Thankful For The Thorns

Thankful For The Thorns



Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks as she pushed against a November gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like a spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease. During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son. She grieved over her loss.

As if that weren’t enough her husband’s company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come. What’s worse, Sandra’s friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. “Had she lost a child? No, she has no idea what I’m feeling,” Sandra shuddered. Thanksgiving? “Thankful for what?” she wondered. For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life but took that of her child?

“Good afternoon, can I help you?” The flower shop clerk’s approach startled Sandra. “Sorry,” said Jenny the shop clerk, “I just didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you.”

“I….I need an arrangement.” “For Thanksgiving?” Sandra nodded. “Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving Special?” Jenny saw Sandra’s curiosity and continued. “I’m convinced that flowers tell stories, that each arrangement insinuates a particular feeling. Are you looking for something that conveys gratitude this Thanksgiving?”

“Not exactly!” Sandra blurted. “Sorry, but in the last five months, everything that could go wrong has.” Sandra regretted her outburst but was surprised when Jenny said, “I have the perfect arrangement for you.” The door to the shop once again opened.

“Barbara! Hi,” Jenny said. She politely excused herself from Sandra and walked toward a small workroom. She quickly reappeared carrying a massive arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Only, the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped, no flowers.

“Want this in a box?” Jenny asked. Sandra watched for Barbara’s response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems and no flowers! She waited for laughter, for someone to notice the absence of flowers atop the thorny stems, but neither woman did.

“Yes, please. It’s exquisite,” said Barbara. “You’d think after three years of getting the special, I’d not be so moved by its significance, but it’s happening again. My family will love this one. Thanks.”

Why so normal a conversation about such a strange arrangement? She wondered. “Ah, said Sandra, pointing. “That lady just left with, ah….” “Yes?” “Well, she had no flowers!” “Right, I cut off the flowers.” “Off?” “Off. Yep. That’s the Special. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet.” “But, why do people pay for that?” In spite of herself, Sandra chuckled. “Do you really want to know?” “I couldn’t leave your shop without knowing… I would wonder about nothing else!”

“That might be good,” said Jenny. “Well,” she continued, “Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling very much like you feel today. She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she faced major surgery. That same year, I lost my husband. I assumed complete responsibility for the shop and for the first time, spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel,” Jenny said.

“What did you do?” “I learned to be thankful for thorns.” Sandra’s eyebrows lifted. “Thorns?” I’m a Christian Sandra and I believe God gave us all things in life, but I never thought to ask Him why good things happened to me. But, when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! It took time to learn that dark times are important. I always enjoyed the ‘flowers’ of life but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God’s comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we’re afflicted and from His consolation we learn to comfort others.”

Sandra gasped. “A friend read that passage to me and I was furious! I guess the truth is I don’t want comfort. I’ve lost a baby and I’m angry with God.” She started to ask Jenny to “go on” when the door’s bell diverted their attention.

“Hey, Phil!” shouted Jenny as a balding, rotund man entered the shop. She softly touched Sandra’s arm and moved to welcome him. He tucked her under his side for a warm hug. “I’m here for twelve thorny long- stemmed stems!” Phil laughed, heartily. “I figured as much,” said Jenny. “I’ve got them ready.” She lifted a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerated cabinet.

“Beautiful,” said Phil. “My wife will love them.” Sandra couldn’t help but ask, “These are for your wife?” Phil saw that Sandra’s curiosity matched his when he first heard of a Thorn Bouquet. “Do you mind me asking, Why thorns?” “In fact, I’m glad you asked,” he said. “Four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but we slogged through, problem by rotten problem. We rescued our marriage our love, really. Last year at Thanksgiving I stopped in here for flowers. I must have mentioned surviving a tough process because Jenny told me that for a long time she kept a vase of rose stems-just the stems-as a reminder of what she learned from “thorny” times. That was good enough for me. I took home stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific thorny situation and give thanks for what the problem taught us. I’m pretty sure this stem review has become a tradition.” Phil paid Jenny, thanked her again and as he left, said to Sandra, “I highly recommend the Special!”

“I don’t know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life.” Sandra said to Jenny.

“Well, my experience says that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God’s providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, Sandra, Jesus wore a crown of thorns so that we might know His love. Do not resent thorns, actually be thankful for them.”

Tears rolled down Sandra’s cheeks. For the first time since the accident she loosened her grip on resentment. “I’ll take twelve long-stemmed thorns, please.”

“I hoped you would,” Jenny said. “I’ll have them ready in a minute. Then, every time you see them, remember to appreciate both good and hard times. We grow through both.”

“Thank you. What do I owe you?”

“Nothing. Nothing but a pledge to work toward healing your heart. The first year’s arrangement is always on me.” Jenny handed a card to Sandra. “I’ll attach a card like this to your arrangement, but maybe you’d like to read it first. Go ahead, read it.”

My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn! I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorn. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear, teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow. ~George Matheson

Jenny said, “Happy Thanksgiving, Sandra,” handing her the Special. “I look forward to our knowing each other better.” Sandra smiled. She turned, opened the door and walked toward hope.

In Christ Alone

"In Christ Alone"

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music



In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

优秀基督徒的典范--美国劳工部长赵小兰

优秀基督徒的典范--美国劳工部长赵小兰

[ 2008-10-17 16:44:00 | By: cwbs ]

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－－记美国联邦政府劳工部部长赵小兰姐妹在北京交通大学的讲话草稿
（中国，北京2008年8月26日星期二）

谢谢你们，（感谢）。
我特别高兴能够在中国举办历史性的第29届夏季奥运会期间，来到北京交通大学。我刚从奥运会闭幕式过来，需要指出的是，中国为确保奥运会的成功举办所进行的巨大准备工作令人难忘。2008年7月29日，我出席了在华盛顿特区举行的中国新使馆的启用典礼。上周五在我抵达中国时，我参观了美国前任总统老布什和现任总统布什刚刚亲临过的在北京新落成的美国驻华使馆。这些事件都标志着中国在世界的存在不断增长。
今天，美国和中国的交往比以往任何时候都多，无论文化方面还是经济方面。中国在贸易总额上，已经成为美国的第二大贸易伙伴，仅2008年的头五个月，就有1910亿美元的货物越过我们的边界。今年到目前为止，美国对中国的出口总额近370亿美元，而从中国进口的总额超过1540亿美元。

我们两国之间的关系充满活力。但我们之间还有更多能够相互分享和相互学习的东西。因此，今天下午，我想就美国经济的现状、美国劳动人口及美国劳工部在加强我们国家经济中所发挥的作用，与你们分享一些想法，然后就美中文化谈一些看法。

众所周知，由于住房领域的下滑和紧随其后的信贷紧缩，美国经济目前正经历着一些短期的挑战。但是，美国经济的长期基础仍然稳健，这可不象华人媒体报导的。失业率为5.7 % ，这与1990年代十年间平均5.7 ％的失业率是相同的。自2001年第一季度以来，生产力的年增长率一直维持在强大的2.6 ％。第二季的实际国内生产总值增加了近2 ％。这意义重大，因为一些专家们在数个月前曾预测，本季度经济将萎缩，而不是增长。第二季国内生产总值的增长得到了出口增长9.2 ％的支持。而强劲的出口增长在过去12个月内创造了逾十万个新职位。

这一切都反映了一个事实，美国是一个非常大的（逾14.3万亿美元）、多样化和有弹性的经济体。

现在，让我和大家分享一些美国劳动力的信息。

与中国逾8.03亿的劳动力相比，美国的劳动力要少得多——约为1.54亿人。美国的劳动人口有三个独特的属性——生产力高、灵活性高和流动性高。

2007年9月，作为联合国一部分的国际劳工组织，将美国的劳动力评为世界上生产力最高的劳动力。高生产力对美国工人来说非常关键，因为更高的生产力意味着更高的工资。在美国，一般工人在他或她四十岁时，已经做过10多份不同的工作——通常是为了追求更好的机会。因此，“改变”或“追求更高”成为美国人的准则，这也是人们在经济社会中不断进步的方式。

