Super Bowl light show in the big house

Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [kjv]

ουδε καιουσιν λυχνον και τιθεασιν αυτον υπο τον μοδιον αλλ επι την λυχνιαν και λαμπει πασιν τοις εν τη οικια [gnt]

… accendunt lucernam … modio … super candelabrum … luceat … domo … [v]

2023 season: Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers.

The Super Bowl is played each year to determine the championship of the NFL (National Football League). The Latin word "super" ≈ "above, on top of, beyond". The word is not related to "soup" as in a "bowl".

What is the origin of the name of the Super Bowl?

Lamar Hunt came up with the name of the Super Bowl from a toy of his son, a Super Ball.

Super Bowls
Chiefs 3 wins 2 losses
1967	Loss	Chiefs 10	Packers 35
1970	Win	Chiefs 23	Vikings 7
2020	Win	Chiefs 31	49ers 20
2021	Loss	Chiefs 9	Buccaneers 31
2023	Win	Chiefs 38	Eagles 35
2024	Win	Chiefs 25	49ers22

Super Bowls
49ers 5 wins 2 losses
1981	Win	49ers 26	Bengels 21
1984	Win	49ers 38	Dolphins 16
1988	Win	49ers 20	Bengels 16
1989	Win	49ers 55	Broncos 10
1994	Win	49ers 49	Chargers 26
2012	Loss	49ers 31	Ravens 34
2020	Loss	49ers 20	Chiefs 31

The Super Bowl was originally called the "AFL-NFL World Championship Game".

Matthew 5:15

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KJV: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Greek: ουδε καιουσιν λυχνον και τιθεασιν αυτον υπο τον μοδιον αλλ επι την λυχνιαν και λαμπει πασιν τοις εν τη οικια

Latin: neque accendunt lucernam et ponunt eam sub modio sed super candelabrum ut luceat omnibus qui in domo sunt


Hippodrome at Constantinople	Yale Bowl	Rose Bowl	Los Angeles Coliseum

Ancient Greece and Rome horse (chariot) racing was a popular sport done in the "hippodrome" from the words for "horse" and "running".

The Yale Bowl was named for the bowl shape of the arena.
The Rose Bowl name came from the Yale Bowl.
The college bowl games came from the name of the Rose Bowl.
The Super Bowl name came from the idea of the college bowl games.

Sometimes justifying your actions with Bible verses does not work.

Matthew 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [kjv]

φαρισαιε τυφλε καθαρισον πρωτον το εντος του ποτηριου και της παροψιδος ινα γενηται και το εκτος αυτου καθαρον [gnt]

… munda … calicis … parapsidis … mundum [v]

A bowl is somewhat like a cup. When washing dishes after making pancakes (using ground grain flour) the bowel may have dried flour on it. I have been told that although the inside of the cup is clean, the outside of the cup has gritty grain on it which is unacceptable.

I tried using the above verses to justify thoroughly cleaning the inside of the cup and not fully cleaning the outside of the bowl, but that analogy was not accepted. How can we wash the inside to be "white as snow"?

More: Song: Are you washed in the blood?

More: Song: What can wash away my sin

More: Song: Jesus paid it all

More: Matthew 23:26 Cleaning the cup and bowl

The AFL (American Football League) started in 1960. There was no "Super Bowl" until 1966.

Before the Super Bowl
Year	NFL	AFL
1960	Eagles	Oilers
1961	Packers	Oilers
1962	Packers	Texans/Chiefs
1963	Bears	Chargers
1964	Browns	Bills
1965	Packers	Bills

Franklin Field in Philadelphia:

1960 NFL Championship game
Traditional Army-Navy game

Chuck Bednarik (1925-2015): 169 NFL games, 20 interceptions.

From Bethlehem, PA.
WWII B-23 waist gunner (1952-1946), 30 combat missions over Germany.
NFL Eagles 1949, rookie, NFL champions
One of the last two-way players (center and linebacker)
Famous (infamous) 1960 clothes line tackle (later illegal) on Giants Frank Gifford (deep concussion) at Yankee Stadium called "the hit", got to NFL championship.
NFL Eagles 1960 (kept Jim Taylor from getting up, clock ran out, new rule established), won NFL championship.

