Im christan and i would like to ask christans how do we trust our bible if its been changed many times????

Answer 1

The Bible has not been changed. However it has been translated many times.

A few of the reasons that there are so many translations (not versions) of the Bible are:
+ The English language is very complicated. It changes all the time. English is different in different countries. English can be different in different neighborhoods.
+ Biblical scholarship improves every day.
+ Archeology learns more and more about biblical times every year.
+ Distrust. Protestants cannot trust a Catholic translation and Catholics cannot trust a Protestant one. One Protestant denomination cannot trust a translation from a different denomination.

The original language documents nave not really changed. The Dead Sea Scrolls helped prove this. The scrolls are important because they testify to the accuracy of the people who copied and recopied the Scriptures over the centuries. Despite minor errors, they show us that the Old Testament has not changed since it was compiled.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Prior to the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls there was much more talk from critics; along with academic theory and speculation about the factors for error in the Bible due to poor copy work, translation, and other changes.

When the scrolls were found many expected proof of their critical claims. They didn't find the ammunition they wanted. For a while they shut their face and stopped running off at the mouth.

With the passage of time they are back with the same old claims producing the same tired questons.

I find the Bible more accurate than any commentary about it. The spirit of the Living Word matches the spirit of the written Word. The Old Testament backs up the New Testament.

Think of the King James Version as a restoration rather than a change. If the Bible isn't true why do so many hate it, attempt to discredit it, write their own versions of it, write books which they claim take its place, constantly bring up doubts about it, refuse to follow its teachings, hide it away from the public; as the Roman church did for years.

Why do they use the Bible to find or spec archeological digs and then use the findings to support their interpretation of history that is contrary to the Bible?

A good number of people have been murdered for translating this Book? Literally millions have died for belief in it; killed by others who did or did not believe it. This Book has been used by political and religious earthly powers to kill countless people. For all the war over and about it; this Book has been the solace of untold millions to this hour.

Why do they claim that some other writing is necessary to prove Scripture? The reason is they hold that Scripture is false. They next set up the condition that it must be "proved" by historic works. I have yet to see where the Bible is not historic.

How do you trust it?
In "trusting" the Scripture be wise as a serpent in checking the logic, motivation, credentials and sources of the people who are critics, do rewrites or otherwise tamper with the Word of God. Deal only with specific claims of change and check sources. You will often find that general questions such as yours do not need to be delt with. Make sure that all changes are spelled out so they can be addressed.

Make sure that what the Word says in one part agrees with another or all other parts and is witnessed by the Holy Spirit.

Remember that you must be in the Word daily and in the Spirit.
The bottom line is that full trust in the Bible is the result of ones personal experience and spiritual discernment based on revelation.

If you know and trust the author, you will have few problems with the Bible.

Answer 3

With thousands of translations from the Hebrew and Greek into current languages, of course there have been many changes.

But, read how copies of the Scriptures (esp. the Tanakh) were made -- before the time of moveable type printing. Notice the extreme care the scribes followed to make sure not a letter would change.

Have you heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls. For example, the Scroll of the prophet Isaiah. That Dead Sea Scroll was about 1000 years older than what were known to exist until then. And there was no significant changes; nothing of doctrinal consequence.

Sure, there are many changes between copies ... mostly changes like the difference between the English and the USA printings .... such as color / colour OR music / musick

Then, there are some translations which have made changes ... such as the New World Translation ... a translation made by ONE denomination.

And as someone has said, it isn't the parts of the bible that they can't understand that troubles him as much as the parts that he can understand.

Answer 4

God has preserved His Word. In the spring of 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. These manuscripts were copies of large portions of the Old Testament, a thousand years older than any other existing copies. Study of the scrolls has revealed that the Bible hasn’t changed in content down through the ages as many skeptics had surmised.

Anyone can now obtain access to computer programs that give the original Hebrew and Greek words, and the only "changes" have been made for clarity. For example, the old English translation of 2 Corinthians 12:8 is "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice ...," while a contemporary translation is "Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times..."

