Month: March 2018

Bible Reviews · Bibles · Uncategorized

A Review of the Crossway Greek New Testament Produced at Tyndale House Cambridge in Hardcover.

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

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Admittedly the market for Greek New Testaments is smaller than that of English Bibles.  However, there is indeed a market.  For those of you who have a desire to own a Greek New Testament, I imagine it is because you are either studying Greek, or already read Greek.  The most prevalent Greek New Testament out there is the Nestle Aland 28.  Crossway decided to produce this edition because of some scribal discrepancies that have come to light.  Here is a link to their page with a video that explains more of the reasons why they produced this edition.  Here is a link to their FAQ site.  I found it helpful.  You will too.  My review will be more about how well this edition is made.


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Judging the copy I was sent, I would say that Crossway used some pretty good materials in this edition.  The paper was impressive.  It isn’t a higher cotton content hardback novel type paper, and it isn’t a thin Bible paper.  It has a smooth texture to it and a bit of weight without being as thick and heavy as 80# paper.  Crossway says, it is a 70gsm Salzer.  I like it.  It doesn’t have much ghosting, but is thin enough to make a lighter volume.  It is also evident that they employed line match printing.  This also makes it easy on the eyes.  I know that I started in the wrong order by talking about the paper first.  It just impressed me 🙂 the print is nothing to be laughed at either.  It is a 10 pt font.  That is just about perfect for reading.  This edition also comes with a higher quality black ribbon page marker.  Most Bibles skimp on the ribbon markers, not this one.

The New Testament comes with a cardboard slipcase.  It is pretty sturdy and handsome.  Make sure to keep it for storing your New Testament on the shelf.  Better to have the slipcase take the ware and tare of being shelved than the edges of your hardcover.  

 

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This edition has a sewn spine for many years of use and flexibility.  The spine didn’t take hardly any break-in time.  This edition is case bound obviously.  It couldn’t be edge line bound because it is a hardcover.  There is a genuine leather edition, but I believe it is also case bound.  You could always have it sent out for a rebind if you desire an edge lined edition.  This wouldn’t be possible if it didn’t have a quality sewn binding.

This is a single column, paragraph layout with book titles, chapter and verse numbers, and page numbers.  It is easy on the eyes, very legible.  Reading it is more of a strain on my brain as a neophyte, than it is on my eyes.  If you are in the market for a Greek NT to read daily, this would be an excellent choice.  I am no Greek expert, but I do know about quality in materials and manufacture.  This edition is put together well, and should last you a long time.

Make sure to look at all the pictures I took of this edition on my flickr page.  You can purchase your copy from Christianbook, Amazon, or directly from Crossway.
ISBN-13:  9781433552175

https://www.crossway.org/bibles/the-greek-new-testament-produced-at-tyndal-hconly/

Uncategorized

Jesus in the Psalms.

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Come, look and see who David was truly talking about. 

For those who have eyes to see.

O the majesty of Christ, the holy Word of God,

Who by His perfections has ordained for us to know Him by His word.

Psalms 21 & 22 (NASB)

“For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

O LORD, in Your strength the king will be glad, And in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice!

You have given him his heart’s desire, And You have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.

For You meet him with the blessings of good things; You set a crown of fine gold on his head.

He asked life of You, You gave it to him, Length of days forever and ever.

His glory is great through Your salvation, Splendor and majesty You place upon him.

For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence.

For the king trusts in the LORD, And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken.

Your hand will find out all your enemies; Your right hand will find out those who hate you.

You will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger; The LORD will swallow them up in His wrath, And fire will devour them.

Their offspring You will destroy from the earth, And their descendants from among the sons of men.

Though they intended evil against You And devised a plot, They will not succeed.

For You will make them turn their back; You will aim with Your bowstrings at their faces.

Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; We will sing and praise Your power.

For the choir director; upon Aijeleth Hashshahar. A Psalm of David.

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.

O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but I have no rest.

Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.

In You our fathers trusted; They trusted and You delivered them.

To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed.

But I am a worm and not a man, A reproach of men and despised by the people.

All who see me sneer at me; They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying,

“Commit yourself to the LORD; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”

Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb; You made me trust when upon my mother’s breasts.

Upon You I was cast from birth; You have been my God from my mother’s womb.

Be not far from me, for trouble is near; For there is none to help.

Many bulls have surrounded me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.

They open wide their mouth at me, As a ravening and a roaring lion.

I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And my tongue cleaves to my jaws; And You lay me in the dust of death.

For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.

I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me;

They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.

But You, O LORD, be not far off; O You my help, hasten to my assistance.

Deliver my soul from the sword, My only life from the power of the dog.

Save me from the lion’s mouth; From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me.

I will tell of Your name to my brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

You who fear the LORD, praise Him; All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel.

For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from him; But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.

From You comes my praise in the great assembly; I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him.

The afflicted will eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever!

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations will worship before You.

For the kingdom is the LORD’S And He rules over the nations.

All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship, All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.

Posterity will serve Him; It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.

They will come and will declare His righteousness To a people who will be born, that He has performed it.”

cultural · submission · Uncategorized

Obey Christ’s Word, Not Culture.

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

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What do we hear, culture, the feelings of people, or God by His word? Who should we obey, our societies culture, human feelings, or God? When other voices lie, and tell you that men and women have interchangeable roles, the word of God is clear.

Let’s start with this, “16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)

“11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.” 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (NASB)

This is in reference to the weekly gathering. Paul explains why this should be in verses 13, and 14. The word, “saved” is from the Greek word, “σώζω sotzo” and is more akin to being made whole, and healthy as in sanctification rather than in the justifying sense. Women are not justified by childbirth, but rather it is sanctifying. If you will notice the proviso of continuing in faith is included.

“ 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

This section of scripture not only prescribes how women should submit, but also displays how it is akin to the submission of the bride of Christ, to Christ as her head. Christ who submitted to death on the cross, to cleanse for Himself a bride. There is no disgrace in humble submission. It is beautiful.  You will see this in Ephesians 5 as well.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:22-33 (NASB)

“1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:1-15 (NASB)

“Qualifications of Elders

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” Titus 1:5-9 (NASB)

Hopefully you can see from these diverse scriptures the many and harmonious ways that authority and submission are made evident in the marriage, and The Marriage of Church to Christ.  Holy submission is not a thing to be rebelled against.  The world’s values are not ours.  A position of authority in the Church is not an exultation of man, but rather a greater submission in humility to the commission of Christ our King.  He places men as Elders to love His flock.