the Unequal Exchange and our Richest Treasure

Here we are again, on this Happy Reformation Day, enjoying Martin Luther's insights on the gospel of grace...

The Scripture, in many places, calls Christ our priest, bridegroom, love’s delight, etc., and us who believe in him, his bride. This is a fair, sweet, loving picture, which we always should have before our eyes. For, first, he has manifested his office of priesthood in this, that he has preached, made known, and revealed his Father’s will unto us. Secondly, he has also prayed, and will pray for us true Christians so long as the world endures. Thirdly, he has offered up his body for our sins upon the cross. He is our bridegroom, and we are his bride. What he, the loving Saviour Christ has - yea himself - is ours; for we are members of his body, of his flesh and bone, as St. Paul says. And again, what we have, the same is also his; but 
the exchange is exceeding unequal; for he has everlasting innocence, righteousness, life, and salvation, which he gives to be our own, while what we have is sin, death, damnation, and hell; these we give unto him, for he has taken our sins upon him, has delivered us from the power of the devil, and crushed his head, taken him prisoner, and cast him down to hell; so that now we may, with St. Paul, undauntedly say: “Death, where is thy sting?" 

When we have our sweet and loving Saviour Christ, we are rich and happy more than enough, and we are comforted in his promise, where he says, “I am daily with you to the world’s end.” This is 
our richest treasure.

Martin Luther, Table Talk CXCI and CCXXIV, translated by William Hazlitt, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/luther/tabletalk.v.i.html.

Fast food chicken

This was in Dar es Salaam. Here in Musoma, chickens are delivered on the back of a bicycle. It's Tanzania's version of KFC!

Titus times three

This week in the Mara Cluster Project we held a translation workshop for three languages: Simbiti, Kwaya and Zinza. Our goal was to translate the book of Titus. My friend Andre led the workshop and allowed me to watch and learn. Andre is from the Netherlands and he is a veteran Translation Advisor and new Translation Consultant.

Before the workshop, Andre and I did our exegetical study of Titus, looking especially for possible translation challenges. Our Tanzanian colleagues drafted the book of Titus into their heart languages from various Swahili Bible versions.

When we all met together, we walked through the entire book of Titus, verse by verse. Our aim was to translate God's Word clearly, accurately and naturally. It was fun to see the Tanzanian translators challenging each other and helping each other. For example, we were working on Titus 3:4, "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us." The Simbiti team found a great word for "kindness" but the Kwaya team struggled to find the right word. When the Simbiti translators shared their word and the meaning behind it, a light bulb came on for the Kwaya translator and he found a good word in his language. Another time the Simbiti team was struggling and the Kwaya translator provided some insight. That's one beauty of a workshop setting.

We spent a good deal of time discussing Paul's warning in Titus 1:10, "For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. Were these people believers or unbelievers? The answer influences the way we translate.

Finally, we even looked at conjunctions to make sure that the text flowed naturally. For example, consider the conjunction "but" in the following...Titus 3:3-4, "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us." Is Paul contrasting time: once, we disobeyed God but now God saved us? Or is Paul contrasting topic: we disobeyed but God saved us? The answer influences the way we translate.

In the book of Titus, Paul gives Titus character qualities to look for when appointing elders in the church. {we had an interesting discussion about a "one-woman man" in a culture that still practices polygamy} This guidance will be a great benefit for churches here in Tanzania because in many churches here, people are given the role of elder simply because of their perceived status or because they donated lots of money to the church building. God's Word tells us how to be God's Church.

Praise the Lord! Now three more people groups will have the book of Titus in their heart language!

Daddy, why did the terrorists blow up Planet Yogurt?

The tragedy in Nairobi, Kenya hit very close to home for us. Nairobi is only a 12 hour drive away. On our trip to Nairobi in June we spent a good deal of time at the Westgate Shopping Center. We ate some pizza, did some shopping, bought some gifts, filled some prescriptions, and of course, enjoyed Planet Yogurt (the self-serve-frozen-yogurt-wonderland). It's a beautiful building and a nice place to relax. We loved it!

But then last month a group of terrorists took control of the building, captured hostages, opened fire, threw grenades, injured 175 people and murdered 61 civilians.

How do we explain this to our kids?

First, we had to preach truth to ourselves because Jeannette was feeling, "the safest I've felt in Africa was when we were at that Mall."

To combat a false sense of security and strengthen our trust in God we turn to

Isaiah 26:4 Trust in Yahweh forever, For in Yahweh, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

During supper one night, we explained the whole situation to our kids. Kara's first response was, "Why would those bad people want to blow up Planet Yogurt? I love Planet Yogurt. Are we ever going to be able to go there again?"

To combat fear, we turn to

Isaiah 41:10  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

That night before bed, Luke prayed, "Dear God, help me to think about the light and not the darkness, help me to think about you, not about shooting."

To guard our thinking we turn to

Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Ellie said, "I hope the people who died were trusting in Jesus because then they wouldn't have to be afraid when they died because they would go to be with Jesus."

To kindle our hope we turn to

Revelation 21:1+3  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."

Therefore death, tragedy, terrorism, eternity, sovereignty, and hope became normal topics of conversation in our house. So, in the end, we thank God for the chance to teach our kids (and remind ourselves!) of the beauty and power of God's Word.