What does God think of these new 'Christian' bibles?

[Thorwald]

If we look at the source from where the Word of God came, until it was in the general public's hands, we find that God 'anointed' special people from the 'anointed' children of Israel, in order to bring His Word to us. These special people were given The Word of God, directly from God. Even Jesus Christ was an Israelite, as well as being 'God with us' (part of the Godhead).

Who are all of these new 'authors' of different 'bibles'? For hundreds of years the KJV Bible was the Bible believed in by Protestant Christians. We all assume, that God had a hand in it, of course. Now we have a 'truckload' of new 'literature'.

We look back to what happened to Aaron's two sons when they 'added' incense to an offering. God killed them, because He had not instructed them to add the incense. Who instructed the authors of these new 'bibles'? Do they have proof, that God asked them to do this?

 

[farout]

I am sure if you would spend the time reasearching the history of the KJV you would have a real problem with it also. The KJV has been revised many, many times. You would have a real shock if you actually read a copy of the orignal KJV. There have been many changes in spelling and translation. If you want a literal as close to word for word as you can get today the New American Standard Bible or the English Standard Version are extremely accurate. But if you want a perfect translation, word for word, take some time and learn Greek. There are words that do not translate into English, so words that can get the idea across, are called "Dynamic Equlivent". I am sad to tell you that other than learning Greek, you must be willing to settle for less than perfect translations we have in English, and this is just for the New Testament. For the Old Testament you will need to learn Hebrew, and that takes years to be able to read in these languages.

To down the translations that translate are part of teams who devoted thousand of hours to translate the Complete Bible. There are not "new bibles" there are new translations that are just about as perfect to word for word from the original languages as possible.

Please take into consideration no one is discounting the wonderful King James Translation. Translators just made a better, more accurate translation of the Bible. More discoveries have been brought to light that the translators of the KJV. They were unfortunate not to have the materal we have today.

Perhaps this may help if you knew that in several translator teams the main aim was to keep their agenda of, as close to word for word as humanly possible. Most translators have not only a Bachelor's degree but a Masters degree and some has more than one, and most all had a PHD degrees. This represents more than 10 years of study and thousands of hours working with their chosen langusges. Now to answer your question. "Who are all of these new "authors" of different 'bibles'? Not one of the translator teams were authoring a new Bible. Yes dear Thorwald, they do have proof God asked them to do this! The need for updated translations was very evident because the KJV was no longer a Bible of the average person reading ability. The KJV is written on a 12th grade level. Most of the English speaking people read on a 6th to 8th grade level. Many words in the KJV have changed meaning over the years, and now have totally different meanings.

I have taken the time to be kind and loving to you, I sincerely hope you will take some of your time and go into a good Christian Book store and look for your self. I am in no way telling you to change the Bible that you so dearly love. However, I think perhaps you should extend the same gentile spirit in return. The verse Jesus left us that is so often forgotten, when we get upset at a brother or sister we forget what Jesus Christ said "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if yee haue loue one to another" S.Iohn. XIII from THE HOLY BIBLE Conteyning the OLD Teftament, AND THE NEW . ANNO DOM 16111 as exactally copied from the 1611 KJV. "By this all men will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."John 13:35 New American Standard Bible. I sincerely wish you my belessings in Jesus Christ.

 

[Thorwald]

I am sure if you would spend the time reasearching the history of the KJV you would have a real problem with it also. The KJV has been revised many, many times. You would have a real shock if you actually read a copy of the orignal KJV. There have been many changes in spelling and translation. If you want a literal as close to word for word as you can get today the New American Standard Bible or the English Standard Version are extremely accurate. But if you want a perfect translation, word for word, take some time and learn Greek. There are words that do not translate into English, so words that can get the idea across, are called "Dynamic Equlivent". I am sad to tell you that other than learning Greek, you must be willing to settle for less than perfect translations we have in English, and this is just for the New Testament. For the Old Testament you will need to learn Hebrew, and that takes years to be able to read in these languages.

To down the translations that translate are part of teams who devoted thousand of hours to translate the Complete Bible. There are not "new bibles" there are new translations that are just about as perfect to word for word from the original languages as possible.

