Last week we thought a little about some differences in English Bible translations. All English translations would presume to take God’s Word literally and are trying to best convey what God is saying to His people through the written word. A word-for-word translation attempts to convey God’s message directly as recorded in the original language which often makes it more difficult for an English reader to understand what is being said. Whereas a thought-for-thought translation attempts to convey God’s message in terms of the thrust of the thought which makes it easier to understand but can sacrifice preciseness of the text. So how can we be sure that what we are reading in our Bible is actually the Word of God as it was originally given? To answer this, let’s step back in time and see how the Bible (we’ll focus on the New Testament) has been handed down throughout the ages. During the time of the New Testament and shortly thereafter, there were a number of different methods for recording Scripture. The books of the New Testament were primarily written on pieces of papyrus (a paper like material made from a papyrus plant) and passed throughout the churches. If a new copy was needed it had to be copied by hand which took time and careful attention to detail. There were a number of methods to check the accuracy of their copy and given the sheer volume of the work, there are a surprisingly few differences between copies. When looking at the manuscripts of the New Testament and their copies, there are four general categories that differences (variants) of text are classified. 1. Spelling errors or nonsense errors- The scribe could simply misspell a word, perhaps adding or forgetting a letter in the word, creating a different word entirely. After copying line after line of text in a dimly lit room, the scribe’s eye could ‘wander’ and lose his place whereby he might start copying on a different line of text. 2. Minor changes that do not alter meaning- This category is primarily for cases where word order is switched around between copies which can happen in Greek without affecting the meaning of the sentence. 3. Changes that are not plausible- Sometimes a well-meaning scribe would add a word or two to try to clear up a difficult reading or try to make it sound like another part of Scripture. Other times a scribe with a certain theological agenda might make an intentional change. For instance, Matthew 27:35 reads: Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots.” Whereas a variant reading has: Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” This is reading is rejected because it adds a line of explanation to the text that isn’t necessary which likely reflects a scribe trying to clarify the text. 4. Major changes that are possible- Out of all the variants of text, these major changes account for less than 1%. Two of the most obvious major variants are Mark 16:9-20 and John 7:53-8:11 which were omitted in the earliest manuscripts and do not seem to fit the writing styles of Mark or John. A few things must be said in light of this information. While we have no original copies of the New Testament (there are portions of manuscripts which date to within 100 years of the completion of the New Testament) there is remarkable continuity between all available copies. If an error was discovered, that copy was destroyed. While there are a number of different possible readings of texts there is broad consensus of what comprises the Majority Text (the accepted text and likely the original text). Reading all this may have caused you to wonder about the accuracy of your Bible and whether the words you have are the words God intended to be there. This information can be unsettling but it must be said that the disputed texts of Scripture do not change the meaning of Scripture or any theology derived from it. We can have confidence in the Greek text as we have it today (from which our English Bibles are translated) as it was meticulously maintained and preserved and accurately reflects the original text of God’s Holy Word.
