Luke’s Ponderings

Natural Critics

August 2, 2007 10:05 pm

Naturally, most people are critics. And if someone criticizes us, what is our automatic reaction? For many of us, it is to immediately fire back with criticism of our own. What sort of healthy relationship is this? The “you judge me, I judge you” attitude is not positive and leaves no room for love. When we disagree with someone or something, it is much easier to be critical to what is being done.

I have noticed criticism within and outside of churches. Inside the church, Baptists criticize the Methodists and Protestants fire away at Catholics. People deem others “not as righteous” as themselves. This “holier than thou” attitude is wreckless! Of course, we all want to avoid this because everyone hates it, but so many of us fall to this. No one wants to be around those people who are always deeming themselves better, but many people are quick to attack another denomination. I do not care what the reason is; there is no excuse for such behavior. I hear Protestants constantly attacking Catholics (which is another issue in itself). I personally find it easy to be critical of the way church is done. For others outside of church, you would quite possibly know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s so easy for me to walk into a church service and criticize the entire thing. Critique the music, the rituals (and yes! that is exactly what they are), and sermon. Many people can pick apart the institutional church, but this is not beneficial to anyone. I’ve learned that since it is so easy for me to fall into a critical mindset against the church, I simply avoid it. Instead of subjecting myself to services, I don’t go in. By this, I don’t complain. As I sit outside of the service, I don’t “dog” on the way things are done. I must be extremely careful because that is not an attitude Christ ever displayed; Christ showed love to everyone, even those religious people who wanted to kill Him.

When you find yourself wanting to judge (for criticizing someone is most often such), ask yourself, “Why does it matter?” If the other person has strayed entirely from biblical concepts, you do the same when you judge them. Instead, care about the person amidst your differences and you can even talk to them about where their beliefs stray from the bible. Christ constantly preached that we must love everyone around us (see The Greatest Challenge). Judging someone announces, “Hey, I think I’m better than you.” Instead of judging someone, next time try to look for a way you can serve him or her. This builds healthy relationships.

Categories: Challenges, Living
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“My Version is Right!”

6:26 pm

“At our church we only read out of the King James Version because we believe it is the most accurate.” Have you ever heard that before? If you haven’t, change “King James Version” and replace it with another publication of the bible and that may seem more familiar. Maybe you’ve heard it come out of your own mouth! In the past, I’ve believed that newer versions such as The Message or The Living Bible were not as sufficient as the New International Version. Of course, this is pure folly, but I will admit I have done so. Attitudes such as this appear so often within churches.

A stereotype of people with such an attitude is that they read the KJV, but do not be fooled, many others hold such views of their versions. Bart Ehrman said of the New Revised Standard Version:

“In my opinion, the New Revised Standard Version is without peer as the best available Bible translation, for both readability and accuracy.”1

In fact, if you take a look at the New Revised Standard Version’s website, http://www.nrsv.net/, you’ll find much more praise for this publication. Some of this praise is like Ehrman’s and views this as the “best” version.

Why do many people believe that their version is better? According to Rev. Steven Houck:

“[The King James Version] is an excellent translation and by far the best version available today. We must not be taken in by the modern versions and their claims. Our 400 year old Bible is to be preferred above all others because it is better than them all.”2

There are many issues with this attitude. For starters, Christ, nor any of the people in the first century ever mentioned a thing about this nor that anyone should ever be concerned with what version we read to such a degree. Christ preached unity, this attitude does NOT unite.

The biggest problem with this “logic” is as follows: we have to interpret what the KJV means to other people who speak English. Now you’re saying you are better than the authors of other versions (especially interpretation publications). This attitude cannot be used to describe Christ. When you interpret what the KJV means to others, you have taken the role of what many others have done, except this time it’s OK. Be very careful not to fall into such an thought process. You are no different that the people who have written other versions of the English bibles, except the difference may be that those authors had a very deep eduation in the scriptures and first century culture and history.

Reading the KJV so that you can have a “better” version will most likely not get you any closer to the “real meaning”. The authors of other versions are very knowledgeable. Why not trust them? Also, if you’re dying to study something as “original” as possible, you’ll have to study the culture and history in which the book of the Bible you’re reading was written and learn the original languages. It is very complex to study the original manuscripts. Merely knowing the language is worthless until you understand the setting in which it was writ.

If you prefer a version over another, there is nothing wrong with that and I think this is very natural. However, to claim yours is the “best” defies much of your own “logic” and is not Christ-like. Besides, this should not be an issue. Let us serve together! Let us put aside our differences in preferences and work together.

