The "Apostles" of the Movie 1917

I simply can't wait for tonight's Greek class to begin. We'll be learning Greek second declension nouns that include such important words as "angel," "apostle," "sinner," "servant," "God," and even "Jesus." In case you didn't know, in my Greek classes we jump in feet first. When you study Greek with me you don't stand by the banks catching little guppies. You quickly dive deeply and before you know it you're in way over your head and the waves are huge and the currents are strong. But the rewards are out of this world!

I wish I could do a complete word study tonight of each and every one of our Greek vocabulary words. Take apostolos for example. What is an apostle you ask? It's very simple. He's a special messenger with a special message sent on a special mission. Got it? Moreover, he was empowered by the one who sent him. Want a great example of what I'm talking about? Look no further than the magnificent movie 1917.

As you recall, this film is a visceral portrayal of two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a crucial message across enemy lines during WWI. The message they carried could potentially save thousands of lives. The plot unfolds as a race against time. Their journey quickly becomes a crucible testing their courage and resilience. Both are willing to risk their lives for the greater good. If that doesn't sound like a New Testament apostle, I don't know what does!

Schofield, the movie's hero, initially seems less invested in the message but slowly discovers his sense of duty. The denouement of the film occurs when he eventually succeeds in delivering his message to Colonel MacKenzie of the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. The attack is thankfully called off. 

Schofield's hand injury sustained early in the film underscores the ever-present danger of war. He descends into no-man's land, the fiery ruins of Écoust, and a corpse-strewn stream -- a Dante-esque underworld of horrors if ever there was one. Interestingly enough, the scene where he runs across the battlefield as the first wave of soldiers charged was unscripted in the moment when he accidentally bumps into other soldiers. These real collisions were used in the final cut.

While the war is the background to the movie, Schofield's "apostolic" mission becomes the focal point of meaning. Despite being cautious and war-weary, his sense of duty and urgency transforms him from a cynical survivor into a determined savior. 

Like you, I was completely blown away by 1917. I felt like I was right there with Blake and Schofield. The film captures not only the sheer terror of war but also the way messengers navigated the chaotic battle to deliver their life-saving orders. 

Sounds a lot like the life of Paul the "apostle," doesn't it? 

New to Greek? God Will Enable You

Greek student: success in this class means we must get beyond all excuses and rationalizations.

• "I can't."
• "I don't have any language aptitude."
• "I'm so busy."
• "My study habits are terrible."
• "This is my very first foreign language."
• "I was terrible in English."
• "Do you know how young (or old) I am?"

This semester, at some point you're going to say, "Lord, I'm in way over my head. I'm so totally inadequate." Good! In Jeremiah 1, Jeremiah told the Lord, "I'm too young. I can't do this!" God told him not to use his age (or anything else) as an excuse. God promised to be with him and put his words in his mouth. God told him to speak whatever he commanded. And God commanded him to go wherever he sent him. 

The Lord provided EVERYTHING that was missing.

It's the same for us today.

God will enable you.

He will. 

Why I Love Vacationing in Switzerland

Everywhere you look is beauty.

Then there's the cleanliness.

The transportation system.

The healthy cows with bells.

The clean rivers.

The stunning scenery.

The chocolate.

The mountains.

The friendly people.

The efficiency.

The fresh air.

History everywhere.

The traditions.

Something different in every city.

Total acceptance (no sense of being a foreigner).

Political stability.

One other thing. I'm really impressed by the expectation of responsibility among tourists. No big "DANGER" signs or fences restricting activity and poor decision making. Of course, you need to act wisely. I've never climbed a peak without a mountain guide (about $840 per day but worth every penny). Lord willing, I'll be back in Zermatt next summer to climb the Mettelhorn. 

It's a vacation you don't want to end. 

Everything in Moderation (Or, Do I Run Too Much?)

This afternoon I went for a run. Of course I did. 

Maybe all of you think I'm going to drop dead while running. I doubt it. If you read my blog, you know that not only do I think running is amazing for your overall health but that it's a wonderful antidote for growing older. I'm not saying there aren't any risks. Drink coffee? Coffee can kill you, but it can also keep dementia away. Eggs will clog your arteries. Oh wait -- there are health benefits from eating eggs. In the end, you can make your case for living whatever kind of life you want to live. 

Personally, I feel that running is a gift from God. It's far better than sitting on the sofa watching TV all day and eating Doritos. I don't really care what this study or that study says. Anything you do in life involves a risk. So you find what you love to do and then accept the risks. The alternative is to live your life always thinking about every little thing that could happen to you. 

I will not live my life that way. 

Yes, I will be responsible. Yes, I will see my cardiologist annually. Yes, I will take probiotics, multivitamins, and enzymes daily. Yes, I will eat well and sleep well. Yes, I will listen to my body. Will I stop running? The answer is no. 

Everything we do is a risk. Doing no exercise is bad for you. Doing too much exercise is bad for you. The same can be said about anything else in our lives. Even drinking water. Frankly -- and here's something Baptists are particularly reticent to accept -- nearly everybody in North America is on the too little exercise side of the equation. I run several times a week. At no time am I sore or achy. At no time am I out of breath. I'd prefer the risk of running and being able to perform hard physical labor any day over being sedentary. What if I do die running? Then I died doing something I loved. 

At 74, my motto is, "Everything in moderation." I still run 32-mile ultras but I am not an "extreme" athlete. I run (or walk) slowly and take my time finishing the race. I run ultras simply for the athletic aspect of it, regardless of the level I compete at. In fact, because of my God-given temperament, even if there were no health benefits from running, I would still do it if it made me feel on top of the world. I love running like so many others do but not necessarily to have a longer life but to have a better life. The feeling of wellbeing cannot be overstated. I am a true believer that you do what works for you. Give your body what it needs to be healthy. 

