Question for Literalist Christians part III?

Question

If God will make sure we get the correct understanding of the Word despite man's bad translations/errors, then why do you take the bible itself literally? It would seem you are more inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Also, how do you decide which bible to take literally?

And finally, why is the bible necessary? If God has the power to convey His message to us through a poorly translated book, why is a book necessary at all?

In my last question, many people agreed that the newer translations have errors. This is the third part of my question.

There are slight differences in the translations that can convey significantly different meanings. That's what I mean by "bad translations" and if you read my previous questions I'd already talked about that.

Answer 1

Is it necessary? God leaves correct understanding up to us, he really does help those who help themselves. Who takes anything "literally". You are are inspired by the Holy Spirit, any understanding of anything you grasp is the result of the Holy Spirit. Necessary? For what? It's a book, not a magic phone to call God. What makes you think God has to convey "His" message.

Religion, all religion is men manipulating men, God has very little to do with most aspects of organized religion.

Answer 2

I'm confused by your question. How does taking the Bible literally have to do with being inspired by the Holy Spirit?

Moreover, there is only one Holy Bible. This Bible comprises the Old Testament and the New Testament. Both are considered to be of equal validity, although Christians do focus their attentions on the New Testament.

The Bible is necessary because it is the Word of God and the light before our path, metaphorically speaking. Moreover, God chose this medium to convey His message to us.

Finally, I do not see any proof that the Bible is poorly translated. Scholars, Christian and otherwise, translate the Bible not only for religiousness' sake but also for academic and more secular reasons. Every edition of the Bible is produced in a painstaking and professional manner. The claim that the Bible is poorly translated is one without evidence. Homer's Odyssey is usually read in its translated form, yet it is a beloved Western classic all the same.

Answer 3

"If God will make sure we get the correct understanding of the Word despite man's bad translations/errors, then why do you take the bible itself literally? It would seem you are more inspired by the Holy Spirit. "

He does fine. You shouldn't worry about it so much. If you are as you are writing, on the outside, this is all stuff you wouldn't understand anyway. As for those Christians that have been telling you about the "More Modern Translations" I doubt if they would recite to you what they are using to come up with the new translations. Also, if you discount the Amplified and The Message, which are translations that didn't want to be accurate, the more modern version are better because they compare those manuscripts that the older versions used, and the older manuscripts that were found after they were written.

So it seems like you are basing your opinion on the knowledge of those that do not know these things.

Answer 4

The reading or studying of the word of God [Bible] is God "talking" to us. The Holy Spirit deciphers the various Spiritual concepts being conveyed by Jesus to us. A good rule of thumb is to allow the Bible to interpret the Bible. The Bible affords its readers with Godly instruction and reproof to make one "wise unto Salvation", as we are instructed to both, "grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ". The key thing is the Holy Spirit - it conveys the spiritual intent and meaning essential for Christian maturation. This is why the Bible is the world's most ever, largest selling book and translated into more languages than any other book ! The Bible has survived for Milena's .

Answer 5

I'm not familiar with bad translations of the Bible so I cannot comment on them. I was taught to read both Greek and English from a child so if I run across something that is mistranlated it is not such a problem for me. But really, concerning all the English translations I have read I haven't had a problem. I shouldn't worry about it. I recommend the KJV, the NIV, the Amplified, and about 40 or 50 other translations you can get at almost any Bible store or on the Net. One of my favorite recent translations is the "Message" by Eugene Peterson. Very very very readable in modern English.
I Cr 13;8a

Answer 6

1)When the scrolls were written, it was done through very carefull copying (by hand). Tradition was that a scribe had to have very good attention to detail. To ensure no mistakes.

2) Only those who have faith in Yahweh, which means they believe His Word is infalliable; can be guided by the Holy Spirit. If you do not believe, trust, or have faith in Yahweh, His Holy Word, or His Son Yeshua -- you will not trust the Bible.

3) When the scrolls were first written, the language they used; is not used NOW. Words have changed meaning over time. For example:: : When my grandmother was my age the word "gay" meant "happy or joyous". Never in all her years alive did she expect that word to be used to describe a person's sexual orientation.

4) The Bible is necessary, because we are not able to speak directly to Yahweh the way that people did in the past. We do not have the strong faith they did.

Finally, it is only a "poorly translated" book to those who do not believe or have faith in the first place. A person can't just pick up the Bible and expect the words to have any meaning IF they do not ---
a) have faith in Yahweh, His Son Yeshua
b) believe in Yahweh or Yeshua
c) trust in Yahweh or Yeshua
d) trust that the Bible is INFALLIBLE Word of Yahweh
e) has been Baptized in the name of Yahweh (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
f) acknowledge that he or she is a sinner in need of Yahweh's forgivness
g) have trust, faith, and belief in the death and resurrection of Yeshua
h) know that one day Yeshua will return to claim all the citizens of the Kingdom of Yahweh
i) trusts that Yahweh keeps all His promises

Answer 7

There you are, see? You really DON'T need the book at all! At least, not if you are a TRUE CHRISTIAN.

So how do TRUE CHRISTIANS know which bible to take literally? Why, God tells them, of course! Really, though, they're only pretending to read the Bible. Since God makes the meaning clear to them regardless of what the words say, they might as well be looking at a Chinese translation, upside-down and without opening the cover.

Also, there's no point in trying to tell a TRUE CHRISTIAN that they are misinterpreting a particular section of the Bible because GOD TOLD THEM WHAT IT SAYS. The fact that God didn't tell you just goes to show that you aren't a TRUE CHRISTIAN. In fact, I suppose a good way to spot False Christians would be to look for people who are actually reading Bibles, instead of receiving their contents via Divine Inspiration.

Answer 8

Wait a minute, how do you determine if a translation of the Bible is good or bad or erroneous? Duh?

Since you probably know little about translations, let me tell you that all mainstream translations are accurate and do just fine. You can read any mainstream translation and be reading the Word of God in the language you understand.

Also, the Bible is to be read in its plain sense meaning, taking into account the various genres. Lastly, unless you are into oral tradition and trying to memorise the entire 66 books, I would say the next best thing would be a written record.

Answer 9

It talks about people being cursed who change it at the end of Revelations. But they do. Read the part in Revelations it talks about if some body is to kill with the sword with the sword he will be killed.It' sounds like a warning to Christians during the tribulation not to take up the sword. But, one translation turns it completely backward and says if you are to be killed with the sword with the sword you will be killed. SAY WHAT! I think it is the living bible or something like that.By the way I am a christian and i do love Jesus. We need common sense also folks.

Answer 10

honey, if God is going to judge me by what is WRITTEN IN THE BOOK don't you think I should believe what is written? And don't you think that God is big enough to get HIS message to you fully intact? The Bible is your LEGAL DEFENSE - what is written is what you will be judged by - that is why it is important to know and follow what is in it. In the courtroom of heaven the Books will be opened - it is in writing because of the legalities involved. That there be "no mistake" in understanding. I have already told you which one to take literally. You are "safe" with the KJV for all doctrinal issues. However, with all your questions you have missed the main point. You are straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel as the Word says. What are you going to do about the Truths that are written? All translations contain the basics of salvation and God - are you going to dismiss them all? Which one helps you understand better? Are you going to ignore what it says? When you stand before God and the Bible is opened - what are you going to do then?