For all its warts, the KJV is the way to go.
That said, there must be a practical way to go that will make it intelligible to new Christians.
I don't remember any problem understanding the KJV language when I was in Sunday School even from the beginning when I was eight years old. Maybe it just did not become an issue back then because of the way it was used in short stretches with lots of editorial comment by the teachers.
But I do know that I had a hard time with the language of Shakespeare even after college. The KJV no doubt is a challenge to young or old who come to it for the first time.
Possibly a way to ease the pain would be an edition which contained a parallel column of some good up to date translation in current English.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Must we study the Bible?
I do read, study, and meditate on God's word.
But some times I have to think that God, if he were to be fair would have come out with a book: "God's Word for Dummies."
To plow through the whole Bible and come away with a correct meaning of every story and chapter is a daunting task.
Is there enough time in one's life time to memorize and be prepared to defend doctrine with unbelievers? I think not.
All I can do is do my best in the manner which my common sense leads after asking God's direction. I do have faith that God will say: "Well done. You have used your talents wisely."
But some times I have to think that God, if he were to be fair would have come out with a book: "God's Word for Dummies."
To plow through the whole Bible and come away with a correct meaning of every story and chapter is a daunting task.
Is there enough time in one's life time to memorize and be prepared to defend doctrine with unbelievers? I think not.
All I can do is do my best in the manner which my common sense leads after asking God's direction. I do have faith that God will say: "Well done. You have used your talents wisely."
Has revelation ceased?
To say that the bible that has come down to us over a period approaching two thousand years has come to us with part missing or part corrupted in doctrine is to say God lacks the interest or the power to protect his own word.
Jesus is over and over referred to as "the Word". So in some sense the Bible has a very real connection with God himself.
How can it be believed that someone can add to God's word? It would be as though that person were greater than God and had the ability to add to God's stature or being.
Likewise, how could any of God's word be missing or corrupted? It would be as though the people who assembled the cannon had power over God himself.
Jesus is over and over referred to as "the Word". So in some sense the Bible has a very real connection with God himself.
How can it be believed that someone can add to God's word? It would be as though that person were greater than God and had the ability to add to God's stature or being.
Likewise, how could any of God's word be missing or corrupted? It would be as though the people who assembled the cannon had power over God himself.
How should the Bible be interpreted?
You can say what you want about how to interpret the Bible, but in the end I have trust in the Holy Spirit and put my bets on an interpretation which my heart leads me to.
For example, words are notoriously ambiguous. No two people have the exact same background which gives meaning to them for each and every word in the dictionary.
Then we have the translation problems. Is the translator working through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit? Is the translator working from a document which contains God's actual message, God's truth?
But all that aside, my personal opinion is that a person who comes to the Bible in good faith and asking for God's guidance will come away with God's truth no matter how slip-shod the translation.
For example, words are notoriously ambiguous. No two people have the exact same background which gives meaning to them for each and every word in the dictionary.
Then we have the translation problems. Is the translator working through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit? Is the translator working from a document which contains God's actual message, God's truth?
But all that aside, my personal opinion is that a person who comes to the Bible in good faith and asking for God's guidance will come away with God's truth no matter how slip-shod the translation.
Is the Bible inerrant?
I have no problem accepting the Bible as the only rule of faith and conduct.
But when it is extended to all matters, it becomes a stretch, specially in matters of history and science.
I always fall back on the statement: God gave us a brain with the idea we are to use it.
Science deals with numbers. When it comes to a questions that can be proved with numbers, there was no need for God to give us the answers, we can figure them out with great precision for ourselves.
When it comes to matters of faith and morals, these questions can be debated till we are blue in the face and never come to a provable conclusion. There to me is where we must rely on a higher authority. There the Bible comes, so to speak, with a very fine pedigree. I have had much better results in my life by attempting to follow the Godly rules in the Bible than when I rely on my own instincts.
But when it is extended to all matters, it becomes a stretch, specially in matters of history and science.
I always fall back on the statement: God gave us a brain with the idea we are to use it.
Science deals with numbers. When it comes to a questions that can be proved with numbers, there was no need for God to give us the answers, we can figure them out with great precision for ourselves.
When it comes to matters of faith and morals, these questions can be debated till we are blue in the face and never come to a provable conclusion. There to me is where we must rely on a higher authority. There the Bible comes, so to speak, with a very fine pedigree. I have had much better results in my life by attempting to follow the Godly rules in the Bible than when I rely on my own instincts.
Is the Bible the word of God?
It does look like I should believe, and if pressed for an opinion, I would have to say the Bible is complete and perfect.
Perfect in that it is just the way God wants it to be for me.
Who am I to say I need or deserve more word , less ambiguity, greater historical, scientific, or more moral instructions.
God must be trusted to have seen to it that his word has come down to me in just the right words and completeness to allow me no wiggle room to claim ignorance of his will for me.
Does everyone in the world have differing needs?
Maybe so, but God being infinitely just and loving, I have faith, has met each individual with exactly the proper word - proper in that each is left with the same equal opportunity to either accept or reject God's word.
Perfect in that it is just the way God wants it to be for me.
Who am I to say I need or deserve more word , less ambiguity, greater historical, scientific, or more moral instructions.
God must be trusted to have seen to it that his word has come down to me in just the right words and completeness to allow me no wiggle room to claim ignorance of his will for me.
Does everyone in the world have differing needs?
Maybe so, but God being infinitely just and loving, I have faith, has met each individual with exactly the proper word - proper in that each is left with the same equal opportunity to either accept or reject God's word.
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