Please take into consideration no one is discounting the wonderful King James Translation. Translators just made a better, more accurate translation of the Bible. More discoveries have been brought to light that the translators of the KJV. They were unfortunate not to have the materal we have today.

Perhaps this may help if you knew that in several translator teams the main aim was to keep their agenda of, as close to word for word as humanly possible. Most translators have not only a Bachelor's degree but a Masters degree and some has more than one, and most all had a PHD degrees. This represents more than 10 years of study and thousands of hours working with their chosen langusges. Now to answer your question. "Who are all of these new "authors" of different 'bibles'? Not one of the translator teams were authoring a new Bible. Yes dear Thorwald, they do have proof God asked them to do this! The need for updated translations was very evident because the KJV was no longer a Bible of the average person reading ability. The KJV is written on a 12th grade level. Most of the English speaking people read on a 6th to 8th grade level. Many words in the KJV have changed meaning over the years, and now have totally different meanings.

I have taken the time to be kind and loving to you, I sincerely hope you will take some of your time and go into a good Christian Book store and look for your self. I am in no way telling you to change the Bible that you so dearly love. However, I think perhaps you should extend the same gentile spirit in return. The verse Jesus left us that is so often forgotten, when we get upset at a brother or sister we forget what Jesus Christ said "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if yee haue loue one to another" S.Iohn. XIII from THE HOLY BIBLE Conteyning the OLD Teftament, AND THE NEW . ANNO DOM 16111 as exactally copied from the 1611 KJV. "By this all men will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."John 13:35 New American Standard Bible. I sincerely wish you my belessings in Jesus Christ.

You are using 'darkness' to try to teach me 'light'. Those who have created the other 'bibles', are nothing more than BLACK LIGHTS AND BURNT CANDLES. They are relying on their own vanity (high-headedness) and the vanity of others, instead of seeking 'wisdom' from God. They believe that 'formal education' brings them closer to God than the general population. They are not anointed by God, to carry out what they have done.

If there is just ONE error in what they have published, their whole publication becomes 'IDOLATRY'. It is written, that The Word of God, 'IS GOD'. If you change The Word, then you worship a different god.

Let me show you an example by referencing Revelation 13:10;

KJV BIBLE: He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and faith of the saints.

NIV study bible: If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints.

In the KJV Bible, the verse provides us with 'WISDOM'. It is 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth'. In the NIV study bible, we find that it simply is stating, 'whatever will be, will be'. It has changed the Word into useless 'garbage'.

Christ chose simple fishermen as His disciples for this reason. They were not trained 'teachers', with pre-conceived high-headed 'understanding' of God's Word, and trained them in the truth. College/University degrees are meaningless, if God has not provided wisdom to the holders of these degrees. Wisdom only comes from God, Himself. It does not come from a college/university professor, unless they have been anointed by God. God uses Numbers 12:6, to prove that a person is 'anointed'.

You have 'assumed' that I have done no research at all. You are sadly mistaken. Please read my thread concerning The Trinity and The Godhead, that I posted recently ('Is our understanding of the Trinity and the Godhead correct'?. Thank you.

 

[amadeus2]

God once used a donkey to express His Word to someone who was missing the point. Even if someone purposely twisted a translation to support his own particular "pet" doctrines, which some may have done, who can prevent a person who loves Truth from obtaining IT wherever it is? If any Bible contains a bit of truth in it, is the Holy Spirit in a person unable to sift it out properly?

Abraham had no Bible, nor did David the shepherd boy who was to become king of Israel, nor did the prophet Elijah; but did not all three of them hear from God and were they not able to obey Him?

So today we have a multitude of Bible translations in a very naturally rich society. Are we too rich to be able to humble ourselves to simply follow the Holy Ghost, or do we have to look for the very best translation, which ever one it may be?

 

[Thorwald]

God once used a donkey to express His Word to someone who was missing the point. Even if someone purposely twisted a translation to support his own particular "pet" doctrines, which some may have done, who can prevent a person who loves Truth from obtaining IT wherever it is? If any Bible contains a bit of truth in it, is the Holy Spirit in a person unable to sift it out properly?

Abraham had no Bible, nor did David the shepherd boy who was to become king of Israel, nor did the prophet Elijah; but did not all three of them hear from God and were they not able to obey Him?

