The Divine Stair Struggle

A few days ago I was studying in the library, and I saw a little two year old girl skipping in the library with her father. Near the middle of the library is a huge set of cement stairs that descends probably 75 steps. When the little girl saw the stairs, she immediately began running for them, and would have fallen down every step with her momentum. Instead, her father quickly jumped in front of her, picked her up, and placed her back on the path they were walking together. Rather than seeing what the father was doing, she immediately ran straight back toward the stairs, attempting to run over the edge. Again, the father lovingly picked her up, placed her back on the path they were walking, and encouraged her to follow him. I smiled and thought, "She has no idea what would happen if her father allowed her to get what she wanted." Then I stopped and was taken aback by its striking parallel. I am so often like that little girl, pushing again and again and again to get what I think I want, while my heavenly Father is lovingly protecting me and placing me back on His path.
How often do we pursue things that God lovingly forbids in His Word? I often think about why some of my friends who grew up in the church with me walked away from the faith of their parents--somehow never making it their own. I cannot help but think it's partly because God is seen primarily as the "fun-killer," the one who forbids the "joy of the stairs." Like our little girl running for the edge, we get angry at God because we see Him as keeping us from the joy we think is in the stairs. When in reality, who knows better what we need and what will truly fulfill us than the One who created those desires!? A question often asked in youth groups at church is, "How far is too far?", with regard to sexual purity in relationships. This question is like the little girl trying to get closer and closer to the stairs, while completely missing the love that is behind the father's boundaries, and the joy in the path he wants for her. When God forbids something, it is because He has something better for us. In reality, it's never about rules but about a relationship! When we learn to trust the Father, knowing He has our best in mind, then we know the love in His path. And to be honest, there is nothing better than what He has. I have taken my life and placed it upon that promise--What God has for me is greater than anything the world can offer. I pray that instead of being the little girl pushing for the stairs, I will ask the Father what He desires and faithfully walk in His path--the only path that leads to an abundant life. (John 10:10).

Anybody Remember This!?

This past week, one of my friends from high school asked me how she would be able to listen to the boyband music we recorded while we were at Xavier High School. I laughed because I had all but forgotten about the fun times the four of us had in choir and through various events singing with "4 Hott Guyz," a nickname that ended up sticking as our name! Have fun checking out the link, and remember that the comments about singing for 'the ladies' were written when we were in high school! Enjoy! :)
http://www.purevolume.com/4hottguyz

With All Your Mind

A common phrase that I hear Christians say is, "I'm no theologian, but..." and they give their opinion on something Biblical or spiritual. To this I say, "Actually, you are a theologian!" If you're a follower of Jesus Christ, you're by definition a theologian--a student of God/studying God. Why do I make this point? Isn't it just a misunderstanding of the word? On the contrary, I think it subtly underscores a tension that has seeped into our mindset.
There is a pervasive tension in the American church with studying theology or even the Bible itself, in a deep way. At the outset, I must admit that I'm biased (though you probably already know this). I absolutely love theology, studying the Bible and the Biblical languages--mostly because the most important thing in my life is my relationship with Jesus Christ, and I see amazing importance in loving God with my mind. The Church needs you to know theology. The Church needs people to recognize heresy and to guard the truth--that is our job! When a smiling face on the tv says that to be victorious in Christ is to be rich, we must know, first of all, that that is wrong, and secondly, why it is wrong! When a Jehovah's Witness tells you that Jesus is a created being, we must know how to passionately and lovingly refute this challenge to God's character.

