Ernie wrote:
I think I could probably find a theologian who would say something similar about every other "word" or "phrase" mentioned in this thread. (I'm not trying to disagree with you in this post, just showing how an why these words or phrases keep being repeated generation after generation.)
The same can be said of the question of divorce, and many people choose a Bible teacher who agrees with what they want to do. And some leaders choose the easiest interpretation to enforce.
But it doesn't matter what teachers say. It only matters what God said in the Scriptures. We won't stand before our elders or some other theologian--we will stand before Almighty God.
Yes, interpretations on meanings and applications of words and phrases that can literally be found in scripture exists for sure. I think the word 'divorce' is quite commonly understood as a word but the application of this word certainly has varying views especially when related to remarriage. Sometimes people read the scriptures on certain things as black and white (no grey areas) and thus what they believe is what God was actually saying. This could ignore context and/or other related scriptures on the same issue. But as scripture also says we now only know in part. I do believe the part we do need to know to be saved is clear but some would even disagree with me on that.
Regarding the "living hope" found in 1 Peter 1:3, the word "hope" has different understandings also. In our everyday life it is commonly used to mean "wishful thinking". Something may or may not come true but we hope or wish that it will. But in the bible it is more a "confident expectation" that will come true. A conviction in our spirit with the Holy Spirit that what is "hoped for" will, no doubt, come to be.
"Wenn der Zorn des Herrschers wider dich aufsteigt, so verlaß deine Stelle nicht; denn Gelassenheit verhindert große Sünden." Prediger 10.4 (that's Ecclesiastes).
And in Schlachter 1950:
"Wenn der Zorn des Herrschers gegen dich entbrennt, so verlaße deinen Posten nicht; denn Gelassenheit verhütet große Sünden." Prediger 10.4
It's not in Luther though. He translates as follows (1912):
"Wenn eines Gewaltigen Zorn wider dich ergeht, so laß dich nicht entrüsten; denn Nachlassen stillt großes Unglück."
That's by far the worst and least understandable translation of the three IMHO.