Super Bowls
Eagles 1 win 2 losses
1981	Loss	Eagles 10	Raiders 27
2005	Loss	Eagles 21	Patriots 24
2018	Win	Eagles 41	Patriots 33
Chiefs 2 wins 2 losses
1967	Loss	Chiefs 10	Packers 35
1970	Win	Chiefs 23	Vikings 7
2020	Win	Chiefs 31	49ers 20
2021	Loss	Chiefs 9	Buccaneers 31

One bit, two bits, three bits a dollar, all for ... stand up and holler.
A computer bit is a "binary digit".

Which NFL teams have the most Super Bowl losses?

Patriots (5) and Broncos (5)

Which NFL teams have the most Super Bowl losses without any wins?

Bills (4 years in a row), Vikings (4)

[Barnabas]

Which NFL teams have never gone to a Super Bowl?

Browns, Lions, Texans, Jaguars

Which NFL teams have gone once to a Super Bowl and won?

Jets, Saints

Which NFL teams have gone once to a Super Bowl and lost?

Cardinals, Chargers, Oilers/Titans

A zero-sum game is a game, from game theory, in which when one side wins, the other side loses.
The outcome of simple two player games that involve winning and losing are as follows.

win-win (business, politics)
win-lose or lose-win (zero-sum game, war, sports)
lose-lose (few like this game) MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)

John Von Neumann created/invented game theory in 1928. Traditional computers are called Von Neumann machines.

More: Game theory: Two player zero sum games

The German General Staff and military, through World War II, was based on the ideas of Clausewitz who had observed many Napoleonic battles.
War is a continuation of politics by other means. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)

In modern times, economic war has been favored over more traditional war.

More: Carl von Clausewitz

In politics, stupidity is not a handicap. Napoleon Bonaparte (French Emperor and military leader)

More: Napoleon Bonaparte

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein's (Physicist)

More: Albert Einstein

Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [kjv]

κατα ζηλος διωκων την εκκλησιαν κατα δικαιοσυνην την εν νομω γενομενος αμεμπτος [gnt]

3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]

κατα σκοπον διωκω εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου [gnt]

… destinatum persequor … bravium supernae … [v]

1. Before: physical persecution and zeal that can be "seen".
2. After: non-physical persecution of truth that can be "heard".

The Latin word "super" ≈ "above, on top of, beyond" and is related to the ancient Greek word "ὑπέρ" ≈ "above, over" and the German word "über" ≈ "over" and the German word "ober" ≈ "over" and English "over".

Philippians 3:6

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KJV: Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Greek: κατα ζηλον ζηλος διωκων την εκκλησιαν κατα δικαιοσυνην την εν νομω γενομενος αμεμπτος

Philippians 3:14

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KJV: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Greek: κατα σκοπον διωκω επι εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου

Latin: ad destinatum persequor ad bravium supernae vocationis Dei in Christo Iesu

▶

Promote ideas

Attack ideas

Attack opponent

1: Traditional Christian view (from Jesus)
3: Traditional atheistic humanistic view (throughout history)

Think of how politics in the United States has changed over time.

Discuss: Did taking prayer out of public school have any noticeable effect before and after 1962?

Discuss: Does complete separation of church and state (which contradicts the Constitution) cause any noticeable problems?

More: Matthew 13: Second kingdom parable: fault-tolerant approach to the toleration paradox

Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: [kjv]

1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: [kjv]

1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. [kjv]

1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached… [kjv]

Paul does not directly attack the other side. Instead, Paul uses double-meanings, puns, play on words, indirect scripture references, etc., to proclaim the truth.

More: Philippians 1a: A gracious favor of joy to Philippi

Philippians 1:15

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KJV: Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

Greek: τινες μεν και δια φθονον και εριν τινες δε και δι ευδοκιαν τον χριστον κηρυσσουσιν

Philippians 1:16

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KJV: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Hebrew: אלה ממריבה מגידים את המשיח לא בלב טהור כי חשבים להוסיף צרה על מוסרי׃

Greek: οι μεν εξ εριθειας τον χριστον καταγγελλουσιν ουχ αγνως οιομενοι θλιψιν επιφερειν τοις δεσμοις μου αγαπης ειδοτες οτι εις απολογιαν του ευαγγελιου κειμαι

