Lockman - Bible questions and answers

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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Unanswered Bible Questions Author: Aspiring Overseer Ordered by Date
Results		Verse	Author	ID#
1	Will you accept this challenge??	Bible general Archive 2	Aspiring Overseer	150940
	To state that people who are not biblical scholars are “hacks” and “presumptuous” to even challenge commonly pressed beliefs is laughable! Spending an entire lifetime studying Greek, Hebrew or whatever, does not make a person anymore knowledgeable in the manifold wisdom of God; something considerably more important! For example, lets take the well known verse, John 3:16. In the NASB-NIV Parallel New Testament and Interlinear Translation by Alfred Marshall, published 1993, it reads: John 3:16 For this loved God the world, so as the Son the only begotten he gave, that everyone believing him may not perish but have life eternal. If we take the Lockman Foundation’s latest translation, the NAS Updated, we find it says the following: John 3:16 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. NASU Interestingly, this agrees word for word with one of the most liberal translations, The Living Bible: John 3:16 16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. TLB It does not agree with the classic NASB, the KJV, the NKJV, the ASV or the RSV; all which use “should not perish”. What is significant about using the word “shall” versus the original meaning of “may” or “should”? Most people could care less that “shall” is absolute while “may” or “should” are conditional, i.e. what is stated is qualified by something else. This is fine for readers of the bible whose doctrine of salvation embraces “simple belief”. For those who understand that salvation is conditional, however, the NASU and TLB translations of this verse are simply wrong. Now this is not meant as a criticism of the NASU. As long as you are aware of the doctrinal slant employed in its editing it is still a useful tool (the TLB, well that is another story..). This merely highlights that “teams of scholars” are not infallible. Even though a “whole team of scholars” agreed upon the NASU translation, the earlier “team of scholars” for the classic NAS translation edited the same verse like this: John 3:15-16 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. NAS Whether this change was due to recently discovered advances in scholarship or to better fit the team’s religious doctrine to attract more readers (read “consumers”) we will never be able to know with certainty. It does highlight, however, the need for individuals to challenge what they read and hear regarding Scripture. To destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God is part of the work of God’s people today, just as it was of the Apostle Paul. Best regards, AO
2	Does Heb 6 support "always saved"?	Bible general Archive 1	Aspiring Overseer	89999
	Justme, How do people see Hebrews chapter 6 as supporting a salvation that can not be lost? Do they look at this as an impossible illustration (He 6:4-8) to highlight the better state of the Christian? Who are the people who have "once been enlightened"? AO
3	Freeze-dried Salvation?	John 15:6	Aspiring Overseer	88441
	Once saved always saved? In Matthew 25:14-30, was the lazy slave a subject of the kingdom? If so, how would he have lost his salvation due to laziness since he already was a recipient of the daily protection and caring of his master? Did he not believe that his master was serious about the orders he had given him? Does effort matter to salvation? In John 15:6, are the branches which were thrown away and burned originally part of the vine? John 15:1 tells us that the vine is Christ. If those branches were part of the vine, how is someone part of Christ without being a Christian? Were these "false branches"? Is salvation like a freeze-dried fruitcake, lasting indefinitely without spoilage or must those who seek for eternal life with God constantly discipline themselves to ensure they are faithful until death? If they must discipline themselves, how do they do that by belief? Is there an expectation that they will be disciplined miraculously or must conscious decisions be made to control their own behavior? AO
4	What does it mean to "love" God?	Mark 12:28	Aspiring Overseer	70758
	Mark 12:28-31 28And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?" 29Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; 30and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' NAS What does it mean to "love" God?
5	What are the "works of God"?	Rom 6:4	Aspiring Overseer	56790
	What are the "works of God"? Jesus told the multitude that they must take action to perform the work of God. John 6:26-29 27"Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal." 28They said therefore to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" 29Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." NAS In order for them to believe in Him whom He had sent, what must have been needed? First they would have had to had a knowledge of scripture (OT). To obtain this they would have had to commit themselves to study (action). Second they would have to demonstrate or prove their belief by their actions (i.e observance of the Mosaical Law and teaching). They did neither as demonstrated by their response to Jesus requesting further proof from Him! They failed to understand; as most today. Belief in Christ must always be accompanied by action if it is to have any value. James 2:19-20 19You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? NAS James 2:26 26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. NAS Phil 2:12-13 12So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; NAS

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