Frank Carver on Hosea

3 documents in the archive

Bible Study

Ezra-Nehemiah 3--The Stirrings of God--Part Two

A lecture or study notes focusing on Ezra 1:1-11, examining the theme of divine providence through the 'stirring' of spirits. The text analyzes the role of God in prompting both King Cyrus of Persia and the Jewish exiles (heads of families, priests, and Levites) to facilitate the return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple. The author connects the historical return from Babylon to a 'second Exodus' and discusses the theological implications of God's involvement in the affairs of nations, contrasting the historical account with contemporary reflections on God's perceived 'hiddenness' in the modern world.

Ezra 1:1-11 · Ezra 1:5 · Isaiah 45:13

Academic Paper

The Quest for the Holy

A personal study and reflective essay written by Frank G. Carver between 1979 and 1987. The author explores the concept of 'the darkness of God' through a theological and personal lens, specifically examining the Hebrew term 'arafel' (thick darkness) in Exodus 20:18-21 as a symbol of divine presence and hiddenness. Carver connects the biblical narrative of Moses at Sinai to his own spiritual search for the essence of the 'holiness' heritage within the Church of the Nazarene, blending personal confession, devotional essay, and biblical interpretation. The text references various theological perspectives, including the works of T.S. Eliot, Saint Augustine, Blaise Pascal, and Samuel Terrien.

Exodus 20:18-21 · Psalm 97:2 · Hosea 11:1-4

Academic Paper

WTS The Quest for the Holy

In this presentation, Frank G. Carver explores the theological concept of 'the darkness of God' as a lens through which to understand the Wesleyan and Church of the Nazarene holiness heritage. Drawing on Exodus 20:18-21, Carver examines the Hebrew term 'arafel' (thick darkness) to discuss the presence and hiddenness of the Divine. He connects Old Testament motifs of divine darkness to the spiritual writings of figures such as T.S. Eliot, St. John of the Cross, Thomas Merton, and Henri Nouwen. Carver uses this metaphor to reflect on his personal religious upbringing in the Methodist and Nazarene traditions and to pose a question regarding the contemporary Church's ability to encounter the transcendent presence of God.

Exodus 20:18-21 · Exodus 28:18-21 · Psalm 97:2