Prophetic Evidence of Scripture Part 1--Tuesday Theology August 18

Tuesday Morning Theology August 18

Evidences of the truth of the Bible: Part 1: Prophetic Evidence

(quick commercial: there's a Youtube Video out there explaining how the Lord Jesus Christ gave us the name of the Anti-Christ, and that name was: Barak U-Bam-aw! Daniel Wallace is one of several excellent scholars in New Testament languages. He writes the books that smart people read to get smarter on the subject. He's got a response here. Check it out)

The next few weeks, TMT will focus on how we can know the Bible is accurate and truthful. While I firmly believe that the Christian faith hinges on the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, our evidence of this, all we know about it, originates in the Bible. So, knowing how we can know the Bible is a critical building block. Why does it matter? Well, I'm sitting in a concrete block building. I know it won't fall in on my head. Why? Because I know that the concrete blocks are sound. If we know the Bible is sound, we can know whether or not our faith is sound.

There's a variety of evidences that can be used. Today, we'll start with prophetic evidence. Why? Prophetic evidence is the least likely to be trusted by non-believers, and so I want to start there. We'll look at the prophetic evidences of Scripture, then the historic evidences, and see that since we can trust the latter, we can also trust the former.

So, what is prophetic evidence ? Simply put, I class as prophetic evidence those statements made in the Bible that clearly related to the future that have come to pass in the manner mentioned. Generally, it's not hard to discern these statements. For example, Ezekiel 26:14 speaks to a specific fate for the city of Tyre. There is no theory of Scripture that places the words after the fact in this case. It is a statement of what will happen in the future. Likewise Micah 5:2 is a prophecy of the place of birth of the Messiah.

Prophetic evidence is not: 1.) that there are prophecies in Scripture; 2.) Any prophecy that has not been fulfilled, such as those of the end of the world; 3.) based on shaky interpretations of Scripture, such as assuming a prophetic statement when it is not evident. Note that I believe that there are prophecies in Scripture, that some have not been fulfilled, and that some of them might be less obvious, but these result in more debate than evidence.

Next week we'll look at some examples of prophetic evidence .

August 18 2009

August 18 2009-Daily Journal

This coming Sunday's Sunday School lesson:

James 4:1-17. First section: James 4:1-5 →This is why James never could last as pastor of a Baptist church. He's direct here, pointing out why the church has problems. Why does the church have problems? Because of people. Specifically, the people that go to church there. Now, if you're a church-going person and you just thought of 5 names that you think cause all the problems in your church, add your name to the list. Now, you're mad at me for blaming you. But it's my fault as well. The problems in most churches fit exactly what James is saying here. It's not the devil or demons or the world that undermines the ability of the church to do what we should. It's us. The cravings within us, whether they be for visible things or invisible, money or approval, control or self-esteem, take a church down. We desire a more exciting sermon, so we murmur against the preacher. We want things done our way, and so fear allowing anyone else to take responsibility. We don't want to get to know people, so we resist reaching our communities. We want to be liked and respected in our communities, so we don't stick out by standing for holiness. We ignore James 4:4 as if it's not even there. You cannot be both the friend of the world and the friend of God. As believers, our problems aren't rooted in a lack of relevance or coolness, a holding of tradition or rejecting of it, but in the fact that we are attempting the impossible. We have tried for decades to ignore this, and have taught a whole generation that should have become passionate believers to try and balance friendship with the world and with God, rather than teaching them that it is hard to be a Christian. That it is hard to be alienated. That, sometimes, it's hard to go to church. But that we have a God in heaven to be obeyed, not our own friendships to be pleased.

Proverbs 18:2 →It is foolish to assume that we understand everything, and even more to only show off our own opinions. When there are people or resources available to assist, do we resist them? Do we wish to only show off ourselves?

Proverbs 18:6 →Yet the wise show restraint in giving that beating. Instead, typically another fool will do it.

Proverbs 18:9 →How about me? Am I lazy in my work, or am I legitimately tired? I know my own heart. You know yours. Where are we here? Destroying through laziness?

Proverbs 18:11 →HCSB says in his imagination it is like a high wall . Now, I'm all about a good imagination. It's great when reading or when kids are playing. This isn't really a good imagination. It's that flight-of-fancy, where I imagine myself coaching an Upward Flag Football team, and get noticed for my remarkable coaching skills, and find myself helping out the Razorbacks. Or my idea that, since Jerry Jones really wants to run the Cowboys himself through a puppet coach, I'd make a good head coach for the Dallas Cowboys. That imagination.

