I just read following inspiring commentary in a current telegram forum.
"If you lack understanding in something, go to God’s word.
All answers can be found there.
Don’t take word of man as final authority to anything."
This is undeniably good advice, and it seems simple enough to follow.
It's not!
I will explain why.
First:
Translations are NOT God's word!
They are at best reflecting the message our creator inspired in Heb, Aramaic and (koine) Greek. Although the intended "message" is preserved by God's spirit, the manuscripts upon which they were written on are not.
In the same manner the stone tablets Moses received are gone, but nonetheless God's commandments are still known to us.
Since these languages are more complicated than English, a translator is confronted with a variety of words to choose from just one Jewish term.
Additionally words/sentences are often subject to local dialect, vernaculars, idioms and are period relevant. A diligent translator will do his best but even he/she will not get it right every time.
At worst, a Bible verse can reflect the translators religious convictions who can choose to translate a term that reflect's his preferrences and can reflect choice of words that completely ignores the context whether by choice or for expediency.
As an examples some words have been completely banned from some (most) translations. This is prominently the case for the first of the ten commandments. In most modern Bible it states:
Exo 20:2-3 ...am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
That is NOT what God's finger wrote on the tablets, there is not the slightest indication that the title "Lord" was used, rather a "name" , JHWH, was written there.
Whether a translator finds the use of the original wording distastful or whether it undermines his/her personal belief structure should not influence an honest and accurate transliteration.
Since this particular name (JHWH) has been substituted over 7000 times in modern bibles for a entirely different word (Lord), it can undeniably confirm the assertion that individual Bible texts should only be accepted as the inspired word of God AFTER careful examination, especially when they are used to support controversial interpretations.
Secondly:
The Bible even when using precise translation is not easy to understand.
Heb 5:10-11 11. Of whom (Christ) we have many things to say, and hard to be explained.
The Bible has MANY terminologies and statements that can easily be misscontrued, they can only be properly interpreted by closely considering the context.
The interpretation has to be in harmony with following axioms:
with itself
with ALL other scriptures
with all other Bible doctrine
with God's character
with God's plan
with the ransom and sin offering
with facts
It is also evident we can not only rely on our understanding alone, we need the help from the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Act 5:32 ...and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Nonetheless, we still have to put forth the effort. Believing that the Spirit will fill us with knowledge, understanding and wisdom whilst we only casually peruse scriptures is "New Age" metaphysics that has no support in the Bible. Yes, it's true at Pentecost 120 disciples of Jesus received the Holy Spirit and were able to converse to all the visitors in Jerusalem in languages that they never learnt or knew, but this was prophesied hundreds of years in advance to introduce and start a newly founded hope for all Nations not only Jews.
According to Paul's letter to Timothy we have through the scriptures EVERYTHING we need, as the comment I quoted truthfully stated.
The Holy Spirit did the work of giving us the treasure of God's word, it is our work to separate the tare from the wheat.
Importantly what did the Apostle say about this ?
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Luk 13:24 ...Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.(Strive: ἀγωνίζομαι : to contend for a prize: to fight, struggle, work hard towards.)
The warnings in the Bible are not there to discourage us, but to make us aware that if we are going along with the majority we are likely walking on the broad comfortable road to destruction and to prepare us for the ire of the one that hates those that reveal his deception.
So!
What is the point of, I admit, my long winded speech?
I simply want to qualify the comment that I quoted at the beginning, and encourage a more critical acceptance of popular but unscriptural idéologies.
"If you lack understanding in something, go to God’s word.
All answers can be found there.
Don’t take word of man as final authority to anything."
This is undeniably good advice, and it seems simple enough to follow.
It's not!
I will explain why.
First:
Translations are NOT God's word!
They are at best reflecting the message our creator inspired in Heb, Aramaic and (koine) Greek. Although the intended "message" is preserved by God's spirit, the manuscripts upon which they were written on are not.
In the same manner the stone tablets Moses received are gone, but nonetheless God's commandments are still known to us.
Since these languages are more complicated than English, a translator is confronted with a variety of words to choose from just one Jewish term.
Additionally words/sentences are often subject to local dialect, vernaculars, idioms and are period relevant. A diligent translator will do his best but even he/she will not get it right every time.
At worst, a Bible verse can reflect the translators religious convictions who can choose to translate a term that reflect's his preferrences and can reflect choice of words that completely ignores the context whether by choice or for expediency.
As an examples some words have been completely banned from some (most) translations. This is prominently the case for the first of the ten commandments. In most modern Bible it states:
Exo 20:2-3 ...am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
That is NOT what God's finger wrote on the tablets, there is not the slightest indication that the title "Lord" was used, rather a "name" , JHWH, was written there.
Whether a translator finds the use of the original wording distastful or whether it undermines his/her personal belief structure should not influence an honest and accurate transliteration.
Since this particular name (JHWH) has been substituted over 7000 times in modern bibles for a entirely different word (Lord), it can undeniably confirm the assertion that individual Bible texts should only be accepted as the inspired word of God AFTER careful examination, especially when they are used to support controversial interpretations.
Secondly:
The Bible even when using precise translation is not easy to understand.
Heb 5:10-11 11. Of whom (Christ) we have many things to say, and hard to be explained.
The Bible has MANY terminologies and statements that can easily be misscontrued, they can only be properly interpreted by closely considering the context.
The interpretation has to be in harmony with following axioms:
with itself
with ALL other scriptures
with all other Bible doctrine
with God's character
with God's plan
with the ransom and sin offering
with facts
It is also evident we can not only rely on our understanding alone, we need the help from the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Act 5:32 ...and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Nonetheless, we still have to put forth the effort. Believing that the Spirit will fill us with knowledge, understanding and wisdom whilst we only casually peruse scriptures is "New Age" metaphysics that has no support in the Bible. Yes, it's true at Pentecost 120 disciples of Jesus received the Holy Spirit and were able to converse to all the visitors in Jerusalem in languages that they never learnt or knew, but this was prophesied hundreds of years in advance to introduce and start a newly founded hope for all Nations not only Jews.
According to Paul's letter to Timothy we have through the scriptures EVERYTHING we need, as the comment I quoted truthfully stated.
The Holy Spirit did the work of giving us the treasure of God's word, it is our work to separate the tare from the wheat.
Importantly what did the Apostle say about this ?
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Luk 13:24 ...Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.(Strive: ἀγωνίζομαι : to contend for a prize: to fight, struggle, work hard towards.)
The warnings in the Bible are not there to discourage us, but to make us aware that if we are going along with the majority we are likely walking on the broad comfortable road to destruction and to prepare us for the ire of the one that hates those that reveal his deception.
So!
What is the point of, I admit, my long winded speech?
I simply want to qualify the comment that I quoted at the beginning, and encourage a more critical acceptance of popular but unscriptural idéologies.