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I often have people ask me which translation of the Bible is the best to use. My reply is, “It depends on what you are doing with it.” This sometimes catches people off guard assuming that there should be a one size fits all answer, after all how can the Bible be God’s unchanging Word if every translation seems to say something different? One of the first things to keep in mind about our English Bibles is that they are a translation from the original languages of Hebrew and Greek. As in all translation work, choices of sentence structure and word order must be made. We often structure our sentences in English around the basic layout of Subject, Verb, Object upon which we add adjectives, adverbs, or other modifiers. Other languages do not always structure their sentences in such a way, which makes word for word translating very difficult. For instance, our English Bibles have Jesus saying in John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser/gardener.” The word for word translation in the Greek is, “I am the vine true, and the Father of me the husbandman is.” A precise word for word translation does not make sense in the way we structure English. While this particular example is relatively straightforward (you can easily move the pieces around so they make sense to us) not all sentences in the Scriptures are. There are sometimes difficult decisions which must be made about which words belong together. In the above example, one can also see that not every Greek or Hebrew word has an English parallel. This is the real challenge of translation. Each translation or version of our English Bibles has a team (you can find out who was involved in the translation work by flipping to the front pages) working together to bring the Hebrew or Greek language into English. It is their task to choose a word which is true to the original language but also gives understanding for modern readers. The Greek word in John 15:1 ‘husbandman’ therefore gets translated into English as vinedresser or gardener depending on your translation. There are other instances in Scripture where more than two options of word choice could plausibly be used. These are two very basic issues which makes translating Scripture from the Hebrew or Greek to English challenging (there are many other issues which I’d be happy to talk with you about). We end up with a variety of translations because each version tries to do something different. This results in a spectrum of translation. Some versions try to be as true to a word to word translation as possible often at the expense of readability. This is known as Formal Equivalence. On the other extreme there are versions which strive for easy of reading and understanding (capturing the thought of the sentence) at the expense of the literal word, also known as Dynamic Equivalence. So, which translation is right for you? Well it depends! For an in-depth study of Scripture a translation on the Word for Word side of the spectrum would be ideal. If you are looking for a Bible for devotional use then a translation closer to the Thought for Thought side might suit your purposes. We are blessed to have a wide variety of English translations which are helpful for our growth as Christians. Having several translations available is always a good idea so you can compare words and thoughts to gain a better understanding of what God’s Word says.
No matter which translation you choose, it is always important to ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see and heart to comprehend God's Living Word. After being in Leader for 2 ½ years, one thing I still marvel at is the interconnectedness between people and creation, it is one of the most important things I have learned during my time here. People know the land and they know the weather. Everything instinctual for those whose livelihoods are dependent on knowing and being connected to the land. It matters what happens on their land because a decision today will have lasting consequences. On Thursday, the Pope released his latest encyclical, Laudato si' (On Care For Our Common Home) which focuses on climate change, its effect on the poor and the moral responsibility of the church to respond. There was some debate outside of the church whether the Pope should be speaking about scientific matters. The church should have a leading role in caring for creation as that is the commission God gave to His people from the beginning of creation (Gen. 1:28). This commission along with the unique relationship to God and the creative qualities bestowed upon humanity of freedom, knowledge, and will set humanity in a distinct position over and above the rest of the created order. The document decries humanity’s abuse of power which has led to the neglect and destruction of creation. Pope Francis lays blame on an incorrect theology whereby there “was a Promethean vision of mastery over the world, which gave the impression that the protection of nature was something that only the faint-hearted cared about” (116). At best, we are guilty of neglecting care for the world and at worst we are guilty of exploiting the world for our benefit/amusement. “there can be no renewal of our relationship with nature without a renewal of humanity itself” However, Christianity is in a unique position of being able to speak into the situation and offer hope. Pope