Lets look at just one word defined in the most recent Merriam-Webster edition, and compare it to Webster's original 1828 edition.
Marriage
Today's Merriam Webster:
Definition of marriage
Webster's 1828
MAR'RIAGE, noun [Latin mas, maris.]
The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children.
Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled. Hebrews 13:4
1. A feast made on the occasion of a marriage
The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage for his son. Matthew 22:2.
2. In a scriptural sense, the union between Christ and his church by the covenant of grace. Revelation 19:7.
What is left out in Today's version? Almost everything of substance. First the uniting of One man and One woman. Marriage is both a civil and religious union. Live together in fidelity until death. Instituted by God. Prevents promiscuous intercourse between the sexes. For securing the maintenance and education of Children.
When we try to rid our words of God's influence the result is empty carcasses void of meaning. We need to be careful where we get our definitions from. God defines the things of this world (seeing as he made it and all) not man.
He who controls the dictionary, controls the world. Whoever has the authority to say what a word means, has the ability to shape others worldviews. May we again return to receiving our definitions from God and walking in light of His dictionary, the Word.
ReplyDeleteMalachi 2:15 says marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman with the purpose of producing and propagating God-fearing children who grow up to do the same from generation to generation for the glory of God, the good of our neighbor and the growth of the individuals.