Most of the writings were in bad physical shape to begin with, there was translation, interpretation, and some parts omitted. When all is said and done, are we sure all that is written in today bible can be take literally? Take the verse "I am the truth, the way, and the life, no one comes to the father but through me", If I take the bible literally, it means worship Jesus to get to heaven, but that contradicts Jesus in context, I believe. I think Jesus want us to have a focus on God, the father, and to have a personal relationship with God. What if, Jesus meant, which would be more aligned with the context of his teachings, that no one gets to the father but though the way he lived his life. However, we may not know the truth of what is said, because through-out history, people for political, religous, and scientific reasons have translated, interpreted, and even omitted parts of the bible. Even today, the bible is being interpreted for "better understanding."
2006-12-20 06:22:47 · 27 answers · asked by Robert C 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First off, where do you get your ideas that the Bible was in bad physical shape to begin with? The original manuscripts, some of which have been recovered were in fact well preserved.
Secondly, the Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. So, no translations there. The original translation from the original texts to Latin occurred over 800 years ago in what is known as the Latin Vulgate. Today's NASB has been interpreted directly from the original text. Great care has been taken by numerous Bible scholars to accurately translate and interpret the original text into today's modern languages. When the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in the 1940's, scholars were amazed to find out that the text was transcribed the same as it was from the interpretations of today.
The first rule of thumb in Bible interpretation is to take the Bible literally until where it is of course impossible to do so. Only then, are figures of speech and symbolism liberally used.
Don't lose heart. The Bible is unchanged. Many scholars and interpreters have taken great care in the translation process. Don't watch too many DaVinci Code shows. It's all a farce.
2006-12-20 06:25:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
The Bible used to be compiled through the Catholic Church. That is a Historical Fact. Truth is... It wasn't till the beyond 500 years that anybody eliminated books and adjusted the phrase of God. Who are you suggesting had the authority to outline what might be within the canon? I'd be excited by seeing your evidence for one of these assertion. Please exhibit all people your authority. It is a well query. After all; If Jesus hadn't left an expert on Earth, a person with the authority to come to a decision those matters, then whatever is going. How have you learnt that all of the books of the Bible are encouraged and that all of the books contained within the Bible are meant to be there. Nowhere within the Bible does it say which books must make up the Bible (of path the index does not rely). II Timothy three:sixteen says, 'All scripture is encouraged ...' however WHAT IS SCRIPTURE? What is supposed through the phrase scripture cited on this verse? This is an excessively well query considering that the Koran and the Book of Mormon as good as a number of alternative writings additionally declare to be encouraged. Obviously, simply on account that a booklet claims to be encouraged does not imply that it's. The Catholic Church, considering that it's the ONLY Church that Jesus based, had the authority to outline what might be within the canon. It used to be the Catholic Church that outlined the canons of the Old and New Testaments on the councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397). In 397, the Catholic Church gave a certain determination as to which must be admitted into the Bible and which must be rejected, and each booklet that is within the Protestant New Testament in these days, used to be placed there through Pope Siricius and the Catholic Bishops within the 12 months 397 A. D. Did I difference your brain?
2016-09-03 16:33:19 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The HB/OT originated from oral traditions passed down before it was even written down. There are about 4 different oral traditions that are woven together to create the HB/OT cannon that is known today. (This is why there are some contradictions.) Also, all of the original copies were done by hand, so there could be errors. There are also the translation problems from Hebrew, to Greek, to Latin, to many other languages. However, the Scholar's Bible (NRSV) uses the oldest sources and is very careful about the translations in contemporary times.
The Gospels written until the end of the 1st century CE, many decades after Jesus died. The books were written by second hand sources, and no one has discovered the Q text yet.
The Bible itself was put together during the reign of Constantine, which happened about 300 years after Jesus lived. Before that, most congregations probably had access to the HB and maybe a few letters by Paul. (Not all the letters attributed to Paul were actually written by him.)
A lot of effort and even politics has gone into the redaction of the Bible published today. If you ever have a chance to take a course on the history of the OT/HB or the NT, I would recommend it!
2006-12-20 06:27:06 · answer #3 · answered by Mrs. Pears 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that it is a very serious misconception to think that the Bible has been tampered with as you say. You need to give some evidence for that. Translations are not normally done from curent text, except updates because of language change. Translations are done from the most ancient and accurate manuscripts, plus the comparison of numerous manuscripts from around the world, and over the millenium. There are enough manuscripts that the Biblew could be written several thousand times, without using the same manuscript twice. There is no other book in history that has as much documentation as the Bible. To suggest that there are great divirstities in the Bible is simply not true. You can prove me wrong, just present some of the extreme differences that you say are there. I have been a student of the Bible for over 50 years and can't understand why all these "differences" never come to my attention during all those years. I challange you on the accuracy of what you are saying.