Proverbs 18:14 →Don't crush another's spirit. Really.

Proverbs 18:17 →This ought to be tattooed across every lawyer in America. Probably just for the fun of it. But it's important to remember. The first person to talk about a situation almost always sounds right. Reserve judgment until you hear the other side. And be especially leery of those who don't want the other side heard at all.

Proverbs 18:22 →Even better if he finds his wife, and not somebody else's. An excellent wife is the greatest gift God gives a man after salvation. And, gentleman, guess what? If she's the wife you've got, she's the wife God gave you. So, encourage her and strengthen her into that excellence.

Psalm 67:1-2 →God, bless us that Your salvation be known. Not that our righteousness be seen or that we will be blessed, but that all people will know You. God does not bless the American church with the resources we have just to make us look good. We have these things so that we may pour out His Word to all people, that we will be the beautiful feet (Romans 10:9-15). And yet we buy $3 cups of coffee while children go to bed hungry and lost? When God judges the nations with fairness, Psalm 67:4, we might be in trouble. Because, in all fairness, have we done what we ought?

1 Peter 4:7 →The end is near! Which is true. Near, in the scope of eternity. It's a fair assumption that all of us are within 100 years of the end. And the few who live past the age of 100 won't live much longer on this earth. So, with the end pushing down on us quickly, what should we do? Be clear headed, sound in our judgment, and praying. Praying that God would use us before the end. Praying that we may make Him known to the world around us!

Doug

Monday Politics Aug 17

August 17 2009

I'm trying to make sure my blog doesn't become all about politics anymore. Instead, I'm going to try and restrict myself to a weekly politics comment. It'll be either national politics or Baptist politics. Might even be both.

It's not that I have no opinion, but that, since I'm apparently an un-American racist for opposing the President's healthcare plan, there's no reason to dwell on it. It's ok. I've been a racist before, I'll be one for now. It does make me think, though. How do we argue? How do we discuss things? How quickly do we turn a discussion from its merits to buzzwords and generalizations? We do it in Baptist life. Rather than listen, we label someone as “liberal” or “fundamental.” We're doing now with the GCR. If you're opposed to a committee, you're against the Great Commission. Which means you're against the Bible, you're against God. Is that really so? Or is that just a tad exaggerated? When it comes to how things like Southern Baptist Cooperative Program money is divided, let's remember some basic realities: 1.)The IMB is not the only SBC group working on the Great Commission; 2.)The Great Commission is not the only thing we're commanded to do. Orphan care, widow provision are also commands of the New Testament to the church; 3.) While we may spend more per person in America than in the world, it's not just about the money. Even if you could equalize spending per person around the globe without shutting down every entity and ministry, like Children's Homes and Baptist Colleges, would that really accomplish the task? Is throwing money over the ocean what's desperately needed? Or is it really something else? Also, most of the people talking about this are currently in two days or more of meetings about how to spend money better. How much are we spending on two days of meetings? How many people could be evangelized by these passionate servants of the Great Commission if they weren't in meetings? Could we be spending enough in two days to fund indigenous pastors for a year in some countries? 4.)This is really not a good time to come to Southern Baptists with a plan that looks like more control or more centralized decision making. Hello? We are some of the most rebellious minded, independent people you will find. Pry Ed Stetzer from those meetings and have him survey some of the town hall meeting protesters to find out how many are Southern Baptists. I'll bet a lot of them are. So what? These folks are going to be against anything that looks like increased federalism. Even in the SBC. So be careful. Find good ideas to streamline and strengthen how the CP money that already goes to Nashville gets spent. Challenge every church and state convention to strive for an increase in percentage to CP, an increase to the national share. But don't come large with something that looks like a demand. Please. All the other good things will get squished by it.