So today we have a multitude of Bible translations in a very naturally rich society. Are we too rich to be able to humble ourselves to simply follow the Holy Ghost, or do we have to look for the very best translation, which ever one it may be?

The people who you have referenced (above), are all 'anointed by God'. They are some of those who God chose, to bring us His Word. Their 'experiences' provide us with 'wisdom'. It helps us to understand how God 'thinks'.

Revelation warns us about 'adding to or deleting from (changing) that which is written in the Book of Revelation. It doesn't seem to bother those who created the NIV study bible (per my posting above). If you wish to follow the other 'bibles', that is your right. I do not want anyone to use these other 'bibles' to explain 'anything' to me. I believe that they are the work of Satan.

 

[David777]

Hello thorwald.

I do agree with you regarding the NIV,
the NIV is not a translation of the Greek
and Hebrew. In the preface of the NIV it
it says that it attempts to translate the thoughts
and text ie: a transliteration.

Some Christian fundamentalists believe that the King James Version is the only version of the Bible English speakers should use. Some who follow this belief have formed a King James Only movement. Similarly some non-English speakers prefer translations based upon Textus Receptus, or "Received Text", instead of the Alexandrian text edited by Wescott and Hort in 1881. Proponents of this belief system point to verses such as Ps. 12:6-7, Matt. 24:35, and others, claiming that "perfect preservation" was promised, often basing this reasoning on the fact that these verses utilize the plural form "words", supposedly indicating that it is more than merely "the word" that will be preserved.
(wikipedia)

Most biblical scholars, however, believe that knowledge of ancient Hebrew and Greek has improved over the centuries. Coupled with advances in the fields of textual criticism, biblical archaeology, and linguistics, this has enabled the creation of more accurate translations, whichever texts are chosen as the basis. (wikipedia)

Choosing the NIV to compare with the KJV is rather
comparing chalk and cheese. I tried to read the NIV
but decided it belonged in the bin, and into thy bineth
it doeth goeth.

I have heard that the KJV is the greatest work of English
literature ever produced. Shame it uses 17th century
English. Not for me thanks.

I have listed some of the most excellent direct translations
below. Tell me what you think thorwald.

Revelations 13:10 (KJV)
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth
with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and
the faith of the saints.

Revelation 13:10 (NASB)
10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword,
with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.

Revelation 13:10 (YLT)
10 If any one a captivity doth gather, into captivity he doth go away; if any one by sword
doth kill, it behoveth him by sword to be killed; here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.

Revelation 13:10 (NKJV)
10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the
sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

 

[amadeus2]

The people who you have referenced (above), are all 'anointed by God'. They are some of those who God chose, to bring us His Word. Their 'experiences' provide us with 'wisdom'. It helps us to understand how God 'thinks'.

Revelation warns us about 'adding to or deleting from (changing) that which is written in the Book of Revelation. It doesn't seem to bother those who created the NIV study bible (per my posting above). If you wish to follow the other 'bibles', that is your right. I do not want anyone to use these other 'bibles' to explain 'anything' to me. I believe that they are the work of Satan.

Actually my only English Bible for reading and studying has always been the KJV, but while I like it better than the others it doesn't really change what I said. Neither the KJV nor any of the others are original manuscripts written by the men who were anointed by God in their writings. The original manuscripts no longer exist. There are copies or copies of copies, but no one but a scholar in those ancient languages could read them.

It comes down to either trusting the translators themselves or trusting that God is able to and has kept His Word available to whosoever will. Is the KJV the best? I would say so, but who would take my word for that? I am no ancient language scholar. If I have any Truth, it is not because I have been reading the KJV, but because God has by the power of the Holy Ghost led me into the portion of Truth that I have. Given that that is so, that I do have a portion of Truth, will everyone take my word for it. I would say definitely not. This doesn't make me wrong, but neither does it make those who disagree with me on any given point necessarily wrong.

God gives the increase, not any translator and not any written Bible alone. Without the Spirit no one will get God's Truth from any written Bible, but as you undoubtedly know there are people who would disagree with me on that point as well.

Who is correct? God for certain in every case, but again some will disagree with me.

