The Church of Jesus Christ

How cool is this? Of course, I don’t think I have hand written anything in years…

Zondervan Launches Bible Across America Tour, Invites 31,173 Americans to Handwrite NIV Bible - MarketWatch.

*I am not trying to design these as a commentary, but as a point for discussion and perhaps as a bit of a devotional. They are a spiritual and mental exercise for me. If I find an error in Sirach that I cannot rectify, then it must be considered mortal and merely a good read. Until then, if then, I will continue to read and learn from Sirach. Please feel free to point me in the right direction.

In studying the book of Sirach, I found nothing to disagree with the Christian faith as handed down by the Apostles. Instead, it often times edifies that Faith. In this passage, we find what might be considered a prophecy of the Apostle Paul as well as  a picture the ideal disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As a fundamentalist (although that is arguable) I approach the Bible as the Word of God, divinely inspired, and without imperfection in the Original. I believe that the spirit of God moved the holy men of old to write His words and His thoughts and because this, they are scared and must never be removed. In Sirach, although not recognized as inspired by Protestants and others, is a book of immense value and spiritual insight. It has provided many of the early Christian writers with a foundation to stand on, even in opposition to the Jews who dismissed it. Perhaps, it is because of passages like this, which point, seemingly to Christianity, even in part.

As a fundamentalist, I am not shy about my belief that biblical prophecy is a direct revelation from Jesus Christ, nor am I shy in saying that we find these prophecies, most of the time, after they happen. With reason, I am ready to hesitantly say that I believe that the Lord foresaw the Apostle Paul and through Inspiration, we read Sirach’s words,

Read the rest of this entry »

See other posts in this Category

Wisdom 1:12-16

(12)  Do not seek death by the sin in your life, nor drag along destruction behind you by the works of your hands;

The word ’seek’ here is used of attempting admission into one of the religious sects of the author’s day, therefore it brings to mind the picture of a sinner who instead of seeking the way of the Living God, instead seeks to enter into a cult of death by his sin. In doing this, destruction follows him and will plague him, but it is by his own hands that he does this.

But what kind of death? It is the death of Adam - spiritual and physical - separation from the living God. The immortality of the soul is not in question here, only the removal from God.

(13)  God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living.

See Deut. 30.19. Except in certain narratives that involved historical accounts, (16.13, 16.16, 20), the author usually defines death in the spiritual sense, often ignoring physical death and having no moral significance. Physical death is barely a reality for the righteous who ‘appears to die’ (3.2) but lives forever (5.15). The immortality that is expressed in the passage, and indeed this book, is concerning the spiritual nature, of which the righteous will partake fully when they once again walk with the Lord, and in some small measure enjoy here through the Church when they are resurrected after Baptism.

(14)  For he created all things that they might continue to exist, as the genesis of this world is preserved, and there is no self-destructive poison in them; for the dominion of the Grave is not on earth.

Here, ‘genesis’ carries with it several possible meanings,

• Here the word means either races of creatures or generative powers
• The Rabbi’s saw it as creative forces that became harmful only after Adam lost his immortality due to the Fall

It is the combination of these two ideas in which we find the meaning of the entire phrase. It emphasizes to the Jews and the Greeks God’s concerns to keep His creation going, not to seek and to destroy it, but to redeem it. God did not make Death, but Death was made by the works of the hands of man - sin. Church needs remember that the Grave - Hell, Death - does not reign on earth. It is interesting to note here the similarity of thought between this verse and the verse in Matthew 16.18, which reads,

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of the grave shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 NKJV

The Church is the living and immortal body of Christ, and we are enlivened by the Spirit of our God, and because of this, we will not longer face death and destruction, but eternal life. No more does the grave prevail and build palaces on earth. Because God’s righteousness is immortal (v15), and because He did not create death, this author points us to a future Redeemer, which becomes apparent in the following few chapters.

(15)  For God’s righteousness is immortal.
(16)  But ungodly men by their words and deeds summoned death; considering him a friend, they pined away, and they made a covenant with him, because they are fit to belong to his party.

See Isa 28.15. This verse rightly belongs to the second chapter.

Here the ungodly are pictured as ‘pining away’, or wasting away as in the Greek. They have fallen in love Sin and thus they yearn for the fulfillment of their covenant which is the Grave.

Morning all. It has been a great week with the blogosphere. If you are asking why I do this, it is because I like to…and because I have found some really great posts have help to form and shape this blog and me in some way and I like to keep a catelogue of them. You can check out back issues here.

Koinonia has an interesting posting on Hebrews word and the fact that we are still learning about some of them, the plural ‘you’ in 1st Corinthians 3.16-17. Speaking of biblical translation things, Bobby V. has an excellent post on the KJV…translators. BBB actually has a post up about other posts on Bible Translations from various ‘young’ bloggers. El-Shaddai has a post up on the ‘campfire’ stories in the bible.

Ben at Kilbabo posted this a few Saturdays ago, but as I have said, near about anything relating to the Septuagint will make it into the weekly news. He has a recent post on 1st John 1.1 and the apostolic witness.

Our Friends at Arminian Today discuss the importance of Sola Scriptura as well as a follow-up post on denying Sola Scriptura. The Arminian Society answers the question of the ability to remain a son no matter what as he answers this unsupported anology from Neil Anderson,

…Doesn’t our sin block God’s acceptance of us? No, as the following story illustrates. When I (Neil) was born physically I had a father. His name was Marvin Anderson. As his son, I not only have Marvin Anderson’s last name, but I have Marvin Anderson’s blood flowing through my veins. Marvin Anderson and Neil Anderson are blood- related. Is there anything that I could possibly do which would change my blood relationship with my father? What if I ran away from home and changed my name? What if he kicked me out of the house? What if he disowned me? Would I still be his son? Of course! We’re related by blood and nothing can change that…In the spiritual realm, when I was born again I became a member of God’s family…As a son of God, is there anything I can do which will change my relationship with him? No! I’m related to God by spiritual birth and nothing can change that blood relationship (pp 55, 56- emphasis his).

