Oct. 1: The Lord's Prayer

After completing the twelve-week series on the Apostles' Creed, we will now begin an eight-week exposition of the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, and we hope that, through this teaching, the prayer our Lord taught us will become deeply ingrained in our lives. Up until now, our church has been using a modernized version of the Lord's Prayer. The advantage of this contemporary translation is that it is more accessible and less burdensome for those who are new to their faith journey, making it easier to understand. However, there are also drawbacks. In our efforts to modernize, we sometimes lose sight of the rich spiritual traditions we cherish. We often witness sanctuaries transforming into spaces that resemble concert halls or movie theaters. The cross disappears, the Word fades into the background, and the reverence, and powerful presence of God are often replaced by trendy, entertainment-driven productions designed to captivate the audience. In an attempt to draw people, we sometimes sacrifice our traditions and focus too heavily on modernization.

One thing I have learned over the past 25 years at the university and in theological institutions is the critical importance of preserving our Christian orthodox tradition. Central to this, I have been deeply engaged in studying both Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek in their original languages. I became strongly convicted of the importance of biblical linguistic accuracy after realizing how some translations can dilute the true, authentic meaning of the original context. Today, many new translations are emerging in an attempt to modernize the text, making it more feasible, pleasing to hear, and convenient for us. However, in doing so, they are diluting the profound significance of the deep spiritual meanings conveyed by each word, as well as the testimonies and sacred confessions of the martyrs and saints who defended the gospel of Jesus Christ through dungeons, fire, and sword. I want to make it clear: I am not suggesting that the modernized version of the Lord’s Prayer is inherently flawed. Regardless of the version used, the essence of the Lord's Prayer remains unchanged. However, we must also be mindful of the beautiful traditions in Christianity that deserve to be preserved and upheld, rather than conformed to the world’s ever-changing standards

Starting this week, we will return to the traditional version of the Lord's Prayer. This change is driven by the desire to align as closely as possible with the prayer that Jesus taught us, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. The traditional version closely mirrors the King James Version (1611), which, although not the first English translation of the Bible, is one of the earliest and most widely read canonized translations. As such, it contains a considerable amount of archaic English, which may prompt us to question the use of words no longer in common usage today. However, because this translation is closely aligned with the original text and is among the earliest English versions, it is considered highly trustworthy. But there's another reason. For instance, you will notice that in the traditional version, the words "Thy" and "Thine" are used. These are possessive pronouns in archaic English, indicating ownership by the subject—in this case, God. For example, when we say, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," it underscores that the subject of the kingdom, whether on earth or in heaven, belongs to the sovereign God. The use of these terms not only signifies possession but also conveys a sense of weight and sacredness that is more pronounced than in modern translations. Moreover, the archaic language is more than just old-fashioned wording; it represents the very prayers of our spiritual forebears, who recited these words daily as they spread the Gospel. While the old English may seem unfamiliar, I pray that through this language, you will hear the cry of self-denying, cross-bearing, God-honoring fathers and mothers of faith who defended the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even at the cost of their lives. May we be open to the work of the Holy Spirit as we embark on this new journey, studying the Lord’s Prayer.

Traditional Version:

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespasses against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen

Original Greek Version:

Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς·ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου·ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου·γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου,ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς·τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον·καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν,ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν·καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν,ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.ἀμήν

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Dr. Won Kim

The Lead Pastor of Thrive Church