Perry wrote: > I have read that the word "perfect" in 1611 meant > what "complete" means to us today. Try rereading > that verse with "complete" in place of "perfect" and > see if it sounds any different to you. > > Do we have anyone on TT that can confirm what I have > read regarding the denotation of the word "perfect" in > 1611? Languages evolve, as you all know, and English is > no excuse. Things today do not always mean what they > did almost 496 years ago.
I have not studied exactly the connotation differences between 1611 and now for the word "perfect," but I suspect that not all that much has changed. What has changed is a religious bigotry against applying the word "perfect" to people in religion. Christianity has been enamored by Calvin's teachings and influence to portray every man as imperfect even after redemption. Look at the word "perfect" in non-religious contexts. Someone eats a really good hamburger. They exclaim, "That burger was perfect! It could not have been made any better." Someone pays someone to paint their car a certain color and has very exact requirements. He picks the car up and the painter asks, "so, how do you like it?" The reply, "it is perfect!" On and on, we can come up with examples like this where we use the word perfect to mean that something is precisely according to our hopes and expectations, but when it comes to our morality and our walk with God, somehow the word "perfect" suddenly becomes taboo. Why, nobody can claim that they truly walk without sinning against their neighbor! This has more to do with our culture walking in apostasy toward God and our desire to excuse that apostasy than any change in the language of Scripture. It has more to do with our departure from what the Word of God teaches us about our completeness and perfection in Christ than with any change in the meaning of the word "perfect." Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