Thank the Lord, I've never felt better or stronger. I still have a lot of work to do with my aging body and will continue to push myself. If I die in the process, so be it. I choose to live better each day. Running makes me live better. 

Everything in moderation -- including moderation! 

Today's Training Run

Today I drove up to Lunenburg County for a training trail run for my 50K in December. 

It was only 10 miles. 

Still, that's a third of the total distance of the race. That ultra on Dec. 6 is my hugest, biggest, most ginormous goal left in 2026. It will involve strict training. Prior to that I finished up my gym workout from yesterday. 

I was doing an upper body workout yesterday when it was time for haying. I rarely leave anything undone!

Tell me, what did you do today for exercise?

Bold and Old

I know when you get older you begin thinking, "Well, I need to pull the blinds and put another lock on the door." It's so easy to get crotchety. You don't want to do that. I know you're old. Your enemy is telling you you're over it. Get past that. Today I had lunch at a Chinese buffet with 7 grandkids whom I love to pieces. 

At Papa B's request, they tried to eat with chopsticks. 

I loved it. 

A life that's empty of purpose and passion until age 74 will not suddenly become filled upon retirement. If you're not active now, I can't imagine how docile you'll be when you get into your 70s and 80s. Practice now. Don't worry about what others think. Earlier today I worked out at the gym, as I do three days a week. 

I am not a helpless victim. 

Believe me, there is something I can do about my aging body to keep it in good shape. 

Steps. Why not start out with daily steps? 

After that we finished baling 12 acres of hay. It's simply called being active. 

Friend, I'm inviting you to do the same. Be engaged. This is the best time now to do so. Stay strong in prayer. Be bold in courage. Cultivate closeness with your friends and family. The aging apostle Paul was such a model of this. No bitterness. He never got cranky. The man just pulled out all the stops. 

Older saint: We need you bold and old.

A Simple Hack If You're Learning German

If you're wanting to learn German and wish to visit Germany for practice, I do not recommend that you go to big cities like Frankfurt or Berlin. Everyone is used to speaking English in the bigger cities in Germany. Once they sense the slightest level of discomfort on your part about speaking German, they will switch to English. The result is that you may not be able to practice much German there. So try and get out to the country by taking the train or the tram and then, say, eating a meal in a German restaurant. Your efforts will be greatly rewarded I think. Here I am in a mountain restaurant above Zermatt asking my server where he thinks I'm from. What fun! 

The New Battle for the Bible Within Evangelicalism

We seem to live in an evangelical subculture that can tolerate anything but intolerance. 

When I was in seminary, I was taught to respect scholars with whom I disagreed as individuals. But that never meant that I was obligated to accept or approve of or participate in their beliefs or their behavior. Tolerance did not mean that every belief had equal validity. You were still supposed to be discerning. And while you certainly respected the person, you didn't necessarily agree with their interpretation of Scripture. 

Today, the "new tolerance" teaches that all truth claims are equal in validity and that truth is relative. The impression is left that there are no absolutes like absolute biblical authority any more. Isn't it amazing how every 50 years or so the doctrine of inerrancy comes under attack within evangelicalism? I lived through the battle for the Bible that took place in the 1970s. My students are now living through a very similar battle in the 2020s. Recently, Paul Weaver of Dallas Seminary sat down to interview Dr. Richard Howe of Southern Evangelical Seminary. They discussed the latest attack on the Bible within the evangelical camp. 

It's a disturbing trend to say the least. Last Monday night I spent some time walking my Greek students through 2 Tim. 3:16-17 in the hopes of rekindling within them a renewed fire for the God-breathed Scriptures. I warned them about those who seem to find delight in finding "errors" in the Bible. These teachers seem to be growing in popularity. Wrong teaching can come from very gifted individuals. 

Let me tell you whom I'm most concerned about today and that would be our teens and college students. Within these demographics, emotion seems to be the Guiding Light rather than logic or credible evidence. I have spent much of my life documenting the evidences of our faith, but because of the widespread influence of the new tolerance I've discovered that the truth of the Bible is increasingly becoming a non-issue. Fewer and fewer people are asking questions about the new attack on biblical inerrancy. The line between truth and error has gotten blurred. 

That's why I'm so happy for voices like Richard Howe who are calling us back to a place where right is right and wrong is wrong so that the standard of absolute biblical authority might be reestablished for a new generation of Christians. Please join me in praying that the Lord will give us the courage and the tact to stand for what is true and especially the willingness to be labeled as narrow and bigoted. 

I Feel So Sorry for These New Testament Verses, Don't You?

Certain verses just seem to languish in the shadow of the verse that follows them. I mean, how about poor old John 3:15? Or Rom. 8:27? Or 1 John 1:8? Or Eph. 2:7?

Let's look briefly at this latter example. Here's the Greek of verse 8, the one we've all memorized:

Please note the word highlighted in yellow. It's the Greek word for "the." Greek scholars call this the article of previous reference. This means that Paul is not referring to grace in general but to the grace he's mentioned in verse 7, namely, the grace of God. A few English translations actually try to bring this out. Kudos to them! These include:

• GNT: "For it is by God's grace that you have been saved."
• ISV: "For by such grace you have been saved."
• NGU: "Noch einmal: Durch Gottes Gnade seid ihr gerettet."

Clearly, "by grace" in verse 8 means the grace already mentioned in verse 7, namely, God's grace. 

This is basic hermeneutics, folks. Contextless exegesis is poor exegesis. Always has been, always will be. Context refers to that which goes before and that which follows after. So whenever you study a verse, a paragraph, or a section, always consult the neighbors of that verse, that paragraph, or that section. Whenever you get lost, climb the "contextual tree" and get a bird's eye view of the context!