Another SBC question: Why is it that when Morris Chapman asks for Clark Logan's resignation, we have an outcry that we deserve more information, even though it's a personnel matter, but NAMB forces out the President and 3 top staffers and we're supposed to idly accept it as a personnel matter? Is it because we're out to topple Chapman for his opposition to the GCR and Hammond wasn't all that enthusiastic for it? Since Hammond created his own task force for NAMB instead of letting the GCR Task Force tell NAMB what to do? It just seems odd that we won't allow Morris Chapman to do his job without extreme scrutiny, but we're ok that one of our Mission Boards has just lost its leadership for the 2 ^nd time in 5 years. On that whole note, perhaps we need to adjust Constitution and By-laws for the SBC and all of our single-member institutions that the President and 2 or 3 other named positions can be dismissed by the board, but the action has to be ratified by SBC action. Guidelines can go in place about suspending with or without pay, depending on the situation. Also that a new 'interim' president can be named, but must be approved by the whole SBC. Maybe I'm getting cynical, but we've had some substantial shake-ups right after everybody reported what they were doing at the SBC, and 10-11 months before they answer questions from the floor again. Seems odd. Perhaps fishy enough to send to flag@whitehouse.gov After all, the government wants to know about all your fishy neighbors. Perhaps they'll give you extra ration cards for being an informer. While you're at, send them a link to my blog. I'm fishily against the President's Healthcare Reform proposal. Oh wait, now it's Health Insurance Reform. I've come to realize that the pundits might be right that many of us aren't against the proposal as much as we're against whatever it is the President puts out there. Why? Because you can't figure out what he's putting out there. One year he's a firm proponent of single-payer government insurance for all. Now he's against it. One time there has to be a public option, now his own Health and Human Services Secretary isn't sure it's necessary. One week it's global warming, then it's global climate change, it just goes on. We're closing Gitmo prisons. We're sending the people there....oh, well, um....So, yes, many of us are reaching the point where we are simply opposed to a President Obama proposal because we don't know what it is, but he wants Congress to pass it anyway. So, yes, I'm against anything generated by the White House unless they can share a genuine, Constitutional reason to do it.

Which is ok, because Chuck Norris is against it too. When it comes down to it, whose side do you want to be on? Politics, maybe you want Barrack Obama and Joseph Biden. Life? I'm thinking Chuck Norris. I dare anybody to email in Chuck Norris to the White House. Speaking of which, why not a Chuck Norris/Ted Nugent ticket in 2012? Not that Chuck needs a Vice-President. You really only need one of those in case your President gets sick or dies or something. You can't even blend Chuck Norris in a Blend-tec Blender. I don't think he'll need a VP.

On the political front, though, let's try and keep Joseph in mind. The Biblical Joseph, from Genesis. Specifically Genesis 45:1-15. Here we see Joseph, mistreated by his brothers, but now in a position of power. He takes the opportunity as Pharaoh's right-hand-man to make sure his brothers know what it is to be sold into slavery, spend time in prison, and be hauled off to a foreign country, right? Oh, that's not right, is it? He provides for them, takes care of them, and demonstrates forgiveness to them. It is my hope that soon we will return true small-government, fiscally conservative, free-market, anti-globalist people to elected office in our states and nation, and that they will follow those principles. When that happens, it is not for us to go about locking up or attacking the people that have gotten us into this mess. We need not seek retribution. Now, I have a feeling that Joseph never went out into a field alone with his brothers again, just in case, and so should we not surrender to destructive forces in the name of being forgiving, but we need to stop the cycle of retribution in our government before it gets ugly. We had some of it 2001 and some again in 2009. It's still going on between pro- and anti- groups. Let's be real careful that we acknowledge majority direction, but Constitution rule of our country. Ok?

Doug

August 17 2009

August 17, 2009

This week's theme is forgiveness . No, not the Don Henley song. God's forgiveness. We'll see it in the reading of Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 67; Matthew 15:10-28; and Romans 11.

Monday: Old Testament reading: Genesis 45:1-15 →I find it interesting here that there are still 5 years left in the famine. It's obvious that the famine caught most people off guard, as Jacob and family are already on their second trip to buy food in Egypt. It's also an evidence of the grace of God. God is using these 7 years of famine to bring Jacob and family back into wholeness, bringing them back to Joseph. Why wait until the 6 ^th year? God works that for them now.

Also, not part of the reading, but at the end of the chapter: Genesis 45:28 →Joseph and Pharaoh have sent to Jacob wealthy gifts showing the prowess of Egypt. They have sent chariots and donkeys and carts. Jacob, apparently, is under-impressed. He simply wants to see his son before he dies. The more we grow, the more we realize what matters. It is not stuff that should draw our focus, but people. I have nice stuff, but there are some people I'd trade much of it just to be around. Treasure your relationships.

