the road less travelled
Jacinda Ardern has to be the most divisive Prime Minister I can remember. There’s a petition calling for her resignation. It would be great to see this reach a very large number to show our displeasure with her dictatorial rule.
I like the spirit of the guy below.
Wednesday is Westminster Confession of Faith day! Last week we focused on the perspicuity of Scripture and found that while there are some sections of Scripture that are difficult to understand and can be twisted by a certain type of person, the things pertaining to our salvation are so clear that ordinary people by ordinary means of careful reading can understand them. Today we look at the issue of original languages and translations.
VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and, by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them. But, because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner; and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope.
The first thing the framers of the Confession alert us to is the importance of the original languages. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew (mainly) and the New Testament in Greek. It is to the original languages that we must go for final appeal when there is a controversy over what the Scriptures say, as these are the words ‘immediately inspired by God.’ This was written into a context where the Roman Catholic Church relied on the Latin Vulgate, a translation with some serious flaws. It’s also important to note that the framers saw the way God’s inspired Word had been kept pure by His providence. Despite the period of time between the original writings and now, we have remarkable witness in the manuscripts that testify to the accuracy of the transcription process. This is best exemplified by the finding of manuscripts at Qumran, which although about 1000 years older than the ones possessed at the time, were remarkably consistent with them.
Secondly, the writers of the Confession wanted to highlight another error of the Roman Catholic church of the time. They realised that while it was important for scholars to be able to go back to the original languages, this was not possible for the vast majority of the common people. Therefore, it was deemed right and helpful for the Scriptures to be translated into the ‘vulgar’ (or common) language of every nation to which the faith came. This would allow ordinary and less-schooled Christians to be able to let God’s Word dwell in them richly. This was something that the Roman Catholic Church was not so keen on in those days, but now is in agreement with the Reformers on.
Come out and support teachers and healthcare professionals. This is a car protest, so you are not breaking any of the current rules! Hope to see you there.
In the past few weeks, I have begun to hear the phase ‘holding us to ransom’ a lot more frequently. Specifically, it is the unvaccinated who are apparently holding the country to ransom. Really?
Let’s imagine a scenario where a terrorist grabs two teenage children of wealthy elites and asks for a ransom from both sets of parents before he will release them. The parents of one immediately pay the ransom, and the other set, not so sure that paying the ransom will in fact lead to the release of their child, refuse to pay. The parents who have paid the ransom then turn on the other more suspicious parents and say, “Stop holding us to ransom!” While I can understand their frustration, it is in fact the terrorist who has held them to ransom. Not paying the ransom is not equivalent to holding someone to ransom.
In my mind, it is actually many unvaccinated people who are being held to ransom. Those who are teachers or nurses are being told that unless they bow to the government’s wishes they will have no job. Others who have no vaccine mandates (yet) will be denied entry to restaurants, big events and churches. Not bowing to the government on this is not holding others to ransom. It’s refusing to pay the ransom. We don’t negotiate with terrorists!
Most unvaccinated people I have chatted with are happy for the government to open up society. They have made their choice based on their own risk-benefit analysis. They tend to be a lot more clued up on the stats than many who have just gone ahead and got vaccinated. It is not they who are holding us to ransom, but our government. Our government is threatening people with loss of livelihood and like the grinch is planning on stealing Christmas too unless we all bow to their demands. Don’t turn on your fellow prisoners. Remember who the real enemy is in all of this.
A petition against mandated vaccines has reached over 65,000. Even if you are vaccinated, support your friends and family who want to make their own choice. Sign here.
One of the most common arguments that has been repeated again and again across the last year and a half is that we should all get vaccinated to protect the vulnerable. Or in Christian circles, we should get vaccinated as an act of love for our neighbours. The expanded version goes on to talk about how we might not be worried for our personal health with respect to COVID, however, if we are unvaccinated and gather in groups, we place others at risk. We should not stubbornly hold on to our personal rights and preferences at the expense of others. To do so would be unloving and selfish. If we can reduce the risk that others face from COVID why would we not get the vaccine? Some even go further and suggest that because of these considerations, it is right and just for the government to mandate vaccines for large swathes of the population.
While I can see the appeal of this kind of argument, I am convinced that this reasoning is massively inconsistent with the Biblical framework for ethics.
Read More
As we have had an increase in readership in recent months, we are trying to every now and again highlight some of our articles from the past so you get an idea of our ‘flavour’. Today we recommend you look at our article on teaching children about money.
Dear Pastor,
I am having some trouble with my wife. I commanded her to wear a chicken suit every time she leaves the house, but she refuses. Can you please tell her to submit to my authority since wearing a chicken suit is not sinful and would not hinder her from proclaiming the Gospel? In fact, quite the opposite. I believe this is a loving thing to do as it would bring joy to many people and open a door for sharing the Gospel. She can tell people “I’m a Christian and look how I’m submitting to my husband. Don’t you want to want to become a Christian, too?” Surely this kind of submission to authority will win many people to Christ. After all, we have been told this by many famous evangelical leaders, so it must be true. Thank you for understanding. My wife and I await your speedy reply.
Thanks,
I. M. Consistent
The Sojournal asked, following Scott Kennedy’s post, if anyone else had their own experience to share, so I thought I may offer a few cents.
I must start by saying that I have a confession to make.
For quite a number of months now I have been struggling with the question of when it is time to take a stand. Without getting bogged down in the detail, I love freedom, and I believe we have God-given freedoms as image-bearers of God, that to some degree are covered by our Bill of Rights. But I also know that God is the ultimate authority that installs Governments and does so for our good. There are sometimes circumstances that require the government to use extreme measures and I do want to think well of the intention of my government, even where I disagree. There is a balance with these things, but with a balance, there is also a tipping point, or as Scott put it in his post, a “line in the sand”, where you no longer can sit back hoping for the best but have to start putting yourself into uncomfortable positions.
While thinking and struggling with this I was often reminded of the well-known quote by German Pastor Martin Niemoller:
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
My confession is that I think I left it too late.
Read MoreAs a result of our recent guest post, My Line in the Sand, we have been inundated with views and comments.
To follow up on this, we at The Sojournal, are trying to collect and publish stories from people who are affected by the COVID vaccine mandate. We are keen to publish respectful articles or videos that address your personal situation. If you wish to remain anonymous, that is fine too.
If you would like to be involved, please use the contact form and we will get back to you. If you know of someone affected, please alert them to our plans.
Let’s show our overlords that we are free and principled people.