Beowulf: Symbolisms of Masculinity and Heroism

Beowulf Symbolisms of Masculinity and HeroismGer whileic warrior culture replaced the Romans as the overriding force in Western Europe beginning in the fifth century AD. They deposed merely all roman traditions and customs, superseding them with their own beliefs. The whole empire was undone by people, who most of all praised war, manhood, and dignity. Cultural peculiarities of those people ar widely reflected in the archaic epos of Anglo-Saxons, written by an un roll in the hayn poet around 700AD. Beowulf is an staggering unity of motives, topics, views of various ages merged in one integral masterpiece. We could find the elements of different epic genres elegies, other(a) heroic stories (song approximately Sigmund), religious epos (song astir(predicate) the creation of the field). The views of tribal society ar combined with feudal ethics heroic image of a warrior is combined with the image of wise and fair rule.The follow through of the poem interprets place before th e great migration of Germanic tribes somewhere around 500AD. The desc eat upant of famous past ruler Shield Sheafson king Hrothgar of Danemark suffers from the attack of a powerful and horrible demon named Grendel. For 12 years he has been killing noble and brave men in Heorot, a great mead-hall of Hrothgar, terrorizing Danes e precise(prenominal) night, large-minded them no chance to fight screen.Long was the time Twelve winters time suffering endured The friend of the Scyldings, each one of woes, Of sorrows extreme (Beowulf, 146-149) Eventually, help comes from Geatish warrior Beowulf, who sails to the land of Danes with a confederacy of devoted men. His help is gladly accepted by Hrodgar and they happily celebrate till the night. In the night Beowulf fights Grendel unarmed and tears his arm off. Grendel move back to his swamp and dies there. His horrible mother wants to revenge and she is a great deal weaker and kills exclusively(prenominal) one man, who is the most res pectful in Hrothgars kingdom. Beowulf volunteers to kill Grendels mother. Arise, kingdoms guardian let us quickly go to view the track of Grendels kinsman.(Beowulf 1390-91).He fights her in deep waters and in her lair. He kills her with a special sword, made non for run-of-the-mine humans, finds Grendel and takes his head off. When he returns, he is praised by e reallyone, given up a lot of treasures and fame. Afterwards he returns to his land and gives all his treasures to his ruler. Beowulf becomes the co-ruler and after the devastation of king, he becomes the ruler for 50 years. A terrible dragon attacks his land, because one of his men robbed the treasury guarded by that dragon. Beowulf fights the dragon, kills him except gets mortally wounded. The dragons treasury is burned together with Beowulfs body. The period of wars comes to the land, when Beowulf burnt unite the people any more with his strength and wisdom. Beowulf is a treasury of historical information. It presen ts the major social characteristics of medieval warrior society depict their beliefs, standards of living, relations with other nations, etc.Merely absolute domination of men in all the spheres of lifespan was a characteristic feature of early medieval times. Women characters are mentioned only several times as wives or daughters of kings. Even strong and powerful queen Modthrytho, daughter of Herod obeys to her fathers command to marry King Offa. She tortured and kil conduct people who she imagined were anger her. Such is not queenly custom For a woman to practice, though she be peerless, That a peace-weaver of life should deprive, On cipher of fierce anger, any skilful man(Beowulf, 1940-43). After marriage her character improved. Thats why all the material and spiritual values of the medieval society represent men views upon the reality. Every man was a warrior. A good warrior should be strong, successful, respected, rich and lucky. The description of king Shield Shiefson is m erely and ideal image of mans life. Being an infant he move under the sky and became true warrior and king. He had decent life, decent death and his treasury was vast.The earl caused terror since first he was found thus forlorn gained he comfort for that, grew under the clouds, in honors throve, until each one of those dwelling around over the whale-road, him should obey, should tribute contribute that was a good king (Beowulf, 6-11).King ever so should be honored and respected. The idea of ultimate loyalty is very strong in the hearts of medieval people. The desire to be praised by chieftain, lord or king is very strong, because for the society of warriors king is the strongest, wisest, most powerful and honored man. He generously gives prosperity to eminent warriors and judge inexorably dishonorable men. Beowulf comes root word and gives merely all his treasures to his king.To Hygelac was,in battle brave, his nephew devoted. And each to the other mindful of kindness (Beowulf 2 169-71). The leader provides all necessary things. Kinsmen have their own property, land and money. All that is given for good military service. Warriors feast in big halls, where they praise their ruler, theirselves, their achievements and famous battles and plan future war campaigns. in time it befell Quickly with men, that it was all ready, The superior of halls Heort as name gave he it(Beowulf 76-78) the warriors were living in joys Happily then (Beowulf, 99-100).Beowulf is an image of ideal hero, whose deeds are honored and