Often in my philosophy classes at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, students loved to pick on Christians because they were used to the American Christian cowering at questions to their faith and responding, "Well, that's just what I believe...I have faith." Yes, faith is a huge part of our relationship with Christ (the most important part!) but we cannot forget to clarify that we believe what we believe because it is TRUE! The criteria for valid faith is the truthfulness of the object of faith! My professor, Dr. Carson, had some great things to say about this prior stated attitude. Last week in lecture he said this:
"One of the criteria for valid faith is the truthfulness of the object of faith. The Bible does not ever encourage you to believe something that is not true. You cannot access everything through history but there are many things bound up with the very heart of Christianity that are bound up in history. If you believe these things when they are false, your faith is futile (1 Corinthians 15:16-18). When there is access to such true information, yet you believe something that is untrue, it doesn't make your faith good. Such people are to be most pitied, as Paul says." Here Dr. Carson makes the clearest statement that I want to emphasize. He says, "If the Bible wants to increase our faith, it tells us to increase the truth! It doesn't say 'well I believe what I believe, leave me alone to believe my private faith." For too long, we have had this attitude. We think, 'Well, those things sure look like truth but I'm going to hide and believe what I want to.' We must fight this attitude like the plague! Frankly, it is comfortable and easy, but it is not Christlike. When our faith is questioned (and it inevitably will be), we must passionately pursue the truth. All truth is God's truth, if it is actually true. Jesus says, "Sanctify them by your truth; your Word is truth!" The automatic question we receive is, "What is truth?" like Pilate asked Jesus while he was on trial, which is recorded in John 18. The statement that elicits this response is when Jesus says to Pilate "For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." Everyone on the side of truth listens to Jesus. How much more should be study what this truth is, if all truth is His?

Very briefly, this brings me to another pervasive attitude that has crept into our culture--a dislike of seminaries and an oft negative attitude that denies their necessity! Without spending much time on this, I ask this question. Where was the battle lost in the ELCA, in their recent denial of Biblical truth in favor of embracing the homosexual lifestyle. I argue that this battle was lost in the seminary! Who voted? Pastors! Where were they trained? Seminaries. And I could cite hundreds of examples of the front lines of the battle for the mind of the church being the seminary. Many, many, many denominations have left Biblical truth...but their seminaries left it first. Thus, contrary to the common thought of seminaries being far removed from the battle for the hearts of people, it is actually a key, strategic fortress. The battle is often won and lost on the soil of the seminary. Thus I believe this is true: Win the seminary, win the pastors, win the Church, win the people.
Back to my main point: The Truth has nothing to fear from investigation. Thus, to learn more about Christ is to increase your faith, as you increase the truth! In this, we must be diligent to guard our hearts against making our relationship with God too academic, however.

While my faith has increased tremendously here at Trinity while learning more about God, I also have had to fight to keep my relationship with God from becoming boxed up and dusty. We must not lose our missional focus by studying theology. We only study things about God to KNOW God better--personally. To be honest, some of the doctrinal and theological conversations I have with people here are draining, and distracting, and sometimes cannibalistic. I have made a conscious decision in my heart to say, "I will not allow others to force me to box up God, or to allow others to unintentionally steal my excitement for living passionately for the Gospel." It's certain doctrinal traditions and those removed from the real battle who can ruin the picture of what a theologian is for most of us. Let us not allow the sourness of certain people to ruin what God desires for us to pursue. Do you desire your faith to increase? Increase the truth! Do you desire to follow Jesus but think some truth gets in the way? Search it out! God says in Jeremiah 29, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart!" Cults discourage questions, the truth welcomes them. Jesus calls you to lovingly pursue Him with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole strength, and yes, also your whole mind! He is worthy of all of this. To neglect one is to miss out on the fullness of knowing God.

A Mere Man

I found out one of my best friends here at Trinity is also a poet! Check out this cool video made by Kevin Lanflisi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iBMpGDyl5Y

An Encouragement for Battle: Reflections on Conversation with Ravi Zacharias

This week, the Trinity community had the opportunity of welcoming home1 Ravi Zacharias for a series of lectures to the divinity school (TEDS), and then today to the whole TIU community chapel. After his address to the campus, I talked with him about how his wisdom blessed me in my time at UWSP, and how it was often an intellectual refuge in times of confusion caused by professors. I then had the opportunity ask him a question that I had been pondering for a while. I mentioned UWSP and how the truth of Scripture is often attacked in class. I asked what, in his opinion, was the best approach to being challenged intellectually not only in our culture, but I specifically mentioned my friends at UWSP. His response struck me as particularly wise. He said, "Do not be overwhelmed intellectually. Know that these challenges are not new--we have seen them before. Study well, and be 'ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.'2" I was struck by the wisdom that was in his words about intellectual challenges to the Gospel not being new. I thought back to Genesis 3:1 when, in Ravi's opinion, Postmodernism was born. The enemy spoke doubt into whether God had really spoken. He asked, "Did God really say...?" God has spoken through the pages of Scripture, and we must learn to listen well. To my friends in secular university classrooms I say, "Do not be overwhelmed. These challenges are not new!" The truth of Scripture will never change and the Truth has nothing to fear from investigation. Stay strong and "let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful!"3

1 Ravi Zacharias did his MDiv at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in the 70s and also had his first child as a part of the TIU community, his "fourth home."

