The method or theory of bible translation is an important and, at times, a complicated issue. It is something pastors need to consider.  I have made clear elsewhere that I favor a more literal translation, rather than a dynamic equivalence approach. I don’t think dynamic equivalence translations are evil, but I think there is much [...]
Archive of entries posted on June 2011
Ordination sermon from 1 Thess 2:1-3:10
I was honored last week to preach the ordination sermon for Corey Cummings, a former student. I recently posted his prayer of dedication. The audio of the sermon has now been posted as well. I took up 1 Thessalonians 2:1-3:10 where Paul describes his ministry among the Thessalonians, using his practice as an example of [...]
Decline of Bible Reading
“within the last generation the Bible reading which used to be traditional in England has lapsed. It is quite common to meet with young people who do not know the Bible stories even as stories.†– George Orwell, “The English People,” 1944
The Bible- Moralisms or Gospel
While reading on the King James I recently found an interesting quote from Bruno Bettelheim’s book, The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales (Alfred A. Knopf, 1976). The portion cited was the following: “As long as parents fully believed that Biblical stories solved the riddle of our existence and its purpose, [...]
KJV Anniversary & the Waning Influence of the Bible in American Culture
Robert Alter, in his fascinating book, Pen of Iron: American Prose and the King James Bible, makes this observation about the difference seen in American culture from the 300th anniversary of the KJV (1911) to today. “As I assemble these reflections on the presence of the King James Version in American writing, the fourth centennial [...]
Ordination, Prayer of Dedication
It was my privilege yesterday to preach at the ordination of Corey Cummings, a former student of mine. As part of the service, a prayer of dedication was given which Corey had written. Because I thought this prayer expressed well the sort of things a pastor ought to desire to have prayed for him, I [...]
To the Men Who Lose
I recently came across this poem and appreciated it. It can apply to various situations, and the field of pastoral ministry is certainly one of them. Many faithful brothers never win the world or the church’s applause or even appreciation. Sometimes a faithful work fails. And every faithful work  has it share of failures- and [...]
Nathan Finn’s New Edition of Help to Zion’s Travellers
I have had the privielge of reading through the draft of Nathan Finn’s new edition of Robert Hall’s Help to Zion’s Travellers soon to be published by Borderstone Press. This book was orignially published in 1781, and had significant influence on William Carey and others involved in the renewed mission efforts of that day. Finn [...]
