New Epistles

Sen. John McCain’s speech tonight at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN took me by surprise, and I’m sure it also took a lot of people by surprise—including many Democrats. Let me first preface this by noting that John McCain is not a rhetoretician (edited). Obama could easily walk circles around McCain using his natural rhetorical skills. Sarah Palin could also take him with her rhetorical abilities and authenticity. But John McCain still came out a star, not with rhetoric but with his heart of humility. Sen. John McCain showed himself to be very gracious, humble and he won me over by the character that clearly shined through.

He was humble. He told his story about how, as a young person, he was initially a selfish person who didn’t love his country. But after he spent some time in his solitary cell in Vietnam, he found his moral compass, learned humility, and learned to love his country. He also revealed his personal story of heroism that we could touch. He encouraged Americans to serve their country first, and not themselves; and he encouraged everyone to serve a cause bigger than one’s self. That was truly inspiring.

McCain’s humility was apparent when he sounded out a prophetic call to his party members that their beloved Republican Party had lost its way, had fallen into corruption and needed to be reformed and changed. His humble admission and confession of his own party’s wrong-doings was an unexpected but authentically humble move. I don’t think any hardcore Democrat could knock that. No way. McCain dished out hard words for Republicans and expected them to take it. It was certainly hard medicine he thought his party members needed to hear, and McCain had the guts to say it. Truly admirable. Reform of the Republican Party is why he wants to go to Washington. He knows his Republican Party needs to change and reform is on the way—so “Way to go John! Go for it!” What touched many hearts, including mine, was the honor and respect he bestowed to Barack Obama. He even gave a gesture of congratulations to his political challenger, Obama, at the Democratic Convention. Classy move. It’s something Obama hasn’t yet done for McCain. McCain also said he wants to cross party lines and reach out to Democrats. He also said he doesn’t care who gets the credit, as long as America is made better. He doesn’t want to hear constant partisan rancor that stops the cause. He has worked with both parties and has a record of reaching out to members of both parties. This is a positive thing and I hope he follows through with it.

We saw the soft side of McCain who brought up the issue of the low-income mothers who struggle to make it through. He says he wants to fight for them. This gives me the feeling that he understands the average person who struggles. Perhaps his hardship of torturous beatings as a prisoner-of-war has given him the sensitivity he needs to be able to make heartfelt connections with those who struggle too. This is something that Republicans need to learn because hardcore Republicans do not naturally come across as compassionate even though social conservatives can be very compassionate people.

I’m sure that some Democrats will be turned on by Sen. McCain’s speech tonight, but there will always be some hardcore diehard Democrats who will back Obama and the Democratic Party’s ideals to their grave. If McCain is to win the Presidency of the United States of America, it will likely have to come from the depth of his character that can pull him ahead of Sen. Obama to win this increasingly exciting political race. He is the rising star that Republicans did not truly expect that would shine as bright as it did for him as tonight.

In the passage of Matthew 18:15-20, v.18 speaks of binding and loosing (forbidding and permitting in NLT). My question is this: Is the binding and loosing dealing with church discipline and the issue of excommunication (v.17), or with the issue of giving and withholding forgiveness of sins to the unrepentant sinner (v.21-22)? These are the two main alternative interpretations, but there is also a third interpretation I recently learned of, which is, a Jewish understanding of the law. Binding signified a declaration for anything that was unlawful to be done; and loosing signified a declaration that anything may be lawfully done.

1) If v.18 is dealing with excommunication, does the act of binding and loosing refer to the authority and power to enforce rules of releasing the unrepentant sinner from their fellowship (excommunication)? And does the object of the binding and loosing refer to the unrepentant sinner? This interpretation does make sense because the two or three witnesses from vv.16-17 are present to witness repentance or unrepentance.

2) If v.18 is dealing with forgiveness, does it concern the offended person’s power to release the offender from the guilt of one’s sin? Jesus commands to always forgive in vv.21-22. Then does this mean that the release of forgiveness depend upon whether or not the sinner repents? And to whom is this authority granted to? Is it in the hands of the offended individual? Or is this power also in the hands of the higher levels of authority in the church, i.e., elders/presbytery, or the bishop? With this interpretation, vv.19-20 also makes sense because Christ is present and will empower the offended party to forgive the offender.

