The Bible Has Been Translated Too Many Times to be Trusted?
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They usually use the oldest MSS, and simply translate it int a different language. Amazing no one got upset when The Odyssey was translated, or Les Mis. No one worries about if they're authenticated, but the Bible? The most read book in the world? How dare they translate it so people can understand it? What could they possibly be thinking? Scandalous!
Greetings Hyvent,
The number of translations is really not an issue since we still have the original manuscripts, which is were everyone gets their translations from. I personally have an application that allows me to compare the major translations at a glance, column, by column. I can also look at the Interlinear for those verses, word by word, as well as the literal Hebrew and Greek words that are being used and how often and where they are used. I can also go and look at the Codex Sinaiticus to see that translation. I personally like to compare all of the translations just to check the accuracy and for deviations. This helps to develop a better understanding of what is being said in any given scripture.
But basically, the title of this post is just one of the reasons that unbelievers would usually use as an excuse to continue to avoid making a decision for Christ.
The number of translations is really not an issue since we still have the original manuscripts, which is were everyone gets their translations from. I personally have an application that allows me to compare the major translations at a glance, column, by column. I can also look at the Interlinear for those verses, word by word, as well as the literal Hebrew and Greek words that are being used and how often and where they are used. I can also go and look at the Codex Sinaiticus to see that translation. I personally like to compare all of the translations just to check the accuracy and for deviations. This helps to develop a better understanding of what is being said in any given scripture.
But basically, the title of this post is just one of the reasons that unbelievers would usually use as an excuse to continue to avoid making a decision for Christ.
There are no "original" manuscripts, but many early manuscripts, dating as early as 100 AD. (Well a tiny piece of one- The Rylands Papyrus)
There is a huge science of comparing manuscripts, copiest errors, and transcribing mistakes. They have been traced on all 5000 extant copies. So there is a good knowledge of how the New Testament was written in the Greek.
While KJV used much later manscripts, because the earlier ones had not yet been discovered, the current translations use the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts.
If you study and translate the Greek, you will find that even though there are some language differences, it is more about a translator picking one English word over another for the Greek. But basically, the meanings are pretty much the same.
Some versions are more word for word, like KJV, ESV and NASB for example. Some are paraphrases, like the Message or The Living Bible. In between, there are thought for thought versions, like NIV, Holman's and NAS.
Learning the original languages are the best way to go, if you are really concerned about translational issues. But don't just use Strong's, instead take a few courses and actually learn the language, grammar and syntax, not just isolated words.
There is a huge science of comparing manuscripts, copiest errors, and transcribing mistakes. They have been traced on all 5000 extant copies. So there is a good knowledge of how the New Testament was written in the Greek.
While KJV used much later manscripts, because the earlier ones had not yet been discovered, the current translations use the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts.
If you study and translate the Greek, you will find that even though there are some language differences, it is more about a translator picking one English word over another for the Greek. But basically, the meanings are pretty much the same.
Some versions are more word for word, like KJV, ESV and NASB for example. Some are paraphrases, like the Message or The Living Bible. In between, there are thought for thought versions, like NIV, Holman's and NAS.
Learning the original languages are the best way to go, if you are really concerned about translational issues. But don't just use Strong's, instead take a few courses and actually learn the language, grammar and syntax, not just isolated words.
Actually the more translations the more you have to cross check.. with the end result a highly accurate version.
On the other hand, take the Koran, where the translation is destroyed after a new one is made so they boast of only one 'true' copy. The problem there is put into dishonest hands the ruling Mullahs can revise a translation and because there are no others to compare it to no one will know just how adulterated it is.
On the other hand, take the Koran, where the translation is destroyed after a new one is made so they boast of only one 'true' copy. The problem there is put into dishonest hands the ruling Mullahs can revise a translation and because there are no others to compare it to no one will know just how adulterated it is.
When you know God to say He is all and in all, when you know God never sleeps, when you realize He has taken the time to tell you in the Word that it is a direct voice of His and it will last for eternity, when you follow it you have a Spirit alive currently that testifies to it, and when you realize God would understand you have no ability to change the Word correctly if it were wrong, plus you have no other choice in way of Hell but to offer yourself to another plan of some form, do you not think He wouldn't worry about the accuracy of such a book? If you lost your way because of it because of the wrong book what would God be thinking right?
How many times He had to update the same meaning is irrelevant. Yes, He warns of false books who add anything to it or take anything away, but again He never sleeps and is in you to direct in that matter. To ask this question to me is simply to doubt. Is it a righteous doubt? You aren't referencing false doctrines you are talking about the whole of Scripture period. This question is to doubt Gods over-seeing abilities. No need for me to get into that pool of deceit.
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I'm curious to know why you are asking this question? 
Did you see it asked somewhere else, on another forum or blog or somewhere?
Are you asking because its what you believe yourself?
In answer to your question, just because something has been translated a lot of times, doesn't mean the original source cannot be trusted.
And when it comes to the Bible. The message is pretty plain and clear to all. Holy God created man. Man sinned and seperated from God. God gave His only Son as a sacrifice for our sins so we could be reunited with God again. And that we must all accept that Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and believe on Him that sent Him to be saved.
It doesn't matter how many times you translate that, the basics of that story will always be there. Sure, when words are translated, they can have slightly different meanings in different languages, and sure, that's why there are so many different ways that people interpret scripture. But the underlying message will always get through, and God will always make sure of that.
After all, all scripture is God breathed.
Did you see it asked somewhere else, on another forum or blog or somewhere?
Are you asking because its what you believe yourself?
In answer to your question, just because something has been translated a lot of times, doesn't mean the original source cannot be trusted.
And when it comes to the Bible. The message is pretty plain and clear to all. Holy God created man. Man sinned and seperated from God. God gave His only Son as a sacrifice for our sins so we could be reunited with God again. And that we must all accept that Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and believe on Him that sent Him to be saved.
It doesn't matter how many times you translate that, the basics of that story will always be there. Sure, when words are translated, they can have slightly different meanings in different languages, and sure, that's why there are so many different ways that people interpret scripture. But the underlying message will always get through, and God will always make sure of that.
After all, all scripture is God breathed.
There is very little difference between most bibles, and we have over 5000 old Greek manuscripts to verify modern translations against. Also consider from the Dead Sea Scrolls, that the Great Isaiah Scroll was carbon dated 4 times and is dated from 335-324 BC and 202-107 BC. The scroll contained all 66 chapters of the Book of Isaiah and is nearly identical to the most recent manuscript version of the Masoretic text from the 900's AD. That's phenomenal evidence to me that God has preserved his word. Dead Sea Scrolls 2
Psalms 12:6&7
The words of the LORD are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
You shall keep them, O LORD,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.
Matthew 24
Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but my words shall not pass away.
Psalms 12:6&7
The words of the LORD are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
You shall keep them, O LORD,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.
Matthew 24
Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but my words shall not pass away.
Hello sassylady,
Can you give me any examples of how the major translations are getting farther from the original meaning? I'm not talking about the Witnesses version, paraphrased bibles or any translations that have obviously been mistranslated by a cult. But do you have any examples of scriptures that vary that much? I personally know of specific scriptures that by the interpretation give a different meaning, but I have only found a handful of those.
Thanks!
Can you give me any examples of how the major translations are getting farther from the original meaning? I'm not talking about the Witnesses version, paraphrased bibles or any translations that have obviously been mistranslated by a cult. But do you have any examples of scriptures that vary that much? I personally know of specific scriptures that by the interpretation give a different meaning, but I have only found a handful of those.
Thanks!