{"id":16441,"date":"2017-10-30T14:32:12","date_gmt":"2017-10-30T18:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=16441"},"modified":"2017-10-31T08:06:26","modified_gmt":"2017-10-31T12:06:26","slug":"monday-morning-moment-lost-in-translation-a-mighty-fortress-is-our-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=16441","title":{"rendered":"Monday Morning Moment – Lost In Translation – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Revive Our Hearts<\/a><\/p>\n

Monday morning, Y’all! Last night’s sleep was done way early for me. I’m not super pumped for the day, but the day is here, so onward.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow (October 31) marks the grand finale of a year-long celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Writer pastor David Mathis<\/a> posted a fascinating article on A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: Discovering the Power of Luther’s Original Lyrics<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

The lyrics that we in the US church call to mind as Martin Luther’s are actually a translation from German to English by Reverend Frederic Hedge<\/a>. American-born, Hedge was a German scholar therefore his handling of the lyrics of this great hymn should be supposed as honoring of the original.<\/p>\n

Still, Hedge was a Unitarian minister. His particular theology, in Unitarianism <\/a>stresses the oneness of God, without the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – three persons in One being). This thinking did, in fact, shift some of the meaning in the translation of A Mighty Fortress Is Our God<\/em>.<\/p>\n

David Mathis’ 7 points<\/a> on what was lost in translation help us appreciate the hymn even more, in its original form. Read those lyrics re-translated from German by John Piper<\/a> and Matthias Lohmann<\/a> in Mathis’ article.<\/p>\n

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  1. God is not only our safe refuge but He is also our strong offense.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. God doesn’t just help in some of our woes but in ALL of them.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Compared to Hedge’s strong statements abut God’s power and our weakness, Luther’s original lyrics were extreme descriptions – ALL-powerful God and our total defenselessness.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. In Luther’s words: All that happens is according to God’s plan.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  5. Hedge speaks of God’s sufficiency in our day-to-day, and Luther further clarifies that even in our worst situation possible, we are secure in God’s sovereignty.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  6. Hedge’s claim that God never changes is true, but Luther stressed that there is no other God. Full stop.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  7. Hedge closes the hymn with the great truth that God’s “Kingdom is forever”. Luther personalized it more stating that His “kingdom must remain for us.” For us. Hallelujah!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The nuances are worthy of note. Hedge’s translation brought the hymn to English for many more of us to enjoy. His translation left intact the hymn’s power in speaking to the greatness of God and the church’s confidence in Him. Yet, Luther’s original lyrics were even more emotive of the glorious nature of God, His working out His purposes in the world, and His complete provision for us.<\/p>\n

    I know it’s Monday (when I usually write about leadership), but as the year closes on the grand celebration of the Reformation, can we worship together<\/a>? Hedge’s English translation will more than suffice.<\/p>\n

    A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;<\/strong>
    \n Our shelter He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.<\/strong>
    \nFor still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;
    \nHis craft and pow\u2019r are great, And, armed with cruel hate,
    \nOn earth is not his equal.<\/p>\n

    Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing;
    \nWere not the right Man on our side, The Man of God\u2019s own choosing.
    \nDost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
    \nLord Sabaoth is His name, From age to age the same,
    \nAnd He must win the battle.<\/p>\n

    And tho\u2019 this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us;<\/strong>
    \n We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.<\/strong>
    \nThe prince of darkness grim \u2014 We tremble not for him;
    \nHis rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure,
    \n    One little word<\/a> shall fell him.<\/p>\n

    That word above all earthly pow\u2019rs \u2014 No thanks to them \u2014 abideth:
    \nThe Spirit and the gifts are ours Thro\u2019 Him who with us sideth.
    \nLet goods and kindred go, This mortal life also;
    \nThe body they may kill: God\u2019s truth abideth still,<\/strong>
    \n His kingdom is\u00a0forever.<\/strong>*<\/p>\n