David Kenney

photo credit: antwerpenR

It seems when you ask a group of people of any age for their spiritual questions, the ones that roll in are the same ones you always hear.

• Why is there evil in the world?
• What is God’s Will for my life?
• What is Heaven like?
• Is Jesus coming back soon?
• Can Satan hear my prayers?

And unless you’re R.C. Sproul it seems many of those questions still seem to be unanswerable to the average pew sitter.

Many times a good ploy from the pastor is to do a “ask me any question” series. I remember my previous pastor did it a year ago, he called it “Ask Dr. Bob” and he wore a Doctor’s lab coat. We have done it in youth group before and it’s mostly either questions about sex, or heaven or sex in heaven.

Well recently my Pastor, Chris Lewis has taken it upon himself to answer these age old questions and I can not begin to tell you how thorough and simple he has made these talks. I don’t normally pimp other pastor’s work, but this series is certainly worth a listen. Some of these sermons are literally the BEST I have ever heard on the subject.

1. Can I trust the Bible?

2. Who’s Afraid of the Holy Spirit?

3. Can You Lose Your Salvation? Armenian vs. Calvinism

4. What God hath joined together - Divorce

(I would also give Rob Bell’s recent Divorce sermon a listen)

5. Just Do Something – How can you know God’s Will?

I love an interesting question…

In case you didn’t know, there is a new NIV bible translation coming out in 2011; and after they announced it, Zondervan got a slew of email questions asking “Why?” And even though the editors at Zondervan already answered their critics… I want to take a crack at it. I think the Zondervan editors had to answer in a polite “politically correct fashion” – so my answers will be me channeling an imagined sarcastic Zondervan editor who didn’t get to answer the way they wanted to.  I have already answered one question in my own…. idiom so here is…

Question #2: Who are you to change the language of the Bible?

Answer: Well I guess since your email was addressed to the editors at Zondevan publishing, you probably aleady know the answer to your own question. We are the editors at Zondervan publishing… who are you?  It sounds like you are someone who doesn’t know what an editor is.

Well, an editor’s job can be large or small. If you hire an editor you might need someone to check your punctuation, or maybe you need someone to look over larger plot elements. Editors generally work with a manuscript based on the manuscript’s goals, then on the shape or condition of the writing itself. In this case the “editors” have assigned “translators” to create an English reading bible for an English reading audience. The translators will work with the original texts and carefully discern how best to create a modern English bible for the modern English reader.

Did you know that the bible was originally written in ancient Hebrew and Greek? This is the actual “language” of the bible. And since you wrote your question in the “English language”…I assume this is also the language you read in. So yes, we are changing the language of the bible… so that you can read it.

This magical transformation from one language to another is called a “translation.” It’s just like when you are watching a DVD and you push the wrong button on the remote and all the funny words appear at the bottom of the screen. We make translations so that people can read the bible in their own language; and we make changes to those translations after long periods of time after a language has adopted new nuances and subtleties.

So perhaps your question is really about the already existing English NIV translation? Who are we to change the translation of the English NIV bible? Oh good question… well, we are the ones who wrote it in the first place, so we are the best ones to “change it.”

In short: we made it, it’s ours.

And hey, and if you like it – great! That means you probably own one, keep it and read it with our blessing.  Don’t worry we won’t sneak into your house while you are asleep and secretly swap it with the new one when it comes out. Nobody will force you to read or buy the new NIV when it’s released.

So to sum up:

• We are the editors and translators at Zondevan publishing
• The language of the bible is “Greek” and “Hebrew” (not English)
• We created the original NIV translation that you read and love
• We are creating a new NIV translation in 2011 so that more people will read and love it

But maybe you’re on to something… this new translation would really only appeal to people who have noticed these new English nuances. It would probably be that “younger crowd” (people thirty and under) who are always wearing jeans to church and insisting we sing songs with a “melody.” Perhaps if we leave the NIV just the way it is - the younger generations will never want to read it. So maybe your question is really a much deeper sociological symbol for the conflict felt by the emerging generation gap that exists within the church community?