praised. He has all features that are valued in medieval warrior society strength, courage, wisdom, loyalty, leader and military skills, dignity, self-sacrifice and devotion. He respects his comrades and treat them as equals, he is fair and zealous. do not thou refuse me, defender of warriors, Dear friend of the people, now thus far am I come,- That I may alone and my band of earls, This company brave, Heorot cleanse. (Beowulf 429-32) This prominence is le aded by inner qualities, the strength and beauty of the soul leads to prominent deeds. Then the chief me by thine own life Adjured, sad in mind, that I in the seas flood Should do valiant deeds, should risk my life, Should honor gain he promised reward (Beowulf, 2131-2134). If a person is not active, successful or determined, he power not be respected. Long he was despised, As him the Geats children did not reckon good, 2185Nor him at the mead-bench as worthy of much(Beowulf, 2183-86) One can be con good examplered as a lucky and successful person, but this luck and success if al counselings reached by hard work and inner aspiration. Religion equivalentwise plays an alpha role in medieval society. In Beowulf a certain merge of religions is presented. From one hand, there are certain pagan beliefs of German tribes. From the other hand christianity, that is revealed for example in the characterization of Grendel, who is named Cains son. Upon Cains kin that crime avenged The Lord eternal, for that he slew Abel Joyed he not in that feud, but him afar banishedFor that crime the Creator away from mankind Thence evil demons all were produced (Beowulf, 107-111).Endlessly violent, illiterate and rural culture of medieval Europe contrasted greatly with literary, politically specified urban culture of Athens. There was no place for philosophical thoughts or developed political intrigues Beowulf claims that an aggressive approach to vengeance is the real warriors solution .and fundamental value of warrior culture are true jazz and loyalty. It is better for each that his friend he avenge than that he mourn much (Beowulf, 1384-85). some other obvious difference is attitude to religion. Beowulf and his nation praise God, he could give blessings and inspire people. They need to be brave and act with dignity for God to take them in better world. but the only thing that provide remain after warriors death is his aureole and this glory is fought for the whole life.Ea ch of us shall the end await of worldly life let him who may gain honor ere death. That is for a warrior, when he is dead, afterwards best (Beowulf, 1386-89).The artists of that period were illiterate bards, who sang the poems about ancient heroes and epic battles in vast and rich halls of noble men and in small and dirty wooden halls of leaders of small tribes. The whole postal service of the nation was frightening constant fights for lands, money and military power, poor social and medical condition, low level of culture , but the ideas spoken about in those epic tales were inspiring for every man. Strength to be able to protect own land and family, dignity to behave a real warrior, personal swords and stock that protects him from death and play the role of the most important warriors property and characteristic. Medieval times were not good-looking or pleasant. In the hard fight for red-hot lands and freedom suffered a great number of people. The world was primitive but this unbearable spirit of manhood survived and built modern European society with its stress on personal liberty and the rule of law.Commentary on Luke 2332-43Commentary on Luke 2332-43SERMON COMMENTARY ON LUKE 2332-43Reflecting on the commentary of my speech preached as a contribution of an assignment at Spurgeon College on 12 May 2014. I pass on be taking into account and reflecting on the hermeneutical and homiletically issues that came up both in the preparation and after the sermon. Taking a closer look at the preparation, the sermon and comments from both lecturers and fellow students, I will want to start with discussing how I came to decide on the human action of sermon The three men on the thwart at Calvary. As part of my commentary, I will be reflecting on how different Bible commentaries were access and utilized in the preparation for the sermon. In addition, I will be discussing on how I picked the particular structure I employed, in addition I will be reflecting on th e delivery of the sermon and what I learnt from my delivery. Finally, I will reflect on what I might do differently in the future.Whenever I have the privilege of sermon to others either in a compendious sermon or to a large congregation, my aim as always been to be able to take my listener to a journey of connecting to the love of Christ and their rediscovery of the path that is lay before them the path of perseverance, creed, mercy and kindness. Paul dissertation to the Galatians summaries it like this, let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary1 For an effective preaching, I believe it must come from the leading of the Holy reputation who is also the Godhead. He inspires, teaches and guides us in the way of God the father. The aim of any preaching is to show the hearing the mind of God as regarding his love and justice2, which further passes on to the community then back to God in thanks free and adoration.HERMENEITICAL ISSUEST he passage was to preach on was Luke 2332-43, a very best-selling(predicate) passage of the bible with very great emergence story. I took time to read