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Welcome to the Bourbon and Cigar Bible Study!

11/20/24

We had a very nice close out of our BCBibleStudy.com last night discussing a very likely date for Jesus’ birthdate. Several of you asked for more information. The following two links cover most of the content I presented.

https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/podcast/naked-bible-138-what-day-was-jesus-born/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De9mIaoeEs8

Looking forward to picking back up after the holidays.

Merry Christmas

Don

11/13/24

Tonight, we discuss James 5, which is all about the rich and their struggles in the kingdom. On one hand, Jesus had a lot to say about the rich and poor – both good and bad about both. James seems to distill it all into his last chapter. After challenging believers whatever their status, he challenges us to live a mature believer’s life including praying for the sick and comparing us to Elijah praying for rain to stop and then start after a period of time. Who does this? We do.

His final exhortation is to restore a wandering sinner back to faith as the greatest thing perhaps. I imagine this was the final exhortation in the Jesus house growing up – regardless of all the miracles you could be anointed to perform. Again – who does this? We do!

11/5/24

Election watch party. Go vote!

10/30/24

James 4 messes with you similar to God’s word being a two-edged sword. It cuts both ways equally well. Want God to not mess with you, stay out of his word. But if you do that, he’ll mess with you anyway. Best to just dive in!

10/22/24

We are ON for tomorrow night at our normal time discussing James 3.

Our subject matter is the tongue of humanity and the great evil it can cause as well as how it can speak forth the oracles of God in great triumph. James, probably Jesus, says that no man can tame the tongue – but God can tame our tongues through wisdom from above.

10/15/24

What a couple of weeks for me to count it all joy. I lost my last two remaining aunts this year – the last just a week ago. My sister just turned 60 today and had a double mastectomy for breast cancer. I’m reminded of Jesus saying the same storm that hits the gentiles also hits believers. The difference is where you build your house – on the rock or on the sand (Mt 7:24-29).

Tonight, we are going to try and cover all of James chapter two which deals with putting our feet to our faith that our mouth declares. We should all build our house on the rock knowing that the same storm that is coming hits all – believers and non-believers. In light of the hurricanes Helene and Milton – this message could not be clearer at this current time!

Let’s be sure and build our houses on the rock and pick up after the storm to continue in faith!

9/31/24

This week at BCBibleStudy.com we have a special treat with Rhett giving his testimony regarding his recent trial with Guillain-Barré syndrome. As you may recall, he woke up Easter morning all but paralyzed saying “Jesus rose from the dead but I can’t get out of bed”. In our study, James says “Count it all joy when you fall into diverse trials”. I ask – who does this? Rhett’s experience and recovery is going to be an exploration of this question.

Similar to the last debate Tuesday, we are going to start promptly at 7p and end in time to have a debate party at 8p for those interested in pouring lighting another.

9/24/24

We finished Jude last week at BCBibleStudy.com with a very chock full study. Lots of content and good convo.

Tomorrow night, we land in James – another brother of Jesus who’s NT book is far more well known than Jude. Whereas Jude is a dusty little one chapter book in the NT, James played a very major role in the reformation. Martin Luther wanted to cancel it and Catholics used it as one of their primary proof texts. Obviously, this lesson is going to be historic and fun.

9/18/24

Last week, we got through almost half of Jude and we’ll finish tonight at BCBibleStudy.com where the convo is always as fun as the content. We’ll be talking about the rebellions of Cain, Baalan, and Korah plus Enoch’s contribution to the story. In another famous triad, Jude compares infiltrators to hidden reefs, waterless clouds, and wondering stars as useless except for the damage that they cause.

Our response is another triad – building yourselves up in the original holy faith, keeping yourselves, having mercy on others as a way to win and/or win them back.

We all have a final exam to take. He’s given us the answers prior to the test- in fact – He’s already taken the test for us!

9/10/24

BC fans - we started our third semester of BCBibleStudy.com on 9/3 and it was a lot of fun. Tomorrow night, we start a deep dive into the book of Jude (read Jude 1:1-11 and bring your old-fashioned paper bibles if you wish). Not only does Jesus seem to be able to convince his younger brother Jude that he is God, but also that he delivered the people of God from Egypt in the Exodus. What provocative thoughts! There are many other provocative statements in Jude.