Francis shares the core of the human problem and the answer that Christians offer when he writes, “there can be no renewal of our relationship with nature without a renewal of humanity itself” (118). This is the crux of Christian faith—the hope (read: assurance) that the God who created us has begun the process of restoring in us that which was tarnished in the fall—the imago Dei, the image of God. The Christian church is in the business of relationship; the vertical relationship between humanity and God and the horizontal relationship that exists among humans. God is renewing and restoring these relationships as we the church proclaim the renewal of relationship through the blood of Jesus to a world that is broken, hurting, and destructive. Until all relationships are fully restored at the return of Christ when the whole earth becomes God’s dwelling place, the world will continue to suffer the effects of sin and brokenness. Thanks be to God that He is working restoration, healing, and hope in the world through us His people. While the ecological crisis we are facing may seem daunting, the church’s task is to proclaim the healing that comes through Christ Jesus alone and to live out our creation mandate of being faithful stewards of God’s creation. Photo used under Creative Commons: CC0. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/New_Holland_tractor_in_a_field.jpg
When we lived in Vancouver I would bike almost every day—in the sun, in the rain, in the heat, in the (relative) cold. I loved it! Often I’d take my bike on the 30 km round trip commute to school even though I could take a bus and get there quicker. When I needed to get away, I'd hop on my bike and take a trip around the stunning Seawall that borders Stanley Park. I fell in love with the fresh air, the exercise, and the chance to see the city at a slower speed. One of the hardest things about moving back to the prairies has been not being able to bike all year round. Sure, I suppose I could bundle up and put studs on my tires and then venture out into the stinging cold, biting wind, and sloppy streets. But I wouldn’t love doing that. And so, each year I eagerly anticipate a day like today when the sun is warm and the roads are melting—it means I can get back to doing what I love! As I was wheeling around town this afternoon making various stops on my way back to the church while soaking in the glory of my first ride of the season, I got to thinking: do I feel the same way about God and by extension the church, as I do riding my bike? Do I bide my time, anxious to get back to worshiping God with my fellow believers, soaking in His presence? Or do I spend time with God simply out of a sense of obligation or to put on a good show for whoever might be watching? Do I bide my time, anxious to get back to worshiping God with my fellow believers, soaking in His presence? There are many things in our lives that we can get excited about, things in which we take pride and joy; things that we love. Think about such a thing in your life. Then compare the passion and excitement you have for that thing (hockey, sledding, farming…) with the passion and excitement you have for God. Feeling guilty yet? I know I did a little when I compared how I felt about the things I value with my attitude toward God.
The good news is (if you haven’t stopped reading yet), that it’s not about feeling guilty, even though so many people believe otherwise. Instead, it is about the still, small voice of God’s Spirit calling us into greater intimacy with Him. He wants us to love Him wholeheartedly and He is calling each of us to Himself to passionately pursue Him with all we are. So next time you are out doing the things that you love, think of God. Give thanks that He has put a passion in your heart for whatever it is you love to do and invite God to give you a passionate heart to pursue Him with all your might. Lent is a season that calls Christians into spiritual disciplines that direct our focus to God and our need for Him. Every time we journey through Lent, I make sure to read Richard Foster’s excellent book Celebration of Discipline (a copy can be found in the church library) which walks through a number of spiritual disciplines a Christian can practice. One such discipline into which Christians are invited is that of meditation. “Christian meditation,” Foster says, “very simply, is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word” (Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 17). While this would appear to be one of the easiest things a Christian can do, I would guess it is one of the least practiced of all disciplines in today’s fast paced society because it requires us to stop. When was the last time you stopped everything you were doing? I mean, literally, everything. When was the last time you just sat in a quiet space with nothing to distract you? When was the last time you stopped everything you were doing? It is hard. I will be the first to admit it! Even if you put your phone on silent and turn off the TV, computer, and tablet, distracting thoughts are still ever present. What am I missing on Facebook/Twitter/Snapchat/Instagram (pick whichever social media vice you fancy)? Did I remember to reply to that urgent email? What was I supposed to pick up at the grocery store on my way home from work? Do the kids have dance or basketball tonight? And on, and on, and on. We live