Proverbs 17:1 →do you destroy your family life for good meals?

Proverbs 17:2 →Parents, don't pass on the family wealth to a biological relative just because of the bloodline. Pass it to those who can use it well. Think about the businesses that ran well under the founder, and maybe under the founder's children. What happens when the 3 ^rd or 4 ^th generation takes over? Sometimes good things. Sometimes bad things. Don't allow your children to assume that they'll get life handed to them just for being your child.

Proverbs 17:3 →So don't take your heart out and put it in a ceramic jar capable of withstanding extreme heat. Let God judge it instead.

Proverbs 17:4 →Ever get in trouble at school just because “you were listening to him!”? Well, here's the verse on that. If you hear someone talking evil things, especially in church, walk away. Or tell them they are wrong. Don't sin by being the ears to hear when “just needs to vent.” Vent is for justifiable aggravation, not for sinful babbling.

Proverbs 17:5 →It doesn't matter what disaster or whose disaster. Justifiable disaster or not, do not rejoice over it.

Proverbs 17:9 →Conceals an offense, not a sin. This isn't saying not to confront sin. It's saying that when you see Judy going to the movies with her new boyfriend, and you know that she blew off “girl's night” with Pam and Grace to do it, you don't go telling Pam and Grace. Leave it alone. If the person is a believer and is sinning in what you saw, you have the responsibility to confront that person about it. Not tell anyone else.

Proverbs 17:12 →And you don't want to meet that bear, do you?

Proverbs 17:22 →And yet we skip church when sick? Shouldn't we find a way? Maybe set up rooms at church with video screens/audio feeds so that people can still be involved? After all, where else should God's people be the most joyful?

Proverbs 17:26 →Is it good to beat a noble for dishonesty? And who can we label as nobles in America today? ( Other than Jeff Noble and family?)

Proverbs 17:27 →Maybe I quit arguing with you because there's no reason to do it? Perhaps I'm restraining my words? Don't assume that, because the other person dropped the discussion, that you were right.

1 Peter 4:6 →We were spiritually dead before we heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Apart from hearing that Gospel, we'd still be dead. So, the Gospel is preached to those who are dead, that they may live! Do you live according to the will of God?

Doug

August 14 2009

I'm getting ready to head to Dallas for a new church partner training session with Upward Sports. We're thinking about starting up with that program at Calvary, so myself and two deacons are going to check it out. Pray that we have safety in travel, and that, since we're leaving with 1 pastor and 2 deacons, we come back with 1 pastor and 2 deacons. Unless a deacon surrenders to preach, and we come back 2 pastors and 1 deacon.

Proverbs 14:1 ->Ladies, are you showing wisdom by building up your house? By strengthening your family? Do the things you do develop the godliness in you and your family that are necessary? Or do strive to please family and the world first?\

Proverbs 14:6 ->This is something to consider when attempting to debate someone into the faith. Many people are just seeking the argument, and are 'scoffers' or 'mockers' who will not agree even if you have indisputable proof. Don't bang your head against that wall too long.

Proverbs 14:11 ->Being righteous may not provide you with material that is perceived by others, but God is your protection. Better to be in a double-wide with honesty and righteousness than a mansion on a hill without the Lord.

Proverbs 14:13 ->Do not mistake outward signs of emotion for what is truly within the heart. Many people will attempt to hide their feelings, especially of sadness. But don't argue with someone that they are sad if they don't want to admit it.

Proverbs 14:34 ->We hear this a lot about America, and that we need to be cautious lest that sin disgrace our nation. We also need to be careful of it in our own lives and churches. Sin is a disgrace to our smaller gatherings as well as our nation.

1 Peter 4:4-5 ->The anger we receive from the world around us is because they expect us to live like them and we don't. They see that the holiness of God is starting to shine through in our lives. Is it really a good idea to trade that rejection for relevance?

Just a quick note, Bibles Unbound, a project of Voice of the Martyrs, has passed the mark of mailing 1 million Bibles to Christians in countries where the Bible is not readily available, such as China and North Korea. Why not click that link and see how you can get involved?