The new Patristics Carnival is up at hyperekperissou which pointed me to a new blog for me, Orthodox Patristics. Speaking of Patristics, Eirenikon has an interesting post from a few weeks ago about the quandary of having Linus as president of the Apostles while the other Apostles were alive.

I recently subscribed to New Leaven, and I am glad I did, other wise I would have missed some of these great posts. TC tells us whey he switched from the NASB, while he also notes that John MacArthur thinks that T.D. Jakes is a heretic for his ‘oneness pentecostal’ ways. Speaking on behalf of ‘oneness’ (I really don’t like that term) believers everywhere - T.D. Jakes is not oneness but he is a heretic nonetheless. TC. also tells us of a trip to a Desert Vineyard congregation.

Bryon has started reading the Qu’ran and promises posting on what he finds. Okay, far from the Qu’ran, but Roger Pearse has a post up concerning Christian Arabic manuscripts (wait, Arabs can be Christians? Yes, indeed.) that were destroyed in World War II.

PJ Miller continues to alert us to the false prophets of Joel’s Army. Here, here, and here. Speaking of Joel’s Army, WB Moore has a post on whether or not a church leader should speak out for or against a  political candidate. Michael Bird has a post on the worship of angels as described in Colossians.

I new blog that I subscribed to, Telling Secrets, declares her pride for the Episcopal Church. Not sure I would join her on that.

John Hobbins had me worried and then laughing and then feeling a little silly about the whole thing. And then he had me, well…

Ben Witherington has a multi-part review on Frank Viola’s Reimagining Church. Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3, Pt. 4

The nice folks at Christian Research Net tells us that James White will be debating Islam in September.

N.T. Wrong brings us insight into the prosperity peachers.

Both Jim West and Iyov comment on an article in Haaretz which takes issue with a new translation of the Hebrew Bible into what it calls ’skimpy slang’ while Nick gives us his top 10 worse translations and a life lesson.

Fr. Ted gives some words on the Scriptures - more than just good information.

El-Shaddai tells us that the world is going to end in four years…maybe.

JT has an article about a nifty new software.

This story, not exactly a blog, caught my eye. Perhaps a good read anyway?

“If I were to sit under a tree and tell you the sadness we have to suffer, the leaves of that tree would fall like tears.”

Finally, proof that the 70’s should forever be erased from people’s memory

About the Donate button.

As many of my readers know, I come from a King James only background (KJVO). It took me several years to build up the courage to actually read another version, much less actually buy one. Now, I have many different translations - print and electronic - and enjoy nearly everyone of them and from time to time will read one just to read it.

A friend of mine once asked if salvation can be found in other bible other than the King James. My answer then was no, but now, it would be different. Now I would remind him that salvation is found only in Christ and that the great Apostles did not have the New Testament of any variety when the 3000 was saved on the 50th Day.

Back to the story: I came across the Message, and although I understand that it was meant to be a true paraphrase that one reads along with the Bible, I still don’t like it. Simply put, it seems a bit too sacrilegious to have the Word of God in the basest English language. I won’t condemn you if you read it, or even if you like it, just pray for you really, really hard.

As my wife posted yesterday, we were in my favorite book store when my daughter found a pink metal bible of the NLT. We started her reading the NLT (The Book) a few weeks ago and although it wasn’t a struggle, it was still considered school work. Well, she bought this bible and has since been known to read the bible outside of school. It is her bible, she reminds us, one that she bought and will pay for later. She doesn’t want anything on top of it, and is looking forward to taking it to Church this weekend. She loves her bible and what’s more, likes to interrupt Daddy’s blog time to read it to him.

My wife asked me what I thought about the NLT, which has prompted me to vet it a bit. As I told her, it is the Greek Manuscript tradition that I prefer, but then again, I have yet to find doctrinal differences between the the three (or 2.5 if you think the TR is Byzantine.) The language is a bit looser than I would prefer, but in the end, the NLT was not meant to be a literal translation, word for word, like the KJV is, supposedly. Instead, it was meant to be readable by a vast number of people. It serves it’s purpose well, I believe, because I have seen the proof through my daughter. She is not just reading the Bible, but reading the Bible.

As any KJVO will tell you, the first thing you do when you see another translation is to go to a verse or two to see if it matches up. So, let’s do the same. Of course, I will apply a bit more reason and logic to the it, looking for the message, as opposed to the -eths.

Our first verse is Acts 2.38,

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38 KJVA)

Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  (Acts 2:38 NLT)

This seems to be the creed of our organization, although I prefer Joel 2.28-32, which will get to later. Let’s see, what we have. Peter is in the right place as speaker. The essential element of the gospel is presented not by a religious word, but by the bare bones meaning - turn from your sins and turn to God. I have heard many preachers explain repentance by saying that it is a 180 degree turnaround, and essentially, that is what we have here.

Baptism is still a requirement in this verse, as is the baptismal formula of “in the name of Jesus Christ”. The result is the same as well, for the forgiveness of sins. Okay, it all lines up. In the gift of the holy Spirit is there. So, the essential elements are there. The meaning is made more plain to those that need it be so, or who want a non-sectarian approach to readability.

The next verse is Hebrews 1.3

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3 KJVA)

The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven. (Hebrews 1:3 NLT)

I choose to tackle this one because it is a major point of doctrine, but allow me to say that a 6 year old does not need major points of doctrine or Church history. As a matter of fact, until you need meat, it will only make you choke.

The NLT identifies the ‘who’ of the KJV as well as the ‘his’. The NLT is a bit less technical in the phrase ‘everything about him represents God exactly’, but I believe that the seminal idea is present. I would prefer something very technical, along the lines of,

Who, being the emanation from the glory of God, and the precise mirror of his substance and maintaining all things by his all-powerful utterance—through himself he has achieved purification of our sins, assumed his seat on the right hand of the Majesty on high,
(Hebrews 1:3 CTV)

But, the idea that the Son is the exact representation of God is seen in the NLT. The NLT does do a good job of explaining the ‘purge’ of the KJV when it says that ‘he died’, referring to the Son. It does fail a bit, I believe in explaining the ‘Majesty on High’ as the ‘majestic God in heaven,’ but that is not a deal breaker. It would have been nice if they had explained the ‘right hand’ a bit better, but again, meat with it is time for such things.