3 If v.18 is related to the Jewish understanding of law, declaring the painful practice of circumcision as unlawful is an example of binding. Declaring the fellowship between Jews and Gentiles as lawful is an example of loosing. With this interpretation, vv.19-20 also makes sense. Christ is present to witness our lawmaking.

The possibilities of three viable interpretations can make things seem more confusing. What do you think?

Gov. Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, has made Republicans and conservatives proud. Her speech totally wowed many people. She gave a masterful and rousing speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN. If there were any undecided voters out there with any doubts about her political prowess and ability to harness support, it has definitely dissipated. She exuded passion, inspiration, and confidence. She also spoke from the heart, and this won over the trust of many voters because they saw that she was genuine. Voters long to see political candidates who are the real deal--not fakes. That's also why many people are so inspired by Barack Obama. I saw Palin's leadership and glimpse of political ability tonight at this Republican convention. Conservatives with any hesitation will no longer doubt her ability as a politician. They've had a glimpse of who she is. I sense that Palin does have the political will to reform and fight against the big guns in Washington, and the guts to fight against the establishments of power, the Washington elites, and dishonest money-hungry corporations too. She appeals to a wider conservative base who are average working class people (lower-middle to middle class folks). That's the type of leadership America needs today. She was heard loud and clear by many people in heartland America who were wondering if she had the heart and soul to be the fighter and reformer insiders described her to be. She definitely showed that she does; and I feel that she is definitely a leader many could trust as Vice-President to get the job done.

Palin’s charisma, sincerity and toughness may have taken Democrats by surprise. Many likely did not know what to expect from this Republican Vice-Presidential nominee. I suspect many Democratic supporters of Obama/Biden are now reeling from shock and surprise after listening to her spectacular speech. She will definitely be a force to be reckoned by the Democratic ticket during this election campaign. Democrats now know that Sarah Palin is no pushover mayor-turned-Governor. She’s a genuine and authentic conservative, and a strong political leader who can walk the talk and lead with action. She can rally the Republican supporters, and also excite undecided voters who are looking for a leader who can lead effectively. I look forward to seeing and hearing more from Gov. Sarah Palin, potential Vice-President of the United States.

Stan McCullars, who is a new to the blogging scene at Just After Sunrise, posted a great sermon by John Piper on abortion. Occasionally, we need to hear sermons like these that explain why abortion goes against God’s will. Often we forget because sometimes it's not preached on enough from our pulpits. Twenty million abortions have happened in America since the courts made the ruling on Roe vs Wade in 1973. Piper’s sermon applies James 4:2 to abortion “You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it” (NLT). It explains the practices of our hedonistic society and why we find it so convenient to do anything to get what we want, and even to steal the life of an unborn person. The psalmist wrote about himself in Psalm 139:

This serves to reminds us of our own vulnerable and helpless state of being while we were still within our mother's womb. Life is precious and holy.

This election is getting even more exciting now with a young female governor in the picture; not that I think a 71 year-old white male presidential candidate wasn't exciting enough. Sen. John McCain’s pick of Gov. Sarah Palin is a calculated political move not just to attract female voters but also to counter Obama’s theme of “Change.” If Palin is a mover and a shaker in Alaska, she’ll be able to shake things up in the Washington beltway. Way to go, Gov. Palin! Thanks to McCain for picking a woman. She'll be great for the Republican ticket.

As an outsider coming in, she’s also a counter to McCain who’s been in Washington for too long. In fact, this Republican ticket is kind of a counter to the Democratic ticket. Obama represents an outsider, a racial minority; and Palin represents an outsider who is gender minority, and both McCain and Biden represent long-time insiders in Washington. The one ticket almost perfectly counters the other.