美国劳动力的灵活性和流动性也鼓励着创业精神，创业精神继续为我们国家的经济增长作出重要贡献。事实上，在过去十年半的时间里，大约有三分之二的净新创造的就业机会，是由美国中小企业创造的。美国99 ％的雇主是中小型企业，他们提供约83 ％的所有私人付薪工作。

美国和中国一样，是一个地域多样化的国家，各个地区的人们拥有很多不同的经验。但人们普遍认为，私营部门——而非政府部门是创造就业机会和增长的首要驱动力。而政府的角色是为经济增长和就业创造合适的环境和条件。

劳工部在完成这一使命中发挥了关键作用。这是因为劳工部发布和执行几乎影响每一个美国工人的法规。这些法规着手解决的问题包括，保持一个健康和安全的工作环境，执法要求雇主向工人一天的工作支付一天的工资，确保工人有长期的退休保障。

劳工部每年的预算约为500亿美元，雇用约1.7万人。即使在一个像我们这样的国家里，也没有足够的资源在每一个工作场所安置政府督察。这就是为什么建立一个安全文化，以及在工作场所将安全作为首要任务是非常重要的。

通过这些努力，劳工部在没有大幅增加新成本及妨碍就业增长的前提下，在工人保护方面取得了创纪录的成绩。举例来说，职业安全及健康管理局（OSHA）已促成损伤和疾病率下降到创纪录的低水平——自2001年以来下降了17 ％。新近公布的数据显示，2007年工作场所的死亡率下降到职业安全及健康管理局有史以来的最低水平。在另一个例子中，自本届政府任职以来，工资和工时部门已回收了其所欠的职工工资——为近两百万名工人支付逾12亿美元。员工福利安全管理局（简称EBSA），在保护工人的养老金和医疗计划方面取得了创纪录的货币结果。自2001年以来，其调查工作已取得了100亿美元的货币结果。

美国劳工部同时也透过劳工统计局收集美国劳动就业方面的统计数字。精确测量是跟踪国家劳动人口，及创造有益于美国劳动力的成功战略的关键。欢迎访问劳工统计局的网站，该网站提供了很多关于美国劳动人口的数据：该网站是www.bls.gov 。您也可以在登陆劳工部的网站 www.dol.gov后，点击劳工统计局，得到相关信息。

2006年，鉴于美中双边关系的重要性，乔治·W·布什总统和胡锦涛主席创建了一个框架，以通过一个更全面的、定期的方式来协助管理此经济关系，这就是所谓的美中战略经济对话，或简称SED。

SED的创建是为了使我们两国政府能在最高级别的内阁层面进行跨部门的对话，而不是每个部门只与他们的同行对话。SED的举办地定期轮换：2006年12月在北京; 2007年5月在华盛顿特区; 2007年12月在北京; 2007年6月在华盛顿特区郊外的马里兰的安那波利斯，下一期的SED将于今年12月再次在北京举行。随着本届政府的任期结束和新一届政府的选举产生，不论谁将会成为总统，我们都希望这一重要的讨论框架能得以延续。

除了参加SED之外，美国劳工部与中国就有关如何改善工人的保护方面也正在进行其他的交流互动。2004年6月，当我作为劳工部部长首次访华的时候，劳工部就与中方签署了4项谅解书，我们在2006年的SED期间，又签署了另外两项谅解书。我们在2007年对这些谅解书进行了延长，新版本将延续到2011年，目的是为了加强美国和中国之间在工人保护和数据收集等六个关键领域的合作：职业健康和安全，煤矿安全和健康，私人退休金管理，工资和工时执法，失业保险，及劳动力市场统计与分配。

作为这些协议的后续行动，还与中方就劳动争议调解进行合作。劳工部还提供专门知识，协助起草新的劳动合同法，该法已于今年开始生效。因此，美国劳工部与中国同行之间正在进行持续的讨论和对话，就关键问题交流信息和专业知识。

同中国一样，美国也面临着地区之间包括农村与城市地区的收入差距问题。美国劳工部和地方政府、州政府和联邦政府采取了很多措施来解决这些差距。

有记者朋友问我，关于我个人是如何看美中两国文化差异的。
就像你们已经听说的一样，我是地道的中国人，我爱中国，我也喜欢美国。我8岁时随家人来到美国，当时我一句英语也不会说。在这之前的三年，我5岁的时候父亲在一个全国统考中取得了第一名，得到一个去美国求学的机会。我的母亲当时已经怀孕7个月，那是他们的第三个孩子，当时我的妹妹。可是母亲并没犹豫，她鼓励我父亲去美国。她在这样做的时候还不知道家人会因此分隔多久。

事实上，我父亲用了3年时间才把母亲，我和我的两个姐妹带到美国。他在我的妹妹赵小美（May）差不多3岁时才第一次见到她。

我无需说我们在美国最初的日子有多么艰难。我的父母离开了他们所熟悉的一切——他们的家人和朋友，他们的文化、语言和传统，甚至他们饮食习惯——来到异国定居。他们没有家人或朋友可以获得支持，只有教会，是教会帮助他们度过最艰难的日子。

那时我们5口人的小家庭住在纽约市皇后区一室一厅的小公寓里。父亲做3份工作来养家。我不知道母亲是怎样操持生活的，但是尽管生活艰难，我们的母亲还是能够每晚给我们准备健康美味的中式晚餐，饭后又带我们去附近教会作礼拜。她把家庭预算管理得如此巧妙以至于我们从未觉得捉襟见肘。父 亲也很喜欢基督教信仰，他和母亲为我们创造了一个充满上帝同在的爱和安全感的家园。因为信仰和教会的帮助，他们从未失掉向前看的乐观、信心、希望以及对美 国人民善良和正直本质的信念。不论有多少困难，我们都因为一家人信耶稣终于能在基督里团聚而感到安慰，我们也坚信，上帝允许的一个光明的未来在等着我们。 除了参加和庆祝美国及基督教的节日，我的父母亲还确保我们庆祝所有的中国节日。

我上了三年级，一个英文单词都不懂。每天，我坐在教室里把黑板上出现的每一个词都抄到本子上。晚上，父亲辛苦工作了一天之后，会坐下来和我一起打开书本，把我白天抄下来的东西翻译给我并教我英语。因为我不会英语，一不注意就会把“b”和“d”；“p”和“q”写错。父亲需要费很大劲才能看懂我幼稚的、难以辨认的笔迹。那么多的长夜让我更加感激父母所作的牺牲，也使我下决心要对得起他们的爱和付出。

在 周末，我们这些孩子要帮助做家务杂事。父亲是一个即敬畏神，又勤快、精力充沛的人，他喜欢自己修理家里的东西。当他修理的时候，总要有一个女儿给他打下 手，拿着手电筒或者提着工具箱。他会一边干活一边给我们讲他和母亲童年的故事，讲他们父母的故事；他会一边给我们讲基督教圣经的故事，一边讲美国的发展 史，同时也会灌输一些中国的哲学思想，教我们修理的知识。

我 父母鼓舞孩子的能力确实惊人。在我们的成长阶段，他们通过自己的人生和服务他人给我们树立了极好的榜样。他们教育孩子们勤奋工作，乐于做出牺牲，遵守纪 律。他们教育我们要为自己以外的更大的事业服务，要为我们的国家作贡献，给家庭和社区带来荣誉。他们还教给基督信仰的价值观，这些价值观增强了我们的力 量，帮助我们生存下来并出类拔萃。我和我的姐妹们能取得今天的成绩很大程度上应该感谢和赞美我的上帝和父母亲。

在我们初到美国时，我们一家人经常是整个镇上唯一的亚裔基督徒家庭。今天，美国远比当时更加多元化。这种丰富的多元化和美国的伟大力量之一是从基督信仰而来的。所以当人们问我美国是什么样，我说美国就像全世界其他地方的缩影，也像新旧约圣经的写照。

你们中有人问起美中文化的比较，第一，我认为它们有很多相似点。两种文化都珍惜家庭，坚信教育的重要性，认同心灵的力量和努力工作可以通向成功。但也有很多文化差异。

在中国社会，强调把集体利益放在前面。而在美国社会，个人基本人权和成就得到珍视、提倡和强调。
在东方亚洲文化强调无我和牺牲。而在西方美国社会，一个人最好的代言人是他自己，也就是以他自己的信仰来解释自己的价值观。

