“Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong,” said Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, in AD 156 before climbing onto a pyre where Roman authorities would burn him to death. Eyewitnesses reported the local authorities respected Polycarp and begged him to recant his faith in Christ. He would not. The Romans did not even tie Polycarp to a post because they knew he would not flee the fire. Polycarp fed his captors, prayed over them, then climbed the pyre to die.
Heartbreaking words for those of us who have loved ones who do not know Jesus. "I cannot convince you...". Brings to mind Luke 16:31, when the rich man longed for someone to go to his brothers and tell them the truth so that they wouldn't join him in torment. Abraham replied, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." Thank God that the Spirit can and does still call out to the wanderers, just like He did me, for there is always hope for the lost if they'll cry out to Jesus. Merry Christmas and may God's mercy be recognized and not scorned this year.
Adding the extra "s" at the end is redundant, and what's worse, it's the European style. Whereas, the other example - Jesus' - is the American style, which is why it should be seen more often (at least in our media/publications). We are losing several unique qualifiers of American English usage for European, such as the Collective Noun, for example. Noah Webster helped distinguish American English from British English, but now we're undoing that. A language helps make a people.
It has to do with how one chooses to pronounce the possessive form of His name, either via prior instruction or simply out of personal habit. Pronounced in the possessive as JEE-zus, add the apostrophe alone. (Which of course is the same pronunciation as the proper noun form.) Pronounced as JEE-zus-uz, the apostrophe “s” is added. Or some, given the apostrophe alone, pronounce it as JEE-zus-sssss. Which to anyone sounds odd. Readability also is a factor. Traditional theological authors, J.I. Packer for one, who was Anglican and who wrote “Knowing God,” an important 1973 landmark work that speaks to this day concisely to every Reformed denomination, used the apostrophe “s.” Which just is easier to read without that slight mental pause to get past with the tail-end apostrophe staring at you. Admirable as Americanized usage may be, as identified in The Chicago Manual of Style, it’s nevertheless a sure bet nowadays that not one out of 500 of a random sample of the great unwashed, backward ball cap and flip flop-wearing Americans ever give any thought whatsoever on any given day to mirroring thoughtfully in their elocution American vs. European usage. Not when they routinely use phrases like, “PIN number” and “ATM machine.”
When I say: "In Jesus' Name," I don't say "In Jesus-es name." I pronounce His name with its non-possessive sound - without the extra -es. I was taught to use it consistently across the board with all possessive singular nouns which end in -s, and I prefer that more traditional style (I also use an Oxford comma, for example). As I said initially, I think it's important to keep our American English distinct from the British/European version. I do not like the move towards allowing that latter version to supplant the former. In my opinion, it's another example of the academic society of this country undermining Americanism. The bastardization of our language flows from above.
There have been many more considerations than how one pronounces a word; such as, whether it's a Biblical or Classical name, how the end sounds, or if it's one or two syllables; so, this boils down to which style you follow, I suppose. Of course, I generally avoid this problem, since I use His Hebrew name of Yeshua.
By the way, I haven't found a “mental pause” necessary and find the extra -'s visually clutters up the page.
As for your reference to Mr. Packer, of course he used the -'s in 1973; he was a British-born Canadian, so you kind of emphasized my point. His usage is quite irrelevant to American grammar rules.
Lastly, about the great “unwashed” of America and their cognizance of these distinctions, I don't think we decide these things based upon whether a person in a particular social status takes consideration of it. That being said, some of this can, and should, be remedied with a proper education system teaching critical thinking and the inculcation of a patriotic worldview that we used to have. This “American Mind” would naturally safeguard against encroachment of international conformity. I would venture to say, however, that these persons you refer to have more traces of that mind than those in modern academia, whether they can fully articulate it or not... or if they currently say “PIN number.”
So, I come full-circle to my position that this is another aspect of our national character eroding, caused by those wanting to undermine it and move us into a more European direction. Something I began noticing in small ways in the late '90s.
Obviously, some of us care and others don't, but more should and could: we've been asleep at the wheel while others have been active within our school systems causing all sorts of mischief.
Regardless of our different views: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I'm always encouraged and fortified reviewing the lives and deaths of our Christian brethren through history. Both the lives and deaths of Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp are essential context for how we ought to live our lives today. Scripture is the guide. The preceding brethren are the example. We cannot be reminded enough.
Thanks for sharing this Eric. Regarding the Con Man theory, this has been my go-to for a long time.
What if I am wrong in believing in Jesus - ok, I fell for it and wasted a lot of time and money on a con that wasn't real. But, what if you are wrong in non believing in Jesus - Hell is hot and Eternity is forever my friend.
