it's another of those "word" things.........

[Martin]

- or possibly "phrase" - "in the sure and certain hope of resurrection"
- if it's sure and certain, surely it's no longer "hope" but a certainty!
(or am I nitpicking?) - it just "sounded wrong"

[Chickpea]

Martin, Martin, Martin. Are you sure you want to go there? Look how it turned out last time (although I'm blowed if I can figure out how we got from a simple misremembered spelling to where we ended up).

[Martin]

it just seemed a contradiction - I'd heard it many times before, but suddenly the little light bulb went on "well if it's certain, it isn't "hope" any more, because that denotes a scintilla of doubt"
and please, keep it clean, no biting, no kicking, no gouging..............

[Muddypause]

Is this part of the Christian liturgy? I went to a CofE school, but damned if I can put that line into context.

Don't forget that belief is a act of faith, and that as soon as you demand certainty, faith is lost. Sounds like this may be a similar sort of self-proving thing.

[Wombat]

I am no expert in this feild, but believe (there's that word again) that the word "hope" in this context has a different meaning. Please discuss with your local minister........

Nev

[Chickpea]

It's part of the funeral service. Have you been to a funeral recently, Martin? My sympathies, if you need them.

[Andy Hamilton]

Yes I think Nev is right, is this the christian hope so it is sure and certain hope for mankind - giving hope that is. SO it is definition- "To have confidence; trust."

It then reads sure and certain trust.

[Boots]

Cor, I just got goosebumps.

So that must be right.

[Wombat]

Cool!