What is faith?
I.N.R.I.--the crucifixion inscriptions What is the Bible to be used for? What does God mean by forgiveness? (This one is long.) |
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Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen. Hebrews 11.1 [KJV]
--This is my favorite verse in the Bible. To me, it shows that there are two realms of existence for humans: the physical or what is seen and the spiritual or what is not seen. I think that if people accepted this division, fewer would feel the need to find "scientific" proof of God's existence. Christians should not feel they have to prove their beliefs. Their faith is the substance of those beliefs and evidence enough to them. At least, my faith is enough for me. That realization came only after I was thoroughly confused by fellow "intellectuals" in college, who demanded proof of things. My faith in God is just that--mine! Thus, it's not for anyone else to try to prove or disprove. |
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The
inscriptions on the cross:
1) And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS." Matthew 27.37 [NASB] 2) The inscription of the charge against Him read, "THE KING OF THE JEWS." Mark 15.26 [NASB] 3) Now there was also an inscription above Him, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." Luke 23.38 [NASB] 4) Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, "JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS." John 19.19 [NASB] Oh, dear!
Is the Bible contradicting itself? NO! Read the next verse
that John wrote. "Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription,
for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written
in Hebrew, Latin and
in Greek." [John 20.20, NASB]
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All
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting
and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3.16-17
[NIV]
I think this translation best gives speakers of contemporary English the
idea behind this verse. Many translations say the Scripture is "inspired"
by God. We've lost the early sense of inspire: to breathe into; thus,
verse 16 loses some of its power. When we read it as intended, that
God breathed the words into the very mouths of the authors, we realize
just how strong a message this verse carries. Despite arguments that
something has been lost through time and translations from so many sources,
God has instilled in the Bible the very essence of Himself, and no matter
how many times the verses are recopied, the truth remains in them.
This collection of teachings has stood the test of time--the Old Testament
has survived basically unchanged for millenia. The New Testament
is approaching its two-thousandth year. Not a bad record, is it?
God works in His time, and over time has kept the core of His teachings
unchanged, so that everyone may read His words and know they come from
Him. "They" say that when all else fails, read the instruction manual.
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Bibles
I own are listed below. As I mentioned, I am a foreign language teacher.
In order to get a more thorough understanding of the moods and nuances
of the original, I like to compare different English versions. Inter-version
word studies are very interesting.
--Ryrie Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible, pub. Moody Press, Chicago.
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--A thank you goes to Dr. James Brodman for providing the Latin translation of John 19.19. | |
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