Philippians 2.6-8 is our next search and it produces,

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  (Philippians 2:6-8 KJVA)

Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing;he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.  (Philippians 2:6-8 NLT)

The mystery in this verse is made clear. The highlights of the NLT is that it refers to Christ as God, brings out the ‘robbery’ of the KJV to something that is actually intelligible, creates the image that God thought less of HImself than some of us do to make Himself nothing, becoming a slave and appearing in human form. The image of the cross and the passion of our Lord is made much clearer, much more beautiful, more more grabbing that the literal language of the KJV did. I can almost picture Paul here, writing these words, trying to find some attempt through feeble abilities to tell about the Cross.

In Romans 9.5, we find again that the NLT does a much better job with Paul than the KJV did,

Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 9:5 KJVA)

Their ancestors were great people of God, and Christ himself was a Jew as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.  (Romans 9:5 NLT)

The KJV corrupts the thought by not placing the grammar correctly. The NLT divides the verse into two sentences, bringing about the clear Deity of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

1st John 5.20 is a favorite verse of one of the ministers in our congregation,

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.  (1 John 5:20 KJVA)

And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we are in God because we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.  (1 John 5:20 NLT)

Again, a much clearer picture of the Deity of Jesus Christ is found in the NLT, leaving no room for conjecture as the KJV does. The NLT’s ‘and he is eternal life’ drives home to the reader Jesus Christ is the life of hope that the Apostles struggled for and we today fight to maintain.

Now, this is by far and away an incomplete comparison of the NLT and the KJV, and I am sure that I can find fault with it if I want to, but the man purpose of a bible translation is for bible to be able to read it, not to be confused  by it. I believe that the NLT does that and succeeds in making the Word of God readable without sacrificing too much of the literalism.

Just to be sure, I don’t like 1st Peter 3.22 where the NLT has it that Christ sits next to the Father instead of translating the idiom as a symbol of power. (I have met few Trinitarians that view two or three thrones in heaven).

See other posts in this Category.

Wisdom 1:7-11

(7)  For the Spirit of the Lord that has filled the world holds all things together and knows what is said;

This thought of Wisdom’s author is expressed throughout the book, that God holds the world together through His spirit,

But thou sparest all: for they are thine, O Lord, thou lover of souls. For thine incorruptible Spirit is in all things. (11.26-12.1)

As well as being found in the New Testament,

And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Colossians 1.17)

Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:3 NKJV)

Clearly this has lead to the Orthodox view of panentheism, or God-in-all. (This is opposite of the pagan belief that all material things are god). In panentheism, God is viewed as creator and/or animating force behind the universe, and the sole source, or perhaps first principle, of universal truth. This concept of God can be closely associated with the Logos of Heraclitus  and Justin Martyr, in which the Logos pervades the cosmos and whereby all thoughts and things originate.  An opposing thought may be that God, as any Creator, as imparted some of Himself into His creation. We note that in both Creation accounts (Genesis 2.7 and John 20.22) the Creator is seen as imparting His breath into the new Creature (Man in Genesis and the Church in John). The thought, which may interpreted differently, seems not so much as permeate this work, nor the epistles or theology of Paul, but serves as a backdrop as to why, especially in the New Testament, God would care so much for His Creation.

Is this the Spirit of God, or the spirit that is Wisdom? Does God have two Spirits, or are they one with different attributes. On the Old Testament, the Spirit of God is God’s activity in the World. The Logos has been described as God active, of God in motion. One way of interpretation that is often overlooked is to interpret the pneuma in this verse as breath. Then we can connect this verse to the two creation accounts.

The author continues to emphasize the fact that God’s spirit which holds all things together is made manifest to the world of men as power, wisdom, and spirit, which becomes important as we deal with the next few chapters, and especially in the latter half of the book when Wisdom plays an intricate part in the Exodus story.

The author, still in the mind set of the Old Testament writers, uses the fluidity of manifestations as extensions of the God Absolute.

(8)  Because of this no one who speaks unrighteous things will escape notice, and justice, when it punishes, will not pass him by.

(9)  For inquiry will be made into the counsels of an ungodly man, and a report of his words will come to the Lord, to convict him of his lawless deeds;

Who will make these examinations? The Greek is passive and leaves the interpretation open. We can take the last attribute mentioned, Justice, or we may take the Spirit of the Lord who we are told knows all things that are said. Justice is a personification of God that the author uses later in 11.20. We have to turn to the Jewish belief that along with the book of life there is a book of remembrance written to record the deeds of man.

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (Malachi 3:16 KJV)

We see here that this Spirit of the Lord will search the counsels of the unrighteous and a conviction will be made. The thought is echoed in Jude who quotes from the Book of Enoch,

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convict all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 1:14-15 KJV)

In Jude, just as in these verses, we have the Lord who will convict the ungodly of their ungodly deeds as well as the ungodly words spoke against Him.

(10)  because a jealous ear hears all things, and no whispered syllable escapes the vigilant ear.

(11)  So, then, beware of useless murmuring, and keep your tongue from slander; because no secret word is goes unpunished, and a lying mouth destroys the soul.

See Numbers 21.5, Psalms 78.19 (77.19 LXX). These ‘hard speechs’ of Jude, or defiant words, against God, whether whispered or shouted, will be remembered when Justice passes by.

As many of you know by now, I was a community organizer for several years for the United Mine Workers of America. During that time, I developed some rules of being a good community organizer and one of those was to find a place where you could relax and wind down. You know, exhale.

I found that place at the Bibles & More bookstore. A local pastor and his wife own the bookstore - it is the only one and they treat it like an only child. They devote a lot of time and resources - more resources that actually come from the store - to developing and supporting the store. I grew to know them in my few years in Charleston and greatly enjoyed the time spent at the store.

