Things I Think…
1. Everything that was true yesterday is still true today…
2. It should be against canon law for pastors to post more than one selfie a month…
3. For some churches, Easter=Black Friday for retailers…
4. I posted some little notes of encouragement on Facebook yesterday…and from the response it appears that there is a greater need for pastoral encouragement than pastoral political commentary…
5. It’s heartbreaking to know that some folks couldn’t receive any spiritual encouragement from me because we differ politically…
6. It’s been no secret that I have issues with American evangelicalism…but the venom being spewed toward them by some “progressive ” Christians looks a lot like what they accuse evangelicals of…
7. Balancing the offices of prophet and pastor may be too much to ask of one person…
8. The expectation that there are simple answers to be had to complex issues makes simpletons of those who hold it…
9. I would think that the measure by which we assess the Easter service would be by how many come back next week…
10. One of the most difficult disciplines of the Christian life is to remember that our circumstances don’t define our relationship with God…
Bonus question..what was your Easter experience?
Happy Easter Monday as we continue in the season.
MLD,
Explain what you mean by season…many of the readers will be unfamiliar with that idea.
One of the better Monday postings!
Overall, I’d agree.
However if we got pastors to say more on border and migrant issues, we’d prolly be happy, wouldn’t we?
Sad but true.
So sad it hurts.
Can you cite some examples?
What pushes the buttons of the progressives?
Other than Trump and Christians that voted for him? (What % is Trump related, I wonder)
4 – Yes! You had some great thoughts. Much appreciated.
6 – I think that is true all around the horn. We all have our favorite devils to rail on.
9 – No way. Was I as faithful as I could be? Any results are up to God.
My Easter experience was better than usual this year. Great time at church yesterday, then spent most of the day with some extended family…and didn’t have an anxiety attack. 🙂
5.
For “overall wouldn’t you agree”
Sad but true referred to number 6
Examples referred to progressive anger in number 7
JTK,
This is a really tough one for me…I’d like to speak out and speak often to these issues…but it’s almost impossible to counter the media misinformation without it becoming a full time job and forsaking my primary calling.
A lot of the anti-evangelical stuff is about Trump…but a lot is also about values we all share in common.
Venom kills,which is a poor form of persuasion…
Liberal progressivism is like fundamentalism at least in spirit. It is doctrinaire, intolerant, robustly judgmental, incapable of dialogue, and multidenominational. It’s prescriptive nature will incite rebellion from future generations. It will run it’s course but not without unspeakable damage. It’s violence will equal anything it has critiqued. If man is the measure of all things then self deification is the goal. I won’t live to see the worst of it and I am glad. Nevertheless if the kingdom has no end then all rivals do.
Apocalypse Dread
BD,
Well said…and I think I agree wholeheartedly.
Bonus question..what was your Easter experience?
Home from church with Hubby who has a sore throat & low fever. Outside it’s sleet and snow, freezing temps, dangerous roads. Family dinner plans canceled to keep Grandpa safe 🙁
Thank you, Josh.
I’m hoping that the encouragement turns into something more for all those who responded…
Jules…I would have stayed home too… 🙂
Yesterday was Palm Sunday in Ortholandia. Pascha is next Sunday and I will describe Russian Easter in all its glorious detail next Monday.
Easter is certainly the day that makes us believe we are doing better than we are. But at a church like mine the difference in attendance not so intoxicating. After all it is a simple matter of fewer competing priorities. It doesn’t mean much but it is a day to enjoy and recieve for what it is.
Grace and Peace Dread
Xenia,
Looking forward to your report as always…
Where does the word “Easter” come from?
The problem of the word “Easter” only matters in Germanic languages.
Every other language uses some form of the word for Passover.
Old English Easterdæg, from Eastre (Northumbrian Eostre), from Proto-Germanic *austron-, “dawn,” also the name of a goddess of fertility and spring, perhaps originally of sunrise, whose feast was celebrated at the spring equinox, from *aust- “east, toward the sunrise” (compare east), from PIE root *aus- (1) “to shine,” especially of the dawn.
Bede says Anglo-Saxon Christians adopted her name and many of the celebratory practices for their Mass of Christ’s resurrection. Almost all neighboring languages use a variant of Latin Pascha to name this holiday (see paschal). Easter egg attested by 1825, earlier pace egg (1610s). Easter bunny attested by 1904 in children’s lessons; Easter rabbit is by 1888; the paganish customs of Easter seem to have grown popular c. 1900; before that they were limited to German immigrants.
