'Destructive metabolism -- The tendency by itself disintegrating and

destructive known as katabolism' (Kidd).

Destructive ... disintegrating, is what the average reader learns from

this standard dictionary, certainly not laying a foundation.  Words have a

relationship, that keep to their species 'after their kind'.  The verb 'to

speak' is equated with the noun 'speech'.  The verb 'to sing' is equated with

the noun 'song'.  So the verb kataballo, to cast down, would normally be

equated with the noun katabole 'overthrow'.  The word 'foundation' belongs to

another species altogether, and although in classical Greek it is used of

laying a foundation when in the middle voice, Liddle and Scott give 31 lines

describing its general meaning of 'to throw down, cast down, overthrow, lay

From what we have set before the reader, the following we believe is

fully justified, and is wholly Scriptural.

There are many words used in the New Testament of Greek origin,

whose original meaning has been left behind or modified when used

either in the LXX or the New Testament.  Such words as charis 'grace',

arete 'virtue' and hermeneia 'interpretation' come to mind.  Grace

means much more than is implied in the classical use, and no one would

think of importing the warlike characteristic of the God of War, Aries

or Mars, into Christian 'virtue', than they would think of appealing to

Hermes or Mercury to decide the interpretation of Scripture.

By the fact that the LXX resolutely refused the Greek word

katabole, and where both the LXX and the New Testament alike use the

verb themelioo for 'laying a foundation', we do the same.

If other believers prefer pagan Greek to that employed in the

Scriptures, that is their responsibility.  We stand squarely on the

Scriptural usage, whatever the consequences.

The word kosmos cannot be limited to Adam's 'world'.  It includes

the starry universe, and so can include 'the world that then was' which

perished with water, which could well have been the world that had been

misruled by 'Angels and Principalities'.

At either end of the ages is a disruption.

Genesis 1:2 and 2

Peter 3.

Seeing that the Church of the Mystery is the only company that is

associated (a) with a period before the katabole of the world, and (b)

with heavenly places far above all principality and power, harmony is

established and its peculiar position in the purpose of the ages is

We rejoice in our calling, and count it an honour to be classed

with the apostle, who did not escape the charge of 'heresy', for we

have this to sustain us, we are wholly on the same side as the writers

of the Scriptures, our critics on the other hand being found enamoured

of pagan Greek instead.  As there is no possible middle position, we

gladly take our stand, and though at times our head may be 'bloody' as

the poet says, we can assure our readers, it is 'unbowed', except in

the Presence of Him we own as Lord.