Truth in Translation, and other reviews

The posting of book and other reviews are for information and instruction and do not constitute endorsement of the materials or reviews of materials that are linked (or the sites on which they appear).

• A brief review of BeDuhn’s “Truth in Translation” -- “BeDuhn seems to operate under the impression that he has avoided all bias in his analysis. At no point in the book does he reveal his own personal theological biases.”
• A Brief Review of Strict Baptist Periodicals (UK) -- “The following is a work in progress and is sure to have some gaps and errors (especially as it pertains to original publishing dates in light of periodicals with shared names and the length of time that has transpired since the magazines were first released).”
• A journey from religious radical to nothing new -- “Oden shows such a return to the ancient Christian witness is an essential journey for all of us fatigued by unfulfilling and agenda-driven theology.”
• Book Review: What If It’s Wonderful? by Nicole Zasowski -- “Zasowski writes like a therapist. She writes with a measured compassion that invites you in and holds space for safe exploration of one’s fears...”
• God’s Monsters, by Esther J. Hamori -- “Unfortunately, the book suffers from several weaknesses. First is the myopic way the work seeks to compartmentalize these monsters and horrors, isolating them from the greater narrative.”
• Presuppositional Analysis – The Received Text: A Field Guide -- “In The Received Text: A Field Guide, DeSoto presupposes that Scripture has always existed in a continuous form available to God’s people...”
• Review of Why I Preach from the Received Text -- “The book nearly equally provides a wealth of quotations from proponents of the Critical Text (CT) position, wherein their lack of faith and commitment to pragmatism is on clear display.”
• Review: ‘The Widening of God’s Mercy’ by Christopher and Richard Hays, by Rebecca McLaughlin -- “Richard Hays Thinks God Changed His Mind About Same-Sex Sex. Is He Right?”
• The Received Text: A Field Guide – Review -- “A vigorous defense of the Received Text tradition, distinguished by its confessional convictions and acute observations about modern text-critical uncertainty.”
• To Honour God: The Spirituality of Oliver Cromwell -- “To Honour God would be excellent for devotional reading. There are 30 short chapters, perfect for complementing daily Bible reading.”

Christian shape note

It is a sad commentary on The Sacred Harp that it is rather consistently promoted in modern times as a secular non-Christian activity. Yes, they will usually make some admission to its Christian origins and the existence of Christian hymn texts – but the emphasis is that this is for anyone and everyone. It does not matter what you believe, what is your lifestyle, or even if your worldview is antagonistic toward Christianity.

Now, we recognize that it is true that singings have always been public events to which anyone and everyone was invited. Sacred Harp singers thought their activity was a good thing that could be a blessing to anyone. However, that has been turned on its head, so that anyone and everyone should be strategically involved in how Sacred Harp should be conducted, promoted, written, and revised. 

In contrast to modern “standards,” the old conventions had detailed constitutions and bylaws. Every member had to agree to and abide by those rules. The North East Texas Musical Convention was organized circa 1866 (based on the dating of its annual sessions). “Article 9th” of the Constitution stated “The Sacred Harp shall be our text book at each meeting.” Not only was decorum expected at the convention, but outside of it as well. For example, “Article 10th” of the Bylaws stated “If any member be guilty of any bad conduct, such as drunkenness or disturbing the pease at Public worship, shall be dealt with as the Body may deem wright.”

Obviously the name “Sacred” Harp, the Christian themes of the hymns, and the purpose of conventions promoting “sacred vocal music” indicate what the origin and history of the music is. As one of our bright young Alabama singers reflected, “No one is going to make people say the apostles creed at the door, however, it’s the bare minimum to recognize the Christian nature of what is being participated in.” She also noted, “If that’s a turn-off for someone, perhaps they have been mocking God with a solemn sound upon a thoughtless tongue.”

In the context of that conversation, my daughter also emphasized, “It’s fair to say it’s increasingly evident that describing it [Sacred Harp] transparently as Christian is important and necessary.”