亚洲文化教导和谐和稳定的价值。而在西方社会，因为基督信仰在人生命中的不断更新，促使人不能满足或停留于现状，从而努力去寻找新的和更好的处事方式，这种主动积极的态度是被全社会高度重视的，不糊更新发展的变化也是常态。

在孩子们身上可以观察到这些行为倾向。在西方，青少年被鼓励要大声讲出来，要独立作决定（比如决定穿什么衣服，喜欢什么食品），要做出自己的选择。个人人权受到赞扬。在中国，儿童被教导要等待轮到自己再发言，并听从长辈。

其 实美中两国的主要差异不是文化，也不是经济，而是信仰和文化，即神本和人本的制度差异。就人本而言，我觉得两种看待世界的方式无所谓哪一个更好。每一种在 世界经济中都有其独特的优势。但是，就人权或信仰而论，我认为两种文化的基本差异就在于一种是以信仰为基础而产生了文化，而另一种却是以文化为基础产生了 信仰。
因此，就我本人来说是中国人，却被美国联帮政府所用，当然还有许多中国和东方人在内。但在中国却很难看到有美国或其他西方人被中央政府选用。

不 过我们的世界越来越紧密相连。中国是世界上最大的发展中国家，而美国是最大的发达国家。我们两国间的关系必将加强。当然两国关系总会有起落，这也是我们需 要沟通，需要学习，互相了解和分享经验的原因，通过这些，两国人民才能更加蓬勃发展和繁荣。但是，正如中国人在北京奥运会上展现的宏伟文化一样，美国人更 注重的是纯正的信仰，这一点在现任布什总统和夫人劳拉身上，以及目前的两位下届总统候选人身上都可以看到。如果一定要说出什么差异，那就是文化是外在生活 的美的体现，而信仰则是内在生命本质的创造性动力。这样，科学主义只是这两者的桥梁而已。

在此，非常感谢你们今天给我这个机会与大家分享我的思考。

附件：赵小兰访华及个人的简介

美国劳工部长赵小兰率领美国总统代表团出席北京奥运闭幕仪式，赵小兰的父亲赵锡成博 士也随行。赵小兰在北京拜会了中国国务院总理温家宝，随后赵小兰在接受媒体专访的时候就表示，中国的金牌第一名是实力而并非运气。赵小兰认为：这些奖牌可 以说明问题，在体育上没有接近第一，只有第一。有时候比分很接近，只有一个人能够得到金牌，对于任何夺金者来说，这是极大的荣誉和兴奋。

　赵小兰，1953年3月26日出生于台北，上海嘉定人。姐妹六个。 8岁随父母移民美国。1975年，毕业于曼荷莲女子学院，主修经济。1979年，获哈佛大学企业管理学院硕士学位，后任纽约花旗银行高级会计师。

　　赵小兰还是一位多才多艺的才女，她不仅驰骋于高尔夫球场、骑马和溜冰场，而且弹得一手好钢琴。尤其是她从政后的亲和力赢得了美国社会的认可，她因此于1983年当选为“白宫学者”。1984年-1986年，任旧金山美国商业银行国际金融副总裁。

　　1986年她弃商从政，步入政坛后，更是大显身手，相继担任美国联邦政府交通部航运署副署长。1988年，任联邦海事委员会主席。1989年，任交通部副部长，１９９１年１２月任美国和平队第十二任队长。离职后应聘到联合基金会出任会长，１９９６年她辞去该职，以帮助其夫竞选联邦参议员……

　 ２００１年１月１１日，当选总统乔治·布什提名赵小兰出任劳工部长，同年１月２９日获参议院批准。48岁的赵小兰出任美国劳工部第二十四任部长，她是美国历史上第一位进入内阁的华裔，同时也是内阁中的第一位亚裔妇女。

　 她是１９８６年全美六大杰出妇女之一，也是１９８７年美国十大杰出女青年之一。１９９３年获哈佛大学的最高奖——校友成就奖。２００８年获美国联邦移民局颁发的“杰出新美国人”奖。

　 因培育了六位优秀女儿而受美国前总统老布什赞誉的华裔“美国航运巨子”赵锡成是赵小兰的父亲，她排行老大赵小兰，其中，四妹赵小甫，现任通用电气航空服务 副总裁；五妹赵小婷，哥伦比亚大学教育准博士；六妹赵安吉，毕业于哈佛大学商学院，现任美国福茂集团资深副总裁。１９９３年２月赵小兰与美国联邦参议员麦 康纳尔 (McConnell) 结婚。

１９８０和１９８１年应邀两次到中国讲学。１９９３年１２月同丈夫麦康纳尔一起访问中国。２００８年８月来华出席北京奥运会闭幕式及相关活动。

　　多年来，她一直关注祖籍国的建设与发展，而且还先后于1980年、1981年和1993年3次到中国讲学和访问。中国国家主席***和国务院总理朱镕基访美期间，也在百忙中亲切接见了赵小兰及其夫婿、参议员麦康奈尔。
　　
　　“美国梦、中国心”，赵小兰的父亲赵锡成博士说：对祖国的深厚情感，会一直延续下去，我们相信祖国的发展会越来越好！“即使身在美国，也不会忘了根本。祖国传统深刻的哲学理念和高尚的思想道德情操，已经悄悄融入我们心里。”

　　美国总统小布什曾这样评价说：“赵小兰将为这一职位奉献她之所以为人所知，并为人所钦佩的高素质———处理行政事务的极高天赋、饱满的热情，以及帮助他人创建更美好生活的意愿。”

Lord's Prayer

Lord's Prayer KJV

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

主祷文 和合本

我 们 在 天 上 的 父 ： 愿 人 都 尊 你 的 名 为 圣 。

愿 你 的 国 降 临 ； 愿 你 的 旨 意 行 在 地 上 ， 如 同 行 在 天 上 。

我 们 日 用 的 饮 食 ， 今 日 赐 给 我 们 。

免 我 们 的 债 ， 如 同 我 们 免 了 人 的 债 。

不 叫 我 们 遇 见 试 探 ； 救 我 们 脱 离 凶 恶 。 因 为 国 度 、 权 柄 、 荣 耀 ， 全 是 你 的 ， 直 到 永 远 。 阿 们 ！

A Christian View of the Economic Crisis

A Christian View of the Economic Crisis

Is the economy really driven by greed?

Al Mohler | posted 9/29/2008 10:03AM

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/septemberweb-only/140-12.0.html?start=1

The headlines tell the story as recent days have seen the American economy and its financial system buffeted by seismic failures and the virtual disappearance of major investment banks. The debate raging in Washington these days concerns the form and extent of government intervention that will be required in order to restore stability to the financial markets.

Comparisons to the Great Depression are inevitable, but today's crisis bears little resemblance to the total economic collapse of the late 1920s. Capitalism is not in crisis and the fundamentals of the American economy remain strong. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933, the nation faced a genuine crisis and economic collapse. For the most part, the banks were closed and the nation was out of business.

Nothing like that is happening now, but the financial system is clearly in need of reform and realism. The fundamentals of the economy remain intact. These include American innovation, a dedicated labor force, strong consumer demand, vast natural resources, and unlimited intellectual capital.

More than anything else, this crisis has to do with what happens when the markets come to term with excessive valuations. Put bluntly, wildly inflated valuations led to risky financial adventures and worse. The sub-prime mortgage collapse came as more realistic real estate valuations forced market corrections. The vast global financial system has accepted the inflated valuations as real and traded in the risky mortgages as if the game would go on forever. This was a fool's errand.

There were other causes of the current distress in the markets and other forces at work within the economy at large. The slide of the dollar and the rising price of oil both played a part, as did more fundamental shifts having to do with a globalized economy and the continuing shift toward a knowledge-based economy in a technological age.

Is this all about greed? Yes and no. In the movie "Wall Street," the character Gordon Gekko famously declares that "greed is good." But is the economy really driven by greed?