Some voters who might be silently accused of voting based purely on race, gender, and outsider/insider will now have to look at what’s really important—that is—the issues. This race is getting more exciting by the day. I’m really looking forward to the Republican National Convention beginning next week. It'll give Americans a chance to get to know Gov. Sarah Palin.

After watching Senator Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention on TV tonight, I was once again blown away by his gift of the gab to stir my emotions. It was truly incredible. Even though I didn’t agree with everything he said, I thought that his speech was masterfully crafted and delivered. On the most part, his speech was quite positive, he did make a few accusations toward Sen. McCain and President Bush that were illogical, based more on pure emotion, and were non-factual. However, what I do like about Obama is his ability to raise the level of hope in people and the average blue-collar/middle-class person. He does have an amazing ability to touch the hearts of people and stir their emotions like J.F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Martin Luther King, Jr. It’s something I haven’t seen in McCain, or any candidate of any party in a long time. But I should wait and see what’s going to happen next week at the Republican National Convention at Minneapolis-St.Paul’s. I didn’t see any of the first three nights but this night was probably the best speech I’ve heard from him.

I do not agree with where Obama stands on abortion. Partial-birth abortion is still infanticide. The right of women to choose is one thing, but this is going way too far in my opinion. I don’t know how Christians can reconcile these moral issues and still support him on abortion. Democrats with a moral conscience will not even support his position. Some people can keep a blind eye on points of disagreement and still support him, but it's definitely not easy to do when it comes to moral issues. On the other hand, when it comes to conservative politics, social and fiscal Christian conservatives also do this on certain issues. I think a lot of us do this no matter what party we support. Can all conservatives agree with Bush and McCain on every issue? I doubt it. When it comes down to it all, we give first prioritize to the issues closest to our hearts.

Where I think Obama can make a positive contribution to American society is bringing more racial harmony and healing to African American families. For many Democrats, Obama, for the first time in a long time, embodies the hope of a better future for all people of different ethnicities and races in America--not just for white anglo-saxons. I think more people will vote for him just because of his uncanny gift to inspire this new found hope. There is something very valuable that Republicans can learn from Obama. Many Republicans have also been inspired by Obama. That’s why the granddaughter of Pres. Eisenhower, who is a Republican, was moved enough by him to lend her support to him in February (even though she still looks and feels the part of a hardcore Republican). I really do wish more Republicans and conservatives could speak with heart-felt emotion like Barack Obama. I know there are tired Republicans out there who are yearning for something new and if they don’t find it in McCain, it is a realistic possibility that they will turn to support Obama who expresses a new hope for the future so well. Politically and philosophically, I’m a conservative, but I have to admit that what I have seen in Obama sounds so attractive to my ears and heart that even this conservative would be tempted to vote for him (if I could, but I can’t, because I’m Canadian).

Even though Obama may not have much experience in international affairs, I think he might be able to do fairly well in this area because he does have a sense of justice, fairness, and an innate ability to walk the middle ground. This will go very far with foreign national leaders who are at logger heads with each other. Just based on my intuitive sense, I feel he may have the potential to be a vital linkage to foster peaceful relations around the world. A few months ago, he tried to make himself look presidential and statesman-like when he toured Europe and the world, and this strategy paid off for him big time.

The biggest questions in the minds of most people is whether Obama has the ability to handle the economy. Right now, the U.S. economy is not looking too good; and likely, it’s the economy that is going to determine how he is to be remembered in history as the President of the United States. (Though Bush will be remembered most for his policy in Iraq, people may forget about the other good things his administration has done for the country. I don't feel that is fair for Bush). I think Obama's lack of experience in running the country or even a state will be his weakness. His lack of understanding in economics may be his Achilles Heel. No matter what Obama may have said tonight to undercut his critics, this weakness will be his big test in the future. Despite this area of weakness, he does have a realistic chance of be elected the next President of the United States. And if Obama does become the next President of the United States, he’d do well to have strong economic advisors to back him up.

