26. November 2007 by James.

Of all of the in-your-face biblical “told-you-so’s” - John 3:16 takes the cake as the most “duh” verses that Christians quote to convert people to their view of God.

What more could be said about the verse that is the pillar of Fundamentalist, Evangelical, Mainstream Christian, Catholic, Mormon, Jehova’s Witness and David Koresh ”proof”?    Here’s the verse in the “Authorized” (King James) version thanks to biblegateway.com.

Some questions should be asked - so I did.

“God so loved the world”.

God - who does this mean? God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?  Did Jesus the Son so love the world that he gave himself?  Or did God the Father so love the world that he gave himself?  Does the Holy Spirit give the Son or God or himself?

So - Does this adverb measure his love, “it’s soooooooooo big”, or is it a statement of “so…..” therefore, given that, because of….?

Loved - Is this past tense ?  Does he still love?…to the same degree?  Was it the condition of the world at the time that he loved, or does he continue to love the condition of the world today?  If so, why not say Loves instead of Loved?

World - Is this geographic and geologic, nature? Or to people?  Perhaps the universe?

… that He gave His only begotten son…

Gave - What does this mean?  Gave only to those with open hands - ready to receive, or did he give to everyone? 

Only begotten son - Ummm.. refer to the question about God.  Does this mean Mary’s only son? If he’s “begotten” how is he eternal?

…that whosoever believeth in him…

Whosoever - Again is this limited only to a few?  Can people choose to be a whosoever?

Believeth - Even the devil believes - surely there is some qualification of belief?

In Him- Some versions say “On Him“.  In what he says, what he did, that he existed? Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit, or just Jesus? On the foundation of Him?

…should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Perish - Die? Go to hell? Die for a while?  Experience the wrath of God? Whosover shall not perish, or everybody?

Everlasting Life - Live forever? Go to heaven? Live again? Be resurrected? Live until the second coming? Some versions say “age-enduring” or “of the ages” does that mean until the end of time? Then what?

Ok.  Surely there are answers to these questions.  But they are not easily uncovered.  Which version should we use to answer these questions?  Obviously the inspired words were written in Greek.  But who can interpret ancient Greek?  We’re now left with a challenge to our faith.  This challenge reduces us to “version wars” which detracts from our ability to dig deeper. 

Technology today has opened a plethora of study tools that open the Greek to the common student of scripture.  A Greek text with sublinear renderings of this verse is helpful and available from scripture4all.org and other sources. 

The answers are in the Greek text, not in man-made translations. 

My next post will open up the Greek text for word-by-word rendering and deeper revelation of this most promise-filled truth from the scripture.

Stay tuned.

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26. November 2007 by James.

Denver airport during a flight cancellation is mind-numbing. What makes it even better is the people who are convinced that the whole terminal - even the air traffic control system - exists for their own satisfaction and approval. “This is not Starbucks folks!” These airport employee types are NOT programmed to say YES to your every need.

The guy with the confused frown cemented on his face seems to think he’s at Starbucks and the people in the red vests are obliged serve him a triple shot Americano with a squirt of English Toffee for his troubles.  His girlfriend – sporting a blank stare – is playing “sucky-face” with him in a failed attempt to suck his frown off his face.  It won’t help much; he’d still be confused about his inconvenience.  “My flight?” he seems to be asking, “Cancelled?  How dare they?!”  He seems unaware that there are a hundred people sharing his traveling bliss.

He sits behind me.  I’m facing the counter with the red digital sign that scrolls, “FLIGHT 320 – DES MOINES – CANCELLED – MECHANICAL PROBLEMS”.  His back is toward me, and the counter, but he untangles himself from his girlfriend’s arms and looks over his shoulder at the red sign-of-despair as if it will instantly bring good news.  His face is in my space, next to my left ear.  He doesn’t seem to notice, so I adjust my position to clear his line of sight with the sign.  He doesn’t move, just stares at the sign.  After a while I’m uncomfortable in my “adjusted” position, so move back.  He doesn’t budge.  He’s now staring at my left ear.  I’m thinking he’ll soon give up, so hold my position.  He seems to be studying my ear-hair.  I’m not budging.

I figure if I talk to my fellow traveler Jon, Mr. Confused-Frown will get the hint that he’s invading, and get out of my space.  He puts his legs up on the chair next to him, leans back against the arm of his chair and settles in – studying my left ear that’s blocking his telepathic control over the sign-of-dispair.  I have a huge mole behind my left ear.  I hope he enjoys it.  I’m distracted, so my conversation with Jon is pointless.  I duck down again to clear his view.  He stares at the sign, controlling it with his super-powers to change – “YOU’RE NOW IN DES MOINES – THANK-YOU FOR FLYING THE FRIENDLY SKIES”.

I’m uncomfortable in my twisted crouch, so I move back into my seat.  He stares into my left ear – then starts whistling Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony in D – my left ear is his only audience.  The air from his puckered lips puffs my hair.  I give up.

I shift to the front of my seat so he’ll blow his foul-smelling music into the back of my head – and maybe he’ll take a hint at my sudden movement.  Beethoven’s refrain was never so annoying.  He whistles beautifully – on key – good tone – vibrant rhythm.  My back is sore from leaning forward.  I lean back in my seat and move even closer to him.  Self-defense experts teach that leaning into your foe reduce his leverage and power – this should push him back.  The galloping part of Beethoven’s Fifth is puffed into my ear from an even closer distance.  Somebody else can have my seat – I’m going to the bathroom defeated.

I hope his girlfriend sucks Beethoven out of his musical mouth.

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