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Looking Forward to Christmas

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Christmas is just around the corner—it is almost here! Perhaps you’re looking forward to Christmas? Maybe you’re looking forward and seeing all that you need to do to make this Christmas a success? It could also be that as you look forward to Christmas you’re looking back to attempt to recapture some nostalgic ideal of a Christmas long, long ago?

I’d encourage you to look to Jesus this Christmas and there find a Christmas to look forward to. Millions of people this Christmas will have the worst Christmas imaginable. They’ll think it is going to be great, the presents, the trimmings, the food and the fun, but when it’s past they’ll look back in regret. Something just wasn’t quite right. There always next year…I guess.

Allow me to let you in on a secret. The angels, Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, the wisemen, they all had the perfect Christmas! The key to their success…not Sainsbury’s, nor John Lewis…it was Jesus! They stood in awe of God’s plan in history, they focused on Jesus, they appreciated His coming, they worshipped Him and praised God the Father for sending His Son.

The trimmings are in part meant to recreate the wonder and the joy of that first Christmas. Far too often they crowd Jesus out. Take time this December to worship Jesus and make Him number one on your Christmas list and I’ll guarantee you that you’ll have a Christmas to look forward to, and one to remember.

Happy Christmas,

Pastor Chris

Issues of Gender in Translation

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bible-translations

The world of Bible translation is complex. That is because of the number of things one needs to understand about the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek and the culture and language you want to translate those texts into. In the world of translation translations generally follow the above spectrum ranging between word for word or thought for thought (with the paraphrase taking the thought for thought to the extreme). The danger as you move into the thought for thought realm is that it increases the likelihood that the bias or opinion of the translator(s) will be expressed because they are filtering the original and telling you what it “really” means. The historic nuances can also be lost (though ultimately to see all subtleties one much learn Greek or Hebrew!).

In recent decades, but especially more recently with the rise of LGBTI and gender-inclusive agendas, the issue of gender and translation has been much debated.

I grew up reading the NKJV. To this day I still appreciate how it reads. As a teenager my pastor used the NIV and I was given a NIV study Bible for my grade 12 graduation. For the first number of years as a preacher I used the NIV. Generally speaking it is a good translation, but over time I found it less accurately captured the original (which made it difficult for expository preaching) and didn’t suit the way I read. About 8 years ago I settled on the ESV (we’ll come back to that). I appreciate and use other translation (often reading them to get another take on the possible renderings of the Greek, etc [and filtering out bad gender inclusive moves when necessary]). More thought for thought translations can be great for work with non-Christians, children, and in various forms of evangelism. However, it is my belief that within the Church and especially amongst mature believers and those interested in going deeper into the study of God’s a more literal translation is helpful (and almost necessary unless you have a basic knowledge of the original languages). While certain translations have their merit, they are starter food (or milk), rather than whole food (meat). Thus I have appreciated the translation philosophy of the ESV which is “essentially literal” and “seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text…” The ESV preface also highlights what I have already mentioned above, that “a thought for thought translation is of necessity more inclined to reflect the interpretive opinions of the translator and the influences of contemporary culture.”

On this last point—“contemporary culture”— I can further appreciate the position the ESV (and some other translations) take. My personal stance is this, let’s have a Bible translation, that presents what the original authors wrote and then build our beliefs and practices off of that rather than impressing our changing contemporary beliefs and practices back upon the Bible to make it suit our culture (which is what the JW’s and extreme gender inclusivists do). This is especially important with the issue of gender. Now I admit that many past translations were overly traditional in the sense that they were entirely patriarchal, often translated passages that didn’t refer exclusively to men to only refer to men, and thus excluded women. However, I’d encourage us all to not over-react to the far end of the spectrum in the opposite direction but to readjust in a way that stays true to God’s word (cf. Rev. 22:19).

There are many issues at stake in this conversation like our identity, the nature of God (for extreme inclusivists portray God as neuter), gender confusion, complementarianism, marriage, sexual ethics. These are important areas!

“Human” is often put forward as a neuter alternative to mankind. This fails to understand man is inclusive when referring to our species (is not man and male also found in woman and female…hence some lack of consistency too). It also fails to note that “human” actually means “of man” and so gender inclusivists use of human does not escape the historic meaning.

