IBC Perspectives Magazine: Opinions

G. Jorge Medina was recently interviewed for an opinion by Perspectives Magazine. Medina is a Oneness theologian, specifically in Oneness eschatology.  He is author and compiler of Upholding Our Future Hope: An Apostolic Response to Preterism.

Perspectives Magazine asked these questions:

Theme: How our current economic crisis may play into end time prophecy.

1. Do you feel our current economic crisis could be a key part of end time prophecy? How? Explain what the scenario might be that this economic situation could bring about.
2. Do you personally feel that the World will recover from our current Recession or Depression? Is this THE ONE or will there be another that will usher in the AntiChrist?
3. If you were to guess, just how close to you think we are to the rapture? 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
4. Do you feel the church will experience any tribulation from world conditions prior to the rapture?
5. Is there scriptural support for a great endtime revival (ingathering) prior to the rapture of the church? What scripture?

Here is Medina’s full response:

As bad as our economy has gotten and as bad as it may get in the next few months, I am reluctant to attribute end-time significance to every event that seems to make life difficult for us on this earth. That would be a form of "newspaper eschatology." Seeing a "prophecy fulfillment" in every disaster or war reported in the newspaper does not help prepare the Church for the Lord's coming. On the contrary, you can cry, "wolf!" only so many times until those that have been in church for a greater part of their lives stop listening to the same old scare tactics, "The end is near, look at this microchip!", "the end is near, the US is at war!", "the end is near, the Jews signed a treaty!".

Do I believe the Lord is coming soon? Yes, definitely. I believe the Lord could come at any time, but we are not waiting for any specific prophetic fulfillment before that happens. Christ’s coming is imminent, and its only announcement will be the trump of God. How close are we to the Catching Away? To speculate of 7, 10 or 20 years is to miss the point. We are always only a blinking of an eye away from seeing Him in the clouds.

One of our movement’s greatest needs is for a responsible eschatology. We need to study Bible prophecy in a methodical, exegetical way, based on sound principles of hermeneutics, not on that day's newspaper, nor on some prophecy teacher’s speculations. Brethren, our only infallible guide is the Word of God. "Whether there be [human-given] prophecies, they shall fail..." but God’s Word remains forever!

G. Jorge Medina
Defenders of the Faith
http://www.defendersweb.com
Author and Compiler, Upholding Our Future Hope: An Apostolic Response to Preterism

IBC Perspectives Magazine - Modern Translation: Are These Good or Bad?

The Volume 20 number two edition of the IBC Perspectives included a compilation by Randol Easton of six Oneness ministers who were interviewed on the issue of modern translations. The IBC  Perspectives “magazine is published monthly (12 issues per year) by Indiana Bible College, Indianapolis, Indiana, Rev. Paul Mooney, President.” 

Perspectives is always full of useful information and data. The issues covered are typically significant in Oneness Pentecostalism. I wanted to post this particular data and my comments here.

Of the six ministers interviewed only one stated they use a version other than the KJV in the pulpit (NKJV). The other five stated that they used it “almost exclusively” or a “majority of the time” while reading the Scriptures from the pulpit.

All six interviewed however did admit that they consulted modern translations at some point in their study or devotional reading. Other translations cited by the ministers include the NKJV, NIV, the Message, Darby Bible, the Amplified, the NASB, or the HCSB. Besides the KJV the NKJV was most used.

Interestingly, those who “exclusively” or “primarily” used the KJV for reading purposes also admitted they used The Message translation often in study. The Message translation by Eugene Peterson is a very free translation and in no way literal. It does serve as a virtual commentary however on literal and often archaic passages of the KJV.

One minister stated that he will recommend the NIV or the HCSB to new converts who are struggling with the KJV. Overall, all six ministers appeared positive about new translations while rightly avoiding confusion by using various translations form the pulpit.

Using Modern Translations:

At some point a pastor or teacher may consider using a modern translation. J.R. Ensey, former president of Texas Bible College, recommends the ESV from his online bookstore and also uses the NIV to cite Scriptures from his blog. I would recommend either version for study but would encourage a literal translation, such as the ESV or NKJV, for use in congregational readings.

Versions such as the NIV or New Living Translation are not literal translations. A literal translation seeks to offer the words of the original language word or word in the English language.

David Norris, professor at Urshan Graduate School of Theology, concerning using various translations, has rightly noted “Change is inevitable; nonetheless, change is almost always painful. For many, any move away from the KJV strikes at the very core of their religious identity.” Norris has also noted “If and when individual congregations decide to “officially” utilize other versions along with the KJV” there are at least three things to keep in mind.

1. “Bible studies on how the Bible came to us should first be offered.” He also suggests that “In such a study, saints need to hear humility in the voice of the teacher, not pride.”
2. “The teacher needs to leave room for people in the congregation to disagree with the perspective being taught.”
3. “Along with this, another thing that can go a long way in a congregation being open to change is when the preacher offers occasional statements as to why a particular passage from another version is a good reading.”

He also suggests that new churches have the opportunity to select a modern version with less problems. Older churches however will have to be handled differently with wisdom and care since some “have a lifetime of hearing and reading the KJV”. I believe the KJV is a good translation. In it we can find Gospel truth as in most other translations.

JN Anderson

NOTES:

IBC Perspectives magazine, Vol. 20 No. 2 pg. 5

http://www.advanceministries.org/

http://jrenseyblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/

Norris, David K. “First of All—Do No Harm”. Symposium paper response presented at 2009 UGST Symposium.