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Yeah, that’s what I’m calling this post…Yo!

Thanks to Carolyn’s generosity, I got to eat a bunch of cherries today. I haven’t had cherries in a really long time?at least since we left the States. Thanks Carolyn!

In other news…I’m preaching this Sunday on the first half of John 3. I spent about an hour and a half this evening translating the passage into English from the Greek, which gives me a great deal of satisfaction (read: strokes my pride). It also reminded me of something I had previously observed: English translations are very good. My translation from the Greek is probably slightly more accurate in following the structure of Greek grammar than the ESV, but there is absolutely no discernable difference in meaning. In fact, in my (somewhat limited) study of New Testament Greek I have come across only 2 instances in which reading the Greek would render a meaning different than what is available in a good English translation. So what does this mean to you, the average churchgoer? Not much, probably. But if I could make one suggestion based on my observations, it would be this: be highly sceptical of any preacher who consistently refers to Greek grammar and/or vocabulary from the pulpit. The Bible is clear and accessible to all believers, not just the “professionals.” Even when knowledge of the original languages does provide a nuanced understanding that is not perceptible in translation, this is best communicated without giving a grammar lesson.

Finally, let me leave you with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther. Commenting on God?s grace and the doctrine of predestination, Luther wrote:
Therefore, it is not irreverent, inquisitive, or trivial, but helpful and necessary for a Christian, to find out whether the will does anything or nothing in matters pertaining to eternal salvation?.If we do not know these things, we shall know nothing at all of things Christian and shall be worse than any heathen?.Therefore, let anyone who does not feel this confess that he is no Christian. For if I am ignorant of what, how far, and how much I can and may do in relation to God, it will be equally uncertain and unknown to me what, how far, and how much God can and may do in me?.But when the works and power of God are unknown in this way, I cannot worship, praise, thank, and serve God, since I do not know how much I ought to attribute to myself and how much to God. It therefore behooves us to be very certain about the distinction between God?s power and our own, God?s work and our own, if we want to live a godly life.

This entry was posted by Bryce on Thursday, July 22nd, 2004 at 1:11 am. . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.