Three weeks ago, I received in the mail an advanced copy of the NLT Study Bible (NLTSB) from Tyndale House Publishers to review and have finally gotten around to writing this review. The NLTSB is scheduled for official release on September 15, 2008 and I'm sure many people will be impressed by it. I have found it to be an excellent study bible. Any time now in August, the NLT Study Bible website will be launching a fully searchable online version of the study bible with a free 30-day trial.

The slogan Tyndale has given the NLTSB is The Truth Made Clear. I do not think that this quickened sense of clarity in the bible's truth is necessarily all attributable to the tools in this study bible. Even though the tools in the NLTSB are top-notch, this study bible can compete almost head-to-head in understandability with other study bibles. What really makes this slogan ring true, I believe, is the readability of the New Living Translation itself. The NLT is the most easy-to-read English bible translation available today. Most people will find it more readable than the TNIV, ESV and NRSV because it takes the dynamic approach in translation philosophy. Perhaps its increasing demand for such a translation is an indication that what readers want is a simple, easy-to-understand translation. But, different strokes for different folks. If I may, back in March 2007 I stated that the NLT had the potential to "breakout of its current status of alternate translation to the NIV" and that it also had "the potential to compete head-to-head with the NIV as the first bible of choice." Today, based on CBA's unit sales for September 2008, the NLT translation has surpassed the NIV in unit sales and will likely improve upon this trend. So kudos to the NLT and Tyndale on your big gains in readership! Based on the current demand for the NLT translation and based on the NLTSB's own merits as a high quality study bible, I believe it would be safe to predict that the NLT Study Bible will become one of the most popular study bibles in the next decade to come.

I think people will like the NLTSB for many reasons, and I state my reasons them here below. One thing that impresses me about the NLTSB is its up-to-date biblical scholarship. This is evident throughout the pages of its study notes and book introductions. Over 48 scholars and editors have contributed to this bible. Its contributors are reknown evangelical theologians from a variety of seminaries and theological departments of universities.

The historical-critical stream within evangelical biblical scholarship seems to be more evident in the NLTSB. If you are familiar with the dating of Isaiah, you might chuckle at how the introduction to Isaiah attempts to satisfy all views:
This comment on the authorship of Isaiah carefully tries not to alienate those who adhere to the older view that it was the prophet Isaiah who wrote the entire book of Isaiah.

A literary approach to biblical scholarship is also evident in the pages of the NLTSB. It speaks of literary genres, imagery, patterns, etc. Although the NLTSB is not trying to become like the ESV Literary Study Bible, it has not neglected the increasingly significant literary aspect within modern biblical scholarship.

The amount of study notes in the NLTSB is quite immense. It competes with the NIV Study Bible. The study notes discusses not only the facts but also what the message means to the reader. So perhaps I should also attribute the contents of the study notes toward the fulfillment of the NLTSB's slogan The Truth Made Clear. The size of the NLTSB amounts to a massive 2486 pages (not including the colorful maps in the back). The expanded notes bring out insightful details into words, people, themes, and topics.

The feature of Hebrew and Greek word studies is an invaluable feature, especially to those preparing bible studies and for pastors preparing sermons. It follows Strong's numbering system and uses the transliteration instead of the Greek spelling so as to not exclude ordinary people cannot read or understand biblical Greek. Tyndale has done a great job because it keeps in mind the interests of ordinary people whom they know are non-readers of the original biblical languages. Here is an example of a Greek word study on repentance:
The introductions of each book includes the historical setting, maps, outline, timeline, summary, authorship, date and other historical issues, meaning and message. As much as I appreciate the historical setting, the timeline in each introduction also allows me as a reader to have a better idea when the events in a particular letter or book occurred. Many ordinary readers like me can appreciate such timelines because it helps me place the text in its proper chronological context. Note, there is also a master timeline at the beginning of the NLTSB. An outline in each introduction is also a helpful tool. Although I would have appreciated a more detailed outline for each book, the basic outline provided here manages to suffice my need for visual aids. Moreover, many other study bibles do not even provide an outline for each book. The visual aids of timelines, charts and maps scattered throughout these pages are extremely helpful. As far as I'm concerned, these visual aid tools should be in all study bibles because they help the reader simplify potentially complex things. Furthermore, I have found that the maps within the NLTSB is more numerous than in most study bibles. I have always loved maps because they help visual learners like myself visualize where the events took place.

