<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Fr. Walter Snyder "On the tenth day of Christmas, the pastor gave to me---the one hundred seventieth column he's written for the Sunday Newsboy." Yes, it's still Christmastide, and yes, this is our fourth Christmas together as readers and writer. I'm still enjoying it, hope you are, too. Q: I grew up on the King James Version of the Bible, where Isaiah's prophecy says "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor." My church here uses the New International Version, which says, "Wonderful counselor." Just wondering about the difference. Is the NIV perhaps closer to the original Hebrew? A: Punctuation did not exist in the ancient texts and even in the later editions, such as that from which most of the Old Testament is translated, many of the breaks and combinations of words are subject to interpretation. That's why so many Bibles have footnotes that conjecture an alternate translation. So it is with the ninth chapter of Isaiah. When you read it, either makes literal sense and neither is counter to other parts of Scripture. The KJV is reinforced by Handel's "Messiah," where the breaks between the words are clear. However, I think that the more modern division is probably better, for various technical interpretive reasons. And I won't take more of a stand than this without hearing from others who are more expert in the field of Old Testament studies. Q: What do different Christian groups teach regarding honoring the Sabbath? Is it okay to eat out, since that's making somebody else work? What about watching football players play on Sunday? Going to a non-Christian gathering? Thank you for taking the time to answer my letter. A: Using a broad definition of "Christian" to include any group or individual claiming the title, you'll find a vast array of Sabbath beliefs. Some keep a true Saturday (seventh day) Sabbath. Most follow the ancient Christian Church in honoring the day of the Resurrection (Sunday) as the special Lord's Day. The Bible commands the gathering together of the saints, yet makes the scheduling of such gatherings an option. Paul speaks several times about not binding consciences in this area. Thus, you are freed from manmade constraints, yet God still wants you and all believers to join together to hear his Word and receive his gifts of forgiveness, Holy Communion, and the like. How you work this out in your life depends both upon how your own conscience reacts and whether you place untoward burdens upon others. Q: I have a question---actually, a thousand questions. This one came from my son, and I can't answer it for him. Maybe you know the answer. He asked me this: "Why is there no longer magic in the world like there was in the old days?" Then he gave examples of Moses, Jesus, etc. Can you help us out on this one? A: It would be better not to use "magic" when referring to the actions of God and his people. Magic is human manipulation of various powers, independent of the Word and will of God. Even if not "black" or satanic magic, it is a grasping for control of one's place in the world, disregarding what God has planned and done. As for the miraculous, I don't think that it has totally disappeared. However, miracles don't seem to be happening with near the frequency that they did in Bible times. Some of this may be due to the fact that much of the miraculous in the Old Testament foreshadowed even greater deeds by Christ. In the New Testament, Christ did certain things that were prophesied or brought to mind passages of the Scriptures by his divine miracles. His apostles appear to have been able to work more miracles (or have them worked for them, as in cases such as Peter being released from prison) than those who came later in order to both prove their apostolic call to others and to bring about the initial spread of the Word. Keep in mind that the Bible records all the major acts of divine intervention. Compare this to the entire time that God's creation has been established. The times of miracles tend to cluster together over a short period, with special emphasis on God enacting his plan of salvation for Israel and for all mankind. Also, remember that if miracles are still happening today (as I believe) they are not being recorded in a new Scripture by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Thus, all Christendom will not know of these modern miracles as we do those of the Bible. For the final time this season, I wish you Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God's richest blessings now and all the days of your life. That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville, Texas and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998-1999 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.