Sailing on to Maturity in Christ (Heb. 6:1)

One of my great joys is teaching my new students how the Greek verb works. It has architectural precision! Next Monday we'll continue our discussion of verbs and introduce a handful of additional vocabulary words, including the verb pherō. Sadly, this verb is mistranslated in Heb. 6:1 in most English versions. I think this might be a good time to remind all of us of a basic principle of biblical interpretation. Don't go too hurriedly when you work your way through verses of Scripture. I think the most common mistake made is when people hope to finish several chapters in one sitting and so they're interested mainly in speed rather than absorption. Linger over words, especially the verbs. Turn the word over and over again in your mind so that you can actually visualize it happening. In Heb. 6:1, Paul didn't write "Let us press on to maturity." He wrote, "Let us continue to be carried along to maturity." The verb Paul uses here, as I said, is pherō. It's a metaphor taken from the world of sailing. We might paraphrase Paul's thought as: "Let us raise our sails as it were and allow ourselves to be carried along to spiritual maturity by the Holy Spirit of God." 

The connection between divine action and human response is a thought present throughout the epistle. We advance to a higher state of holiness by being "borne along" as if by the current of a stream or the wind in a sail. There is still need of human effort to be sure, but sanctification is ultimately dependent on God's work in us through the Holy Spirit. As we actively pursue holiness, our progress is sustained by God's grace and power. Hence there is a beautiful balance between  human responsibility and divine sovereignty, as Paul is eager to point out frequently in his writings (see, for example, Phil. 2:12-13). 

So when we as believers take action, our ability to do so comes from God's presence and power. This truth is not optional for the believer. It's at the center of spiritual maturity. God has called us to sanctification. And thanks be to God, he has also given us his Holy Spirit who washes, sustains, convicts, comforts, strengthens, and perfects holiness in the life of the believer!

I Think I May Have Invented a New Word

Today we spent the day farming. My grandson worked alongside us. When Becky and I purchased our farm 26 years ago, we had a dream. We dreamed that the farm would eventually become an intergenerational farm. And guess what? I'm more than grateful to be able to say this is exactly what our God has allowed it to become. I thought about that as my 17-year old grandson operated the baler today. 

The fact that our farm now involves three generations is almost beyond me. Thank you, God, for never leaving nor forsaking me or my family. 

Farms used to be passed along from generation to generation. It only made sense that parents would pass the farm to their children who had grown up participating in farm life. Since the 1980s, farms have been gobbled up either by corporate agribusinesses or data farms. Today, fewer than half of American farms are family-run operations. But some small farms are bucking the establishment. Why, horse breeders have even come from as far away as Charlotte, NC, for our hay. 

Today I farmed with my son and my grandson. I guess that makes me a grandfarmer. Not sure if I've ever heard that word before. But feel free to call me that any time. 

My Favorite Calling: Teaching!

This is wonderful! 

Starting a new semester is a big and exciting step! 

You will meet classmates who share your faith and love for the Lord Jesus. 

You will study ancient languages. 

You will grow stronger as you learn. 

We're all so expectant for what God has in store for us this year! 

The start of a fall semester brings a fresh wave of energy. 

In-person classes at the seminary are full again, and I can't wait to see how God moves in our community this semester! 

Hope your semester is off to a great start! 

My Monday night Greek class: 

I Love Surfing

On Kukio Beach in Waikiki, there's a 9-foot statue that stands with open arms to greet visitors. It's the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku statue. It sits right on the Waikiki beach boardwalk. I took this video on August 10, 2026. 

The statue emphasizes the Duke's immense role in globalizing the sport of surfing. 

Today surfing is such a popular sport because it combines the thrill of harnessing the power of the ocean with the laid back style of the surfing community. Surfers enjoy an often spiritual bond with the ocean. In my opinion, surfing and golf are the two most difficult sports to become really good at. 

People surf for all kinds of reasons. I've been surfing for 64 years. I started in Hawaii, them I surfed in California for 27 years. Nowadays I occasionally get to catch a few waves at Virginia Beach. The waves used to be in my front yard literally. I surfed almost daily on some of the most beautiful stretches of the Pacific coast on Oahu. It was always fun and extremely joyful. The "point" for me is the connection to the now. I can be fully engaged in the moment and part of it. The failed drops. The stinging in the eyes. The successful turns. Getting to drop in on a wave every couple of minutes. Surfing gives me a dopamine high like nothing else, not even marathoning. Just think: A wave that travelled many miles just for my enjoyment. It's a beautiful thing. 

I love surfing and have done it for over 6 decades. When the water is like glass and the waves are peeling perfectly, all is well with the world. It's like climbing a tall mountain and then savoring a cup of delicious coffee at the peak. There's a lot of paddling and waiting, but you get this one moment to appreciate what you accomplished. Surfing always clears my head. I like the no phone, no kids, no distractions atmosphere. 

Life has changed for me dramatically over the years, but the one constant has been surfing. It has kept me sane through career changes, widowerhood, and health issues. Every time I felt overwhelmed I had this sport. I broke my rib when I was surfing in my teens at Pipeline. Today that rib acts up whenever I paddle out. But who cares? I still love to go out and catch a wave. 

I never regret a surfing trip to Hawaii. Once in a blue moon, when I truly catch a great wave, that makes it all worthwhile. It's the best way I could ever think to get outside and exercise. Much less stressful and cheaper than going to a gym! 

5K (3.1 Mile) Racing Tip

It's the first 5,000 meters that are the hardest in a 3.1 mile race. Just thought you should know. 

September Wellness Challenge

Who's joining?

• Gym at least twice per week.
• Move for 30 minutes a day doing any physical activity you enjoy.
• Drink 8 glasses of water every day.
• Avoid fast food 6 out of every 7 days.
• No eating after 8 pm to enhance sleep quality and reduce late-night snacking.
• 8 hours of sleep per night.
• Read Bible every morning. 