Your thinking is very similar to Pascal’s Wager. The problem with this train of thought is that belief in Jesus as Lord and Saviour is not a calculated decision based on the possible outcomes. Belief is based on the conviction of the Holy Spirit which brings about a heartfelt repentance and submission to Jesus as Lord.
I believe God knows what each person needs. Some need to be able to point to proof before they experience the Holy Spirit and accept Christ, others don’t. Our paths may be different but we all end up in the same place with the same Christ.
Thank you Erick for posting this and for the boldness of your faith. Prayers for you and your family.
What you look for, you will find. Those who seek for controversy and disunity will find it. Those who seek after repentance, forgiveness, and love will find it also. Man does not change scripture. Scripture, God's Word, changes Man and those who forget that will learn the hard way. God bless Erick and Godspeed.
Thank you Erick for bring all this up. I was the Honorary Pallbearer yesterday for my closest friends funeral. He was also very close to the Lord and His ways. But also your covering James and his book, was a remembering of my state 42 years ago last Feb. We had a lot of ice on power lines I needed to get off so was 17 feet on my ladder hitting the ice off when the ladder went out from under me and I came down on my back on a ridge of ice and totally demolished my L-3 and L-4. My wife took me to the hospital and they said I would never walk again. I got out in 3 days and was in a wheel chair. Two day later, I went to Church and Pastor Becker ask me if I believed in James and what he had written. I of course do as I believe ALL of the Word. So he, and two Elders came to our place on Tue. afternoon and Prayed over me and the oil, and left. My wife helped me out of my chair into bed that night. The next morning, I put my hand down on my leg to push it out of bed and I could feel my hand for the first time. I then moved it out and slide out of bed ONTO MY FEET. I have been walking ever since. Praise the Lord and Praise James for having that in His book in the Bible.
And Praise you for getting out these messages for this Christmas time.
I debate atheists as a side hobby. Many, many atheists cling to the line that Jesus was a fictional character. I suspect mostly because if they conceded that He was a true historical figure they would have to explain his half-brother’s and especially Saul of Tarsus’s change of heart after Jesus was crucified.
As has been said, “If there were no God, there would be no atheists.” Many of the “beliefs” of so-called “atheists” stem from their intense envy of people of faith. What they hate in Christians is missing in them.
Heartbreaking words for those of us who have loved ones who do not know Jesus. "I cannot convince you...". Brings to mind Luke 16:31, when the rich man longed for someone to go to his brothers and tell them the truth so that they wouldn't join him in torment. Abraham replied, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." Thank God that the Spirit can and does still call out to the wanderers, just like He did me, for there is always hope for the lost if they'll cry out to Jesus. Merry Christmas and may God's mercy be recognized and not scorned this year.
Erick’s knowledge of Christian history and theology is inspiring. Can anyone recommend a book that gives an accurate and good overview of this?
Well written and truthful. Thank you
Awesome!
I learn so much from you! Thank you.
This is one of my favorite posts you share every year. Merry Christmas! For unto us a child is given...
Thank you, Eric. Thank you.
We appreciate your using the correct form of “Jesus’s” instead of the illogical, but more commonly seen form “Jesus’.”
Adding the extra "s" at the end is redundant, and what's worse, it's the European style. Whereas, the other example - Jesus' - is the American style, which is why it should be seen more often (at least in our media/publications). We are losing several unique qualifiers of American English usage for European, such as the Collective Noun, for example. Noah Webster helped distinguish American English from British English, but now we're undoing that. A language helps make a people.
It has to do with how one chooses to pronounce the possessive form of His name, either via prior instruction or simply out of personal habit. Pronounced in the possessive as JEE-zus, add the apostrophe alone. (Which of course is the same pronunciation as the proper noun form.) Pronounced as JEE-zus-uz, the apostrophe “s” is added. Or some, given the apostrophe alone, pronounce it as JEE-zus-sssss. Which to anyone sounds odd. Readability also is a factor. Traditional theological authors, J.I. Packer for one, who was Anglican and who wrote “Knowing God,” an important 1973 landmark work that speaks to this day concisely to every Reformed denomination, used the apostrophe “s.” Which just is easier to read without that slight mental pause to get past with the tail-end apostrophe staring at you. Admirable as Americanized usage may be, as identified in The Chicago Manual of Style, it’s nevertheless a sure bet nowadays that not one out of 500 of a random sample of the great unwashed, backward ball cap and flip flop-wearing Americans ever give any thought whatsoever on any given day to mirroring thoughtfully in their elocution American vs. European usage. Not when they routinely use phrases like, “PIN number” and “ATM machine.”
