Comments on: Words Sacred and Profane

By: Kent Nhicksar

Kent Nhicksar — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 17:32:18 +0000

you’re an inspiration Mr. Yancey. Godspeed.

By: Neil Cameron

Neil Cameron — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 05:36:44 +0000

Interesting that ‘grace’ has kept its meaning when many other words have not.

By: VickiG (@EMTP513)

VickiG (@EMTP513) — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 05:16:50 +0000

I feel I need to explain a bit about my friend, James, who responded to this article on Facebook. The one who’s angry at God and probably made it obvious through the implications in his comment.
His son was at Virginia Tech in 2007 when the shooter killed 32 people, wounded 25 and then killed himself afterward.
James is a retired Professor of Virginia Tech and was also there on the day it happened. Neither he nor his son were physically injured but his son was trapped in one of the classrooms the shooter went into; his son had to jump from a window to ground 20 feet below him in order not to be shot, but he sustained PTSD from what he saw and heard and experienced while trapped in the classroom.
The father is really upset about it, bc it could have been prevented if people cared more about WHO has access to deadly weapons, and the father has no problem voicing his opinion on the matter. Other than that issue and one other, the James is a great person.
After I was informally sent away from my church, I started being friends with people from online but none of them has a personal relationship with a higher power, much less God, and at least one doesn’t believe He exists at all.
None of them has judged me for having difficulty processing my confusion, pain and anger about certain things I’ve experienced. That’s one of the reasons I still talk to them, and for some strange reason, I never feel hostile toward them anyway.
Although I confess to feeling almost completely shocked when James responded to this article on Facebook. I was bowled-over with surprise bc he never wants to talk directly to religious people.
You’re the first one he’s done that with.

By: jeet

jeet — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 18:23:16 +0000

In reply to Philip Yancey. Dear Sir, Thank you for your reply and yes I do agree that in terms of theology I got to hold on those original scripts. It is also true that Holy Spirit does counsel while we read the word of God (irrespective of version and translation) to contextualize in reader's culture and his personal situations. Keep on encouraging sir, I really wish to have you in my city of India one day. Thank you again.

By: Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 18:01:45 +0000

In reply to Helmut Egesa Wagabi.

Good point. There are so many books on behavior and “being good” that I felt a need to provide a balance. I address some of this in the chapter “Loopholes.” Of course, the rest of Galatians is the strongest expression of grace in the Bible.
–Philip

By: Helmut Egesa Wagabi

Helmut Egesa Wagabi — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 15:18:13 +0000

I have just completed reading your book, WHAT IS SO AMAZING ABOUT GOD’S GRACE, and have liked it. However, I wonder why you never considered a passage like Galatians 6: 7 which teaches that we are bound to face the consequences of strange habits.

By: Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 14:47:48 +0000

In reply to Jeet.

Dear Jeet, The only way to communicate exactly is to become an expert in Hebrew and Greek and other original languages of the Bible. Whenever it’s translated into another language, there is a balance between exact translation and what’s called “dynamic equivalence,” which means the best way to communicate concepts from one language to another, which is not always literal. I use the New International Version in English, but there are many other very competent translations. I don’t see how this undermines the authenticity of God’s word. It merely challenges us to find the best application and meaning within our own culture.
–Philip

By: Jeet

Jeet — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 14:17:25 +0000

Fascinating post and ignite few questions as it actually connects with discussion that I had with my friend who prefers only few version of the Bible and reject the other. Please help me understand this dogma
1) If meaning of the word keep changing over the time, how can you communicate the inherent/original truth that word wanted to reveal?
2) Which version I should believe when it comes to various versions of the Bible?
3) How I can withstand arguments now on the authenticity of God’s word with people of other faith?

Thank you in advance,
Jeet

By: Miche

Miche — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 14:12:36 +0000

Fascinating! Wow, who knew?

By: Kathleen Michael

Kathleen Michael — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 17:12:14 +0000

Enjoyed this article, Mr. Yancey. How words change in meaning because of usage is interesting, something I’ve thought on from time to time. Occasionally will browse Noah Webster’s An American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828. Thank you for sharing the results of your time, energy, and effort.