Why is it so hard for people to believe the bible?

[Heidi]

What I find amazing is why so many people who call themselves "Christians" don't believe the bible! It's not hard to do. When the bible says Jesus had brothers and sisters, that means that Jesus had brothers and sisters. When Jesus said not to call anyone on earth "father" he means not to call anyone on earth "father." When he said "no one is good but God alone", he means no one is good but God alone. When the bible says not to make for yourselves any graven images made to look like mortal man, it means not make for yourselves any graven images that look like mortal man. So what's the mystery? Why do so many people have such a hard time believing the bible? :o When we play with the words in the bible, we can construe them to mean anything we want! That's what the devil loves to do.

And that's why a simple belief that comes from a child is what Jesus tells us to do. But oh no, we have to find the definition of "is" or "father" or "brother" so we can change the meaning into anything we want. That means that we are not understanding the bible through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the same Spirit with which the bible was written and the same Spirit that resides in all born again Christians, so they will always agree. It is when human wisdom tries to interpret the bible that it can become arbitrary to suit the desires of each human being that false teachings arise, as paul tells us. Therefore, playing with scripture can be very dangerous, confusing, and deceiving. Just believe the bible and you'll have no problem. It's that simple and so is the truth. Only lies are convoluted and contradictory.

 

[Lyric's Dad]

I believe the Bible. I just don't believe the translations that are filled with the translators personal biases and non-literal renderings of the original texts.

 

[Heidi]

I believe the Bible. I just don't believe the translations that are filled with the translators personal biases and non-literal renderings of the original texts.

And how do you know which translations have personal bias? Were you present in the 1st and 2nd centuries? :o The NIV bible was taken from the original Hebrew and the KJV was taken from the Greek translation of the original Hebrew. So I trust a direct translation over a 2nd translation. But regardless, there are very few differences between them, none of which, I might add, are the verses I quoted in my OP.

So are you saying that your opinions of what happened in the 1st and 2nd centuries are truer than the bible translations? :o If so, what facts do you have to back up your opinions? :o

 

[AVBunyan]

I believe the Bible. I just don't believe the translations that are filled with the translators personal biases and non-literal renderings of the original texts.

How do you know what the originals say? Do you have a copy of them? :-?

 

[JM]

I believe the Bible. I just don't believe the translations that are filled with the translators personal biases and non-literal renderings of the original texts.

How do you know what the originals say? Do you have a copy of them? :-?

AV, don't give up! The AV is the trusted word of God in English.

 

[Lyric's Dad]

I have done enough research to know that much of the english translations are not that good. I don't like having to look at the bottom for possible contrary renderings and such. I will stick with a LITERAL rendering of the texts even if it does come out choppy. At least then I know what was being said and not what people wanted it to say in order to back up what they wish would happen.

 

[Lyric's Dad]

AV, don't give up! The AV is the trusted word of God in English.

Not in my house.

 

[AVBunyan]

The NIV bible was taken from the original Hebrew

Heidi - I hate to be a walking barbituate here but I must clarify.

The NIV is taken from the "orginal" texts written by Origen in the 3rd century - these corrupt, vile manuscriptus are the foundation for all the modern versions including the Douhey Rheims which is Rome's bible. Therefore if you have a modern version you are reading a Roman Catholic bible for they all come from Egypt.

The AV is based upon a completely different set of texts that originated from Asia minor - not Egypt.

I believe if you were to search it out you would see this to be so. Also, this new influx of modern perversions has aided in folks not believing their bibles for they don't know which one to believe. The devil has done a remarkable job - you gotta pat him on the back here!

Stick with the one that Godo used - it worked fine for over 350 years and still works.

God bless

 

[Free]

I must clrify

No pun intended, of course. ;) :

 

[Geo]

It's funny how the original statement went quickly into a
"translation issue". I like to say the first statement is correct
it's the golden truth. Children have an "unfair advantage" here.

And for us intellectuals I found yesterday the translation of
above comment:

"The Hegalian dialectic HAPPENS TO BE THE MOST POPULAR MODEL
OF THINKING TODAY. Instead of a didactic way to think that helps us come
to the right conclusions we circumnavigate the truth. Instead of having truth
be absolute and objective many are practicing a postmodern mindset
REACHING HOMOGENIZED CONCLUSIONS."

"circumnavigate the truth" -- Ouch! -- Homogenized conclusions -- Double Ouch

I repent from H. dialectic that attacks my faith and agree with Heidi
and the scriptures without cycling through all meanings and interpretations
of words landing directly on its intentended meaning and take them in as such.

 

[Heidi]

The NIV bible was taken from the original Hebrew

Heidi - I hate to be a walking barbituate here but I must clarify.