I believe “man” is a perfectly acceptable when referring to the human race. As Wayen Grudem (General Editor of the ESV) writes on pp. 439–40 of Systematic Theology, “…such usage has divine warrant in Genesis 5, and because I think there is a theological issue at stake. In Genesis 5:1–2 we read, “When God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. Male and female He created them, and He blessed them and named them man when they were created.” (cf. Gen 1:27). The Hebrew term translated “Man” is adam, the same term used for the name of Adam, and the same term that is sometimes used of man in distinction from woman (Gen 2:22, 25, 3:12; Eccl 7:28). Therefore the practice of using the same term to refer 1) to male human beings and 2) to the human race generally is a practice that originated with God himself, and we should not find it objectionable or insensitive [bold added].” Specific to the naming of our race Grudem continues, “…God’s naming activity reported in Genesis 5:2 indicates that the use of “man” to refer to the entire race is a good and very appropriate choice, and one that we should not avoid.” [bold added].

But there are other situations that emerge when translating the Bible[1]: passages that use man to refer to a person, 2) gender specific terms (like referring to a city in the feminine), 3) theological terms (Son of Man), and 4) divine terms (God the Father). Aside from the first, I believe the risks of a move to gender inclusive translation undercut any potential benefit. While gender translation needs to be done on a case by case basis, and while my preference is to put forward what is in the original, I respect the use of gender inclusive translation in the first situation but repudiate it in the others. We need to challenge traditionalists to look at the text of the Bible and ensure they are being considerate to women where the text allows, yet on the flip side equally challenge those who object to the text of the Bible and urge them to do some soul searching as to why?

In closing, let’s examine a case study of a famous verse that presents this translation issue at the basic level of situation 1:

John 15:13

Wooden (Interlinear) ***
Traditional Renderings KJV Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
NIV (1973) Great love has no man than this: to lay down his life for his friend.
Middle of the Road ESV Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
NIV (2011)[2] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Gender inclusive versions[3] NLT There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
NRSV No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
TNIV Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends

 

What I appreciate about the ESV rendering is “tis” which is translated as “no one” is a gender neutral term in the Greek and so the ESV does not following the rendering of the traditionalist translations. However, where the original actually uses “his” it retains its use.

For those who can stomach this approach I wholeheartedly commend the ESV as a robust translation for preaching and study. For those who want to be more culturally relevant, have a less word for word translation, or who want a translation that respectfully leans toward gender inclusive language where appropriate, then I would commend the NIV 2011.

If you know of someone who is struggling with this issue the best approach is to increase understanding, which I believe will remove objections so that we can be transformed by encountering God through the faithful translation of His word.

If you are interested in exploring this topic further I can suggest a number of resources from various perspectives.

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris

[1] There is also the business of trying to translate Hebrew masculine pronouns into English gender inclusively when English does not have a neuter singular and so one is forced to use the plural they. This can muddy the waters of stories where we need to know how many people are involved! Such are the imitations of language.

[2] The NIV 2011 still regularly uses man and mankind (in the universal sense or where needed for theology) but here (on a case by case basis) employs gender inclusive language when the text can be read either way or when “man” is used but likely refers to both genders. A leading complementarian, D.A. Carson, is on the translation committee for this translation.

[3] That maintain the masculine where it refers to God. There are other more radical versions that make all divine references neutral.

 

Election Musings

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Donald J. Trump has won the American presidential election. Regardless of which candidate won this election it marks a sad day for America and the world, as either candidate (in their own ways) do not come close to espousing Christian Kingdom values. This is part of the reason so many American Christians found it difficult in good conscience to vote for either. But now Trump is president elect and we must trust a sovereign God who “changes times and seasons, removes kings and sets up kings” (Dan 2:21). While it may be hard for us to humanly comprehend our times, the Lord is still on the throne, working all things for good and for His glory. That is a helpful reminder in the times in which we find ourselves.

In light of election results it is also helpful to reflect on Paul’s political creed. Paul was actually very a-political with his primary interest in a different kingdom, the Kingdom of God. He was not, however, afraid to use his earthly citizenship when it favoured the Kingdom of God. He followed Jesus words to render to Caesar and to God respectfully (Ro 13). He lived under Caesar but called only Jesus Lord. Paul lived in the Roman Empire that stood against almost everything that Christ and His followers stood for. It was Rome which killed Christ, it was Rome that killed Paul. With that in view, Paul could still urge Christians to pray for “kings [those persecuting him] and all who are in high positions, that we [Christians] may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:2–4). Pray for your leaders, primarily that peace might reign so that the Gospel may be proclaimed.

