What’s true in politics is not necessarily true in religion.

The bailout is not fair and I don’t like it and I oppose it.

The Gospel is not fair and I like it and I promote it.

New Meeting Place for Crossway Baptist Church

Beginning October 5th, we will be moving to a new meeting place with more room.  Read here for more details.

O Praise His Glorious Grace

Another attempt at hymnody by the Doxoblogist.  From Ephesians 1:3-14

Tune: Lasst Uns Erfreuen

The Lord has lifted up His face,
And chosen out of Adam’s race,
By love and sov’reign grace!
A people who will serve Him here,
In holiness to persevere,
O praise his glorious grace,
O praise his glorious grace, Alleluia!

O great redemption through the blood,
Of Jesus his beloved Son,
We’re accepted! We’re forgiven!
And with our Christ we have been made,
Heirs of a crown that will not fade,
O praise his glorious grace,
O praise his glorious grace, Alleluia!

And by the Spirit we were sealed,
When by His grace He did reveal,
Salvation, full and free!
And of all we inherit there,
He is a guarantee while here,
O praise his glorious grace,
O praise his glorious grace, Alleluia!

Let all Redeemed their Sov’reign bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise his glorious grace!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O praise his glorious grace,
O praise his glorious grace, Alleluia!

Last verse adapted from ‘All Creatures of Our God And King’, by St. Francis of Assisi.

An Excellent Example

Yesterday, my friend and co-worker said to me:

“Hey! You know that New Testament you gave me? I’ve been reading it everyday. I can actually understand it!”

I’ve been hearing comments like that quite a bit over the last several months. See, I’ve been giving English Standard Version (ESV) Bibles and New Testaments to friends who’ve only ever known the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.

Now, I happen to like the KJV. It has within it some wonderfully poetic language. However, the fact is that languages change. Over the years words come to take on different meanings. What was clearly understood centuries ago may very well cause serious misunderstanding today.

Here is an excellent example:

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” – Philippians 1:27 (KJV)

How would you understand the word “conversation” in that verse? I think most readers today would think it refers to the exchange of ideas or opinions when we talk. In fact, everyone I’ve asked this question gives me that answer.  It’s a good guess, but wrong.

When the King James Version was written the word “conversation” was routinely used to mean our conduct or behavior. It referred to how people lived their whole life. What was clear hundreds of years ago is easily misunderstood today.

Here it is in the English Standard Version:

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”

And in the New American Standard:

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”

This is why we need new translations. So people can understand God’s Word. So that people like my co-worker can, for the first time in their lives, actually make sense of Scripture.

What a joy it is to hear a friend relate how excited she is to be reading the Bible everyday! May there be many more like her.

Blessings in Christ,

David