Jesus Christ died so that you may not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus Christ died so that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have everlasting life.
One of these is an absolute truth, is biblical, and should be preached always.
The other is only conditionally true, yet it is so often preached as if it were an absolute truth despite it’s unbiblical nature.
Can you guess which is which?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Brandon 02.14.08 at 01:17 GMT
By definition of the word ‘may’ I would propose both to be true. By definition it can be used to express a possibility, permission, contingency, or a wish / hope. In the literal grammatical interpretation of the both statements both are inherently true. However, if we apply a more narrowly qualifying definition of ‘may’, then you may have a point. But which definition of ‘may’ are we to use?
Senior 02.14.08 at 08:56 GMT
Clearly, the first one is conditional. It is only true if the “you” being addressed is one who “believes in Him”.
Since the second one specifies “whoever believes in Him”, it is true.
Alicia 02.14.08 at 10:10 GMT
hmmm, yeah, were you expecting that to be a tricky/difficult question?
Brandon 02.14.08 at 10:40 GMT
Neither is technically a biblical expression, since ‘may’ can denote uncertainty ‘will not’ or ’should not’ is more biblical- and anything expressing uncertainty with regard to the salvation of the saved is un-biblical. So umm, c.) none of the above?
Keith 02.17.08 at 09:16 GMT
I pick “Rick Warren version No. 1″…