I’ve noticed something interesting that may be a motif or may be nothing at all. That similarity was the use of “destroyer” or wording similar to that when translating. Not all uses are exact but there was enough there to attract my eye.

Exodus 12:23

When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

Lexicon: shachath (1007d)

NLT: “death angel”

Isaiah 54:16

“See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc;

Lexicon: shachath (1007d)

NRSV says “ravager to destroy”

NLT: “armies that destroy”

Revelation 9:11

They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).

The TNIV, NLT, The Message and the Wycliffe note the meaning of Apollyon…

FYI,
With the holidays in full swing now, there will be less blog posts being posted until they are over. You will still see posts, but shopping and presents will be that big black hole that sucks up most of the time.

This blog will live.

The Case for Christ

The Case for Christ is an older but very popular book by Lee Strobel. I’ve always meant to finish reading it, like I do with a lot of books. I finally did. The book is advertised as Strobel’s journey to “determine if there’s credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God.” In this book he interviews scholarly figures such as Metzger, Blomberg, Witherington, along with others.

Metzger, Blomberg and others are all challenged with some typical but sometimes hard questions. Blomberg’s ability to always be in the know doesn’t go unnoticed by Strobel. If you’ve ever had questions about Jesus’ divinity, this book makes and easy argument though I’m sure Case for Christ has it’s critics. With western Evangelicalism in a wash of ‘doubt,’ Strobel makes a compelling case that’s an easy low level read for everyone.

Reading a recent post at Better Bibles Blog titled Thinking about Scripture, the writer mentions that  someone claimed a hard to understand Bible isn’t problematic. This made me think back to a YouTube video I recently watched. It was an interview with The Message translator Eugene Peterson. In this video Peterson revealed some of his personally held beliefs.

• Peoples belief in the Bible as a holy and reverent book, with no personal application
• Peoples belief in the Bible (an English translation) is the words of God
• People using the King James Version is a problem

In certain circles these views would get him hog tied and beat. I have to confess, I think he might be onto something. Of course, hearing the complete context from Peterson himself provides the best explanation of his views.

Oct/Nov. 1620 – People traveled in a sailing ship from England to a strange new world. During the 3,000 mile voyage, the pilgrims were kept in the cargo space of the sailing ship due to severe winter storms.

Dec. 1620 – The pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. In the harsh winter months that followed, half died.

Spring 1621 – Natitive Americans taught the pilgrims survival skills by helping them grow corn, beans, and pumpkins.

Autumn, 1621 – Harvest time, the pilgrims and the Native Americans hold a grand celebration in thanks for the abundant harvest.

That celebration is what is now commonly known in the United States as “Thanksgiving.”

A co-worker twisted my arm to trying my first MMORPG (Massively multiplayer online role-playing game). It’s Dungeons & Dragons Online. Its a free long and big download and free to play but you can pay for additional options. The way I see it it’s sort of a pay as you go. If anyone else is a player, let me know because I’m trying it out now. I need help. I know, I’m lame.

I just added a new blog to my blogroll. I’m not sure if it’s “offically” called divine meditations or One Monk’s Journey Through Faith. Either way, I think he’d like some visitors.

The Message Bible

I just purchased another new Bible for rotation in my reading, The Message Bible by Eugene H. Peterson. For those not in the know, The Message is a very functional translation of the Bible rendered in a contemporary way. My reasons for getting this particular edition? Larger font and it comes with both testaments.

While I’ve used The Message in the past, I never really got into it like other versions. I’m doing that now and it’s already given me some new perspectives on Peter and John’s writings. I’ve noticed Peterson jettisons the traditional verse breaks which are sometimes a cause of misunderstandings. I think that’s awesome.

Newly added Biblica translator William Mounce presented his paper on the ESV/TNIV at the Evangelical Theological Society. It was titled Can the ESV and TNIV Co-Exist in the Same Universe? He appears wanting to set the “…tone for further debate…”. This is probably driving at his work on the 2011 NIV update.

Mounce laid out a seven point criteria for addressing issues to stave off translation “wars” and “play fair” in debates. Mounce worked on the English Standard Version and I think his intentions are admirable. With that said I’m not completely convince of his “criteria”. Mounce felt that a statement from a certain blog, (not this one but I’m sure he could find a lot here ) seemed to violate Eph 4:29. The statement was,

“ESV … has found a niche market among those who believe that archaic and unclear language is the sign of a proper Bible.”

Keep in mind if you’re going to be ridged with Eph 4:29, wouldn’t we be tossing out Luther and Calvin? I also don’t think that claim was out of bounds. Contrast that with the comments from commentators “Bill” and “TNIV Suxks” here.

USE A REAL BIBLE. The ESV is the actual words of God translated. Are you a real Christian or are you into all this PC TNIV garbage?

I also would respectfully suggest the add of a #8 tenet, that being a restraint on public vandalism of NIV and TNIV Bibles. In the end, I will side Mounce and I’ll hang up my boxing gloves for now.

A Brief History of Everything

I just completed, finally, A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilbur. This book is so long and there’s so much information to process its almost numbing. It really needs to be read more than once but that ain’t going to happen for awhile.

Ken Wilbur is popular in the ‘think tank’ area of spiritual, New Age, progressive and many religious circles, usually not pro-Christian in any way. Wilbur is a historian/philosopher who writes and comments on human psychological development, world culture and religious evolution.

I completed it more out of curiosity since so many notable people and a few pastors(!) have reference his work. I figured I should have some familiarity with it for some reason. He appears very pro feminist in his outlook and the statement that puzzled me the most was his claim that the idea of God as Father was limiting. He’s pretty good with supporting evidence for his views but this one he wasn’t in my opinion. A worthy but long read.