2006-12-07 13:15:33 · 18 answers · asked by trish 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Catholics would like you to think so even though they wrote it themselves without the help of God.
2006-12-07 13:18:48 · answer #1 · answered by Tom B 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No because we read translations from the original languages. But it's like if there was a King speaking at the United Nations. All of the people who didn't speak his language would have to rely upon translators who would get the message across to them. Just because it wasn't word for word doesn't mean that the people who heard the translations wouldn't know what the King was telling them. It's only when theologians try to figure out complicated doctrines about things like prophecy that knowing the exact words in the original language becomes critical. Also it's useful for Pastors who are preparing sermons to know the original languages so that they can provide greater understanding of the passages to their congregations. But the basic message of the Bible is very clear.
ESV John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
If you used the KJV with Strong's numbers you could look at each word and it wouldn't change the meaning of the passage.
KJV with Strong's - John 3:16 For1063 God2316 so3779 loved25 the3588 world,2889 that5620 he gave1325 his848 only begotten3439 Son,5207 that2443 whosoever3956 believeth4100 in1519 him846 should not3361 perish,622 but235 have2192 everlasting166 life.2222
Download the Free e-Sword softare from the link on the Free Stuff page @ http://web.express56.com/~bromar/ and you can check it out yourself. You run your mouse pointer over the numbers and the original words with their definitions comes up. You can also download the King James Concordance and it will show you every place in the Bible where the same word was used so you can get a sense of how the same word can be used in different contexts.
2006-12-07 21:31:14 · answer #2 · answered by Martin S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably the best way to answer your question is to say that the Bible is God's thoughts written down by human hands. So, no, it's not word for word or verbatim as a whole. There may be some passages where it is, however.
Unlike some who think the whole Bible is just the New Testament, the Bible is actually a mini-library of 66 books. And all of them are important. Ofcourse, perhaps the most memorable are the 4 books about Jesus, Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.
2006-12-07 21:24:08 · answer #3 · answered by correcaminos72734 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be skeptical. After all with so many mistakes in the bible. Remember that the Bible was written by ancient people who believed that the Earth was flat. So when these ignorant people wrote the story of Noah & the Arc they had no idea that there were Polar Bears in Antarctica that Noah would have to get in order to put them on the Arc. The Bible was more believable thousands of years ago when people didn't know that in Australia there are Aborigines people who would have to get on the Arc also. See what I mean? I'm afraid that the Bible is the word of ancient uneducated people who didn't have a clue as to what was going on in the world that they lived in. There are some people who swear that it's the word of God but, you could probably sell them the Brooklyn Bridge.
2006-12-07 21:31:30 · answer #4 · answered by The professor 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Considering that most people know that the bible has been translated from it's original language several times and copied by hand for centuries - which means alterations were likely made (some subtle, some substantial) - I don't really think it is possible for anyone who is looking at the question objectively to truthfully say that the bible is word for word god's own given word.
Peace!
2006-12-07 21:21:30 · answer #5 · answered by carole 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely not. It is up to interpretations. Several people can read a verse and get totally different meanings. Even the Scrolls are hard to translate today because the language was so hard to decipher. Then you have different versions because items were added in for the kings convenience at the time. That is why it is so important to reason it out. Peace and love be with you.
2006-12-07 21:45:07 · answer #6 · answered by free spirit 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is the word of the Christian God interperated by the men who wrote the Bible.
2006-12-07 21:21:58 · answer #7 · answered by lavos1412 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The Old Testament is a library of Jewish legend, history, & literature. The New Testament is four often contradictory tellings of the story of Jesus, followed by a number of letters positing theology, behavioral guidelines, and encouragement to early Christians. Many authors, many stories, just like your local library.
2006-12-07 21:20:08 · answer #8 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Some of God's word are not written
2006-12-07 21:17:57 · answer #9 · answered by LanSLub 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bible is told in stories past down from Jesus. It is written by mathew, mark, luke and john. So it is not word for word.
2006-12-07 21:18:25 · answer #10 · answered by Rebecca M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't believe so any more...Love God but too many human hands involved...I have started getting directions straight from the source..The Bible made me what I am but I now have evolved...I Love God with ALL my heart....Kevin
2006-12-07 21:19:01 · answer #11 · answered by sckreet 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