The NIV is taken from the "orginal" texts written by Origen in the 3rd century - these corrupt, vile manuscriptus are the foundation for all the modern versions including the Douhey Rheims which is Rome's bible. Therefore if you have a modern version you are reading a Roman Catholic bible for they all come from Egypt.

The AV is based upon a completely different set of texts that originated from Asia minor - not Egypt.

I believe if you were to search it out you would see this to be so. Also, this new influx of modern perversions has aided in folks not believing their bibles for they don't know which one to believe. The devil has done a remarkable job - you gotta pat him on the back here!

Stick with the one that Godo used - it worked fine for over 350 years and still works.

God bless

Actually, Av, the NIV is a direct translation from the earliest Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts. It was constructed over a period of 100 years from the earliest manuscripts avaialable to the known world. The KJV, however, is a direct translation from the Septuagint, or Greek translation, and is a result of very little cross-refferencing of the Aramaic and Hebrew texts.

But I own a parallel bible and there are still very little differences between them. The main difference I see is the difference between legalistic teachings and Grace. The KJV is the one used by the catholics, although they catholic bibles contain more books, and, I believe, is what has caused so many of their teachings which don't have much to do with grace.

Jesus also says that we have one teacher and that is the Christ. The NIV corresponds to what the Spirit inside of me tells me. When there is a peace that comes from understanding, then I believe that correpsonds to the Spirit and is therefore a correct interpretation. But since the KJV was the first bible that many people read, they are very likely to think it is the best translation because it's older and that's what they had always used. People are also more likely to defend something if it has been a tradition in their lives. That is my opinion so we'll simply have to agree to disagree.

 

[Heidi]

I want to add, Av, that the KJV was the result of one person and a committee of about 47 people who translated the bible in a rush job by order of King James. This translation came from older versions of the bible like the Geneva bible, used by the Catholics, and did not come from original manuscripts. This project was complete in only 3 years. They therefore didn't have the time to do the research and cross-referencing that the team of over 100 people who used all three languages for the NIV to make sure they were getting the correct interpretation. And their project took 100 years to complete. Therefore, as i mentioned, I suspect you are a fan of the KJV because you have always used it and it is part of your tradition. Otherwise, there is absolutely no reason to trust a rushed translation from older versions of the bible and from only one language over a project that took 100 years, contained 100 people, and was translated from the original manuscripts in 3 languages.

 

[Orthodox Christian]

What I find amazing is why so many people who call themselves "Christians" don't believe the bible! It's not hard to do. When the bible says Jesus had brothers and sisters, that means that Jesus had brothers and sisters.
Yes, He did, and that's what is written. No one disputes that Christ Jesus had "brothers and sisters." What is disputed is Mary was the mother of these. It is NOT written that she was. I have two brothers whose mother is not mine. Why do people such as Heidi feel compelled to add to the bible?
When Jesus said not to call anyone on earth "father" he means not to call anyone on earth "father."
He also said to hate your mother and father, yet He also told us to honor them. I guess it takes a certain level of dscernment to understand what He was saying sometimes.
When he said "no one is good but God alone", he means no one is good but God alone.
This includes those who call themselves 'saved.' But it is not they who are good, but Christ in them. Again, this takes a certain degree of discernment.
When the bible says not to make for yourselves any graven images made to look like mortal man, it means not make for yourselves any graven images that look like mortal man.
It also says to keep the Sabbath, which you argue against. This is hypocrtical on your part.

So what's the mystery? Why do so many people have such a hard time believing the bible? :o When we play with the words in the bible, we can construe them to mean anything we want! That's what the devil loves to do.
"This is my Body." "Tell it to the Church" "Your name is Peter, and upon this rock I shall build my Church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it."
There is small sampling of verses Heidi ignores or changes. Satan loves that.

And that's why a simple belief that comes from a child is what Jesus tells us to do. But oh no, we have to find the definition of "is" or "father" or "brother" so we can change the meaning into anything we want.
You mean "why would we bother to investigate what He really meant?"
That means that we are not understanding the bible through the Holy Spirit.

Why have a written bible if you can just understand through the Holy Spirit? The bible should be studied, not just read.
The Holy Spirit is the same Spirit with which the bible was written and the same Spirit that resides in all born again Christians, so they will always agree.
In other words, if you don't agree with Heidi, you are not born again.

It is when human wisdom tries to interpret the bible that it can become arbitrary to suit the desires of each human being that false teachings arise, as paul tells us. Therefore, playing with scripture can be very dangerous, confusing, and deceiving. Just believe the bible and you'll have no problem. It's that simple and so is the truth. Only lies are convoluted and contradictory.
Then you'll agree that "This is my Body" and "tell it to the Church" mean just that, nothing complicated or some hidden symbol. Wonderful.