Online Encyclopedia of Etymology
Josh,
I don’t worry about it…if the world can redefine “gay” we can redefine “Easter”…
It’s my personal opinion that Christians who don’t use “Pascha” should use the phrase “Resurrection Sunday” and leave ‘Easter” to the folks who follow a secular day. Using the word “Resurrection” is powerful, IMO.
Even the austere folks at Answers in Genesis have debunked this nonsense link between Easter and Ashteroth https://answersingenesis.org/holidays/easter/is-the-name-easter-of-pagan-origin If you want to get all bent out of shape about the use of the word Easter, you might as well be consistent and protest Daylight Savings Time. http://steamtunnelpilot.blogspot.com/2012/03/when-you-spring-ahead-tonight-in-united.html
If you track down the origins of a lot of English words you will find connections to paganism. The months and the days of the week are pagan. That isn’t my concern.
I would like to use the word “resurrection” because for Christians, that’s what the day is about. So for me, it’s not about the negativity attached to the word “Easter” but the positivity attached to the word “resurrection.”
I don’t consider Ken Ham to be a reliable source, by the way.
I use the word “Easter” all the time, by the way. Otherwise my non-Orthodox friends wouldn’t know what I was talking about. It’s not a forbidden word, in other words, but using “Resurrection” is like preaching a mini sermon on the Gospel.
To sum up, I am not protesting, I am suggesting a more meaningful alternative.
🙂
You make an excellent point about the days of the week. Personally, I oppose Oden, being an Eagles fan and all, but if I want to communicate smoothly with the outside world, I’m going to have to buckle and use “Wednesday.” I don’t have any problem with Christians using the term Resurrection Sunday — in fact, I use it myself. My problem comes with the lawmaking attitude (Rom 14) from certain believers who want to police terms like Easter out of existence. When it comes to Ken Ham’s credibility — you and me both! Especially when it comes to science. However, in this case, when his research team digs something up that runs counter to what you’d expect from “those people,” I’d file it under Reluctant Evidence, and give it even more credibility.
Since we’re on the subject of Easter (i.e., Resurrection Day), Dr. Jack Kilcrease, provides six arguments in support of the physical resurrection of Jesus:
“1. The Gospel narratives of women finding the empty tomb could never been invented by early Christians- Roman and Jewish courts discounted women’s testimony in the first century due to their sexism.
2. The early Church began in Jerusalem and was opposed by the Jewish authorities. If the tomb was not empty and the authorities wanted to put an end to Christianity, then why not just open the tomb and display Jesus’ corpse in public?
3. First century Jews didn’t have a concept of a dying and rising Messiah. What would point of faking a resurrection be?
4. There were over 12 documented Messianic movements in first century Judaism. When the alleged Messiah didn’t pan out, his followers would usually move on to someone else. Why didn’t this happened with Jesus?
5. Why would the disciples fake the resurrection if doing so would only lead to their persecution and execution?
6. The encounters between the resurrected Jesus and the disciples are incongruous with what first century Jews typically thought that the resurrected life would be like. In the resurrection narratives, Jesus remains physical but mysterious so. Most Jews thought resurrected life would simply be like normal human life, albeit without death. If the early Church invented the resurrection, why wouldn’t they have not described it in terms of what Jews typically expected resurrected life to be like?”
Agree, disagree? Would you add any?
Jean,
I think those have value for people who already have faith…but for those without faith they mean little…
Jean – #5 is kind of a big turning point in my life. While there is no way to prove that Jesus was resurrected, I think you can state as fact that the disciples believed they saw the resurrected Christ.
Spent the day yesterday catching up from an ambitious spring break week traveling to D.C., NYC, and Boston. Enjoyed leisurely dinner with family–especially my wife’s 93-year-old aunt who still drives herself everywhere and lives alone in remote community half an hour away. She complained to me last year that my Easter blessing of the meal was too basic–I needed to add more about the resurrection and crucifixion. That quick comment has led to some good conversations with her over the past year about a host of things she hasn’t ever spoken of before–her faith, the loss of her only son–thought to be suicide, her perspectives on living so long, family, death, etc. She’s always been a treasure in the family, but her importance to me has sure grown this past year. Old dogs/new tricks? All that to say I added clear references to Easter and the gospel in my blessing of the meal yesterday–and Aunt Betty was happy.