Personally, I also like reference bibles. The cross-reference system is a very helpful feature that I use all the time in bible study. It think this feature is often under-rated and under-used by many people. Another feature in the NLTSB that is very useful is the parallel passages (e.g., Lk 28-36; Mt 17:1-9; Mk 9:2-10). I like them because I like to do critical comparisons of parallel passages. This feature will save me time having to search through the Harmony of the Four Gospels and cross-references. I have seen this feature in only a few bibles so I am glad to see this in the NLTSB.

Most of the articles in the NLTSB are quite brief. These include the introductions to the OT and NT; introduction to the four gospels; chronology of the life of Jesus; the introduction to the time after the apostles; and the historical background of the intertestamental period. My favourite and briefest article is the Historical Background of the Intertestamental Period. I have always been curious about the period between the OT and the NT. This article nicely ties the two together. It fills in the gap explaining the periods of the Persian Empire, Greek rule, Egyptian rule of Ptolemies, Syrian rule of the Seleucids, the self-rule under the Maccabees or Hasmonean dynasty, and the Roman rule. This section is appropriately placed in between the OT and NT.

As for reference helps, there is a comprehensive subject index and a dictionary-concordance in the back of the study bible. The NLTSB has done a fairly good job with this because it is sufficiently large enough. The bible that I feel that has done the all-time best job at this is the topical index found in Nelson's New Open Bible. If Tyndale can develop something like that, it would be even better.

The NLT Study Bible not only has up-to-date scholarship, but it remains firmly grounded in a piety that many evangelicals love and appreciate. Some study bibles that neglect Christian piety, and approach the biblical text from a purely scholarly/critical point-of-view are not designed for ordinary people but only for a narrow stream in the academic world. In contrast, I would consider piety in the NLTSB as a feature. Its scholarly contributors speak with strong pious convictions about our Christian faith, and its study notes are geared help the average bible-reader or seeker to understand the bible and learn about what God is seeking from his people. This makes the NLT Study Bible very accessible to a broad range of people who wish to nurture their faith. This is an excellent study bible I highly recommend it as a faith-building tool.

Finally, I wish to thank Laura Bartlett of Tyndale for sending me an advanced copy of the NLT Study Bible to review.

I have been away from blogging for over 2 weeks and I loved it. I have been away at a bible camp doing some speaking, and also returned from the Yukon, which is located way up north next to Alaska. Yes, Saskatoon, SK, Canada is north, but Whitehorse, Yukon is even further up north. I can say that this is the furthest north I have ever been. I was up there for a national youth gathering of about 1,200 youths from across Canada.

I also took some pictures of the travels through the northern Rocky Mountains. They were not as majestic as the Rockies around Banff, Alberta but they were still beautiful. Northern Canada is truly a very beautiful country. It was my first time up in the Yukon and I savored the beauty in creation. I took a lot of photos and videos of the Rockies on the bus going up to Whitehorse. I even saw herds of buffalo (Yes, those are pictures of real buffalo taken from outside the bus window!). These are some of my shots. Enjoy.

I have also tried to upload videos of some awe-inspiring mountainous landscapes but it failed to upload. I don't know why. Maybe I will try again later.

Recently, I have been doing more reading and I have just finished reading The Gospel of Inclusion: Reaching Beyond Fundamentalism to the True Love of God by Carlton Pearson (ASUZA Press/Council Oak Books, 2007). Today, Bishop Pearson is considered a heretical pentecostal preacher who no longer believes in hell and believes that everyone will be saved. Proponents of universalism believe that whether or not one leaves this earthly life believing in Jesus Christ as the son of God, one will eventually be saved. This is the theology that Pearson has now accepted.

