Tuesday, August 6, 2013
New Lower Price
The price for the complete Etymological New Testament has been reduced for the paperback edition to $18.60. The price for the Kindle edition remains the same at $2.99 each. This is effective immediately, August 6th.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Matthew 5:48
"You therefore shall be mature, as your upward-vision Abba is mature."
The Etymological New Testament consistently translates the Greek "TELOS" family of words by the root sense of maturity. The basic meaning is that of full grown, perfect, ripe, etc. It is striking to see the various contexts in which this word is used. In this verse, we are to grow into maturity in the same way our "upward-vision Abba" is mature. Rather than a call for religious perfection, Jesus' concern if for grown-ups: people who are mature and ready for living life to the full.
The Etymological New Testament consistently translates the Greek "TELOS" family of words by the root sense of maturity. The basic meaning is that of full grown, perfect, ripe, etc. It is striking to see the various contexts in which this word is used. In this verse, we are to grow into maturity in the same way our "upward-vision Abba" is mature. Rather than a call for religious perfection, Jesus' concern if for grown-ups: people who are mature and ready for living life to the full.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Matthew 5:45
"that you may be children of your Abba who is in upward-vision: for the same maketh the sun to rise on the misery-gushing and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust."
After teaching us love our enemies and to "toward-good-have" those who persecute us, Jesus make clear the result of this non-violent love: we are then children of our Abba who is in upward-vision. And this is the same One who oversees the indiscriminate sunlight. Rather than "the evil and the righteous", the Etymological New Testament has more literally "the misery-gushing" and "the just." There are those humans who are passionate about justice/righteousness. And there are those who gush with misery/evil. Yet, upward-vision's sunlight blesses all. And so should we.
After teaching us love our enemies and to "toward-good-have" those who persecute us, Jesus make clear the result of this non-violent love: we are then children of our Abba who is in upward-vision. And this is the same One who oversees the indiscriminate sunlight. Rather than "the evil and the righteous", the Etymological New Testament has more literally "the misery-gushing" and "the just." There are those humans who are passionate about justice/righteousness. And there are those who gush with misery/evil. Yet, upward-vision's sunlight blesses all. And so should we.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Matthew 5:43, 44
"You have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy; but I say unto you, love your enemies, and toward-good-have for those who persecute you."
There had been a time when Israel understood that they were to kill their enemy without pity: men, women, children and suckling babe. 1 Samuel 15. Nursing children were to be exterminated for what their ancestors had done almost four centuries previous. Now Jesus brings a new message and increasing light.
Part of this new message is that we are to "toward-good-have" for those who persecute us. This three part Greek word is translated with hyphens in the Etymological New Testament. Typically "prayer", this word indicates that we are to hold others (even those who hate us) in goodness or well-being. This is the concrete practice of loving one's enemies: the willingness to pray or hold them toward the good.
There had been a time when Israel understood that they were to kill their enemy without pity: men, women, children and suckling babe. 1 Samuel 15. Nursing children were to be exterminated for what their ancestors had done almost four centuries previous. Now Jesus brings a new message and increasing light.
Part of this new message is that we are to "toward-good-have" for those who persecute us. This three part Greek word is translated with hyphens in the Etymological New Testament. Typically "prayer", this word indicates that we are to hold others (even those who hate us) in goodness or well-being. This is the concrete practice of loving one's enemies: the willingness to pray or hold them toward the good.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Matthew 5:40, 41
"And if any human would go to law with thee, and take away thy tunic, from-let to him thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, under-lead with him two."
Jesus had already taught that, as we resist evil, we are to resist it non-violently. And now he gets specific. If any human (the Etymological New Testament differentiates "male" from "human" in the Greek text) uses the law to take your undergarment, then "from-let" to him your outer garment. The Greek word often translated "to forgive" comes from a two part word meaning literally "to let go from." Whether it is someone else' wrongs or our own outer garment, there are times to "from-let." In this verse, it is a way to resist evil without employing violence.