Josh,
#5 has been a huge factor in my life too.
“Bonus question..what was your Easter experience?”
Much to be thankful for…
-A gracious and gentle gathering of souls focused on Jesus, loving each other and the local community
-“My Redeemer Lives” in DADGAD tuning
-10 min of meditation on Jesus with a hint of guitar looping in the background
-Jesus, when he tells a woman who just lost her son, “Don’t Cry”, gives her a great reason to stop crying
-A blessed conversation between me, my bride, and one of the kindest gents we know about us all “aging”
-Brunch by a dear friend, meeting her new guy-friend, the daughter of that friend going to London on an adventure, another friend who will be leading a youth choir singing at The Vatican and touring with them throughout Italy
-A blessed and sweet EasterFools’Day sushi dinner with a daughter & son-in-law with great laughter and their hints at children on the horizon
This man is quite blessed
As one who has steadily moved away from Evangelicalism over the past decade, I concur with your comments about many so-called ‘progressive’ voices. The similarities appear to be lost on both ‘sides’ of the dust-up. While many of the observations they make my merit consideration, the tone undermines credibility. They are preaching to their own choir. On the other hand, there are many progressive voices I have come to value, but one must sort out the wheat from the chaff.
“4. There were over 12 documented Messianic movements in first century Judaism. When the alleged Messiah didn’t pan out, his followers would usually move on to someone else. Why didn’t this happened with Jesus?”
They were too busy being killed and dispersed after 70 AD. Maybe there were other “messiahs, too” just not recorded as well as Jesus of Nazareth.
“5. Why would the disciples fake the resurrection if doing so would only lead to their persecution and execution?”
Insert any other cult here (Mormons, e.g.).
Agree with Michael at #26. The cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.
I’ve been thinking about the parable regarding Lazarus and the Rich Man. RM asked Abraham to send a resurrected Lazarus back as a proof or witness to his relatives. Abraham said that they would not believe even if one were to come back from the dead.
Jesus came back from the dead and most did not believe. Even if he had visited The Sanhedrin, the believing Joseph of Arimathea excepted, would they have believed? Or would their hearts have remained darkened and wicked. Judas walked with Jesus. Cain talked to God. A wicked generation chases after signs.
Yesterday I went to morning service. Pastor preached the Gospel and given the amount of new people dropping in, gave one of those “unbiblical” altar calls, as MLD once wrote. 9 people came forward.
Since my ex took the kids to Disneyworld (etc… ), I went into work for a bit. Came home and put off doing housework. 3 days until the kids come back. I need to get to it.
Ted, I read Mr. Ham’s article and can’t find anything to disagree with. He notes that “Easter” does have a Germanic origin, referencing “East” and has changed meaning over the years. He ends with an amiable statement that it’s ok to use either Easter or Resurrection Day. He wants to discount any ideas dreamed up by Alexander Hislop, and I am in complete agreement with him there!
The disciples clearly demonstrated their fear of persecution. The torture and public execution of their leader would not have emboldened them after the fact.
I was in Matthew 10 prior to Christmas where Jesus plainly describes what WILL happen to them as his followers. The rest of the New Testament vindicates that fact.
If the resurrection was a lie it was a very bad one. Jewish women testifying to Jesus and guards denying it. Let me see those with a vested interest who are the least respected witnesses attest to him and the one’s charged to keep the tomb denying it. That is not a good start for a faith that called its followers to die.
Let me however admit that I never have doubted that he arose but even when I was convinced of it I still had to be converted before it matter to me. My own Pentecost had to seal it.
He Is Risen Dread
Just as a note:
You can be progressive in politics and conservative in theology.
You can be conservative in politics and progressive in theology.
You can be progressive in politics and progressive in theology.
You can be conservative in politics and conservative in theology.
These are not mutually exclusive categories and should not be regarded as such.
Additional note:
One can be a conservative fundamentalist.
One can be a progressive fundamentalist.
The only “sin” today is to be a moderate who likes to think, read, and see both sides of an issue, political or theological.