So in light of the culmination of the recent and hotly contested US election remember, God is good, God reigns, and remember to pray for those in leadership.

Some musings from election morning.

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris

Clinton and Jesus

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In the other night’s third US presidential debate, Clinton and Trump were at it again. If you didn’t listen in, you didn’t miss much mud that hadn’t already been slung. Lord have mercy on America.

In my last post I focused on previous comments made by Trump and compared those to the Sermon on the Mount. I do something similar in this post, this time focusing attention, not on Clinton’s horrifying comments about matters of sexuality, gender and life[1], but on something small Clinton said that was actually [falsely] profound:

I think it’s really up to all of us to demonstrate who we are and who our country is, and to stand up and be very clear about what we expect from our next president, how we want to bring our country together, where we don’t want to have the kind of pitting of people one against the other, where instead we celebrate our diversity, we lift people up, and we make our country even greater.

America is great, because America is good. And it really is up to all of us to make that true, now and in the future, and particularly for our children and our grandchildren.[2]

Now if Clinton meant by “good” Americans are nice people, in many cases I’d agree, I know a lot of amiable Americans. However, what she really meant (which is the naive and optimistic view of humanists) is that humans (in this case Americans) are intrinsically good and that given the right conditions they would truly flourish as good moral beings. Yet, if this were the case [which it is not] America would be much better than it is by now surely, given the time, resources, etc, it has had at its disposal. America is not “one nation under God” nor do they in their totality act on their slogan “in God we trust”; therefore how can it be said “American is good”?

In contrast to Clinton Jesus said, “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Why would he say that if humans were already essentially good or perfect? It is because Jesus acknowledged elsewhere, “No one is good except God alone.” (Mk 10:18). We are not morally good from the outset and can only become so by receiving Christ’s imputed righteousness (2 Cor 5:21) and so receive the sanctifying gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 5:23). It is only then that by God’s grace we can be viewed with favour in His sight, and be so transformed so that when we meet Him He may have mercy upon us and say, “well done good and faithful servant.”

Let’s not be spiritually naive and keep pretending; but spiritually wise in accepting God’s solution for our evident sin.

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris

[1] Clinton is a huge supporter of the LGBTI agenda and pro-choice.

[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/us/politics/third-debate-transcript.html?_r=0

Donald J. Trump and the Sermon on the Mount

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I must confess, that because of its importance to not only the United States, but the world, I have been following the American presidential election. Like many Christian voters I could not in good conscience root for either candidate. If they are weighed in the balances of the Bible they both come out wanting (c.f. Dan 5:27). Mrs. Hillary is a sly fox, whereas Mr. Trump is an arrogant bear, which is likely why many are bewildered by him but forgot about Hillary. We ought to pray for America, and pray that Christians in that land would look to the Lord for their salvation and not their government (Prov 29:26).

When I was watching the last presidential debate I was struck by how blatantly Trump spoke against Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. When replying to a question about his lewd comments about women he went on the offensive:

TRUMP: It was locker room talk, as I told you. That was locker room talk. I’m not proud of it. I am a person who has great respect for people, for my family, for the people of this country. And certainly, I’m not proud of it. But that was something that happened.

If you look at Bill Clinton, far worse. Mine are words, and his was action. His was what he’s done to women. There’s never been anybody in the history politics in this nation that’s been so abusive to women. So you can say any way you want to say it, but Bill Clinton was abusive to women.[1]

I have underlined the bit that stood out to me, the words that contrast with what Jesus said:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. (Matthew 5:27-30 ESV)

This also reflects the same principle put forward under a different teaching regarding hatred and violence (Mt 5:21–26).

What Jesus is getting at is that sin is ultimately a heart issue. It doesn’t matter if you don’t act but only think, for “from the heart comes all kinds of evil” (Mt 15:19). This is where Trump is dead wrong, falsely believing that because he only used words (one step further than thoughts) and Clinton acted, that somehow makes him better. According to Jesus that doesn’t cut it.

