Promote children wellbeing and safety Essay

The safety and welfare of the children is very important in every se? ng as indicated in sec? on 3 of the statutory framework for the early year’s founda? on stage 2014. All providers must meet the necessary requirements to make sure the children are kept safe and well. In my se? ng we have three rooms which are the baby room, toddler room and pre-school. As I work in the toddler room I care for children age ranging between 16 months to 27months old. The children to sta) ra? o is very important as this ensures that the children’s needs and  safety is met. If the children are under two years old then we have a sta) ra? o of 1 adult to 3 children and if the children are over 2 years old then we have a sta) ra? o of 1 adult to 4 children. The toddler room can hold up to 27 children with 9 members of sta) ranging from a room leader, senior nursery nurse, level 2 and 3 quali+ed and some sta) who are unquali+ed but working towards their quali+ca? on. All sta) members are CRB checked to make sure that the children are safe hands.

Myths According to Joseph Campbell

Kevin Gerbier What is a myth? When one thinks of a myth perhaps one thinks about a story being told by the fire, or a dramatic tale about an invincible hero, or perhaps a cosmological occurrence that caused everything to be. Personally, when I think of the word myth, I think of the ancient Greeks or Romans with their many gods and goddesses; however, to most, the story being told by a myth is simply that, just a story.To most the term â€Å"myth† has been confused for a legend or folklore. The truth of the matter is however, that to religious scholars, a myth is more than just a story; a myth is how a society’s religion came to explain what seemed the inexplicable. With modern science booming and being capable of explaining the events that our ancestors could not, there has been a mix up on the term â€Å"myth† and on the function that it plays in the religious backbone.As a scientist, when I hear the word myth or that something is simply a myth, I understand tha t as being false or completely untrue; or, when people in south America are told the horrendous story of the â€Å"chupa cabra† that is simply disregarded as a â€Å"myth,† a folklore invented by someone who may have seen an animal they did not know and simply disguised it as a monster. The reality of the matter however, is that, scholarly, a myth is as true as anything else can be. This does not necessarily mean that when one hears the story of the great flood it literally means that god flooded the entire world.A myth can be based on historical facts or none at all; the facts are not what make a myth true but it is the story that inspired it and the content of it. A myth is simply a metaphorical poem telling a story that explains the human encounter with the unknown. This is where the religious aspect ties in with the scholarly view of myths. Every religion has it’s own story or â€Å"myth† on how the universe was created, how humans came to be, where l ife came from, and so on. These stories show a kind of relationship with the supernatural and the mortal beings.Myths began as stories that were told by word of mouth; eventually however, they began to be written and in a religion’s sacred writings. From these written down myths, the teachers or the wise from each religion can interpret the metaphorical story that has been passed down from older generations of that religion and enlighten those who follow it. The importance of myths is how it functions and plays a role in a particular religion and society. Joseph Campbell was a mythologist and a writer. He believed that myth was in fact non-fiction and that it played a great role in how it functioned with religion and beliefs.He wrote The Hero’s Journey where he outlined four major components that gave a function to myths. These were that, first myths produce a mystical function, myths also have a cosmological function, myths posses a sociological function, and finally myths have a psychological function according to joseph Campbell. The mystical function of myth is meant to keep the believer in awe and be able to experience first hand the power of the divine through the story. The stories are meant to engage the listener or reader so that they can relate to an extent beyond their comprehension.This function places the believer in a humble state when the realization of how miniscule they are compared to their â€Å"god. † The mystical function unites the believer with the â€Å"transcendent reality† to which they originated from. This function is meant to instill a sense of faith to that which cannot be directly seen but is felt when engaged in the story. The cosmological function of myth is one that can be seen less in our advanced society due to all the scientific research that has discredited many of the sacred texts’ stories on creation and many other subjects the divine.For example, the Christian myth about the Garden of Eden, Adam, Eve, and the forbidden tree could once have been seen as factually true. With modern science as an ally, we are no longer confined to that story as an explanation to our beginnings. The cosmological function however is meant to do just that, narrate a divine story that explains that which inexplicable at the time the story was created. The third function of myths is the sociological function; this function of myths can be trivial and sometimes twisted and turned for a select group’s own benefit.Not only do the metaphorical stories told in myth explain how the world functions or came to be per say, but also they leave teachings of social order and divine order. An example of this can be seen in the Bible where homosexuality is said to be an â€Å"abomination. † This type of lesson leads the believers in straying away from that sort of behavior because their god frowns upon it. The sociological function is also meant to build a better society by instilling a sense of morals, ethics, and customs upon the people.The problem with this type of function arises when zealots begin to use the rules and orders set in their sacred texts to their selfish needs and neglect the rest. The final function of myths is that they possess a psychological function and this may perhaps be the most important one of the set. This functions links the believer with him/herself and helps them with internal struggles they may have at some point by being able to relate to a â€Å"hero† in the mythological story.Such hero can be seen in the story of Lot found in the bible; Lot faced many hardships and struggles because god was testing his faith through them. Once his struggles were through and god saw that Lot did not lose faith in him, Lot was rewarded in multiple amounts to more than what he had before his hardships. This kind of story tells the believer that no matter what they might be going through they are being tested for a greater purpose. This is the type of self lesson that the psychological function of myths posses.The term â€Å"myth† is a term that is thrown around very loosely in our society to describe something that may be untrue or with a fictitious background. As discussed, the term is much more than that and has some truth to it. Stories in myths were told as metaphors and had truthful insights and lessons behind them. Myths serve a mystical, cosmological, social, and psychological function that allows believers to relate to the stories in a much different level. A divine level perhaps. Myths connect the believer to their divine entity, to the society they are living in, and to themselves.

Karl Marx’s theory

The theory of Karl Marx as regards society and how it should move and organize itself is contrary to the view that all the members of the community must collaborate and contribute to the greater and common good. For Karl Marx, conflict is necessary in order to effectuate changes within the society. In fact, he considers conflict the most fundamental ingredient in making change possible in a given society.The foundation of this theory is Karl Marx’s theory that the society is composed of different classes. The class to which a particular person belongs will largely depend on the role or part played by that individual within the bounds of society. Where classes exist, people are continuously segregated, and hence it cannot be said that there is presence of absolute equality. Hence, for Karl Marx, this is where conflict begins.His belief in the formation of classes is traced in his notion that men has been in constant contrast with nature or his environment. There is the belief t hat due to man’s active participation or connection with his environment, he finds more and more ways to contrast with it in order for him to survive. As correctly pointed out,Marx insisted that men make their own history. Human history is the process through which men change themselves even as they pit themselves against nature to dominate it. In the course of their history men increasingly transform nature to make it better serve their own purposes. And, in the process of transforming nature, they transform themselves.In contrast to all animals who can only passively adjust to nature's requirements by finding a niche in the ecological order that allows them to subsist and develop, man is active in relation to his surroundings. He fashions tools with which to transform his natural habitat (â€Å"Dynamics Of Social Change†).Hence, men found it imperative to formulate measures and processes in order for him to survive. This is the same need that moved and provoked men t o associate with other individuals that are more like them. This is the start of the formation of classes where men of the same roles in the society grouped and formed their own class for purposes of survival.Due to the creation of different classes or groups within the society with the same purpose, said groups found themselves in conflict with one another. This is due to the fact that for purposes of subsistence, one class must necessarily dominate all the other classes in the society. In a scenario where different classes exist with one purpose, the presence of conflict, for Karl Marx, is inevitable. â€Å"Classes are conflict groups involved in extremely intense and violent conflicts directed toward equally extremely sudden and radical changes†(Dahrendorf, 1959). Due to their struggle to survival, it becomes imperative that the classes be in conflict with one another. The subjective class deemed it necessary to rise above the dominating class.In order for the subjective c lass to rise above the dominating class, it becomes crucial for conflict to exist. As mentioned above, it was the view of Marx that men as beings do not merely adapt to his nature. In order to survive, men find means and process to fight back and struggle with nature. This is precisely what happens in the society, the people do not merely assent to what constantly occurs within the society, and hence conflict must be created for change to materialize. Marx believed that if the lower class simply cooperated with the higher class, exploitation will continue and worsen until change is no longer possible.For Marx, society cannot change nor move forward if people simply assented to the appeals and desires of the dominant class; that society cannot be changed if men simply adhered or responded to nature. Marx put too much premium in the concept of conflict as a tool for transforming the society people live in. Truthfully, in the world we live in today, conflict is not difficult to find. A s correctly pointed out by Dahrendorf, â€Å"we can maintain at the very least that in many societies there are associations and classes, and in all known societies social conflicts†(1959). And within each society, conflict is not a simple element, but rather a necessary one.   For Karl Marx, In order that change to the systems running the society and arrangements within the society to be effected, conflict, albeit a negative term, is a necessary tool which must be considered and utilized.REFERENCERalf Dahrendorf. Class and Class Conflict in Industrial Society. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1959â€Å"Dynamics of Social Change†.

