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Welcome – Blogs – Dale's Blog
Acts 2:40b - Lost in Translation
The varied translations of the Bible
available to us offer a richer understanding of the text that one
single translation would. When we read or study a passage using one
than one version, we often find the same idea expressed in different
words. Sometimes though, comparing versions exposes us to
translational difficulties that have deeper implications for the
meaning of the passage.
Let's look at the second part of Acts
2:40 in several versions.
NIV
- "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
NLT
- “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
NKJ
- “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
ESV
- "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."
NAS
- "Be saved from this perverse generation!"
HCS
- "Be saved from this corrupt generation!"
YLT
- `Be saved from this perverse generation;'
Note
how the descriptive adjectives modifying “generation” use
different words to express the same idea: “corrupt, crooked,
untoward, and perverse.” The essential meaning of the text is not
changed but rather reinforced by the different word choices.
However,
in dealing with the verb “save” the translational choices affect
the meaning of the passage. In many languages including Spanish and
Greek, it's not as easy as it is in English to tell the difference
between a reflexive form and a passive form of a verb. For example:
For example, “He hit himself” (reflexive) and “he was hit”
(passive) can look exactly alike.
In
our study of Acts 2:40b, I believe the New International Version, The
New Living Translation, The New King James (and original KJV) and the
English Standard Version, all translate the verb “save” in the
reflexive form when it is should be passive form. The outcome “save
yourselves from … this generation” is not good.
The
New American Standard, the Holman Christian Standard and Young's
Literal Translation catch the passive verb form and give us a better
translation: “Be saved from … this generation.” One of the
central truths of this passage and throughout the Bible is that no
one can save themselves. However each of us needs to be saved by
Jesus the Messiah from this crooked untoward world that is corrupted and
perverted by sin.
 Preparing Our Hearts For The Lord's Supper...
An Excerpt from "A Biblical-Theological Framework of the Lord's Supper" Read the entire article here: Click Here
... Dearly beloved, next Sunday we purpose to observe the ordinance of the Lord's Supper together as a congregation. It is serve to remind us of the body and blood of Christ and his meritorious cross and suffering, whereby alone we obtain forgiveness of our sins and are made partakers of the Kingdom of heaven. Wherefore it is our duty to render most humble and hearth thanks to almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that He has given His Son our Savior Jesus Christ. It is a divine and comfortable thing to those who receive it worthily, and a dangerous thing to those who presume to receive it unworthily; my duty is to exhort you, in the meantime to consider the dignity of that holy mystery, and the great peril of the unworthy receiving thereof; and so to search and examine your own consciences, and that not lightly.
The way and means thereto is: First to examine your lives and conversations by the rule of God's commandments; and wherever you perceive yourselves to have offended, either by will, word or deed, there to bewail your own sinfulness, and to confess yourselves to Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life. And if you perceive your offenses to be such as are not only against God, but also against your neighbors, then you shall reconcile yourselves to them, being ready to make restitution and satisfaction, according to the utmost of your powers for any injuries and wrongs done by you to any other; and being likewise ready to forgive others who have offended you, as you would have forgiveness of your offenses at God's hand, for otherwise the receiving of the Lord's Supper dos nothing else but increase your condemnation. Therefore, if any of you is a blasphemer of God, a slanderer of His Word, an adulterer, or if you are harboring malice, envy or any other grievous crime, repent of your sins, or do not come to the Lord's table.
The point is to say like King David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).
The Rationale and Importance of the Benevolence Offering
We have seen in our discussion above that the early church had a keen interest in taking care of those who had need. There was extreme generosity as people even sold property and gave the money to the leaders of the church to make sure their brothers and sisters were not going hungry. We see this in the meals where those who had more shared with those who had less. We also see the early church taking up a special offering to send to the church in Jerusalem which was going through an extremely difficult time.
At Long Green Baptist, it is our traditional practice to receive a special “Benevolence Offering” on the first Sunday of each month in conjunction with the Lord's Supper. We make a distinction between tithes and regular giving in contrast to special offerings. This offering is understood to be in addition to the tithe or regular percentage giving. Though it is a special offering that may require a greater sacrifice, we have chosen to receive it at the same time as the regular giving when the ushers pass the offering plates. You should find a special designated envelope that looks something like this: The Deacons administer this offering in confidence, focusing on those in the congregation with needs as well as some outside the church who are referred to the Deacons by members of the congregation. As you pray and prepare for the Lord's Supper ahead of time, please consider how God might have you contribute via the Benevolence Offering.