Don't Be Ashamed to Tell Students You Love Them

So excited to pour out my life again during tonight's Greek class. I love these students! I'm reminded of something Paul said about the Thessalonians. "For now we truly live, if you stand firm in the Lord" (1 Thess. 3:8). The EXB reads, "Our life is really full!" Get this. Paul's "life" was contingent to a degree on their continued steadfastness. He's saying, "My very life depends on your stability in Christ and your correct Christian walk." Any good teacher will tell you that they flourish when those they are training are steady as a rock in the exercising of their duties as students. Paul's whole life seemed to be bound up with the churches he had founded. They were his "children," his "loved and longed-for," his "hope and joy and crown of boasting" (1 Thess. 2:19). And he wasn't ashamed to tell them that!

Greek prof, tell your students that you love them. Tell them often. Tell them unabashedly. Then support that statement by your gracious treatment of them. They will be drawn to you like a magnet. 

Donuts in Church?

Recently I read about a church that changed its policy and decided to allow coffee and donuts in the sanctuary. Their thinking went something like this: Nothing should stand between a hell-bound sinner and salvation other than the scandal of the cross. Interestingly, Chuck Swindoll had a very similar approach when he became the president of Dallas Seminary and the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church. You can read about that here. 

P.S. To be honest with you, I'm not a complete libertarian when it comes to this matter. Donuts are okay in the sanctuary, but I draw the line at sprinkles. No sprinkles in church, please. 

Staying Active and Productive As We Age (2 Pet. 1:8)

One of the greatest fears we face as we age is that of living lives that are both useless and fruitless. I certainly entertain that fear from to time. We don't want to reach that point in our lives where we spend our days in uselessness and unfruitfulness. This more than anything causes the elderly to suffer from depression, especially when they've enjoyed a life of productivity and usefulness. Life now seems to have passed them by.

All these thoughts flooded my mind as I did my devotions in 2 Peter 1 this morning. Verse 8 contains two very interesting -- and convicting -- words. 

Peter is describing a life that has become useless and fruitless. In verse 5, he says we are to "make every effort" not to live that way. The aged need to be engaged in the diligent application of biblical truth in their lives if they want to live a life that is useful and productive. I've always loved being around older people who live that way.

Interestingly, the term translated "useless" could also be rendered "inactive." The CEB, in fact, renders the verse as follows: "If all these are yours and they keep growing in you, they'll keep you from being inactive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Message says, "With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus." 

There are a million reasons why activity is just as important for adults as it is for kids. Not only does it boost cognitive function, it protects mental health and reduces stress -- all things the elderly can benefit from. If you're not making time for exercise, chances are you're feeling unproductive without it. I'm not saying we should adopt a "no pain, no gain" mentality. If something is hurting, especially as we grow older, it's not something to ignore. High-impact activities can especially be hard on the knees, so choose low-impact exercises. Walking may not be as exciting as running but it's safer. You can still gain muscle mass and strength well into your 80s. Above all, choose an activity that you want to do, not have to do. 

It's never too late to start been physically active and to achieve the real benefits of an active lifestyle! 

Easy Peasy

Keep It Simple, Stupid!

When I first took Greek at Biola, our textbook was Chase and Phillips. 

It was WAY over my head. I lasted exactly three weeks in the class before dropping. Here's a typical explanation (p. 4): "A word bearing the acute upon the ultima is known as an oxytone, one with the acute upon the penult as a paroxytone, one with the acute upon the antepenult as a proparoxytone." The authors add this: "These terms, though formidable, will save much laborious periphrasis."

Say what?????????????????????

Teachers of ancient Greek should in my opinion keep their instruction as simple as possible to help their students better understand the language, especially when they're beginners. At the very least, this means using clear language that initially avoids complex vocabulary and explanations. Complex methods and techniques can easily overwhelm and hinder a student's ability to master the language. To know a language is to develop a skill. The material you use to learn Greek, at least at the initial phases of language learning, plays a critical role in your eventual success as a teacher. The best textbooks in my opinion are those that are both well organized and simple. Why, then, should two of the most recent beginning grammars of New Testament Greek be 600 pages? 

Incidentally, after dropping Greek 1 at Biola, I took Greek 1-2 from Moody Bible Institute by correspondence, then took two semesters of intermediate Greet at Biola that summer, and then took two Greek courses at Talbot School of Theology the following two semesters. Two years after I dropped Greek 1, I was hired to teach 11 units of beginning Greek at Biola. Our textbook? The one I couldn't understand! Don't tell me that God doesn't have a sense of humor. That was in 1976. I was 24. Fifty years later God is still letting this beach bum teach Greek!

Eugene Peterson's The Message

An excellent, balanced critique by John Miles.

Do You Remember Your First Date?

I'll never forget my first date with Becky in 1972. We were both students at Biola at the time. 

We went to see Five Summer Stories in Long Beach. It was one of the best surfing movies ever made. It was an amazing, memorable first date! 

Surfing movies have such a distinctive, carefree vibe about them. We got to enjoy the visuals without awkward silences. The filmmaker used advanced, high-speed cameras to capture the mechanics of wave-riding in crisp, unprecedented detail. 

It was as though you were on the wave yourself. The movie featured a professional stereo soundtrack by the group Honk as well as the Beach Boys. The cinematographer Bud Browne put audiences directly inside the barrel at Pipeline. This was Becky's introduction to surf culture. 

She got to see surfing not just as a hobby but as a legitimate art form and lifestyle. It instantly immersed her into the nature-loving mindset of her future husband. It kicked off a lifetime of beach trips. 

Do you remember your first date? 

Speak Up!

You can't improve your speaking solely by consuming content like podcasts or YouTube videos.While passive input improves your understanding, it cannot improve your ability to produce language. The mouth is a muscle that must be actively engaged. Consider splitting your time between passive input and active speaking. 

These Moments

I was here at Panic Point not 9 days ago. 

This is one of the greatest waves you can surf on the South Shore of Oahu. I was here when I was 19. 

