Song: In Christ there is no east or west

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Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. [kjv]

καθ οσον απεχουσιν ανατολαι απο δυσμων εμακρυνεν αφ ημων τας ανομιας ημων [lxx]

… caelum terra … [v]

… Morgen … Abend… [lu]

The earth is finite, not infinite.

How far is the "north" from the "south"?
How far is the "east" from the "west"?

But how can this be?

More: Easter: Passover compass directions

Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. [kjv]

καθ οσον απεχουσιν ανατολαι απο δυσμων εμακρυνεν αφ ημων τας ανομιας ημων [lxx]

The words to "In Christ there is no east or west" were written by English poet/author William Arthur Dunkerley (1852-1941) in 1908 for an exhibition in London for the theme "the orient in London".
The Latin word "orientem" ≈ "east" and is the source of the English word "orient". At one time, the top of maps were the direction east.

It was published in 1913, a year before the start of World War I, based on Galatians 3:28. During World War I, his hymn book "Hymns for men at the front" sold 8,000,000 (eight million) copies.

Note the position of the church where north points up and consider one standing in the lobby at the entrance.

The "West sanctuary" is about 30 degrees south of west. It is closer to "south-west" than "west".
The "South sanctuary" is about 30 degrees east of south. It is closer to "south-east" than "east".

Being 30 degrees off on a compass is like being 1 hour off on an analog clock. 12*30=360

Discuss: How important is it to have the physical directions in a church accurate if people are coming to the church for spiritual direction?

Physical compass
Moral compass
Spiritual compass

How important is it that these are pointing in the right direction? If not, the further you go the further off course you get.

More: Easter: Passover compass directions

Luke 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. [kjv]

και ηξουσιν απο ανατολων και δυσμων και απο βορρα και νοτου και ανακλιθησονται εν τη βασιλεια του θεου [gnt]

13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last. [kjv]

και ιδου εισιν εσχατοι οι εσονται πρωτοι και εισιν πρωτοι οι εσονται εσχατοι [gnt]

This is hymn #685 in the hymnal.

(The tune is from St. Peter.)

In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.

Galatians 3:28

All

KJV: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Greek: ουκ ενι ιουδαιος ουδε ελλην ουκ ενι δουλος ουδε ελευθερος ουκ ενι αρσεν και θηλυ παντες γαρ υμεις εις εστε εν χριστω ιησου

The song has undergone several changes to make it more "inclusive" (i.e., sometimes called politically correct).

Note that this verse is sometimes used to promote political freedom and social change while that is not the purpose of what Paul wrote nor what Jesus taught.

Details are left as a future topic.

In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.

Verse 3 was changed/rewritten by Laurence Stookey based on the following verse, Galatians 3:29.

Galatians 3:29

All

KJV: And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Greek: ει δε υμεις χριστου αρα του αβρααμ σπερμα εστε και κατ επαγγελιαν κληρονομοι

Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.

Acts 17:26

All

KJV: And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

Greek: εποιησεν τε εξ ενος αιματος παν εθνος ανθρωπων κατοικειν επι παν το προσωπον παντος προσωπου της γης ορισας προτεταγμενους προστεταγμενους καιρους και τας οροθεσιας της κατοικιας αυτων

In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.

Luke 13:29

All

KJV: And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

Greek: και ηξουσιν απο ανατολων και δυσμων και απο βορρα και νοτου και ανακλιθησονται εν τη βασιλεια του θεου

Latin: et venient ab oriente et occidente et aquilone et austro et accumbent in regno Dei

Wessex: & hyo cumeð fram east-daele & west-dae & suð-daele. & sittað on godes rice.

Tyndale: And they shall come from the eest and from the weest and from the northe and from the southe and shall syt doune in the kyngdome of God.

Luther: Und es werden kommen vom Morgen und vom Abend, von Mitternacht. und vom Mittage, die zu Tische sitzen werden im Reich Gottes.

Russian: И придут от востока и запада, и севера и юга, и возлягут в Царствии Божием.

Luke 13:30

All

KJV: And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Greek: και ιδου εισιν εσχατοι οι εσονται πρωτοι και εισιν πρωτοι οι εσονται εσχατοι