kosmos being translated as "Christians" or "God's people" or "the chosen"

Jason Hare parousia_occ at yahoo.com
Sun Apr 2 04:40:09 EDT 2000


On 04/01/00, "Rachelsj at aol.com" wrote:
> Has anyone heard of kosmos being translated as "Christians" or "God's people"
> or "the chosen."  An aquaintance is trying to say that John 3:16 is a 
> reference not to the world at large but rather to God's chosen people.
> Though some may feel this to be true according to their theology, is there
> any proof for this based on possible definitions of kosmos?
> 
> Jason Rachels
> Assistant Principal
> Calvary Christian Academy
> Fort Lauderdale, FL

Clearly this idea is held ONLY for the purpose of keeping a pre-conceived 
notion.  Anyone who did not already think that could not read it out of 
John 3:16.  «For God so loved the world [humanity, people, or the created 
order] that He gave His "unique" Son...»  It is as though God looked down 
(please forgive me for including theology of some kind and look over it) 
upon the world and felt compassion and as a result sent His Son.  «... in 
order that everyone believing in Him [suggesting that this is a part of 
those in the world, not all] might not perish, but have eternal life.»  
What do you think is the natuaral and correct understanding of the verse?  
I think it is clear and you need to point that out to your friend and show 
him how to read a verse without bias.

Jason
parousia_occ at yahoo.com



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