the text from several other synoptic to help in arrangement other writers view of the event. I took time to reflect carefully on all the other writers writings on the event. Ordinarily when looking at the passage, very strong topic will easily come to mind, which is about the sacrifice and suffering of delivery boy but I believe that the Holy Spirit did not want me to take that route of preaching the sermon at this instance rather consider other importance of the event on the interbreed. Most of the sermons on this passage always focus on the Jesus death on puzzle, a very significant event that form the core of our faith but there are other lessons I believe God wants us to learn from the spread over at Calvary.3 These shape my reading in preparation for the sermon.Although the bulls eye is the main centre of our Christianity , the cross is at the heart of the Christian faith. That is why it isthesymbol of the church. Buddhism has the lotus flower a symbol of beauty and harmony. Islam has a crescent an ancient symbol of sovereignty and power. Marxism had the hammer and sickle a symbol of industry and agriculture. Christianity has the cross. The bible is always interested in all other things of life but more important than beauty, power or the economy is the death (and then the resurrection) of Jesus. This is at the heart of everything.4 However, God always wants to show us much more on his mysteries, he always want us to learn more about his readiness to solve our requests even at the heart of our storms and distressingness like the cross where three men with different lieu were hanged hence the topic for the sermon, the three men on the cross at Calvary. I felt that speaking on this topic I would be more able to speak on something I am familiar with and a deep reflection of what I personally has expe rienced as relating to Gods love and answer to prayer in the face of deep pain and trials,5 Robinson stated that the preacher cannot be separated from the message.6Finally, considering my audience in the instance of this sermon (fellow students and lecturers), I sensed that the topic will be relevant having listened to some of the students challenges and struggles during several of our pastoral group discussions. Clifford quoted Kelly saying, our present take to in the face of all challenges of life, suffering and death, is an effect of the resurrection7 (the cross, death and resurrection of Jesus. He further said, if resurrection had not happened, hope would be best be a repressing optimism, or an accommodation to routine despair.8 In a setting like our school, a theo logical college, sometimes the concept of God can be very technical and distant through many lectures and lot of discussions. However, focusing on my topic on the God of love who answered in desperate situation if w e will look up to him in our hours of needs can be of great encouragement to my attendants and remind they that all hope is not lost regardless of the cross they are bearing in live, family or ministry.Reading couple of commentaries and books related to the cross, I was assure that going the path I was taking regarding the cross was a possibility and it will serve as either warming or encouragement to people. Howard Marshall writes, The story contrasts the devil attitudes which lead to condemnation and salvation, although it is improbable that they are meant to mirror the attitudes of Jews and pagans respectively to Jesus.9 Crysdale writes, there is a drama as it plays itself out in the life of Christians, who confronted with Jesus crucified, finds all the evil in crete for him in a man on the cross.10 The central focuses of the sermon are the three men on the cross representing the Christian who is going through challenges because of the faith, the two criminals on the cross and the cross. Crysdale further explains that the process of acknowledging our own self-destruction, mediated through the crucified Jesus, leads to insights into how we are not only crucifiers but also the crucified. The more we can see the ways in which we sabotage our own flourishing, the more we are able to see how we ourselves are victims, are objects of crucifixion.11Luke 2332-43 highlights numerous themes such as Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary (Luke 2332), the forgiving Saviour (Luke 2334), the sinners advocate (Luke 2334), the crucified king of the Jews (Luke 2338), A prayer of remembrance on the cross (Luke 2343) and many more. Due to the short time given, I felt it was appropriate to focus on one rather than several. However, I am witting that Jesus Christ went to the cross to redeem the world, as Paul puts it, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him12 (1 Cor 521). I felt that naturally everyone would e xpect a sermon on such a very crucial topic because that is the core of our faith. In preparation for the sermon, I came up with different titles for the sermon.13 In the end I resolved to give a title that will help my audience to listen, carefully in order to discover what is the main theme of the sermon themselves.All through the process of the preparation, I regularly remind myself to tiller sure I do not give the wrong meaning to the passage.14 Base on my representing of the passage through acknowledgment of commentaries, reading of scholarship articles, journals and books on Luke 2332-43 in general, I felt very confident that choosing my topic for the sermon, and by speaking on it , I should do justice to the passage.HOMILETICAL ISSUESHaving