Results 81 - 100 of 2452
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Reformer Joe Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | How inspired is the NAS Bible today? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 15493 | ||
Translation is not the same as commentary. Translation is a conveyance of one piece of text from one language to another, without any elaboration or change upon the ideas being conveyed. For example, if I spoke German, I could translate Hitler's speeches without making the slightest value judgment on what he had to say. My commentary of such speeches, however, would be a very different thing. Commentary is not just "here is what this says in English," but "here is what this says in English, and now here is what the author means by saying this." The thing that stops the "telephone game" is that we have 25,000 fragments of early manuscripts dating from the first few centuries, along with citations from the early church fathers which verify that the Bible we have now is not different from the one we had then. When people do translation, they do not begin with one English translation and bring about another. They go back to the reliable early manuscripts. Bible translation in its technique is nothing like the "telephone game," where once something is verbally said it is not repeated nor written down. --Joe! |
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82 | is the NIV a good bible to read? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 15887 | ||
sure | ||||||
83 | For Joe. | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 16177 | ||
Yes, you are supposed to use your brains, which includes avoiding such statements as this: "The bottom line is you don't really know either because if you did then you would not have been so negative about me asking the question." The reason I do indeed know is that I HAVE read what Scripture has to say about it. God is uncreated. Period. No more speculation needed. The Bible declares that God has eternally existed and will eternally exist. I gave you a whole host of verses that support this. If you believe the Bible, you should know now, too. I never have claimed to know everything, but I certainly do make the "arrogant" claim to know SOMETHING, namely what God clearly and in no uncertain terms has revealed about Himself. The reason I have been so "negative" toward you, as you put it, is revealed by what you yourself have said: "However the bible I have not read it in its entirety. however I can But As A Child of God Limit My believes on Only the Bible." Whatever that second sentence is supposed to mean, the first one is perfectly clear: you are not only asking questions about God that are answered clearly in Scripture; but also you are instructing others on this forum to look at fallen, sinful humanity to discover the answers, rather than examining the Scriptures. If you cannot take correction, I apologize, but 2 Timothy 3:16 in my Bible tells me that correction is one thing that the Bible is for. I think it is you who are being prideful for not admitting your theological error here. I certainly do not know it all, but I am more than willing to let God's Word, in the hands of those who know it, be the instrument to correct me. --Joe! |
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84 | For Joe. | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 16244 | ||
Corection is helping for those who will receive it. We do not learn anything about God outside of the Bible that is not already revealed in Scripture period. Your low opinion of the sufficiency of Scripture is the root of your confusion. I still agree that I do not know it all. You did read my post, didn't you? When people couldn't read they were at the mercy of the faulty and self-seeking interpretations of a religious hierarchy. It was spiritual bondage, not spiritual freedom. God is revealed in nature, yes. However, there is nothing new that nature tells us that the Bible doesn't already say. Bottom line: spiritual growth does not occur apart from the Scriptures, which is God's direct revelation of Himself. Want to know God's character, His nature, and His plans? Read the Bible! Want to know about human nature? Read the Bible! Want to know how to honor God? Read the Bible. Want to know how to pray more effectively and intelligently? You get the idea... Peeches, I do not despise you or look down on you as a human being, but it is simply WRONG for you to declare that the Bible which God gave us Himself is not enough for the believer. It is WRONG. It suggests that God somehow "dropped the ball" and forgot to tell us something that He wanted us to know. Furthermore, it is an insult to the Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible precisely so that we would know Him. He makes the book available to us, and you put it aside and think, Where can I find answers?" I implore you to look for spiritual truth not OUTSIDE the Bible, but within its pages. And that is a point of view most on this forum would heartily agree with. In Christ, Joe! |
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85 | For Joe. | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 16248 | ||
Charis: I agree with what you say about the Bible, the church, and the Holy Spirit. I am sure that you agree, also, that the Bible is our tool for discerning whether it is truly the Spirit who is working. I also would bet that you believe that when a church and the Bible are at odds, it is most likely time to find another church. In other words, the Bible is our sole objective, immutable authority for knowing God. It requires the Spirit's teaching us (John 14:26), and faithful misisters proclaiming God's truth are definitely a gift from Him (thanks be to God for them!); but the whole Christian life for us in the post-apostolic age is centered in the completed canon. When I was referring to illiteracy and the unavailability of Scripture, I was referring to the Middle Ages and pre-Reformation Renaissance more than the early church. Certainly God has preserved His people throughout history, many of whom have very little access to Scriptual truth of any kind. But the Scriptural truth that they go get is what they cling