Doug

August 13 2009

August 13 2009

I'm sitting back here, tucked away in my hyper-secret pastor bunker, listening to piano versions of hymns and praise songs. It's very soothing, and is a part of what God uses to keep me going through the day. Back here I don't hear the office phone ring, but I've got my Blackberry if there's a problem. I don't pick up the church's wireless internet well enough to keep Tweetdeck open or to catch up on Blog reading. In fact, I've changed the way I blog just to accommodate being back here. Just about everything you read from me now is typed into OpenOffice writer, and I use a software plug-in to upload it to blogger when I get back to the office.

So, what does that have to do with anything? Well, the 3 pianists I have scrambled up in iTunes are Michael Gettel, Jim Brickman, and Chris Rice. Gettel's album is Change My Heart, O God, Piano and Chris Rice's is The Living Room Sessions, volume 1, Hymns (I've also got volume 2, Christmas, but it's August). I've got some Jim Brickman files that I legally purchased from iTunes. What I find interesting is the beauty of the music. Gettel is playing music from the Vineyard movement, which is very different in theology and practice from some of the classic theology found in the hymns played by Rice. And, currently, I'm listening to Brickman's rendition of God Bless America, which was written by a Jew, who would certainly have different theology. All of these blend together and you can hear the beauty in the music and realize that this is close to what church should sound like. Come Thou Fount mixed with As the Deer and Isn't He followed by How Great Thou Art.

The other point is that each of these 3 have differing styles to bring music from the same instrument. The same thing that I can make a horrendous racket from, they bring forth flowing melody and rhythm. I've gotten use to it enough that I can tell who is playing without looking, and I'd like to think I could even if they were playing different songs. We're a lot like that, or should be. There are parameters of life, just like in music. We have a freedom to improvise, to ruffle, to flourish within those parameters, and we ought to. It's the parameters that help us communicate to others. I see it most in the hymn How Great Thou Art, which I have from both Brickman and Rice. Either one is plainly obvious to be that hymn, and familiarity brings the words back when I hear it. But there is a difference in the way each brings beauty through individuality into the song. Brickman is meditative and Rice is triumphant, but there's more even than that. Download Rhapsody and use the 25 free songs you get this month to listen compare. Or listen for it on Sunday mornings before church. We as believers are performing the same song. We're testifying to the greatness and the wonder of God, to his majesty, holiness, and grace. We're sharing with the world the song of forgiveness, redemption, and adoption. How do you share it? Do you seek to mimic others? Do you seek to emulate good influences, while developing your own style?

Military aviation is one area that uses the terms “technique” and “procedure” to reflect this. (other businesses and ventures might also, but I learned it from military aviation people) A “procedure” is something that everyone does the same way every time because that's the way it has to be done. In the Christian life, that we pray to God is a procedure. We ought to all pray to the One True God, who sent His Son, Jesus Christ for us. How we pray to God is more of a “technique,” a way of doing something that your individuality comes into. You might pray standing, sitting, silently, quietly, loudly. You might write out your prayers, you might not. But you're still praying to God. Same with church. We Christians ought to all gather with God's people, something we call “going to church.” You might go to church with a small group in a house, or with 10,000 people at a fancy cathedral. One's technique, as long as it accomplishes the needed goals, is not critical.

As Christians, procedure is mostly defined by the Bible. Technique is informed by the Bible and driven by our culture, history, understanding, and maturity. Technique is something that we develop preferences in, and act on. Procedure is something that we just have to do. We must study Scripture, pray, tell the world about Jesus. I'd argue that we must also baptize and observe the Lord's Supper, repent and hold each other accountable. We are instructed to sing and to give generously. These things have to be done, just as an aircraft needs to have its fuel checked, airframe inspected, safety checks, instrument checks, engines/electronics checked, and then fired up and flown. The pilot must keep the plane up, and the navigator has to keep the pilot flying in the right direction. Whether the navigator does this by asking nicely or simply slapping the pilot until he gets it right is a technique , though. His personality comes through there, just as how we accomplish our tasks within the church can be a technique. We're just not allowed to smack people until they do right.

Proverbs 13:5 →This explains why righteous people get upset when people lie about things not even related to them. We ought to despise the untruthfulness, whether it affects us or not.

Proverbs 13:7 →Modernized: One goes nuts in debt to persuade others he's got it all, while another drives clunkers with a seriously large bankroll.