Taking a Stand Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Taking a Stand - Term Paper Example Speaking and acting on behalf of a vulnerable patient is an example of an issue that requires me to perform the role of moral agent or advocate to improve the situation. Walsh (201o) brings forward the fact that "The prime responsibility of nurses is to nurse her patient, and that, in doing so, she is free to express compassion, the emotion that is distressing, but that motivates her actions in satisfying the most basic of her patients needs" (p. 748). It is an ethical or moral issue for nurses to act as advocates for their patients as some of them may be frail, susceptible, and helpless. Through advocacy, nurses are able to eliminate pain, distress, as well as uncalled for forms of treatment. The issue of incompetence is the medical profession also necessitates the need for advocacy. Incompetency may include wrong medications and breach of confidentiality of patients records. The relationship between patients and their doctors does not in many cases allow them to speak freely hence they are not involved in making decisions regarding their treatment. Patients have a right to be involved in the decision making process and are subsequently entitled to decide on the mode of treatment they would prefer (Tomajan, 2012). Therefore, nurses are obligated to act as advocates for patients rights and speak on their behalf. There are a number of negative outcomes that may result if this role is not fulfilled. Firstly, patients will not have the capacity to make informed choices and decisions in regard to their health issues as well as treatment. A patient may lack the capacity to speak on his or her behalf, meaning that there is poor communication. It is also worth noting that if advocacy for patients rights is not fulfilled, then issues of incompetence may increases (Tomajan, 2012). For instance, advocacy in nursing ensures that patients medical records are treated with discretion and hence if it is

Experienced teachers make decisions about educational practice using Essay

Experienced teachers make decisions about educational practice using their understanding of a range of theories about learning. No one theory provides all the a - Essay Example There are four important perspectives in learning theories, behaviorism, humanism, constructivism and cognitivism. In education, behaviorist theories maintain that learning is the result of ‘operant conditioning’ which is a process and both investigated and named by B F Skinner. The word ‘operant’ is used to explain the way in which behavior of an individual operates in a particular person. According to behaviorism theory, behavior of an individual may result either in punishment or in reinforcement. If the behavior results in reinforcement, then chances of same behavior occurring again are higher, at the same time, if a behavior results in punishment, then its chances of happening again are very remote. But we should remember that the issues related to punishment or reinforcement are quite complex. For instance, a punisher or reinforcer is identified within behaviorism by its effect on behavior. So, a punishment may not be regarded as punishment if it does not result in the reduction of a specific behavior. Therefore, behaviorists generally concentrate on measurable ch anges on behavior. ‘Operant conditioning’ uses the consequences of behavior to alter the form of behavior and its occurrence. It basically deals with modification of voluntary behavior. It generally, creates five consequences such as positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, negative punishment and extinction. It is important to note that it is not the individuals who are reinforced or punished; rather it is his or her response which is reinforced or punished. In ‘operant conditioning’ context, the terms positive and negative are, generally, not used in their popular meaning, but rather positive means to addition and negative refers to subtraction. 4. Negative punishment: -It occurs when a response (behavior) results removal of a

Impact of implementing CRM systems in establishing customer loyalty Research Proposal

Impact of implementing CRM systems in establishing customer loyalty - Research Proposal Example The intention of this study is Customer Relationship Management (CRM) as the efficient communication between customers and a company at every contact point. Whether this communication is done by phone, website or e-mail, the important thing is that the customer counts on getting an experience from doing business with the company. CRM systems are there to ensure a good customer experience. It is a vast system of information on a database of customers and their buying habits, e-mail address, residential address, personal information such as birthday and so on. This information is then retrievable by any department that needs it to better the company. Customer Relationship Management is a new innovation in customer service today. CRM helps the customer service staff and management to cope with customer issues and concerns. CRM entails gathering a great deal of data about the customer. The data is then used in facilitating customer service transactions by availing the information needed to resolve the concern or issue to those dealing with the customers. In the end there are more satisfied customers, more resources available to the support staff and a more profitable business. Top management can use CRM systems in making adjustments to one of the products sold or deciding whether one of the products on the shelves will be scrapped altogether. CRM systems generate reports that are also invaluable to the company’s marketing and advertising planners, as they will be able to identify which ideas work and which do not.

A full e-marketing report (including a plan for future activities) for Essay - 3

A full e-marketing report (including a plan for future activities) for The in thing - Essay Example The business is organized as a strategic business unit, one such strategic business unit is serving the households (being a Business to Customer business), while the other strategic business unit is acting as a distributor to other retailers and specialty stores (Business to Business). Both the business units differentiate themselves from their competitors through a very efficient order delivery system. To augment this are feature of the business are services like: informing retailers about the most in demand toy brand, allowing them to make advance order with charging them, not even in the case of cancellation of booking. Both the business units are organized in a way that allows them to be nimble and flexible in this volatile and uncertain marketplace. This marketing plan is being developed to increase the company’s customer base through analyzing the current discrepancies in the e-marketing mix of the company and suggesting the tools based on the assumption that they would be apt for this form of the business. Not only are the suggestions focused on adding new marking tools in the mix but also are aimed at removing redundant and obsolete market channels for the mix. The aim is to utilize every ounce of a marketing channels potential. Utilization in this context depends upon the number of customers the website is able to attract and more importantly retain. Retention is actually the real objective as it would lead to the creation of brand equity and brand loyalty. In this plan the company has been recommended to outsource its in-house website development and maintenance function, and focus on its core competencies. The company for which this marketing plan is being made is â€Å"The in Thing†. This business was founded in the year 2007, and is a private enterprise. The company operates in Accrington, Lancashire, United Kingdom with 25 employees. It has a strategic business unit by the name of â€Å"I want I want†, this business unit

Macro assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Macro - Assignment Example This is because as the country experienced inflation, the central bank raised interest rates to reduce inflation. High-interest rates reduce consumer spending, thus lowering the AD. Low AD will consequently reduce inflation; however, there is fewer consumers spending which means the real GDP is low. Firms are, therefore, not willing to hire more employees and thus, high rates of unemployment despite the low inflation. President Obamas response to the 2008 recession was the right decision. His government offered stimulus to the falling economy and resuscitate the crumbling housing industry. His policy led to a slow but sure recovery of the economy. Job losses in one industry affect incomes in other industries. For instance, job loss in construction industries means that the population’s income reduces. Therefore, the ability and willingness to buy things like clothes and leisure travels declines, thus affecting the clothing and travel industry. China launched a fiscal stimulus in 2008 so as to boost domestic demand and avoid the booming global recession. Without the stimulus, China would have recorded a growth of between 5 and 6% as opposed to 8-9% growth recorded. Revolutionary war was financed through the deficit debt. Whether the cost of deficit spending is passed on to the future generation is debatable. Economists argue that it is usually borne at the time of debt-financed activity; however, the benefits may persist even to the future generation. Others argue that if deficit spending is spent on consumption goods, the cost is transferable to the future generation Future generation may benefit from deficit spending in different ways. For example, deficit spending could raise economic growth in the future, finance projects such as infrastructure or be used to educate the future generation. Keeping a fraction of money in reserve should not make bankers uncomfortable.

Critical Introduction to Law Portfolio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Critical Introduction to Law Portfolio - Essay Example Much like Poe’s Prefect, I came into the law course, an unthinking member of society, taking the study of law for granted. The second seminar began to reverse my attitude as it engaged thought and reason. Without the benefit of Schlag’s The Enchantment of Reason, I might have read, Poe’s The Purloined Letter as nothing more than detective fiction. However, with the hindsight of Schlag’s The Enchantment of Reason, I not only felt compelled to re-evaluate my own view of the law, I was also able to interpret Poe’s The Purloined Letter differently. I focused on logic and more importantly flawed logic and the power of the human mind and reason. As a result, I was prepared to study law with an open mind. Reading and discussing the Purloined Letter and Schlag’s The Enchantment of Reason I came to appreciate a new perspective on law. Looked at as a system of rules and regulation, Schlag and Poe’s works draw attention to fallacy of blindly sett ing rigid rules and regulations and then following those rigid rules and regulations even when, they do not produce desirable outcomes. I came to the realization that I had a lot to learn about the law, how and why law is made and what compels people to follow and to not follow the law. I also realized that disobeying rules and regulations and finding alternative solutions were not always wrong. The second seminar therefore changed my expectations. I found that I was eager to learn more about the rights and protections anticipated by the law and when and how unanticipated situations would or should be treated by the law. In other words, the second seminar drew specific attention to procedural rather than substantive law, but invokes thoughts of both. Essentially, the second seminar taught me that procedural rules and regulations rarely anticipate every possibility. Rule makers, such as the police in The Purloined Letter who refuse to modify rules when they are inappropriate in an un anticipated situation, end up with rules and regulations that are ineffective. Therefore reason and logic dictates that there are often justifiable grounds for going around the procedural rules and regulations or modifying them to meet a new set of circumstances. The third seminar provided a more direct experience with the law with an introduction to 19th century English legal scholar A.V Dicey. Dicey invited critical thinking about the law and what it takes to learn the law. In Dicey’s Can English Law Be Taught At The Universities? reinforced my enthusiasm to study the law. Dicey admits that the best place to learn the law is in the courtroom. However, he also notes that there are some things that cannot be learned by mere practice and that learning law in university fills that gap. The gap is learning to think critically about legal concepts. That can never be learned in the courts and in the law chambers. I was also encouraged by Kennedy’s First Year Law Teaching as Political Action which encouraged legal scholarship as a tool for encouraging critical thinking rather than merely learning the law as a means to a career. Kennedy encouraged creativity and a unique approach to learning and teaching law. Thus far, I felt that I was already becoming a creative and critical thinker. Introduction to law was nothing like I expected learning the law to be. I always thought studying law meant learning and thinking codes and cases. Now I was thinking about logic and analysis and