“The only “sin” today is to be a moderate who likes to think, read, and see both sides of an issue, political or theological.”
Amen and amen…
How does one define a progressive. In the past if I identified one as being a progressive, I was accused of being pejorative and not nice. Who are some progressives we might be familiar with? Is the opposite of progressive to be regressive?
Amen #6!
As one who has dabbled in Progressive Christianity and peruse their blogs and twitter feeds, I can honestly say that some of the more famous and well-known Progressive Christians have basically left one form of fundamentalism for another.
Or they never left fundamentalism in the first place.
Or they cannot operate in life comfortably without being a fundamentalist.
Duane,
Can you please explain this statement at 35? “to be a moderate who likes to think, read, and see both sides of an issue, political or theological.”
I do not consider myself a moderate (I guess that term needs definition) – as one who is quite conservative theologically, I too like to think, read and see both sides of an issue – I like to consider myself one who does this on all points and I think my library and podcast lists would prove this out. The only difference I can see is that at the end of the day, when needed, I do make a decision one way or the other.
Where does a ‘moderate’ end up after deliberation and study?
Even when a “decision” is made, to see both sides of an issue, allows one to see value in another point of view that may not be our own and not to automatically devalue or demean a person holding that other point of view.
Certain things fall into the realm of “points of view” or “opinions” in which variations have value.
But people who confess doctrines do not categorize them in the realm of opinions. They are matters of truth and false, and therefore, there is no inherent value in false belief.
However, Peter says that one should make one’s defense of the faith with “gentleness and respect,” so I agree that one should not devalue or demean a person holding a false belief.
#41
“They are matters of truth and false…”
Not everyone is binary on all points of Christian doctrine or Biblical interpretation, but I understand that this is your point of view.
Duane @40 – “and not to automatically devalue or demean a person holding that other point of view.” — but several in this group hold that just saying “you are wrong” or “that theological position you hold is wrong” is to devalue or demean a person.
#43
Not everyone lives in an black and white universe…
are you saying I am wrong? 🙂
Jesus lived in a pretty black & white universe – ask his opponents. (are we allowed to call them his opponents or is that demeaning?) – how about those with differing but equal views? 🙂
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
The definition of “faith” includes “assurance” and “conviction.” Most people add “trust.”
For example, Abraham’s faith was assured-, convicted-, trusting- enough that he was ready to offer his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice in obedience to God’s command.
Moses didn’t enter the promised land because he hit the rock and didn’t just speak to it.
Israel had a king named Joash. When Elisha told him to strike the ground with a hand full of arrows, Joash did it 3 times instead of 5 or 6 times. As a result, Elisha told him that Israel would defeat Syria only 3 times in battle instead of utterly defeating it.
God appears black and white in what He says.
#46
“God appears black and white in what He says.”
From your particular point of view, which encompasses a very small section of Christian thought, faith and practice throughout the world and through 2000 years of Christian history and the development of doctrine. Not everyone is binary in their understanding of such matters.
Duane, Well, it is pretty hard to have a conversation when one party designates every comment to “well that’s your opinion.” – to live in a no truth world is pretty impossible – I don’t know how you do it..
I don’t live in a “no truth” world…but one where the real truths are few and much more is left to faith and interpretation.
The scandal of Christianity is that we all agree on very little…the hope is that we agree on what’s vital.
Michael – you might agree there is truth – I don’t know about Duane. Every answer he gives is that the church is non binary and that our words are only our opinion. (his tactic now will be to come back and say he did not say that.)
Michael – for you to say that the Christian faith is left to individual interpretation is erroneous – why do we have or need teachers? Doesn’t that just impede the formation of our own opinions?
The simple ones- baptism either saves or it does not (pretty binary – I don’t see the middle ground). To let it roll as opinion one way or another is not necessarily helpful. Helping the poor or not – a matter of opinion?
I will probably be in trouble now / again – so I will take the grandkids out on the boat. 🙂
#50
You’re right about one thing… I did not say that.
The four major Christian groups (Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, and Evangelical) all have significant doctrinal differences with each other.
It is way above my pay scale to decide which has the “truth” and condemn the rest.
I will listen to all from my Anglican home and hope to keep what is true about Christ in the forefront.
“I will listen to all from my Anglican home and hope to keep what is true about Christ in the forefront.”
WELL PUT!