 

[Jay T]

And that's why a simple belief that comes from a child is what Jesus tells us to do. But oh no, we have to find the definition of "is" or "father" or "brother" so we can change the meaning into anything we want.

The is most apparent with the word: LOVE

Jesus Christ tells us that to show our love for Him...we ought to keep the 10 commandments, as found in Exodus 20:3-17....
"IF..you love me, keep the commandments", (John 14:15).

BUT.....the majority in the Christian world have their own definition, of what love is...apart from what Jesus says.

 

[McQuacks]

They therefore didn't have the time to do the research and cross-referencing that the team of over 100 people who used all three languages for the NIV to make sure they were getting the correct interpretation. And their project took 100 years to complete. Therefore, as i mentioned, I suspect you are a fan of the KJV because you have always used it and it is part of your tradition. Otherwise, there is absolutely no reason to trust a rushed translation from older versions of the bible and from only one language over a project that took 100 years, contained 100 people, and was translated from the original manuscripts in 3 languages.

Also, just to add, those 100 people are all pulled from different denominations. So one denomination's bias is not "rulling the roost."

I like to try to cross-reference passages of the bible. I don't believe that any translation is completely flawed (with the exception of those translated by the cults), but that we should try to get the most out of them. I personally own a NKJV and an NIV. It's nice to cross-reference them.

Translation and interpretation are two separate things though. Any bible can translate the words correctly, it's the interpretations that are different. One person interprets a verse differently than another person. Sometimes it comes down to a matter of opinion, where things are not black and white, no matter how much we would like to make them so. It's human understanding.
-McQ 8-)

 

[Gendou Ikari]

Heidi, if the Bible is so simple to understand then why would we need the Holy Ghost to guide us. Any one could just read it without God's assistance and understand every spiritual truth.

Consider this verse:

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Use your interpretation of the Bible on that verse and see what you come up with. Go to your parents and siblings and brethren and tell them that you hate them.

 

[Heidi]

Heidi, if the Bible is so simple to understand then why would we need the Holy Ghost to guide us. Any one could just read it without God's assistance and understand every spiritual truth.

Consider this verse:

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Use your interpretation of the Bible on that verse and see what you come up with. Go to your parents and siblings and brethren and tell them that you hate them.

I already said that the bible can only be understood from the Holy Spirit! One cannot understand the bible without the HS as Paul says in 1 Corinthians. As I already mentioned, the bible was written with the same Spirit that resides in all born-abain believers. So if people claim to be Christians, then why do so many professed Christians not believe the bible? Yet this forum is constant bickering between those who believe the bible versus those who don't.

 

[AVBunyan]

I want to add, Av, that the KJV was the result of one person and a committee of about 47 people who translated the bible in a rush job by order of King James. This translation came from older versions of the bible like the Geneva bible, used by the Catholics, and did not come from original manuscripts.

Your research or your sources of infoare way off regarding the texts usd in putting the AV1611- that is all I can say. Way off Miss Heidi - way off.

And if you really believe the NIV - which attacks the diety of Christ and is basically a Catholic bible - is superior to the AV then you need to look into the issue a bit more.

God bless

 

[Novice]

Jesus Christ tells us that to show our love for Him...we ought to keep the 10 commandments, as found in Exodus 20:3-17....
"IF..you love me, keep the commandments", (John 14:15).

BUT.....the majority in the Christian world have their own definition, of what love is...apart from what Jesus says.

Wow, Jay T. This is perhaps the most breathtakingly ironic post ever. From a Moderator no less. You talk about what Jesus says, and then you misquote him with clear intention.

I've checked 20 translations, and there is not ONE that renders John 14:15 as you have. (The New Jay T Translation?) What possible purpose do you have to misquote the Lord?

It may be your OPINION that Jesus meant that HIS commandments encompassed the 10 commandments. If He meant that, He certainly could have said that explicitly, but it's a defensible view. Of course, and there are many verses that could be used in counter-argument. Better just to take a verse and change a word - so much easier, and most folks probably won't know anyway, so where's the harm?

Speaking of keeping Jesus' commandments, He gives a very clear one in verse 19 of Revelation 22.

What will we as a people ever accomplish if we cannot deal with one another honestly?

 

[Orthodox Christian]

I want to add, Av, that the KJV was the result of one person and a committee of about 47 people who translated the bible in a rush job by order of King James. This translation came from older versions of the bible like the Geneva bible, used by the Catholics, and did not come from original manuscripts.

Your research or your sources of infoare way off regarding the texts usd in putting the AV1611- that is all I can say. Way off Miss Heidi - way off.

And if you really believe the NIV - which attacks the diety of Christ and is basically a Catholic bible - is superior to the AV then you need to look into the issue a bit more.

God bless

The NIV a "Catholic bible"- now I've heard it all.