Thought for Today
Psalm 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.
Exodus 34:26 The best of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God.
Luke 10:41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
Superlative - noun a: the superlative degree of comparison in a language b: a superlative form of an adjective or adverb (www.merriam-webster.com)
Our society loves superlatives. We want everything to be the biggest and the best. I know that, because I am from Texas where everything is the biggest and the best. Just ask anybody living there or from there! We even see our love of superlatives in the current political arena. It is the basic idea behind MAGA.
Is our nation the best? Is our nation, our system of government and our economy the best, or merely better than some? Before we go any further, we need to think a bit about how one determines “the best.” Economists often consider Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a measure of “the best.” Of course, that measure fails to capture any of the esthetics of life, scenic beauty, freedom of speech and/or movement, etc. Maybe the United Nations needs to establish some uniform set of standards for measuring “the best” nation. Certainly all of those diverse countries could agree on what makes a nation “the best.” (just to make sure you know, that was written with extreme sarcasm.)
Some years ago, our son gave us a cookbook titled The New Best Recipe. I use that cookbook often, but every time I do I wonder whether it truly is “the best” or merely better than the previous edition of “the best” cookbook. For what it’s worth, I also have modified almost every recipe I use from The New Best Recipe. Which is truly “the best,” the recipe from the cookbook or my modified recipe? And, even though each recipe from The New Best Recipe is allegedly “the best,” I sometimes still refer back to the Better Homes and Gardens new Cook Book Greta and I received as a wedding present in 1966.
Even though we talk about superlatives, which is better, which is best, do we really mean ‘which do I prefer?’ Are all measures of better or best personal and subjective? As a Christian, my first line of reference is the Bible. Those verses above certainly suggest to me that there are true superlatives in life.
If we are to turn to scripture, which English language translation is “the best?” Long before I went to seminary, a friend insisted to me that the only true English language translation of the Bible is the King James Version. “The King James Bible (KJV), also known as the Authorized Version, is an Early Modern English translation of the Christian Bible commissioned in 1604 and published in 1611 under the sponsorship of King James of England.” (en.wikipedia.org) Having now studied koine Greek and having a Greek language Bible, I understand a part of the argument for the accuracy of the KJV. It is one of the versions I have on my computer Bible app display for each verse. The compilers of the KJV deliberately and accurately composed a word-for-word translation of their sources into the English language of their time. Since 1604, however, we have discovered many ancient codices and the version of English spoken and read in the U.S.A. has changed from that spoken in England in 1604.
I am often asked which version of the Bible is “the best.” My answer is universally, “Whichever version you will read.” Most modern English translations of the Bible are theologically accurate. Many paraphrased versions of the Bible are equally accurate. The beauty and power of the language vary widely. In our Bible Study at First Parish Church of Newbury, we generally look at both the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and Peterson’s The Message. I always encourage folks to look at several different versions.
Which verses of the Bible are “the best?” If you have ever read these Thoughts before or have ever heard me preach, you know I will always reference Micah 6:8 and Luke 10:27. Others might include John 3:16 and/or Ephesians 2:8. Just to be on the safe side, I recommend you read the entire Bible yourself and see whether there are other “best” verses.
Stay safe, read scripture, trust God,
Pastor Ray