Philippians 1:17

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KJV: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Greek: οι δε εξ αγαπης ειδοτες οτι εις απολογιαν του ευαγγελιου κειμαι εριθειας τον χριστον καταγγελλουσιν ουχ αγνως οιομενοι θλιψιν εγειρειν τοις δεσμοις μου

Philippians 1:18

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KJV: What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I there in do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Greek: τι γαρ πλην οτι παντι τροπω ειτε προφασει ειτε αληθεια χριστος καταγγελλεται και εν τουτω χαιρω αλλα και χαρησομαι

Latin: quid enim dum omni modo sive per occasionem sive per veritatem Christus adnuntiatur et in hoc gaudeo sed et gaudebo

Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; [kjv]

οτι υμιν εχαρισθη το υπερ χριστου ου μονον το εις αυτον πιστευειν αλλα και το υπερ αυτου πασχειν [gnt]

1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. [kjv]

τον αυτον αγωνα εχοντες οιον ειδετε εν εμοι και νυν ακουετε εν εμοι [gnt]

Paul has (at least) two meanings here (fitting the context of Philippians)

1. You saw this when I was together with you.
1. Before: physical persecution and zeal that can be "seen".
2. You now hear this from others since we are not together.
2. After: non-physical persecution of truth that can be "heard".

Philippians 1:29

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KJV: For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Greek: οτι υμιν εχαρισθη το υπερ χριστου ου μονον το εις αυτον πιστευειν αλλα και το υπερ αυτου πασχειν

In Greek, the words for "seek", "zeal" and "damage" are related. The Greek "zealous" became the basis of the English word "jealous" which can be confused with the word "envy".
Here is a progression of words that developed over time in ancient Greek.

"ζητέω" ≈ "seek" but has a secondary meaning, depending on context, of searching after or looking for.
"ζῆλος" ≈ "zeal, passion" as in seeking aggressively the same goal as someone else and is the source of the English word "zeal".
"ζημιά" ≈ "damage, loss", apparently as a side-effect of zealous behavior.

More: Seeking damages from zealous jealousy

Philippians 1:30

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KJV: Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Greek: τον αυτον αγωνα εχοντες οιον ιδετε ειδετε εν εμοι και νυν ακουετε εν εμοι

One way to "lead" a group of men (or women) to do things with really thinking through what is being done is to create "zealous" competition for the same goal and pose that goal as a "zero-sum game".

Paul was originally led astray by the religious establishment in pursuing (persecuting) a group called the Christians in zealous competition in what was framed as a zero-sum game. Christ, on the Road to Damascus, pointed out to Paul the error of this approach.

Before: physical and zealous competition for the same goal with others (on earth) in a zero-sum game (sports game model)
After: mental and truthful witness for the goal of Christ for all as a cooperative non-zero-sum game.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [kjv]

ουκ οιδατε οτι οι εν σταδιω τρεχοντες παντες μεν τρεχουσιν εις δε λαμβανει το βραβειον ουτως τρεχετε ινα καταλαβητε [gnt]

9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [kjv]

πας δε ο αγωνιζομενος παντα εγκρατευεται εκεινοι μεν ουν ινα φθαρτον στεφανον λαβωσιν ημεις δε αφθαρτον [gnt]

Discuss: Is Paul referring to a competitive zero-sum game or a cooperative non-zero-sum game? How about Jesus?

1 Corinthians 9:24

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KJV: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Greek: ουκ οιδατε οτι οι εν σταδιω τρεχοντες παντες μεν τρεχουσιν εις δε λαμβανει το βραβειον ουτως τρεχετε ινα καταλαβητε

In a zero-sum game, when someone wins, someone else loses.

A better situation is the bigger picture where no one loses (everything) and winning is not the only thing.

In running races, there are many participants who win by finishing. There are few spectators.

1 Corinthians 9:25

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KJV: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Greek: πας δε ο αγωνιζομενος παντα εγκρατευεται εκεινοι μεν ουν ινα φθαρτον στεφανον λαβωσιν ημεις δε αφθαρτον

Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; [kjv]

6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. [kjv]

Jesus sends out the disciples two by two. There is no indication of "zeal" nor of any "competition". If there is any opposition, or lack of acceptance, they are to move on. This is called an "island hopping" or "leapfrogging" strategy. Paul says a similar thing (omitted).