I like how Pastor Dick Helms said it: “The most important question in this debate is not ‘which version do you use?’ but do you READ the one you have chosen.” 3

1. Ehrman, Bart. New Revised Standard Version Praise. http://www.nrsv.net/endorsements.html.
2. Houck, Steven. The King James Version Of The Bible. http://www.prca.org/pamphlets/pamphlet_9.html#church.
3. Helms, Dick. The Best Bible Debate. http://www.christring.org/shortseries/bibleversions.htm.

Categories: Thoughts, Faith, Popular Beliefs
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Building Blocks

August 1, 2007 10:19 am

I’ve sat here for a little while trying to decide how to start this essay. I’ve typed, and retyped my introduction and I’ve erased each one. All of my analogies didn’t seem to measure up to the topic. This just keeps reminding me: it’s a pretty simple concept…don’t make it too complicated. So perhaps then you ask, “Why are you even writing this if it’s a topic so elementary?” It’s a healthy reminder for me and everyone else that we’re here to serve.

Throughout the New Testament, one of the messages presented ever so often and quite clearly is this: encourage one another.

In Romans 14, the author writes: “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (vs 19 NIV)

Three words stand out: make-every-effort.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, effort is defined as “the using of energy to get something done; exertion of strength or mental power.”

When you are making an effort to do something, you usually go out of your way. People devote themselves to what is important to them and there their efforts will lie. Not only does this version tell us we are to make an effort to build people up, but to do so every possible instance! Easy? No. You’re *using energy* to accomplish it.

Putting your efforts into building up the people around you is not a part of American society, in fact, it is quite the opposite. However, society does not dictate what was taught by Jesus Christ and other men two millenia ago!

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25 NIV)

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

The verse from Ephesians especially stands out to me as this one not only tells us to build one another up, but also to only do such things! We aren’t to tear people down! Another key thing about this verse is it also tells us to build each person up by meeting their personal needs. Everyone has various needs, and to encourage each person in the areas they need it most is extremely beneficial and cuts immediately to the chase!

With people building one another up, you become closer and stronger together. As a whole, the Body of Christ becomes more powerful and more effective. Who can question the validity to care for one another?

This is a very simple topic, however it’s not something too easy for many people in our society, myself included. Can you imagine what it would be like? Christ commanded us to ”love one another as He cared for us.” (John 13:34 NIV paraphrased by author)

It’s really that simple.

Categories: Living
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The Greatest Challenge

10:18 am

…ever. Whether or not you agree with Jesus’ teachings, he preached a challenge greater than any other before or after him. This challenge was not something you can accomplish materialistically, instead, it was a challenge directly to how the person lives his or her life. It was a very pointed message directly to the person’s “heart”.

What is this challenge? “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

You may be thinking to yourself: doesn’t the passage in which that challenge is issued hold other commands? The answer is yes. In fact, the passage out of Mark is as follows:

“’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (14:30,31 NIV).

I isolated the latter of the two commands because this one can be applied to anyone, whereas the first cannot. Loving “the Lord your God” can only be applied to people who believe in only one God of all creation. However, loving your neighbor can be applied to everyone. No matter what you believe, who you are, or where you’re from…loving everyone around you as yourself is incredibly hard. In fact, it can seem nearly impossible.

While other faiths require good deeds, various rituals to be performed, and believing in different gods, none preach that you must love the people around you as yourself. Is it impossible to follow Jesus of Nazareth? No! Just because he issued an incredible challenge does not mean no one will gain salvation through Christ. He called us to follow, knowing fully well that it would be hard.

This is one of the things that attracts me most to Christ’s teachings: it is the greatest challenge ever issued to mankind. Many religions require you to fulfill certain requirements and salvation is considered gained. Yet, Christ didn’t ask people to merely complete rituals, instead it was a challenge that would look different from person to person as it is carried out. Living out basic rituals is by far easier than living out the dynamic concept of loving people as yourself. However, while more difficult, it is far more interesting not only to the individual acting, but also to those around him/her (and in return more rewarding).

The challenge is dynamic and, as odd as it may sound, interesting. Are you up for it? Are you willing to accept this challenge issued by the man who claimed to be the Son of God? Go for it!

Categories: Thoughts, Challenges, Living
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Natural Critics

“My Version is Right!”

Building Blocks

The Greatest Challenge

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