to. Think of Chinese Christians who have one Bible for about every 500 believers. These are people who do not so casually put aside the Word of God. They THIRST after it in a way I have seen few believers in free countries thirst after it. They have the Spirit. They are congregated. But it is the Bible that makes the Christian growth complete. The problem that I am addressing however, is the notion that the Bible is "not enough" in some sense, that we must rely on other, outside sources for a complete knowledge of God. This leads to lots of errors on the part of the original poster, which mostly center around the apparent opinion that mankind is basically good and clearly reflects God's nature in our humanitarian deeds. "Good" deeds such as the rescue attempts in NYC, while they are helpful and are making a temporal difference in our world (and I DO support the efforts, so save the flames, onlookers!), also can be done from very humanistic, and God-dishonoring motives. It does not reflect the "innate goodness" of the human race, which you know the Bible denies (Romans 3:10-18). The Bible is the only thing we have which unmistakably conveys the nature of God, and looking at humanity as a whole without a knowledge of the Bible is the most ridiculous way of learning about God's character. But I am sure that I am speaking to the choir here... --Joe! |
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86 | peace | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 16380 | ||
Yes, I am judging you by the same standard by which you should be judging things. And I do have all the answers to life's important theological questions. They are leather-bound in one volume on my desk in front of me. Don't worry, however; I am done "preaching" that you should be "reading" the Bible God has given us. You keep searching for that "something more" (which really seems to be "something else" in your case). --Joe! |
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87 | peace | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 16671 | ||
Peches: I really have no animosity toward you whatsoever, and as a gesture of peace I would love to send you a little book called "Why God's Word is All We Need" by Gene Edward Veith. It is only about 50 pages long, and if you email me your address, I would be happy to send it as a gift for you to read and perhaps understand why I have the view that the Bible is completely sufficient for us. My email is on my profile. In Christ, --Joe! |
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88 | Possible Lockman Forum Improvements #2 | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18065 | ||
I suppose my question would be, What is a neutral perspective? Once you start getting beyond the very basics of the Christian faith, we delve into areas that are incredibly shaped by one's theological perspective. Whether one is asking how can a loving, all-powerful God permit the terrorist attacks in New York City; or how (and even IF) he can be assured of his salvation, different traditions within Christianity will come into play. The answers will conflict at times. Should we all "agree to disagree," and in essence say that the answers do not really matter? Debate is something that has characterized the church from its very beginning. Without wrangling at the Council of Jerusalem recorded in the book of Acts, where would the Gentile believers be today? What about the Council of Nicaea in the fourth century, in which the historic Christian understanding of the Trinity was codified? Reasoned debate and discussion has led to most of the beliefs we cherish (or should cherish) today as followers of Christ. To avoid debate is to constantly wade in the shallow end of the pool, theologically speaking. I agree that repetition is not necessary in written discussion or debate, except in the case of summary or to particularly emphasize a point. However, to shun debate in order to falsely present a consensus on all issues is nothing less than deception. We debate, sometimes vigorously, not necessarily because we are contentious beings, but rather because the issues on this forum do bear a lot of importance. The online debate between Tim Moran and myself, for example (even though I think he is as wrong as he thinks I am), has served both to help me clarify my own thinking and understand the perspectives of others. My biggest complaint regarding debate is the way that soem conduct it. We are not engaged in a presentation of opinions or of theology with no clear Biblical basis. What irks me is that in debate here we see such a scarcity of actual references to the Word of God. I see a lot of "I believe this" or "I grew up under pastors who teach this" with little or no Scriptural support. When the debate turns to the Bible, often one of the debaters turns to ad hominem attacks rather than critiques of the theological perspective being put forward. If you do not like rigorous, in-depth discussion of the more profound questions raised here, that is fine. One is not forced to read the threads on here. However, unless the discussion is clearly not Bible-related or is obscene or inappropriate in some manner, let's all please realize that on unmoderated forums such as this, what we see here is par for the course. Feel free to debate with me on my point of view. My skin is thick enough to take it! :) --Joe! |
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89 | Possible Lockman Forum Improvements #2 | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18089 | ||
Ed: I think that there are very few seekers that frequent this virtual establishment. There is not going to be a consensus of opinion, no matter what. I have even been called an arrogant know-it-all here for holding to such radical ideas as the idea that God is uncreated and the sufficiency of Scripture to reveal God to humanity and justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. I think you misunderstood the rest of my post. I was actually agreeing with you that a "neutral summation" is impossible. I also am not keen on "agreeing to disagree," as you yourself can personally attest. There does come a time when a debate is exhausted, but is one person's annoyance the basis for terminating discussion? I hold that this forum is not primarily evangelical in nature, but exists primarioly to spur one another on...to challenge and edify fellow believers. What I was saying is that the inability to convince one another of our opinion should not be a deterrent to presenting ones view and (here's the key:) SUPPORTING IT WITH SCRIPTURE. If I had a dime for every time a person cried "foul" or attacked my motives or character when I asked a simple rebuttal question based on a Scripture passage, I could finance my own Bible translation! --Joe! |
