Is this a contradiction?

[Irish_Graham]

I just finished reading the New Testament in full for the first time, and it finished with a stern warning not to add or take away from the Word without severe reprimand.

Rev ch22 v18 "I warn everyone who hears the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book,".

Bearing this is mind, Ive been told that the Bible the Roman Catholic Church use has extra books in it. Is this true?

Now, Im not going out to have a go at the RCC, Im not interested in that at all, but Im asking, was this warning just for the book of Revelation or was it for the Bible in general, and if it was for the Bible in general, is the RCC Bible not in serious breach of Christian practice?

Also, wouldnt that mean that Jewish people who only study the Torah are also in breach of Christian teaching?

Thanks in advance,

Graham

[Guest friendofall]

For you to understand your question, you need to understand how the bible was compiled. The bible is made up of differnt letters the apostles wrote, and revelation given to them. John was reffering to his revelations found in revelations, not the bile, the bible wasnt compiled untill a very long time after. You can find the same thing in the old testament, where it state not to add or take away, so does that mean the new testament was wrong? no of coarse not, it was reffering to the revelation given to him at that time, just as John was reffering to his work.

Brigham Young has written concerning this principle:

Daniel H. Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Old Testament, p.184 - 185

"But if a man should, by the gift of the Holy Ghost, in these days prophesy and write it, would it not be adding to what is already written, and is not that strictly forbidden?" This is a very popular query, and I am disposed to notice it a few moments. . . .

Where is it intimated in these passages that God would cease or had ceased to give revelation to his children? Those passages were written to guard against the mutilation of the revelations already given, which then existed in manuscript form, and very likely there existed not more than one copy when these words were written. It cannot reasonably be supposed for a moment that the Almighty has sealed his own mouth in silence by the Scriptures quoted, yet they are used in that light by modern Christians. (JD 10:323-24.) If such quotations [Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18] are given with the intent to shut the heavens, and put an end to all new revelation, then the revelations given to Prophets who arose after Moses, and the revelations given to Jesus Christ and his Apostles, including John and his revelation on the Isle of Patmos, all amount to nothing, and are not worthy of our notice. This "sweeping argument," when it is examined, sweeps away rather too much; besides, John's Gospel and his epistle to his brethren were written after he wrote his revelation on the Isle of Patmos, consequently he would destroy his own system; but it sets forth the ignorance and short-sightedness of those who have not the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy. (JD 1:242-43.)

[Irish_Graham]

Thanks for the reply mate, very informative.

This has been a great experience for me, I have a huge Bible companion book given to me as a gift by my rev, but as with all books which require notes, I always have the first reading note free and from then on use the notes or companion. Its just this struck me as particularly peculiar.

Thanks again.

[Fiosh]

I just finished reading the New Testament in full for the first time, and it finished with a stern warning not to add or take away from the Word without severe reprimand.

Rev ch22 v18 "I warn everyone who hears the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book,".

Bearing this is mind, Ive been told that the Bible the Roman Catholic Church use has extra books in it. Is this true?

Now, Im not going out to have a go at the RCC, Im not interested in that at all, but Im asking, was this warning just for the book of Revelation or was it for the Bible in general, and if it was for the Bible in general, is the RCC Bible not in serious breach of Christian practice?

Also, wouldnt that mean that Jewish people who only study the Torah are also in breach of Christian teaching?

Thanks in advance,

Graham

No, actually the Catholic Bible has all the books....including those that Luther did away with.

It is the non-Catholics that have taken away from the word of God.

[ "deflector shields up !" ]

[Irish_Graham]

I just finished reading the New Testament in full for the first time, and it finished with a stern warning not to add or take away from the Word without severe reprimand.

Rev ch22 v18 "I warn everyone who hears the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book,".

Bearing this is mind, Ive been told that the Bible the Roman Catholic Church use has extra books in it. Is this true?

Now, Im not going out to have a go at the RCC, Im not interested in that at all, but Im asking, was this warning just for the book of Revelation or was it for the Bible in general, and if it was for the Bible in general, is the RCC Bible not in serious breach of Christian practice?

Also, wouldnt that mean that Jewish people who only study the Torah are also in breach of Christian teaching?

Thanks in advance,

Graham

No, actually the Catholic Bible has all the books....including those that Luther did away with.

It is the non-Catholics that have taken away from the word of God.

Oh Im not trying to be confrontational or offensive to anyone, it was a genuine point of intrigue, not an excuse to flame.

[ "deflector shields up !" ]

[Fiosh]

I just finished reading the New Testament in full for the first time, and it finished with a stern warning not to add or take away from the Word without severe reprimand.

Rev ch22 v18 "I warn everyone who hears the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book,".

Bearing this is mind, Ive been told that the Bible the Roman Catholic Church use has extra books in it. Is this true?

Now, Im not going out to have a go at the RCC, Im not interested in that at all, but Im asking, was this warning just for the book of Revelation or was it for the Bible in general, and if it was for the Bible in general, is the RCC Bible not in serious breach of Christian practice?

Also, wouldnt that mean that Jewish people who only study the Torah are also in breach of Christian teaching?

Thanks in advance,

Graham

No, actually the Catholic Bible has all the books....including those that Luther did away with.

It is the non-Catholics that have taken away from the word of God.

Oh Im not trying to be confrontational or offensive to anyone, it was a genuine point of intrigue, not an excuse to flame.

[ "deflector shields up !" ]

I understand, Graham. And I gave you a genuine answer........what I believe in my heart to be true.

[Guest larrye2001]

Add or take away means do not change what is written it does not mean Jews must read it.

[John3;16]

Irish_Graham

No, actually the Catholic Bible has all the books....including those that Luther did away with.

It is the non-Catholics that have taken away from the word of God.

Oh Im not trying to be confrontational or offensive to anyone, it was a genuine point of intrigue, not an excuse to flame.

Martin Luther was not the first to reject the books of the Apocrypha, they were not recieved by the early church.

There is a book written by Josh McDowell that gives in depth study into how and why books were accepted and rejected, and the different regions that produced manuscripts, and it goes into great detail of why the books of the apocrypha were not included into the canon, and the fact that the Catholic church did not include these books until centuries had past, makes them even less acceptable. They were rejected by the early councils. But if you are interested in bible history, or in early church history than there is no other book that compares with Josh Mcdowell

[eric]

[Fiosh]

Even though I believe Graham is sincere when he says he does not intend to create an arena for bashing the RCC, I guess it's inevitable.

There is evidence on BOTH sides of this question. A great many Biblical scholars disagree with Josh. It is up to you to make the decision who you believe.

You choose to believe Josh McDowell. I choose to believe the Church. The Church which I believe is established by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit. I do not follow traditions of men, nor do I blindly accept what the RCC teaches.

I do see that the teachings, including the books of the Bible, can be traced thru time right down to the Apostles....and to Jesus Himself. That's why I believe.

"...and the gates of hell will not prevail against it".

Peace,

Fiosh