How do we know that the Bible (King James) is complete? And how do we know what was put in as one mans opinion

Question

I am a christian but I have always wonder if the Bible is complete and what are these other so called finding around the world. and how do i know if some one didn't translate his own opinion of how the word of God means. I guess what my problem is that with the power and the glory of God how do I know that someone did not enter Mans opinion to glorfy himself.

Answer 1

Very good question.

There have been what are called Spurious Scriptures most of which it would seem try to prove the Trinity to be a Bible teaching which it is not.

For instance:

Alpha and Omega:
To whom does this title properly belong? (1) At Revelation 1:8, its owner is said to be God, the Almighty. In verse 11 according to KJ, that title is applied to one whose description thereafter shows him to be Jesus Christ.
But scholars recognize the reference to Alpha and Omega in verse 11 to be spurious, and so it does not appear in RS, NE, JB, NAB, Dy. (2) Many translations of Revelation into Hebrew recognize that the one described in verse 8 is Jehovah, and so they restore the personal name of God there.

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2 Paralipomenon 16:9, Dy.

Cyclopœdia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, by J. M’Clintock and J. Strong, Vol. II, p. 561.

Trinitarians have practically ceased to cite the words “the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” that appear in some Bible versions at 1 John 5:7. Textual scholars agree that these words are a later spurious addition to the inspired text.

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Regarding the Apocrypha

IS THE Apocrypha of God or of men? Is it part of “all Scripture [that] is inspired of God” and beneficial for our being “fully competent, completely equipped for every good work”? Or does it belong to “the tradition of men,” to “the elementary things of the world,” against which the apostle Paul warned Christians? What are the facts?—2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Col. 2:8.

The original meaning of the term “apocrypha” is made clear from Jesus’ use of it: “For there is nothing hidden that will not become manifest, neither anything carefully concealed that will never become known.” In time, however, the term took on the unfavorable connotation of “writings or statements of doubtful authorship or authority.” As most commonly used today, “The Apocrypha” refers to the eleven additional writings declared canonical by the Roman Catholic Church in her Council of Trent (1546), but which are challenged by others.—Luke 8:17.

These eleven additional writings are Tobit, Judith, Wisdom (of Solomon), Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, a supplement to Esther and three additions to Daniel: The Song of the Three Holy Children, Susanna and the Elders, and The Destruction of Bel and the Dragon. Catholic writers refer to these books as deuterocanonical, meaning “of the second (or later) canon,” as distinguished from protocanonical.

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I suppose in the end you must pray for truth and use alot of different translations. There are many MODERN language translations that have done wonders for actually helping sincere persons understand God's Holy Word, The Bible.

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I have many translations of God's Word. When I first started my own serious study I started with the NIV, which, even at the time seemed ambiguous to me.

I now, mostly use the New World Translation which has been praised by Scholars as an accurate and fresh translation.
Below are three examples:
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A Fresh Translation
When the first volume of the “New World Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures” was published, Alexander Thomson, a British Bible critic, wrote: “Original renderings of the Hebrew Scriptures into the English language are extremely few. It therefore gives us much pleasure to welcome the publication of the first part of the New World Translation [of the Hebrew Scriptures], Genesis to Ruth. . . . This version has evidently made a special effort to be thoroughly readable. No one could say it is deficient in freshness and originality. Its terminology is by no means based upon that of previous versions.”—“The Differentiator,” June 1954, p. 131.
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“A Text With Instant Vocabulary”
In “The Classical Journal,” Thomas N. Winter of the University of Nebraska wrote a review of “The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures” in which he said: “This is no ordinary interlinear: the integrity of the text is preserved, and the English which appears below it is simply the basic meaning of the Greek word. Thus the interlinear feature of this book is no translation at all. A text with instant vocabulary more correctly describes it. A translation in smooth English appears in a slim column at the right-hand margin of the pages. . . .
“The text is based on that of Brooke F. Westcott and Fenton J. A. Hort (1881, repr.), but the translation by the anonymous committee is thoroughly up-to-date and consistently accurate.”—April-May issue of 1974, pp. 375-6.
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The Opinion of a Hebrew Scholar

Regarding the “New World Translation,” Professor Dr. Benjamin Kedar, a Hebrew scholar in Israel, said in 1989: “In my linguistic research in connection with the Hebrew Bible and translations, I often refer to the English edition of what is known as the ‘New World Translation.’ In so doing, I find my feeling repeatedly confirmed that this work reflects an honest endeavor to achieve an understanding of the text that is as accurate as possible. Giving evidence of a broad command of the original language, it renders the original words into a second language understandably without deviating unnecessarily from the specific structure of the Hebrew. . . . Every statement of language allows for a certain latitude in interpreting or translating. So the linguistic solution in any given case may be open to debate. But I have never discovered in the ‘New World Translation’ any biased intent to read something into the text that it does not contain.”