And I was here this summer at the age of 74. 

Staying active for a lifetime is an act of faith. It starts with a single step and continues with each step after that. These moments are yours to keep and yours to share with your grandkids and great-grandkids. These moments, no matter how big or small, will distinguish you as a surfer. 

I Am a Runner

After doing exhaustive research into the subject, I have concluded that runners come in three speeds: 1) faster than me; 2) much faster than me; and 3) faster than I will ever be. Not one part of my body seems designed for speed. Not even my long legs. There have been occasions when I've run a race and been beaten badly by a person whose legs were decidedly shorter than mine. 

I will never have a runner's body. That's a given. Therefore I'm concentrating on having a runner's soul. After all, it isn't speed than makes you a runner, nor is it the shoes, the socks, the clothes, or the hat. It's running. Just running. I realize that everytime I lace up my shoes and go out for a run, as I did today. 

I realize that everytime I get in my daily miles. 

I am a runner. A real runner. Not just someone who goes for a run. But a runner.

So are you.

When Americans Travel Abroad

Ever traveled abroad? Then you know the feeling of being a foreigner on foreign soil. Anyone who's done this for the first time finds that traveling internationally makes an incredible impact upon them. 

I remember quite vividly stepping on foreign soil for the first time and being in the midst of a language and culture not my own. It was the summer of 1978. Becky and I had been married only 2 years when we spent the summer in Germany with Greater Europe Mission. It was my joy to play the trumpet on an evangelistic brass octet that toured the country. 

In those days, Americans were notorious for being terrible tourists. "Ugly Americans" we were called. I remember being very self-conscious about how well I was representing my home. 

Americans often stand out when they travel abroad due to their loudness, poor tipping habits, and cultural preferences like air conditioning and ice in drinks. In Switzerland, where Becky and I lived from 1980-1983, Americans often displayed a casual attitude towards time and punctuality. Such behavior is often confusing to people from other cultures. To foreigners, American traits can range from obnoxious to amusing to endearing. One thing almost everyone agrees on is this: we come across at full volume. You hear Americans coming before you see them. We even chat more intimately with strangers than most Europeans do. 

And then there are our superlatives. We marvel at everything and are prepared to gush over the most "amazing" beaches, restaurants, and sunsets. We can't get over how delicious meals are either. "This is the best __________ I've had in my entire life!" We're also linguistically spoiled. Over three-fourths of Americans speak only English fluently. Not only that, we take it for granted that English will be accommodated almost everywhere we travel. 

Here's what Becky and I learned after living just a few months in Basel. Being loud doesn't mean rude. Neither does wanting space. Our cultures are just, well, different. As first we felt offended when our enthusiastic "Good morning!" wasn't reciprocated by strangers. On the other hand, the friendships we made with Swiss people became some of the most enduring of our lives. 

To make close friends with the Swiss, consider joining local clubs or groups that align with your interests, be it a sports club or a local church. By actively attending and participating in die Baptistengemeinde Basel, Becky and I were able to create meaningful connections and build friendships with Swiss people easily. 

Remember that Swiss social customs emphasize punctuality, politeness, and respect for personal space. If you are able to speak German (as we could), learn a few phrases in Swiss German that help you show respect and your willingness to integrate. Work hard at familiarizing yourself with the unwritten rules of social interactions. By embracing these aspects of Swiss life, expats can create lasting friendships and feel more at home in this beautiful and diverse country! 

Restoring "Philology" to Our Vocabulary

I have come to realize after 5 decades of teaching that I am a philologos -- a philologist or "lover of words." Maybe you're not, but you're reading the words of one who is. 

In our current academic setting, it is increasingly common to work on the basis of the term "linguistics" rather than "philology." I may have unwittingly contributed to this trend. After all, several of my publications have the word "linguistics" in their titles. When words are treated mainly as analyzable objects of linguistic research, language studies can easily become nothing more than a conveyor belt of information (data). Words are stripped of their poetic, ontological, ethical force, etc. This is why philology -- the historical, semantic, and cultural study of words -- is needed. For example, a word like "exercise" has been medicalized, even commodified. The Latin exercitum referred to exercise of any kind, not just reps in a gym.

To return to philology is to return to a love of language and literature. This branch of science deals with more than mere utility. It comprehends the linguistic, historical, interpretive, and critical aspects of literary and classical scholarship. Simplified, philology is the discipline of making sense of texts. It's not merely the study of language -- that's linguistics -- or the study of truth -- that's philosophy or theology. Philology is what J. R. R. Tolkien did. 

Some German universities even have a Department of Philology (e.g., Leipzig, Göttingen, Freiburg, Köln) that study such topics as Anglistik, Slawistik, Germanistik, etc. Indeed, when I began work in Basel on Paul's words for "weakness," I found that to be a profoundly philological topic. It involved a combination of literary studies, history, theology, lexicography, and linguistics. 

This is why the return to philology matters. It can serve as the locus for an emergent cross-disciplinary revolution, allowing for just as many approaches as the kinds of texts we read and study.

Determining God's Will

Facing a major decision in life? Here are 5 guidelines from something I heard years ago and jotted down in my journal. See if you don't find them useful:

A = Acceptance. Have an accepting frame of mind -- an attitude of openness regardless of what God's will may be or where it will lead. Say, "I'm willing, Lord."

B = Biblical instruction. Someone has said, "God's will is never contrary to God's word." The Bible is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Get into the word, then jot down your thoughts on a piece of paper. Write down any questions you want to think through. Probe God's word for guidance.

C = Conviction from the Holy Spirit. Some call this "inner compulsion." This means walking in the Spirit, being filled with the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, keeping in step with the Spirit. Try to sense his direction. It may not come quickly, but it will ultimately come.

D = Determine if peace is occuring. Paul writes, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Col. 3:15). If you're still churning, you're not there yet.