This question requires a return to what we might call "Economics 101." No one has explained basic economics as well as Adam Smith did in his 1776 classic, The Wealth of Nations. As the great Scottish thinker explained, an economy is based upon the transfer of goods and services from one individual to another. Each partner in the transaction must believe that this transfer is in his or her own best interest or the transfer is not voluntary. Both parties seek to gain something from the transfer. Since no one person can meet all of his or her own needs alone, a vast economic system quickly takes shape. Individuals trade goods and services through the exchange of currency or another agreed-upon form of value.

At every stage, the transfer is made because those involved desire and intend to achieve a gain. The legal entity of a corporation allows individuals to band together in a common economic cause with certain legal protections. A stock market allows individual investors to buy an interest in a company, thus allowing the corporation to use their capital in hopes of future gain. The market works because all concerned hope to gain through the process.

The development of vast global economic systems simply builds upon the simple principle that all participants are willing to trade one good for another they want even more and to invest in the hope of future gain.

Is this greed? In and of itself, this is not greed at all. The desire for a profit, for income, and for material gain is not in itself greed. The Bible clearly teaches that the worker is worthy of his hire and that rewards should follow labor, thrift, and investment.

Greed raises its ugly head when individuals and groups (such as corporations or retirement funds) seek an unrealistic gain at the expense of others and then use illegitimate means to gain what they want. Given the nature of this fallen world and the reality of human sinfulness, we should expect that greed will be a constant temptation. Greed will entice the rich to oppress the poor, partners in transactions to lie to one another, and investors to take irrational risks. All of these are evident in this current crisis.

Christians should think seriously about this economic crisis and ponder what it would mean to come to a Christian understanding of what it means to be participants in this economy. As Adam Smith recognized, the economy is a moral reality. Human beings actualize their moral selves in making economic choices and through participation in the economic system — and we are all participants.

Indeed, one of the defining differences between the current crisis and the crisis of the 1920s and 1930s is that the vast majority of Americans are now, in effect, investors. Our retirement accounts are, by and large, mingled with the investments of the titans of industry. Through their pension funds, school teachers are investors right alongside Warren Buffet. This was not the case in the run-up to the Great Depression. We all want and need the stock market to do well, and the outcome of any market crisis effects both Bill Gates and the worker in the local medical clinic.

Christians should look at the economy as a test of our values. The Bible values honest labor and dedicated workers, and so should we. The Bible warns against dishonest business practices, and we must be watchful. False valuations are, in effect, lies. Dishonest accounting practices are just sophisticated forms of lying. Insider information is a form of theft.

The Bible honors investment and thrift, and Christians must be wary of the impulse for short-term gains and pressure for instant profit. Over the long-haul, the entire economy must prosper if the vast majority are to do well and realize a responsible gain.

Thus, the current crisis sheds light on what happens when things get out of control, when various pressures distort the proper operation of the markets, and when irrational valuations entice investors to make poor investments. Dishonesty enters the picture at many levels, and the individual investor is too often left in the dark.

When these things happen the economy is threatened by a lack of trust, and trust is the most essential commodity of all when it comes to economic transactions. Without trust, the entire system collapses.

The big debate in Washington is over the extent of government intervention. Prudence would indicate that the less government intervention, the better. Adam Smith was confident that a "hidden hand" within the economy would rectify excesses and punish bad actors. I think he is basically right, but the government is, like it or not, one of the actors in this economic system.

The problem with letting the markets solve this problem and letting the "hidden hand" punish the bad actors and unwise decisions is that, in this situation, the small investor is crushed along with the tycoon. Furthermore, the entire economy could face a crisis of confidence.

So watch the debates in Washington with interest and consider how a Christian should understand the economy and our economic lives. The free market is not perfect, but capitalism has brought more wealth to more people than any other system. It rewards investment, labor, and thrift and rises on innovation. Better ideas and better products push out inferior ideas and inferior products. Given the reality of human sin, we should not centralize economic control in the hands of the few, but distribute economic power to the many. A free market economy distributes power to multitudes of workers, inventors, investors, and consumers.

No economy is perfect, but the American economy remains a marvel. The present crisis is an opportunity to rethink some basic questions and restore trust. There are no easy ways out of a crisis like this, and no painless solutions. Yet, would you trade this system for any other?

This current crisis should also remind Christians that we are not called to be mere economic actors, but stewards. Everything we are, everything we do, and everything we own truly belongs to God and is to be at the disposal of Kingdom purposes. This world is not our home and our treasure is not found here. We are to do all, invest all, own all, purchase all to the glory of God.

Finally, this current economic crisis just might help Christians to focus on another issue — retirement. Where in the Bible are we told to aspire to years and decades of leisure without labor? There is nothing wrong with saving for what the world calls retirement. Indeed, that is just good stewardship. Furthermore, there is nothing wrong with workers enjoying the fruit of their labor. But Christians should think of retirement as an opportunity to be redeployed for Kingdom service.

Today's crisis in the financial system should not be a threat to the long-term health and vitality of our economic system. There is cause for concern, but no justification for panic. Rather than hit the panic button, spend that energy thinking about how Christians should glorify God in our economic lives. We should watch the developments and debates in Washington and New York with interest, but we should investigate our own hearts with even greater urgency.

This was published from Al Mohler's website with permission.

Wall Street's Troubles Are No Reason to Fear

http://www.crosswalk.com/news/commentary/11581878/

Chuck Colson

BreakPoint

September 17, 2008

Most of us have been badly shaken by the tumultuous events of the last 48 hours in Wall Street. If you have an IRA or some kind of retirement plan, no doubt you’re licking your wounds. You may even be fearful. I understand. I’ve experienced those apprehensions myself.

But as I told a worried young man on our team today, we need to remember that fear is always the enemy of faith. A few months ago, in the midst of fervent prayer during my devotions, I had an especially strong realization that my life was completely in God’s hands. To live is Christ, to die is gain. I’ve known that intellectually, but for the first time in my life, it is now engraved in my soul. Now, when things go wrong, I turn to God, pray, trust Him, and feel an amazing peace. I’m His.

And you know what else? The financial markets are His. The world is His. I don’t know why it took me 35 years to get this, but I finally have.

Here’s something else to remember: God often uses adversity for His greatest blessings—in this case in several ways. Christians are called to do the best things in the worst of times. Take, for instance, the plagues that wracked the Roman Empire, which I wrote about in my new book The Faith. The doctors and wealthy pagans fled the cities, but the Christians stayed and tended to the sick and dying. That sacrificial love—visible for all to see—fueled the incredible growth of the Church.

Today we have an opportunity to see how the Acts 4 church really works—where Christians help one another through tough times and reach out lovingly to our neighbors.

What’s more, there’s a great opportunity for you to explain the importance of a biblical worldview to your friends. Because these financial troubles are the direct result of our nation turning its back on God. Simply put, the rise of relativism in postmodern Western life has led to the collapse of a moral consensus. With everyone making up his own rules when it comes to right and wrong, is it any wonder our economic system is under stress?

Michael Novak, the great theologian, has said that Western democratic capitalism is like a three-legged stool, resting on political freedom, economic freedom, and moral restraint. Take away moral restraint, and the stool collapses.

Look at how we reached this crisis: Sensing easy money, Wall Street bundled up mortgages without regard to risk, sold them off, and made a big profit. Risky, even dangerous mortgages were then being offered to people who had little chance of paying them off. And when the housing market slowed and house values went down, the mortgage market began to collapse like—dare I say it—a house of cards.

So this is a time for steady nerves and keeping things in perspective. Take a look out your window. The sky is not falling.

Above all, remember this: God is on His throne. Maybe the “eat, drink, and be merry” attitude of Americans needed a little adjustment—as does the spiritually casual attitude of the Church.

The current troubles are not going to lead to the collapse of the American economy, the strongest in the world. But I do think God is telling us to sober up and get serious about what we believe and how we live.

---

Chuck Colson’s daily BreakPoint commentary airs each weekday on more than one thousand outlets with an estimated listening audience of one million people. BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on today’s news and trends via radio, interactive media, and print.

BreakPoint WorldView magazine is now available for FREE online. Sign up today!

From BreakPoint, July 31, 2008, posted with permission of Prison Fellowship, www.breakpoint.org.

Sick and Tired?