Wow – you’re deep.

By restricting the evolution of biblical translation we are in essence saying that, “We like things the way they are and if you want to change it – you can pry it from our irrelevant dusty fingers!” So the conflict felt by Zondervan is really a reflection of the much bigger conflict that exists within the American church.

The ability to trust and let go…

So I see what you did – you sneaky question asker. You made us all think about the circular logic of this much bigger picture. Who is this “younger generation” that wants to love Jesus, read the bible and design a new church movement?

Well it’s the church.

The church is making “the changes.”

The church is growing.

The church is emerging.

And it’s going to be amazing as we all begin to trust and let go..

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NOTE: David’s answers in no way represent Zondervan, their advertisers or their true inner dialog. This article was meant to be humorous and should in no way be read as David’s true voice. Please note that any comments to this article that are harsh or critical will be met with more sarcasm.

I love an interesting question…

A while back I wrote about the new NIV bible coming out in 2011; and here it is April and I am still jumping up and down waiting for it. If the bible were a toy, my Mother would be yelling at me, “What are you going to do with a new bible, you have 2 perfectly good bibles right here!”

Zondervan’s NIV 2011 website doesn’t really have any new updates to speak of. They did change the layout a bit and they added some video casts which are nice. But the newest point of interest for me was the addition of the viewer’s questions. Way back when the announcement came out, Zondervan allowed you to send in questions about the 2011 translation, primarily I think because they wanted to over communicate to compensate for perhaps the initial TNIV release. So because I had sent in a question to the bible translators, I quickly skimmed the website looking for mine.

It wasn’t there.

Instead the editors answered a bunch of similar sounding skeptics who were worried that their precious NIV was going away. And let me just say: If you love the NIV and it has brought you joy – GREAT! But chances are that means you already own an NIV bible, and since most people rarely buy more than two bibles in their lifetime, you’re probably good. In fact when the new 2011 version comes out I am sure there will be some old school NIV’s on the sales floor; and if you ever need a replacement, might I suggest the ESV.

I thought the editors at Zondervan made it very clear why this project was being undertaken. Anyone who carefully read the press release from Zondervan could see why this new translation was being released, “As time passes and English changes, the NIV we have at present is becoming increasingly dated. If we want a Bible that English speakers around the world can understand, we have to listen to, and respect, the vocabulary they are using today.”

The NIV came out in 1984 (27 years ago). In other words everyone 27 and younger has grown up in a world with a different English language than the most popular selling bible. And even though the editors at Zondervan already answered their critics… I want to take a crack at it. I think the Zondervan editors had to answer in a polite “politically correct fashion” – so my answers will be me channeling an imagined sarcastic Zondervan editor who didn’t get to answer the way they wanted to.

Ready?

Question #1: If you have already sold more than 300,000,000 copies why don’t you just keep printing it? Apparently we approve of it. Making changes to please people is not what Jesus wanted. He was very clear telling us not to “ADD or TAKE AWAY” anything. Read your Bible, and as the Blessed Mother said at the wedding in Cana, “Do as He says.”

Answer: Would you like a crown? Because you are the Queen of Scripture twisting. The 300,000,000 copies of the NIV that were sold do validate the approval of that translation, you are right. But the editors of the NIV would now like to sell 300,000,000 more copies to the generation who use the internet. (the internet is the scary box on your grandson’s desk that the devil lives in)

Second your statement, “Making changes to please people is not what Jesus wanted” is completely true,  but only because it is complete gibberish. You could just as easily have written, “ordering fruit salad from the fish King is not what Jesus wanted.” Unless you are trying to say that Jesus wasn’t interested in being a people pleaser, but rather he came to fulfill the will of God – NOW THAT is a statement! (You should have hired me to write your question). I would agree with that as well, however, the editors of the NIV are not making these changes to “please people” so your beautifully crafted sentence is moot. Rather as the press release said, the changes are being made to keep the NIV current in both language and meaning, so one could argue the changes ARE for God’s glory.