As I traveled across the country, I never could find another place like it. Sure, there were places (chains) that had other things, but in the end, the only bookstore that I found was enjoyable was this Bible & More. From time to time, I was able to stop in there when I was back home for the weekend.

Then, I was sent to Illinois. I know…why? What could possible be in Illinois. And while I was gone, they shut down.

So I thought.

Instead, they had moved to another part of town. I recently found this store as I was looking for a Willow Tree for my wife. She loves those and I can say that of all thee ones that she has, I believe about 95% of them came from that store.

Today was the first time I was able to visit. I found the store as warm and welcoming as ever. The pastor and his wife had not changed. Friendly. Nice. Warm. It immediately took a load off. To tell you the truth, I have been looking forward to going in that store for a few weeks now. I bought my daughter (although she is convinced that she did) a NLT bible, pink metal case and my wife an anniversary Willow Tree set - the giant Mary and Joseph Christmas Story. (Well, I would have for Christmas, but our anniversary is next week - expect a post on marriage - and she loves the complete set of the normal size that I got her two years ago, again from this store.) She doesn’t know it yet, so don’t tell her.

If you are every in Charleston, West Virginia, or perhaps want some of the local flavor, stop by or call them. They are at 2809 7th Avenue, Charleston WV. (304.343.3334). I am sure that not only will they be happy to see you, but when you leave, you will be somewhat less road weary. They have books, bibles, candles, curriculum of the Sunday School variety, and many more things. But most of all, they have friendship.

I have grown to enjoy these posts a great deal. (Here, here, here, and here) It is my blog, after all, and it has allowed me to discover the style and manner of writing and investigation into scripture that I like, and this seems to be one of them. Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus to the Protestants out there, was written well before Christ and was wrestled over until after Christ by the Jews.

I endeavored to read this book one a while ago, but go no further than the 10th chapter when i realized that at that time it was futile to investigate this book if the results would do no one any good. Now, I focus on my own edification and hope that others will be built up as well. I don’t mean to be selfish here, but there are times that we have to strengthen ourselves (1st Samuel 30.6) in the LORD our Great God. I have found encouragement in the pages of Sirach and hope to continue to do so.

We can approach this passage from Sirach in one of two ways:

• First, we can see it in the socio-political light that most likely it was written in. Here in the States, we are embroiled in a political election for the President of these united States. It will get ugly and bitter and cause much strife even among those that call each other brother. If we should choose to do this, then we cause a division in the universal body of Christ, be it British or American, Chinese, or Indian. Further, we fail to show our separation from this world that is so well illustrated in Diognetus chapter 5.
• Second, we can understand that with Christ, rather since Christ, and His Church, those things that once applied nationally to Israel now apply to the Church. In doing this, we understand that the leaders and magistrates of Sirach are the pastors and ministers of the Body of Christ. If we take this second route in understanding, we pay heed to Christ’s command to render to Caesar and to the understanding that the Kingdom of God is not a physically attainable goal, but the Church which is both visible and invisible.

I will approach it primarily, if not in totality, from the second stance.

Sirach 10:1-25 from the Revised Standard Version-Modified

(1)  A wise leader will educate his people, and the rule of an understanding man will be well ordered.
(2)  As the leader of a people, so are his officials; and the inhabitants of the city will reflect the ruler.
(3)  An undisciplined king will ruin his people, but a city will grow through the understanding of its rulers.
(4)  The authority of the earth is in the hands of the Lord, and over it he will raise up the right man for the appointed time.
(5)  The success of a man is in the hand of the Lord, and he confers his honor upon the person of the scribe.
(6)  Do not cherish anger with your neighbor for any injury, and do nothing by acts of insolence.

We are talking about these wise leaders, or magistrates as older translations have them (judge in the NETS) - who are prevalent among the people of God. In Sirach’s time, most likely these were perhaps the Hasmonean Kings, or even the generation earlier, both in which the temple priesthood was being used by those in power. We know from history that Judas Maccabeus saw the near complete degradation of the Jewish elite as they gave away to paganism and encourage the people to do so.

We have pastors and ministers, or those that say that they are such, that are neither wise nor well-ordered. I speak, of course, from experience. Now, I am not speaking about the wisdom of books or man’s words, but the beginning of all wisdom - the fear of the LORD (Psalms 111.10). They are filled with arrogance and this pride will cause not only them to fall, but the congregation as well. It by the leader that the city will either grow into glory or fall into perdition.

Have you every seen a congregation bitter and destroy by gossip or sin or by apathy for the things of God. I am not speaking about one or two, but the entire congregation. (There will always be those that choose not to live up to the examples set by the pastor or ministers and called for by the Scriptures). Look at the pastor of that congregation. What example is he setting? Does he gossip? What about his fear of God? The reverence paid to the things of the Lord? What of his love of the the Spirit? Are they themselves disciplined? Do they in a godly reverence watch over your souls so that when the accounting is called, they may give a good one?

Remember King Saul who, when had disobeyed God, had his kingdom taken from him. God alone is the giver of liberty and sovereignty. Too many people desire to be a pastor or a minister and for what? For what glory, rather, for whose glory? For God? More than likely it is for themselves. We see numerous pastors and so-called evangelists stand in the spot light but give no room for God. Even in the local congregations, how many desire the holy titles of Bishop, or Pastor, Elder, minister, deacon? Who many would choose them if they were all called servant and called no vestments of authority?

Verse 4 connects well to Wisdom 6.3

For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

Yes, there are times I believe that God will set us up to fail, so that we may be useful to Him when we remove ourselves.

Sirach, as you know, is a translation into Greek of the Hebrew original. In the Hebrew original, ’scribe’ is ’statute-maker’, or perhaps it is better to say ‘law-maker’. The authority that God gives His judges and leaders is an awesome power, and one which God will grant success if you abide in His fear.