Franklin Graham talks about coming to Jesus:

When I was 22 years old, I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life. You say, "Franklin, why did you wait until you were 22?" Because, you see, I was afraid that if I invited Jesus Christ to come into my life that I would be in like a spiritual straitjacket. The more I sought fun, the more I wanted to please myself. There was an emptiness in my life. Oh, I tried to fill it with all kinds of things, but nothing satisfied. And I finally came to the point in my life where I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. And maybe you're here tonight and you're at that same place in your life—you're sick and tired of just being sick and tired, and you would like to invite Christ to come into your heart and to clean up your life, to change you, to give you a new beginning, a new opportunity, a new start.

How to remember the name of books in New Testament

一般弟兄姊妹都能轻易背出新约前五卷书名:

马太, 马可, 路加, 约翰, 使徒行传及最后一卷启示录。

而要背中间的书信, 你只要记得罗氏三兄妹的名字及故事, 你便能做得到。

他们名叫: 罗林, 罗帖, 希雅

他们的故事是: 罗林加以腓 , 罗帖太多腓 , 希雅 比约翰大。

故事解释 :

罗林加以腓: 指 罗马书, 哥林多前后书, 加拉太书, 以弗所书, 腓立比书

罗帖太多腓: 指 歌罗西书, 帖撒罗尼迦前后书, 提摩太前后书, 提多书, 腓利门书

希雅比约翰大: 指 希伯来书, 雅各书, 彼得前后书, 约翰壹贰参书, 犹大书

应用 :

例如当我们要找雅各书时, 只要背出 "希雅比约翰大", 便知道雅各书在希伯来书及彼得前书中间。

HOW TO CHOOSE A STUDY BIBLE

HOW TO CHOOSE A STUDY BIBLE

by John R. Kohlenberger III

http://www.equip.org/site/c.muI1LaMNJrE/b.2708347/k.AFFB/DB135.htm

Overwhelmed by the number of choices in todays glutted study Bible market? Let an expert on the subject guide you through the maze.

The designation "study Bible" can refer to two things. In some contexts it refers to the translation itself, to a version of the Bible suitable for study. More often, however, it refers to a translation plus a set of features designed to help one read and study the text.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF STUDY BIBLES
The Sixteenth through Nineteenth Centuries

The first English translations were study Bibles in both senses. Translators sought to create a version that could be studied by the masses. They wanted to take the text from the tight grip of academics and clerics and put it in the language of the people. They also wanted to provide guidance to their readers with explanatory notes and cross references.

These early study materials were often as polemic as informative. William Tyndale was strangled to death and burned at the stake for the crimes of translating the Bible into English and of challenging the teachings of the Roman Catholic church in his notes. This pattern continued in all Protestant Bible translations of the sixteenth century. The Geneva Bible of 1560, for example, promoted the Reformed doctrines of John Calvin and criticized all contrary systems. At Revelation 9:11 "the Angel of the bottomless pit" is identified as "Antichrist the Pope, king of hypocrites and Satans ambassador."

Small wonder that the first English translation by Roman Catholics, the Rheims New Testament of 1582, would seem somewhat defensive at this point: "Others have explained these locusts, in a most absurd, fanciful, and ridiculous manner: they make Abaddon the Pope, and the locusts to be friars mendicant, etc. Here it is thought proper, not to enter into any controversy upon that subject, as the inventors of the fancies have been already answered, and fully refuted by many controvertists." The Rheims New Testament also shot back at Protestants and their translations, explaining that it had been developed "with the object of healthfully counteracting the corruptions whereby the heretics have so long lamentably deluded almost the whole of our countrymen."

No fewer than 10 translations of the English Bible appeared between Tyndales New Testament of 1525 and the turn of the century. The English Bible had seen at least 278 settings and printings in 75 years. No wonder when a new translation was proposed to King James I in 1604, Bishop Richard Bancroft commented that "if every mans humour were followed, there would be no end of translating."¹ James, however, was intrigued by the proposal from Puritan John Reynolds, especially because the translation would not have notes. The king detested the notes in the Geneva Bible, especially when they commended characters for choosing to obey God rather than human monarchs, as at Exodus 1:19. With Jamess approval and patronage the work pressed ahead and the new, nonannotated version was published in 1611. Though received with mixed reviews, this version soon became so popular that all previous translations were eventually put out of print. The version of 1611 began three centuries of its near monopoly as the English Bible.

The Twentieth Century

The end of the KJVs monopoly was signaled by the British Revised Version of 188185 and the American Standard Version of 1901. Shortly thereafter, two distinct study systems emerged that would start a new trend in Bible presentation. Frank Charles Thompson introduced his Marginal Chain-Reference Bible in 1908 and the following year saw the publication of C. I. Scofields The Scofield Reference Bible. Thompson provided the model of a study system that was doctrinally objective, while Scofield presented a specific system of interpretation in his notes. Most modern study Bibles fall into one or the other category established by these pioneering works.

The 1970s and early 1980s saw an explosion of English Bible translations. The boom continued in 1995 with the appearance of the New International Readers Version, the Contemporary English Version, and Gods Word. The real noise in the nineties, however, is coming from new study Bibles. Not only are there updated editions of Thompson and Scofield, there are their modern heirs: objectively oriented systems such as The New Open Bible, and doctrinally oriented systems such as The Ryrie Study Bible, The Wesley Bible, and The New Geneva Bible.

Tyndale House introduced The Life Application Bible in 1987 and with it a significant new trend of needs-oriented Bibles. So strong was the response to Zondervans NIV Womens Devotional Bible in 1990 that it was immediately followed by NIV Devotional Bibles for men, couples, and seniors. Thomas Nelsons Serenity: A Companion for 12-Step Recovery (1990) was matched by Zondervans NIV Recovery Bible and Tyndales The Life Recovery Bible. Established devotionals or study booklet series were adapted and presented as study Bibles in such works as The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups (Zondervan, 1989), The International Inductive Study Bible (Harvest, 1992), The Experiencing God Bible (Broadman & Holman, 1993), and The New Daily Walk Bible (Tyndale, 1995).

Because the Bible-buying public seems to have a bottomless appetite for new editions of the Bible, and because Bible typesetting is a much faster process than ever before, Bible publishers are now issuing new Bibles almost at the pace that they issue new books. Gone are the days when a Thompson or a Scofield spent decades developing study systems. Bibles are now being created to catch trends or to associate with the name of a major personality, such as Max Lucados Inspirational Study Bible (Word, 1995) or the forthcoming Promise-Keepers Bible.

One could be cynical and critical of the Christian publishing industry for such "felt-needs" Bible publishing. Such products, however, are indeed meeting needs. Craig Featherstone, director of marketing for Thomas Nelson Bibles, uses the model of the Sunday school: as there are different class options for different age groups, different needs, and different interests, so there are different study Bibles.

This historical overview may help explain the incredible proliferation of study Bibles. But it does not explain how to evaluate a particular edition for personal use. To provide guidance in this regard, this article will first survey the range of features that can be found in a study Bible, and then examine specific features of several classic and recent editions. Finally, the article will provide a list of questions one can ask to narrow ones choices to the best possible volume.

A Survey of Major Features

In the following survey, features that provide explanations are labeled "subjective" because the explanation is subject to the interpreters point of view. Features that direct one into and within the text are labeled "objective" because they allow the text to speak for itself.

Of course, there can be objectivity in interpretation and subjectivity in the selection of texts. Still, I believe this broad categorization is useful to differentiate between study systems that instruct one what to believe and those that take one to the text so one can make up ones own mind. A study Bible that is primarily objective in its features can be used by anyone, regardless of theological affiliation. On the other hand, a study Bible that is primarily subjective is most useful to someone who agrees with the interpreter and can even be offensive to someone who does not.

The Translation Proper

The single most important feature of a study Bible is its text its translation because the most important activity in studying the Bible is reading it. In the nineties, all the best-selling translations have a wide variety of study systems, sizes, and bindings, although not every study system is available in a variety of translations.

Introductions and Outlines

Introductions usually inform one as to the author, readers, date, origin, and content of a book or section of the Bible; outlines display the contents of a book. Introductions and outlines differ in thoroughness and length, but introductions can also differ in perspective.

