Knowledge

[Guest man]

Why do some of you believe that in order to get the correct translation of scripture, we have to know Hebrew and Greek and whatever other language is out there?

I don't get it. You seem to believe that God only talks to those who are well educated.

If there is a passage in the bible that explains this, please point me in the right direction. You don't have to type it out, just show me where it is and I'll read it for myself. ( in english )

Thanks.

[ayin jade]

2Ti 2:15 Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

[Dad Ernie]

Why do some of you believe that in order to get the correct translation of scripture, we have to know Hebrew and Greek and whatever other language is out there?

I don't get it. You seem to believe that God only talks to those who are well educated.

If there is a passage in the bible that explains this, please point me in the right direction. You don't have to type it out, just show me where it is and I'll read it for myself. ( in english )

Greetings Man,

I agree with those who believe that only the original autographs, in Hebrew or Greek are the only reliable manuscripts of the Bible and are inerrant - without error. I am neither a scholar nor do I know Greek or Hebrew. English is it for me. So you are not alone. Every Bible we have in existence today is a TRANSLATION. If you have ever studied another language then you know the difficulty and sometimes the impossibility of translating a word from one language into another and carry with it all the meaning attended to in the original language. This is why it is so important to use a good Concordance so that we might be able to determine the more reliable truth, particularly when there are differences in translations. Stear clear of the New World Translation and the new NIV that has recently come out removing gender oriented pronouns. There are others as well, but those are the only ones I can think of off hand.

Ayin Jade gave a good response. We are to divide the Word carefully, meaning that we should know what the author - inspired by God - originally intended for the Word to mean.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[apothanein kerdos]

Why do some of you believe that in order to get the correct translation of scripture, we have to know Hebrew and Greek and whatever other language is out there?

I don't get it. You seem to believe that God only talks to those who are well educated.

If there is a passage in the bible that explains this, please point me in the right direction. You don't have to type it out, just show me where it is and I'll read it for myself. ( in english )

Thanks.

English is an inadequate language. Though we can still see revelation in the Bible, reading the Bible in English is like looking at a precious and rare jewel through a dirty and foggy window. When we study and learn Greek and Hebrew and then read the passage in its original language, it is like removing the dirt and grime.

Also, one does not have to be "well educated" in order to learn another language. Have you church hire (or get a volunteer) to teach these classes via your church. Anyone can learn Greek and Hebrew, you don't have to have a Ph.D to be able to accomplish this.

[jamie]

Man, don't sweat it.

God is bigger than man, and he's big enough to see that His people have all that they need. (even His word translated in english)

Some translations are to be avoided i'm sure, but my 'New King James' is sufficiant enough to give me the general information it takes to educate me as to Gods character and what He expects from me as His child.

The Holy Spirit is my teacher and if He ever prompts me to become a greek scholar I will, but until them I won't tamper with the simplicity of the gospel inspired by God and handed down to man through every generation.

Man will try to burden you down with all kinds of legalities and requirements, but God is so simplistic.

Anytime you feel pressured and weighd down you've came out from under God and gotten under man.

Rember...

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Man will yoke you to a plow if you let him, just enjoy what God has given you and how he's given it.

"where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!!"

[Guest man]

Man, don't sweat it.

God is bigger than man, and he's big enough to see that His people have all that they need. (even His word translated in english)

Some translations are to be avoided i'm sure, but my 'New King James' is sufficiant enough to give me the general information it takes to educate me as to Gods character and what He expects from me as His child.

The Holy Spirit is my teacher and if He ever prompts me to become a greek scholar I will, but until them I won't tamper with the simplicity of the gospel inspired by God and handed down to man through every generation.

Man will try to burden you down with all kinds of legalities and requirements, but God is so simplistic.

Anytime you feel pressured and weighd down you've came out from under God and gotten under man.

Rember...

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Man will yoke you to a plow if you let him, just enjoy what God has given you and how he's given it.

"where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!!"

I agree. I don't see the point in learning another language in order to get closer to Christ.

"For many are called but few are chosen". He chooses us, we don't choose Him. We can choose to follow Christ but He has the final word.

I believe that if there's something we should know, He'll show it to us, no matter what language it's in.

That's my take on this. I know I'll get slammed but it is what it is.

[jamie]

Man, don't sweat it.

God is bigger than man, and he's big enough to see that His people have all that they need. (even His word translated in english)

Some translations are to be avoided i'm sure, but my 'New King James' is sufficiant enough to give me the general information it takes to educate me as to Gods character and what He expects from me as His child.

The Holy Spirit is my teacher and if He ever prompts me to become a greek scholar I will, but until them I won't tamper with the simplicity of the gospel inspired by God and handed down to man through every generation.

Man will try to burden you down with all kinds of legalities and requirements, but God is so simplistic.

Anytime you feel pressured and weighd down you've came out from under God and gotten under man.

