KJV: Literary masterpiece
It is no presumption to elevate the King James Version to the level of masterpiece.1 Indeed, the voices raised in praise of the King James Version during this 400th anniversary celebration are myriad (BBC, NPR, More NPR, Buckingham Palace, major newspapers around the world, etc.). The KJV, along with the works of William Shakespeare, has had more of an influence on the English language than perhaps any other work. Fundamentalist historian David Beale exclaims "The
What’s your style?
I worked part-time in a department store during my seminary years. The store promoted clothing from Ralph Lauren and other brands, with glossy posters and creative displays. Each brand presented a certain "look" to attract the customer. I soon became aware of the value of style. What is style? Style (from “stylus” or pen) indicates a manner of expression—the manner through which someone or something is presented and perceived. So you may have a particular
KJV: Shape of my life
I no longer have my first Bible. I'm not sure what happened to it, but it was one of those KJV gift and award Bibles (I probably won it in a Sunday School contest) and I think it took a fair beating. On my ninth birthday, I received my first proper Bible. It was a large King James Version Thompson Chain-Reference Study Bible. Not long after, my mum took me to a Christian bookstore to
Quadricentennial celebration (1611-2011)
We're just over a month now from welcoming 2011. Whatever else 2011 brings, it also marks four hundred years since the translation of the Authorised King James Version in 1611. This is a notable landmark for the Church of Jesus Christ and I hope to see it marked by celebration and a renewed focus on God's providential preservation of his word throughout the ages. Already Thomas Nelson and Hendrickson have published commemorative editions of the
Why some sins are worse than others
My high school classes are learning the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and this week we covered this question: Question 83: Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Answer: Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. Puritan pastor Thomas Watson (1620-1686) wrote a helpful description of the degrees of sin, excerpted below. It's a sobering study and well worth the read: 2.Such sins
No more days of goodbyes
Every now and then God brings someone into your life that blesses you. You feel a connection with them as you share together of God and life, the ordinary and the profound. And every now and then the time comes to say goodbye. I hate saying goodbye. Goodbyes make me sober. They make me reflective. They make me sad. Goodbyes make me think of heaven. They make me want heaven. They make me long for
The two books
In the Pixar movie Up, the story begins as a boy and girl meet and share a scrap book of their adventures. They later marry, still dreaming of exploring new lands. Growing old together, they were never able to actually go overseas and the wife passed away. Eventually the old widower re-opened the dusty scrap book. At first he feels regretful as he recalled their unfulfilled childhood dreams, but to his surprise, he discovered that
A photo won’t do
Pormpuraaw has two rivers. The Moonkan River to the north and to the south, the Chapman River. Beach stretches between the two mouths of the rivers and of course looks out to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Not far from the rivers are camping grounds with an amenities block and a sheltered barbecue area. The Chapman River has a boat ramp made out of cement and beside it, a platform with a bollard to tie up
Mitre 11
Pormpuraaw has a rubbish dump. It’s a mighty grand one. You spot it just before you reach town. There are poles at certain intervals, at the entrance to the dump, ready for the fencing but the fencing is across the way, curled up in cylinder formations, looking like hot water systems standing and waiting for attention. As you enter the dump, on the left you see piles of white goods giving the impression of a
I am the grain of God
I've recently been teaching a class on the topic of martyrdom. Since we enjoy the blessing of religious freedom and tend to take our liberty for granted, it's sobering to learn of persecution against Christians today and in church history. I'm struck by the resolution, even optimism, of the early church during the blood-stained Roman persecutions. "We multiply when we are mown down by you; the blood of Christians is seed. Dying we conquer. The