Those written by conservative scholars take the Bibles self-witness at face value. They agree that Moses wrote all or most of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), that Paul wrote 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, and that Peter wrote 2 Peter because the books themselves say so. Most nonconservative or liberal scholars, however, use criteria other than the text of the Bible to evaluate its statements and claims. Thus, most liberal scholars believe that a series of editors wrote the Pentateuch, that a disciple or disciples of Paul wrote the Pastoral Epistles, and that 2 Peter was written a good half-century after Peters death. As a result, the introductions might be the first place to check to discern whether a study Bible takes a conservative or liberal interpretive perspective.

Cross-References

One of the most useful features of a study Bible for analyzing the biblical text is its reference system. Cross-references link verses and passages on the basis of similar words, phrases, and concepts. Cross-references are usually found in a column beside the text, as in The Harper Study Bible; between two columns of text, as in The NIV Study Bible; or in the notes, as in The Companion Bible. The most specific reference system is in the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, which identifies the topic that is referenced, keys it to a numbered topical index, and sends the reader to the next verse in its chain of references.

Notes

Much of the time, notes simply illuminate the text with definitions of obscure or meaningful words, explanations of customs, cross-references to similar passages, enlightenment from historical background, and similar objective information. As in the case of introductions, the notes often betray an alignment with a particular theological or critical approach to the text.

The notes of the New Jerusalem and New American Bibles, for example, are noticeably Catholic in certain texts. Scofield and Ryrie are both conservative and dispensational. The New Oxford Annotated Bible and The HarperCollins Study Bible take a liberal/critical approach. Dake is pentecostal.

These theological positions can determine the tone and volume of the notes. The Catholic study Bibles tend to emphasize the historical dogmas of the church at key texts such as Matthew 16:17-19. Scofield and Ryrie emphasize distinctions between Israel and the church and literal fulfillment of prophecy (e.g., Acts 15:15-17). The New Geneva Bible takes a nondispensational ap-proach at these texts. Notes in liberal study Bibles often counter the literal understanding of the text (e.g., Josh. 10:11) and point out stories and events they feel are contradictory or fabricated (e.g., Judg. 1; 1 Chron. 21). Pentecostal and charismatic writers give extra attention to texts dealing with healing and spiritual gifts (e.g., Matt. 8:17; Acts 2).

Concordance and Index

As the cross reference system connects key words, phrases, and concepts through the biblical text, the index or concordance lists such connections in a section separate from the text. In function, an index and concordance are about the same. A concordance, however, is more specific in that it deals only with specific words, while an index can deal both with specific words and with general subjects and concepts.

Dictionary

A Bible dictionary, like an English dictionary, defines key technical words of the text. Like an encyclopedia, however, it goes beyond definition to give explanatory articles about Bible people, places, events, and subjects. Its information is drawn primarily from the biblical text and is often supplemented by historical, archaeological, and other biblical reference works.

Maps

Just about every Bible in print has a set of maps bound into it. More recent editions, such as the NIV Study Bible and The Word in Life Study Bible, have dozens of in-text maps detailing locations and movements in the biblical narrative. Many sets of maps are indexed so that countries, cities, and natural landmarks can be easily located.

Charts and Other Illustrations

Charts gather and display biblical and historical data in a more visual form. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible was one of the first to make extensive use of charts in outlining biblical history, character studies, and topical information. The New Open Bible and The Word in Life Study Bible use charts to diagram and summarize the contents of each book of the Bible. The NIV Study Bible has three dozen charts that gather biblical materials and integrate them with historical and cultural information.

Special Essays and Articles

Most study Bibles have special articles on such subjects as how to understand the Bible, outlines of biblical history and archaeology, theological themes, the history of Bible translation, and so on. One can almost evaluate the articles in a study Bible by its table of contents. The titles and number of pages alone may reveal how useful they are and how often one might consult them. Some are so brief or general that one may read them only once or never at all.

Harmony of the Gospels and Old Testament History

Many study Bibles organize the events of the Gospels into a roughly chronological outline, showing both the parallels and unique accounts of each. This parallel outline is called a harmony, usually presented in the subheads of the biblical text or as a separate feature. Some more recent study Bibles, such as The NIV Study Bible, do the same for OT parallels.

A SURVEY MAJOR STUDY BIBLES²
Objectively Oriented Study Bibles

Dickson New Analytical Study Bible (World, 1931; [9th] Revised Edition, 1973) KJV

The Dickson New Analytical Study Bible has about 800 pages of well-designed helps. A general introduction to the Bible and a 184-page Bible dictionary precede the text. Each book has an introduction and an analytical chart, followed by a discussion of that books outstanding facts. The volume concludes with, among other features, a 42-page topical Bible and a 117-page concordance. A 17,000-entry general index ties together all of these features.

New Open Bible (Nelson, 1975; Expanded Edition, 1990) KJV, NASB, NKJV

The major features of the New Open Bible are its "Biblical Cyclopedia Index" (a 300-page topical Bible/concordance), lengthy book introductions and outlines, "Christian Life Study Outlines" in the NT, and concordance. Alternate translations and cross references are given at the end of each verse, though the space limitations of this format result in a rather small reference system. Other features include an outline harmony of the Gospels and articles on biblical backgrounds. Expanded editions in 1983, 1985, and 1990 have lengthened book introductions with analytical charts to illustrate their outlines, a 24-page "Visual Survey of the Bible," and 40 pages of key word studies. Because of its variety of features and its availability in three major translations, the New Open Bible is very popular among evangelicals.

Thompson Chain-Reference Bible (Kirkbride, 1908; 5th Improved Edition, 1988) KJV, NIV, NASB, NKJV

The heart of this work is its unique chain-reference system. Thompson developed a "Chain Index" of more than 4,000 biblical subjects that forms a 196-page "Topical Bible and Dictionary" (KJV edition) immediately following the biblical text. Then, rather than simply sprinkling the margins with cross-references, he lists the specific topics in each verse with their index number, and often identifies the next biblical reference in the chain. By turning to the numbered topic in the back or following the references through the text, one is led in a well-organized thematic study.

This Bible also contains more than 50 additional features in its eight "departments," including introductions and outlines of each book, character studies, dozens of historical and topical charts and diagrams, an archaeological dictionary, and a concordance, all of which are keyed by number to the text and index. Because of its valuable reference system and its availability in four of the top five translations, the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible remains a popular choice.

Subjectively Oriented Study Bibles
Conservative:Dispensational

Companion Bible (1910; Kregel reprint, 1990) KJV

Originally published in six volumes, this massive work of more than 2,150 pages contains reams of valuable, though sometimes eccentric, study helps. Each book is introduced and outlined, but each section and paragraph is also outlined in further detail in the notes that parallel the text. The notes themselves contain explanatory, topical, linguistic, and historical insights and are keyed to detailed studies in the 198 appendices that follow the text. The writer, E. W. Bullinger, is known for his ultradispensational teaching in other writings, but in the Companion Bible his dispensationalism is limited to the book introductions and appendices and is hardly more radical than Scofield or Ryrie.

Ryrie Study Bible (Moody, 1976 [NT], 1978; Expanded Edition, 1994) KJV, NASB, NIV

The Ryrie Study Bible can be characterized as the Scofield Reference Bible for the end of the twentieth century. Though Ryrie is an advocate of dispensationalism like Scofield, he does not promote it as emphatically. Notes contain explanatory, historical, and cultural information as well as doctrinal insights. The expanded editions of 1994 incorporated additional notes and many in-text graphics and maps to the classic text. Unique to this study Bible is its 22-page "Synopsis of Bible Doctrine," which outlines major elements of theology and lists the interpretations of several major systems at each point. Available in three of the top five translations, the Ryrie Study Bible has a strong following among evangelicals.

Scofield Reference Bible (Oxford, 1909, 1917) and New Scofield Reference Bible (Oxford, 1967) KJV, NIV, NASB, NKJV

Perhaps no study Bible has been so widely used or so strongly criticized as the Scofield Reference Bible. Its wide use results from its excellent organization, its high view of the inspiration and unity of Scripture, and its interpretive scheme. The interpretive scheme, dispensationalism, has also generated most of its criticism. Critics of dispensationalism feel it cuts the Bible into too many pieces, teaches different ways of salvation, and wrongly expects a literal future fulfillment of prophecies relating to Israel. Nonetheless, Scofield retains a strong following among conservative evangelicals.