Some of us want to take back our tradition to what it was and is. This is not disinviting non-Christians, but a refined invitation asserting that you need to know and understand what this is before you come. If you do not like that, no one is making you do anything. Your choice.

Acts 27:21-26

God’s revelation to Paul, 21-26

Verses 21-22: After remonstrating with them for their terrible mistake of leaving Crete, Paul exhorts them all “to be of good cheer.” Why, Paul, why? Oh, here’s why – “there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you.” Yes, the ship will be a loss, but not lives. Note: Paul’s point is not to gloat with a smug “I told you so,” but rather to remind them and reinforce that he has spoken and can speak in trustworthy terms.

Verses 23-24: Why such confidence? It is based on divine revelation. The angel of God has been sent to Paul with a message – fear not. God has a purpose and a destination for Paul, and he will reach it and fulfill it. Paul will stand before Cæsar. Not only that, “God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.” “whose I am, and whom I serve” God the rightful owner; God the rightful master. 

God may choose to spare some because of someone else. God spared Zoar for Lot’s sake (Genesis 19:17-22; Cf. also Genesis 18:23ff.).[1] God spared the entire number of men on the ship – Paul’s sake, whom he had assured must surely see Rome.

Verses 25-26: “Wherefore” there is a firm foundation to “be of good cheer,” solidly anchored in God’s word. “I believe God” God is trustworthy at all times (cf. Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18), but one must believe God in order to claim the cheer based on God’s word! We should believe “it shall be even as it was told me” when we read God’s word (Psalm 119:160). 

There will be a “detour” in the process of reaching Rome – “we must be cast upon a certain island.” That island will be Melita (cf. 28:1).

God may choose to spare some because of someone else. God spared Zoar for Lot’s sake (Genesis 19:17-22; Cf. also Genesis 18:23ff.). God spared the entire number of men on the ship – Paul’s sake, whom he had assured must surely see Rome.

---

[1] Zoar, also known as Bela, see Genesis 14:2, 8.

Hold on a minute

“The human authors of Scripture were inspired to write by God’s Holy Spirit, but they wrote with careful attention to organization and structure; in other words, they did not write haphazardly, randomly, or chaotically.”

“Because real human authors wrote the Bible, even as they were inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, we should expect that they wrote in logical and organized ways.”

I recently read “The Key to Finding the Author’s Emphasis When You Read the Bible,” by Jon Nielson. The above quotes are from that essay. It had some helpful information, but those particular statements struck me as odd, even trending toward wrong. Maybe the author thought he was addressing a problem in people’s thinking about the Bible. On the other hand, I wondered if he also has a problem in his thinking. Nielson mentions the Holy Spirit twice in the article. Both times he correctly says the human writers of the Bible were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Yet, both times, there seems to an underlying implication that we should remember that Scripture is structured, logical, and organized because humans wrote it. Now, I don’t know about you, but I recognize that the divine authorship is a much better guarantee that Scripture is structured, logical, and organized (rather than the human element). I would never begin to imagine that the Holy Spirit would write “haphazardly, randomly, or chaotically.” Nielson may not have intended to imply that, but it came across that way to me.

I find it more reassuring that the Holy Spirit is the original and ultimate author of Scripture.

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The B-I-B-L-E

The B-I-B-L-E 

Books of the Bible Song

Blessed fountain, full of grace

HYMN CCCCX.

In that day there shall be a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, &c. Zech. xiii. 1.

1. Blessed fountain, full of grace!
Grace for sinners, grace for me;
To this source alone I trace
What I am, and hope to be.

2. What I am, as one redeemed,
Saved and rescued by the Lord;
Hating what I once esteemed,
Loving what I once abhorred:

3. What I hope to be, ere long,
When I take my place above;
When I join the heavenly throng;
When I see the God of love,

4. Then, I hope like him to be,
Who redeemed his saints from sin,
Whom I now obscurely see,
Through a veil that stands between.