Of note: We are starting promptly at 7p cst tomorrow night as we will suspend the normal 2nd pour and light convo to skip to the televised debate at 8p. You are certainly welcome to stay in person or online for a debate party.

Don’t miss this session. We gather, pour, light, and send out the Zoom link at 6:45cst. Study starts at 7 promptly.

After closing, we’ll light and pour another to enjoy the debate! Political thoughts are inevitable, but intolerance will not be accepted. I’ll have a bell to ring if I think a line has been crossed. 😊

9/3/24

On September 3, 2024 – we will start our Fall Semester studying the books of Jude and James. These two just happen to be the physical brothers (cousins if you are Catholic) of Jesus and their scriptures are remarkably different from other books of the Christian Bible. Although they were not followers of Jesus during his ministry, they both became devout followers after the resurrection. Imagine what it would take for an older brother to convince you he was God!

I suspect a lot of 1st century believers wanted to hear what it was like to grow up in the Jesus house. It is also why I think these two books really stand out – they perhaps give clues to what Jesus’ life was like prior to his baptism. If so, considering how much Jude quotes of Enoch and the Assumption of Moses, I suspect this is a clue that Jesus was clearly familiar with these books as well.

Fall Semester 2024

Our Fall Schedule:

·       9/3         Jesus’ family and early life

·       9/10       Jude 1:1-11

·       9/17       Jude 1:12-25

·       9/24       James 1:1-2

·       10/1       James 1:2-8

·       10/8       James 1:8-18

·       10/15    James 2:1-13

·       10/22    James 2:14-26

·       10/29    James 3:1-18

·       11/5       Election Watch Party - optional

·       11/12    James 4:1-12

·       11/19    James 4:13-5:6

·       11/26    James 5:7-20

Our Rules

·       NO POLITICS – except on 11/5

·       Light and Pour at 6:45cst – we do not judge anyone who does not partake

·       Zoom invitation sent to members at 6:45cst

·       Study lasts roughly 1 hour. Afterwards, we may pour and light another and open the floor for discussion and conversation

Summer Semester 2024

6/25/24 – Screwtape letters chapters 17-21

Tomorrow night, we cover gluttony -> sexual temptation -> real love -> to ownership in the Screwtape series. I guarantee you this study will generate some conversation!

 

May be an image of 4 people6/18/24 Screwtape letters chapters 11-16

Lots of fun things to cover – Laughter, The Safest Road to Hell, Repentance, Humility, Time, and the Church.

See you tomorrow night where we may meet outside again.

 

 

6/11/24 Screwtape letters chapters 5-10

Tonight at BCBibleStudy.com, we study the advent of WW2 with Wormwood’s patient – how the devils potentially view war and use it in temptation. Extreme patriotism or pacificism works as well as extreme ups and downs. Sex and the vices – the pleasures were all invented by the enemy – we simply immoderately exploit them.

As you can tell, this will be a fun study. We very well may meet outside tomorrow night and enjoy the weather at my house.

 

6/4/24 – Screwtape letters chapters 1-4

Wow! We had a record turnout for the start of Screwtape. There’s just something about CS Lewis’ writings that generate great communication – and the bourbon doesn’t hurt. This Tuesday, we learned how in a fictional account that devils might be persuasive against our conversions and once converted, persuasive against our walk in faith.

This next Tuesday night, we are going to discuss the effects of war (Screwtape letters were originated after Dunkirk in the summer of 1940) and how our various acquaintances affect us for good or bad.

 

Spring Semester 2024

Conclusion

What a fun conclusion we had last night completing Supernatural. As always, the conversation was deep and thought provoking – not to mention fun. Looking forward to our next endeavor with Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. Click here to get a free transcript of the book SCREWTAPE.

We will start next Tuesday – 6/5/24.

 

5/28/24 – Ruling Over Angels

Tonight night is our last BCBibleStudy.com on Supernatural. Then next week we start on Screwtape Letters for a short six week summer study.

Previously, we discussed who and what we currently are in the heavens – not just on the earth post resurrection. Who knew there was so much to our existence as believers?

