In the last post here, I used verses from "The Message," Eugene Peterson's translation of the Bible. I regard this as a study aid, to enhance my reading of the King James Version. At one time, I felt that the KJV was the only reliable version. I still take the KJV to church with me.
There are some who feel that newer versions are corrupted, and others who feel that you cannot be a Christian if you don't use the KJV exclusively. I now have a problem with that thinking. I want people to be able to have God speak to them.
Any thoughts?
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7 comments:
Study aids are great. But I consider them to be nothing but a manner of quoting a teacher. Nothing wrong with them as long as they are used in that manner. It seems, for what it's worth, that you used this in just that manner.
I do have a problem with the acceptance of varying "versions" of the bible. I know many christians will not agree with me. I taught my children from the KJV and they did not at all find it hard to understand. And I'm talking about small children.
I do not have the delusion that God handed down the scriptures by way of King James nor in the language of 1600's English poesy. I do find that the manuscripts that the newer versions are based on are corrupt. The versions themselves, and the people who translated them, and the people who read them, I do not call corrupt.
These being my own personal feelings. I don't expect others to feel the same way I do, as I came to these conclusions by much study and prayer and I believe they were meant for me, and not the entire world.
God may use whatever he likes to speak to us. He does not NEED the bible. There are many people he speaks to who do not even have access to a bible, of any translation.
In fact, when I was a young woman, he even spoke to me through the movie, "Jesus Christ Superstar." This movie is one that many christians find to be a travesty. But truly, God speaks to us where we are with whatever tool he chooses. Even if it's a donkey.
I learned from the KJV as well and, like I said in the post, I do carry my KJV to church.
One thing I have learned over the years is people like having (spitting) contests over Bible versions and, in effect, become legalistic.
The reason I believe your children understood what you taught them was that you were a good teacher and presented it in a way they could understand. That is what makes the difference between teaching someone and showing someone how much you seem to know about the Bible.
Some have the heart to teach. Others, even though they may know the Bible from cover to cover, could not teach to save their lives and God has not given them the gift to teach.
True. But it is also because it is what they were exposed to. I did not learn from the KJV, or anything like it, as a youngster. In fact, I had no religious or biblical teaching at all. As an adult, I gravitated toward other "versions" because they were easier to understand. I started out with "The Living Bible." What I discovered later was that I was just being lazy. After I read strictly from the KJV for awhile (which, by the way, I only studied along with Greek and Hebrew study tools), I found it much more powerful and quite easy to comprehend.
I mean, when people try to take Shakespeare and rewrite it in "today's language" it's horrifying.
I know that the New Testament, for instance, was written in Greek. I believe that Greek is a much more perfect language than English. So to go to the Greek is exceptional and enlightening. I also believe that English, especially when used the way it was applied in translating the KJV, was more succinct. I also believe that God was in control of all of that and that he had a purpose in doing things the way he did. And he's still in control. So I don't have to worry about starting a crusade against the "other versions."
I will, however, in a study situation, bring up the differences. It is important that we make sure we are not just arguing for the sake of argument. That Christ is the object of our learning and our affection.
Tit.3
[9] But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Teri, I see we have more in common than I thought. Whereas I went to church when I was growing up, I would not consider myself a Christian or even a religious person until I was in my 20's and married. I, too read the Living Bible and also Good News for Modern Man. I got absolutely nothing out of either. This is mainly because I was using those as the only authority.
Dating and later marrying a Baptist deacon's daughter got me in church, at first for the wrong reasons, but it got me interested in Bible study. Later I got "on fire for the Lord," and really got into the scriptures. I let the Holy Ghost do the teaching. I haved learned, and am still learning a lot.
It was by reading the KJV, first using a Thompson Chain Reference, then a Scolfield Bible, both good study Bibles. There has also been times I would research words in my Strong's concordance.
My interest would be stirred by simple words, such as love, because there were so many greek words translated into love. Studying the Greek lets you know just how powerful these words really are.
But if you are in a situation where you are teaching, and you confuse your class by giving an overload of information, then the class is not any better off than before. It's better to give one a thirst to learn and encourage them to study it for themselves.
Some can only handle mother's milk, others can handle a full course meal. but we all need teachers.
Indeed. And a good teacher knows how to speak to its audience. We are, all of us, teachers and learners. One or the other at all times.
I grew up (as you know) with KJV. As a teen, I "rebelled" and bought a side by side KJV NIV bible. I heard some pretty horrible things about that one.
Now, as an adult, I tend to go to the KJV first and reach to other translations for clarifications. As I am teaching my own children bible stories and recitations, I find myself using the KJV and explaining it to them. We do use a variety of picture books, worksheets etc and other translations when needed.
I think that if we want to get a truly correct translation, we absolutely have to learn Greek, Hebrew and Arabic. Since we don't know that, we will have to rely on the translations available. Most of the differences people tout are small and largely insignificant.
But, thats just me.
My comment to this is WOW! I have read all the comments that have been given. I have to say that I learned a lot by the comments. You have taught me just by me reading your comments. We are all teachers and can all learn from one another and I am just overjoyed at being able to come to this blog and learn. God Bless you Cliff :-)
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