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90 | Possible Lockman Forum Improvements #2 | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18090 | ||
Civility and FREE WILL?!? Here we go again... :) --Joe! |
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91 | How do we know the Bible is the truth? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18092 | ||
David: If you are asking if we can know with 100 percent objective certainty that the Bible is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, then the answer is no. That having been said, the evidence does lean heavily in favor of the Bible being an accurate historical record of the events it records. In addition, its internal consistency is second to none, especially considering the 1500-year time span over which it was written. Philosophically speaking, I hold that it is reflects better than any other text what we can observe about humanity's nature. I also hold that unless I had been supernaturally enlightened, I would be rejecting Christianity not on the basis of a lack of evidence, but due to a will which wanted nothing to do with the God of the universe or Jesus Christ. For a more detailed account of why we can trust the Bible, I would recommend that you start with a book entitled "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. It is very readable and provides fascinating evidence for the historicity of the resurrection as depicted in the Bible (and if the Bible is right on something as big as THAT, then incredulity must fade a little regarding other parts of it as well). Thanks for asking! --Joe! |
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92 | How do we know the Bible is the truth? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18133 | ||
Steve: The Book of Mormon also says that it is true. Is it? --Joe! |
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93 | How do we know the Bible is the truth? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18136 | ||
It makes sense to me. You were not able to accept/realize the truth of the Bible until you were born again. Those who are not Christians suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). However, the Bible itself is truth even if 100 percent of humanity were to deny its truth. --Joe! |
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94 | Christian Primer Terms? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18146 | ||
Charis: Not that I haven't read your request that we give OUR answers, but it does sound that what you are looking for is a catechism. Why "re-invent the wheel" when a catechism (such as the Westminster Shorter Catechism or one of the many other evangelical ones) serves the very purpose you are seeking? They are used as educational tools to help seekers/new converts/children grasp the basics of the faith in a manner that is easy to understand. Why don't you take a look and see if this will help, and I am sure that someone on the forum will work with you if that doesn't pan out. A whole host of catechisms can be found at www.reformed.org under the link "Historic Church Documents." Others can be found at www.reformedreader.org under "Baptist Documents." These are worth a looksie for everyone in my opinion, even if you don't agree with every last point of doctrine contained therein. --Joe! |
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95 | How do we know the Bible is the truth? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18152 | ||
Steve: The first page of the Book of Mormon contains a "testimony of three witnesses" and a "testimony of eight witnesses" which claim that they themselves saw the plates from heaven from which Joseph Smith allegedly translated the Book of Mormon. In addition, the text itself makes the claim that what is written there is true. It is standard operating procedure for Mormon missionaries to ask potential converts to pray over the Book of Mormon to be convinced of its truth based on the following verse: "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." --Moroni 10:4 Another LDS document considered to be inerrant and inspired Scripture is Doctrine and Covenants, which states: "And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon, which contains the truth and the word of God" --Doctrine and Covenants 19:26 Both of these claim that the Book of Mormon is true. I don't really understand how you seem to say that such a claim would be a test for truth anyway. If I wrote a book saying I created the universe and included the phrase, "all that is written here is truth," would that make it so? That was the original intent of my question. --Joe! P.S. Am I the first person to quote cult scripture here? There should be something like that on the Statistics page! :) |
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96 | How do we know the Bible is the truth? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18153 | ||
Lionstrong: I wasn't arguing that it is not VALID to point out that Scripture says that it is true. My argument was that a document's claim to be true is not a sufficient test of that document's truth. --Joe! |
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97 | How do we know the Bible is the truth? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18168 | ||
My point exactly! --Joe! |
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98 | Possible Lockman Forum Improvements #2 | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18193 | ||