E = Expect struggles and surprises. Tests are inevitable even if you are in the will of God. But there will still be peace.

Hope this helps! 

Five Life-Changing Truths I Learned While Growing Up in Hawaii (Part 5: Efficiency)

I used to call myself lazy. I'm Hawaii born and raised, after all. If it isn't easy, is it really worth doing? The answer, of course, is yes. But in Hawaii I learned to ask a key question: "How can I design a life where it is easy to do what's required?" 

Psychologists calls this "the law of least effort." Energy is a precious commodity. And Hawaii people naturally gravitate toward the option that requires the least amount of work. We seek the most value for the least effort. 

Of course, we are as capable as anyone of choosing very hard things. The most highly decorated outfit in the U.S. army in WWII was, after all, the 442 infantry regiment -- comprised almost entirely of second-generation Japanese Americans from Hawaii. At the same time, the less friction you face, the easier it is for your strengths to emerge. I've applied this strategy with some success in losing weight, learning how to climb mountains, and marathoning. 

So ... want to achieve more? 

Do it with less effort. 

Make your daily habits (your diet and exercise, for example) simple and easy. 

Find a gym that's right on your way to work rather than one that requires you to go out of your way to get there. 

Set realistic goals for your publication deadlines. 

Practice "addition by subtraction" by eliminating things that sap your time and energy. 

For Hawaiians, this comes quite naturally. 

"Physical Peak" Is Relative!

Biologically, men peak athletically between the ages of 25 and 35. This is especially true of elite-level competitors. For everyday athletes, this does not matter in the least. Biological decline is real, but it is incredibly slow for athletic people. A disciplined 50-year old who manages sleep, nutrition, and lifting will outperform a sedentary 25-year old any day. 

Unless you're planning on competing in the Olympics, I wouldn't worry about your age. "Physical peak" is relative!  

Purging Procrastination

I love this German proverb about procrastination, especially because it rhymes:

Morgen, morgen, nur nicht heute.

Sagen alle faulen Leute.

The English translation rhymes too:

Tomorrow, tomorrow, not today.

That's what all the lazy people say.

Greek student, stop being lazy in language learning. Build strict daily routines instead of relying on fleeting motivation. Commit to just 5 or 10 minutes daily so it feels too easy to skip. Learning Greek is a marathon and not a sprint, as we said in class last Monday night. Be consistent for a long enough time and you WILL master the language! 

Love you and praying for you! 

The Pauline Authorship of Hebrews?

This is for all my fellow obscurantists out there :)

Hurricane "Moke": You've Got to Be Kidding Me!

The next tropical storm/hurricane to hit Hawaii has been named "Moke." A really hilarious inside joke. (If you're not born and raised in Hawaii, you'll never understand this.) 

Tenacity Is As Essential As Talent

A great time at the gym today. As you know, I am training for another 50K race in December. 

Notice I didn't say "finishing." I said, "Training." When the race starts, you have to run and walk in the moment. 

Racing is always a giant unknown. But getting to the starting line is not. It's something you can count on. You will have to allow your body to adjust to the new stresses, the new strengths, and the new weaknesses, and you will have to do all of this while focusing on the real goal: starting the race. 

Now you know why I think running is such a wonderful metaphor for the Christian life. No one can run a single step for you. Long-distance athletes are made, not born. Goals can never be too high, but expectations can. I've learned that long-distance running is more about tenacity than talent. Nearly everyone who tackles the time to carefully prepare can go the distance. In fact, the more the miles will forgive you for not having a talent, the more they will reward too for tenacity and preparation. 

I finished my first half marathon not a minute too soon. I could not have run another step. That was 45 half marathons ago. As I watched the other runners finish their own half marathon, I kept thinking that there was no way I could go another 13.1 miles and run an entire marathon. It felt impossible at the time, way out of my mental reach. That was 20 full marathons ago. 

May I say that patience is your most important training tool? Tenacity is as essential as talent. The same is true for those of you who are studying New Testament Greek. There are no easy marathon courses. And there are no easy "Let's learn how to read New Testament Greek" courses. You just start at the beginning and enjoy the journey. 

Can you be a long-distance runner? Of course you can. Can you learn to read New Testament Greek? Of course you can. I believe that with patience and determination, you can change your life. Do this in the power of the Spirit and you will find the results to be absolutely amazing. 

There is nothing like the feeling of lining up at the starting line of a marathon along with a 40,000 other runners with nothing else to do that day than expect to make your way to the finish line!

Below: At the start of the Chicago Marathon, October 13, 2019. 

Five Life-Changing Truths I Learned While Growing Up in Hawaii (Part 4: Being Present)

The pace of life in the islands is molasses slow. People tend to live in the moment, one right after the other. 

Present-moment living means focusing your attention on the here and now. You appreciate life just in that moment. You realize there is no better time to appreciate your life than right then. You're not so caught up with what's next that you fail to savor a spectacular sunrise over the Mokulua Islands or a magnificent sunset over the Koolau Range. 

When I slip out of the present moment, my grandkids help me regain focus. They allow themselves to stay fully engaged and absorbed and involved in whatever they happen to be doing and with whomever they happen to be. As a kid growing up at Kailua Beach, I milked every ounce out of that experience. Instead of worrying too much about future problems, I saw beauty. I'm not saying there weren't any ants at the picnic. But rarely would they ruin an otherwise perfect day. 

People in Hawaii see the present moment as this magnificent place that is waiting to be enjoyed. It was in Hawaii that I learned that if I wanted tomorrow to be different, I would have to make a personal commitment to enjoying my life today, as it is right now. 

Coming up in Part 5: "Efficiency." 

