Round the Sphere Again: Explaining the Text

…or how not to interpret it.

Owe No One Anything
I’ve known Christians who use Romans 13:8 to teach that it is wrong to borrow money, including some say, taking out a mortgage or a loan to purchase a car. D. A. Carson explains why this verse, read in context, doesn’t say that.

For all kinds of reasons it may be best to avoid fiscal debt of all kinds. But that is scarcely the point the apostle is making here.

(For the Love of God)

Might Not Perish
Back in the olden days, I knew someone who insisted that “that whosoever believes in him might not perish” meant that there was a real possibilty that a believer could wind up perishing after all. But the text isn’t saying that at all. Bill Mounce explains that the above quoted phrase from John 3:16 is a purpose clause telling us that

the purpose of giving his Son was so that believers will most certainly have eternal life.

(Koinonia)

You’ll notice that some versions choose to translate it as “shall not perish” or “will not perish” in order to reflect this certainty; or, to put it more correctly, in order to not introduce an uncertainty that isn’t there. (My general use translation, the ESV, goes with “should not,” which is a little “iffy.”)

A Catechism for Girls and Boys

Part I: Questions about God, Man, and Sin

21. Q. What is your soul?
      A. My soul includes all of me that should know and love God  Ep 3:16-19).

(Click through to read scriptural proofs.)

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Sunday's Hymn

Hail, Thou Once-Despised Jesus!

Hail, Thou once despisèd Jesus! Hail, Thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to release us; Thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, Thou agonizing Savior, who hast borne our sin and shame!
By Thy merits we find favor; life is given through Thy Name.

Paschal Lamb, by God appointed, all our sins on Thee were laid;
By almighty love anointed, Thou hast full atonement made.
Every sin may be forgiven through the virtue of Thy blood;
Opened is the gate of Heaven, reconciled are we with God.

Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory, there forever to abide;
All the heavenly hosts adore Thee, seated at Thy Father’s side.
There for sinners Thou art pleading; there Thou dost our place prepare;
Thou for saints art interceding till in glory they appear.

Worship, honor, power and blessing Christ is worthy to receive;
Loudest praises, without ceasing, right it is for us to give.
Help, ye bright angelic spirits, bring your sweetest, noblest lays;
Help to sing of Jesus’ merits, help to chant Emmanuel’s praise!

—John Bake­well

My hymn book has this hymn set to the tune Autumn, although there are others that seem to be more common, including Hyfrydol.

Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:

• Update: Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast at Conjubilant with Song
  
• Update: Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me at Field Stone Cottage
• O Safe to the Rock That Is Higher Than I at Whatever Things
• Victory in Jesus at Theology for Girls
• My Faith Looks Up to Me at Rosemary at Home
• O That I Had a Thousand Voices at Hiraeth
• O Happy Day, That Fixed My Choice at The Happy Wonderer
• Lord’s Day 7, 2010 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Psalm 93 at Daily On My Way to Heaven
• Voices of the Past - February 13, 2011 at The Upward Call

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.