Conceptual Blending article by Gilles Fauconnier was quite interesting, and made a number of interesting points regarding human conception and perception in relation to what is going on around us. The example he makes regarding the boat race struck me as quite fascinating. In regard to the boat that was sailing in the present it states, “ two distinct events correspond to two input mental spaces, which reflect salient schematic aspects of the events” pointing to the voyage, the boats position, and the time of travel. As show by the illustration/map of the course of the boats, the “boat race” is formed by blending, even though the boats are not racing at the same time(nearly 100 years apart!). 

Tying this in to how this applies to class, in my opinion this example is related to how we read and interpret the bible. The majority of people who practice the Christian faith do so by interpreting scripture, and applying it to their lifestyle, to their respective values, and the actions that they take on a daily basis. In the bible, although what is in the scripture took place thousands of years ago, much of the trials and tribulations that are presented in there are applicable to our lives today. 

Whether it be discrimination, evil, disobedience, dishonesty, natural disaster ect… what we face today can be related to what is in the bible. The boat that took sail 100 years after did so on the same parameters, but merely in a different time setting that the one 100 years before. Though there was an evident time difference, it is arguable that both were trying to do the same thing, and in turn they are put together as 1 by our minds. This is no different than when we read the bible, and find comfort in relation to the similar struggles, trials, tribulations and triumphs that take place over the course of the text.

Scripture, Possessions, Distractions

Earlier this week in class we discussed the unique approach that Augustine takes in relation to how one should approach Christianity. At first, I did not completely agree with the message that I interpreted. With regards to the value of material possessions, I felt as if his point that they were mainly unnecessary and the relationship between wants and needs was a bit radical. However, after examining this point further I actually came to understand it further and this completely changed my opinion. It is fascinating the how Augustine ultimately encourages one to move past the distraction of the desire for material possessions as they are a distraction from what is really important. Re-evaluating wants versus needs, it becomes apparent that the main need is the lord, and faith in the lord, which is actually not radical at all, it simply puts everything in perspective.

After reading the J. Todd Billings article, it was easy to make the comparison to the teachings of St. Augustine. A passage that really jumped out at me in this article states, “We do not have to master Scripture and then make it relevant to our lives; through Scripture, God opens up a new place for us to dwell, a place of fellowship with Christ on a path leading to love of God and neighbor”. In my opinion, this is quite relative to the teachings of Augustine as the basic love of god, the neighbor, and the comfort and positive encouragement that God offers is supported. Another point that he makes is the basic incorrect use of the bible that stretch its realm of influence in unnecessary ways. Concerning the application of its teachings in all areas of life(finance, relationships, family), but missing the basic because “This message centers on the individual and his or her preferences, and does not interpret the Bible in a way that calls felt needs into question or looks beyond them”. This is quite similar to Augustine as in it de-simplifies how he wants one to interpret scripture, use it literally, and also how it effects ones spiritual well being.

Finally, Billings’ closing quote states “In reading the Bible as Scripture, we are not the masters. We are being mastered and enlivened by the triune God”. Nothing could be more similar to St. Augustine’s most basic point that he projects in his writing”. Taking a step back, living and acting with Christian faith is the most important aspect, and mastering the Bible and faith is something we do not have the power to do.

Psalm 63 Live

A recurring element that I encountered while examining these psalms is the differences in how the psalms could possibly sound whether sang, recited poetically, or just plain read aloud. Building off this, the different variations in how the psalm is projected can in turn have an effect on not only how it sounds, but what kind of personal effect it may have when comprehending the messages within the psalm.  

Matisyahu, as we have discussed in class is a Jewish singer/songwriter/rapper who successfully incorporates his strong Jewish faith into his music. Surfing the web, I found some footage of Matisyahu in action doing just that. During a live performance, he specifically references Psalm 63. Verse 2 states “O God, Thou art my God, earnestly will I seek Thee, my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee,
in a dry and weary land, where no water is”. This depicts the dedication and dependence that exists between faith, the lord, and creation. Verses 3-4 of the psalm state,” So have I looked for Thee in the sanctuary, to see Thy power and Thy glory”. This phrase shows the dedication to the journey for faith the Matisyahu is on, as well as the divine power and glory of the lord. Overall, Matisyahu makes a statement by singing this psalm in a live venue, not to mention he sings it in Hebrew which is quite impressive.

Hymn of Aten- Psalm 104

Thus far, my reading and interpretation of the psalms has come with quite a bit of resistance, mainly due to the battle to fully understand what is meant to be communicated to the reader. While the glory, power and punishment cast on enemies is ever present in many of the Psalms, reading Psalm 104, I came across quite a few notable aspects that I actually really enjoyed.

