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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">In
next Sunday's Gospel 5 times one form or another of the Greek word "pistis" is
used. The Greek word is unfortunately translated “belief”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> or "believe" in the verb form.
</SPAN>It is an undesirable translation because “belief” in modern usage
carries the luggage of cognitive acceptance, intellectual acceptance in our
minds.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With that understanding it
sounds like Jesus is telling us to just accept what he is saying.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, the Greek word, which is
sometimes translated “have faith,” means to be in committed relationship.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is very similar to the Old Testament
concept of covenant with God.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To be
in reciprocal kinship is different than simply “believing” God exists or even
that Jesus is God.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is not
about creedal statements.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">Bob Eldan</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"><A
href="http://preachingtip.com/">http://preachingtip.com/</A>
</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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