I am taking the unusual step of re-blogging a post by Don Merritt (one of the movers and shakers behind Church Set Free) to Church Set Free.
Because this post – whilst not quoting any verses or chapters or books – is a post that is inextricably linked with our communication of those very verses and chapter and books making up the bible (and any other text we might discuss). It is inextricably linked with “communication” – and church is about relationships – and relationships work with good communication (and suffer with bad communication).
And then (heaven forbid!!) add our Father to that mix: how we talk to Him, and how we hear Him. This post is relevant to that as well.
I haven’t seen a post like this which transfers so directly into the conversation about – and within – church. I am so glad Don wrote this.
(as always – comments are disabled here, please pop across to Don’s place and join the conversation, thank you)
It is entirely normal for word usage to change over time as a language and culture evolves. This is one reason that most people today no longer use the older English translations of the Bible; they are written in a language nobody speaks in the 21st century. I mentioned in a post a few years ago that once upon a time I had a bunch of people in a Sunday School class who objected to the NIV being used in class, preferring instead the King James. I offered to teach the entire class from then on in King James English and we took a vote: King James English won the day, and the following week, I spoke only in 1611 English.
The people couldn’t follow very much, quickly became frustrated, and the point was made. A new vote was taken, and we returned to language they understood the next…
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