You quote Revelation 22:18

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. (I put it in the NIV so you could understand it)

I think your issue with the new translation stems from your belief the message of God lies in the exact words and not the exact message. You believe each sentence can be lifted out as God’ words and then read before 7 am as a morning devotional. But we both know that is not true. Satan speaks in the bible yes? So are those also “the words of God?” What if you were stranded on a deserted island and I assembled all of the verses spoken by the enemies of God (Satan and Pharaoh and Goliath) and placed them together in a book – would you read that as “the words of God” if that was all you had? Of course not. So we both agree that not all the bible is to be applied to our lives; each one of us approaches the bible with a lens that we read it through.

In your question you have a verse from Revelation and a verse from the gospels – you have mixed two different types of literary style (apocryphal and narrative) and you have mixed two different speakers (the resurrected Jesus and Mary the mother of Jesus).

Yes Jesus says not to add to what he says, but read the words. Jesus says not to add to the “prophecy” of “this book.” What book? The book of Revelation. Not the book of the Bible, right? Because that would be silly since the bible wasn’t assembled yet. The editors of the bible were not sending bike couriers to John each week asking him for his final chapters to Revelation because they were going to press and they needed to know “how the story ends.”

Jesus continues in verse 19, “And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” Again we have the phrase “this book of prophecy” meaning the book of Revelation and the phrase  “tree of life” which is also described in the book of …. (wait for it) Revelation.

Yes, Jesus was very clear in telling us not to add to or take away from “his words of prophecy” in the book of “Revelation.” But this verse has really nothing to do with translating the Greek and Hebrew bible into the English language for a new audience. So, in your own words “read your bible” (don’t just quote it out of context).

Or as job said, “If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.” (Job 13:5)

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NOTE: David’s answers in no way represent Zondervan, their advertisers or their true inner dialog. This article was meant to be humorous and should in no way be read as David’s true voice. Please note that any comments to this article that are harsh or critical will be met with more sarcasm.

I go the following email from a reader….

“Some observations on the word revelation. Revelation when applied to religion, means something communicated immediately from God to man. No one will deny the power of the almighty to make such a communication if he pleases. But admitting, for the sake of a case, that something has been reveled to a certain person only, and not reveled to any other person, It is revelation to that person only. When he tells it to a second person, second to a third, a third to a fourth. and so on, it ceases to be a revelation to all those persons. It is a revelation to the first person only, and hearsay to every other: and consequentially they are not obliged to believe it.”
~ Thomas Paine

Why would man need a book to know God? God wouldn’t tell man to write down something for the whole future to hear. He would understand how hard it would be for anyone to believe it. He wouldn’t expect us 2.He gave us reasoning. He made us this way on purpose. If I told you my comp. talked tome and told me to write every word I’m typing, and then turned into a goat, you would certainly would not believe me. And even if it had really happened and was true you wouldn’t believe me.

Things that we know are true are the things we experience first hand, and can confirm with out a doubt of any kind. It cannot be argued or even questioned. Otherwise it is not truth. For the sake of argument, I’ve never been to Japan. I believe with out a doubt that it is there. Why? Because Billions of people say so, and I have met people from there and know what they look like. The truth is not even in question and cannot be denied by someone who uses Gods gifts of reasoning.

The sun rises every morning and the solar system moves in perfect reoccurring themes. This is truth. Laws of nature do not change. This is Gods law.  Life , nature, sky, stars. This is how we learn about everything there is to know. It is in front of us and in the “heavens”. God has never told me that the bible is word and he won’t because everyone knows God doesn’t really talk to us. Otherwise we would believe people all the time.

God doesn’t change his laws or ways to communicate. He doesn’t need to. If he did , we would think it was the devil not God. If I saw a staff turn into a snake, I would think that it was of the devil. God wouldn’t need to act out of the ordinary and make miracles. Everything he does is a miracle. This would only make him look like a fraud. Because we know how God is the God of truth not the God of the unpredictable fraud who tries to mess with our heads. Man is a deceiver and is a liar. To believe in the Bible is to deny God. You are believing the Words of Man. You are not getting these words from God first hand. You are trusting in man and there for your religion is the worshiping of man. I think God would be upset with everyone believing in the bible without using their god given abilities.