When I say: "In Jesus' Name," I don't say "In Jesus-es name." I pronounce His name with its non-possessive sound - without the extra -es. I was taught to use it consistently across the board with all possessive singular nouns which end in -s, and I prefer that more traditional style (I also use an Oxford comma, for example). As I said initially, I think it's important to keep our American English distinct from the British/European version. I do not like the move towards allowing that latter version to supplant the former. In my opinion, it's another example of the academic society of this country undermining Americanism. The bastardization of our language flows from above.
There have been many more considerations than how one pronounces a word; such as, whether it's a Biblical or Classical name, how the end sounds, or if it's one or two syllables; so, this boils down to which style you follow, I suppose. Of course, I generally avoid this problem, since I use His Hebrew name of Yeshua.
By the way, I haven't found a “mental pause” necessary and find the extra -'s visually clutters up the page.
As for your reference to Mr. Packer, of course he used the -'s in 1973; he was a British-born Canadian, so you kind of emphasized my point. His usage is quite irrelevant to American grammar rules.
Lastly, about the great “unwashed” of America and their cognizance of these distinctions, I don't think we decide these things based upon whether a person in a particular social status takes consideration of it. That being said, some of this can, and should, be remedied with a proper education system teaching critical thinking and the inculcation of a patriotic worldview that we used to have. This “American Mind” would naturally safeguard against encroachment of international conformity. I would venture to say, however, that these persons you refer to have more traces of that mind than those in modern academia, whether they can fully articulate it or not... or if they currently say “PIN number.”
So, I come full-circle to my position that this is another aspect of our national character eroding, caused by those wanting to undermine it and move us into a more European direction. Something I began noticing in small ways in the late '90s.
Obviously, some of us care and others don't, but more should and could: we've been asleep at the wheel while others have been active within our school systems causing all sorts of mischief.
Regardless of our different views: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I'm always encouraged and fortified reviewing the lives and deaths of our Christian brethren through history. Both the lives and deaths of Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp are essential context for how we ought to live our lives today. Scripture is the guide. The preceding brethren are the example. We cannot be reminded enough.
Thanks for sharing this Eric. Regarding the Con Man theory, this has been my go-to for a long time.
What if I am wrong in believing in Jesus - ok, I fell for it and wasted a lot of time and money on a con that wasn't real. But, what if you are wrong in non believing in Jesus - Hell is hot and Eternity is forever my friend.
Your thinking is very similar to Pascal’s Wager. The problem with this train of thought is that belief in Jesus as Lord and Saviour is not a calculated decision based on the possible outcomes. Belief is based on the conviction of the Holy Spirit which brings about a heartfelt repentance and submission to Jesus as Lord.
Well, don't take my comment too literally.
OK!
I believe God knows what each person needs. Some need to be able to point to proof before they experience the Holy Spirit and accept Christ, others don’t. Our paths may be different but we all end up in the same place with the same Christ.
Thank you Erick for posting this and for the boldness of your faith. Prayers for you and your family.
Thank you Mr. Erickson.
What you look for, you will find. Those who seek for controversy and disunity will find it. Those who seek after repentance, forgiveness, and love will find it also. Man does not change scripture. Scripture, God's Word, changes Man and those who forget that will learn the hard way. God bless Erick and Godspeed.
Thank you Erick for bring all this up. I was the Honorary Pallbearer yesterday for my closest friends funeral. He was also very close to the Lord and His ways. But also your covering James and his book, was a remembering of my state 42 years ago last Feb. We had a lot of ice on power lines I needed to get off so was 17 feet on my ladder hitting the ice off when the ladder went out from under me and I came down on my back on a ridge of ice and totally demolished my L-3 and L-4. My wife took me to the hospital and they said I would never walk again. I got out in 3 days and was in a wheel chair. Two day later, I went to Church and Pastor Becker ask me if I believed in James and what he had written. I of course do as I believe ALL of the Word. So he, and two Elders came to our place on Tue. afternoon and Prayed over me and the oil, and left. My wife helped me out of my chair into bed that night. The next morning, I put my hand down on my leg to push it out of bed and I could feel my hand for the first time. I then moved it out and slide out of bed ONTO MY FEET. I have been walking ever since. Praise the Lord and Praise James for having that in His book in the Bible.
And Praise you for getting out these messages for this Christmas time.
I debate atheists as a side hobby. Many, many atheists cling to the line that Jesus was a fictional character. I suspect mostly because if they conceded that He was a true historical figure they would have to explain his half-brother’s and especially Saul of Tarsus’s change of heart after Jesus was crucified.
As has been said, “If there were no God, there would be no atheists.” Many of the “beliefs” of so-called “atheists” stem from their intense envy of people of faith. What they hate in Christians is missing in them.
Amen, Amen & Amen.
Thank you Erick!