So, although there may have been problems with translation early on I feel God made sure that the clear ring of truth is available to those that are sincerely searching for Him, His Son and Purpose towards humankind and the earth.

God Almighty, as the Scriptures say plainly here is not a God of disorder:

"For God is [a God], not of disorder, but of peace.
-1 Corinthinans 14:33

Therefore we should understand that He would make sure that the light of truth would shine for those seeking such.

"But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."
-Proverbs 4:18

Answer 2

The Bible's accuracy and reliability have been proved and verified over and over again by archaeological finds produced by both believing and nonbelieving scholars and scientists. This included verification for numerous customs, places, names, and events mentioned in the Bible.
One among many examples is the fact that for many years the existence of the Hittites (a powerful people who lived during the time of Abraham) was questioned because no archaeological digs had uncovered anything about them. Critics claimed the Hittites were pure myth. But today the critics are silenced. Abundant archaeological evidence for the existence of the Hittites during the time of Abraham has been uncovered.
Bible scholar Donald J. Wiseman notes, "The geography of Bible lands and visible remains of antiquity were gradually recorded until today more than 23,000 sites within this region and dating to Old Testament times, in their broadest sense, have been located." Nelson Glueck, a specialist in ancient literature, did an exhaustive study and concluded: "It can be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference." Well-known scholar William F. Albright, following a comprehensive study, wrote: "Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has brought increased recognition of the value of the Bible as a source of History."

There are more than 24,000 partial and complete manuscript copies of the New Testament. These manuscript copies are very ancient and they are available for inspection NOW. there are also some 86,000 quotations from the early church fathers and several thousand lectionaries (church-service books containing Scripture quotations used in the early centuries of Christianity). In fact, there are enough quotations from the early church fathers that even if we did not have a single copy of the Bible, scholars could still reconstruct all but 11 verses of the entire New Testament from material written within 150 to 200 years from the time of Christ. Bottom line: The New Testament has an overwhelming amount of evidence supporting its reliability.

Answer 3

the Bible is an ancient document and has been retold and rewritten, reinterpreted many times. The New Testament
was substantially altered by the Catholic Church in the first thousand years in order to fit their own beliefs and need for power.

Many Testaments or Gospels have been taken out or not included in the King James version.

This has been proven by discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls
along with the Essene Gospel of John. These missing books/scrolls are in the purest form without editing or alteration.
The Essenes were a spiritual/mystical group that John the Baptist was a member of. I suppose his baptism of Jesus inducted or initiated him into the Essene ways.

They are easily found on the Internet or in libraries. Most modern religions do not wish or intend for them to be included in our Bible.

Answer 4

The KJV is not a great translation - you're better off looking for a version with footnotes explaining the translation.

One of the reasons so much of it can be taken in different ways is because the translation into English can't always reflect what the original Hebrew/Greek meant.

Answer 5

Deep question, Tim.

The KJV is a translation, so there's bound to be mistakes in it. The best way to fully understand the OT is to either A: Read the Tanak or B: Learn Hebrew.

Answer 6

If you were a Christian, then God's Holy Spirit would be within you, and you would KNOW it is complete.

God is powerful enough to keep His Word from being translated wrong. He is able to do that, and if you doubt that, you doubt God's abilities.

Answer 7

Actually you either accept the Bible as the word of God or you don't. There will always be questions, that is why God says we must come to him by faith. One of Satan's greatest weapons is the question mark.

Answer 8

Even if all your concerns were true....God is not limited. Today as well as when it was written it is a living and powerful tool God uses to teach and communicate with His followers. Those who know HIm trust Him and keeps His word.

Answer 9

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

and

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Answer 10

the Bible was inspired by God.
that means that men wrote what God intended them to write.
the Bible is God's Truth.
there are NO men's opinions there.