Ultra Training Has Begun

Just added to my race calendar: The Freight Train 50K in Farmville on Dec. 5. My 5th 32-mile race, if you can believe it! Back in the running boom days of the 1960s and 70s, ultras were for serious, elite-level runners only. Everyone is welcome now. Personally, I am happy to see the club disbanded. As every runner knows, regardless of the distance of the race the biggest part of running is the journey -- where the fun and the personal gratification meet. So if you're a runner and want joy, I've found your race. You may never win an ultra, but the race for fulfillment will be yours hands down. And that may be the sweetest victory of all.

Pics:

1. Training at the High Bridge Trail today -- since the race will take place here!

2. A run of 12 miles produced these steps. I used to think 12 miles was far, but it's only one third of a 50K ultra.

3. You've also got a 100K option. Me? Never! 

4. Read this and then tell me you wouldn't have fun out here! 

5. La Parota for lunch after my run today. When I said to my server after she asked me how I was doing, "Muero de hambre," she quietly corrected me, "Me muero de hambre." I love that! We're there to learn, right? Today I also learned how to say "May I have a water to go?" I would never have guessed it's "Puedo tener un agua de llevar." I was expecting "tener" or "portar."

6. Yours truly in his first 50K on the HBT. Friend, you already have what it takes to become a long-distance athlete. It's the mindset, not the miles, that separates those who do from those who only dream. 

Have a wonderful day! 

So Thankful

50 pounds in two years. God's grace. Still learning how to do hard things. 

8 Miles

A very nice day for a run! 

You Have Been Challenged

As you know, the band-assisted pullup is an ideal target because it makes an advanced exercise available to almost anyone. All you need is a sturdy pullup bar and a looped resistance band (your choice of thickness). If you're saying to yourself, "I've always wanted to do a pullup but it seems so out of reach," you are not alone. But that changes today. I am launching the Band-Assisted Pullup Challenge! Over the next few days or weeks, you are going to use a resistance band to unload some of your body weight. This will allow you to build perfect form, target the right muscles, and finally conquer the bar. A thick band will give you a MASSIVE boost. It will also assist you at the bottom of the movement, which is the hardest part. Just place your knee in the loop and see how many pullups you can do. Focus on bringing your elbows down to your ribs and getting your chin over the bar. Keep your body in a tight, hollow position. Do not swing or kick your legs. 

Are you in? Let's hold each other accountable! 

Life Is Like a Coin

Someone has said, "Life is like a coin. You can spend it anyway you like, but you can only spend it once." 

You decide how you use your days. 

Because your time and energy are both limited, every choice you make uses up a part of that finite life. 

The time is short (1 Cor. 7:29). 

Focus only on what matters most. 

I will try and do the same as well. 

Self Discipline Is the Secret of Self Love

Who hasn't fought the Battle of the Bulge? Losing body fat has never been easy. But it's not impossible. 

By God's grace I went from 240 pounds down to 183 pounds. So can you. I snapped this photo at the age of 74 at the end of my vacation on Oahu. 

A Hawaii vacation is probably the only vacation where you can lose weight and return home fitter than you were before you left. I'm not saying that losing weight is easy. But it's not impossible. With our God, all things are possible.

Friend, think about gaining energy and not just about losing weight. Change tiny habits like drinking more water and getting more steps. Be kind to yourself and remember that self worth is not tied to a scale. When you slip up don't be mean to yourself. Be proud of every healthy choice the Lord helps you to make, no matter how small. 

Exercising is hard, but so is being unhealthy. Choose your hard. The years are going to pass either way. Would you rather look back and wished you'd started earlier, or be grateful for all the progress you made? Even a bad workout is still a workout. Remember: The number isn't the goal. The lifestyle is the goal.

Self-discipline is the secret of self-love!

So Grateful for This Edition of the Greek New Testament!!

Watch this:

I could not be happier! 

Here's Where I Run When I'm on Oahu

1. Waikiki Beach along Kalakaua Ave. People love to run in Waikiki because of its stunning ocean views and its lush vegetation. The stretch combines a very lively beachfront with iconic sights like Diamond Head and the Duke Kahanamoku statue. 

Massive banyan trees offer relief from the sun, and wide, well-maintained sidewalks make for easy, flat pacing. 

2. Ala Moana Beach Park. This 2.5-mile loop provides a safe, car-free environment from early morning through sunset. You'll enjoy panoramic views of the surf, Diamond Head, and the Honolulu skyline. 

If you'd like to add variety and a cool breeze to your route, the Magic Island extension is perfect for that. 

There's plenty of parking, rest stations, and water fountains. In addition, it's frequently populated by other runners who will be glad to let you join them on their run (and will be glad to shoot videos of you as well). Sunrise is normally around 6:00 am, and plenty of people are out and about at the park at that time. If you do the entire loop twice, you'll get in about 7 miles. 

Both routes have a great feel. They're beautiful, safe, and clean. Plus we're talking smoking-free. One day I got in a 9-mile run at Ala Moana, then a surfing session in at Waikiki. I don't know how I did it, but I think I busted a new record for steps that day. 

Does Garmin count paddling strokes? Lol! 

Wretched

In class tomorrow night I think I'm going to mention a Greek compound word that Paul uses in Rom. 7:24, the English translation of which is "wretched." We rarely use that word today. In fact, in the hymn Amazing Grace, people have changed the word "wretch" to "soul" or some other word because wretch feels too harsh for modern ears. Well, there's a Greek word to describe this. Hogwash. If Paul could call himself a miserable, wretched person, so can we. 

John Newton used that word in his hymn Amazing Grace after leaving his life as a captain of a slave ship. He used "wretch" because he felt it matched his real state. That's why grace is so meaningful to Greek students like the ones I'll be teaching tomorrow night. God deals with wretches, and if you don't believe that, you've been hanging out with politically correct people too long. Truth be told, every mature believer in Christ ultimately comes to the place where they realize how wretched they are deep down inside. The good news is that we don't stay there because God's amazing grace lifts us above it. 