decided on what I am communicating across, I then reflected on how to deliver the sermon. I am very much aware that sermons are present in different ways.15 My aim was that my hearers would take away God as a loving God who can answer prayers if we come to him regardless of the state and time of the challenge. (Luke 2343). My aim is to filled them with ideas and images that paint a picture of God, that answers in desperate time and desperate situation if one looks up to him and not shift the blame on others.16 This I do, using dramatic narrative preaching with some inductive method of sermon preaching.17 I hoped achieve this by starting with the story of betrayer of friendship, ingratitude and the pain associated with it.18 I tried to make my hearers to look at when they were letdown, the disappointment and pain they went through. This was to get to look at Jesus though God yet a man with all the emotions and disappointment of been letdown by friends and neighbours. The motivation was that the sermon would be pastoral sermon that is communicating the essence of the subject effectively.19 After brief introduction on Jesus journey to Calvary with the cross and pain, I went back to the main passage (Luke 2332-43) t o lay a foundation on historical context using contemporary description of the event. Brindley states that the pastor preacher moves from hearer to the Scripture.20 Getting to the end of my sermon, I related the sermon to our contemporary day with additional illustration and description using Matthew 71-4 and Hebrew 122. I tried not to allow the sermon to be too pastoral in other to avoid making it individualistic, which could conflict with the passage itself. Luke 2332-43 is a message for the church today and the text can be applicable to both corporate and individual setting both back to the day of the event and to our contemporary day.REFLECTION ON THE PROCESSFrom feedback from both lecturers and fellow students, I felt the preaching went well because the feedbacks were positive. I was confident that I will filter in the delivery but was less confident looking at the importance of the passage and the angle of approach. I know the passage was so important that the hearers would b e expecting so much particularly relating to deity of Jesus Christ on the cross instead of his human nature. I know I could gruntle within my text but going by the time limit, I was not sure I could stay within the allocated time given for the message. As I did not want to be rushed or be in a hurry, I decided to cut down my sermon significantly. Reflecting on how I felt it went, the feedback of both the lecturers and students, I believe that the message was well communicated to the hearers.Based on the lectures of this module as well as this particular preaching opportunity, I have learned the importance of spending time in preparing myself considering the various preaching methods accessible to me as a preacher. Reflecting on who I am preaching the sermon to, I need to be more ready to give good exegesis to the congregation I speak to in order to make the message more applicable and relevant to them. Just as in this exercise of reflecting on the sermon I gave at Spurgeons College , I have learnt that giving time to reflect on every of my sermon preach is very important and essential. Doing this helps to improve my skill of preaching and communication.CONCLUSIONIt is a wonderful speaking to lecturers and students who themselves are preachers. The experience I had strengthen my confidence especially speaking to a multicultural group of different denominations. The three men on the cross of Calvary is a very wonderful and passionate message that cut across all groups of people both in the church and in world at large. In conclusion, I hope to be able to apply what I learnt both in the module and the preaching exercise constantly to my regularly preaching in my ministry.BIBLIOGRAPHYBrindley David, Story, Song and Law The Craft of Preaching in like a shots Church, (Stonehill Green England,Bible Societies/HarperCollins, 1996)Clifford Ross, Johnson Philip, The Cross is not teeming nutrition as Witnesses to the Resurrection (Grand Rapids, stops BakerBooks, 2012) Crysdale Cynthia S.W., comprehend Travail Retrieving the cross Today (Continuum New York, The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc., 2001)Marshall I. Howard, The New International Greek Testament Commentary The Gospel of Luke (Grands Rapid, Michigan W.B.EErdmans Publisher, 1978)Robinson Haddon W., Expository Preaching (Leicester IVP. 1986)Latham Steve, Preaching Practice, Lecture at Spurgeons College, calendar week 8 28.04.2014Holloway David, The Two Criminals, A Sermon Preached on Luke 2339-42, Mar 29, 1998 at Jesmond Parish Church. P. 2 Luke 23 32 43The three men on the cross at Calvary32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminalsone on his right, the other on his go away.34 Jesus said,Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.cAnd they divided up his clothes by casting lots.35 The people stood watching, and the rulers e ven sneered at him. They said, He saved others let him save himself if he is Gods Messiah, the Chosen One.36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar37 and said, If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.38 There was a written notice above him, which readTHIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him Arent you the Messiah? Save yourself and us40 But the other criminal rebuked him. Dont you fear God, he said, since you are under the same sentence?41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.42 Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.43 Jesus answered him,Truly I control you, today you will be with me in paradise.The book of Luke generally known as the Gospel according to Luke is one of the synoptic Gospel that account for Jesus birth, death, resurrection and ascension. Chapter 2332-43 give account for the death of Jesus . Jesus after been betrayed by Judas Iscariot and concluded for crucifixion was hanged on the cross like a criminal with two thieves. The death of the cross to the Romans was a capital punishment for criminals and is likened to death sentence in todays system. Jesus as God came to earth in form of man was subject to shameful death. 