April 24, 2013
IN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "OF" AND
"IN" RESTS A WORLD OF SALVATION
With the uttering of a one word difference, Satan altered the perceptions, thoughts, beliefs, actions, and behavior of the entire human race. The one word difference?—“Not,” as in “You shall surely not die” (Gen 3:4). By adding just one word to God’s command, “You shall surely die,” sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rom 5:12).
Obviously, words matter as in they are literally a matter of life and death. What we believe is rooted to and shaped by the Word of God. How the Word of God is translated therefore is not a trifling concern. Reading the Scriptures in our own native tongue is how we first come into contact with the thoughts of God. Now, while we are capable of translating thoughts from one language to another, such as the Greek of the New Testament to contemporary English, there are a number of translation subtleties and difficulties that present us with choices that have significant ramifications. One such translation choice that has significant ramifications concerns two prepositions, “of” and “in.”
Now my desire in this brief space of a bulletin article is not to bog you down with the technicalities of Greek grammar, but in order to appreciate the significance of a translation choice between “of” and “in” it is necessary that we get a little grammatically technical. Just hang in there and I promise you will benefit from and not regret the effort.
One “tricky” phrase to translate in the Greek New Testament is pistis Christou. Pistis is the word for “faith” and Christou is our English word, “Christ.” Now an accurate translation would not be “faith Christ.” Greek is a language that uses various case endings on the end of words to notify the reader as to the preposition that is to be understood. Without further explanation, the two letter, “ou” at the end of Christou signifies that the word is in what is called the genitive case. The genitive case typically signifies “possession.”
The problem is that there can be various “kinds” of possession. In the case of pistis Christou the question is are we to understand Christou as objective genitive (“in Christ”) or subjective genitive (“of Christ”)? Compare the following two translations of Galatians 2:16 and see if you note the difference of how they are understood:
“in order to be justified by faith in Christ” (English Standard Version; Objective genitive)
“that we might be justified by the faith of Christ” (King James Version; Subjective genitive)
The English Standard version (ESV) uses the objective genitive in Galatians 2:16 which conveys the idea that my faith is directed toward Christ like an arrow to a target. Jesus is the object of my faith. In other words, the impression given is that I am justified by the exercise of my faith in Christ. The King James version (KJV) on the other hand uses the subjective genitive in Galatians 2:16 which conveys the idea that the faith of Christ is directed toward me like an arrow to a target! In other words, the impression given is that I am justified by the faith of Christ.
We can see a world of difference between being justified because I exercise my faith toward Jesus and the faith of Jesus being exercised toward me! The question is the source and movement by which we experience justification. We are justified not because we put faith in Jesus. We are justified because of the faith and obedience of Jesus Christ. In other words, not my faith, but the faith of Jesus Christ exercised in obedience to the Father’s will is what brings justification. Between “of” and “in” rests a world of difference and the salvation of our souls!
– Terry
Camp News -- Our theme this year is Remember. This will be our last year at Box R Ranch so it is going to be a special one. We will be remembering all that God has done for us in this special place, as we also parallel that with His commands to Israel to always remember what He had done for them.
Camp dates are July 7-13. Camp cost is $165.00 with an early bird discount of $15.00 if your registration is paid in full by June 10th. Registration deadline will be June 25th. Camper ages are: completed third grade through Seniors graduated in 2013. We will have camper registrations available the first part of May.
Please make plans to join us for our last year at Box R Ranch - it will be a very special year!
**Camp Fundraiser Dinner – May 17. We are praying to raise at least $6500.00 to support our last and most memorable year at Box R Ranch. We are planning a fun night for everyone. Please be watching for more details to come.
**Camp Kitchen Drive -- This year we will be having a Camp Kitchen Drive. We are asking that all month long you bring in kitchen supplies such as paper plates, napkins, plastic ware, plastic wrap, etc. to help with our kitchen costs this year. Donations may be dropped off in the boxes at the back of the auditorium.
VBS will be June 18-21 from 9:00-11:45 a.m. each morning. Contact Denise Beeks if you can help with VBS.
Sunday Morning Class Teacher is needed to teach our K-1st grade class from May until August. If you would be able to serve our children in this way, please contact Denise Beeks.
80th Birthday Celebration -- The family of Truman Scott invites you to share in his 80th Birthday Celebration on Saturday, May 4th, from 2-4:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. This is a “Come and Go” event. (No gifts please - but birthday cards would be welcome if you so desire.)
Men’s Day Golf Scramble -- The Keizer Church of Christ invites our men to a Men’s Day Golf Scramble on Saturday, May 18. Please see the notice posted on the courtyard bulletin board for more information.
Coffee Servers are needed for May and June. If you can help, please sign up on the list posted in the hallway by the stairs. Thank You. (May is almost here.)
Prayer Requests & Praises . . . For Mike Eddy who is recovering at home from knee replacement surgery - he is doing well at this time...For EEthel Flock as she recovers from a stroke - she is in RRMC Room 3375 - she is able to have visitors now...For Wade Bryant who will be having neck fusion surgery on April 29 at Providence Hospital...For Mel Hamilton as he recovers from foot surgery...Kathy York requests your prayers for her friend, Logan, who has been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer - also her friend, Sue’s surgery was successful and she is now cancer free...Sara Cade wants to thank everyone for their prayers for her eye surgery. She appreciates you all...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
May 4: Come and Go Birthday Party for Truman Scott;
Fireside Room; 2:00-4:00 p.m.
May 17: Camp Dinner and Auction
June 18-21: VBS
July 7-13: Camp at Box R Ranch