(7)  Arrogance is hateful before God and all of humanity, and injustice is outrageous to both.
(8)  Sovereignty is transferred from nation to nation on account of injustice and insolence and wealth.
(9)  How can he who is dust and ashes be proud? for even as he lives, he insides are decaying.
(10)  The physician scoffs are a long illness, but the king of today will be dead tomorrow.
(11)  For when a man is dead he will inherit reptiles, and wild animals, and worms.
(12)  The beginning of man’s arrogance is to depart from the Lord, for his heart has forsaken his Maker.
(13)  For the beginning of arrogance is sin, and the man who clings to it will pour out an abomination. Therefore the Lord will bring upon them extraordinary afflictions, and completely destroyed them.
(14)  The Lord has pulls down the thrones of rulers, and seats the gentle in their place.
(15)  The Lord plucks up the roots of the nations, and plants the humble in their place.
(16)  The Lord overthrows the lands of the nations, and destroys them to the foundations of the earth.
(17)  He has removes some of them and destroys them, and puts an end to the memory of them on the earth.
(18)  Arrogance was not created by humanity, nor fierce anger by the offspring of women.

The original Hebrew serves as an interesting backdrop to the Greek here. As this is not a pure commentary, I will not go into detail here, but only provide a few points.

In this section, we find the beginning of arrogance, or pride, and in some ways, the end result of pride. We find that pride is hateful before a holy God and even before all of humanity. Both must consider pride as an injustice.

In 8b the Hebrew reads (replace on account of…) ‘because of violence of pride). Because of the violence that pride causes, or perhaps pride itself is a violence before God and Man, the sovereignty of a nation (or the ministry of a man) is removed and bestowed upon another. We know of all manners of violence - abuse, rape, libel, slander, physical, emotional - but pride? Is pride really a type of violence? Think of it this way: Pride causes a sin; sin is a rebellion against God; rebellion is violence; thus pride is violence.

Verse 9 is made the more poignant in the Hebrew which reads, ‘Why should dust and ashes be proud when his entrails are decaying even as he lives?”

In verse 12 the Hebrew reads ‘The beginning of arrogance is when a man becomes shameless’. The Hebrew and the Greek both offer the truth. When a man forgets his Maker, Saviour, Redeemer, and becomes his own ruler, judge, god and lord, he is without shame and has departed from the Lord, the only God.

(19)  What race is worthy of honor? The human race. What race is worthy of honor? Those who fear the Lord. What race is unworthy of honor? The human race. What race is unworthy of honor? Those who transgress the commandments.
(20)  Among brothers their leader is worthy of honor, and those who fear the Lord are worthy of honor in his eyes.
(21)  The fear of the Lord goes before the gain of authority: but in roughness and pride one will loose it.
(22)  The rich, and the eminent, and the poor - they glory in the fear of the Lord.
(23)  It is not right to despise an intelligent poor man, nor is it proper to honor a sinful man.
(24)  The nobleman, and the judge, and the ruler will be honored, but none of them is greater than the man who fears the Lord.
(25)  Free men will be at the service of a wise servant, and a man of understanding will not grumble.

Sirach closes this section with the passage that has stuck with me for the past 5 years, so I will start there. A bishop has a great job indeed, as does the pastor and the evangelist. The music director is talented. The youth leader is great with children. The grounds committee has the best looking campus in town. The bulletin and newsletters are done with professionalism. The well-off fund every project needed. The pastor has well-prepared sermons. The evangelists are leaders revivals all over the world. Yet, the man who fears God is greater than all of these.

What? Do I think that these wonderful things can be done with the fear of God? Yes. It is well written and documented that God is not always behind the scenes in the things that ‘give Him glory’. Yet the poor wise men and women who glory in the the fear of the Lord, in whose fear the authority is gained, and who is honoured among the brothers and sisters, in these men and women, often nameless, is the greatest work of the Lord.

Finally, let us say that in wisdom do we fear the Lord and it is the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom. Let us support our clergy and pray that God strengthens them. Let us pray that we no more than the wise servant, no more than one who fears the Lord. Let us ora et labora that our city will not see ruin, but grow and prosper for the Kingdom of God

Watch the video here

Then read the excellent commentary here:

Stoned-Campbell Disciple: Exhibit A - Baptist Pastor Comparing the NIV against the King James Bible.

GCM exposes T.D. Jakes and his gay ways while the Seeking Disciple explores what happens with the gospel is abandoned for politics.

Suzanne at BBB discusses the translation techniques involving Wisdom in Proverbs.

Steve, at the Voices Carry Blog, relates to us a story about anti-life supporters.

Halden, a recently discovered blogger for me, has an interesting post on ‘Nicene Theology as Paganization‘.

Rick Mansfield over at the Lamp has a great post on Matthew 5.28.

First, Ben states that the LXX did not exist - what!!!! - and Doug joins in with the good Dr. West commenting as well. Not knowing Ben, I cannot state the condition of his mental health, but after reading the article by Ben, I have to worry for him. Dismissing the LXX is a prime KJVO argument.

John Hobbins gives us the contrasts of converting to and from Islam.

The Arminian Society has post on Wesley’s defense of Arminianism.

Lingamish points us to the next big thing in bible blogs.

Douglas over at Contemplations of a Young Calvinist has released his short, informal and non-academic paper refuting the erroneous and fallacious reasoning behind Dr. Gary Greig’s article which attempted to defend the now-discredited Lakeland ‘revival’. Although the ‘revival’ is over, at least it is over as far as Todd Bentley is concerned, the Third Wave Neo-Gnostic and Neo-Apostolic principles behind it still remain. This paper interacts with some of the underlying principles of the Third Wave movement, and bring the Scriptures to bear in a critique written in an informal and interactive style.

“For the first time in Australia” Joel Osteen, his wife and co-pastor Victoria, “the whole Lakewood Church team” and Word Faith wolf Jentezen Franklin will be bringing their shows to Hillsong Conference 2009. Those paying attention will remember Hillsong Church has been in the habit of promoting dubious ministries for quite some time now as it continues its drift.

