Blog 79 - The Genealogy of Jesus Has a Twist

Blog 79

The Genealogy of Jesus Has A Twist In It

By

Vernon M. Herron

There are two Biblical accounts of the genealogy of Jesus. Genealogy is the study of the origin and descent of family. Family history is the ascent study of family life starting with oneself. Biblically speaking, these two styles can be seen in St. Matthews 1:1-17 and Luke 3: 23-38. Matthews’ account is in a descent fashion (From Abraham to Jesus), while Luke’s account is in an ascent fashion, (From Jesus to Abraham- God).

There are technical and theological differences in both versions, not to be discussed here, because I want to use these “teachable moments” to show a theological “twist” given to us in Matthews’ account. This account is methodical and systematic in pattern. In that process, it shows a profound theological truth which portrays the relationship of a Triune God in which Jesus is the Son.

The Pattern and Twist

Matt. 1:1 opens a genealogical pattern of Jesus, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, The son of Abraham.” Now the pattern continues: “Abraham begat Isaac.” (begat means to procreate as the father) The father’s name is given first, then the son’s. The pattern continues in like fashion until verse 16, which presents a “twist” in the genealogy of Jesus. Please notice, “and Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.” The pattern did not say, “Joseph begat Jesus.” If so, Jesus would be fully human. Luke 3:23 makes the point clear, “and Jesus being…as was supposed, the son of Joseph.” In the Matt. account, the pattern-twist shifts from the listing of the father’s name to that of the mother’s, thereby preserving His divine nature as prophesied in Isa.9:6 “of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ,” the Son of God.

Blog 78 - I Am Glad That Mary Did Not Have An Abortion

Blog 78

I Am Glad That Mary Did Not Have An Abortion

By

Vernon M. Herron

Had Jesus been born in the 21^st century rather than the 1^s century, HE might have been aborted. There is a distinction between the two centuries. In the first century, life was simple, sacred and secured. In the 21^st century, life is complex, secular, and insecure.

In the 1^st century a super natural phenomenon took place which reaches into the 21^st century, even to this day. The Holy Scriptures record events in the following manner; Isaiah 7:14 tells of a prophecy which says “Behold, a VIRGIN shall conceive and bear a SON, and shall call His name IMMANUEL,” meaning God is with us.

The New Testament gives further enlightenment in St. Matt. 1: 18-25. “Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise.” This 13 to 15 year old virgin was a “parthenos”, a Greek word meaning- never touched by a man. Verse 20 continues the saga. “…the angel of the Lord said…that which is conceived in her (Mary) is of the Holy Ghost….and she shall bring forth a son and Thou shall call his name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” The complete story with a heavenly-kept secret with an ending is given to us in Luke 1:26-38. The point is that Mary was obedient and allowed her body to be used of God.

Now, by way of contrast, the cult of the 21^st  century and the formal expectation of the traditional family is defined as a married male and female with off spring. This description is Biblically based and has been traditionally accepted. But exception to the rule has recorded untold abortions as seen in research journals.

I shall not cite the abortion statistics of the 21^st century as given on the Internet but note a conclusion that abortion is a private matter between a female and her doctor; that abortion is a convenience, a way of life and a procedure here to stay.

But I am glad that Mary (of the 1^st century) did not have an abortion because…

My salvation from sin is contingent upon the sacrificial and redemptive work of her Son at Calvary. His birth, life and death were a fulfillment of prophecy, “He shall save his people from their sin.”

Then too, I am glad because of His abiding presence. “His name shall be called Immanuel meaning God with us.” Without His daily and constant presence, what protection do we have in this dangerous world?

Thank God for His

Salvation

Presence

Sustainability

Again, let me say that I am glad that Mary did not have an abortion!

Blog 77 - An Identity Crisis

Blog  77

“Hi-Yo, Silver!---The Lone Ranger Rides Again!”

An Identity Crisis.

By

Vernon M. Herron

Let me tell you about a disappointment which I still harbor from my childhood until this day! This childhood experience takes me back to the “radio listening days” when I strongly identified with the Lone Ranger-riding horse-adventure program. It portrayed a conquering hero, who rode a horse into the wild terrain of the mountains and deserts; one who fought the odds; fought wars and was always “a conqueror.” This masculine program challenged boys to be manly in thought and noble in deeds. This program usually finished with an invitation to boys to become a Lone Ranger club member just by sending one’s name and address to a headquarters and to wait for an acknowledgement letter. 