In this last study - Chapter 16 Ruling Over Angels, we will explore Heiser's take on what comes next when we all inevitably slip the surly bonds of Earth and dance the skies on laughter-silvered wings. It is interesting to me that Dr. Heiser passed away in his 60’s. Wishing he was still with us with his laser understanding and perusal of scriptures. But, in his last words, he said something like: I’m spent. It’s up to others to continue this work. I look forward to my entrance into the Divine Council.

 

5/21/24 – Partakers of the Divine Nature

Previously, we discussed how Jesus said he was not of this world and then how he said WE are not of this world as well. Tomorrow night we start a discussion of who we are in heaven. The more we look at it, Christ’s resurrection did so much for us than many imagine! So much so that John could say but we know that when he appears we shall be like him (1Jo 3:2). This is our 2nd to the last meeting this term with a big conclusion on 5/27/24.

I’m considering a short six week summer term (6/4 – 7/9) on Tuesday nights to have a crash course in C. S. Lewis’ ScrewTape Letters. If any or enough of the class in interested, I’m glad to keep the smokes and pouring flowing. This would be a fun introduction to our fall offering on Dr. Heiser’s book Demons. Considering this is an election year, I think these topics would be of great interest. 😊

 

5/14/24 – Not of this World

In Jesus’ famous prayer in Gethsemane, he stated that as he was not of this world – his disciples and those to come were also not of this world. How can that be? In reality when we become believers, several things happen.

·       We have our sin problem handled

·       We receive the promise of the Spirit to not only be with us, but dwell in us as God’s temple!

·       We become ambassadors and diplomats of the heavenly kingdom to the world

·       He could have taken us out of the world at conversion but chose to leave us here to spread the gospel

Did you ever wonder why God did not just send angels to tell this message? We will discuss this in detail tonight.

 

5/7/24 – The Great Reversal

Tonight, we discuss Pentecost (which happens this year on 5/19/24) and it’s relationship to reversing what happened at the dividing of the nations and confusing of the languages at Bable. The disciples who were still in shell shock from the crucifixion and resurrection had already started returning to their previous lives. However, they were all told to remain in Jerusalem until the promise of the Father was to come (Acts 1:4).

When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples found themselves anointed by the promise of the Spirit Jesus had mentioned in John 13 & 14. Suddenly Peter found his voice and gave a sermon that resulted in 3000 new believers. At Pentecost, the young church was just some 500 or so believers. After that sermon, the church exploded by 600% which sent these new believers into all the nations they had come from. There was no slowing down and we are the result and proof of their success.

 

4/30/24 The Cloud Rider

This might be the most exciting study of the book – watching Yahweh play a stunning undefeatable checkmate!! Just as we saw how Fischer put the best grandmaster of his day in just seven moves – and subsequently explained in an analysis – is truly remarkable. Click here to watch an analysis of this game.

In Yahweh’s case, he had to get the Jewish leaders conspiring with the Roman government to play the same types of blundering moves. When Jesus dies on the cross, game over man! Don’t miss it!

 

4/23/24 Supernatural Intent

After last week’s chess game and understanding how Yahweh had to craft a game to win without revealing his strategy, tonight we will dive deep into that strategy and see how it was planned out to occur in the NT. Watching any sport event – knowing how it turns out – is very different when you do not know the outcome. Its very hard for Christians to read the OT or NT without knowing how the crucifixion and resurrection occurs – but we will try tonight, Don’t miss it.

 

4/16/24 Hidden in Plain Sight

In tonight’s study, we’ll not only study some advanced theology, but will also examine a famous chess match between 13 year old Bobby Fischer and Samuel Reshevsky – the then current best grandmaster of the day in 1958. In this match, Fischer beats Reschevsky in seven moves! The embarrassed Reshevsky doesn’t resign, however, but continues to play on and get his clock cleaned in just a few more moves. Click here to watch an analysis of this game.

In a similar analogy Yahweh has been playing a divine chess match with Satan in which Yawheh’s game is hidden in plain sight in the OT.

 

4/9/24 – Holy War

Last night we welcomed Rick Cain to the group, long time Homewood High School friend. Another great meeting, but what tough content it was. Still the conversation was great and I think the jokes and banter are getting funnier.

