In With the Old

Recently I received a 'new' Bible. It is a new binding and typeset. But, it is a very old translation. The 1599 Geneva Bible. Tolle Lege press has published an edition of the Scriptures that is very well done. The Geneva Bible was the backbone translation of the English speaking world from its first printing in 1560 until well into the 17th century. What the folks have done at Tolle Lege is remarkable. Until now if you desired to read or use this translation you had to read a facsimile of an original. It takes some adjusting to use one. The spelling, punctuation, and type set have been updated. It contains all the text, less the Apocrypha, and the original notes. It is quite a work.

What amazes me is the ease with which it is read. Even for a modern English speaker the syntax is not difficult. It is much easier to read than the venerable Authorised Version (KJV). Theology aside it is easy to see why the Geneva remained the favoured translation for a long time after the publication of the KJV.

Perhaps with this new publication the older will replace the younger. It really is a beautiful translation. So, go out and buy a 'breeches Bible' for yourself. You won't regret it.

(I do not receive compensation in any form from Tolle Lege.)

Clean Shaven

For the first time in almost half of my life my face is clean shaven. Yes, that may not mean much to you, but it is quite a change for some in my life. My daughter, up until three weeks ago, had never seen me in that state. I must admit it is still distracting to me when I pass a mirror or window in which I can see my reflection. It was not something that I desired to do. It was a requirement of my new 'secular' job.

It has been amazing to see the reactions of people who know me. Some people I've known for years have passed me without knowing they did so. They do a double take and, BAM! realisation sets in. Being in this renewed state has caused me to reflect upon just how much we become accustomed to appearance; how we come to expect certain people's appearance to remain static, how we find comfort in familiarity. We find comfort in being able to foreknow what is coming to some degree.

Unfamiliarity brings with it distraction. The first Lord's Day that I preached with my new look it was quite comical. As I preached I could tell that many people were gazing intently at my chin. Normally, the majority of my congregation maintains a good degree of eye contact, but not that day. Yesterday one member, who had been in attendance for the past three weeks, came to me and said, 'Pastor, I finally realised that you've shaved your beard off. I knew you looked different, but I could not place it. Now, I can really listen again.' I believe that in the life of a congregation stability and predictability can be a blessing; even in corporate worship. In our day of constant striving for new and innovative worship we may be missing a vital function of delivery: constancy. Are we in our endeavour for the novel missing the blessing of the mundane? Have we begun to place needless distractions in front of our congregants eyes and hearts?

Then there is the fact of setting: Recently I and my family have dipped our toes into the world of Reenacting the War Between the States or the War for Southern Independence. (Yes, I do not call that war the PC term. Regardless of your 'side' it is not an accurate term.) When I sported my beard it seemed to just 'fit'. Witness the photo above. Now I'm a clean shaven soldier. The look is completely different.

What has that to do with our view of congregational life? When we make a change we should be careful to see that the change fits the culture and manners of the situation in which we are placed. I know that this is elementary, but I constantly receive mail and emails touting instant church growth if one will purchase and apply the following 'package'. Some sorts of outreach, worship style, discipleship, etc, work very well in one setting and are totally inappropriate in others. Something as simple and basic to American Christians as 'door knocking' would be disastrous in other settings eg. the church in China, Vietnam, Tajikstan, or any other place where the church is undergoing persecution. This appears obvious, but do we do the same thing in our own subcultures? I believe so.

We would be wise to prayerfully consider any changes we make in our families and churches. Some changes, those mandated by Scripture, obviously should be pursued - within context. Others, perhaps not.

Mea Culpa

Dear Readers,
Please accept my apologies. Over the past few several weeks I've had a whirlwind of changes take place. I went from being a general contractor during the week to sub-contracting. The work took me away from home for 12 - 16 hours each day. This left little time for reflection let alone writing. Three weeks ago I took a new job with a national building supply company as an outside salesman. It is a welcome change.

Additionally, our congregation is undergoing some interesting changes that are consuming my time.

But, this does not end my endeavour to raise the standard of Biblical Manhood. So, press on men. Honour God. Pursue the ideals of chivalrous living. Love and cherish those in your course of life, especially the women.

Until I have more time,
Lawrence