In the same way the ENT translates ultra-literally with the word "under-lead." By acquiescing to being compelled to go a mile, we begin to transform the relationship from victim/abuser to something new.
In addition to providing interesting information about etymologies, the ENT also allows the reader to see how the same word is uses in a variety of passages where it simply cannot be translated by the same English word. It is fascinating to read the New Testament and see the number of things that we are to "from-let."
Jesus had already taught that, as we resist evil, we are to resist it non-violently. And now he gets specific. If any human (the Etymological New Testament differentiates "male" from "human" in the Greek text) uses the law to take your undergarment, then "from-let" to him your outer garment. The Greek word often translated "to forgive" comes from a two part word meaning literally "to let go from." Whether it is someone else' wrongs or our own outer garment, there are times to "from-let." In this verse, it is a way to resist evil without employing violence.
In the same way the ENT translates ultra-literally with the word "under-lead." By acquiescing to being compelled to go a mile, we begin to transform the relationship from victim/abuser to something new.
In addition to providing interesting information about etymologies, the ENT also allows the reader to see how the same word is uses in a variety of passages where it simply cannot be translated by the same English word. It is fascinating to read the New Testament and see the number of things that we are to "from-let."
Monday, June 17, 2013
Matthew 5:38,39
"You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, resist not violently the misery gushing: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Occasionally, very literal translation requires an additional word to clarify the meaning of the original one. In the passage above, the Etymological New Testament makes the meaning clear with the translation "resist not violently." Jesus' point is not to forbid all resistance to evil (gushing misery), but that we not employ violence as we resist. To miss this sense of the original can make a critical difference in how we engage society around us. In this way, the turning of our cheek is not mere passivity to evil aggression, but a strategic part of our resistance to miserable evil around us in this world...as followers of Jesus' way.
Occasionally, very literal translation requires an additional word to clarify the meaning of the original one. In the passage above, the Etymological New Testament makes the meaning clear with the translation "resist not violently." Jesus' point is not to forbid all resistance to evil (gushing misery), but that we not employ violence as we resist. To miss this sense of the original can make a critical difference in how we engage society around us. In this way, the turning of our cheek is not mere passivity to evil aggression, but a strategic part of our resistance to miserable evil around us in this world...as followers of Jesus' way.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Matthew 5:36 , 37
"Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your speech be, Yea, yea; No, no: and whatsoever is more than these is of misery-gushing."
Jesus embraces what could be called the Minimalist Theory of Morality. Rather than recommending the elaborate oaths common to the middle eastern culture of his day, Jesus instructs us to keep it simple. The best way to communicate one's integrity is to simply affirm with one word...and then do it.
The Etymological New Testament notes the problem with any further speech, "...and whatsoever is more than these is of misery-gushing." Shakespeare would later write, Methinks thou dost protest too loudly. Jesus identifies the source of extraneous affirmation: "misery-gushing." Typically translated "evil", this Greek expression is a two-part word from "misery" and "to gush." As we see too often among our political leadership (and religious institutions), when they wish to obscure they multiply words. Let's embrace the minimalist idea and "swear not at all", even if a court asks us to do so. Our yes or no will mean just that.
Jesus embraces what could be called the Minimalist Theory of Morality. Rather than recommending the elaborate oaths common to the middle eastern culture of his day, Jesus instructs us to keep it simple. The best way to communicate one's integrity is to simply affirm with one word...and then do it.
The Etymological New Testament notes the problem with any further speech, "...and whatsoever is more than these is of misery-gushing." Shakespeare would later write, Methinks thou dost protest too loudly. Jesus identifies the source of extraneous affirmation: "misery-gushing." Typically translated "evil", this Greek expression is a two-part word from "misery" and "to gush." As we see too often among our political leadership (and religious institutions), when they wish to obscure they multiply words. Let's embrace the minimalist idea and "swear not at all", even if a court asks us to do so. Our yes or no will mean just that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)