I like a lot.
#52 Michael
Indeed. There are “truths” that we hold to such as Scripture and the Creeds. Yet, even here there is nuance and interpretation. The words on the page present a “truth”, but one can spend a lifetime “unpacking” that truth. Even the unpacking of that particular truth will result in yet more that can be learned, reflected upon and, yes, discussed. The point of it all is, however, a greater knowledge of Christ and his saving work. The point is not shouting the slogans from our own particular tribe, meanwhile dismissing out of hand anything that is brought to the table by those from another Christian tradition. I have been so enriched by the insights of the EO, RCC, Anglicans, evangelicals and, yes, even confessional Lutherans, that I find listening is worthwhile, even if I might not agree with their whole body of doctrine, it is worth consideration nonetheless.
Duane,
If I ever do a “what we believe” page that paragraph will open it…
Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.
-Frodo Baggins
The only problem with #52, is that I haven’t witnessed ***anyone*** currently participating on the blog who (1) shouts slogans, or (2) dismisses out of hand anything that is brought to the table by those of another Christian tradition.
I am currently studying in depth material written or lectured by Jonathan T. Pennington and William Mounce, both of whom, if I’m not mistaken, are Reformed (though Pennington may be Baptist). They are wonderful scholars in certain spheres of theology. I know MLD also reads a wide swath of Christian scholarship.
I agree with Jean, I don’t see anyone here condemning anyone else although we all attempt to correct each other from time to time.
If anyone was going to be condemned here it would be me, the icon-venerating person who prays to Mary and has the strictest view of the sacraments. Yet no one has ever condemned me here,* although who knows what people think in private. So wherever this condemnation is happening it’s not happening here. For that you need to go to the Rapture Ready forum or visit the Reformed Baptists or the Calvinists. They are very happy to send everyone to hell with a smile on their faces.
* Although Mrs. ODM is very concerned about my soul and I do appreciate her prayers on my behalf.
I think our Lord’s stern warning to not call someone a fool applies to the conversation here….
To be blunt, we’ve lost a lot of folks over the last couple of months who tire of every thread being an argument over Lutheran essentials.
By the way, Xenia…some Anglicans love icons as well…my Reformed brethren did not… 🙂
I’m growing fond of them myself….
Michael, they are windows into heaven!
Xenia,
That’s what they tell me!… 🙂
Some of the theology pictured in them is amazing…
Accidently (?) brushed my finger over submit
But maybe it goes without saying that there is a vast difference between arguing a point or concluding that a concept is foolish and labeling the one supporting that concept , the one supporting the view that we find wrong headed a fool… sorry for the ambiguity in that sentence
Em,
I’ve learned good theology from many quarters…but I’m learning how to be holy from watching Xenia…so Orthodoxy is orthodox in my book…
Michael, the Resurrection icon pretty much encapsulates Orthodox theology.
http://www.orthodoxroad.com/christs-descent-into-hell-icon-explanation/
Well, we’ll see how holy I am this afternoon when I make my yearly attempt at baking the parish Artos! It usually takes 3 attempts (and a lot of wasted flour) to get it right. Although this year we have a new stove so maybe the results won’t be so lopsided.
Here is a photo of a lovely Artos that doesn’t look remotely like mine:
https://gretchenjoanna.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/artos-15.jpg?w=604&h=808
Usually, after everyone sees my loaf, the older Russian ladies start reminiscing about the beautiful loaves they have seen in the past. I think they say to each other (in Russian), aw, bless her heart. After all, she’s just a convert.
Michael –
“argument over Lutheran essentials.”
It’s funny you worded it this way (and I am not offended) but I always considered the position I presented here not as Lutheran essentials but the non evangelical essentials as most of the non evangelical world pretty much holds the same theology on the half dozen doctrines I addressed – and addressed, and addressed, and addressed. 🙂
In a country such as ours where the prominent / dominant public voice is American Evangelicalism (which owns the publishing houses, the Christian media and bookstores etc) it is important to hear the other view.
I’m just glad you can’t say we are wrong 🙂
#67 – how is that intricate design created? Stencils and egg wash before baking?
Speaking of wrong – this is just wrong and to be honest (although these may be brothers) this is driven be a perverted understanding of Jesus, the scriptures, law & gospel — well just everything. (but this is how you fill the house.)