Rember...

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Man will yoke you to a plow if you let him, just enjoy what God has given you and how he's given it.

"where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!!"

I agree. I don't see the point in learning another language in order to get closer to Christ.

"For many are called but few are chosen". He chooses us, we don't choose Him. We can choose to follow Christ but He has the final word.

I believe that if there's something we should know, He'll show it to us, no matter what language it's in.

That's my take on this. I know I'll get slammed but it is what it is.

God has taught me so much more than man ever could, and he will continue to do so until the day I die. If I allow Him to.

[Guest man]

Man, don't sweat it.

God is bigger than man, and he's big enough to see that His people have all that they need. (even His word translated in english)

Some translations are to be avoided i'm sure, but my 'New King James' is sufficiant enough to give me the general information it takes to educate me as to Gods character and what He expects from me as His child.

The Holy Spirit is my teacher and if He ever prompts me to become a greek scholar I will, but until them I won't tamper with the simplicity of the gospel inspired by God and handed down to man through every generation.

Man will try to burden you down with all kinds of legalities and requirements, but God is so simplistic.

Anytime you feel pressured and weighd down you've came out from under God and gotten under man.

Rember...

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Man will yoke you to a plow if you let him, just enjoy what God has given you and how he's given it.

"where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!!"

I agree. I don't see the point in learning another language in order to get closer to Christ.

"For many are called but few are chosen". He chooses us, we don't choose Him. We can choose to follow Christ but He has the final word.

I believe that if there's something we should know, He'll show it to us, no matter what language it's in.

That's my take on this. I know I'll get slammed but it is what it is.

God has taught me so much more than man ever could, and he will continue to do so until the day I die. If I allow Him to.

I should really change my handle.

[jamie]

I should really change my handle.

Well, if it's any comfort I know a guy whose name is really "Man".

[apothanein kerdos]

Man, don't sweat it.

God is bigger than man, and he's big enough to see that His people have all that they need. (even His word translated in english)

Some translations are to be avoided i'm sure, but my 'New King James' is sufficiant enough to give me the general information it takes to educate me as to Gods character and what He expects from me as His child.

The Holy Spirit is my teacher and if He ever prompts me to become a greek scholar I will, but until them I won't tamper with the simplicity of the gospel inspired by God and handed down to man through every generation.

Man will try to burden you down with all kinds of legalities and requirements, but God is so simplistic.

Anytime you feel pressured and weighd down you've came out from under God and gotten under man.

Rember...

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Man will yoke you to a plow if you let him, just enjoy what God has given you and how he's given it.

"where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!!"

I agree. I don't see the point in learning another language in order to get closer to Christ.

"For many are called but few are chosen". He chooses us, we don't choose Him. We can choose to follow Christ but He has the final word.

I believe that if there's something we should know, He'll show it to us, no matter what language it's in.

That's my take on this. I know I'll get slammed but it is what it is.

Knowing the original languages doesn't necessarily help you get closer to God (though it can help), what it is for is so we get a proper translation. Everyone says, "If I need to know then the Lord will tell me so." Or, "If I am suppose to know this then the Holy Spirit will tell me." Not only is this faulty logic, it simply is not found in the Bible.

I am reminded of three kids preparing for the same test. This test was one of the hardest tests a person could take in the subject of history. The first one chose to rely solely upon the Holy Spirit; he did not study the test, he only held a cursory knowledge of the subject matter, but instead spent the time praying to God asking Him to give him the knowledge. The second one studied on his own merit, forgoing prayer to God and relying on his own abilities to get things done. The third prayed to God and asked Him to help him remember the subject material, to gain retention whilst studying. The third one studied but asked for the aid of the Holy Spirit in the study.

The day of the test the first and second student both failed. The first because he did not know the subject at all and the second because he had retained and not understood anything. The third, however, passed.

Christianity is the same way. We can't just walk along and go, "If I am to know it, God will show me." That is lazy faith, faith that requires absolutely no learning on our part. This stands in contrast to the Psalms which tells us to grow in wisdom AND understanding. The Hebrew word for "understanding" is knowledge. When we say, "God will show us" and then never make an effort to be educated, I'm sorry, but God will not show you. Why would He let you be lazy in your faith?

Regardless, learning Greek and Hebrew is essential. Just today I had some Jehovah Witnesses come to my door. During the course of conversation we ended up in John 1:1. They read their version, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was a god." I then pointed that, to the Greek, there is no justification to put the article "a" in there. They couldn't counter what I was saying because we were dealing with grammatical rules. My knowledge of Greek helped prevent a false belief and heresy from being uttered on my front porch...likewise it silenced the false teachers. God does not allow us to give a half effort. He demands we love Him (love is a verb filled with actions to God) with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. If we go, "Eh, I don't see a reason to learn this" when it deals with interpretation of the Scriptures, we are essentially refusing to give God all of our mind.