Take Your Stand

The Bible acknowledges that there are some gray areas in how we live out the faith. These shouldn’t make us unsettled, for the Lord has given guidance concerning our convictions. In this episode, I present an overview of the topic, drawing primarily from Romans 14. The matter of “faith” is central to the discussion.

Kevin DeYoung. “The Hole in Our Holiness.” (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012). Kindle E-reader, pp. 33, 34.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The terms “evangelical” and “evangelicalism” can be somewhat confusing. This is because they have a broad usage and a more narrow application. I give a short overview of the subject and suggest two books for further information.

“Gospel People,’ by Michael Reeves:

https://www.crossway.org/books/gospel-people-tpb/

“Finding the Right Hills to Die On,” by Gavin Ortlund:

https://store.thegospelcoalition.org/tgc/products/7099/finding-the-right-hills-to

Ortlund, Gavin. Finding the Right Hills to Die On: the Case for Theological Triage. (Wheaton: Crossway, 2020). Kindle E-reader, p. 12.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

When it comes to reading the Bible on our own, there are a few techniques or tools that can act as a guide. As we look at repeated words, we can find the main point and carry that with us. I give a few examples of how this plays out and offer some questions of application.

For the meaning of “appraise:”

“G350 –anakrinō - Strongs Greek Lexicon.” Blue Letter Bible, 2023. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g350/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Although we may not often think about it, our songs teach us. There’s nothing wrong with the fact: Scripture says that’s one purpose of music. We should rejoice in songs that accurately teach truth and be discerning with new music we listen to.

Holy, Holy, Holy – traditional hymn

A Triune Prayer, Chris Anderson and Molly Ijames

All Praise to Him, Sovereign Grace Music (Matt Merker and Bob Kauflin)

Before the Throne of God Above, traditional hymn

In Christ Alone, Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

The Blood of Jesus Speaks for Me, Travis Cottrell and David E. Moffitt

The Lord is My Salvation, Keith Getty, Kristen Getty, Nathan Nockles, and Jonas Myrin

Your Will Be Done, CityAlight (Rich Thompson and Jonny Robinson)

Sing, by Keith Getty, GettyMusic Songs. (Nashville: B&H Academic Publishing Group, 2017). Kindle E-reader, p. 47.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

I share a broad overview of the season and explain the basis for the main points to be covered. The local church and music have been themes I’ve wrestled with with for several years, and I’m excited to bring these up throughout the season, although each episode won’t always address them. I also share a brief lesson about the need to develop a deepening relationship with Christ in the face of difficulties.

Here is my blog :

https://lukeseibertblog.home.blog/

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

As I close out this season, I share five of my favorite books. Most of them have been talked about at some point on the podcast, but I group them here together and give a brief overview of why I believe each of these books is worth reading.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

In this episode, I recap where we have been over this season. We have covered a lot of ground in discussing how we got the Bible as well as surveying a few translations available today. I bring things together and present a short overview of the main terms, figures, and events to remember. I also share a few takeaways and lessons we can learn from this study.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The New Living Translation (NLT) is a dynamic equivalent with a desire to help readers understand the message of the Bible. Several well-known scholars worked on this version, and I also share some examples of how the translation philosophy is played out in a few verses. At the close of the episode, I give a brief review of Kevin DeYoung’s book, “The Hole in Our Holiness.”

“The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap Between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness,” by Kevin DeYoung:

https://www.crossway.org/books/the-hole-in-our-holiness-tpb/

NLT introduction: https://www.bible-researcher.com/nlt1preface.html

NLT scholars: https://www.tyndale.com/nlt/meet-the-scholars

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

We move into the discussion of dynamic equivalent translations this week with the New International Version (NIV). I share some details about this version as well as counter some accusations raised against this Bible. I conclude with a brief discussion of the “Grace and Truth Study Bible” by Zondervan.

NIV Preface: https://bibleversion.org/bible/versions/modern-english/new-international-version/new-international-version-preface-1978/

NIV Committee on Bible Translation: https://www.thenivbible.com/about-the-niv/meet-the-translators/

BibleGateway on NIV: https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/new-international-version-niv-bible/

NIV translators: https://www.bible-researcher.com/niv-translators.html

Statement of concern on TNIV: https://www.bible-researcher.com/tniv2.html

“Grace and Truth Study Bible:” https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2022/09/zondervan-releases-nasb-grace-and-truth-study-bible-1995-text/

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is a new translation that splits the middle between formal and dynamic equivalence. I share a little about those involved in the translation as well as some endorsements for the version. At the close of the podcast, I discuss Mark Dever’s book, “The Compelling Community.”

“The Compelling Community: Where God’s Power Makes a Church Attractive,” by Mark Dever:

https://9marks.myshopify.com/products/the-compelling-community-where-gods-power-makes-a-church-attractive?_pos=1&_sid=156dffd97&_ss=r

CSB 2020 update information: https://csbible.com/2020updates/

Biblegateway on CSB: https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Christian-Standard-Bible-CSB/

Endorsements: https://csbible.com/about-the-csb/endorsements/

Changes from HCSB: https://csbible.com/ministry/hcsb-to-csb/

CSB oversight committee: https://csbible.com/about-the-csb/translation-oversight-committee/

CSB translators: https://csbible.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/TranslationTeam_HCSB-CSB-1.pdf

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.