Music (part 1) - Winter

Northern Lights/everystock.com

Music predates history...  

One of the oldest pieces of literature is the Book of Job. Most likely the oldest book in the Bible, the back and forth dialog between Job and his miserable comforters end on this note when the Lord finally speaks:

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation
...

while the morning stars sang together

and all the angels shouted for joy?

Job 38:4, 9 (NIV)

The singing stars...

Music is woven into creation before it came into our consciousness. Volumes have been written on this subject, but the clip below gives a good introduction:

(reference:  https://youtu.be/V1l_RNJtiPc )

As I start this new thread, it's winter... 

In the spirit of the season, Antonio Vivaldi composed Winter.

Below the piece is played in the background of beautiful winter scenes. It's where the audio and visual meet in the rhythm of life and existence.

(reference: https://youtu.be/Pgs_zB6Et2Q )

For more information on this composer and this work, check out:

* Antonio Vivaldi - BAROQUE COMPOSERS AND MUSICIANS

* The  Four Seasons - Work by Vivaldi  

And on this note...

Music is a moral law.
It gives soul to the universe,
wings to the mind,
flight to the imagination,
and charm
and gaiety
to life
and to everything.

Plato

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Other posts on music:

Nostalgia (part 5) - Big Band and World War II (2015)
 
Pray4America (part 16) - God Bless America, 1938 (2014) 
 
Culture 101 (part 10) - Summertime! x 3 (2013) 
 
America's Story (part 5) - Amazing Grace (2012) 

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photo:  Northern Lights/everystock.com

Anastasis (part 2) - standing up

Anastasis.

Ana .... say what?  Did I mistype and really mean Anastasia? 

No.  I meant anastasis.  And it's Greek.

What does it mean?  And in English please.

Here comes the technical stuff, first, then the music.

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Anastasis (Gk., ‘resurrection’). The term is used both of the resurrection of Christ and of that of mankind in general. (from E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Anastasis." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 24 Nov. 2011)

And from Vine's Expository Dictionary, anastasis denotes a raising up or rising ( from ana - "up" and hestimi - "to cause to stand.") ... hence, a standing up.  In Strong's concordance, anastasis translates as resurrection (reference: Greek Word Study) and is used in the New Testament 42 times (reference: Search God's Word )

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About resurrection in the Bible ....

Chronologically, the first mention of the resurrection may be in the Book of Job, as many scholars conclude this to be the oldest book written in the Bible, most likely during the time of the patriarchs (reference Apologetics Press.)  During his trials, made worse by the miserable comfort of his friends, Job makes this great statement of faith in the resurrection:

²⁵ For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

²⁶ And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job 19:25-26
King James Version

 
And Job's words were put to music some 3000 years later in Handel's Messiah: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

The last phrase of the song comes the New Testament:

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

1 Corinthians 15:20
King James Version
 

The following verses expound on the resurrection, not only of Christ, but for all those who have trusted in Him:

²¹ For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22
King James Version

 

And Handel put those words to music, too: Since by Man Came Death




And the word in the Greek used for resurrection in these verses above is anastasis. (reference: The New Testament Greek Lexicon)

Standing up is a theme throughout the first book of this trilogy -  Anastasis: The Forbidden Book Concealed.  And it was no accident that the heroine is Anastasia - whose name means resurrection.

The setting of this story is in a fictional tiny kingdom (in continental Europe) during a time when the ecclesiastic powers in high places control the people by keeping their minds and spirits enslaved in the darkness of dead religion. Hence, the Light of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is concealed.

Yet ...

Even the Dark Ages could not extinguish the Light.

And the age old struggle between darkness and light continues ....


You must read it to see how it plays out.

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The site where free sample chapters can be downloaded and where this eBook can be bought and delivered via wireless:

* Amazon.com (for Kindle)

* Barnes and Noble (Nook)



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Previous post in this series:

Anastasis (part 1) - The Forbidden Book Concealed (2011)


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Previous posts on the resurrection:

Easter - The Sign of the Prophet Jonah (2011)

Earth Shaking Easter - a wake up call (2010)


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photo from everystockphoto.com: Happy Easter