Next week, our study is entitled In Plain Sight. It’s like watching a divine chess match. In chess, white moves first and then the game is on. In the garden, Satan made his move – a king’s gambit. Yahweh has been matching move for move and ultimately wins in a confounding checkmate.

 

4/8/24

What a great couple of weeks since this last update. The website had trouble getting updated. Back on track now.

This week is Holy War – some of the most controversial scriptures in the bible. Tomorrow nights study and conversations will not disappoint.

Gather at 645p to pour and light up. Study starts at 7p.

 

3/12/24

The crowd and discussion on 3/5 really rocked. Big crowd and big conversations. Divine Rebellions really gets the conversations going, especially with a bit of bourbon flowing.

On 3/12, we had perhaps our smallest gathering, but still good conversations. Now for 3/19 where we discus God as Man – in the Old Testament – if you can imagine that. Once you look at it, it is rather obvious what was happening. To virtually all Christians, the God/Man event happened with Jesus. While true, the path to the incarnation had some interesting OT examples which paved the road to a perfect NT encounter with the God/Man.

 

3/5/24

Last week’s crowd was a bit smaller but perhaps more intense with discussion. This week we discuss Divine Rebellions – always a conversation generator. I’m guessing a bit of bourbon will kick us into a higher gear.

Gather at 645p and pour/light one up. Study starts 7 ish!

The day is going to be rainy but perhaps dry enough to smoke on the porch. If not, we will just have bourbon around the big round table.

See you there!

 

2/26/24

Last week’s study was fun and well attended. We even had a Zoomer from North Carolina – welcome Tommy! Rumor has it that we may have another NC Zoomer or two join us this week.

Tomorrow night is our third gathering where we are on Chapter 3 of Supernatural – Once and Future Kings.

Gather at 645p and pour/light one up. Study starts 7 ish!

The weather is supposed to be nice but windy. Bring a jacket just in case a chill sets in.

 

2/19/24

Our second study is tomorrow night with Chapter 2 - The Unseen Realm: God and the Gods. I’ll probably have some cigars and some rotgut bourbon.

Gather prior to 7p to pour and fire up. Will be trying to get our zoomers online for the 7ish start.

 

2/7/24

What a fun first Supernatural study we had last night with six in person pouring and smoking and at least two on Zoom. The content of the study was great and perhaps better was the conversation and banter among the new friendships formed last night. Looking forward to our next meet!

Remember that we are skipping next Tuesday, Mardi Gras, and will reconvene on Tuesday, Feb 20, 2024 at 7p on the Shades Crest porch.

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Schedule For Supernatural

1

February 6, 2024

 Believing the Bible

Zoom

2

February 13, 2024

Mardi Gras

 

3

February 20, 2024

The Unseen Realm: God and the Gods

 

4

February 27, 2024

 Once and future Kings

 

5

March 5, 2024

 Divine Rebellions

 

6

March 12, 2024

 Cosmic Geography

 

7

March 19, 2024

 The Word, the Name, and the Angel

 

8

March 26, 2024

 Rules of Engagement

 

9

April 2, 2024

 Sacred Space

 

10

April 9, 2024

 Holy War

 

11

April 16, 2024

 Hidden In Plain Sight

 

12

April 23, 2024

 Supernatural Intent

 

13

April 30, 2024

 The Cloud Rider

 

14

May 7, 2024

 The Great Reversal

 

15

May 14, 2024

 Not of this World

 

16

May 21, 2024

 Partakers of the Divine Nature

 

17

May 28, 2024

Ruling Over Angels

 

 

 

2/5/24

As it turns out, our second date for our study is Mardi Gras and I have a gig that evening. So, we are going to perhaps double up on our first and/or third study. The study on 2/13/24 is going to be cancelled.

I have cigars and bourbon for our 2/6/24 study. The weather looks good for a fine kick off. We will gather at 7p at my house.

We’ll pour and light up at 7p and start the study by at least 7:15 since some might join us on Zoom.