QUESTION FROM A READER:

The subject in church this week was, ” putting on the whole armor of GOD” and of course as usual, the pastor went through the whole ” this means, this, and that means, that” routine, but he also made references to the ‘armor of the roman soldier” as if THE ROMAN OUTFIT, was the perfect example of fighting wear and then assuming GOD WAS REFERRING to that “specific” armor as his focus, (I don’t  even remotely believe that) so again? My question to the clergy is ” WHY IS A SERMON ON FINDING THE SPIRITUAL TRUTH OF GOD related to THE PASTOR telling us about history, about the details of the roman uniform, and things NOT MENTIONED in the bible, AS IF GOD HAD INADVERTANTLY LEFT THEM OUT for all generations to come, SO WE’D NEED historians to help us understand THE TRUTH OF THE SPIRITUAL implications OF GOD? God’s arm is not shortened, nor his insights, nor his ability to provide the TRUTH for ALL GENERATIONS to come, through his word, We DONT NEED TO KNOW THE HISTORICAL setting, the historical lifestyle, GOD’S word transcends all that, and speaks to us regardless, right?

ANSWER:

True, you don’t need to know the historical setting of the bible, for that same argument, you don’t NEED to listen to a sermon each week either; you could just discern the bible for yourself and be done with it.

BUT most do not read the bible for themselves, so they rely on a teacher/pastor to feed them – an attitude you will always find amongst the largest of groups.

And remember, the bible is a historical document, written in a specific age, by a specific race of people, in a foreign language on the other side of the planet. Much different than 2009, America.

And someone who has already studied the “history” has translated your bible into English for you…..but why is there more than one translation? Each editor has their own English interpretation, so who’s interpretation of God and history do you rely on more?

Why does Jesus talk about figs a lot? Because he lived [geography] in an area of figs and olives.

Why does the bible mention kings and their reigns? So that you can get a sense of how many years have past or of when this event took place. If you read the book of Nehemiah it might sound like he marched right off to help build the wall in Jerusalem, but in truth if you count the kings, he left to build the wall 93 years after the first refugees left.

Why does Jesus say yoke? Why did he start his ministry at age 30? Why did people leave their employment to follow him? All of the answers lie in the [culture] the age in which he lived.

Do you NEED to know the answers? …No… do they matter for salvation?…..no…. Is it important truth that as you say, “was left out by God”….no

But I think history unlocks lots of things that help us to always look at the bible with fresh eyes and that is important to people who read it over and over; and for people who never read it at all.

The great thing about the bible is, we all subconsciously approach it with our own bias and interpretation to begin with, some read it literally, others as history, others as metaphor, others as story… who is wrong? Ha ha, that’s usually the question we ask first, isn’t it? We want to know who is wrong so that we can pat ourselves on the back as being the “right one.”

But what does Jesus tell the woman at the well? She asks him a theological question… Where should we worship?

John 4

⁹“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. ²⁰Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

²¹Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ²²You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

What is Jesus’ answer? “You’re both wrong.” [I love it] Jesus says we must worship God in “spirit” and “truth.” And I would offer the same be true for your own bible study. The Greek word for “truth” in verse 24 surprisingly means “truth” and it is a very all encompassing truth, one that completely defies inaccuracy and challenges the reader from every angle.

How do we unlock the truth of anything? I would suggest study. In studying the bible for truth would the history of the text be a good thing to look at? Yes. Would language? Yes. Other texts in scripture? Yes. What about other texts outside of scripture? Absolutely. Would anything be “out of bounds” if you are truly looking for truth? I don’t think so. That’s why police case files are gigantic. That’s why every detail is filled, studied, interviewed and dissection: the investigators are after truth.

Do we need to be that voracious in our study? Of course not….Is it fun? I think so…