For example in 2007 Hillsong featured Oneness Pentecostal T.D. Jakes, who has recently implied that Ruth and Naomi were lesbians and that King David and Jonathan may also have been lovers. And for those who may not know this yearly conference at Hillsong is the largest one in Australia bringing in people from over 70 countries averaging around 30,000 attendees per conference.

Here is a chilling photo collection entitled ‘Photos that changed the world’.

Fr. Ted tells gives us insight on reading the OT Christocentrically. I agree. We simply cannot remove the study of Christology from the Old Testament. Yes, it was the Jews first, but now it is the Churches.

Henry at PBS (not that one) gives us a whole host of posts that might be intriguing. Speaking of Carnivals, your humble blogger has been listed among better and more well known blogs in the Biblioblogs Carnival XXXIII. I would like to think Michael Holcomb for this great opportunity.  I have been a fan of his blog for a long time, longer than I have been bloggin, and to be listed on his site along side other and much better bloggers is truly an honor.

Speaking of Michael, he asks, In your opinion, what is the relationship between eschatology & ethics? How does one affect the other or how do they both affect each other? Or, is there no relationship at all? What do you think?

Nick (I almost said Nick the heretic quoter, but I didn’t) has a post on 1st John 5.7.

The grandfather of today’s Christian mysticism movement is Richard Foster. Apprising Ministries has an article up about the promotion of Foster and his teachings by Christianity Today.

Do not say, “Because of the Lord I left the right way”; for he will not do what he hates. Do not say, “It was he who led me astray”; for he had no need of a sinful man. The Lord hates all abominations, and they are not loved by those who fear him. It was he who created man in the beginning, and he left him in the power of his own inclination. If you will, you can keep the commandments, and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice. He has placed before you fire and water: stretch out your hand for whichever you wish. Before a man are life and death, and whichever he chooses will be given to him. For great is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and sees everything; his eyes are on those who fear him, and he knows every deed of man. He has not commanded any one to be ungodly, and he has not given any one permission to sin. (Sirach 15:11-20 from the Revised Standard Version RSV)

I remember being in grade school, 2nd grade I believe, and quickly running a foul of a classmate. He was a PK - preacher’s kid and new to the school. I remember sitting in the cafeteria before school began and having a conversation about the devil - yes, I know, but hey, I didn’t have the blog then! - and he said that it was the devil who makes him do ‘bad things’. It is the same excuse that many people use today - speeding, cursing, violence - ‘the devil made me do it.’ Obviously, this was a problem a few centuries before Christ as well. Sirach confronts it with a very abrupt statement - Don’t blame anyone but yourself. We have free will as a creation of God - we can employ it for good or evil.

Recently, I have been asked about the idea of apostasy. Apostasy involves the idea of falling away from God. It is right to be reminded that nothing can remove us, but we sure can jump ship! The very idea that people would blame God for their sin, transgression, or apostasy appalls Sirach. I have actually met people that blame either the Church or perhaps the Pastor (or the easiest thing to do, is to blame the pastor’s wife) or perhaps a member. The real fault lies in the person themselves. They have chosen to ‘leave the right way’, to ‘fall away’ as the King James Version puts it.

The Greek here is a paraphrase of the Hebrew (yes, contrary to the KJVO myth Sirach was written in Hebrew originally) which reads ‘Say not, From God is my transgression, for that which he hates he made not.’ This leads us to a slightly different understanding of the verse, but both implying that God does not make sin and would not lead people into it. James clearly echoes Sirach here, when he says,

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  (James 1:13 NKJV)

It is interested to note the Hebrew addition to verse 13(b). The Greek says, ‘The Lord hates all abominations, and they are not loved by those who fear him’ to which the Hebrew adds ‘and he will not let it come hear those that fear him.’ Again, Paul agrees here when he says,

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NKJV)

Sirach here sees the orthodox idea of sin - that it is by our own inclination, will, and choice. We must choose to live sinless lives. Sirach says that before us is fire (the curse) and water (the blessing) and it is up to each and everyone of us to choose between the two, but if we choose the fire, then it is not because of God that we do this, the blame falling on our own shoulders.

New Bible Is a Matter of Time - washingtonpost.com.

New Bible Is a Matter of Time
Edition Rearranges Books to Keep the Action Chronological

By Tim Murphy
Religion News Service
Saturday, August 23, 2008; B09

Bob Sanford wanted to create a Bible that would bring order and clarity to the text. Instead, he’s waded into one of the great debates of biblical scholarship.

The “Chronological Study Bible” will be released this fall in the midst of a Bible-publishing boom in the United States. In an industry that now has as much to do with profits as with prophets, Sanford expects his new edition to have wide appeal.

The challenge “is to take the scholarship and make it enjoyable to a readership that enjoys history,” said Sanford, who oversees the Bible division for the giant Christian publisher Thomas Nelson.

The edition rejiggers the order of books, psalms and Gospels to provide a historical framework for a text most scholars consider chronologically challenged.

So, for example, whole sections of Isaiah and Nehemiah are reordered to better reflect an accurate historical timeline; the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are merged into one based on Mark’s chronology; and some of St. Paul’s letters, which traditionally appear later in the New Testament, are woven into the Book of Acts.

Some biblical scholars aren’t buying the idea.

“Any biblical studies expert worth their salt would not have much interest in this at all, except as kind of a curiosity,” said Pat Graham, a professor at Emory University.

At issue for scholars is a question they have grappled with for generations: When — and by whom — was the Bible written? For readers, the larger question is this: Does it really matter if Ezekial, say, appears before or after Nehemiah, and does it make a difference if a biblical timeline looks more like a zigzag?

The most recognizable changes in the “Chronological Study Bible” come in the placement of non-narrative sections — the books that aren’t necessarily anchored by specific people, places and events. The Book of Psalms, which appears in the middle of the Old Testament in most editions, is split up in the new edition by time period. All psalms relating to David, for example, will instead appear as supplements to the relevant books of the Old Testament such as 1 Chronicles.