Well, this I did. It pleased me to no end. For the first time in my life, I would receive mail addressed to me alone! Such mail would affirm my personhood as a respected and bona-fide individual with rights and privileges.

I could hardly wait to receive that letter addressed to:

            Master Vernon M. Herron

            410 S. Long Street

            Charlotte, NC

Just to think of it: a forthcoming letter addressed to me! Well that letter finally came along, confirming my identity and recognizing my personhood, though only 12 years of age. My first letter was opened by an adult family member, whom I shall not name, then passed on to me. The bottom of my heart dropped. Was that an “identity crisis?” What do you think? Have you ever experienced an identity crisis?

Blog 76 - Researcher Uses the Internet to Find Vernon Herron

Blog 76

Researcher Uses the Internet

To Find Vernon Herron

In Search of Her Roots

(A Journey in Genealogical Research)

By

Vernon M. Herron

Genealogy is the study of the origin and descent of family life. It is the identification of one’s beginning (ancestors); one’s present status (relationship to relatives); and one’s destiny, (the projection of self-fulfillment through the study of family history). Such was the plight of Felicia Thornton Moseley, a 39 year old researcher who “left no stone unturned” to find her maternal ancestor (dead relative), Sally-Sallie-or Sarah Herron. (“Sally” or” Sallie” seems to have been a nickname for “Sarah,” a tradition of the slave and the post slave period.) Felicia had a desire to know her maternal ancestor and the roots of her beginnings.

Felicia Thornton Moseley

Felicia is a native of Bronx, NY where she was born nearly 40 years ago as the daughter of Constance Faye Banks-Thornton, but relocated to Concord, (Cabarrus County) NC in 1998. Much work has been done tracing her paternal history of Ned Hearon of Choctaw County, Mississippi. From the 1910 census, much has been learned of Felicia’s great-great-great-great grandfather. She knows of his wife, their 15 children and their offspring.

Felicia Thornton Moseley

But the challenge was to find and trace her maternal origin. According to the census record, Felicia knew that Ned Hearon, (pronounced Herron) married Sallie Herron c1873 who was born c1854 to Richard and Minerva Herron in Mecklenburg County, NC. When Sallie married Ned, she officially became Sallie Herron Hearon. (Double pronunciation)



Ned and Sallie Hearon

Journey in Retrospect

The 1870 census shows Sallie as the 6th child of Richard and Minerva’s 13 children. The record also shows that Richard and Minerva constituted the first known structured Herron family of African descent in the Piedmont region of the Tar Heel State (NC) in 1870. Now, the question is: where does one turn to find what research has been done on the life and times of Richard and Minerva Herron? Felicia began to search for living Herron relatives in the Charlotte, NC area. Browsing and surfing the Internet, Felicia found that Vernon Herron had made a presentation to the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum, (TMBF) on “How the Richard Herron Family and Johnson C. Smith University are Related”(Blog 20). Computer surfing focused on seeking contact with the TMBF and Vernon Herron. Felicia e-mailed Mr. Steve Johnston the following:

“I am a descendant of Dr. Vernon Herron’s relative, Sallie Herron-Hearon. Sallie was the daughter of Richard and Minerva Herron...I would love to meet Dr. Herron and learn more about the Herron side of my family. Please give him my address and ask him to contact me.”

Steve Johnston, media specialist for TMBF responded to Felicia and proper contact was made. Comparing of notes shows Felecia to be related to Richard and Minerva through the lineage of their sixth child Sally, while Vernon is related to Richard and Minerva through the lineage of their seventh child Lawrence. Thus Felicia and Vernon are cousins.

“I shall always be grateful to the World-Wide web,” said Felicia. “It is a blessing. It has allowed me to meet relatives on social and ancestry websites that I did not know existed, living in [the] Charlotte Mecklenburg [area], the birth place of my roots.”

“All of this information will enhance our first Hearon-Herron reunion scheduled for May 25-27, 2012 in Chicago, IL.” said Felicia.