Answer 5

The Bible has never been changed. The Holy Bible is and will ever be God's word. The Bible has different translations, but if you will put the translations side by side they mean the same thing. Some people like different translations because they can understand one better than the other. You can buy a Bible that has many translations. They are great, and it will give you alot of help in fully understanding God's word. But God's word never changes and God says in his word that His word would not go out void. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Contrary to some of the biased answers you received, the Bible translations themselves will tell you how authentic they actually are. For example, if you own a King James version, usually on one of the first few pages the text will read something like this: 'translated from the original manuscripts and dilligently compared and revised with other translations.' That statement, along with the fact that in 1611 King James had his Bible scribes rushed to copy, should clearly inform you that the translation is not the most accurate. Other translations like the NIV and American also state similar opening remarks. Another key factor is that nearly all newer translations remove God's name, Jehovah, which is in the Bible over 6,000 times completely from their texts. You can look at your own Bible library and confirm this by finding a Bible in your house that is about 50 years old. You will find the name "Jehovah" in Psalm 83:18 or Exodus 6:3. Find any newer translation and you wont see the name at all. There are Bibles that are quite accurate -translated directly from the original manuscripts. You will find the New World Translation to be one of these. So, find the accurate Bible and you certainly can feel confident you can trust God's word, especially if you see his name back in places it ought to be.

Answer 7

Trust in the truth, when you hear someone intepret the bible go see for yourself if they haven't taken it out of context. This I found to be so in most cases.

Live your life according to Jesus' teachings, yes the life of Jesus is told by different apostles, and even by disciples and christians after his resurrection and ascention, but the story and the message is the same, just as if someone is telling you a story they heard only they tell it in their own words, so you see the message was not lost though, and where some may omit certain things the other apostles picks it up or vice verca.

You can trust that if you pray to be blessed with enlightenment it will be given to you and the more you ponder the passages and the parables you will understand them and they will take different meanings for you.

Peace be with you.

Answer 8

By changed you must be referring to the many translations and yes, some translations imply things a bit differently than others. The original, which we wouldn't be able to read any way, was the only one inspired wholly by the living God. The translations - well, I'm sure He had a role in that, too. Unfortunately, the more we put our hands on God's work the more not right it tends to be.

Me personally, I have a few different versions: The King James, The NIV, and then the Living Bible. I read each and compare as well as any study notes added. But ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit within me Who is revealing whatever it is I'm seeking. And see, that's what we have to trust - God Himself. After all, if you are studying something in the Bible, it is because the Lord Himself led you to it, guided you to seek answers, compelled you to study. So, as you pick up whatever version it is that you have, realize it is the written version of His Holy Breathed Word, but that He Himself who is now living within you is the revealer. He is the one who opens your eyes to get what you read in the first place. He is your inspiration, teacher, and guide. He will see to it that you learn and understand what it is He wants you to. You just have to lean on Him for the understanding. You have to honor Him for the divine Master that He is. In doing so, His truth is illuminated right before you - regardless of the translation. Heck, God can speak to you through a cook book if He so chose! He can do anything. You just have to keep your eyes on Him and as He leads you through the scriptures, ask Him to reveal things exactly as they are and that you will get the full message He intends you to. Trust Him. Thank Him. Praise Him.... and the Word will come to life.

And if you feel frustrated because you don't get something, that is an indication that He's teaching you more than you realize.

Answer 9

The good news is that the Bible is unchanged. It has been translated and written into different editions, but the history, the stories, the message remains the same. It's even been compared to ancient papyrii (such as the dead sea scrolls) for accuracy. The ancient scholars were meticulous in how the ancient manuscripts were recorded over time.

According to Jewish tradition, old texts weren't destroyed (being holy to them), instead, they were holed up in caves for the ages. This is how we discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls, which verify some of the manuscripts of that era. They're unchanged.

Answer 10

Good question. It has been changed many times. But we have to assume that God wants us to have the truth and would there for provide a way. I believe he did. The bible is like a nail pounded through a board representing truth. It pins it down but with just the bible it allows the truth to be turned and moved and today we see thousands of christian denominations. But what if we could have a second record from prophets describing the Gospel. That would act as a second nail and keep truth from being able to be changed.
"In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall all things be established"

THere is a second record though many people consider it false doctrine. It is not a replacement for the bible but a second nail to be used with the bible to pin down what is true and what is mans interpitation. It is the Book of Mormon.

By the way people should stop ignoring and hating on my anwsers simply because I am Mormon. Read them may be you will realise that you dont' know as much about us as your preacher claims to have taught you.