Adoption of new technology systems Essay Example for Free

Adoption of new technology systems Essay Health can be described as the state of physical or emotional well-being without necessarily the absence of a disease or any given ailments. Electronic Health Record, thereby, covers a wide scope in ensuring the electronic procedures through which the factors that lead to the health of individuals are ensured. This indicates that this practice involves the incorporation of technology such as the use of computers to ensure its implementation.                  In this research paper, therefore, one ought to undertake the role of a head nurse, and carry out the programs that will ensure the use of electronic health records system is incorporated in a facility. In addition, one ought to put his or her base of discussion in line with the Rodgers qualities that lead to the adoption of new technologies, especially in an organizational set up. This can, therefore, be discussed as follows:                  How to approach the present the Electronic Health Records to the nurses to win their approval            Nurses often play a greater role in ensuring the health care delivery to the patients, who in most cases seek medical attention. This owes to the fact that they put into consideration the patients’ issues from the moment they are registered to undertake treatment in a given facility. Furthermore, they are the individuals who make sure that the patients get proper and adequate treatment up to when they are discharged from the hospital.               Therefore, one way of presenting the Electronic Health Records system to them is by critically defining the roles they are to carry out. These run from the registration of the patients, admission procedures as in the case of patients’ illnesses, writing down of the nursing procedures. Other functions of the nurses include drug admission, dosage and their storage, carrying out of the minor surgeries and dressing of wounds.                As the Head Nurse in charge, I would clearly outline to the nurses their roles, and how the incorporation of the new electronic health record system would improve their daily activities in the delivery of healthcare. However, despite the advantages that are associated with the new technology, several cases of resistance can be noticed among the nurses. These can be in the whereby they mention that they lack the knowledge and the skills to use the methods and that it may consume their time, and lead t earlier retirement or even retrenchment of their jobs.               In such a given case, as a head nurse, I will ensure that they have adequate training on the use of the newly adopted system, and assure them that the only time they would be retrenched or dismissed from their duties would be on attainment of the retirement age. Moreover, I will ensure that new goals and objectives are set forth with the introduction of the systems to ensure a quality health delivery service. Furthermore, I would also provide some room for negotiation so that we come up with a system that will be favorable to all.               Applications as per Rodger’s theory, in the health facility setup.               The theory looks into the modes via which individuals can choose to adapt into a new system of technology, basing on the qualities that they possess. These include relative advantage/the benefits, compatibility with the current practices and the values, simplicity, trialability, and the results that are observed (the observable results). The relative advantage               In order to prepare the nurses for the implementation that is upcoming, I would ensure that the system will lay several benefits that will facilitate in the improvement of the existing one. An explanation that can be given to this is that, initially, the storage of the health records were done in a manual manner. Therefore, a lot of time would be taken to retrieve the information about the patients from the filing area, thereby leading to subsequent delays, and infectivity in the delivery of health care. Moreover, the loss of the files would be easier owing to their inadequate storage and management.               However, by the incorporation of the new technology, time taken to retrieve the information about the patients would be reduced due to their accessibility and efficient storage. This would in turn lead to faster and efficient treatment. These would also ensure that they are properly diagnosed with the diseases that they suffer from and reduce the excess costs incurred for example in the purchasing of their files. Compatibility with the existing values and practices               In the health setup, proper values need to be ensured so that the rights of the patients are not infringed on. These can be in line with the Nightingale Promises or laws, as in this case, for the nurses. Practices such as laboratory experiments and the observational routines, for example, recording of temperature, blood pressure tests, post natal and antenatal care too should be considered. As a result, in order for the nurses to adapt to the new systems, they need to understand how the technologies would be implemented as per the values and the practices. Simplicity               In the facility, several forms of resistance may arise due to the difficulty of the nurses to use the new methods as most of them may be computer illiterate. Therefore, there is need to use the simple models that they can be easily trained on and understand. An example of these may include the data entry forms like the use of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) basically, before getting to the more complex ones. Others may include the measurements of the temperature and pressure of the patients using equipment that can easily detect the variables from one patient to the next.                TrialabilityThese can be carried out as part of the training procedures that are given to the nurses. Therefore, they can be granted some extra time to familiarize themselves with the machines, make several trials and mistakes, and eventually come to terms with the proper modes of handlement. Observable results                  In most cases, these will be evident from the institutions that have successfully installed and used the systems in place, and the progresses that they have made in relation to the admission of an adequate healthcare. Thus, these can be the referral and the national hospitals from where a variety of diseases are handled. The role of nurses as change agents in facilitating the adoption of a new technology                Nurses aid in the adoption of the new forms of technology by ensuring digitalization in the admission of healthcare. These can be in the form of the mobile clinics that reach far and wide, within and outside the country. Moreover, it gives them a wider scope to classify diseases according to the signs and symptoms thus they can relate to patients through mediums such as webcam or even Skype for those who may not be able to get to the facilities in good time.                      These can therefore help to reduce the costs that can be incurred as in the case of distant travels by the patients who are critically ill, for example the aircraft ambulatory modes, and reduce more damages that would be caused to the patients by the use of roads. Additionally, several modes of treatment too can be sought out for by the nurses in line with the researches that they carry out through the internet, thereby improving the lives of individuals. References Archer, N., Cocosila, M. (2011). A Comparison of Physician Pre-Adoption and Adoption Views on Electronic Health Records in Canadian Medical Practices. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 13(3), 65.Devkota, B., Devkota, A. (2014). Electronic health records: advantages of use and barriers to adoption. Health Renaissance, 11(3), 78.Mihalko, M. (2011). Cognitive Informatics and Nursing: Considerations for Increasing Electronic Health Records Adoption Rates. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 26(3), 264-266. Peden, A. H. (2009). Factors affecting adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems in United States Hospitals. New York: Mac Millan. Rogers, E. M. (1983). Diffusion of innovations (3rd ed.). New York: Free Press ;. Source document

Review of Eric Johnsons Psychology and Christianity

Review of Eric Johnsons Psychology and Christianity Review of Eric Johnsons Psychology and Christianity: Five Views TITLE: Psychology Christianity: Five Views EDITOR: Eric L. Johnson EDITION: 2nd CONTRIBUTIONS BY: David G. Myers, Stanton L. Jones, Robert C. Roberts Watson P.J., John H. Coe Todd W. Hall, David Powlison PUBLISHERS: Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2010 NUMBER OF PAGES: 319 PRICE:  £14.37 Introduction This book discusses five views on the relationship between Psychology and Christianity. The five views, put forward by seven contributors, include: A Levels-of-Explanation View, An Integration View, A Christian Psychology View, A Transformational Psychology View and A Biblical Counseling View. Each view is also mirrored by proponents of other approaches. The editor provides an insight through the preface and the introductory and concluding chapters. In the preface, he clearly puts the background to the book and its coverage in perspective. Chapter 1: A Brief History of Christians in Psychology In this 39-page chapter, Johnson gives the history of the debate on psychology and Christianity and summarises the five approaches. He traces biblical psychology to creation. Johnson rationalises that, from the beginning of creation to His continuous orderly guide, God presents a rationality that can be verified. He argues that the history of Christianity has shown science as a cardinal gift from God. He further talks about late modernism witnessing Darwin’s perverse theory of evolution with psychological developments replacing biblical study and philosophical reflection. Johnson also discusses the church’s intellectual crisis and the responses of Christians to the new psychology and finally highlights the five approaches of the book. Chapter 2: A-Levels-of-Explanation View Myers begins his 30-page exposition by looking at differing definitions of psychology over time and replies inquisitive critics that psychological science and Christian faith blend well. He argues that one’s perspective depends on what one wants to talk about and that religious and scientific levels of explanation and analysis are often complimentary. He sees no contradiction of explanations at different levels and states that psychological science, hidden values and spiritual awe are complimentary. He also argues that our values, ideas and predictions guide research thereby exposing the reality. He claims that people of faith have no problem with psychological inquiry and that a connecting link exists between the two. Myers tabulates â€Å"Seven Ways to Relate Faith and Psychology† with examples (p.57). He states that several of psychologists’ conclusions concerning attitudes, behaviour and situations are drawn from religious ideas. He states that psychology cha llenges us sometimes to examine some cherished ideas and consult the Scripture as in research on erroneous thinking and new information about sexual orientation. Myers concludes that psychology and faith share the same ideals of humility and scepticism. He summarises the several links between psychology and faith