Nope, because the sources used for various translations aren't even the same. The oldest Hebrew manuscripts of the OT have one story of Daniel, but the famous Greek Septuaguint has a longer version. If the texts have been so obviously tinkered with over time, then the very components are in debate. The King James version didn't even come out until the 1600s.
2006-12-14 11:23:09 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, technically it IS possible to consider the Bible to be literal, but normally that is only attributed to one version of the Bible. If someone tried to interpret all the versions literally, some contradictions might occur. Of course, the person is question probably would end up believing EVERYTHING despite any contradictions, considering how many contradictions are found within any version of the Bible set alone. Plus, such a person would believe that the Bible is actually God's word, and I doubt slight discrepancies between versions would slow them down.
However, such interpretations of the Bible involve an outright ignorance or condemning of scientific evidence that disproves the Bible's literal word, and, thankfully, few people are religious enough to do so. However, there are still quite a few out there who do, so...
2006-12-14 11:28:19 · answer #1 · answered by Nanashi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you are correct that old and new testament scriptures have been interpreted from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to all sorts of languages, and various texts had additions and exclusions made to them. Some of the changes came from the method of copying books or letters of the Bible. They were hand written and sometimes mistakes or inclusions were made as theologies developed. Plus, the Greek language doesn't necessary translate well into English. Example: Jesus asked Peter 3 times, "Do you love me?" Yet in the Greek language, there were 3 different degrees of love that Jesus asked. Agape was the 1st question, the most sincere form of love. The last ? in essence was asking Peter if he was even Jesus's friend. But even with the passage of thousands of years and the limitations that humans possess, God has still been able to speak to many peoples' hearts through these ancient texts.
2006-12-14 11:32:17 · answer #2 · answered by Turnhog 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure there are many literal translations of the Bible the King James is so is the NASB, The opposite of literal is pharaphrase like the Living Bible the NIV etc.
You can also get a literal with the original sequence of words such as Greens based on inter linerear, it is accurate but sounds funny to us.
2006-12-14 11:31:20 · answer #3 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is impossible to take the bible literally because at the nicean council 325 CE more than 20 scriptures were thrown out of the bible.
In 576 CE; the teaching of reincarnation was voted out of the bible, and lost by one vote.
When the protest movement began in the 16th century; seven other scriptures were tossed out on their ear.
Then in 1611; the KJV was translated and the scriptures were mangled further.
I fail to understand why literalists think the bible can be taken literally when they only 2/3rds of the scriptures, and the scriptures that remain were seriously edited.
2006-12-14 11:29:58 · answer #4 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible was never written as a history book or a science text so it CAN NOT be read literally. It is a divinely inspired group of books that teach infallible truths about God. If it was meant to be taken literally, why did Jesus speak in parables?
2006-12-14 11:26:57 · answer #5 · answered by jonathan x 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
very true.
There are many texts that we are not sure which one of two or three options are the ones in the original.
Sometimes though we can tell, but not always.
regardless even the Masoretic Texts and the Septuagunit do agree on the meaning 99% of the time. Its the 1% that gives us trouble.
2006-12-14 11:26:29 · answer #6 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, but your statements do not answer your question. Your statements show that the Bible has been changed, but your initial questions asks if we can take it "word for word to be true", and again the answer is no. All you have to do is look at page #1....It says that in the beginning god created man as well as all living creatures at the same time. This is obviously not true because the fossil record shows that man came MILLIONS of years after life started on Earth.
2006-12-14 11:24:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not possible but could be on chosen few, as it was in the beginning,(GENESIS), God's children just have written them to people of all ages that there is something to be aware of despite of the categorical level of the being, which is unknown to science and God to the faithful. So, look back where you came from and learn from what you know and not from what you read.
2006-12-14 11:29:27 · answer #8 · answered by wacky_racer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe Jesus literally died on a cross, was literally buried and literally rose again from the dead. I believe God will literally judge you for every evil thought, word and deed and literally throw you into a lake of fire unless you repent (literally, not figuratively) and believe the gospel.
2006-12-14 11:34:55 · answer #9 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot interpret Gods word. No one can. All you have to do is read the book and the word of God will interpret itself,
2006-12-14 11:28:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