Ed: No offense taken at the misreading. It happens! I certainly didn't think there was any malice there. You are also correct at the dangers of individuals doing the "maverick" interpretations with their Bibles. When the Protestant Reformation gave the Bible back to the laity, the Reformers certainly didn't consider that it would be a great idea for everyone to run off and figure everything out for themselves. God gave us the church (the church universal and invisible) so that TOGETHER we can correctly come to correct interpretations of the Bible. The notion of "private interpretation" simply meant that we do not rely on a religious hierarchy to tell us what God is saying to us. That is one of the great things about this forum. Despite the fact that we often rub each other the wrong way and will not come to a complete consensus on major (yet not salvific) issues, together with our different educational levels and perspectives and backgrounds we are learning about each other and from each other. Ever since God started saving Gentiles, there has been a lack of complete agreement on issues. Some of them, like the Judaizers, fell under the category of heresy. Others, like whether to eat this or that, did not place someone outside the brotherhood of Christ. In any case, our great God in his sovereign grace has preserved the bride of Christ despite our misunderstandings and imperfections and differences of opinion. This is who we are as a church. What better picture to paint for the newcomer to the forum than that one? --Joe! P.S. I do long for the time when we will stand together, glorified, and you all see things my way! :) |
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99 | Christian Primer Terms? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18211 | ||
Charis: Of course, I don't know your situation intimately, but have you considered that the lack of fruit may not be from a poor EXPLANATION of theology, but rather the way it is PROCLAIMED? What are the "tried and true" methods that you mention in your post that have been ineffective in stemming the decline in church membership? One thing I can tell you from the experiences I have here is that true revival is not likely to result from the "new wave of programs, etc." One thing that you know will work is the proclamation of God's Word (Romans 1:16-17). The proclamation of the Gospel, whether there are any beels, whistles, dramas, or whatever, is the ONLY thing that will be the means of convicting the Japanese of their sinfulness before a holy God and direct them to Jesus Christ as the only mediator between them and that God. I guess that rather than go on, I would like a better perspective of your situation. What do the Christian churches do to get the Word out to the Japanese, "to hit them where they live," so to speak? As Augustine put it, "Our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee." No matter how much they suppress the truth, their souls are indeed restless, because they were created for relationship with God. I guess what I am wanting to learn in order to expand my knowledge of the situation is what have been the failed efforts in your experience? How would such traditional methods such as street preaching without "gimmicks" work? Tracts which speak of God's holiness and our sinfulness and need of repentance? What is the attitude of those who are going to church as far as proclaiming the Gospel to those in their spheres of influence. Revival will come when and where the Holy Spirit brings it about. The possibility exists that you may be doing everything right and they are rejecting the Gospel. However, the preaching of God's Word is the primary means that God uses to draw the elect to Himself. You are right that every nation has it's own situation in the particulars. But as human beings, we at the core all have the same situation. The obstacles may manifest themselves in different ways, but at the heart is the depravity of man, which only the regeneration by the Holy Spirit can overcome. Knowing the particulars in Japan's culture, how can you most effectively strike at the heart of their secularism and unbelief? Take a cue from Paul in Acts 17. In the meantime, I would love to know some of the particulars myself, so please share some specifics of your struggles so that we can learn more about the struggles of the church in Japan and how to pray effectively for you. --Joe! |
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100 | Christian Primer Terms? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18227 | ||
Charis: Thanks for sharing about the work habits of the Japanese. I had never even thought of that as an avenue for communicating God's truth. So many things come into play there for the Christian to address. Here are some that I can think of right off hand: 1. Gaining the whole world, and yet losing your soul (Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36) 2. Biblical admonitions of raising one's child (too many references there to cite) 3. Christian marriage (1 Peter 3; Ephesians 5) 4. Counting all things as loss for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3). I would suspect that this would be quite a powerful one, since Saul was on the fact track to executive status when he met his Maker on the road to Damascus :) 5. Ecclesiastes. Need I say more? :) 6. And, of course, bringing it all back to God's holiness, our sin, judgment, and the Cross... You know without a doubt that the Bible stands completely contrary to the lifestyle of the Japanese middle class (in a different way than it does in the U.S., in many respects). What an opportunity you have to advocate the Christian "counterculture" there! What a marked difference those who are following Christ will make there! Perhaps a very effective approach would not be to try and find in-roads into the culture (blending Christianity ino the culture), but rather stressing it as a way of life completely contrary to the lifestyle of the Japanese world. This is certainly not going to cause those who will continue to love the world to embrace Christianity, but that is the idea, isn't it? First John in living, breathing, 3-D. And, as you can undoubtedly attest, a task for which only the Holy Spirit is equal... Thanks for sharing! --Joe! "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.'" --Romans 1:16-17 |
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