and warns that psychological science should not be seen as the final word but rather keep alive the â€Å"ever reforming Reformation spirit† (p.75). Other writers agree that Myers’ piece has a bias for good science but there are also criticisms of his view. Jones, for example, faults Myers’ approach for failure to specify which beliefs will shape the work and for offering nothing compelling from science itself. Watson too sees Myers’ definition of psychology as suspect and his essay as mere Christians’ interpretation of various scientific findings. Coe and Hall claim that Myers’ approach provides only complimentary views with no proper articulation to critique and that it is merely descriptive and not prescriptive. Lastly, Powlison states that Myers’ example of rationality is ambiguous and that his treatment of self esteem and self-affirmation is futile. Chapter 3: An Integration View In his 28-page essay, Jones looks at the integration of Christianity and psychology as the employment of â€Å"God’s true Word† (p.115) and the elements include biblical truth, methodical science and argumentation, psychological learning and Christianity. He talks about engaging psychotherapy theories critically and constructively. He examines several studies and argues for the need to frame the understanding of the client in counselling and psychotherapy in terms of the Christian understanding of Jesus. He advises that there should be careful reflection on the Bible to understand better what it says about sexuality and homosexuality for future research. He concludes by defining integration as â€Å"the discipline and profession of psychology with a commitment to having one’s Christian convictions shape every aspect of one’s work† (p.125). Myer notes the similarity between him and Jones in using science to interpret the Bible. He faults Jones, however, for overstating the extent to which biblical truths are as stable as empirical evidence. Roberts sees Jones as integrating two dissimilar concepts – psychology and Christianity and making one thing out of two things very strange to each other. He advocates that Christianity and psychology should be seen as one. Furthermore, Coe and Hall criticise Jones’ failure to adequately criticise a wrong view of science which excludes the study of faith and values. Lastly, Powlison, criticises Jones for restricting the impact of Christianity to narrowly religious topics and for failing to mention details of human experience. Chapter 4: A Christian Psychology View In their 30-page essay, Robert and Watson state how one psychology assumes several dimensions that are similar to many psychologies. They call for the retrieval of the long tradition of Christian psychology as a first step with the Bible having a special place. They say that the sermon contains psychology because it conceptualises â€Å"personal well-being† and the broad themes of character traits and attitudes and preaches against psychopathology topics like divorce and hatred. They further look at Jesus’ sermon in Matthew 5 as containing virtues qualified to be psychological themes. Their second step concerns empirical research within the Christian tradition on human beings like in contemporary psychology. Thereafter, they write on Operationalising the Christian Tradition by using socio-scientific methods. They also call for future comparative empirical investigations that will conform to world views. Finally, they see the prospects of Christian Psychology as promisin g. Myers agrees with Roberts and Watson’s psychology from broader perspective. He, however, sees their call for a distinct Christian Psychology as misdirected and irrelevant. Jones praises this work too but sees a problem in Christian psychology being treated as a singular entity. Coe and Hall criticise the view for failing to affirm what Christianity itself affirms and for its two-step approach for empirical work. Finally Powlison sees a similarity between Christian psychology and his own brand of Biblical counselling and raises some similar research questions that may arise from both approaches. He, however, â€Å"felt jarred by Roberts and Watson’s use of the word trait to describe the quality of flourishing humanness† (p.197). Chapter 5: A Transformational Psychology View In their 46-page essay, Coe and Hall look at transformational psychology as a model which tries to mould â€Å"traditional way of thinking of psychology in relation to Christianity† scientifically (p.199). They discuss the history of psychology and engaging in psychology in the spirit. They also discuss the practitioners doing one single psychology but with a complex study of reality in faith and those doing psychology as descriptive and prescriptive science. They thereafter address the issue of existential and theoretical framework as it relates to the person, the process and the product of practising psychology in conformity with God. They explore five levels of transformational psychology on theories, research and training which are depicted in their figure 3 labelled `Contours of a transformational model of psychology` (p.222). They conclude by emphasising that focus of transformational psychology is on the person and process, and affirm that the implications are compellin g. Myers recommends Coe and Hall’s ambitious effort to psychological scientists. He, however, queries their assumptions and dissents from â€Å"their effort to transform â€Å"psychology† into religion† (p.228). Jones criticises their individualism and sees their call for freedom from past thinking about Christian psychology as likely to lead to the argument as to which psychologist is spiritually mature or transformed. Roberts criticises the writers for saying little about the subject of Christian psychology and the character of the psychologist. Finally, Powlison commends them for their comprehensive goals but faults their reliance on the monastic and labels the form of Christianity brought into psychology as problematic. Chapter 6: A Biblical Counseling View This 29-page chapter is by Powlison who sees at the heart of Christianity a coordinated understanding of the basis of work by people. He reveals that God sets the agenda of human blossoming through counselling and says Christians’ understanding is bound to differ from that of other psychologies. He states that Christ’s revelation creates a unique idea of the relationship between counsellor and counselee as well as difference in methodology and counselling location. He argues further that Christian psychology and psychotherapy do not appear in the Bible automatically and that wisdom from biblical counselling is ongoing. Furthermore, Powlison looks at the numerous dimensions underlying the Christian view and implications for helping people. He examines three themes of Nicene Creed and affirms that â€Å"God is the maker of all that is†, that He is judge of both the dead and the living and that Jesus â€Å"came down for us and for our salvation† (pp. 247-248) . He states that Christian faith and psychology are related by reasons of psychology incorporating the feelings, thoughts and experiences of people, supplying systematic observations and descriptions of how people work and giving explanations about human behaviour. He also sketches out how biblical understanding and practice address realities about people’s problems using a thirty-eight year old uncoordinated father of two, Clyde, a medical doctor whose wife and parents also have diverse problems, as a case study. He states that we can make a sense of Clyde’s problem of adjusted disorder and emotions (p.266) by resorting to Christian faith and Jesus’ teachings on heart, faith and love. In conclusion, he foresees his hypothetical Clyde, through the counselling process, taking on the culture of change. Myers sees no serious discussion of the mainstream psychology in Powlison’s view. He queries the effectiveness of biblical counselling but leaves the judgement to others. Jones queries Powlison’s focus on the Nicene fundamentals which do not articulate Christian psychology. He also objects to the counselling offered to Clyde, arguing that, where resources of the faith and the church are inadequate, they should be supplemented with resources from psychological sciences, (integration), and not replaced as suggested by Powlison. Watson praises biblical counselling for adopting revelation from Jesus in its commitment to counselling practice. He faults Powlison’s approach, however, for suggesting that Christian psychologists should only do counselling while they can work on other forms of human endeavours. Coe and Hall see the genuineness of Powlison’s work to relate psychology to Christianity. They, nonetheless, criticise biblical counselling for failing to pr esent a peculiar version of science. They also query Powlison’s use of mainly the quantitative and descriptive methods while ignoring the prescriptive method that talks about values, characters etc. (p.287). Chapter 7: Gaining Understanding Through Five Views In this 22-page chapter, Johnson assists the reader to appreciate the â€Å"multiperspective† nature of the book (p.292). He acknowledges some contradictions in the five views but warns the readers to wait and read all so as to appreciate the valid insights of each of the positions. Furthermore, Johnson encourages understanding of psychology and counselling by participating in the book’s dialogue. Moreover, he advises on having critical ability for understanding. Finally, he encourages us to read this book in order to engage with others in the formulation of a new understanding. Conclusion This book is a huge success by all standards. First, Johnson’s elaboration of the perspectives of the book in his preface and the first chapter of the book serve as a good introduction and a quick guide to the reading and understanding of the book. Second, all the lead authors of the five approaches have also tried hard to articulate their views and their contributions bear an imprint of lofty scholarly presentation. Third, the co-contributors to each of the five approaches assist the reader to see the interdependence of the five chapters on one another. Fourth, the co-contributors to each chapter also discuss the perceived weaknesses of each approach thus assisting the reader to have a balanced view of the whole book and to form an impression about each of the approaches. Fifth, the references to each of the seven chapters are appropriately put at the end of each chapter thereby encouraging easy crosschecking of facts. Besides, the references have a uniform style – the APA style. One noticeable weakness common to most of the writers is the tendency to exclude Jesus Christ, the basis of Christian belief, from their works. Another weakness is the difference in style exhibited by the writers, especially the supportive writers of each chapter. While some of them have headings and sub-headings for their works others do not. Some of the supportive essays failed to reference their supportive essays. These flaws, however, become inconsequential in view of the book’s sterling qualities. The objective of the book to give an opportunity for Christians to dialogue publicly about the value of psychology and the problems in psychological study and counselling practice has also been largely fulfilled. Based on these outstanding qualities, I wish to recommend this book to practitioners in psychology and Christian theology and indeed the general reading public. Ayo Adeola Emordi COU 2001 Book Review 1