in such a fast paced world that we have become accustomed to having to multitask while our brains are flooded with information—it’s how we operate today which presents a challenge when trying to put aside distractions to listen to God. Like I said before, practicing the discipline of Christian meditation is a challenge—even when it is part of your job! But the benefits of going away with God to listen as He speaks are immeasurable. God is always speaking to us but we too often crowd Him out with the busyness of our day. When we hear God’s voice—his affirming, encouraging, and life-giving voice—we become surer of who we are and what we are to do. Would you take a few minutes right now to practice this spiritual disciple of listening and obeying God’s voice? Ask God to help you put aside anything that would distract you from hearing Him and allow Him to speak! It may not be easy but as you do this more I am confident that you will discover the sweetness of taking time to listen to God speak. Photo: "Eastman Johnson, Child at Prayer, circa 1873" by Eastman Johnson - ArtDaily.com. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eastman_Johnson,_Child_at_Prayer,_circa_1873.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Eastman_Johnson,_Child_at_Prayer,_circa_1873.jpg
So much of what we do in the church revolves around tradition. There is an important sense of rootedness and continuity to be found within tradition. And yet, a very real danger exists in simply following tradition (traditionalism). We can lose sight of why we do the things we do. Shrove Tuesday is a prime example of this. Many know Shrove Tuesday simply as the day that we go to church and eat pancakes together (which is awesome!). There might be a vague recollection of some connection to Lent and/or Mardi Gras, with no real idea what that connection might be. I came across a brief history lesson (the full-text is here) today that is very insightful and importantly answers the question of why we celebrate with pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Basically it dates back to a British tradition of families gathering together to use up rich foods from which you traditionally abstain and would subsequently go bad over the 40 days of Lent. The article goes on to explain the roots of the word Shrove (which is not commonly used anymore). Shrove Tuesday wasn’t just about cleaning out the kitchen. It was also about cleaning out the heart. Shrove is the past tense of shrive, which means to confess sins and to have sins absolved. Priests would ring shriving bells to call pancake-laden parishioners to church to confess their sins—perhaps starting with their gluttony! And so as you indulge yourself on pancakes, take some time to clean out your heart; confess your shortcomings, failures, and sins to our most merciful God. Take heart that as you have confessed your sins God has already granted your forgiveness through His Son, Jesus. As we prepare to embark on the Lenten journey to the cross but ultimately to the empty grave, may we have hearts that are clean! Image used under Creative Commons License. No changes made. Original photo can be found here.
On Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of Physician Assisted Death to mentally competent but suffering and "irremediable" patients, giving Parliament one year to enact legislation to conform to its ruling. An event like this necessitates that we reflect on our role as Christians and the Church within culture. Christians and the Church have a unique responsibility and right to engage with culture in a two-fold way: to critique culture and to offer a different way forward. The first important way that the Church engages culture is by critiquing it. While the temptation in critiquing society, government, or individuals is to focus on the negative we ought to first affirm those things which are positive (and every issue no matter how distressing has something which can be affirmed). There is also the responsibility to speak out against those things which are not so positive within society: speaking out against injustice and standing up for the voiceless. As we speak into culture, engaging society and individuals in a meaningful conversation we must offer a new and different way forward. It is one thing to simply discuss the issues but quite another to offer a different worldview to frame discussion and action. As we speak into culture, engaging society and individuals in a meaningful conversation we must offer a new and different way forward. That is where we as Christians and the Church have a different worldview to present: one based on life. We talk a lot about life, primarily eternal life with our God which is our hope, longing, and destiny. Too often this discussion of life is disconnected from our everyday experience of life. In John 10:10 Jesus says that He came “that they may have life and have it abundantly.” We are quick (rightfully so) to apply this to eternal life with Jesus but the promise of life abundant is for the here and now as well. Jesus came not just for a future life but for a rich, full, joyful life presently, one marked with hope for the future. And so it is good and important that we affirm and speak life. That is why we are here! Interestingly enough, both sides on the issue of Physician-Assisted Death appeal to the notion that life is precious. One side of the argument says, “Life