What in the World is
All This? Evening Thoughts |
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Elder
Phillip N. Conley |
February
8, 2019
Language
is such a natural part of our lives that we many times don't
think about where things come from or how things are
commonly used. For example, have you ever thought about
sayings and clichés like "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse"
or "That's too much sugar to make a dime."? They are thrown
about so commonly we don't think about what they say in
literal sense. Yet, when taken literally, many of these
things could be considered absurd and ridiculous. And yet -
funny enough - when we read the Scriptures, too many
theological fancies have come about by not granting the same
latitude when considering language. It has never ceased to
amaze me that people will try to fable-ize Genesis 1 when
the language is literal in scope (the evening and the
morning were the 1st day, etc.) and then try to literal-ize
the book of Revelation when the language is symbolic in
scope (1,000 years, etc.).
When at least an equal sense of latitude is given to
Scripture as we would our common expressions, I believe we
will step into less theological black holes. For example,
the word "world" is likely as misapplied as any word in
Scripture due to the repetitious usage of the verse John
3:16. It is not only expressions that have multiple senses
but singular words do as well. If I used the word "trunk" or
"country," you would need context to know if I was talking
about a suitcase, elephant's snout, base of a tree, or back
of a car with the former and nationality, geographical area,
or rural surroundings with the latter. Context matters, and
language is a wonderful thing with flavors, nuances, and
layers of usage. So, now you ask me - kind reader - "What in
the world is all this you are talking about?" How nice of
you to inquire! And in pun as well! Consider the word
"world" as we would consider the words "trunk" or "country."
At times the word might mean the globe on which we dwell. At
others, it might refer to people in the earth, and yet at
others, it might describe influences and manners that are
observed and found. Scripture highlights these usages quite
clearly with the proper context, and therefore, a verse like
John 3:16 can be reasoned through with context, Scripture
comparison, and a little common sense thrown in.
John 3:16 cannot use the word world to mean the globe itself
based on the language of II Peter 3. Peter describes in some
detail how the Lord will set fire to the globe itself and
burn it up with the contents in it. This will happen in a
moment, and all things still within this globe will dissolve
forever. Does this sound like the action of a benevolent God
toward that which He loves? Common sense answers that
handily.
John 3:16 cannot refer to influences and manners due to the
language of the verse itself. Too many verses in Scripture
talk of Christ's death fulfilling His Father's will to be
for people and not objects or intangible influences. Not
only that, but John tells us in I John 2 that there are many
influences in the world that are "not of the Father:" the
lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of
life.
Therefore, we are left with the definition of world from
this verse to mean people. So, the simple proposition
becomes, what people? Is it some or all? Another simple
Scripture comparison should answer this from later in the
same book (John 17:9). Jesus says He prays for "them" and
not the "'world." He then distinguishes who "them" are by
describing them as those the Father gave Him. Therefore, the
"world" from this verse could not possibly be the same
people that God loved in John 3:16. What kind of sense would
it make that Christ/God would love someone He wouldn't pray
for? Again, common sense answers that handily.
So, now I ask you - kind reader - what in the world is all
this? What we have attempted to do above is hopefully
logical, easy to follow, and above all sound. What makes it
so difficult for so many to see? Is it simply a matter of
revelation? (Matthew 11:25) Is it a failure to understand
rules and usage of language? Is it a lack of common sense? I
am no expert, but I suspect it is a combination of all, and
with current cultural observation the latter 2 factors sadly
become more common. As an engineer in my secular occupation,
I am not expected to know a lot about language, and many of
my peers seem amazed at my vocabulary and knowledge of
language. I have tried to tell them numerous times that
regular, devoted Bible reading can do more for that than
other things I know. Sadly, I have observed trends where
knowledge of language and understanding of its layers
degrades as time marches on.
Now, what in the world do we do? I can think of no better
method than to pray for those that God loved so much that
His Son died for them if peradventure God may give them a
little enlightening and refreshing down within their souls.
Perhaps we may be the very tools He utilizes to assist them
in coming to proper conclusions based on what the Scriptures
teach. It has been and I hope will continue to be my fervent
prayer that God would strengthen and add to Zion. Not for
our glory, but for the edification of His dear people and
the ultimate glory of His good name. While the world will
one day be on fire and all the worldly influences gone
forever, I'm supremely thankful to belong to a world of
people "so loved" and adored by He who needs nothing that He
gave everything for that world so that they would live
forever at home with Him.
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