2 1 Peter 3:15

3 Hebrews 10:23

A Truly "Golden" Birthday (22^2!)

I wanted to write a short note to thank my family and friends for making today special...even when my nose is buried in books here at graduate school! The birthday celebration started early with my aunt Ann, uncle Randy and cousin Erin driving from Milwaukee to take me out for Chicago style pizza last night! I felt special even on golden birthday-eve!

Today started out with waking up around 6 am to study Hebrew for a special birthday Hebrew test:) The day quickly got improved with chocolate chip pancakes and time spent with the famous Steve Berg at a local cafe! Not wanting to be "one upped" by Steve or by my Hebrew professor Dr. Beitzel, Dr. Pao then celebrated my birthday by giving a surprise Greek quiz in Greek Exegesis 1!

The highlight of the day was going to my mailbox and barely being able to open it because of all the letters stuffed in it! I smiled and laughed as I carried an armload of cards to my Hebrew test. After the test (which went really well!) I got to open the cards and was so blessed by encouraging cards and gifts from neighbors, church friends, family, extended family and even from my haircutter in Appleton! To cap off the day, I drove to Milwaukee to have dinner with my dad, mom and my brother Andy (who is in medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin, thus the drive to Milwaukee.) We had such a blast though we thought often of the huuuuge part of our family in Pennsylvania (sister Kelli and brother-in-law Ronaldo). Spending time with my family always reminds me of our amazing God, who is the focus of our lives. It is because of Him that our family loves, laughs, and lives with purpose.

When I came home late at night from Milwaukee, I thought the festivities were over...but they were just starting! The night ended with my friend Mike and his wife Katie bringing over homemade (amazing) cake. My roommates, and seminary friends came over to my apartment to eat cake, hang out and to laugh with Jonathan at his hilarious stories of moving to the US from Korea, without knowing English. I am blessed with amazing friends from so many places. I will remember cake at my door in the morning, chocolate pancakes, "happy birthday" in Hebrew class, phone calls all day from my best friends at Point, phone calls from 4 NFL players*, rousing happy birthdays from family (especially Connor, Danielle and Steph!), and new friends tonight who capped off an amazing day. Thank you, Jesus, for the amazing friends and family with whom you have blessed me, for 22 years of life and for your free gift of salvation through faith in your work on the cross. I pray my life will be an offering of thanksgiving in everything I do, for your glory and your kingdom.

*NFL players may or may not have been Justin Wevers and Jason Eisenman impersonating NFL players...Made my day!

Style and Preference -An Addition to "Translations Travails"

After reading my Bible today I came to the realization that I was not sufficiently clear in my discussion of translations. I was uneasy with my possible unfairness to the NASB and other more wooden translations. Rather than go back and re-discuss some places I think the NASB linguistically and syntactically does better than the NIV (or other more vernacular translations), I will simply comment on one overarching area that I missed in discussing them. In many cases, the choice of translation is based on nothing more than preference. Sometimes the language that is rendered is stronger in one translation and the other does not capture that "zing" one is looking for, in their opinion. I realized that sometimes our preference for a certain kind of language dictates our choice more than syntactical questions. I came to this realization as I read 1 John 2:16 in my NIV. I enjoy this verse particularly because my dad used to quote it growing up and, through his godly wisdom, I was often protected from those things of the world. When I read a different translation from what I was used to hearing, I felt it missed the punch that I was used to. I missed the clarity that comes from the NASB's rendering of, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." In that case, my choice was a linguistic one (and a nostalgic one), not based on some syntactical superiority, but simply on style. When many translations are absolutely, without question, faithful to the original intentions of the Biblical authors, many factors come into play in our choice of translation. Preference of style and language is not to be underestimated in this and thus holds a strong place in our weighing of which translation will best suit our needs.