2006-12-20 06:32:57 · answer #4 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Whats up Robert? This is entirely "MY OPINION" only.I agree the Bible has been re-written alot. The latest, for me, has lost it's poetry, like 23 psalms. It may be better understood but lacks the beauty King James recorded it.There is one thing I'd like to point out that may have nothing to do with your question, that is how one little tiny verse that goes "Birds of a feather flock together is used to create so many sosial problems. My dad is a preacher and I've heard it so much to justifie segregation among other things.For me, the Bible says so many things that are ignored, people have and always will use it to their own convenience to say what they want it to say for their own gain. Jesus said "You believe in God believe also in me." He also said "love ye one another." Following just these two satements most all other is secondary.Jesus said so many great things John stated "the world could not contain the books that should be written" Thanks for your question. I think it's helped me trying to answer it though I'm sure it may have not been what you were looking for.
2006-12-20 06:49:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The simple answer is we can't know what the scriptures actually say.
The strangest thing to me about many Bible literalists is that they say the Bible should be taken to mean exactly what it says, but in the language they happen to read it in. So literalists read the english translation of the Bible, and say that it must be taken as truth, word for word, even though anyone who has ever dealt with translations is well aware of how differently the same exact sentence can be translated by different individuals - and this is especially true when attempting to translated something not only across a language barrier, but across thousands of years.
But it is possible to read through the Bible, particularly the various accounts of Jesus' life, and make reasoned decisions about what he probably did and didn't say, and what he did and probably didn't think. Information that appears in only one book, that seems strange in the overall flow, or is odd in other ways, is very likely to have been added later on, or even fabricated when the scriptures were first written. In this way, we can see that it is unlikely that Jesus ever knew anything about his own Virgin Birth, or that he ever even claimed to be the Son of God (Son of Man is very different). But it doesn't really matter, since any religion that has been around for 2,000 years will aquire its own intertia outside of its holy books, and any new discoveries with regards to what Jesus may have actually meant will be questionable in themselves, and will change nothing.
Another good book to read, by the way, is H.L Mencken's "Treatise on the Gods."
2006-12-20 06:30:50 · answer #6 · answered by waefijfaewfew 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow. So many responses. So many points of view. So many opinions. I'm not sure I can add anything.
I was raised Southern Baptist. I have two degrees, a nice little office job, and a genius IQ. After a decade of searching, examining, and questioning of other truth-claims, I've come back to my original understanding: that something is wrong with me, and I'm afraid of dying.
My only hope is that there is someone powerful enough to do exactly what He claimed in the pages of the BIBLE. Most agree that the original disciples (some of whom wrote the NT) died for the things written in the pages of the New Testament. People don't die for a lie. I don't intend to, either.
2006-12-20 06:48:32 · answer #7 · answered by brainiac5 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That question has ben asked and addressed before so in case you missed it i will tell you this when in 1049 the Dead sea Schrools of Isaiah were found and compared to the Bible it was 99.55 accurate in some cases with the Bible today Gods personal name as recorded in the Original writings of the Bible was in there 7,210 times in most Bibles it may appear 1-4 times and they have substituted the words lord or God in its place then there are some excellent Bible research museums where you can see the originals you have one in New York USA one in Ireland one in England and one in Egypt that i know of but i have made an extensive research and study of the original writings of the Bible over the last 35 years and have looked intro history, archeology and lexicography as pertaining to the Bible if I can help you let me know Gorbalizer
2006-12-20 06:36:03 · answer #8 · answered by gorbalizer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By virtue of this divinely-appointed authority, the Catholic Church determined the canon of Scripture (what books belong in the Bible) at the end of the fourth century. We therefore believe in the Scriptures on the authority of the Catholic Church. After all, nothing in Scripture tells us what Scriptures are inspired, what books belong in the Bible, or that Scripture is the final authority on questions concerning the Christian faith. Instead, the Bible says that the Church, not the Scriptures, is the pinnacle and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15) and the final arbiter on questions of the Christian faith (Matt. 18:17). It is through the teaching authority and Apostolic Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6; 1 Cor. 11:2) of this Church, who is guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26; 16:13), that we know of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, and the manifold wisdom of God. (cf. Ephesians 3:10). Other bibles are not guaranteed to have the authentic interpretation of Sacred Scripture.
2006-12-20 06:34:37 · answer #9 · answered by Gods child 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible of The True Christian Faith is not intended for the non-believer... only those open to the leading of The Holy Spirit will find within The Bible what God has for them there.... There are no original texts of The Bible existant today... But The Word and Will of God can still be found in what has been preserved... if... one is open to the Holy Spirits leading of ones study.... The Salvation Message in in the hearts of the faithful... it is not dependent upon "interpritation" from and written text... From you words you are not understanding of The Salvation Message.... Salvation is not from "works".... it is for ALL who come to God in The Way He prescribes. These ones receive God's freee gift of Salvation and become of The Body of The Church of which Jesus The Christ is The Head. These are the ones of The True Christian Faith. Only those of The Church will enter Heaven.... I did not even own a Bible on The Day of my Salvation.... it was just God and me... no man. priest,pope,pastor, man doctrin or dogma involved... The Bible is not needed for any one to be "saved"... it is after that one comes to study... and then only by the leading of The Holy Spirit.
2006-12-20 06:35:27 · answer #10 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