Read Dale's Full Article Here: Click Here
Studiously Ignoring Islam's InfluenceAs a follow up to our conference on "Engaging Our Muslim Friends with the Gospel", I'd like to commend an article to you from the January 20, 2009, "Time" magazine - Click Here. The article entitled: "The Fort Hood Report: Why No Mention of Islam?" asks the question, why did the 86 page report on the November 5, 2009 shooting deaths at Fort Hood, Texas not once mention the name of Major Nidal Hasan, the shooter, and why did it not mention his Muslim faith as a factor related to state of mind and motive? This is what the author of the article refers to as "studiously ignoring Islam."
As followers of Jesus, we cannot studiously nor carelessly ignore Islam and its impact in our world. In the increasingly secular, postmodern, relativistic environment in which we live, the politically correct stance of bending over backwards in the name of tolerance is unwittingly playing into the strategy of an Islamic theocratic worldview - one that happens to be among the least tolerant imaginable. This is a case where extreme tolerance and lack of confrontation, results in being unloving - the opposite of the ethic and command of Christ.
Herein lies the challenge for those of us who are serious about loving God and loving others, including those who may want to do us harm. Most of the conversations regarding Christianity and Islam either turn shrill and lead to fear and potential hatefulness or they go to the other pole of trying to show how similar Islam and Christianity are, as if there are no real dividing differences. The differences between the teachings of Jesus and the teaching of the Koran could hardly be more contrasting. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Islam teaches followers to practice jihad on all of the infidels who deny Islam's teachings. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ as God incarnate got so personally involved in redeeming us from sin that He sacrificed Himself on the cross for us. The Koran teaches that Jesus did not die nor resurrect, fully negating the biblical gospel of redemption. The truth is that a good Muslim may be required to kill a Christian, particularly if he/she wants to be assured of making it directly to paradise. In contrast, being a faithful follower of Jesus may mean that we are required to die for a Muslim. Even if we would die for a Muslim, that act would have nothing at all to do with us going immediately to heaven when we die. It has everything to do with Jesus dying on the cross and rising again, the very teaching that the Koran denies.
The fact that U.S. soldiers are dying daily at the hands of Muslims and Muslims are dying daily at the hands of U.S. soldiers only complicates the emotional passion and fear between Muslims and Christians. We must recognize, even when our government may not, that democracy, particularly in its western form, is not compatible with the Koranic teachings and the theocracy it requires with Shar'ia law. Jesus' question: "What does it profit someone if they gain the whole world but lose their soul?" reminds us that no matter how many victories are experienced on the battlefields or on jetliners, the ultimate victory is found in the one who gave His life as a ransom for many. Humanly speaking, there are many reasons to fear but "perfect love casts out all fear" (1 John 4:18). The gospel way is not the way of shrill fear mongering. Nor is it a studious ignorance that tolerates everything, even when to do so is unloving. The gospel way constantly speaks the truth as we understand it in love. To faithfully represent Jesus Christ in the world, let's engage our Muslim friends with the gospel that engaged us and won our hearts and minds.
Beating the Natural Drift toward aging and inward focus
I want to encourage everyone to read what I consider an
insightful article by James Emery White called “Forever Young” at http://www.serioustimes.com/ . Dr.
White is pastor of Mecklenberg Community Church
in NC. In terms
of contextualizing the gospel without compromising it he is one of the better interpreters of U.S. culture that I know . I’d love to get some
comments here on the blog and see where the discussion leads.
Days 9-10 - Scotland 09Saturday was originally supposed to be rainy but the rain didn't come until late at night and the day was beautiful. Those who went to Edinburgh had a great time and got back without any problems. I stayed back for a morning of retreat and prayer. In the afternoon, Angus and Carol Mcneil, invited me to go with them to Loch Sween. Angus and Carol are retired missionaries who served in the Congo, Thailand and as executive leaders of the Baptist Mission Society - the one founded by William Carey. Along the way we saw more seals and pups sunning on rocks, two white swans, and a red deer with large antlers. We also viewed some old gravestones, some having Christian symbols dating back to around the year 1000. The history of the USA is really recent history.
This morning, there were several families of children visiting as a result of the Holiday Club. The gospel was presented and there was a cook-out afterward. The rain cleared up enough for us to enjoy being outside.
Tomorrow we and several Scottish friends are going about an hour's drive to the city of Oban for touring and shopping. We plan to get to bed as early as possible tomorrow night as we hope to leave Loch Gilphead at 5:30 am local time on Tuesday to get to the Glasgow airport for our flight back to the USA. Please keep praying.
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Dale's Blogby
Thoughts on God, Life, Church and Whatever Comes to Mind that's Worth Writing About -
What if there really is an all-powerful omnipresent Creator God who knows us and for some odd reason wants to pursue a relationship with us anyway? What might be some of the implications for life? At times this blog will wrestle with some of those implications. If you would like to be notified when new entries are posted, click on the orange RSS feed button at the bottom of this column.
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