Sanford says unlocking and reordering the Bible’s chronology can help readers understand the context in which portions of the book were written. But in practice, scholars say, this can prove challenging.

For some biblical accounts, such as the Israelites’ exile to Babylon, there are historical accounts to support the narrative. Other stories require a leap of faith. Scholars say trying to rearrange individual books requires getting to the bottom of some of the world’s oldest known cases of identity theft: Many biblical works were the handiwork of multiple authors, all writing under a single name.

“It was very common in antiquity to attribute one’s own writings to the most important historians in the past,” said Michael D. Coogan, a professor at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass., and editor of “The New Oxford Annotated Bible.” “It happens not just in the Bible. Socrates certainly didn’t say everything Plato quotes him as saying.”

Take, for example, the Book of Jeremiah, which was written by an undetermined number of authors over an unknown period. Some narratives are repeated, and any semblance of chronology devolves into a jumble of dates and places.

The Bible’s order is significant for other reasons. Some scholars worry that changing the order would affect its meaning and diminish the value of non-narrative elements, such as the Book of Psalms.

“Part of the problem, and to me one of the flaws, is the assumption that this Bible is working with — that [narrative] is the primary genre of literature in the Bible. That just isn’t true,” said the Rev. Bruce Birch, who teaches at Wesley Theological Seminary in the District.

Graham, who called the idea of a chronological Bible “radical,” offered a helpful suggestion for potential buyers.

“It’s like you would attach a pack of cigarettes with a warning label from the surgeon general,” Graham said.

“Well, this Bible should have a warning from the theologian general or something: ‘This Bible may be harmful to your spiritual health.’ “

All is not lost for the book’s publishers, however. While the Ivory Tower cries heresy, the book’s target demographic seems more receptive to the idea. The Rev. Brad Riley, a pastor at Wichita First Church of the Nazarene in Kansas, said a chronological Bible would probably be most useful for newcomers to the faith.

“The Bible can be intimidating for people . . . and the chronology can help people put the timeline together in their minds,” Riley said.

The Rev. Tommy Bratton Jr., who leads group Bible study at First Baptist Church in Asheville, N.C., agreed.

“We try to put our Bible studies now in context of when things occur,” Bratton said. “It would give people, I think, a greater sense of how things were laid out in that way.”

There is a guy that floats around various Yahoo groups, such as WhichVersions and Versions, named Peter Furhman who testifies that he burnt loads of bibles because they were not King James Versions.

What a shame to be infected with this man made doctrine that much that you would burn the very Word of God.

From here.

I have been using the NKJV more and more, and in hopes of shedding some light on it, I am posting this article from Wikipedia. Chick Tracts, and fundamentalists Baptists, will tell you that it is not a KJV and list a variety of reasons. You have to remember, they hold a very unscriptural view of a translation made by man. This doctrine is roughly 150 years old, but is strongly held by ultraconservative fundamentalists. The NKJV is an excellent step in the Tyndale Tradition (of which the KJV is apart of) and a worthy successor to the old AV)

Chick points out,

Please decide what God is saying to Moses:

“And the LORD said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?” (Exodus 16:28, NKJV)

It looks like God is saying, “Moses, you are continuing to refuse to keep My commandments and My laws.” But look carefully at the accurate King James:

“And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?”

Now we understand! It was the people, not Moses, that God was upset with. “Ye” and “you” mean more than one person. “Thee,” “thou,” “thy,” “thine,” “doeth,” “hast,” etc., only mean one person. How do we know? The “y” is plural. The “t” is singular.

Does that make sense to you? Or, are they adding to the very Word of God? The idea that one single translation is the only inspired Word of God cannot be found in the entire Bible, a Bible in which the Apostle Paul, writing in Greek quoted both the Hebrew and the Greek versions of the Old Testament.

Again from Chick:

Go to Gehenna?

The NKJV claims to be “more accurate” because it leaves untranslated words like “Gehenna,” “Hades” and “Sheol.” What do they mean? You will know from the King James the exact meaning: “hell.” We know what that means. Meaning is very important. When’s the last time you heard someone told to “Go to Gehenna”?

Now, anyone with a bit of Greek, or the ability to actually crack open a lexicon, knows the difference between Gehenna, Hades, and Sheol. And they also know the difference that it plays in the theology that it creates. Hades is not Hell, unlike Gehenna. Neither is Sheol. Hades/Sheol is rightly grave, the intermediate place between heaven and and the final Lake of Fire, which is Gehenna.

Chick then goes on to point out some ‘major’ differences:

1 Thessalonians 5:22:

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

“Abstain from every form of evil.”

Now, I ask you to simply look and see which is the stricter translation? Merely abstaining from the appearance of evil or the actual form of evil? I mean, according to the KJV, it appears that as long as you hide it, you can do it.

One of the ‘objections’ that the KJVO crowd throws at the ‘Modern Versions’ is that all the Modern Versions are copyrighted, as opposed to the KJV.

The text of the NKJV is copyrighted by Thomas Nelson Publishers, while there is no copyright today on the text of the KJV. If your KJV has maps or notes, then it may have a copyright, but the text itself does not.

There is a reason that the KJV does not have a copyright - because it is almost 400 years old. If you were to buy the Cambridge KJV, you will actually notice a copyright by the Crown of England.

New King James Version - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Beginnings

The NKJV translation project, which was conceived by Arthur Farstad, was inaugurated in 1975 with two meetings (Nashville and Chicago) of 68 interested persons, most of them prominent Baptists but also including some conservative Presbyterians. The men who were invited to these meetings prepared the guidelines for the NKJV. The New Testament was published in 1979, the Psalms in 1980, and the full NKJV Bible in 1982.

The aim of its translators was to update the vocabulary and grammar of the King James Version, while preserving the classic style and beauty of the 1611 version. Although it uses substantially the same Hebrew and Greek texts as the original KJV, it indicates where more commonly accepted manuscripts differ.