Who has changed God's Word? To change God's Word, I believe, requires that a person know absolutely what God's is in every case and then has purposely changed that. Word of God is alive in people. The Bible, any version or translation in any language may have potential but without the quickening Spirit it is also just a dead book IMHO.

"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." II Cor 3:6

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Don't you people think God is capable of using any source to teach you? Even the ones with mistakes? The Holy Spirit has been given you as teacher, counsellor etc. Don't you think HE knows the truth?
Don't you think you're swatting at gnats here?

 

[amadeus2]

Don't you people think God is capable of using any source to teach you? Even the ones with mistakes? The Holy Spirit has been given you as teacher, counsellor etc. Don't you think HE knows the truth?
Don't you think you're swatting at gnats here?

Cannot we learn God's Truth from preachers who do not have every thing exactly right according to God?

The epistle of James speaks to double-minded believers. They ought not to have been so, but they were.

The Holy Spirit, if allowed to work in a person, will sift what he hears so as to enable him to throw out the garbage and retain that which is from God. W

hen someone who has received the gift of the Holy Spirit fails to sift correctly, perhaps he is too often quenching the Spirit.

Isn't this a primary reason why people who claim they have received the gift of the Holy Ghost support apparently contradictory beliefs?

 

[Chad]

The Holy Spirit is the Author of the Living Word (Bible), so therefore He is infinitely fully capable of teaching. He is after all THE Teacher in the first place.

Also keep in mind you are to worship God, not the actual Bible itself. Sounds strange, but its true. Remember that many in the OT did not have an actual "bible" yet and were led and taught by the Holy Spirit.

These "errors" you speak of in the modern translations are so minute and virtually mute to what the Holy Spirit is doing these days. I attend Hillsong NYC church and they use most The Message translation, sometimes NKJV and sometimes ESV or NIV. I can tell you right now that GOD is moving is thousands of peoples hearts at that church and is mightily working a revival in NYC.

So where are these so called errors stopping hearts from being transformed by Christ's power and the Holy Spirit working through it all?

God is alive, His Word is infallible and that's enough.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Preachers are only men. They are ALL subject to error. Even if the written Word is completely accurate they can still twist it, honestly mistaken. That is why Father gave us His HOLY SPIRIT, not to sift the teachings of men but to open the WORD to us. HE is the WORD after all.

 

[amadeus2]

Preachers are only men. They are ALL subject to error. Even if the written Word is completely accurate they can still twist it, honestly mistaken. That is why Father gave us His HOLY SPIRIT, not to sift the teachings of men but to open the WORD to us. HE is the WORD after all.

What are you saying that is so different from what I or Chad said? You say the Holy Spirit is to "open the Word to us". Sometimes the Word only comes to us through the preaching or teaching of a man because in some places and at some times there is no written Bible to which a man may refer. What prevents a Spirit filled person from following the errors mixed in a preacher's words other than the Holy Spirit? What is the difference between "opening" and "sifting". What are the "eyes to see" and the "ears to hear" in scripture, if not that same Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the Opener and the Sifter and the Director and the Teacher and the Seer and the Hearer for those who will pay attention. Unfortunately, there is within each person who is not yet an overcomer as Jesus is/was an overcomer another spirit that is not Holy that also wants to dominate. When the Lord is in the battle, He always wins, but we are able to quench the Spirit of God in us. We are able to move out ahead of God rather than always giving Him the Lead.

 

[Trisha]

It really aggravates me that people think the KJ bible is the only true bible. They are all translations. I have used lots of different translations that have come my way until I got my own bible which is NIV because I just like reading closer to the way people talk today. The KJ-only-true-bible-people may be worshippping the bible. I like the KJ, but I like NIV and NLT as well.
It is not godly to bicker about a bible being no good. The gospel is being told in these bibles, no one translation owns the plan of salvation. The thing is to get people saved, and out of sinful lives (make disciples) and NOT to fight over what bible is the proper one. God is not pleased with this and I have been on the receiving end of this a couple of times. It is not from God at all.