Translation Travails

One of the inevitable discussions, which can often lead to discord in local churches, is the issue of Bible translations. What are we to make of all of these versions, and their famous acronyms!? There's the New American Standard (NASB) and the ESV (English Standard Version). There's the most widely distributed version in the world, the New International Version (NIV) with its recently folded, newer version called the Today's New International Version (TNIV). The King James Version (KJV) and the New King James Version (NKJV) represent, with reference to translations, an antiquated and frankly intellectually stunted part of the literary discussion. Yet, somehow the "debate" with these infamous translations seem to habitually resurface in vociferous discussions that, sadly, lack a contemporary understanding of textual criticism or linguistical intellect. Lastly, a translation such as the New Living Translation (NLT) which desires to render more of a vernacular version. Together, (though many more translations can enter the discussion), the diversity of translations has often muddied the waters of discussions for many who desire clarity in viewing their Bible. They can even demean those who desire a more readable translation, such as choosing the NLT over the ESV.

Because of the ruckus surrounding translations, one of our favorite questions to ponder is, "What is the best translation?" Or for the seemingly more linguistically astute, "Which translation better reflects the Greek?" To these questions I will give reference yet will certainly not exhaust the energy or the words sufficient to cover all angles. In the same way, I do not desire to open a can of worms, so to speak, but desire wholeheartedly to bring more clarity to the discussion. (At this point, I should mention that I won't be discussing the KJV but will perform a "handoff" to D.A. Carson's The King James Version Debate if further discussion of the topic is desirable.) First, let's ask, "What do these translations desire to do?" The ESV and the NASB desire to reflect more accurately what the Greek grammar is doing with regard to syntax or structure of the sentence. The NASB especially desires to render a more "word for word" translation from the Greek. The ESV also renders a more wooden translation from the Greek yet sometimes waffles in its desire and sometimes moves more toward a "readable" approach, or so some would like to assert. Yet, it still keeps one foot in the "wooden translation" door. Having a slight background in linguistics from studying Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and as I have further pondered this translation hoopla, I have been struck by the fact that often we are simply asking the wrong questions. When I translate from Spanish to English I do not ask, "How can I accurately reflect what Spanish is doing (syntax-wise), but do this in English words." First, I understand what Spanish is doing in a sentence, and then I ask, "How do we do that in English." Do you catch the difference? Let me give an example1 Take the Spanish sentence "Tengo frio en las manos." If I were to ask the question, "What is the Spanish doing and how can we do that in English," I would translate that Spanish sentence, I have (tengo) cold (frio) in (en) the hands (las manos). To a native English speaker, this would be very awkward sounding, if not all-together incorrect. But, when I ask the question, "What is Spanish doing and how can I do this in English," my translation is rendered "My hands are cold." Though using a more word for word translation has its place in word studies, for the beginning language student in class, or when desiring to see the syntax of the sentences, this very specific purpose is one for which most readers do not use these translations. Thus, my word-for-word translation of the Spanish is not "more Spanish" in the same way that it is not "more Greek" to render a more word-for-word Greek translation. When we ask the question, "Which translation is more Greek?" we ask the wrong question and often come to the wrong conclusion of which translation would better serve our needs.

The NIV, it appears to me, desires to answer the question, "What is the Greek doing and how can I do that in English," yet keeps its linguistic mind in the original languages--thus performing a sort of hybrid translation. It is very faithful to the original intention yet very cognizant of linguistics. Similarly, the NLT would lean more toward reflecting the vernacular, desiring to render a more understandable translation without as much care for the syntax of the original languages.

The native Spanish speaker does not hear, "I have cold in the hands," but hears "My hands are cold." In the same way, the native Koine Greek speaker would not hear a wooden translation but one that would more accurately be reflected in the vernacular. Therefore, a more "literal" translation is not tantamount to a more accurate one. Finally, it is my assertion that a translation should be chosen based on the purpose of the translation and not on the basis of a fallacious desire for a more "spiritual" translation that is somehow "more Greek."

1. Spanish example first brought to my mind by Ronaldo Ghenov, MDiv.

2. Many of these thoughts were spurred on by lectures from Dana Harris, professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Random Blessing!