5. When I see him as he is,
No corruption can remain;
Such their portion who are his,
Such the happy state they gain.

6. Blessed fountain, full of grace!
Grace for sinners, grace for me;
To this source alone I trace
What I am, and hope to be.

Thomas Kelly (1769–1855) was a Church of Ireland clergyman from his ordination in 1792 to 1803. Relations had become strained, and that year he formally broke with this church. He did not seek to form a new denomination, but the people who followed him were often dubbed “Kellyites.” His evangelical views were influenced by Rowland Hill, William Romaine, John Walker, and the Haldane brothers. Kelly was a prolific hymn writer, producing over 700 hymns. Kelly’s hymns were published in A Collection of Psalms and Hymns (1802), Hymns on Various Passages of Scripture (1804), and Hymns of Thomas Kelly, Never Before Published (1815). “Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious” is possibly his best-known and most printed hymn. “Blessed fountain, full of grace” is copied as it appears on pages 362-363 of Hymns on Various Passages of Scripture (Fifth Edition, Thomas Kelly, Dublin: Martin Keene, 1820). This hymn has been paired with several different tunes, including Hendon by César Malan and Trusting by W. G. Fischer.

In July of 1795 Thomas Kelly married Elizabeth Tighe, and they had at least seven children. Thomas Kelly died May 14, 1855, at age 85. He is supposed to be buried at the Ballintubbert Church of Ireland Cemetery in Ballintubbert, County Laois, Ireland. However, some sources say he is buried near the Kelly family home at Kellyville, Ballyadams, Queens County, without stating that he is buried at Ballintubbert Church. His wife Elizabeth is probably buried at the same location he is.

Definitions with a point

• avarich, adjective. Having wealth or great possessions accumulated through an insatiable greed for riches (a portmanteau of avarice + rich).
• confuzzled, adjective. A state of being extremely bewildered or perplexed (a portmanteau of confused + puzzled).
• educatiolatry, noun. Worship of and/or excessive and unwarranted reverence for education (a portmanteau of education + idolatry).
• eggs-pert, noun. One with the special skill or knowledge representing mastery of the subject of eggs.
• ex-pert, noun. One who used to show bold and impertinent behavior, but no longer does so.
• ex-spurt, noun. One who used to used to be capable of sudden bursts of effort, but no longer is.
• figmentary, adjective. Pertaining to or connected with things created, imagined, or invented in the mind (figment, a product of mental invention or notion + -ary, a suffix with the general sense “pertaining to, connected with”).
• hate speech, noun. Speech that is hated by the people defining it.
• illeagle, noun. A sick symbol of the United States of America.
• impastor, noun. A person who deceives by pretending to be a pastor; a false teacher (a portmanteau of impostor + pastor).
• ka-balloon, interjection. A sudden and loud sound of a balloon popping.
• lymph, verb. To walk with a lisp.
• macrimony, noun. The state of being in a harsh and bitter marriage (a portmanteau of matrimony + acrimony).
• occupatience, noun. The act of waiting for the right job to come along (a portmanteau of occupation + patience).
• poly-scriptura, noun. Many scriptures (from poly “many” + scriptura “scripture”). A recently coined phrase used by some to describe those Christians who find authority in many different translations of the scriptures.
• sheeple, noun. People who blindly follow orders and avoid critical thinking (a portmanteau of sheep + people).
• smord, noun. A portmanteau (from smushed word).
• texagon, noun. A plane figure in the shape of Texas.
• transhee, noun. A man in the form of a wailing woman who appears to or is heard by members of a society as a sign that their society is dying.
• transposer, noun. A transgender person who writes music (a portmanteau of transgender + composer).
• weerie, adjective. Exhausted by things that incite superstitious fear (from weary + eerie).
• YouTubesday, noun. The Tuesday you spent all day watching videos on YouTube.

Preaching like Jeremiah

G. Campbell Morgan considered the work of every faithful God-called preacher to be like the work of Jeremiah the prophet:

“His business is to create a sense of shame in the souls of men, so to place their corruption before them as to compel the hot blush to their faces.”

Jeremiah 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.