Conservative: Evangelical

Disciples Study Bible (Broadman & Holman, 1988) NIV

The notes and essays of this study edition are exclusively theological, developing 27 major doctrines (e.g., God, salvation, Christian ethics) throughout the notes. Essays summarize the history of doctrines, with bibliographies for further study and an index to all the notes, and offer practical "Life Helps." Among the doctrinally oriented Study Bibles, the Disciples Study Bible is one of the most thorough.

Harper Study Bible (Zondervan, 1964; revised 1985, 1991) NASB, NRSV

Harold Lindsell edited the original RSV edition in 1964 and the NASB in 1985; the NRSV edition was edited by Verlyn Verbrugge. Book introductions precede the text, as do general outlines which are expanded in detail in the text itself. References are in a single side column, and explanatory, historical, and theological comments are in notes at the bottom of the page. These notes are indexed by subject. One of the few evangelical study Bibles currently available in the NRSV, the Harper Study Bible remains a useful resource.

Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (AMG/Baker, 1984) KJV, NASB

Spiros Zodhiatess Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible attempts to communicate insights from the original languages to the English reader. Several key words in each verse are underlined and footnoted according to Strongs numbering system. Strongs Hebrew and Greek dictionaries are reproduced in the back of the Bible. Zodhiates has also included three major features of his own. First, 170 pages of similarly numbered "Lexical Aids" expand on Strongs definitions of key words. Second, he has noted key aspects of Greek grammar with a system of abbreviations. Third, he has provided explanatory notes for difficult and important passages. The NIV edition planned for 1996 will contain a more up-to-date analysis of the NIV and the original languages and completely new dictionaries.

Life Application Bible (Tyndale, 1987, 1993) KJV, LB, NIV, NKJV, NRSV

In addition to its application emphasis, this trend-setting volume has much explanatory and historical information in its introductions, charts, maps, and character studies, and thus should not be overlooked as a research-oriented study Bible. Its materials were generated by Youth for Christ under the general editorship of Bruce B. Barton, with more than a dozen theological reviewers from well-known evangelical institutions. Because of its practical features and its availability in five of the top ten translations, the Life Application Bible is currently one of the best-selling study Bibles on the market.

New Student Bible (Zondervan, 1986, 1992) KJV, NIV, NRSV

Originally intended for youth, this easy-to-use study edition has been purchased by millions of adults for their own use. Designed by Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford to provide easy access and useful insights to beginning readers, the New Student Bible starts with a "3-Track Plan for Reading the Bible." Track one introduces the Bible with two-week, one-chapter-a-day reading guides to the Life of Jesus, the life of Paul, and the Old Testament. Track 2 samples every book of the Bible, 186 chapters in six months. Track 3 is a three-year, whole Bible reading schedule. Introductions attempt to capture the essence of each book in contemporary terms and images. Almost every page of the text has at least one boxed explanatory comment or life-related insight to give meaning and momentum to daily Bible reading. These materials are indexed in a 30-page Subject Guide at the end of the book.

NIV Study Bible (Zondervan, 1985, 1995) NIV

The NIV Study Bible, as the name implies, was created specifically for this version. Edited by Kenneth L. Barker, its 44 contributors (37 of whom were NIV translators) represent a wide denominational spectrum of international evangelicalism. A unique feature of this Bible is that the contributors represent no exclusive theological alignment. The notes often present more than one possible understanding. An example is Revelation 20:2, where three major perspectives on the millennium are summarized, as opposed to Ryrie and Scofield, which are exclusively premillennial. The 1995 revision enhanced the readability and graphics and added some notes. The Concordia Self-Study Bible (Concordia, 1986) is a specialized edition with additional materials from a conservative Lutheran perspective. Because of the thoroughness and quality of its features, the NIV Study Bible has sold nearly three million copies and is this writers preferred choice.

The Quest Study Bible (Zondervan, 1994) NIV

Christianity Today provided the materials for this unique study Bible. Its notes are in a question-answer format. The questions were drawn from a survey of more than 1,000 people; the answers were provided by more than 100 contributors under the editorship of Marshall Shelley. These notes are also indexed by subject. Key biblical and theological terms, like grace, parable, and soul are flagged with a raised ^D to indicate they are defined in the concise dictionary. The Quest Study Bible can be recommended to and used by Christians as well as seekers.

Word in Life Study Bible ([NT] Nelson, 1993) NKJV, NRSV

This seeks to be a "user-friendly" study Bible with its extensive use of boxed and shaded graphics, articles, maps, and line drawings in a two-color presentation. Its study features and the biblical text are both indexed for more systematic study. The quantity of its features and its generous type size are underlined by the fact that the NT alone fills more than 1,000 pages.

Conservative: Pentecostal / Charismatic

Dakes Annotated Reference Bible (Dake, 1961 [NT], 1963) KJV

Dakes is the product of 43 years of study and is one of the few study Bibles that has more words in its helps than in the Bible. Most of Finis Jennings Dakes materials are set in two columns that appear on each page beside the two columns of biblical text. His introduction claims 500,000 cross-references, 35,000 notes and comments, 8,000 outlines, and 2,000 illustrations. Many of these materials are lists of observations from the text, but much is interpretive, with emphasis on prophecy, healing, and the miraculous.

This work contains a great deal that is speculative and unorthodox, such as Dakes belief in Gods "spirit body" with "bodily parts" that "goes from place to place" (pp. 96-97 [NT]), his strong teaching on racial segregation (e.g., pp. 148 [OT] and 159 [NT]), and his dogmatism on just about every subject he addresses. The Dakes study Bible cannot be recommended to journal readers, charismatic or not.

Full Life Study Bible (Zondervan, 1992) KJV, NIV

Primarily the work of Donald C. Stamps and J. Wesley Adams, with nine editorial advisors, this study Bible represents the mainstream of modern charismatic theology. A system of icons in the margins highlights themes of interest, such as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, gifts, healing, and faith that moves mountains. Seventy-three essays expand on key concepts as well as the editors personal emphases. For example, three of the essays argue strongly that all positive references to wine in the Bible refer to unfermented grape juice and that all Christians are required to abstain from alcohol. The Full Life Study Bible is the most moderate of the charismatic study Bibles and can be recommended to journal readers.

Spirit-Filled Life Bible (Nelson, 1991) KJV, NKJV

The Spirit-Filled Life Bible is the product of 67 contributors, many of them high-profile pastors such as Jack Hayford (general editor), Frederick Price, and Oral Roberts. In addition to book introductions and textual notes, "Kingdom Dynamics" discuss 22 major topics such as evangelism, seed faith, prosperity, gifts, and healing at 350 texts. "Word Wealth" studies offer 550 brief Greek and Hebrew word studies, indexed to Strongs numbering system. "Truth in Action" sections stress personal application at the end of each book. The notes and topical studies show both continuities and contrasts within charismatic theology. At Malachi 3:8-12, for example, the cautious notes by John Louwerse contrast to the Kingdom Dynamics by Frederick Price, who states that if one does not tithe properly one is robbing God, and the "law of God cannot work on your behalf." The reader is thus cautioned that this study Bible contains both moderate charismatic theology and more extreme "word-of-faith" elements.

The Word Study Bible (Harrison House, 1990) KJV

The Word Study Bible is a two-column, red-letter text edition of the KJV with a reference system of 12 topics of primary interest to the charismatic movement. Relevant verses are identified with a symbol, but have no further explanation. All references are listed in a topical concordance. Each topic is summarized in an eight-page article by a well-known author, such as Kenneth Hagin on faith, Kenneth Copeland on prosperity, and Marilyn Hickey on victorious living. Because this work represents the "health and wealth" or "word- of-faith" perspective of the charismatic movement, it cannot be recommended to journal readers.³

Conservative: Reformed

New Geneva Study Bible (Nelson, 1994) NKJV

Consciously titled after the influential, Calvinistic Geneva Bible, this work is subtitled "Bringing the Light of the Reformation to Scripture." Fifty-five scholars under general editor R. C. Sproul contributed to its contents. Its informative notes are supplemented by nearly 100 theological essays, 61 maps, and 47 charts. Its theological orientation is Reformed and Calvinistic, but its materials recognize a range of understanding within that tradition. The introduction to Revelation, for example, summarizes the three major millennial perspectives without stating that any one position is the Reformed position. This new volume should be well received and widely circulated within the Reformed community.