Importance of Stretching and Warming Up

Importance of Stretching and Warming Up Stretching Fitness. The Importance of Warming up. Why do Gym teachers at school or college, personal trainers or sports coaches, have you warm up your body and do stretching techniques before exercising? It is for exactly the same reason that career athletes and sports professionals take their time to stretch and warm up before a practice or a match. The stretching will help greatly to prepare your body for the exercise that it is about to experience. However, before one stretches, it is usually vital, or at the least preferable, that you warm up first. Warming up does imply that you are preparing to exercise, just like getting ready. For example, in cold weather a car needs to be started and warmed up, before you move off in the car down the road. Manufacturers advise us to do this because starting up and immediately driving off is potentially damaging to the engine – the same logic applies to your body. Warming up will help to increase the temperature of your body to an optimum state while also preparing your muscles to be ready for exercise. Thus, warming up will actively help to prevent injuries to muscles, which may otherwise occur if you just start from cold and exercise. Warming up properly will also increase your heart rate, this will deliver more blood and therefore oxygen to your muscles while readying the body to burn more energy. Ideally five to ten minutes of warming up should be sufficient. You can warm up while doing the same movements that you will be doing for exercise, but just at a slower pace, like slow-motion. If you are going to run, then simply jog for those minutes to warm up, before building to your maximum and sustained effort. Preferably for all sports activities, after your body has warmed up, it is time to stretch. It is important to get into this habit because if you stretch cold muscles it will lead to injury, even a debilitating injury. But if you have prepared your muscles and they are warm, stretching correctly will reduce injuries and long term stress while also delivering to you improved flexibility, a greater range of motion, of posture and of coordination. The benefits are important and long term for you overall musculature. What is happening when you stretch the muscles? What does stretching actually do, and why can it sometimes hurt? What should stretching actually be making you feel? You do know that it is important to stretch, and that you feel the benefit after having stretched, but why is this, what happens to your muscles (and overall to your body) after a stretch session? It is all to do with flexibility. Your inherent ability to flex will come from many factors, i.e. the joints, the ligaments, your tendons and the muscles of your body. Some people, are simply born with loose ligaments and with more mobile bone joints. This is not something which you need to work on altering, for the ligaments connect the bones and are vital for the overall stability of the body. If you try to lengthen the ligaments, you will certainly face problems. Your attention in stretching is actually on the muscles, and equally on where the tendons and the muscles meet (the tendons connect the muscle to your bones). The tendons and the muscles are the important main physical structures for your flexibility efforts. It is that interface which you are concentrating upon. As well as the bone joints and the ligament structures, the muscle mass (i.e., what strength you have) will affect how supple you are and how far you can stretch. Training and conditioning affects greatly your flexibility. Focus on your muscles. How do they Work? Muscles vary greatly in their shape and their size, and they serve many different functions. Most of the larger muscles, such as the hamstrings and the quadriceps, control your motion. The other muscles, such as the heart, and muscles of your inner ear, perform different functions. However, at the microscopic level, all of the muscles of the body do share an intrinsic basic structure. At their highest level, the (whole) muscle is made up of so many strands of tissue known as fascicles. You see these strands of muscle when red meat or poultry is cut. Each fascicle is made up of fasciculi, these are bundles of muscle fibres. These muscle fibres are in turn made of several tens of thousand of thread like myofybrils, these contract, relax, or elongate. The myofybrils are also made up of several millions of bands laid end to end and known as sarcomeres. Each individual sarcomere is composed of overlapping thin and thick filaments known as myofilaments. The thin and thick myofilaments are in turn composed of contractile proteins, which are primarily actin and myosin. Your nerves connect your spinal column to the muscle. The point where the nerve and muscle connect is known as the neuromuscular junction. When electrical signals cross the neuromuscular junction, this is then transmitted deep inside your muscle fibres. Subsequently and inside your muscle fibres, the electrical signal stimulates a flow of calcium which then causes the thin and thick myofilaments to slide across each other. When this happens, it signals the sarcomere to shorten, and this generates force. Therefore when the billions of sarcomeres of the muscle shorten simultaneously, then it results in a contraction of the whole muscle fibre. If a muscle fibre contracts, it completely contracts. There is no event known as a partially contracted muscle fibre. The muscle fibres are not capable of varying in intensity during their contraction, relative to the load against which you are imposing. How then does the force of a muscle contraction result in a variance of strength from weak to strong? What occurs is that the more of the muscle fibres that are recruited, as and when required to perform the work requested of them, then the more those muscle fibres that are recruited by your central nervous system, the stronger is the force being generated by the muscular contraction. Fixator Muscles This may be a little technical and term heavy, but it will give you a better idea as to the complexity of what is actually happening in your body when movement of the body is under way. Fixators, are the muscles that provide you the necessary support that assist in holding the rest of your body in place, while movement happens. Fixators are sometimes also called stabilizer muscles. When you flex a knee, your hamstring will contract, and also, to some extent, your calf (gastrocnemius) and your lower buttocks. Meanwhile, your quadriceps are being inhibited (somewhat lengthened and relaxed) in order not to retard the flexion. In this example, the hamstring serves you as the agonist, or the prime mover and the quadricep serves you as the antagonist. The calf and lower buttocks serve you as the synergists. The agonists and the antagonists are generally found on opposite sides of the affected joint (such as your hamstrings and your quadriceps, or your triceps and your biceps), The synergists are generally located at the same side on the joint and near the agonists. Larger muscles will regularly call upon their smaller neighbours to function as synergists. The muscles are by nature extremely pliant, and they can stretch up to one and a half times their own length, whereas your tendons may be damaged permanently if they are stretched by just four percent beyond their natural length. When you are stretching a muscle, this means that it stretches out from the centre of the muscle belly, out to the point where the muscle and tendon meet. Overstretching means tissue damage. A gentle stretch will relax your muscles, allowing them to release and grow longer, yet too intensive a stretch can actually produce an inflammatory response. This means that your body is trying to repair some damage. Any time you cause yourself pain, then you are actually causing tissue damage. You do not want to create any form of pain or discomfort when you are trying to become increase your mobility while also enhancing your flexibility. Let your mind and body relax. In order for a stretch to reach the complete length of a muscle and reach deep into the muscle-tendon connections, then it is preferred that you hold each stretch for about one minute.. but don’t push it, work up to this optimum. Your stretches should be gentle. Try not to bounce when stretching, as this can damage your muscles. Stretching must never hurt you, so be sure to stop if you start to feel pain. Holding a stretch for 10-30 seconds will help your muscles lengthen. Your flexibility work, if done correctly, will produce a calming effect and even stretching before bed will help your mind and body relax, and produce a better sleep too equally your gentle stretching, will aid the body to recover and regenerate. Do not stretch if you have any injuries. Keep breathing during your stretches. Correct breathing ensures that your muscles get the oxygen required during stretching. Ensure that both sides of your body are equally stretched. It might feel natural to you to focus on a dominant side, yet one’s focus should be to stretch all muscles equally. Some propose that water is important to drink regarding your flexibility as an increased water intake is thought to contribute to better mobility, as well as enhanced total body relaxation. Stretching your neck. Tilt your head forward, but don’t rock it from side to side as this may be dangerous. Alternatively, stretch your neck to the left, then the right, go forward and backward, and return to centre. Angle your head with the ear towards a shoulder, then tilt your head backwards and roll it from left to right, then the right to the left in a 30 degree motion. Ensure that when the head is tilted backwards, you keep the jaw relaxed and even let your mouth fall open a little. Stretch the shoulder. Put an arm on the chest. Grasp your forearm with the other arm. Pull the arm until you feel your shoulder is stretching. Push the arm that you are stretching the opposite way so to contract the muscle if you notice that the chest is stretching instead of the shoulder. STATIC STRETCHING Static stretching is a traditional type of stretching that most people are more familiar with. For example, bending over and touching your toes is a great static stretch for your hamstrings and your lower back. With static stretching you will want to go to just at the point of discomfort and then hold this stretch if possible for 30-60 seconds. Go slowly at first, do not push yourself to the point of excruciating pain and so risk pulling or tearing any muscles. As you become more habituated to stretching, your pain threshold will increase and you will be able to maintain any stretches for longer and then to stretch deeper. Here are some static stretches that you can do easily. Chest. Shoulders and Biceps. Extend an arm and grasp a pole or other sturdy stationary object with one hand. Then slowly rotate the body away while keeping your posture upright. Keep going until you feel a good stretch in the chest, shoulders, and biceps. Hold this and then repeat it with the other arm. Try to do this stretch at least twice for each side. UPPER BODY STRETCH This stretch is quite easy, grasp a chin up bar and hang from it for as long as your strength will hold. You will probably feel the stretch throughout your entire upper torso. This can be repeated several times with different grips (e.g. wide, underhand, narrow, overhand). LATS/CHEST STRETCH Grab a bar or machine handle that is about waist high. Simply extend back as shown in the picture until you feel a good stretch in the lats and chest. Hold this for 30-60 seconds, take a quick rest and then repeat again. QUADS STRETCH Using a leg extension or seated leg curl machine, set the foot roller pad so that it is just lower then the height of your butt. Put the pin in the full weight stack so that the pad doesnt move. Then hook your foot over the pad as shown in the picture. And lean back and down until you feel the stretch throughout the quads. Hold this for 30-60 seconds and then repeat with the other leg. Do this stretch at least twice for each side. HAMSTRINGS STRETCH Extend your leg on a weight machine, rack, or some other object that is a bit higher then waist height. Straighten your leg and lean forward until you feel the stretch in the hamstrings. Try to grab your toes if you flexible enough, if not then just reach out as far as you can. Hold this for 30-60 seconds and then repeat with the other leg. Do this stretch at least twice for each side. LOWER BACK/HAMSTRINGS STRETCH This is pretty straight forward, just bend over with your legs straight and touch your toes. Hold this for 30-60 seconds, take a quick rest and then repeat again.

Exploring the Characters of Havisham and Magwich in Dickens Great Expectations :: Great Expectations Essays

Dickens seems to develop characters who are so compelling that the reader needs to know what’s going to happen next... When we first met Magwich he seems to be a nasty and manipulative convict, bullying a small, naive little boy called Pip for basic food of which he is lacking, shortly after Pip meets him again but your opinion of Magwich changes entirely he defends Pip of the stealing actions he bullied him into. Then he is unthought-of for some time in the book until he appears again after Pips transformation from young lower class boy to a gentleman. The fact he is the reason of Pips transformation shows him as the hero, but he is still wanted for crime. Magwich from the first time we meet him is described in great detail by timid Pip who isn’t described in a lot of detail at all, almost as if his identity is left for the reader to decide. Magwich is described as ...â€Å"a fearful man, all in course gray, with a great iron on his leg. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes and with an old rag tied around his head†. The fact that he isn’t wearing a hat in the Victorian times was considered rude, however he is wearing an rag proving he is dignified and polite but â€Å"old rag† suggests he is poor and of the lower class. The setting when Magwich first appears is at the â€Å"graveyard† there seems to be an air of death, raw and gloomy setting. The setting seems too described in great depth as if it’s important to the story; the setting seems to mirror Magwich bleak and raw and lonely and isolated. This seems to represent his life and neglection. Whereas the same setting for Pip is peaceful place to remember his late mother and father, seemingly now he is left with this elder sister who treats him and her blacksmith husband, Joe, terribly. As well as this when we first meet Miss Havisham in chapter 8 she is described with a lengthy description also. Her appearance is described as skeleton like and decaying. She is trapped in a time warp due to her own accord, living in a neglected house in the same room at the exact same time as her soon to be husband competent left her, the misfortune of her neglection left her bitter and seemingly slightly twisted for example she wants Pip and Estella to â€Å"play†.

The Colony of Saint Domingue :: History american Essays

The Colony of Saint Domingue In looking at the revolution of the slaves from the colony of Saint Domingue, we must consider several different aspects that helped to create the atmosphere that was suitable enough for this revolution to take hold. The "Eden of the Western World" (Beckles 402) that produced almost half of the sugar and coffee consumed in the Americas and Europe was soon to become the stage of intensely bloody, deadly battles. In order to better understand how and why this revolution, that has been called "one of the few revolutions in world history that have had such profound consequences" (Shepherd 402), could have happened we must look at who was living in the colony at this time period. In the late 1780’s the French colony of Saint Domingue consisted of what is primarily know as the "three-tier" structure, which was what generally existed in these sugar colonies. Race as well as economic standing and social position separated the three groups that made up this structure. The whites of the colony were surprisingly enough not a tight knit group even despite the fact that they were by far the minority, in terms of numbers on the island. The whites were split up into two distinct groups that drew their lines by wealth. The rich white planters was the group of whites that owned the plantations and the slaves and represented the unified support for slavery, because of the fact that they depended on it for their wealth. It should be duly noted that this group of whites was at this time extremely unhappy with their mother country of France, and were already disobeying her regularly in order to trade more cheaply with the United States. The second group of whites was obviously the poor whites who held simple everyday jobs, but despite the fact that they were not wealthy slave owners, they were certainly supporters of the anti-black feelings. The next group that we will look at is that of the black slaves. The black slaves, as was noted above, vastly outnumbered the free whites, and it can be seen here in this accompanying chart, that by the time of the French Revolution the black slaves outnumbered the free by almost 10: 1. This vast difference in numbers is not something without significance to the revolution, because it represented the apex of the discrepancy, and made the apparent balance of power seem less and less clear.