1 Peter 2 22 said, He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. Paul further said in Phil 25a said He humbled Himself and lived among them, helped, fed and healed them yet he was chosen for condemnation and death instead of the criminal (Barabbas). Finally, on the cross were with Him two thieves, one on the right and the other on the left. Hence, I titled this message, The three men on the cross at Calvary.In this message, it is important to understand the role played by individual on the cross. First, Jesus knew no sin yet He went through shame and humiliation to the point of praying to the Father asking why the Father had abandoned Him. As a Christian, sometimes we feel abandoned by God especially when circumstances around us are like the cross Jesus was upon. We hardly think of the reward God might be having in mind for us in such situation, Jesus after death and resurrection is now seated at the right hand of the Father. We need to understand that every good thing have a price to pay. The Father (God), paid a price for wanting to restore man back to his just position and the only price was to sacrifice His only begotten son (Jesus). We all have needs and wants but do not want to pay any price. Life is not all about bed of roses, obstacles are there but the truth is these obstacles are stepping stone to success in life. get out any successful man today you will realise that the road towards success is not any road, very narrow and full of discouragements but only the strong get through. Jesus was betrayed, denied, rejected and despised yet in all He brought salvation to mankind. Do you want to make it in life?You might be going through rejection by families, friends and even those that are in the same situation with you. Looking at the thief on the left hand side of the cross, it shows that people in the same situation as you can sometimes look for ways of mocking, challenging or prejudging you testing your faith instead of facing their situation. If these people will take moment to consider the fact that for every cross, there is glory if they will seek the king of glory who is the saviour regardless of their situation even if they were the cause of the situation like the thief on the right side. Gods love and kindness is always available. The thief on the right side of the cross realised that he deserved to be in the situation he found himself (to die) but saw a way of escape by grasping the opportunity of salvation without procrastination and he was saved. We might sometimes find ourselves in bad and terrible situation not because God is testing our faith but due to our sins, misdeeds or stupidity. If we will come to the redeeming grace like the thief on the right side on the cross, there is assurance of salvation, peace and joy overflowing. 1 John 19 says, Butif we confess our sinsto him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickednessRegardless of your state at the cross, God is doing something even if you do not see it. It is good you look carefully within your condition. Search why God is doing what is doing, or saying in the circumstance you are in now, stop looking for the spike from others eyes neglecting with the log on yours. Then you can be sure of a ray of light at the end of your tunnel for salvation and eternal rewards as the case of the criminal who cried to Jesus for salvation.11 Galatians 69 NASB2 David Brindley, Story, Song and Law The Craft of Preaching in Todays Church, (Stonehill Green England,Bible Societies/HarperCollins, 1996), P.23 Ross Clifford, Philip Johnson, The Cross is not Enough Living as Witnesses to the Resurrection (Grand Rapids, Michigan BakerBooks, 2012), P.204 David Holloway, The Two Criminals, A Sermon Preached on Luke 2339-42, Mar 29, 1998 at Jesmond Parish Church. P. 2 5 Ross Clifford, Philip Johnson, The Cross is not Enough Living as Witnesses to the Resurrection (Grand Rapids, Michigan BakerBooks, 2012), P.856 Haddon W. Robinson, Expository Preaching (Leicester IVP. 1986), P.247 Ross Clifford, Philip Johnson, P.298 Ross Clifford, Philip Johnson, P.299 I. Howard Marshall, The New International Greek Testament Commentary The Gospel of Luke (Grands Rapid, Michigan W.B.EErdmans Publisher, 1978), P.87010 Cynthia S.W. Crysdale, Embracing Travail Retrieving the cross Today (Continuum New York, The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc., 2001), P.811 Cynthia S.W. Crysdale, P.912 New International Version Bible13 Such as This is the king of the Jews14 Steve Latham, Preaching Practice, Lecture at Spurgeons College, week 8 28.04.201415 David Brindley, P.5216 David Brind ley, P.3017 David Brindley, P.5218 Cynthia S.W. Crysdale, P.1119 David Brindley, P.4820 David Brindley, P.63