is precious and so it should be valued to its natural end” while the other side argues, “life is too precious to endure pain/suffering.” While the issue clearly is about life, it is also about suffering. No one likes or wants to suffer. In fact, we often search out quick fixes to end any kind of suffering even if it is just a minor annoyance. As much as we try to avoid or get rid of suffering, it is still present. We are never told that we will have a life free of suffering. It is our cultural opinion that we have the privilege not to suffer. When we look to Scripture, we are reminded of the root of suffering: sin entering into the world as a result of humanity’s disobedience to God. Pain, brokenness, heart-ache, and death enter the world which becomes a place in need of hope. Many ask the question, ‘how can a good God allow suffering?’ There is no easy answer to that question, and no suitable answer if you or a loved one is suffering from a debilitating disease or is in chronic pain. The only solution that I have to suffering is Jesus. In Jesus, our God entered the world to endure pain and suffering. He died a gruesome and painful death. In His life, Jesus entered into humanity’s suffering and pain and by His death offers hope. Jesus enters into our suffering, giving us strength and encouragement. He calls us closer to our God who knows us, made us, and suffers with us. And so, what can we as Christians and the Church do as we stand for the sacredness of life, including life in the midst of suffering? We are to offer a different way forward: 1. Pray. Pray for God’s Kingdom to come powerfully bringing healing to sick, wholeness to the broken, and restoration to the outcast. Pray for God’s Kingdom to come and His will be done as earth as in heaven. 2. Advocate for life. Write politicians, your MP and MLA; the Premier and the Prime Minister. Encourage others to do so as well to stand up for the value of life even when there is minimal perceived value. 3. Get involved. It is one thing to speak against Physician-Assisted Death but another to put the words into action. The suffering need love, they need the hope that only Jesus can offer. Speak life into the suffering, hurting, pained, and broken. Support palliative care efforts which give dignity in the midst of suffering and death. Photo Attribution: Andrea Mantegna [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
If you have been with us the past couple of Sundays, you'll maybe recall that we are in the season of Epiphany. While I could go on about the importance of the church year in that it gives validity to the cycles of our own lives and all the while ever pointing us back to God, I will spare you (for now). But I do want to spotlight the season in which we currently find ourselves: Epiphany. Epiphany is celebrated on January 6 which keen observers will note is 12 days after Christmas (are any Christmas songs coming to mind?). The coming of the Magi is almost exclusively associated with Epiphany. And yet, within the season of Epiphany (which stretches to Feb. 8 this year) we also celebrate The Baptism of our Lord and the beginning of Jesus' ministry (although we will be following different readings this year). The whole point of Epiphany goes beyond just the Wisemen coming to give Jesus gifts. During Epiphany, we celebrate Jesus made flesh; His coming to the world in such a unique way that God is making Himself known to us. We celebrate Jesus' teaching and ministry in and to the world; as Jesus comes as the light of the world. Perhaps you're thinking, 'isn't that what Advent and Christmas is all about?' Well, yes it is. But, Epiphany acts as a transition period between our celebration of Jesus' birth and His journey (Lent) to the cross. Epiphany emphasizes the humanness of our God ministering, healing, teaching, walking with His people. We are called to grapple with what it means that our God has been made present in the world announcing to it (and us) healing, forgiveness, and life. May the light of Christ brightly shine on you this Epiphany as you encounter the Living Light and Truth for our world! Picture: Epiphany Mosaic at Lady Chapel in Westminster Cathedral. Used under Creative Commons: source: No changes made https://www.flickr.com/photos/tops_to_treasures/5145357185/in/photolist-5Ph6oy-8QFiqV-AwcwA-oWZGnn-pBivsD-4PvaQL-9dyimw-pBiuvD-4iYeXs-iYZJbR-j5CxEE-96JQxf-iXFcoR-dJrzyz-o2EiF9-4iWG6A-69QzGG-6JPX5e-iYAyf4-mCtyAB-kZokA9-6ikr7i-e9d9tk-LD7fi-eBG5Gd-5enJtD-7tcrZm-iYuVfA-prHrMm-j1y1Gs-jUYo6Z-qGWL5z-8bSVwZ-9oCAGM-5uN85b-4NzWye-dJayLx-j5zGSa-4pB7dG-97FVJk-eXAqFT-dJiThu-iurz8V-f5sM9x-6cA6Ly-dJbNUR-iWu1Zc-5ReckR-dUaem9-evEtf4/