You must watch the 48 sec video in the web page.
https://strongermen.org/
#57 Jean
Let’s be honest. I’ve heard more “Law and Gospel” hermeneutic on this blog than I did in years at an LCMS seminary… and I was taught by the strict “old-timers”.
We ALL have particular approaches to the task of theology… it is not a black and white discipline. It is filled with nuance, mystery and wonder… and none of us have a corner on the truth.
Michael #60,
And to be blunt, that is one of the reasons I stepped away from this blog for a few weeks. I decided to dip my feet in the waters again.
Dan,
I’m glad you did. We’ll all strive for a better balance…
Em, I do not know how they do it. Egg wash for sure. I think in Orthodox countries they have special cookie cutters and other useful tools that we don’t have here.
I am glad you are back, Dan.
For my simple version, I roll out a thin sheet of non-leavened dough (or else the design balloons up) and cut out a simple three-bar Orthodox cross and the letters X and B which are the first letters of the Russian phrase “Christ is risen!” No leaves or flowers. I’ve tried; it was a disaster.
Христос воскрес!
(In a few days, anyway)
Duane,
There are at least 3 responses to someone employing a law/gospel hermeneutic:
1) That’s your opinion…
2) That’s the LCMS…
3) Here is an alternative hermeneutic I think makes better sense of the text….
1) and 2) do not edify or contribute to a conversation.
Jean
There are more responses than those three…
Many Christians outside of Lutheranism use a law/gospel hermeneutic – but that is the minor use.
The proper distinction of Law and Gospel is a preaching device which must be used.
I pity the poor congregation where that is withheld from the people.
#78
Indeed, it is one among many hermeneutics which may be used…
Duane – no doubt – but my point was it’s necessity in preaching.
I pity the poor congregation where that is withheld from the people.<<<
Oh good grief.
Xenia
Are you familiar with the Constantinople Lecture series?
Duane, no. Where can I find it?
My take away from this thread is Xenia’s bread crust design. ?
I’m betting it is half baked, pulled out, design applied and returned to oven at, perhaps a higher temp?
Thank you, Xenia… know your contribution will turn out lovely
Looked up the tradition… It would take faith to eat it after everyone had planted kisses on it, if i read correctly ?
#83 Xenia
As I was going through my papers, I found several. They were sponsored by the Society of St. Sergius and St. Alban. One by Bishop Kallistos is very impressive as is one by Michael Ramsey. I’ll try to find out more about it for you…
Em, we don’t kiss it at our parish. I think the priest might kiss it. He has to kiss just about everything in the Church!
It’s in the oven, design, such as it is, in place. One side is bulging, Lord have mercy on this poor artos.
Xenia
These folk co-sponsor the lectures. They used to have a wonderful house in London in the Kensington area. I attended many lectures there back in the 80s. There is much material for download under their publications… http://www.sobornost.org
Thanks, Duane.
I see that the general secretary is my old friend Fr. Stephen Platt of Oxford.
Ugh, disaster. Working on Artos #2.
Sent husband out for more flour.
Xenia, uneven rising? I’d suspect the new oven… glad i’m not baking today, my arms are tired – “Patience is a virtue!”
When my grandfather had a series of strokes and had to have round the clock care, one was an English woman who’d been a missionary in Mexico… I can still hear her smug nasal, often repeated to me, quote … she was not convincing me of the virtue. ?
Lord, bless your servant Xenia’s bread making now
Em, my dough rose too high and the pan (round) wasn’t tall enough and the bread slopped over the sides in a lopsided fashion. Not acceptable. It will go to the chickens. I have now switched to my stainless steel stock pan which should contain things.
Jean – Bill Mounce might be Baptist, too. Or at least his beginner Greek texts are used in a lot of Baptist schools. Sounds like good stuff you are reading.
MLD @ 70 – I don’t think there is any misunderstanding. You said it yourself. That junk sells. Its all profit driven. They understand that, and they do it for the money.
Josh,
I think he was halfway kidding, but Mounce said in a course I am watching that he’s down to 2-1/2 tulips. If anyone is interested, this is part 2 of a 3 part series on the Sermon on the Mount, taught by Mounce:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg9Xh3Y0ra8
I think he’s well regarded as a Greek Scholar and currently has joined the translation committee of the NIV.