January 7, 2025 – January is….Reading the Word

If you “Google” translations of the bible, you may find there are more than one hundred different translations to choose from. I am not sure you will find one hundred selections at your local bookstore, but a bible reading “App” like “BibleGateway” will give you many, many options. So, which one should you choose?

Well, your choice of translations will be impacted by your preferences for reading. Do you like a lot of notations and footnotes? If so I would suggest the New English Translation (NET). This is a great translation for seeking cross references to other scriptures and notes about context, but I believe you can only find the NET in a digital format. In other words, you cannot go to your local bookstore and buy a hard copy of the NET.

Now some of you may like to read in the King’s English – so the King James Version (KJV) is your best bet. I personally do not like the KJV mostly because I cannot read the King’s English, and the translation was written in the beginning of the 17th century (1611 CE). We have come a long way since then with our translations. I always blanch at the thought that so many believers think that the King James Version is the “only” acceptable and true translation to read or study. During my Seminary years I learned that the King James Version was translated from the best known manuscripts of their time. But since then, better and older manuscripts have been discovered

Which brings up another point in this discussion, the differences between translations and paraphrases. Translations of the bible attempt to match the meaning of one language (e.g. Aramaic or Greek) into another language (e.g. English). The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is a translation of the Bible, the one the Lutheran Church uses for Worship texts. I like the NRSV. Another translation of the bible I like is the New International Version (NIV). It is known to be more faithful to the rendering and meaning of the Greek language.

A Bible Paraphrase like “The Living Bible” is an English-to-English paraphrase written in the 1960s by Ken Taylor to give his ten kids a better understanding of scripture at their suppertime family devotions. It attempts to make the bible more understandable through simplification. The same is true for Eugene Peterson’s “The Message”. This paraphrase of the Bible tries to give a better feel for the dynamics and nuances of Biblical passages through the use of American colloquialisms. The important task for you is to find your preference. You may want to find a “Study Bible” version of a particular translation – these offer questions for consideration and extra notes on context.

So, what have we learned today? It is simple, if not complex in many ways, but find the translation of the bible that speaks to you – and allows G-d to speak directly to you.

Pastor Dave

January 6, 2025 – January is……Epiphany

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.” Matthew 2:1-12

“And now brothers, I will ask you a terrible question, and God knows I ask it also of myself. Is the truth beyond all truths, beyond the stars, just this: that to live without him is the real death, that to die with him the only life?” (Frederick Buechner, The Magnificent Defeat)

It all begins with the arrival of the wise men in Matthew 2:1-12 – the saga of the fight between good and evil. These Magi come to Herod the King asking their way to the “Newborn King”. Now, look, you do not ask a sitting king “Where’s the new king?” It just isn’t done. The arrival of the Wise Men and their question sets the city in turmoil. Is Herod’s throne in question? So, Matthew’s point cannot be missed: “There are two kings, and two kingdoms: “one of violence” and “one of Peace”. And Herod’s violence has a sword drawn against Peace (against Jesus).”

Herod’s attempt to destroy Jesus is thwarted by the will of G-d at every turn. The problem is that even with Herod’s death, the chase of violence after peace will not end. Because, after this Herod comes Herod Archelaus, and after him will come another Herod — all the way down to Herod Antipas. The pattern of Jesus, Jesus the king of Peace, retreating from the threat of Herod, the king of violence, begins at his birth — at the beginning with Joseph’s decision to flee to Egypt. Joseph and his new family will flee — from Judea to Egypt — from Egypt to Judea — and from Judea to Nazareth. But once he begins his adult ministry, Jesus’ days of fleeing are over. He might retreat when overwhelmed by grief, or when he needs to get away and pray to His Father. But his kingdom, the one begun through his cross and resurrection, is a battle worth fighting for, not retreating from.

My friends, you and I live in two kingdoms:

A kingdom of violence — all around us, every day.

A kingdom of Peace — through Jesus Christ and his teachings. 

Every day we are on the front lines of a battlefield — the battle between good and evil — between violence and Peace. It is a battle we cannot ignore, we cannot shrink from, and we cannot pass along to others.

Pastor Dave