Mark 6:7

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KJV: And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Greek: και προσκαλειται τους δωδεκα και ηρξατο αυτους αποστελλειν δυο δυο και εδιδου αυτοις εξουσιαν των πνευματων των ακαθαρτων

Mark 6:10

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KJV: And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

Greek: και ελεγεν αυτοις οπου εαν εισελθητε εις οικιαν εκει μενετε εως αν εξελθητε εκειθεν

Mark 6:11

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KJV: And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Greek: και οσοι ος αν τοπος μη δεξωνται δεξηται υμας μηδε ακουσωσιν υμων εκπορευομενοι εκειθεν εκτιναξατε τον χουν τον υποκατω των ποδων υμων εις μαρτυριον αυτοις αμην λεγω υμιν ανεκτοτερον εσται σοδομοις η γομορροις εν ημερα κρισεως η τη πολει εκεινη

During World War II, Douglas MacArthur (American military leader) and the U.S. Navy used a strategy called "island hopping" (or "leapfrogging") in the Pacific theater of action. This strategy involved taking only certain islands and leaving others to hang around, without supplies, until the end of the war.

[code talkers, atom bomb]

More: Douglas MacArthur

Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? [kjv]

ιδοντες δε οι μαθηται ιακωβος και ιωαννης ειπαν κυριε θελεις ειπωμεν πυρ καταβηναι απο του ουρανου και αναλωσαι αυτους [gnt]

9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. [kjv]

9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. [kjv]

James and John want to call down fire from heaven. This is not the way of Jesus. Proclaim the truth. If resistance, move on! [island hopping]

Luke 9:54

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KJV: And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

Greek: ιδοντες δε οι μαθηται αυτου ιακωβος και ιωαννης ειπον ειπαν κυριε θελεις ειπωμεν πυρ καταβηναι απο του ουρανου και αναλωσαι αυτους ως και ηλιας εποιησεν

Luke 9:55

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KJV: But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Greek: στραφεις δε επετιμησεν αυτοις και ειπεν ουκ οιδατε οιου πνευματος εστε υμεις

Luke 9:56

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KJV: For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Greek: ο γαρ υιος του ανθρωπου ουκ ηλθεν ψυχας ανθρωπων απολεσαι αλλα σωσαι και επορευθησαν και επορευθησαν εις ετεραν κωμην

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [kjv]

τοιγαρουν και ημεις τοσουτον εχοντες περικειμενον ημιν νεφος μαρτυρων ογκον αποθεμενοι παντα και την ευπεριστατον αμαρτιαν δι υπομονης τρεχωμεν τον προκειμενον ημιν αγωνα [gnt]

Most running races have many (active) participants and few (passive) spectators.

As a Christian, one needs to (actively) witness (to the truth) and, often, (passively) go against the flow (of human thought).

Why fit in when you were born to stand out. Dr. Seuss.

More: A hot time to harvest - now and later

Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [kjv]

τοτε λεγει τοις μαθηταις αυτου ο μεν θερισμος πολυς οι δε εργαται ολιγοι [gnt]

Both football players and farmers like to be "outstanding in their field".

More: A hot time to harvest - now and later

Hebrews 12:1

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KJV: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Greek: τοιγαρουν και ημεις τοσουτον εχοντες περικειμενον ημιν νεφος μαρτυρων ογκον αποθεμενοι παντα και την ευπεριστατον αμαρτιαν δι υπομονης τρεχωμεν τον προκειμενον ημιν αγωνα

Psalms 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. [kjv]

19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. [kjv]

Psalms 19:6

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KJV: His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Hebrew: מקצה השמים מוצאו ותקופתו על קצותם ואין נסתר מחמתו׃

Greek: απ ακρου του ουρανου η εξοδος αυτου και το καταντημα αυτου εως ακρου του ουρανου και ουκ εστιν ος αποκρυβησεται την θερμην αυτου

Psalms 19:5

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KJV: Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

Hebrew: והוא כחתן יצא מחפתו ישיש כגבור לרוץ ארח׃

Greek: και αυτος ως νυμφιος εκπορευομενος εκ παστου αυτου αγαλλιασεται ως γιγας δραμειν οδον αυτου