If I live to be a hundred years, I will never be able to exhaust my praise for God's grace in my life. No one was less qualified to teach Greek when I was hired for that position way back in 1976 than I was. How wonderful and how marvelous that God saw me as I could be rather than as I was. As I entered the classroom I was humbled, and in humility I learned to accept the grace of my calling. I learned that apart from Jesus I could do nothing but remain awash in a sea of fear and doubt. 

Students and teachers alike pay a huge price for the loss of their wretchedness. Jesus is not a coach or a prof who tells me to give it a try. He is a Savior who came to save and then use a wretched sinner like me. Grace was amazing for John Newton. May it be so for every one of us in class tomorrow night.

Five Life-Changing Truths I Learned While Growing Up in Hawaii (Part 3: Joy)

3. Joy. In Hawaii, I learned that joy isn't so much a circumstance as it is a feeling you learn to live with. External circumstances can change everything in your life without affecting your level of joy. It's possible to learn joy. As you think, so shall you be. 

For example, I lost my father when I was three. Without a father figure in your life, success in any venture is difficult. When you make a commitment to joy you are, in effect, saying, "There is so much in my life I can't control. Yet this is the life God has planned for me, and I am going to be joyful." 

Being joyful isn't always easy. In fact, it can be one of the greatest challenges of your life. True maturity is about taking the challenge -- the loss of a father or a spouse -- and choosing to concentrate on what you have rather what you lack. 

Most of us think by resolving this or that problem we will find peace and contentment. But those conditions are rarely met. The fact is, regardless of how good or how bad your family life may have been, you will still have to make the commitment. It was in Kailua that I decided to make a start on that. 

Coming up in Part 4: "Being present." 

Coming Soon

Can't wait to share a new post with you that tries to answer the question: If Paul was the author of Hebrews, why did he leave his name out of the opening prologue and thus break the normal pattern of ancient writing? I think I've got a great answer to that question and one that will treat you to a fantastic quote from the father of Palestinian archeology. 

Stay tuned .... 

Eating the Bible

It was Jeremiah the prophet who said, "Your words were found and I ate them. And your words became to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord God of hosts" (Jer. 15:16). 

It's a wonderful moment when we can assimilate the word of God in such a way that the metaphor of eating the Bible applies. Some would call this making the Bible your hobby. That too is a magnificent analogy. But we have to be careful with it. Surfing is my hobby. Mountaineering is my hobby. Marathoning is my hobby. Lifting is my hobby. Why, just this morning I was thrilled to be able to get back to the gym after a 12 day hiatus. There is nothing quite like doing lat pulldowns! 

But let's be clear about what a hobby is. A hobby is a regular activity we engage in for enjoyment during our leisure time. It is typically pursued without any intent to make a profit. Thus, I am an amateur surfer, an amateur climber, an amateur runner, and an amateur lifter. All these activities provide a great sense of achievement and satisfaction. They enrich my life tremendously and offer many opportunities for personal growth. But I can do without them. As you know, I just spent over a week riding the waves in Hawaii. The last time I did this was exactly a year ago. Hobbies aren't inherently indispensable even though they may enhance our quality of life and promote both mental and physical well-being. In a similar way, Bible study provides an escape from daily pressures and offers opportunities for personal growth. But it does much more than that. Here's a statement I'm going to make that some of you won't believe. But it is 100% true. I can go a day, a week, a month, even a year without surfing, but -- and I mean this literally -- I could not make it through a single day without reading and digesting the spiritual nourishment the Scriptures provide my hungry soul. Not. One. Day. Yes, I am that dependent on the Lord. Yes, I am that needy. Yes, I am that weak. 

Remember: the act of eating is a fundamental human activity. You and I engage in it automatically every day. Jesus is the Bread of Life who nourishes our often failing faith. And so we are desperate for that daily bread. Feeding on his words and basking in his presence -- this is the essence of true belief in Christ. To eat the Scriptures is to believe Jesus' words and trust him as the only true source of life. As he said on one occasion, "The words I have spoken to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Augustine put it beautifully when he said, "For to believe on him is to eat the living bread. He who believes eats. He is sated invisibly." So Jesus' hearers respond, "Sir, from now on give us this bread" (John 6:34). Similarly, the woman at the well implored Jesus, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water" (John 4:15). These metaphors are related in the sense that they all refer to eating and nourishing.

Thus eating God's words, as expressed by the Jews, meant something much more than a hobby. It signified the deep internalization and assimilation of the Scriptures into one's entire life, transforming God's word into a joy and a delight. Such eating is a nourishing that goes far beyond mere reading, emphasizing a profound connection with and desperation for God. God's word is not meant merely to be read or heard or even enjoyed but is to be fully digested into our lives. This is a consistent Hebrew thought, where eating signifies a complete assimilation of knowledge and truth. Jeremiah's experience parallels that of Ezekiel and John the apostle, both of whom "ate the scroll" of God's word. 

In the end, the metaphor of eating the Bible encourages all of us, I think, to make the Bible more than a fleeting pastime. We are to engage with the Scriptures deeply, allowing God's word to transform our very hearts and lives. Internalizing God's word promises daily hope, strength, and a sense of purpose. The Bible and the Bible alone satisfies our inner hunger for spiritual food. As Jesus himself said, the words that proceed out of God's mouth are food for us to eat (see Matt. 4:4).

When was the last time you took the word of God as food and ate it to satisfy your spiritual hunger and cause your heart to be joyful? Day by day we can come to the Scriptures as food to satisfy our souls. As we do so, we will, like Peter, taste that the Lord is good (1 Pet. 2:3). Remember:

• God's word matters more than our hobbies and even our daily food.
• Severe trials strip away all superficial appetites, leaving us with a greater hunger for God.
• Feeding our souls from the Scriptures involves getting off the fast track to spend unhurried time with God.

Let me encourage us to remain faithful to our daily quiet times with our Lord. God's word is meant to be savored and enjoyed.