Update to King James Version

According to the preface of the New King James Version (p. v-vi), the NKJV uses the 1967/1977 Stuttgart edition of the Biblia Hebraica for the Old Testament, with frequent comparisons made to the Bomberg edition of 1524-25, which was used for the King James Version. Both the Old Testament text of the NKJV and that of the KJV come from the ben Asher text (known as the Masoretic Text). However, the 1967/1977 Stuttgart edition of the Biblia Hebraica used by the NKJV uses an earlier manuscript (the Leningrad Manuscript B19a) than that of the KJV.

The New King James Version also uses the Received Text for the New Testament, just as the King James Version had used. The translators have also sought to follow the principles of translation used in the original King James Version, which the NKJV revisers call “complete equivalence” in contrast to “dynamic equivalence” used by many other modern translations.

The task of updating the English of the KJV involved significant changes in word order, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. One of the most significant features of the NKJV was its abandonment of the second person pronouns “thou,” “thee,” “ye,” “thy,” and “thine.” Verb forms were also modernized in the NKJV (for example, “speaks” rather than “speaketh”).

Criticisms

Language Style

One major criticism of the NKJV is that it is rendered in a language format that has never been spoken. By maintaining much of the Elizabethan structure and syntax of the KJV (an intentional effect on the part of the revisers, who intended for a reader to be able to follow along in one version as the other version is read aloud), the NKJV at times has been criticized for putting modern words into archaic orders. Unlike the Revised Version of 1881-85 and American Standard Version of 1901, which sought to take advantage of modern scholarship but left the overall text worded in archaic Jacobean language, the NKJV sounds neither Jacobean nor particularly modern. Also many of the double meanings in many of the verses have now been lost.

Underlying texts

A second major criticism involves the fact that it is based, as noted above, solely upon the ancient texts available during the time of King James and not on earlier manuscripts and documents which have since been discovered. Since these manuscripts, most of which reflect an Alexandrian text-type, are argued by some of today’s scholars to be more reliable, the NKJV’s adherence to the Majority Text (which has ties to the Textus Receptus) seems to many to violate the spirit of open scholarship and open inquiry, and to ascribe a level of perfection to the documents available to the 17th century scholars that they would not have claimed for them. (Regarding this point see David Dewey, A User’s Guide to Bible Translations, pp. 162-3, where he quotes strong criticism of the NKJV’s textual basis by Steven Sheeley and Robert Nash.)

However, not all textual critics agree that the earliest manuscripts are the most accurate. Alternative readings based on other texts do appear as footnotes in the New King James Version, and unlike other translations the NKJV does not contain subjective comments like “the best manuscripts add, etc.” Instead, the footnotes simply state which manuscript sets do not contain the passage. However, this is unlikely to placate those who feel that the “Johannine Comma” (at 1 John 5:7), for example, is not a legitimate portion of scripture and should not be treated as such.

King James Only Belief

Believers in the “King-James-Only Movement,” see the New King James Version as something less than a true successor to the KJV. In their view, the NKJV makes significant changes to the meaning of the KJV translators. For example, Acts 17:22, in which Paul in the KJV calls the men of Athens “too superstitious,” is interpreted in the NKJV to have Paul call them “very religious”.

At the same time, many churches and evangelical groups have embraced the NKJV as an acceptable compromise between the original KJV and a Bible that uses a more modern syntax.

External texts

• Official NKJV website
• Free Bible software with full NKJV at www.BerBible.org
• www.av1611.org/nkjv.html - Against NKJV website
• www.scionofzion.com/nkjv.htm - Against NKJV website

Online text of the NKJV

• Bible Gateway.com provides information on NKJV and links to the text of each chapter.

*Note - The Church of Jesus Christ is not affiliated with these hate mongers and false prophets. This is a twisted way to use the bible and should be roundly condemned in every way possible by those who truly love God.

SPLCenter.org: Secret Identity.

It’s a long way to go to church, especially for a congregation used to watching its pastor on television. But the flock of Shepherd’s Chapel is like no other. Twice a year, almost 4,000 of its members will fly or drive from points across the country to this Ozarks tourist destination, best known for the neon kitsch and wholesome family entertainment of the Highway 76 Country Music Boulevard, to see Pastor Arnold Murray, host of the long-running TV Bible study program, “Shepherd’s Chapel.

Read More

Let’s start with a video, shall we?

Thinking of switching to Arminianism from Calvinism? Here are some reasons to remain a Calvinist. And they answer the question, Just what is Open Theism? And of course, expresses some concern about it.

This blogger answers the caution suggested concerning the Gedaliah seal.

Ben Witherington speaks about what unites the Bible.

Along with GCM and many more, we just shake our heads those in Europe that would twist scriptures to support homosexuality. Of course with Archbishop Rowan Williams saying that gay relationships are comparable to marriage, one as to wonder just how bad Europe is getting?

And speaking of the Scriptures, here is an article from an Catholic Apologist dealing with Sola Scriptura. Not to pick on the Protestants, but just where do you think they got the Trinity?

Think God is ineffable?

Looking for some info on bible translations? Since the Bible is at times compared with bread, what about an actual comparison? And for the record, I love sourdough.

I am sure, given the current state of Hollywood, that this series from across the pond will soon see it’s way over here.

And more on marriage in Saudi Arabia. And since we are in the Muslim world, let us consider if Allah is the father of Jesus.

Nice article on how Hindus see Christ. Just because they recognize a ‘divine’ does in no way save them.

John Hobbins helps us to read the Book of Proverbs.

Did you know that Japan is a lost tribe of Israel? Seriously. Watch the videos.

Saturday as Sunset begins the 9th of Av, which is one of the most solemn fast days for the Jews, commerating a lost list of tragedies. Here is a letter from a Rabbi.

Here is a review concerning Richard Dawkins’ God Delusion.

And we end this week witha  video that I am sure will raise some eyebrows… but you know, if you can show me in Scripture that the KJV is the only bible to use, then I will discard every one that is not KJV.

Here.

Some of his points