Pope Francis continues to headline grabbing statements in the mainstream media. The latest is that “Evolution is not Inconsistent with Creation,” which came during a meeting of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. This, for keen observers, isn't actually new news. In fact, this has been the quasi-official position of the church for decades. In the 50’s Pope Pius declared that he saw no issue between the Church’s theological position and evolution. Since then, this view has been supported by various Pontiffs (including John Paul II). The debate about Evolution and Creation (which in my opinion, is a debate not correctly formed) is not what this post is going to address. The troubling part of Pope Francis’ comments don’t surround the evolution vs. creation debate that caught the media’s eye. Instead, the statements which causes great alarm to me, and should all Christians, is when the Pope calls into question the power and nature of God. Orthodox Christians that is, Christians who hold to a right understanding of God, believe Him to be all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present (these are the ‘omni’s’ which are often bandied about: omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent). Pope Francis said, “when we read about Creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so.” And again Francis says, “God is not a divine being or a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life.” In those two sentences, Pope Francis calls into question who God is. There is a denial of God’s power and ability to do anything; instead God is limited to acting according to natural laws which humanity understands. Also, the question arises if God is not a divine being, what is He? Who have we been believing in? Time and again in Scripture, which is the account of God’s loving action in the world, we have reminders of God’s Divine intervention which is beyond human compare or imagination. Here is a very short list, but if you have time simply open your Bible to any page and you will likely see some reference to God’s all-powerful nature: 1. The book of Exodus details God’s miraculous interventions to save His people; interventions that go beyond the human mind to comprehend. 2. The Gospels chronicle countless miracles of Jesus, who we believe to be God Himself, which show His might over sin, death, nature, and sickness. While Jesus didn't just wave a magic wand, He still clearly demonstrated His power and authority over these things. 3. Isaiah speaks of God’s sign to Hezekiah whereby He made the sun move backwards as a testament to the promise of life He made to Hezekiah (Isaiah 38:7-8). Without these statements of God’s power, there would be no reason to trust and believe in God as the supreme ruler of our lives. Without a God of power, we would be left where we once were, relying on our own strength and ability to try to make something of ourselves. I need to believe in a God of power, I need to believe in a God who can do everything because I can't and without that, I’m lost. Photo Used under CC0 License: http://pixabay.com/en/earth-blue-planet-globe-planet-11015/ No changes made
Perhaps you have found yourself wondering about the state of the world and our country given the events of the past few days. For so long, Canada has been a safe and peaceful country where freedom reigns. Suddenly after several shocking events designed to induce terror occurred, our sense of normalcy has been rocked. “Acts of terror only happen in other places,” we’ve told ourselves, but no longer. This is now part of the reality we as Canadian will face every day. While the threat still seems distant for me living in small town Saskatchewan, it still weighs heavy on my heart, especially for my children. In moments like these, it is easy to get caught up in a spirit of fear or worry or misplaced anger. But it is also in moments like these that God’s Word speaks to us most powerfully as we are reminded that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Much of the New Testament was written to Christians who were enduring persecution because of their faith. As we look around us today, it is hard not to see the threat of persecution growing each day. In the past week alone, I’ve heard of numerous examples: in Texas where sermons were subpoenaed by the mayor of Houston and at the CALC Convention this past weekend where we heard of the struggle of Trinity Western University in opening a Christian law school. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet...Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for me name's sake Jesus reminds us of what is to come, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:6-9).
We as Christians are to be alert; we’ve received warning of all that is to come. And yet, in this precarious time marked with uncertainty and fear, we trust in Jesus telling us not to be alarmed. The events this week and the events taking place around the world are not merely about democracy or nations’ power but about the in breaking of the Kingdom of God; a Kingdom so feared and despised by this world that it will stop at nothing to halt its advance. This is ultimately a spiritual battle between the Redeemer of the world and everything opposed to Him. But the Goodnews to which Christians around the world cling is that God’s Kingdom prevails (Rev. 21-22), it will not be stopped. It will be established bringing peace, bringing healing, bringing wholeness, and life eternal. And so, as we continue to reflect on the shocking events of this week we should not be surprised to experience more persecution in the future. But as we do, we can face the future not with fear but with but with the strength of Christ as we endure for His name’s sake. Lord, let Your Kingdom come: in our nation; in the hearts of those who seek our destruction; in the families of those mourning loved ones lost; and in our own hearts, that Your peace and strength would reign. Amen. |
AuthorPastor J-M shares some occasional thoughts and musings on our life together as followers of Christ. The views are his own. Archives
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