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SEPTEMBER, 1946
Greek Word Treasures BERNARD RAMM. A.B., B.D. John 1:12: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to be come the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." The Greek word for “power” used here is not the one commonly employed. The sense is that of the phrase, “power to vote," that is, “ the right, the privilege, the legal prerogative.” Those who received Jesus were accorded the right to be come members of God’s family. The expression, “ sons of God,” is more ac curately, “children of God.” It is not the usual word for “son” which is used here, but rather the word for “ child” (plural form). Hence, the bet ter translation is; “ the right to be come the children of God.” John 1:13: "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." This verse states in effect that man be comes a child of God by a divine birth. The force of the Greek sentence is somewhat lost by the change in order which the English translators have made. Since the Jews believed the seeds of inheritance were carried in the blood stream, the expression, “not of blood” indicates—"not on the basis of human parentage.” The right to join the divine family is not passed on as a right within a human family. The expressions, “w ill of the flesh, will of man” indicate that a man cannot regenerate himself: In the Greek, the last four words are "but from God were bom” (the “were born” being one word in Greek). The “but” puts this clause in direct opposition to the preceding statements, the sense being, “ not this way, but this way.” The “from” is the preposition of source and agency. Therefore, the source and agency of the "new birth,” which makes us children of God, are God Himself. “Were born” is passive voice; we are passive while God is active in this matter! The main thrust of this verse, then, is that our entrance into the divine family by faith in Christ is brought about by an operation com pletely divine in nature. John 1:14: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth." This is a very fasci nating verse. The expression, “was made,” suggests, “was manufactured.” The Greek word is better translated, "became.” How the Word “became” flesh is a divine mystery. The root of the word, “ dwelt” is “tent.” The Word “pitched his tent” of human flesh among us. The expression, “among us” evokes much thought. He lived with us, ate with us, drank with us, slept with us, walked with us, talked (Continued on Page 392)
Zada Stevens is working for her M.Ed. at Wheaton college; she states that she has seen the following Biolans at Wheaton recently: Lois Roth, Jettie Tadlock, Rosella and Wes ley Thiessen, Pete Gunther, Beulah Kenagy, Mary Ellen Lehman, and Nettie and Jean Campbell. Irene Gehman ’31, is a patient in thé La Vina Sanitarium, Pasadena. Although her physician has ordered quiet for her for several months, short letters and cards would cheer her greatly. Irene has been a teacher in Long Beach for some years; please pray for her speedy recovery. Adolph Liden ’43 has accepted a call to the First Baptist Church of Corning, Calif. Mrs. Liden, a real help meet in the Lord’s work, was a mem ber of Dr. Fuller’s radio choir before her marriage; the Lidens have three children. ' Florence Hardy ’27, and Mrs. J. Rus sell Davis (Miriam Grubb ’32) and children, sailed June 15 on the S. S. General Merge from San Francisco for Shanghai and Hong Kong. This is the first ship to go through to Hong Kong for several years. These missionaries are delighted to get back into active service on their field. Mr. Davis re turned to China early in the year. Gordon Titus, Th.B. ’46, was ordained to the Gospel ministry at Montecito Park Union Church, Lowell Wendt, pastor. Mr. and Mrs. Titus (Lorraine Ebel, former student) are taking up work in northern California under the American Sunday School Union. WITH THE LORD We have received the sad news of the death of John Lagar, beloved hus band of Ethel Moore ’20. Mr. and Mrs. Lagar spent a number of years as missionaries in Argentina. While we do not have the details of Mr. Lagar’s homegoing at this time, we are in formed that the Lagars were in the United States for some time. Biola Family extends sympathy to the be reaved ones, who do not mourn as those who have no hope. “Absent from the body ... present with the Lord.” MARRIED Robert William Burnes and Ida May Kilgore ’45, April 26, at Inglewood, Calif. Ivan V. Larson, Jr. and Jean Van Camp ’43, June 6, at Kansas City, Mo. At home 2419 Cleveland, Waco, Tex. Russell Nicholas Weeks to Ruth Elaine Olson, June 21, at the First Baptist Church, San Francisco, Calif. Kurt A. Ahlstrom to Anne Stone (former student) June 22, at the Evan gelical Free Church, Los Angeles, Calif. BORN To Ralph and Dorothy Wetmore a
[ MONEY TALKS BACK They do me an injustice who j | say that I am the cause of all | j the woes in the world. | I am an obedient servant run- 1 [ ning on whatsoever errands I am [ 1 sent. j I I am always under orders. ( Give me the opportunity and i | I will build the highways of | i peace by which humanity may | ! enter into the kingdom of God. i Loose me and let me go and I I I will carry healing to the suffer- j I ing victims of hate and malice 1 j around the world. | Open the doors for me and I I | will build hospitals, train nurses, j | care for little children, comfort j ( the aged and provide food for j { the hungry., | i I know no color line. I serve all i j men with equal fidelity. Give me ths chance and I will | | train youth in the highest and I j holiest ideals of Christianity and j j Democracy. j Just a little of me is necessary z j to establish andmaintain in- ! | stitutions that buildcharacter. | | Much of me is necessary if in- i j vested in police courts and penal i | institutions. Make me an ally of righteous- I ! ness and I will do much to bring ! I in the Kingdom of God. | ( I Am Power. j [ I Am Waiting To Serve The i j Lord Christ.. daughter, Terry Suzanne, June 7, at Reno, Nev. To David and Mrs. Sanders (Irene Hester ’45) a son, David Paul, June 2, at Los Angeles, Calif. To James E. ’44 and Mrs. Halbert (Viola Bogue ’45) a son, David Lee, June 27, at Spokane, Wash. James is attending Whitworth College. To Robert and Mrs. Alexander (Mickey Pearson) a daughter, Mar garet Ann, May 24, at Klamath Falls, Ore. To Maynard and Mrs. DeGolier (Florence Gunn) a son, Gareth Ray, June 27, at Waco Tex. To Albert and Mrs. Chappell (Eliz abeth G. Bruce ’39) a daughter, Ruth Elizabeth, April 17, at San Diego, Calif. To Robert ’46 and Mrs. Graham a son, Robert Jaxon, April 23, at Los Angeles, Calif. To Turner ’41 and. Helen Blount a son, Baby Blount, May 30, who went to be with Jesus five hours later. We are informed that the parents are well and rejoicing in the Lord. His grace is sufficient.
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