Conservative: Wesleyan / Holiness

The Wesley Bible (Nelson, 1990) NKJV

This work is the modern heir to John Wesleys Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755) and claims to be the only study Bible written from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective since Wesleys Notes. Annotations provide general explanations, promote Wesleyan theology, and emphasize holy living. Fifty-five "Focus Notes" expand on various topics, such as "Two Kinds of Sin" and "The Terminology of Entire Sanctification." Forty-seven maps, 51 charts, 16 essays, and a concordance round out the major features of this volume.

Nonconservative: Mainline Protestant

Because the following resources do not approach the biblical text from a conservative or orthodox perspective, they cannot be recommended to journal readers as a primary study Bible. They are included in this article for the sake of thoroughness.

Cambridge Annotated Study Bible (Cambridge, 1993) NRSV

The Cambridge Annotated Study Bible is primarily the work of Howard Clark Kee, a New Testament scholar, with contributions by Richard L. Jeske. One hundred pages of general essays and book introductions precede 1,065 pages of biblical text (without Apocrypha) and annotations. The notes summarize sections and paragraphs of biblical texts. The cross-reference system is separated, but is not dramatically larger than the references offered in the notes of the editions below. Unique to this volume is a 65-page glossary, combining the features of a Bible dictionary and subject index. A Gospel harmony and eight color maps complete the features.

HarperCollins Study Bible (HarperCollins, 1993) NRSV

The HarperCollins Study Bible devotes 2,388 pages to biblical text (including Apocrypha) and study helps. The 61 contributors represent Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish perspectives and are all members of the Society of Biblical Literature. Three of the four associate editors and nine of the contributors are female. The book introductions and annotations share a modern critical perspective with the Oxford and Cambridge editions. Comments attempt to explain the text in light of modern linguistic and archaeological research without a theological bias; however, the authors do regularly point out what they consider to be errors and inconsistencies (see the introduction to Exodus and notes at Josh. 11:22; 1 Sam. 2:1). The notes are the most voluminous of the three and also contain 19 in-text maps, 25 charts, 16 color maps, and an index.

New Oxford Annotated Bible (Oxford, 1977, 1991) NRSV

This is the revised and enlarged edition of the Oxford Annotated Bible (1962, 1973, 1977), widely used in mainline Protestant and Roman Catholic churches and a standard textbook in colleges, seminaries, and divinity schools for three decades. It enjoys the prestige of having been coedited by Bruce M. Metzger, chairperson of the NRSV Bible Committee. Some 2,081 pages are devoted to the Bible, Apocrypha, and study helps from 36 contributors. Features include two- dozen essays, introductions and annotations to each book of the Bible and Apocrypha, 16 full-color maps, and indexes to annotations and maps. Available with and without Apocrypha, it is the standard nonconservative edition of the NRSV.

Oxford Study Bible (Oxford, 1992) REB

This volume is a revision and update of the Oxford Study Edition of the New English Bible (Oxford, 1976). Editor M. Jack Suggs served as NT editor to both works. Nineteen articles by 20 contributors fill 197 pages. Each book in each section has its own brief introduction, summarizing its contents and the scholarly consensus as to author, date, and setting. Brief annotations, containing commentary and cross-references, are at the bottom of the page. A 21-page index to people, places, and themes in the Bible follows. Fourteen Oxford Bible maps round out the features.

Nonconservative: Roman Catholic

The following three study Bibles are post-Vatican II in scholarship and thus are very similar in perspective to the mainline Protestant Bibles above, and thus cannot be recommended to journal readers. Unique is their Catholic distinctive, which is often brought out in the annotations to the NAB and NJB.

The Catholic Study Bible (Oxford, 1990) NAB

Thirteen scholars, including general editor Donald Senior, contributed to the 577 pages of "Reading Guides" that precede the text. These contain brief academic introductions and section-by-section surveys of each book of the Bible, with bibliographies for further reading.

The Catholic Bible: Personal Study Edition (Oxford, 1995) NAB

Most of the features of this work build on The Catholic Study Bible and are presented as "Reading Guides" to the books of the Bible in the first 497 pages of the book. These introduce the sections and books of the Bible, expand on special themes, define terms, and ask study questions. It was edited by Jean Marie Hiesberger with four contributors, three editorial advisors, and three educational advisors.

New Jerusalem Bible (Doubleday, 1966, 1985)

The NJB and the Jerusalem Bible it replaced were both translations and study Bibles from their beginning, featuring introductions, cross-references, and annotations. These materials were produced by the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem. Each section of the Bible (e.g., Pentateuch, Prophets, Gospels) is given its own broad introduction. Specific book introductions are also a part of this general literary and historical treatment. The cross-references and notes, however, are more numerous and more thorough. The notes occasionally have a distinct Catholic flavor (e.g., p. 1969), but for the most part represent a widely acceptable critical approach.

HOW TO CHOOSE A STUDY BIBLE
Determine the Translation

The most important decision to make when choosing a Bible is selecting a translation. If a particular translation is preferred, ones choices in study Bibles are narrowed to a handful. On the other hand, if one cannot decide between two or three translations, the study edition itself may settle the issue.

Since the mid 1980s, the NIV has been the best-selling English Bible in the US; together the NIV and the KJV account for as much as 60 percent of Bible sales.⁴ Most major study Bibles are available in one or both of these versions. Also in the top 10, with study editions recommended to journal readers, are the NKJV, NRSV, and NASB.⁵ All of these versions are dependable and useful for serious study and personal devotions.

Study Bibles Reviewed in This Article
(* not recommended to journal readers)

I. Subjectively Oriented
A. Conservative: Dispensational
1. Companion Bible (Kregel) KJV
2. Ryrie Study Bible (Moody, Expanded Editions) KJV, NASB, NIV
3. Scofield Reference Bible (Oxford) KJV
4. New Scofield Reference Bible (Oxford) KJV, NIV, (World) NASB,
(Nelson) NKJV
B. Conservative: Evangelical
1. Disciples Study Bible (Broadman & Holman) NIV
2. Harper Study Bible (Zondervan) NASB, NRSV
3. Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible (AMG) KJV, NASB
4. Life Application Bible (Tyndale) KJV, LB, NIV, NKJV, NRSV
5. New Student Bible (Zondervan) KJV, NIV, NRSV
6. NIV Study Bible (Zondervan) NIV
7. The Quest Study Bible (Zondervan) NIV
8. Word In Life Study Bible ([NT] Nelson) NKJV, NRSV
C. Conservative: Pentecostal / Charismatic
1. * Dakes Annotated Reference Bible (Dake) KJV
2. Full Life Study Bible (Zondervan) KJV, NIV
3. Spirit-Filled Life Bible (Nelson) KJV, NKJV
4. * The Word Study Bible (Harrison House) KJV
D. Conservative: Reformed
New Geneva Study Bible (Nelson) NKJV
E. Conservative: Wesleyan / Holiness
The Wesley Bible (Nelson) NKJV
F. Nonconservative: Mainline Protestant
1. * Cambridge Annotated Study Bible (Cambridge) NRSV
2. * HarperCollins Study Bible (HarperCollins) NRSV
3. * New Oxford Annotated Bible (Oxford) NRSV
4. * Oxford Study Bible (Oxford) REB
G. Nonconservative: Roman Catholic
1. * The Catholic Bible: Personal Study Edition (Oxford) NAB
2. * The Catholic Study Bible (Oxford) NAB
3. * New Jerusalem Bible (Doubleday)
II. Objectively Oriented
A. Dickson New Analytical Study Bible (World) KJV
B. New Open Bible (Nelson, Expanded Edition) KJV, NASB, NKJV
C. Thompson Chain-Reference Bible (Kirkbride) KJV, NIV, NASB, NKJV