The rise and fall of Carlton Pearson intrigued me. Before being rejected by his congregation of 5,000, by his fellow pentecostal-charismatic clergy, and labeled a heretic, he was at the height of his pentecostal ministry in the charismatic world, but it all came crashing down. In his early days, he sang in the Oral Roberts gospel choral team, attended Oral Roberts University, and was noticed by Oral Roberts himself and taken under his wings. He was considered a protégé of televangelist Oral Roberts, and even sat on the Board of Regents at Oral Roberts University (ORU). But what a change of events when he announced to the world that he held universalist beliefs. He eventually lost the congregation he worked so hard to build. They left him. The church property went into receivership. He was no longer welcomed to speak at pentecostal conferences.

He begins his book discussing where he came from and where he has gone in his theology and ministry. Living a life holiness and evangelism defined his Christian life. He was as typical a Pentecostal as one could get. He also started the Asuza Conferences that brought in the big names like T.D. Jakes, and others.

Today, he has invited gays and lesbians to take an active part in the ministry of the church. The bulk of his book is spent discussing why he disagrees with the theologies of hell and damnation. He refutes the orthodox understanding of faith and grace. His book also begins with some quotes from the early church fathers. He also claims that most of the early church fathers were universalists themselves.

I was taken aback as I read his book, The Gospel of Inclusion. I could never imagine that a person of conservative evangelical influence could ever go that far away from one’s theology. By the end of his book, I got a slight feeling of insecurity because if someone like him I can go that far with his theology, who is to say that I might never go this far myself? When I look back and reflect on where I have been and where I am now, some might also consider me a heretic…but I’ll be quiet about that.

From what basis does Carlton Pearson build his theology? Is it the bible? Or is it from the writings of the early church fathers? I am cautious of putting the early church fathers on a pedestal simply because their theologies contradict one other’s. Some read their theologies as if they were the gospel truth but there is a hidden element of danger to doing so because it puts their writings on the same level as the holy scriptures. It is ironic that the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox church, and some from the liturgical Anglican and Lutheran persuasion hold that the historic faith of the ante-Nicene fathers are orthodox and apostolic. How can anyone claim that there is a true historic episcopate when the theologies of the early church fathers contradict one other’s theology? In my humble opinion, this simply does not square. Today, a part of the emerging church movement has placed a premium on the theologies of the early church fathers, but at what cost? Have they traded in theological truth for theological acceptance and inclusion of all religions?

Also see similar posts:
A theologian #2: Rev. Francis Schaeffer
A theologian #1: Rev. John Shelby Spong

If you frequent the New Epistles blog, you know that I feel the NRSV is one of the best formal equivalent translations today, along with the ESV. In 2008, Westminster John Knox Press (WJKP) has now come out with the NRSV Discipleship Study Bible with Apocrypha. It is supposed to be the first NRSV study bible published in five years. This study bible tries to tie together an understanding of the biblical texts and life application. This is unique for an NRSV bible, and mainline Christians who are attracted to the NRSV translation may find this a novelty.

WJK Press is not known as a bible publisher, and to my knowledge, this is the only bible currently being published by WJK Press so kudos to WJKP. According to WJK's description:

Most NRSV study bibles out there try to concentrate on the biblical text from a critical perspective. This one is different because it comments on Christian living and personal piety. It will definitely not be anywhere close to being similar to a combination of a Life Application Study Bible and an NRSV HarperCollins SB or NOAB. However, it does bring to the reader’s attention some of the social justice issues familiar to liberal mainline churches, e.g., socio-political, economic and environmental. With the study notes, its page count comes in at 2198 pages, which is quite considerable.

Most conservative readers may likely not go for this type of study bible but if you are a mainline or evangelical who is concerned about some of these social issues, it would certainly be a bible worth looking at. For personal piety and Christian living, not many bibles out there can beat the Life Application Study Bible; however, the NRSV Discipleship Study Bible may have the corner on social justice issues.

Duriez, Colin. Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008. Pp. 240.

Francis Schaeffer is one of the great evangelical theologians of our modern day. I was already familiar with some of his books and his published video series: How Should We Then Live? Having just read this biography of this great man of faith, authored by Colin Duriez, I now have even greater respect for Francis Schaeffer than before. This book takes the reader chronologically through his Schaeffer’s early beginnings from a bright young student at Westminster Theological Seminary (Presbyterian) into his last days in this world as an established and reknown theologian who was hugely influential within evangelical circles.