Angels Demons Chapter 55-57

55 Langdon and Vittoria exploded onto the courtyard outside the Secret Archives. The fresh air felt like a drug as it flowed into Langdon's lungs. The purple spots in his vision quickly faded. The guilt, however, did not. He had just been accomplice to stealing a priceless relic from the world's most private vault. The camerlegno had said, I am giving you my trust. â€Å"Hurry,† Vittoria said, still holding the folio in her hand and striding at a half-jog across Via Borgia in the direction of Olivetti's office. â€Å"If any water gets on that papyrus – â€Å" â€Å"Calm down. When we decipher this thing, we can return their sacred Folio 5.† Langdon accelerated to keep up. Beyond feeling like a criminal, he was still dazed over the document's spellbinding implications. John Milton was an Illuminatus. He composed the poem for Galileo to publish in Folio 5†¦ far from the eyes of the Vatican. As they left the courtyard, Vittoria held out the folio for Langdon. â€Å"You think you can decipher this thing? Or did we just kill all those brain cells for kicks?† Langdon took the document carefully in his hands. Without hesitation he slipped it into one of the breast pockets of his tweed jacket, out of the sunlight and dangers of moisture. â€Å"I deciphered it already.† Vittoria stopped short. â€Å"You what?† Langdon kept moving. Vittoria hustled to catch up. â€Å"You read it once! I thought it was supposed to be hard!† Langdon knew she was right, and yet he had deciphered the segno in a single reading. A perfect stanza of iambic pentameter, and the first altar of science had revealed itself in pristine clarity. Admittedly, the ease with which he had accomplished the task left him with a nagging disquietude. He was a child of the Puritan work ethic. He could still hear his father speaking the old New England aphorism: If it wasn't painfully difficult, you did it wrong. Langdon hoped the saying was false. â€Å"I deciphered it,† he said, moving faster now. â€Å"I know where the first killing is going to happen. We need to warn Olivetti.† Vittoria closed in on him. â€Å"How could you already know? Let me see that thing again.† With the sleight of a boxer, she slipped a lissome hand into his pocket and pulled out the folio again. â€Å"Careful!† Langdon said. â€Å"You can't – â€Å" Vittoria ignored him. Folio in hand, she floated beside him, holding the document up to the evening light, examining the margins. As she began reading aloud, Langdon moved to retrieve the folio but instead found himself bewitched by Vittoria's accented alto speaking the syllables in perfect rhythm with her gait. For a moment, hearing the verse aloud, Langdon felt transported in time†¦ as though he were one of Galileo's contemporaries, listening to the poem for the first time†¦ knowing it was a test, a map, a clue unveiling the four altars of science†¦ the four markers that blazed a secret path across Rome. The verse flowed from Vittoria's lips like a song. From Santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole, ‘Cross Rome the mystic elements unfold. The path of light is laid, the sacred test, Let angels guide you on your lofty quest. Vittoria read it twice and then fell silent, as if letting the ancient words resonate on their own. From Santi's earthly tomb, Langdon repeated in his mind. The poem was crystal clear about that. The Path of Illumination began at Santi's tomb. From there, across Rome, the markers blazed the trail. From Santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole, ‘Cross Rome the mystic elements unfold. Mystic elements. Also clear. Earth, Air, Fire, Water. Elements of science, the four Illuminati markers disguised as religious sculpture. â€Å"The first marker,† Vittoria said, â€Å"sounds like it's at Santi's tomb.† Langdon smiled. â€Å"I told you it wasn't that tough.† â€Å"So who is Santi?† she asked, sounding suddenly excited. â€Å"And where's his tomb?† Langdon chuckled to himself. He was amazed how few people knew Santi, the last name of one of the most famous Renaissance artists ever to live. His first name was world renowned†¦ the child prodigy who at the age of twenty-five was already doing commissions for Pope Julius II, and when he died at only thirty-eight, left behind the greatest collection of frescoes the world had ever seen. Santi was a behemoth in the art world, and being known solely by one's first name was a level of fame achieved only by an elite few†¦ people like Napoleon, Galileo, and Jesus†¦ and, of course, the demigods Langdon now heard blaring from Harvard dormitories – Sting, Madonna, Jewel, and the artist formerly known as Prince, who had changed his name to the symbol Angels & Demons causing Langdon to dub him â€Å"The Tau Cross With Intersecting Hermaphroditic Ankh.† â€Å"Santi,† Langdon said, â€Å"is the last name of the great Renaissance master, Raphael.† Vittoria looked surprised. â€Å"Raphael? As in the Raphael?† â€Å"The one and only.† Langdon pushed on toward the Office of the Swiss Guard. â€Å"So the path starts at Raphael's tomb?† â€Å"It actually makes perfect sense,† Langdon said as they rushed on. â€Å"The Illuminati often considered great artists and sculptors honorary brothers in enlightenment. The Illuminati could have chosen Raphael's tomb as a kind of tribute.† Langdon also knew that Raphael, like many other religious artists, was a suspected closet atheist. Vittoria slipped the folio carefully back in Langdon's pocket. â€Å"So where is he buried?† Langdon took a deep breath. â€Å"Believe it or not, Raphael's buried in the Pantheon.† Vittoria looked skeptical. â€Å"The Pantheon?† â€Å"The Raphael at the Pantheon.† Langdon had to admit, the Pantheon was not what he had expected for the placement of the first marker. He would have guessed the first altar of science to be at some quiet, out of the way church, something subtle. Even in the 1600s, the Pantheon, with its tremendous, holed dome, was one of the best known sites in Rome. â€Å"Is the Pantheon even a church?† Vittoria asked. â€Å"Oldest Catholic church in Rome.† Vittoria shook her head. â€Å"But do you really think the first cardinal could be killed at the Pantheon? That's got to be one of the busiest tourist spots in Rome.† Langdon shrugged. â€Å"The Illuminati said they wanted the whole world watching. Killing a cardinal at the Pantheon would certainly open some eyes.† â€Å"But how does this guy expect to kill someone at the Pantheon and get away unnoticed? It would be impossible.† â€Å"As impossible as kidnapping four cardinals from Vatican City? The poem is precise.† â€Å"And you're certain Raphael is buried inside the Pantheon?† â€Å"I've seen his tomb many times.† Vittoria nodded, still looking troubled. â€Å"What time is it?† Langdon checked. â€Å"Seven-thirty.† â€Å"Is the Pantheon far?† â€Å"A mile maybe. We've got time.† â€Å"The poem said Santi's earthly tomb. Does that mean anything to you?† Langdon hastened diagonally across the Courtyard of the Sentinel. â€Å"Earthly? Actually, there's probably no more earthly place in Rome than the Pantheon. It got its name from the original religion practiced there – Pantheism – the worship of all gods, specifically the pagan gods of Mother Earth.† As a student of architecture, Langdon had been amazed to learn that the dimensions of the Pantheon's main chamber were a tribute to Gaea – the goddess of the Earth. The proportions were so exact that a giant spherical globe could fit perfectly inside the building with less than a millimeter to spare. â€Å"Okay,† Vittoria said, sounding more convinced. â€Å"And demon's hole? From Santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole?† Langdon was not quite as sure about this. â€Å"Demon's hole must mean the oculus,† he said, making a logical guess. â€Å"The famous circular opening in the Pantheon's roof.† â€Å"But it's a church,† Vittoria said, moving effortlessly beside him. â€Å"Why would they call the opening a demon's hole?† Langdon had actually been wondering that himself. He had never heard the term â€Å"demon's hole,† but he did recall a famous sixth-century critique of the Pantheon whose words seemed oddly appropriate now. The Venerable Bede had once written that the hole in the Pantheon's roof had been bored by demons trying to escape the building when it was consecrated by Boniface IV. â€Å"And why,† Vittoria added as they entered a smaller courtyard, â€Å"why would the Illuminati use the name Santi if he was really known as Raphael?† â€Å"You ask a lot of questions.† â€Å"My dad used to say that.† â€Å"Two possible reasons. One, the word Raphael has too many syllables. It would have destroyed the poem's iambic pentameter.† â€Å"Sounds like a stretch.† Langdon agreed. â€Å"Okay, then maybe using ‘Santi' was to make the clue more obscure, so only very enlightened men would recognize the reference to Raphael.† Vittoria didn't appear to buy this either. â€Å"I'm sure Raphael's last name was very well known when he was alive.† â€Å"Surprisingly not. Single name recognition was a status symbol. Raphael shunned his last name much like pop stars do today. Take Madonna, for example. She never uses her surname, Ciccone.† Vittoria looked amused. â€Å"You know Madonna's last name?