The solution? How are we to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Mt 5:48) even in one’s heart? Part of the intent of the lofty ideals laid down in the Sermon on the Mount is to impress upon us just how imperfect we are, how unrighteous, how sinful, and just how much we need the perfection and the righteousness that only Jesus can give to the one who shows a contrite heart. To that person Jesus promises to transform our hearts by giving us completely new ones! (Ezk 36:26). So let’s stop blaming others and own up for our sinful hearts and seek the Lord.

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris

[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/10/us/politics/transcript-second-debate.html?_r=0

Rejoice in the Lord always

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Rejoice in the Lord always.

~Phillipians 4:4a~

Ever wonder about the history of the harvest festival? Traditionally harvest was celebrated in church on August 1 to mark the beginning of harvest. It was called Lammas (loaf mass) because of the fresh loaves from new wheat that were presented to the church. Henry VIII abolished this custom. The last day of harvest was September 29, or Michaelmas Day (named after the angel Michael who cast Satan from heaven [Rev 12:7]). Michaelmas used to be a “term” holiday for schools! In the end it was the close of harvest, and not the beginning, that came to be celebrated as harvest the first Sunday in October.

Harvest is a time of rejoicing and of thanking the Lord for the good gifts He has blessed us with (itself a custom falling by the wayside). In the olden days a good harvest was reason to be thankful as it meant food for another year. Today, harvest is an occasion to give thanks for much more than just the harvest and the wonder of creation. We can express thankfulness for family and friends, jobs, wellbeing, etc. Yet we must not forget that the object of harvest—then and now— has never ultimately been the harvest itself or the things we are thankful for. If that is all it is harvest has failed. How silly would it be to rejoice in the gift and forget the gift giver! Ultimately we rejoice in the Lord who is the giver of all good gifts (Jas 1:17), we rejoice in the character and goodness of God. That is how Habbakuk (3:17–19) was able to still praise the Lord even when the physical harvest had failed. When the Lord is our focus we can always rejoice whether we have much or little, beholding the Lord as our all in all.

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris

Perfecting Your Personality

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Christianity, unlike the secular view of the person, views the person as created in the image of God but through the Fall having lost our likeness to Him. While proud secularists in the extreme deny any need to change, Christianity starts with the message of sin and imperfection but ends with the promise and hope of total transformation by the Spirit (on this read My Heart Christ’s Home[1]). Christians know we need to grow and change:

Be conformed into the likeness of Christ (Ro 8:29)

Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48)

This is a journey, just like Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress. It is a journey and it can only be accomplished by God’s grace. We often refer to this as sanctification (the process of being made perfect by the Spirit). This has many different dimensions. We grow in our faith, our trust in the Lord. We grow in our humility, our recognition of our need for him. We fight temptation, growing in holiness. Another area we are called to grow in is our character [personality] (Ro 5:4).

The Lord has created each of us unique and special in our personality, however, even sin has affected this realm and so it must not be left outside of God’s great work of sanctification. Every personality has its strengths and weaknesses. We need to submit both of these to the Lord, the strengths so he might sharpen and use those to greater effectiveness and the weaknesses so that our strengths are not limited by them.

One personality test that I have found very helpful is what is called the “Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator” (to take a free test click here). This world renowned system is uncannily accurate! It notes that there are 16 personality types in the world. Each type is made up of 4 letters that identify primary and secondary traits (you can read more about this online if you are interested). Since I am encouraging you to reflect on your areas for growth I’ll take the lead and openly share my personality as an example (now you can read me like a book—though be careful— as with any generalised indicator no two people are the same even with the same personalities!). I am an ENTJ (see also official website), the rarest personality in the world! Only 2% of people are like me in this respect.

As a result some of my strengths are:

I am efficient, a visionary and a doer, passionate, focused, strong, articulate, a good teacher, often capable, and can quickly and clearly identify an issue and create a plan of attack to solve it, etc.

But my very own strengths can become my greatest weaknesses if I am not careful:

I can too quickly pass people (and their emotions) by, become impatient with people who take longer to process things, can appear intimidating (even if I don’t mean to be), can abhor inefficiencies, and can over all allow my thinking to make it seem that I am cold and indifferent (when that is actually not the case), etc.