For Dr. Carson's class I have to read this massive Bible dictionary called The New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, which is a compilation of articles/entries by world scholars on basically every issue touched by Biblical Theology. Tonight I was reading an amazing section on Scripture, with reference to its canonicity, authority, inspiration, etc. The article just blew my mind and made me think a lot about how I take Scripture for granted. As I was finishing up the entry and reflecting on it, I ran across the name of the writer. I had been reading an article by one of my very own professors, Dr. E. J. Schnabel, a New Testament professor here at Trinity, and didn't even realize it. What an amazing blessing to be given three years to learn from the best scholars in the world, so that I can glorify God to the fullest potential with my life. I pray that I will never take this for granted, and will continue to recognize it as the true gift that it is.

Castle Walls and Open Doors: Confidence in the Revealed Word

When wielded appropriately, the original Biblical languages can be an amazing weapon in a teacher's arsenal. The original languages do have immense value, though it is not my point. Truly, God used Hebrew and used Koine Greek to reveal himself to us. And yes, any Bible teacher worth his salt should use the original languages to better understand the text in his own study. After spending a summer in Oaxaca, Mexico, I understand very well that some things are simply better understood in their original language, to an audience that lives and breathes in this tongue. If I were to have a translator in my house church in Oaxaca, I would understand what was being communicated. Moreover, with an extremely talented translator, I could have understood immensely the context and meaning of the sermons. But listening and learning in Spanish allowed me to understand the nuances and subtleties that are only found in that context. Thus the absolutely invaluable study of exegesis. Only in the immersion of the original languages can you understand the exegetical questions. Thus, for the exegete (one who practices exegesis) the Biblical languages are not a castle wall but are an open door into the world of the inspired Biblical writers. Wielded correctly, the Church can benefit immensely from a pastor who understands the appropriate situation for wielding this treasure. All this is well and good, and may even sound like scholarly jargon. This is not my point.

People who value their Bible as the Word of God enjoy it when a pastor says something along the lines of, "The Greek word is ___ and it means THIS!" In earlier sermons of mine, I too have cued the crowd into deeper meanings from the Biblical languages. After actually learning Greek (it is quasi-comical to think of me trying to use the languages when I barely had an elementary understanding of their usage), the number one thing I learned was how absolutely phenomenal our English translations are (and by this I mean the NASB, ESV, NIV, TNIV, NLT, etc). As I began to translate 1 John and the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6 from Koine Greek into English, I was blown away at how incredibly accurate the English translation is. Then I thought, why should this surprise me? People much smarter than I, with greater resources than I, have interacted with the text to bring about the translation. This brings me back to my point about using the Greek in sermons. What happens when a preacher brings up the original language? A wall is immediately constructed between the reader and the text. What is essentially being communicated is, "Your Bible doesn't tell you this, but I will tell you what is really being communicated." Instead, our pastors (shepherds) should, if they truly know the original language, communicate how radically accurate the English translation is, thus giving confidence to the reader for understanding God's revelation in His Word. Instead of constructing a wall, let's unleash radical confidence into the mind of the reader so that they may truly believe, "Yes, this IS what God desired to communicate and yes, this IS what the text truly means." Maybe then we can recapture a heart of submission to God's Word as truly accurate and authoritative for every aspect of the life of the believer. This is my heart and this is my prayer.

(Many of these thoughts were spurred on by lectures from Dana Harris, professor of NT at Trinity.)

Seriously? A Blog?

Monday mornings are usually mandated by an extra scoop of coffee grinds. Not these days. Instead, I wake up knowing there is nowhere I would rather be. The wisdom I gain from D.A. Carson's opening prayer would be enough to rouse me, and with his Monday lectures in Biblical Theology and Interpretation, I grinningly (are you surprised that's a word?) reflect on years of dreaming, planning, longing, and praying for this day. So why a blog? The excitement that comes from walking through the book of Colossians in Greek Exegesis 1 with Dr. David Pao, while Dr. Pao is writing THE commentary on Colossians for Zondervan, or having Introduction to the Old Testament with Dr. Beitzel, while the textbook is written by him...combined with experiencing Dr. Carson grand slam home run my questions out of the Kantzer-building ballpark, is too much to keep to myself. Welcome to my world at Trinity International University.