† Langdon regretted the example. It was amazing the kind of garbage a mind picked up living with 10,000 adolescents. As he and Vittoria passed the final gate toward the Office of the Swiss Guard, their progress was halted without warning. â€Å"Para!† a voice bellowed behind them. Langdon and Vittoria wheeled to find themselves looking into the barrel of a rifle. â€Å"Attento!† Vittoria exclaimed, jumping back. â€Å"Watch it with – â€Å" â€Å"Non sportarti!† the guard snapped, cocking the weapon. â€Å"Soldato!† a voice commanded from across the courtyard. Olivetti was emerging from the security center. â€Å"Let them go!† The guard looked bewildered. â€Å"Ma, signore, e una donna – â€Å" â€Å"Inside!† he yelled at the guard. â€Å"Signore, non posso – â€Å" â€Å"Now! You have new orders. Captain Rocher will be briefing the corps in two minutes. We will be organizing a search.† Looking bewildered, the guard hurried into the security center. Olivetti marched toward Langdon, rigid and steaming. â€Å"Our most secret archives? I'll want an explanation.† â€Å"We have good news,† Langdon said. Olivetti's eyes narrowed. â€Å"It better be damn good.† 56 The four unmarked Alpha Romeo 155 T-Sparks roared down Via dei Coronari like fighter jets off a runway. The vehicles carried twelve plainclothed Swiss Guards armed with Cherchi-Pardini semiautomatics, local-radius nerve gas canisters, and long-range stun guns. The three sharpshooters carried laser-sighted rifles. Sitting in the passenger seat of the lead car, Olivetti turned backward toward Langdon and Vittoria. His eyes were filled with rage. â€Å"You assured me a sound explanation, and this is what I get?† Langdon felt cramped in the small car. â€Å"I understand your – â€Å" â€Å"No, you don't understand!† Olivetti never raised his voice, but his intensity tripled. â€Å"I have just removed a dozen of my best men from Vatican City on the eve of conclave. And I have done this to stake out the Pantheon based on the testimony of some American I have never met who has just interpreted a four-hundred-year-old poem. I have also just left the search for this antimatter weapon in the hands of secondary officers.† Langdon resisted the urge to pull Folio 5 from his pocket and wave it in Olivetti's face. â€Å"All I know is that the information we found refers to Raphael's tomb, and Raphael's tomb is inside the Pantheon.† The officer behind the wheel nodded. â€Å"He's right, commander. My wife and I – â€Å" â€Å"Drive,† Olivetti snapped. He turned back to Langdon. â€Å"How could a killer accomplish an assassination in such a crowded place and escape unseen?† â€Å"I don't know,† Langdon said. â€Å"But the Illuminati are obviously highly resourceful. They've broken into both CERN and Vatican City. It's only by luck that we know where the first kill zone is. The Pantheon is your one chance to catch this guy.† â€Å"More contradictions,† Olivetti said. â€Å"One chance? I thought you said there was some sort of pathway. A series of markers. If the Pantheon is the right spot, we can follow the pathway to the other markers. We will have four chances to catch this guy.† â€Å"I had hoped so,† Langdon said. â€Å"And we would have†¦ a century ago.† Langdon's realization that the Pantheon was the first altar of science had been a bittersweet moment. History had a way of playing cruel tricks on those who chased it. It was a long shot that the Path of Illumination would be intact after all of these years, with all of its statues in place, but part of Langdon had fantasized about following the path all the way to the end and coming face to face with the sacred Illuminati lair. Alas, he realized, it was not to be. â€Å"The Vatican had all the statues in the Pantheon removed and destroyed in the late 1800s.† Vittoria looked shocked. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"The statues were pagan Olympian Gods. Unfortunately, that means the first marker is gone†¦ and with it – â€Å" â€Å"Any hope,† Vittoria said, â€Å"of finding the Path of Illumination and additional markers?† Langdon shook his head. â€Å"We have one shot. The Pantheon. After that, the path disappears.† Olivetti stared at them both a long moment and then turned and faced front. â€Å"Pull over,† he barked to the driver. The driver swerved the car toward the curb and put on the brakes. Three other Alpha Romeos skidded in behind them. The Swiss Guard convoy screeched to a halt. â€Å"What are you doing!† Vittoria demanded. â€Å"My job,† Olivetti said, turning in his seat, his voice like stone. â€Å"Mr. Langdon, when you told me you would explain the situation en route, I assumed I would be approaching the Pantheon with a clear idea of why my men are here. That is not the case. Because I am abandoning critical duties by being here, and because I have found very little that makes sense in this theory of yours about virgin sacrifices and ancient poetry, I cannot in good conscience continue. I am recalling this mission immediately.† He pulled out his walkie-talkie and clicked it on. Vittoria reached across the seat and grabbed his arm. â€Å"You can't!† Olivetti slammed down the walkie-talkie and fixed her with a red-hot stare. â€Å"Have you been to the Pantheon, Ms. Vetra?† â€Å"No, but I – â€Å" â€Å"Let me tell you something about it. The Pantheon is a single room. A circular cell made of stone and cement. It has one entrance. No windows. One narrow entrance. That entrance is flanked at all times by no less than four armed Roman policemen who protect this shrine from art defacers, anti-Christian terrorists, and gypsy tourist scams.† â€Å"Your point?† she said coolly. â€Å"My point?† Olivetti's knuckles gripped the seat. â€Å"My point is that what you have just told me is going to happen is utterly impossible! Can you give me one plausible scenario of how someone could kill a cardinal inside the Pantheon? How does one even get a hostage past the guards into the Pantheon in the first place? Much less actually kill him and get away?† Olivetti leaned over the seat, his coffee breath now in Langdon's face. â€Å"How, Mr. Langdon? One plausible scenario.† Langdon felt the tiny car shrink around him. I have no idea! I'm not an assassin! I don't know how he will do it! I only know – â€Å"One scenario?† Vittoria quipped, her voice unruffled. â€Å"How about this? The killer flies over in a helicopter and drops a screaming, branded cardinal down through the hole in the roof. The cardinal hits the marble floor and dies.† Everyone in the car turned and stared at Vittoria. Langdon didn't know what to think. You've got one sick imagination, lady, but you are quick. Olivetti frowned. â€Å"Possible, I admit†¦ but hardly – â€Å" â€Å"Or the killer drugs the cardinal,† Vittoria said, â€Å"brings him to the Pantheon in a wheelchair like some old tourist. He wheels him inside, quietly slits his throat, and then walks out.† This seemed to wake up Olivetti a bit. Not bad! Langdon thought. â€Å"Or,† she said, â€Å"the killer could – â€Å" â€Å"I heard you,† Olivetti said. â€Å"Enough.† He took a deep breath and blew it out. Someone rapped sharply on the window, and everyone jumped. It was a soldier from one of the other cars. Olivetti rolled down the window. â€Å"Everything all right, commander?† The soldier was dressed in street clothes. He pulled back the sleeve of his denim shirt to reveal a black chronograph military watch. â€Å"Seven-forty, commander. We'll need time to get in position.† Olivetti nodded vaguely but said nothing for many moments. He ran a finger back and forth across the dash, making a line in the dust. He studied Langdon in the side-view mirror, and Langdon felt himself being measured and weighed. Finally Olivetti turned back to the guard. There was reluctance in his voice. â€Å"I'll want separate approaches. Cars to Piazza della Rotunda, Via delgi Orfani, Piazza Sant'Ignacio, and Sant'Eustachio. No closer than two blocks. Once you're parked, gear up and await my orders. Three minutes.† â€Å"Very good, sir.† The soldier returned to his car. Langdon gave Vittoria an impressed nod. She smiled back, and for an instant Langdon felt an unexpected connection†¦ a thread of magnetism between them. The commander turned in his seat and locked eyes with Langdon. â€Å"Mr. Langdon, this had better not blow up in our faces.† Langdon smiled uneasily. How could it? 57 The director of CERN, Maximilian Kohler, opened his eyes to the cool rush of cromolyn and leukotriene in his body, dilating his bronchial tubes and pulmonary capillaries. He was breathing normally again. He found himself lying in a private room in the CERN infirmary, his wheelchair beside the bed. He took stock, examining the paper robe they had put him in. His clothing was folded on the chair beside the bed. Outside he could hear a nurse making the rounds. He lay there a long minute listening. Then, as quietly as possible, he pulled himself to the edge of the bed and retrieved his clothing. Struggling with his dead legs, he dressed himself. Then he dragged his body onto his wheelchair. Muffling a cough, he wheeled himself to the door. He moved manually, careful not to engage the motor. When he arrived at the door he peered out. The hall was empty. Silently, Maximilian Kohler slipped out of the infirmary.