While I am a thinker I try very hard to be compassionate, loving and understanding. While a doer I try very hard to be patient and to listen. Most of all, as I am naturally confident, I seek to aim to not misplace my confidence. This is why over the last decade or so the theme of pride and humility in Scripture has become so important to me (and also because it is so to the Biblical worldview!). I want to ensure my confidence is not ill founded, not placed in self but in Christ. I pray that as I seek to humble myself to Him I am becoming meek (Mt 5:5, Nu 12:3): exercising God’s power under God’s control, rather than selfish power in any way I please. These are my challenges and I trust as I am made aware of them I look to Christ to perfect them so that I can become the man of God He wants me to be. It is not easy to lay oneself before the Lord or others and expose our faults, but it is for our benefit (the wise take constructive criticism: Prov 9:8–9).

Whether you end up taking the test or not I hope you can see what is meant about being aware of who you are so that you can allow the Lord to transform all of you, including your personality weakness(es).

May we bring these to the Lord for He is gracious and capable to transform us so as to be able to present us blameless on that great day!

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris

[1] Also available for purchase on Amazon from £1.50.

A Faith Like Hannah’s

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Today our chronological reading plan has brought us to the book of Daniel. What an incredible book about the sovereignty of God and of His people trusting Him exclusively. These are two truths that the church in exile here in England deeply need to know. The latter point also brought my attention to another great figure of faith outside of Daniel who exemplifies a similar unapologetic faith in the Lord, Hannah.

Hannah’s well known story kick starts the book of Samuel. She is childless (both an old-age security worry but also a burden upon any would be mothers’ heart). As a result she comes to the tabernacle (the temple had not yet been built) to cry out to the LORD (and a priest happens to be watching her):

She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. (1 Samuel 1:10-15 ESV)

Hannah was on a mission, she had an appointment to meet with her God. She was troubled in spirit and poured out her soul before the Lord. In the process she was misinterpreted and chastised for being drunk! Oh how genuine faith is often the subject of scorn by the unbelieving and religious, by those whose jealousy for what Hannah has lead them into spiteful action rather than to adopt a similar posture before the Lord

Today, be like Hannah. Do not be afraid to live out your faith. Live it fully, live it boldly.

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris

What if…?

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Put on your imagination hat for a moment and ponder this sad circumstance, imagine if…

Your pastor (or elder[1]):

  • Habitually failed to show up at services he was meant to preach at (leaving the chapel with no back up preacher!);
  • Felt not the need to attend services when he wasn’t preacher or leading;
  • Mis-planned his week so he was out so late on Saturday night he was too tired to come into the Lord’s house on Sunday morning;
  • Approached his duties with half-hearted drudgery rather than with delight and care;
  • Didn’t show the zeal to go above and beyond in ministerial duties;
  • Was negligent in attending weekly Bible study (skipping out even when he was scheduled to lead!);
  • Never read the Bible or prayed outside of church events;
  • Didn’t observe the Lord’s Day on holidays, or visit another church when not preaching at his own;
  • Often skipped prayer meetings or was absent at other important chapel meetings; or
  • Was one person in the pulpit and someone completely different out of it.

I would imagine they would either be rebuked or removed from their position and worse still, have their Christian character called into question. The consequences are not imaginary. This is the scrutiny a pastor is placed under in life by the Church and by the Lord (who sees and knows all things).

But what if…these same principles were applied to your walk with the Lord?

While elders and pastors are called to a higher level of responsibility and accountability, they share with all Christians the calling to conform to Christ’s standard of perfection, obedience and service.

Don’t neglect to meet together as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ~Hebrew 10:25

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris

[1] Or you might sub in another position of Christian leadership or service paid or voluntary.

Materialism vs. Christ-centred Contentment

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In the face of the materialist idols Satan so tempts the world of today with, Proverbs 30:8b–9 provides us with great alternative wisdom to the mainstream of 21st century British culture:

Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

Jesus says that it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven because their great wealth can blind them to seeing their physical and spiritual need of Him. Sadly, their wealth can corrupt their souls so they boast not in God but their wealth. On the other extreme is the person who is so poor that they sin by taking what is not theirs. They too fail to trust God to provide and take their salvation into their own hands. What is the best state to find oneself in according to this proverb? It is to have one’s daily bread, to have just enough, to be content (cf. Mt 6:11, 31–33; 1 Ti 6:6–8; Heb 13:5), and more so to be content knowing that if one has Christ they have more than enough.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

It is because of the vast spiritual treasury available to the believer in Christ that Paul could say in Philippians 3:8, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all [material] things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,

Pastor Chris