On Easter, what about Mary?

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.-Luke 2:18-19 KJV

  When Klara had her son, I often imagine what she and Alois had in mind for how their son would grow into manhood, what aspirations they would have for his future. Would he be a laborer, a skilled craftsman, a professional, perhaps a teacher or professor? Would he be a family man? They would not live to see what their son would become, but the world would see very much what the fruits of Adolf Hitler's life would yield.

There was another mother 2000 years ago, and she was told many things about what the fruits of her son's life would be. She was able to see many miraculous things and hear wisdom from a man who not just spoke the words, but lived them. I can't help but wonder what was going through her mind in those final days, as she watched and could not intervene in what was happening to her baby. She must have asked herself what did my little boy do to be deserving of this?

Two mothers, two very different outcomes, two broken hearts.

God Bless a Mother's heart!

I don't have anything deep or new for today, but as we approach the coming celebration of Resurrection day, keep in mind all those that sacrifice for us!

Exegesis of Matthew 23:10

Recently I was trolling a Facebook group called KJV1611, which is dedicated to the idea of King James Bible Only-ism (KJVO). For those not familiar with this ideology, it is the idea that the King James Version Bible (KJV) is the only inerrant Bible for English speaking people. Extremists hold to the idea that the translation can actually be used to correct the underlying Greek and Hebrew. I’m not joking, just google Ruckmanism. Mainline KJVO believers often believe that one cannot be saved by any other English translation as God’s complete word can only be found in the KJV.

There are many more believers who just prefer the KJV without the heretical KJVO beliefs, and that is fine, they should not be lumped in with KJVOers. I firmly believe that they as anyone should use the version that best speaks to them, and I always encourage anyone to study out how our Bible came to be and the difference in the many versions that are out there. Dr. James White has said we probably have too many and I think there is some truth to that, but we live in a unique time to be able to study God’s word with the plethora of resources we have on hand. We should take full advantage of the opportunity not afforded to our ancestors in the distant past.

Anyway, the KJV1611 group recently posted a graphic attempting to cause confusion over the translation issue. It compared a single verse between the KJV and the NKJV translations, Matthew 23:10, implying that the NKJV translation causes a contradiction in scripture with Romans 12:6-8. The top of the graphic said, “Says DO NOT be called a teacher, then it’s listed as a gift?”, with the following verses quoted:

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. KJV Matthew 23:10

And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. NKJV Matthew 23:10

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: If prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. NKJV Romans 12:6-8

A common tactic for KJVO is to pull scripture out of context and concentrate strictly on the translation differences in wording. I will further explain the context in a moment, but Matthew 23:10 has nothing to do with Romans 12:6-8. I was bored and decided to jump into this discussion with the following transpiring. It is how these discussions basically go with KJVOers:

Me: I don’t see the problem. Master means a leader or teacher or guide.

Responder 1: It is a problem to a Bible believer who knows that every word in the KJB has it's own meaning within the context of Scripture, that is why we don't mess with God's words, and accept them as they stand !

The first responder tried the usual tact of the KJV is magically perfect and one should not mess with or question it.

The KJV is a fine translation and I even use it much of the time myself. The old English does take some getting used to. But consider the facts that scholars have learned a great deal about the languages and customs since 1611, more manuscript evidence has surfaced since then, and over time parts of the English language have changed significantly in meaning. The KJV translators themselves stated in their “Translators to the reader” section that their work would likely need revision in the future. That is what Bible versions since 1611 represent, the advance of our understanding.

Responder 2: You have the consider the whole context of this scripture. Jesus was addressing the 3 major religious titles in the world; Rabbi for the Jews... We have one Teacher, God. Father, which becomes the western religions, mainly the RCC and its offshoots... We have one Father, God. Then the eastern religions who use Master... we have one master, God. We are not to be giving the religious title of Rabbi, Father or Master to any but God.

The second responder attempted an exegesis or an explanation of the text but, well, it is what it is. Look folks, scripture has plenty to say if we just let it speak to us. Don’t try to force it into saying something it doesn’t. In this case, responder 2 is trying to make the scripture support their own dogma about Catholicism and Eastern religions. Some believe that the Bible may have something to say about those in texts like Revelations, but certainly not in these verses when viewed in context, as I will show. Our faith is not helped by this kind of manipulation!
To look at verse 10 in context, consider the following:

1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. 8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. -Matthew 23:1-12 NIV

Overall, Jesus is speaking against hypocrisy. To drive the point, he is using the Sadducees and Pharisees as an example (v. 1-2). The Jewish audience is told to follow their religious leaders’ instructions, but to not do as they do (v. 3a), for they say one thing but do another (v. 3b). They foist their burdens on others and when they do accomplish something, it is only done to be seen by others (v 4-5). They have an unhealthy pride in their position and want most of all to be seen by others in both religious and secular circles (v. 6). They want to be called Rabbi (v. 7) and Jesus warns us (v. 8-10) against seeking honorific titles for the sake of pride.

The take away is, Jesus is not making any statement against Catholics or Eastern religions. The exercise of gifts, like teaching, is of course not evil. The self-development required in getting an education and being awarded an earned title is not evil either. Just don’t live a life of hypocrisy and don’t let titles become a source of pride.

Above all, don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Like President Reagan said, “Trust but vierify.”

“… in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” -Acts 17:11

Somebody got a light?

And the people of Israel departed from there at that time, every man to his tribe and family, and they went out from there every man to his inheritance. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. -Judges 21:24-25 (ESV)

Just in the past week, the nation has experienced everything from shootings, protests over the shootings (supposedly driven by kids) for and against policies that will result in little more than the erosion of constitutional rights, the passing of abhorrent budget legislation, and tonight the nation is to be treated to an interview on 60 Minutes of a p0rn star that supposedly hooked the president. And the nation continues it's swirl down the proverbial toilet bowl. Anarchy is defined as a state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority, basically doing what is right in their own eyes. Doesn't the past week give evidence of every increasing levels of disorder?

Surely the nation has seen seemingly perilous times in its past. But I'm not sure the case can be made that those times were in conjunction with what really amounts to an increasing level of anarchy we are seeing today. Authority, secular and religious, is being rejected all over. Often it is with good reason as these institutions have not been immune to those same forces of societal decay that have permeated the country. Greed and the lack of sound education knows no bounds. Past generations provided these institutions so that succeeding generations could receive and build upon those ethical and moral edifices that make for a great society. They were once the fire that spread light throughout the world but are now barely a glowing ember, unable to repel the darkness.

It has been said that the night is darkest just before the dawn. This being Palm Sunday, we need to keep in mind as we enter upon this season of rebirth, that even if it gets darker still before the light, everything is a part of God's divine plan. It is up to each individual to "...not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2 ESV) If we are going to straighten out the country, it starts with each individual. Become the ember that ignites again the fire that spreads light and pushes back the darkness. It starts with us.

It starts with me.

I'm back!

I stepped away from doing any significant studies for quite a while.  In that time I learned a lot about Freemasonry by joining a lodge and working my up through the officer line.  I have also learned about myself being a caregiver to my lovely and ever encouraging wife.  Now I am back in God's word and soon to be resuming various studies in that area.  woohoo! Links to my writings have been fixed as well!