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 6

Chapter 6 When we got back to Nazareth we expected to find Joshua's mother hysterical with worry, but on the contrary, she had gathered Joshua's brothers and sisters outside of their house, lined them up, and was washing their faces and hands as if preparing them for the Sabbath meal. â€Å"Joshua, help me get the little ones ready, we are all going to Sepphoris.† Joshua was shocked. â€Å"We are?† â€Å"The whole village is going to ask the Romans to release Joseph.† James was the only one of the children who seemed to understand what had happened to their father. There were tear tracks on his cheeks. I put my arm around his shoulders. â€Å"He'll be fine,† I said, trying to sound cheerful. â€Å"Your father is strong, they'll have to torture him for days before he gives up the ghost.† I smiled encouragingly. James broke out of my embrace and ran into the house crying. Mary turned and glared at me. â€Å"Shouldn't you be with your family, Biff?† Oh my breaking heart, my bruised ego. Even though Mary had taken position as my emergency backup wife, I was crestfallen at her disapproval. And to my credit, not once during that time of trouble did I wish harm to come to Joseph. Not once. After all, I was still too young to take a wife, and some creepy elder would swoop Mary up before I had a chance to rescue her if Joseph died before I was fourteen. â€Å"Why don't you go get Maggie,† Joshua suggested, taking only a second from his mission of scrubbing the skin off his brother Judah's face. â€Å"Her family will want to go with us.† â€Å"Sure,† I said, and I scampered off to the blacksmith's shop in search of approval from my primary wife-to-be. When I arrived, Maggie was sitting outside of her father's shop with her brothers and sisters. She looked as frightened as she had when we first witnessed the murder. I wanted to throw my arms around her to comfort her. â€Å"We have a plan,† I said. â€Å"I mean, Joshua has a plan. Are you going to Sepphoris with everyone else?† â€Å"The whole family,† she said. â€Å"My father has made nails for Joseph, they're friends.† She tossed her head, pointing toward the open shed that housed her father's forge. Two men were working over the forge. â€Å"Go ahead, Biff. You and Joshua go on ahead. We'll be along later.† She started waving me away and mouthing words silently to me, which I didn't pick up. â€Å"What are you saying? What? What?† â€Å"And who is your friend, Maggie?† A man's voice, coming from near the forge. I looked over and suddenly realized what Maggie had been trying to tell me. â€Å"Uncle Jeremiah, this is Levi bar Alphaeus. We call him Biff. He has to go now.† I started backing away from the killer. â€Å"Yes, I have to go.† I looked at Maggie, not knowing what to do. â€Å"I'll – we – I have to – â€Å" â€Å"We'll see you in Sepphoris,† Maggie said. â€Å"Right,† I said, then I turned and dashed away, feeling more like a coward than I ever have in my life. When we got back to Sepphoris there was a large gathering of Jews, perhaps two hundred, outside of the city walls, most I recognized as being from Nazareth. No mob mentality here, more a fearful gathering. More than half of those gathered were women and children. In the middle of the crowd, a contingent of a dozen Roman soldiers pushed back the onlookers while two slaves dug a grave. Like my own people, the Romans did not dally with their dead. Unless there was a battle ongoing, Roman soldiers were often put in the ground before the corpse was cool. Joshua and I spotted Maggie standing between her father and her murderous uncle at the edge of the crowd. Joshua took off toward her. I followed, but before I got close, Joshua had taken Maggie's hand and dragged her into the midst of the crowd. I could see Jeremiah trying to follow them. I dove into the mass and crawled under people's feet until I came upon a pair of hobnail boots which indicated the lower end of a Roman soldier. The other end, equally Roman, was scowling at me. I stood up. â€Å"Semper fido,† I said in my best Latin, followed by my most charming smile. The soldier scowled further. Suddenly there was a smell of flowers in my nose and sweet, warm lips brushed my ear. â€Å"I think you just said ‘always dog,'† Maggie whispered. â€Å"That would be why he's looking so unpleasant then?† I said out the side of my charming smile. In my other ear another familiar, if not so sweet whisper, â€Å"Sing, Biff. Remember the plan,† Joshua said. â€Å"Right.† And so I let loose with one of my famous dirges. â€Å"La-la-la. Hey Roman guy, too bad about your getting stabbed. La-la-la. It's probably not a message from God or nothing. La-la-la. Telling you that maybe you should have gone home, la, la, la. Instead of oppressing the chosen people who God hisownself has said that he likes better than you. Fa, la, la, la.† The soldier didn't speak Aramaic, so the lyrics didn't move him as I had hoped. But I think the hypnotic toe-tappiness of the melody was starting to get him. I plunged into my second verse. â€Å"La-la-la, didn't we tell you that you shouldn't eat pork, la-la. Although looking at wounds in your chest, a dietary change might not have made that big a difference. Boom shaka-laka-laka-laka, boom shaka-laka-lak. Come on, you know the words!† â€Å"Enough!† The soldier was yanked aside and Gaius Justus Gallicus stood before us, flanked by two of his officers. Behind him, stretched out on the ground, was the body of the dead soldier. â€Å"Well done, Biff,† Joshua whispered. â€Å"We're offering our services as professional mourners,† I said with a grin, which the centurion was eager not to return. â€Å"That soldier doesn't need mourners, he has avengers.† A voice from the crowd. â€Å"See here, Centurion, release Joseph of Nazareth. He is no murderer.† Justus turned and the crowd parted, leaving a path between him and the man who had spoken up. It was Iban the Pharisee, standing with several other Pharisees from Nazareth. â€Å"Would you take his place?† Justus asked. The Pharisee backed away, his resolve melting quickly under the threat. â€Å"Well?† Justus stepped forward and the crowd parted around him. â€Å"You speak for your people, Pharisee. Tell them to give me a killer. Or would you rather I crucify Jews until I get the right one?† Iban was flustered now, and began jabbering a mishmash of verses from the Torah. I looked around and saw Maggie's uncle Jeremiah standing only a few paces behind me. When I caught his eye he slipped his hand under his shirt – to the haft of a knife, I had no doubt. â€Å"Joseph didn't kill that soldier!† Joshua shouted. Justus turned to him and the Pharisees took the opportunity to scramble to the back of the crowd. â€Å"I know that,† Justus said. â€Å"You do?† â€Å"Of course, boy. No carpenter killed that soldier.† â€Å"How do you know that?† I asked. Justus motioned to one of his legionnaires and the soldier came forward carrying a small basket. The centurion nodded and the soldier upended the basket. The stone effigy of Apollo's severed penis thudded to the ground in front of us. â€Å"Uh-oh,† I said. â€Å"Because it was a stonecutter,† Justus said. â€Å"My, that is impressive,† Maggie said. I noticed that Joshua was edging toward the body of the soldier. I needed to distract Justus. â€Å"Aha,† I said, â€Å"someone beat the soldier to death with a stone willie. Obviously the work of a Greek or a Samaritan – no Jew would touch such a thing.† â€Å"They wouldn't?† Maggie asked. â€Å"Jeez, Maggie.† â€Å"I think you have something to tell me, boy,† Justus said. Joshua had laid hands on the dead soldier. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. I wondered where Jeremiah was now. Was he behind me, ready to silence me with a knife, or had he made his escape? Either way, I couldn't say a word. The Sicarii did not work alone. If I gave up Jeremiah I'd be dead by a Sicarii dagger before the Sabbath. â€Å"He can't tell you, Centurion, even if he knew,† said Joshua, who had moved back to Maggie's side. â€Å"For it is written in our holy books that no Jew shall rat out another Jew, regardless of what a weasel one or the other shall be.† â€Å"Is that written?† Maggie whispered. â€Å"Is now,† Joshua whispered back. â€Å"Did you just call me a weasel?† I asked. â€Å"Behold!† A woman at the front of the crowd was pointing to the dead soldier. Another screamed. The corpse was moving. Justus turned toward the commotion and I took the opportunity to look around for Jeremiah. He was still there behind me, only a few people back, but he was staring gape-jawed at the dead soldier, who was currently standing up and dusting off his tunic. Joshua was concentrating intently on the soldier, but there was none of the sweating or trembling that we had seen at the funeral in Japhia. To his credit, Justus, although he seemed frightened at first, stood his ground as the corpse ambled stiff-legged toward him. The other soldiers were backing away, along with all of the Jews except Maggie, Joshua, and me. â€Å"I need to report an attack, sir,† the once-dead soldier said, performing a very jerky Roman salute. â€Å"You're – you're dead,† Justus said. â€Å"Am not.† â€Å"You have knife wounds all over your chest.† The soldier looked down, touched the wounds gingerly, then looked back to his commander. â€Å"Seems I have been nicked, sir.† â€Å"Nicked? Nicked? You've been stabbed half a dozen times. You're dead as dirt.† â€Å"I don't think so, sir. Look, I'm not even bleeding.† â€Å"That's because you've bled out, son. You're dead.† The soldier began to stagger now, started to fall, and caught himself. â€Å"I am feeling a little woozy. I was attacked last night sir, near where they are building that Greek's house. There, he was there.† He pointed to me. â€Å"And him too.† He pointed to Joshua. â€Å"And the little girl.† â€Å"These boys attacked you?† I could hear scuffling behind me. â€Å"No, not them, that man over there.† The soldier pointed to Jeremiah, who looked around like a trapped animal. Everyone was so intent on watching the miracle of the talking corpse that they had frozen in place. The killer couldn't push his way through the crowd to get away. â€Å"Arrest him!† Justus commanded, but his soldiers were equally stunned by the resurrection of their cohort. â€Å"Now that I think of it,† the dead soldier said, â€Å"I do remember being stabbed.† No outlet from the crowd, Jeremiah turned toward his accuser and drew a blade from under his shirt. This seemed to snap the other soldiers out of their trance, and they began advancing on the killer from different angles, swords drawn. At the sight of the blade, everyone had moved away from the killer, leaving him isolated with no path open but toward us. â€Å"No master but God!† he shouted, then three quick steps and he leapt toward us, his knife raised. I dove on top of Maggie and Joshua, hoping to shield them, but even as I waited for the sharp pain between my shoulder blades, I heard the killer scream, then a grunt, then a protracted moan that ran out of air with a pathetic squeal. I rolled over to see Gaius Justus Gallicus with his short sword sunk to the hilt in the solar plexus of Jeremiah. The killer had dropped his knife and was standing there looking at the Roman's sword hand, looking somewhat offended by it. He sank to his knees. Justus yanked his sword free, then wiped the blade on Jeremiah's shirt before stepping back and letting the killer fall forward. â€Å"That was him,† the dead soldier said. â€Å"Bastard kilt me.† He fell forward next to his killer and lay still. â€Å"Much better than last time, Josh,† I said. â€Å"Yes, much better,† Maggie said. â€Å"Walking and talking. You had him going.† â€Å"I felt good, confident, but it was a team effort,† Joshua said. â€Å"I couldn't have done it without everyone giving it their all, including God.† I felt something sharp against my cheek. With the tip of his sword, Justus guided my gaze to Apollo's stone penis, which lay in the dirt next to the two corpses. â€Å"And do you want to explain how that happened?† â€Å"The pox?† I ventured. â€Å"The pox can do that,† Maggie said. â€Å"Can rot it right off.† â€Å"How do you know that?† Joshua asked her. â€Å"Just guessing. I'm sure glad that's all over.† Justus let his sword fall to his side with a sigh. â€Å"Go home. All of you. By order of Gaius Justus Gallicus, under-commander of the Sixth Legion, commander of the Third and Fourth Centuries, under authority of Emperor Tiberius and the Roman Empire, you are all commanded to go home and perpetrate no weird shit until I have gotten well drunk and had several days to sleep it off.† â€Å"So you're going to release Joseph?† Maggie asked. â€Å"He's at the barracks. Go get him and take him home.† â€Å"Amen,† said Joshua. â€Å"Semper fido,† I added in Latin. Joshua's little brother Judah, who was seven by then, ran around the Roman barracks screaming â€Å"Let my people go! Let my people go!† until he was hoarse. (Judah had decided early on that he was going to be Moses when he grew up, only this time Moses would get to enter the promised land – on a pony.) As it turned out, Joseph had been waiting for us at the Venus Gate. He looked a little confused, but otherwise unharmed. â€Å"They say that a dead man spoke,† Joseph said. Mary was ecstatic. â€Å"Yes, and walked. He pointed out his murderer, then he died again.† â€Å"Sorry,† Joshua said, â€Å"I tried to make him live on, but he only lasted a minute.† Joseph frowned. â€Å"Did everyone see what you did, Joshua?† â€Å"They didn't know it was my doing, but they saw it.† â€Å"I distracted everyone with one of my excellent dirges,† I said. â€Å"You can't risk yourself like that,† Joseph said to Joshua. â€Å"It's not the time yet.† â€Å"If not to save my father, when?† â€Å"I'm not your father.† Joseph smiled. â€Å"Yes you are.† Joshua hung his head. â€Å"But I'm not the boss of you.† Joseph's smile widened to a grin. â€Å"No, I guess not,† Joshua said. â€Å"You needn't have worried, Joseph,† I said. â€Å"If the Romans had killed you I would have taken good care of Mary and the children.† Maggie punched me in the arm. â€Å"Good to know,† Joseph said. On the road to Nazareth, I got to walk with Maggie a few paces behind Joseph and his family. Maggie's family was so distraught over what had happened to Jeremiah that they didn't even notice she wasn't with them. â€Å"He's much stronger than he was the last time,† Maggie said. â€Å"Don't worry, he'll be a mess tomorrow: ‘Oh, what did I do wrong. Oh, my faith wasn't strong enough. Oh, I am not worthy of my task.' He'll be impossible to be around for a week or so. We'll be lucky if he stops praying long enough to eat.† â€Å"You shouldn't make fun of him. He's trying very hard.† â€Å"Easy for you to say, you won't have to hang out with the village idiot until Josh gets over this.† â€Å"But aren't you touched by who he is? What he is?† â€Å"What good would that do me? If I was basking in the light of his holiness all of the time, how would I take care of him? Who would do all of his lying and cheating for him? Even Josh can't think about what he is all of the time, Maggie.† â€Å"I think about him all of the time. I pray for him all of the time.† â€Å"Really? Do you ever pray for me?† â€Å"I mentioned you in my prayers, once.† â€Å"You did? How?† â€Å"I asked God to help you not to be such a doofus, so you could watch over Joshua.† â€Å"You meant doofus in an attractive way, right?† â€Å"Of course.†