Click me -> TONIGHT’s ZOOM Link

Outline for Lesson One

Really believing the Bible

·       As Christians, we tend to believe the big stuff – Exodus, Life of Christ

·       What about the curious stuff – like all of the bible’s supernatural things

o   Heavenly host – as sung about in the Doxology

o   We know about angels and demons, but what about the big boys and their agenda

o   Heavenly Council with Ahab’s death?

o   Angels sent to an underground prison?

o   There are more for us than against ~Elisha

·       May we be able to see as Elisha prayed for his servant – to be able to see the supernatural

The Myth that is True – same old story

·       Modern culture is fascinated with the supernatural

o   God has put eternity into our hearts (Ecc 3:11)

o   Science, Fundamentalism, Ancient Aliens?

·       The gods are real – a pantheon.

o   The bible asks you to be loyal to Yahweh

o   Not to go after Thor, Zeus, Baal, the anunnaki nor apkallu, etc

Why this Matters

·       If the life of Jesus is true, then this supporting story is a big part of it, no matter how ignored it is

·       God could fix it all by taking away everyone’s free will or just getting rid of us – he doesn’t

·       Thus, there is a spiritual war at play – Lord’s prayer – on earth as it is in heaven

·       Yahweh is CEO of the heavens and earth

·       Any wonder that we all end up back at Eden at the end of the book?

·       As Joni Mitchel says in Woodstock, we need to get back to the garden

 

1/24/24

The BC (Bourbon Cigar) Bible Study is a non-denominational study at my house in Hoover on Tuesday evenings on Shades Mountain starting this February 6th, 2024 at 7p. Weather permitting, we will meet on my heated porch. Otherwise, we will have just bourbon inside with our study. I will also be creating a Zoom link for the study for any that may want to access the study remotely. There will be a link to the zoom meeting posted on this site and on our Facebook page for each lesson which are listed below.

We will be going through a book called Supernatural What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World-and Why it Matters, by one of my seminary professors, Dr. Michael Heiser. Dr. Heiser was the scholar in residence for Logos Bible Software from 2004 to 2019 where he left to start Awakening School of Theology and Ministry in Jacksonville, FL, at Celebration Church, an ARC congregation. Unfortunately, he passed away in Feb, 2024 of cancer.

This book is easy enough to get through this Google link from a number of sources. It is also available on Audible if you prefer to listen to the content. There are 16 chapters that each create thought provoking interest and dialog about biblical history and theology in the Judaic / Christian faiths.

Write up about Dr Heiser and Supernatural. Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches About the Unseen World - and Why It Matters: Dr. Michael S. Heiser: 9781577995586: Amazon.com: Books

 

Dr. Michael S. Heiser, a Scholar-in-Residence at Faithlife Corporation, presents fifteen years of research on what the Bible really says about the unseen world of the supernatural-unfiltered by tradition or by theological presuppositions. "People shouldn't be protected from the Bible," Dr. Michael S. Heiser says, but theological systems often do just that, by "explaining away" difficult or troublesome passages of Scripture because their literal meaning doesn't fit into our tidy systems.

 

Who were the "sons of God"? Who were the Nephilim? Where do angels fit into the supernatural hierarchy? Why did God find it necessary to have the Israelites destroy the populations of entire cities-man, woman, and child? What relation does Jesus bear to the rest of the supernatural world? Dr. Michael S. Heiser tackles these questions and many more in his books Supernatural and The Unseen Realm.

 

In both books, Dr. Michael S. Heiser shines a light on the supernatural world, not a new light, but rather the same light the original, ancient readers-and writers-of Scripture would have seen it in.

 

After reading these books, you won't be able to read the Bible in the same way again.

 

Supernatural, What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World-and Why it Matters presents this approach to reading and understanding scripture for the person in the pew. The Unseen Realm covers the same material but at a deeper, complex, and highly documented way, for pastors, the seminarian, or serious students of the Bible.

 

For the inaugural start of the BC Bible Study, I’ll provide cigars (Rocky Patel or Perdomo) and bourbon (Old Forester) for all of those who attend in person. Feel free to bring your own if you have other preferences. 😊

 

I will be communicating with you through email and/or text messages for further updates and details as Feb, 6 approaches.

 

I have been a part of studies like this in the past at Cigars and More on Highway 280 and at the Florabama lounge on the state line between Florida and Alabama. They are always fun and the banter gets rather in depth as the bourbon flows.

 

Hoping to see you on Feb, 6th. Please RSVP so I can properly prepare for our first meeting.