 What jumped out to me the most was the vivid imagery.  Lines 3-5 “Setting beams for his loft in the waters, making his chariot the clouds, he goes on the wings of the wind” really provided a vibrant description of the supposed existence of the “upper chambers/lofts” that god created.  In line 13, the “loft” concept is again exposed with a dramatic description” He waters mountains from His lofts, from the fruit of your works the earth is sated”. Moving on from the vivid imagery that exists in, what has been created and the dependence on the lord is also exposed. Lines 21-22 state “The lions roar for prey seeking from god their food” and lines 28-29 state “When you give them, they gather it in, when You open Your hand, they are sated with good”.  Both of the excerpts show the powerful need that exists from earths creatures for gods gifts.  

Changing subjects, the Hymn of Aten is  written in the context of the ancient Egyptian gods. Unlike Christians, the Egyptians worships multiple gods, however quite a few comparisons can be drawn, particularly the vivid imagery, and the presence of a great need for what is created.  The line “ All distant lands, you make them live, for you set a Nile in the sky that it may descend for them” is quite similar to lines 3-5 of 104 in both the vivid images, and the topic it concerns, water in the sky. The excerpt, “When you rise, they live: when you set, they die. You are a lifespan in yourself; one lives by you” is quiet similar to lines 21-22 of Psalm 104 citing the dependency of the gods creation, and what he gives/descends upon them.

From examining and comparing these texts, it is evident that  both the Israelites and the Egyptians had similar beliefs regarding their god(s) and similar ways of expressing his grace through vivid imagery, as well as projecting the dependence of the gods respective creations on the graces descended upon them.

Week 6 Book of Psalms Blog #2

To whom it may concern, this post is coming a week late as I am a bit behind on my blog. To clarify, this is my second blog for the  last week on the Book of Psalms and I will follow this by my two for this week of October 3rd!

Something in class that we have discussed in class is the context of these psalms. Who used them? Why did they read them, how did they interpret them? How were they used for beneficial purposes?

For this entry I would like to focus on the different uses of the psalms, specifically for the pilgrims. For the Christians who first landed in the new world, it is quite viable to believe that these psalms provided a great sense of security to the pilgrims who first came to America.

Going outside our text to, these peoples were confronted with the conflicts with the local Indian populations, famine, water shortage, not to mention that the true civilization that they knew was thousands of miles away across the Atlantic Ocean[1]. The Bay Psalm Book, was first printed in 1640 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just over 30 years after the first permanent British settlement in Jamestown, Virginia was started[2]. As a central guideline to the settlers, principles of the bible provided strict guidelines for those living and praising god in the new world[3]. The book of psalms, specifically the Bay Psalm Book provided the puritan settlers an outlet to both praise the lord and come together as a community to recite the poetic verses that were also labeled as “singsong”[4].  

From off these facts, it is evident that these Psalms served a different purpose than they do in our current Robert Alter text, which simply makes the psalms easier for us to understand. From a religious standpoint, the Bay Psalm Book is more literal and shows what was read and possibly(up to our understanding) how it sounded for the Pilgrims. In my opinion it is possible that those who read them did so for security, comfort, and to constitute a feeling of togetherness among the settlers.

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[1] http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mosmd/

[2] http://www.apva.org/history/

[3] http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Bay_Psalm_Book.aspx

[4] http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Bay_Psalm_Book.aspx

Alter/Bay Psalm Tranlation and Interpretation

Written in their original context, the psalms are meant  be recited in a poetic matter, with a certain amount of syllables for each line. In true form, if recited in this poetic manner, the psalm is successfully re-enforced putting focus on certain words and phrases, manipulating the way that they sound.  In addition, it appears to me as the earlier texts are more literal, and as a result the word choice is much harder especially pertaining to those who disobey the Lord: 

 In line 6 “vex  them fuddenlie” has a much harsher quality to it than in Alter’s version where it says, “His burning anger dismay them”.  On the other hand, this point is proved it can exist as the opposite later in the Psalm. In line 10, Alter’s version states, “And, O you kings pay mind, be chastened you rulers of earth”.  The Bay Psalms looks like :

This  differs significantly both in wording and the meaning you can draw out of it. The word chasten, is used to describes the harsh punishment that await the leaders who are not acting in accordance with god. The Bay Psalm provides a less graphic description with what will happen as it states “be learned ye ludges of the earth”. As opposed to my first point that the older text has a more harsh and literal sound to it, this citation proves the opposite and also shows the constant variation and transformation between the two different interpretations.