 

[amadeus2]

It really aggravates me that people think the KJ bible is the only true bible. They are all translations. I have used lots of different translations that have come my way until I got my own bible which is NIV because I just like reading closer to the way people talk today. The KJ-only-true-bible-people may be worshippping the bible. I like the KJ, but I like NIV and NLT as well.
It is not godly to bicker about a bible being no good. The gospel is being told in these bibles, no one translation owns the plan of salvation. The thing is to get people saved, and out of sinful lives (make disciples) and NOT to fight over what bible is the proper one. God is not pleased with this and I have been on the receiving end of this a couple of times. It is not from God at all.

No matter what is written in the Book, if God's truth is not written in the Book owner's heart, what does that owner have other than paper and ink?

 

[El Hombre viejo]

There ya go Trisha. Read your bible and trust the HOLY SPIRIT to teach you right!

 

[David777]

John 5:39 (NASB)

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;
it is these that testify about Me.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me".

 

[will]

Revelation warns us about 'adding to or deleting from (changing) that which is written in the Book of Revelation. It doesn't seem to bother those who created the NIV study bible (per my posting above). If you wish to follow the other 'bibles', that is your right. I do not want anyone to use these other 'bibles' to explain 'anything' to me. I believe that they are the work of Satan.

You mention about the newer Bible translators (they are *not* Bible authors) as being high-headed and not seeking God. I have to ask, how do you know this?
Do you know them personally? do you know them enough that you are able to state what their motives are?

We are all called to submit to the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Whatever means we have access to, it is up to us to use those. But the understanding comes from the Holy Spirit, not our own intelligence.

If we are relying on our own understanding and start to pick out things in different translations instead of seeking God to help us through His Spirit, how is that different than adding or subtracting words?

We read the Scriptures, then we think about it day and night, the Holy Spirit imprints the truths in our hearts and minds. That's how we grow to become mature Christians. Debating different interpretations and translations will only bring us pride ("I'm right, you're wrong") and ultimately distancing ourselves from reliance upon God. Please tread carefully, friend.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Preachers are only men. They are ALL subject to error. Even if the written Word is completely accurate they can still twist it, honestly mistaken. That is why Father gave us His HOLY SPIRIT, not to sift the teachings of men but to open the WORD to us. HE is the WORD after all.

LOL Frankly the Message translation sets my skin into goose bumps. Its kind of like scratching on the blackboard. grin BUT!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD can and will use it to save people. Any and all people who are willing.

In the KJV there are words..well word not even translated. That one word, untranslated, causes all sorts of confusion. Other words are mistranslated but it remains my favorite translation. GOD uses any source HE can to get folks saved! HE is not dependent on the accuracy of human thought.

 

[farout]

Having been a Pastor I can say I have dealt with more than one dear soul who was very certian that every translation. except the King James Version Bible. was wicked and directed the translators by Satan himself. Less than two years ago a pastor told me that homosexuals were on the board that translated the New American Standard Bible. I spent several hours with this pastor, and showing him the names of all those who worked on the NASB up to 1977. I am personally aquainted with a few who worked on the UPDATED 1995 NASB. With a soft and kind voice he eventually received and believed the rumors he took as truth were nothing more than gossip.

Sometimes when you come upon someone who is so adamant in their belief that only the King James Version Bible is the only Bible blessed and sealed by God, that's when you praise them for reading the Bible and Loving the Lord Jesus. I beleive that is a mature Christian response, and what I believe keeps my emotional stress level down.

I have preached from the NIV the majority of time. However I have now moved to the New American Standard Bible. I have made this change from the NIV to the NASB for a few reasons. The NASB is as close to a Word for Word translation which I feel is better. The NIV is a thought for thought version, and I did not the way Zondervan w had made the Todays NIV which has some very liberal gender neutral translation. There were so many complants against the TNIV that Zondervan stopped the printing of the TNIV. Then Zondervan came out newest NIV and it is just a revision of the TNIV. I do not like to justify why I use the NIV when so much has happened to the Old NIV which I really love.

A preacher has a huge responsibility in presenting the HOLY Word of God, and I want to use a translation that is the most accurate English translation open to me.
So I just looked and I can not finnnd a KJV real handy. It is a good faithful translation for those who are able to comprehend the thee's and thouest's.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Far out!!! LOL What a wonderful answer! Tbank you Farout.