Obadiah
Member
Perhaps some clarification on the scripture requirement is in order here. The guideline on this states: "Subsequent responses either opposing or adding additional information should include references to specific supportive scripture relevant to the thread and offer explanation of the member's understanding of how that scripture applies."
Note that if a response is opposing a statement or is adding more information to the point, it is required for it to be based on scripture and that scripture must be referenced. This applies to each and every post, even if you have already referenced this same scripture in a previous post. Remember, other people read the forum too and you can't expect them to know what scripture you are referring to and where you posted it. However, asking a question to learn more about a poster's idea is not included in this requirement. But a word of caution on that: Don't write an opposing statement and try to circumvent this rule by just typing a question mark instead of a period at the end of it. We can see through that.
"Referencing" scripture is not a requirement to actually quote the verses you are talking about. A chapter, verse, and version reference is fine (such as "John 3:16, ESV"). In fact, even the version reference isn't technically required in this case because the actual verse isn't quoted, but it's nice to know what translation you are using in case someone wants to have a deep discussion of the scripture in question. However if you quote the actual scripture ("For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life") then copyright law requires that for most translations you must include the version reference, in this case it is the English Standard Version or "ESV". While it's true some translations don't require this under copyright law, it's an easy thing to include and will avoid confusion later on.
It's fine to say something like "John 3:16 says God loves us" This is obviously stating your opinion of something this scripture says, but is not a quote of the scripture itself. However if your statement contains an actual quote of the scripture you may not change it's wording unless you make if very obvious that you are adding your own clarification of what something means. For example you can't say "John 3:16, ESV says "For God so loved us, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." This is changing the published words and can not be done. However you are free to state that you believe the words "the world" means "us".
I hope this adds some clarification.
Note that if a response is opposing a statement or is adding more information to the point, it is required for it to be based on scripture and that scripture must be referenced. This applies to each and every post, even if you have already referenced this same scripture in a previous post. Remember, other people read the forum too and you can't expect them to know what scripture you are referring to and where you posted it. However, asking a question to learn more about a poster's idea is not included in this requirement. But a word of caution on that: Don't write an opposing statement and try to circumvent this rule by just typing a question mark instead of a period at the end of it. We can see through that.
"Referencing" scripture is not a requirement to actually quote the verses you are talking about. A chapter, verse, and version reference is fine (such as "John 3:16, ESV"). In fact, even the version reference isn't technically required in this case because the actual verse isn't quoted, but it's nice to know what translation you are using in case someone wants to have a deep discussion of the scripture in question. However if you quote the actual scripture ("For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life") then copyright law requires that for most translations you must include the version reference, in this case it is the English Standard Version or "ESV". While it's true some translations don't require this under copyright law, it's an easy thing to include and will avoid confusion later on.
It's fine to say something like "John 3:16 says God loves us" This is obviously stating your opinion of something this scripture says, but is not a quote of the scripture itself. However if your statement contains an actual quote of the scripture you may not change it's wording unless you make if very obvious that you are adding your own clarification of what something means. For example you can't say "John 3:16, ESV says "For God so loved us, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." This is changing the published words and can not be done. However you are free to state that you believe the words "the world" means "us".
I hope this adds some clarification.
