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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How do we get our Bible? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 80906 | ||
Greetings Forum Friends! There has been a lot of discussion lately about the merits and/or flaws of various translations. I thought it would be useful to post a brief description of how the text of the Bible is arrived at. This will necessarily be just a short overview of a very complex issue. As most of us are aware, there is no Bible which was handed down, already printed and bound in leather. What we have are thousands of handwritten copies of the original books and letters of the Bible. As far as we know, we do not actually possess even one original. So, when a group begins work on a translation, they must first decide what text they will actually translate. Every translation is based upon a text. Some have used the Textus Receptus. Some have used the Westcott and Hort text. Some have used the Majority text. Some have used an eccletic text (i.e. - making their own textual decisions as they go). But, all of them are based upon someone's decision about what the original text said. Unfortunately, the manuscripts we have do not all agree with one another. (Allow me to state up front that the differences tend to be very minor. No major doctrine is affected by the differences in the manuscripts.) These differences are the result of several different kinds of errors. Some copies were made by one person reading the text, while a group of others copied what they heard. Sometimes, someone would hear incorrectly. Some copies were made by an individual simply copying an original. Occasionally, that individual would make mistakes. He might accidently leave out a word or phrase. He might intentionally leave out a word or phrase or even add a word or phrase. Every copy made of these copies would contain the same errors and maybe even more. The text of the Bible is arrived at by looking at the thousands of manuscripts which we have, and using certain principles to determine what the original must have said. How old is the manuscript? Generally speaking, a manuscript copied in the 2nd century will be more reliable than one copied in the 14th century. Where and by whom was the manuscript copied? Some copies were made by professionals who were very careful and dilligent. Others were made by individuals who were not very careful. The rules are complex, but make sense. The result is that we are almost 100 percent certain that what we have in the text of our Bible is what the originals said. Even in those places where some doubt exists, no doctrine is affected. The differences in the manuscripts mostly included changes in word order, spelling differences, and additions or subtractions which make a verse harmonize with another verse. The reason I post this is simple. The average Christian does not have the tools or the knowledge to deal with these issues. The average Christian will simply open up a translation and go with it. This is fine. All of the legitimate translations are reliable. Each one may prefer one over another. Some may like the poetic and beautiful language of the KJV. Some may like the literalness of the NASB. Some may like the readability of the NIV. Whichever translation (as long as it is a legitimate translation) you prefer, use it and grow in Christ. However, don't let anyone convice you that one particular translation is the one that Paul used! ;-) Paul didn't use a translation (except for the Old Testament). He read both Hebrew and Greek. He had access to and wrote many of the originals for the New Testament. He did not use the KJV, the NIV, the NASB, the RSV, ect.... Occasionally, one will come across a verse which reads diffently in several translations. When this occurs, do your homework. Find out why one reads this way, and another reads that way. Then, make your decision about which one you believe is the most accurate. Don't demonize those who make a different choice than you. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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2 | How do we get our Bible? | Bible general Archive 1 | gary_morris | 81052 | ||
Considering the fact that textual variant appear before the 3rd century and no one knows which of the manuscripts is the one that the writer wrote originally, it is necessary that we all have measure of FAITH that God is God enough to have preserved what He wants us to know and read. If this is true and I cannot believe anything less, then it stands to reason that this same God would have been instrumental in the affairs of men to such a degree that the most common bible in the world today would have been some how orchestrated by God to be so. I know this is not something that will go far in a debate but the fact is that every man that desides that the Bible is inerrant has decided that God has preserved the versions of the copies we have even though they are not the original autographs. And so therefore he must also believe that God is still doing so today. If therefore you have prayed to not be decieved, you are coming to Christ with a whole heart and wanting to know the Word, God will lead you to the correct translation. I will not say that it is only the KJV, of course there are other translations that are the same and all of them that stick to the oldest and most authoritative copies we possess are going to be the Word of God in your language. I cannot help but believe that the world wide popularity of the KJV is the most powerful argument for it's accuracy and that God has blessed it. And as we see the last days winding down it appears to be the one that will still be the most popular when the Lord Come again. So rest assured if you read this version you are going to know the Word and be equipped to every good work. May God Bless you in the Study of His Word. | ||||||
3 | How do we get our Bible? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 81056 | ||
Greetings Gary! I agree with you my friend that one can read the KJV and not be led astray. One of the points I have continually stressed is that the differences in the manuscripts do no impact any major doctrine. While there may be major changes in a certain passage, for instance Acts 8:37, the truth of that verse is taught many other places. But, I would disagree that poplularity alone means that a particular translation has been 'orchestrated by God' in some manner to be the most popular. I say this because there is one very simple reason for the popularity of the KJV (I should say primary reason). For about 300 to 400 years, it was the only choice anyone had. :-) My purpose in this post was not to promote any particular translation, but simply to expose Christians to how we actually get the text of our Bibles. Too many seem to believe that there is a 'complete and offical' text lying around out there somewhere and that translators simply take that 'text' and translate it. Then, whenever there is a change in that text, obviously someone has 'taken away' from God's Word! Right? Wrong. The 'text' of the Bible is in a sense an evolving thing. The more manuscripts which are discovered, and the older the manuscripts are which are discovered, the 'text' of the Bible is becoming more accurate and true to the originals. For those hearing of these concepts for the first time, I urge you to go out and purchase a good book on the history of the Bible and how the text is arrived at. I know that at first it makes it sound like there is much 'doubt' regarding the text of the Bible. Yet, in fact, there is less doubt now than there has ever been. Surely, God is a work protecting His Word. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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4 | How do we get our Bible? | Bible general Archive 1 | gary_morris | 81108 | ||
Thank you brother for your desire to help others learn and love the word of God. You offer a wealth of interesting knowledge to this site. | ||||||