The author dived into some interesting details of Schaeffer’s early life during the days of the separatist movement away from Princeton Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian Church, USA. He makes mention of the theological disruption at Princeton Seminary, and the defrocking of J. Gresham Machen and the story of the founding of a new denomination, the Presbyterian Church of America.

Schaeffer’s early days of ministry as a separatist and the founding of the Presbyterian Church in America reminds me about the similar situation that is happening in many of our other mainline churches today that are currently undergoing theological disruption and separation, e.g., Episcopalian, Anglican, Methodist and Lutheran. The past of work of Francis Schaeffer has set the tone and ethos for the future of evangelical Reformed churches in the United States. His ministry to young people, and in particular, to children was a phenomenal success. Many of our churches would benefit from learning how this was done through his evangelistic and faith-building ministry called Children for Christ.

Schaeffer’s ministry in Champery, Switzerland was certainly very impressive. His example of hard work, dedication and calling is what is required today in most fledgling ministries. His work in establishing L’Abri, a ground-breaking ministry beginning in Switzerland, was foundational to his written works that were published later. Schaeffer’s personal life and his family’s involvement in this ministry was eye-opening for me. I deeply value learning about the wonderful family support that Schaeffer received during his entire ministry. It makes me yearn for the same type of family support that he had because I know that without it, effective ministry would be impossible. His ministry is an example of what is required of our modern day missionaries and pioneers of new ministries. If I was a missionary, I do not think I could do even half of what the Schaeffers have done without the empowering of God’s Holy Spirit.

Finally, what also impressed me was the sharp mind of Francis Schaeffer. His apologetic defence of the reality of God and the gospel of Christ has stirred within me a renewed passion to continue to pursue the training of the intellect. Who says the evangelical faith and the intellect were not compatible?! Christians with a pious evangelical faith will be deeply encouraged by Schaeffer’s deep intellectual discussion of the faith. His work in bringing many to faith through intellectual discussion was what attracted so many young intellectual people to his work of L’Abri. His work in Europe was what made Francis Schaeffer so well known in America later in his life. This biography of Francis Schaeffer, theologian and pastor, has sparked an interest in me to re-read some of his early works: Escape from Reason (1968), The God Who is There (1968), and He Is There and He Is Not Silent (1972). If you are an apologist, a Christian who is concerned the direction our society is moving toward, Francis Schaeffer is a man you ought to get to know better. Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life, is a fabulous biography on one of the greatest theologians of the late 20th century.

Also see similar posts:
A theologian #3: Rev. Carlton Pearson
A theologian #1: Rev. John Shelby Spong

Literal translations can sometimes leave the reader scratching their heads and wondering what in the world is the bible saying. Here is a case in 1 Kings 10:4-5 I found as I was reading from the NRSV tonight:

When I first read this passage in the NRSV, it made absolutely no sense to me. Then I checked out the other formal translations and found them wanting of more interpretation. Obviously, we know that the Queen of Sheba was overwhelmed and made breathless when she observed the wisdom and grandeur displayed in Solomon's house. This is a case where there is a great need for interpretation, otherwise, the reader is left utterly confused because it says the queen had “no more spirit in her.” What does that mean? The NASB and NKJV, the reads the same as the NRSV. The ESV is slightly better but not by much. Its rendering is a slight improvement over the RSV and NRSV.

Literal translations can sometimes:
This gives the reader no choice but to desire a more accurate interpretation.

Where formal translations fail, dynamic translations can do a better job at bringing out a more accurate meaning:
These dynamic translations, though interpretive, provide a more accurate meaning in the text. The ESV is still a little unclear. The T/NIV, GNT and NCV may border on being a little overly interpretive. With this particular verse, I feel the HCSB provided the best rendering. This verse is accurate, yet literal, and even manages to be idiomatic. It does not leave the reader wondering what is going on when they read this passage.