Recent content by John of Japan

I completely agree. But that is not what asterisktom is saying.

Actually, I did some research, and it meant what we think of as "ghost" even back in the 17th century. So it is still a mystery to me why the KJV translators went with "Holy Ghost."

@asterisktom Can a "spiritual body" weep? Pretty sure it can't. :Coffee Tear ducts are physical. Yet in the Bible it says that in Heaven God will "wipe away all tears from their eyes" (Rev. 7:17, 21:4).

In order to differentiate between "ghost" and "spirit" in translating into modern Japanese, I would have to use the word 幽霊 (yuurei) for "ghost." That is not the same as just a spirit of some kind. It is always a dead person in non-corporeal form come to haunt and scare a living person. I am...

It doesn't "appear bizarre, is bizarre. Question: what in the world theological purpose is there for saying Jesus is no longer physical? There are clear theological reasons for Christ's bodily resurrection and continuing in a physical state. Nope. Doesn't prove a thing you are saying. And...

The Greek is the same for every single biblical statement of "Holy Spirit" and "Holy Ghost." "Holy" is an adjective, ἅγιος, and "Spirit" is a noun, πνεῦμα. I cannot think of a single theological reason for the KJV to translate these exact two words in different ways. Please educate me with the...

May God watch over your family. I have to say that no offense is meant, but this is one of the most bizarre interpretations I have ever heard of any Bible passage. Hebrews 5:7-10 is very obviously an idiom referring to His time on earth, in particular His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane...

Absolutely true. R. A. Torrey wrote in the famous "Fundamentals," the set of books that laid the theological foundation for fundamentalism (which at that time included all of evangelicalism), "While the literal bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian doctrine, it is...

And a bunch of other weird doctrines. I am. But I see very little congruency between those hazy (not in the Bible, not in church history books that I have) events and the book of Revelation. Where were the meteors, the creatures from the abyss, the third part of mankind dying, etc., etc.? And...

Growth is always good. I checked out Preston's web site. Some weird stuff on there. Kudos for teaching in that benighted land. I have always loved the Chinese--went to Japanese language school with many of them, and currently have Chinese students, but it would be really tough to live and work...

This is certainly the ideal. Usually, though, the nationals do not know the original languages, so a translation consultant is needed. Bibles International, affiliated with Baptist Mid-Missions (as you probably know), is a great ministry doing this. I've met their scholars, and they are quite...

Here's my ideal team: At least one native speaker with linguistic ability. They can be trained if they are able, but ability is a God-given gift. At least one translation consultant who knows the original languages. At least one style editor who can put the first draft into better, more...

You have changed. You said some time ago (years probably) that the Second Coming of Christ happened as a spiritual coming. I pointed out that "The body without the spirit is dead" (James 2:26). You got very upset with me at that, did not say what you are saying here, and quit the discussion...

When I was on the junior varsity wrestling team of Horlick High School, I went with the team to a meet to do my part, wresting up a weight at 145. I showed up ready to wrestle. Never was that good a wrestler, but I was there for the team. But then, my opponent never showed up, so I won by...

I had no intention of insulting you. I simply put what I feel about full preterism. You reject ("doubt") the doctrine of the future Second Coming of Christ, making it a "spiritual" coming in AD 70. That mystifies me. On the wall of the locker room when I was a high school wrestler, was the...