…The previous post about how we read the 10 Commandments and what we do with "taking the Lord's name in vain"... ties in with how we read the Bible then, also. It ties in with what we believe to be “God’s Word” and how seriously we take it.
Misunderstanding God will lead us to break the 3rd commandment. And, misunderstanding God is what opened Pandora’s Box in Genesis 3. Eve got confused by some well placed lies and next thing you know she had a wrong view of God and was chowing down fruit. The church seems to believe this sin was a once and done deal long ago…but it happens today all the time.
One way it happens is caused by the Bible versions we choose to read.
Are all coffees the same? All cars? All shampoos?
For that matter…for those of you who love muscle cars…would you say that a new car is better because it’s “newer”? Is a 1980 Chevy more valuable, better, more beautiful, stronger, faster, etc…than a 1960 Chevy?
Hardly.
There are those who think that although in their practical every day lives they know that all “things” are not created equal…that the biggest difference between things is not how old or new they are but the quality with which they were made…there are those who believe that YET believe that “all Bible versions are created equal”…
This is, of course, silly.
For example…in the Jehovah’s Witness Bible, John 1:1 has a few minor changes which change E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. It says, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was a god.”
There, you can see that the simple addition of “a” and the change of “G” to “g” changes everything. Jesus is not “GOD” as we know He is…He is simply “a” god as they JW’s teach…they can prove it with their Bible…
If you look at all of the modern translations, first of all, they are based on a “newer” and lesser quality Greek translation of the original scriptures. Then, they are a poor quality translation of that poor quality translation. Like a photo copy of a photo copy. Things get distorted and some things are missing.
Just look at this verse:
Jeremiah 29:11 in a version of the Bible translated from an older Greek translation:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11 in a new version of the Bible transLITERated (meaning it’s not an actual translation the translators take liberties to write what they think the text means) from newer and less accurate Greek translation:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Thoughts. Plans.
Future. Expected end.
All different things.
They mean two different things and the newer version would lean one to believe, “God is in control…” and “God has a plan…”
Try this verse:
Psalm 139:16 Your eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in your book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Can you guess which of those verses is from a new modern version of the Bible? One stays in the context of the whole psalm which is how we’re formed in the womb. The other, says, “God has your whole life planned for you” and “God is in control!”
One is reality and one…because of the jots and tittles which were changed…takes the Lord’s NAME (WHO He is) in a worthless way!
THIS IS WORTH MORE THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION…but I’m outta’ steam for right now…
Some examples of the differences...
