In the first place, I think we have been asking the wrong questions. We have been focusing on what the world around us understands. I think this is wrongheaded. Doesn't God Himself via Paul tell us that the natural man cannot understand the things of God? Therefore we ought to be focusing on getting folks saved, THEN, communicate to them the Scriptures as they are. Again, I must remind you fellers of this:
Nehemiah 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
To read something "distinctly" means to present something in a clear manner. To "give the sense" obviously means to explain it. To "cause....to understand" should be obvious.
If it was neccessary for the priests to explain God's word, then why are WE having such a hard time with this concept? Remember, we are NOT talking about a translation here. This was in the original language of the OT. Yet, the priests STILL had to explain it.
I think many of you guys are missing this point, (which I brought to the discussion a few pages back). I think this whole issue of whether or not 'terrible' is right or is 'awesome' a better word misses the mark. And it diverts us from doing our duty to those who would hear us.
The OP asked about an 8yr old kid. Perhaps we ought to take our cue from the priests of God and 'give the sense' of the word to this kid so he can understand that YES God is terrible AND at the same time He is awesome AND at the same time He is loving, just, merciful, righteous, holy, fearful, powerful, etc. I think it is foolish to assume an 8yr old kid can grasp the totality of the terribleness of God unless we "give the sense". I do NOT think God's word ought to be dumbed down to an 8yr olds understanding in every case. The gospel? Yes!!!!! By all means make it as simple as possible, but the attributes of God? NO!!! They just are NOT that simple!!!
Nehemiah 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
To read something "distinctly" means to present something in a clear manner. To "give the sense" obviously means to explain it. To "cause....to understand" should be obvious.
If it was neccessary for the priests to explain God's word, then why are WE having such a hard time with this concept? Remember, we are NOT talking about a translation here. This was in the original language of the OT. Yet, the priests STILL had to explain it.
I think many of you guys are missing this point, (which I brought to the discussion a few pages back). I think this whole issue of whether or not 'terrible' is right or is 'awesome' a better word misses the mark. And it diverts us from doing our duty to those who would hear us.
The OP asked about an 8yr old kid. Perhaps we ought to take our cue from the priests of God and 'give the sense' of the word to this kid so he can understand that YES God is terrible AND at the same time He is awesome AND at the same time He is loving, just, merciful, righteous, holy, fearful, powerful, etc. I think it is foolish to assume an 8yr old kid can grasp the totality of the terribleness of God unless we "give the sense". I do NOT think God's word ought to be dumbed down to an 8yr olds understanding in every case. The gospel? Yes!!!!! By all means make it as simple as possible, but the attributes of God? NO!!! They just are NOT that simple!!!