Pirating the Bible

The nice thing about have such a small (if not entirely nonexistent) reader base is that I can get a little idealistic instead of worrying about who's reading.

The main thing that's been on my mind for a past few days is copyright law, especially in Christian circles (mainly, should it exist at all?) See, intellectual property is, in all respects, the "oil" of the 21st century... the more you stake your claim in now, the more money (and consequently, power) you stand to gain in the future.

I should probably preface this before I continue, so the two people who read this don't think I've lost my mind, by saying that I've just been wrestling with this, and don't necessarily hold every reflection that I type as a personal conviction and belief.

So, onto my youthful idealism... St. Augustine said in his Confessions that the truth belongs to no man, but to God. I've been wondering recently, in light of such a statement, what implications that would have for Christian copyright holders. If all theologians are striving for the same Truth, and that truth belongs to God and God alone, should theologians be concerned with preventing others from plagiarizing "their" work? Should certain translations of the Bible really be copyrighted (i.e. Zondervan and the NIV)? Maybe the elimination of such copyright laws would weed out the authors and publishers who write for the sole purpose of making money.

The same goes for worship songs... at what point is the music artist more important than the God who the song was supposedly written for?

If I wanted to be painfully idealistic, I would extend such a proposal to secular copyright holders... But I think it's a bit hard for the Church to change the world when, in many ways, we're not so different (meaning, we've got ideals for the world to transform into, but very few tangible differences to offer)... and staking our claim in our intellectual property is one way the Church isn't too different from the rest of the world.

I had a few other unrelated thoughts, but I'm just going to save them for a later post.

Learning the Old

I think I'm beginning to develop an appreciation for the King James Version of the bible. I've got friends who are quick to point out the numerous errors of the KJV that arose from the translation process and what modern scholars know about linguistics and whatnot... but my interest in the version hasn't developed from it's accuracy (if that were the case, nobody should read anything but the NASB).

I think I've come to appreciate the KJV for its sheer literary beauty. Different translations serve different functions for me... the NASB is accurate for a direct Greek-English translation, the Message is great for casual reading and being able to imagine the setting, and the KJV restores the beauty to God's Word that I think it deserves. Even H.L. Mencken, an early 20th century atheist literary critic had this to say about the KJV:

"It is the most beautiful of all the translations of the Bible; indeed, it is probably the most beautiful piece of writing in all the literature of the world."

I don't really have much else to say about my newfound fondness of the King James Version. Instead, I would just encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 13, sometimes referred to as the "Love Chapter"...

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Where is it, God?

I would encourage anyone reading this to read Psalm 89 in its entirety. The author, Ethan the Ezrahite, starts off with these words of adoration and worship to God:

1 I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever!
Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.
2 Your unfailing love will last forever.
Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

Pretty compelling words. It almost seems as though Ethan wrote this at a spiritual highpoint when everything must have been right in his world. For 52 verses, the psalmist praises God for His faithfulness and steadfast love. But as you skip ahead down to verse 49, you see Ethan cry out to God.

49 Lord, where is your unfailing love?
You promised it to David with a faithful pledge.

After all his praise, after all that, the psalmist goes on to say "I need it again God, where is it?" His grace is unfailing and steadfast, but we still need it again and again. He's promised it to us, and His record is spotless... but we still cry out for it every now and then because we need a taste of God's love just one more time. "I need it again God... I need You to be faithful one more time."