Why is it that in some bibles Jesus' words are typed in red in the New Testament, but the words of God in the Old Testement are the same black print as the rest of it? Are the words of God less important than the words of Jesus? I would think that God takes precedence, or at the very least equal billing, but somehow this isn't the case. Can anyone tell me why?
2007-07-24 06:31:28 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
no i cant, i have told you before i wonder myself how jesus surpassed god... i cant fathom how the son of god became more important than god.. people pray to him or in his name, they make everything about praying directed to jesus not god...if god tells you beware of false prophits and he is a jealous god why are you praying to another mortal man. he did in fact die and was not above us...we are all daughters and sons of god...hope that helped
2007-07-24 11:24:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not all Bibles print the words of Jesus in red. But “Red-Letter Editions” are very common. Bibles printed this way are a relatively new phenomenon. They were invented around 1900 by a man named Louis Klopsch.
He was the editor of the Christian Herald magazine. One day while writing an editorial, he read Luke 22:20, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” He asked his pastor about publishing a Bible with the words of Christ in red, and his pastor reportedly replied, “It could do no harm, and it most certainly could do much good.”
He initially offered a red letter Bible to the readers of his magazine. Before long, they became very popular. Even President Theodore Roosevelt invited him to the White House to thank him for his innovation. During his life he also raised millions of dollars for overseas ministries and aided victims of famine around the world. Dr. Klopsch died on March 28, 1910 and was buried in Tonowanda, New York near an orphanage he founded.
Many people have benefitted from his idea. Even today, some people won’t buy a Bible that isn’t a red-letter edition. It is convenient when studying the New Testament, to be able to turn the pages quickly and find the teachings of Jesus by watching for red.
There are some disadvantages to red-letter Bibles. Red is harder to see, so most Bibles printed for those who have difficulty seeing small print, do not have red letters. Another disadvantage is that we don’t always know what words Jesus spoke. For example, the paragraph beginning with 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.”) could have been spoken by Jesus or written by the author, John. The original Greek did not have quotation marks.
You asked, “Aren’t (the words of God) just as important?”
Indeed they are. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful…” (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus himself affirmed the Old Testament when he said that the smallest jot or mark would not pass away from the law until everything is fulfilled (Matthew 5:18).
Jesus also said, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” (John 14:15). What really matters is not what color Jesus’ words on the printed page, but what we decide to do with them.
2007-07-24 13:04:13 · answer #2 · answered by Philippian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Red letter editions are supposed to highlight the words of Jesus. This is merely a highlighting of certain texts. This does not mean black text is somehow inferior. It is done to show when Jesus is speaking and which sections are not part of the regular narrative.
I personally think red letter editions are not helpful. It makes people think that the red words are somehow more important than the other aspects. Thus, the red letter edition is often taken as you suggest, to infer that Jesus' words are more important than anything else happening in the gospels or in the entire Bible itself. However, in a narrative sequence, the setting and action can be just as important as what is spoken. When people read the red letter editions they are tempted to skip over the "black words" which actually provide the context of the teaching. Without context words are meaningless. I wish publishers would stop making the red letter editions, but I don't think my little opinion will stop them.
2007-07-24 06:38:28 · answer #3 · answered by seminary bum 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that is an excellent question.
I think that the words of jesus are typed in red to demonstrate emphasis and to make it easier for reference. When people decided to make those letters red I don't think they were thinking about giving Jesus' words more leverage then God's.
Jesus' words were God's words so in a way it's the same. Think of it like when you read the Bible and want to highlight some verses but others stay the same.
It doesn't make those verses magically more important.. it just adds emphasis.
God's words do not need further emphasis as there is no doubt He is God while man is still arguing as to whether or not Jesus is God's Son.
I'm glad you are asking questions about the Bible!
keep that up!
:D
2007-07-24 06:37:52 · answer #4 · answered by itty bit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't really matter what version you get, just research them and find the ones that are most credited by scholars. Personally I use the NIV because it is used by most Evangelical sects, and I am currently studying evangelists. However, I don't really know that much about the rest because I am not a Christian. Sorry! As far as just the things he said, you can get a copy of a book that discusses the Gospel of Q, which is the hypothetical source for the things that are in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke but not in Mark. Or you can look into the Gospel of Judas Thomas Didymus, which is a collection of sayings that are credited to Jesus that was written before the other Gospels. It is left out of the canon because it didn't include a birth story or anything like that. It was just a compilation of sayings.
2016-05-17 10:04:38 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you're looking to hard into this. In some bibles, there is no red print but I think that the words of Jesus are emphasized because only Christianity believes that he was God and dwelt among us. The Jews believe in the Pentateuch which had the words of God but they don't believe Jesus was God. (Pentateuch being the first five books of the bible.) so I think that the words of Jesus are very special to Christians because those are the words that GOd chose to say while He was here with us.
2007-07-24 06:38:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you seem to not understand is that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament. I know this probably goes against what you are saying, but I dig and dig and find that it's the truth.
And the main message to people from the Old Testament and the New Testament; Trust God, because He is trustworthy.
Is there a better message from what you gather?
2007-07-24 06:43:13 · answer #7 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indeed there is a significance to that.
It's because *Christians* are, by definition, supposed be be basing their behavior on the life and teachings of Jesus, not the OT or the commentary or the letters of Saul/Paul.
The Red Letter bibles help with that.
2007-07-24 06:38:57 · answer #8 · answered by Raven's Voice 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus came and updated a lot of the Bible. His words are important and spoken through Him from God. I go more by Jesus word because it fits today not far back as Adam and Eve. He asctually knows the word of God His father, which makes them one in spirit, The words in reead are the words that Jesus quoted !!!!
2007-07-24 06:40:49 · answer #9 · answered by lana s 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus words are in red. As far as what God said not being in red, I don't know.
2007-07-24 06:46:38 · answer #10 · answered by tig 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You raise a valid point.
Remember that Jesus is God.
In the original copies of the Scriptures, nothing was printed in a different color ink.
Pastor Art
2007-07-24 06:36:39 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