Proverbs 13:14 →Just as fountains require you to stop and get what they have, so you must stop and take in what the wise offer.

Proverbs 13:15 →So, we have tried and true political methods that work every time, don't we? Because treachery is always the same.

Proverbs 13:23 →This recognizes that some who work and labor are poor due to injustice. This injustice needs corrected. This is the first step to alleviating poverty that we should involve ourselves with as Christians: preventing and eliminating injustice that keeps workers from their just rewards.

1 Peter 4:3 →I'm seeing Peter saying here that our past times of living sinfully are enough. That we should have done enough of that living then, and be ready to move from it now. Yet have we had enough? Or do we long for that past?

Matthew 14:22-33 →He made the disciples? You mean that sometimes we have to do what He says? He doesn't always wait for us to agree to it? v. 24: Sometimes, when doing what Christ commands, the winds are contrary! Life tries to prevent our obedience, but we must be obedient to get where He has commanded we go. v. 30: how often I have chastised Peter for his sinking, but then I realized today that when I have begun to sink, I've tried to swim. How often do we try to swim and save ourselves when it seems our life is falling apart? Rather than cry out “Lord SAVE ME!” We sink, and then try again, and again, to swim back to the boat, and start over. v. 32: The storm didn't cease while Peter's on the sea. It ceases when they're back in the boat. Peter walked on raging seas too. v. 33: Does Peter not worship Him too? I see here that “ those who were in the boat” and just wonder if Peter was beyond words at this point?

Thursday Sports August 13 Smoltz

Thursday Morning Sports!

August 13 2009 Edition

Ok, so today's blog feature post is about sports. What about sports? Well, sometimes this will feature deep, thought provoking sports stories. As I get back into doing historical research, some of what you'll see here are great inspirations from the history of sports. You'll see things about odd sports and great sportsmen. You might read stories of how sports led the way in societal transformation.

But today we're going to talk about John Smoltz. Why? Not because I dislike Smoltz. Far from it. He's generally been a great pitcher, and, from accounts I read, I good person as well. Not knowing him personally, all I've got are second-hand words.

So why talk about him? Well, here's a guy that pitched marvelously for the Atlanta Braves. Did so for many years. Then he got hurt. Had surgery, tried to come back. Couldn't quite start, so he moved to a spot as a relief pitcher, primarily as a closer. And John Smoltz as a closer was one of the scariest things opposing teams faced that year. If the Braves had been able to shore up starting pitching (and offense!) that year, it would have been tremendous. Unfortunately, they didn't. One of the reasons was the hope that Smoltz would return as a starter, and they didn't want to take his spot.

Well, return he did, but he wasn't quite as dominating, and then he got hurt again. Which led to more surgery more rehab. This year, the Braves had let him go, which wasn't a real good public relations move, but they did it anyway. He went to the Boston Red Sox. And guess what? He pitched awfully for them. So bad that a Cy Young Award winner and probable Hall of Famer has been cut from the team. Officially, he's “designated for assignment” which means he ain't playing for the Red Sox, they're just not sure what to do with him. Probably he'll get cut completely.

Which brings us to my question: Why not, especially if you're the Braves, see if you can get him back and in the bullpen, relieving? That's long been a shortfall for Atlanta. Shaky relief pitching. Smoltz seems to get hurt on long outings. And typical relievers have 2 or 3 pitches, while he's got 4 or 5. Plus, you've got a guy that is semi-decent with a bat.

What would stop them? Well, he might not want to do it. He might want to keep trying to be a starter. They might not want to pay him enough. He has to decide what he wants to do, where he wants to be.

What about us? How often do we hold onto one phase of life too long? Do we resist seeing that, perhaps, what we love to do isn't defined by filling one position, but the greater activity we're involved in? Would we take a different role to stay in it? Would we let other people define our role, or do we insist on doing it our way? Those of you who lead organizations and people, are you willing to encourage someone into something they are reluctant to do, because they'd be good at it?

If the Braves will ask him to come back, there might be a wild-card slot in their future this season. And if all the Phillies get swine flu and forfeit a week, a division championship again. If the Braves will do their part and secure a good man, great player, I'll do what I can: stay off the field, and try to find someone to go cough all over the Philadelphia dugout.