People believe what they choose to believe. Most have an attitude of "Don't confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up." I am constantly amazed at the folks who quote bible verses as an authoritative factual source.
One web page article that I have read starts out with "The fascinating story of how we got the Bible in its present form actually starts thousands of years ago ..." Read that entire article web page by following the embedded link contained within its title as follows, English Bible History.
Inquiring minds want to learn more. Okay, then, follow the embedded link that will take you on over to the National Geographic web page King James Bible.
For further information regarding the King James Bible, I suggest you read another web page article that also has an embedded link contained within its title: Story Behind King James Bible, Ken Curtis, Ph.D.
Yet some more may be read over at A Brief History of the King James Bible, By Dr. Laurence M. Vance.
In conclusion, I place a link below for you to read a very interesting article from Newsweek:
The Bible: So Misunderstood It's a Sin
BY KURT EICHENWALD / DECEMBER 23, 2014 6:54 AM EST
2 comments:
I continue to find it baffling that so many people believe that a God that can create everything from the farthest galaxy to the smallest genome cannot keep His word passed inviolate over the millennia. "I can believe the GREAT things God can do that don't necessarily lead to salvation, but as for Him DIRECTLY affecting me, no way"? I'm sorry, but I've heard this same attack one too many times, many times by people who describe my faith as "insanity". But I know God as he has revealed Himself TO ME: I have felt the gentle voice of the Spirit when I really needed it. If you actually research the subject, you find that the Bible is one of the most textually accurate works down through the years and translations ever made- far more consistent through the years than statistics say should be possible. But that's just statistics.
My life verse I Samuel 7:12- "... saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.' " Thus far has He helped me. Not meant to be a debate point, you can believe what you like. I however, know who was there for me in my darkest night, and what He did.
My sincerest apologies to you, CW Martin. I could have been and should have been more sensitive and understanding when I composed this blog entry. The meme I posted caught my eye when I first saw it and I went with it even though the meme does go a bit further than what I think within myself. In particular, I do disagree with the very last line that states "That's not faith. That's insanity." That line is not only insensitive, it is unkind, rude, and cruel. Shame on me for using that meme as it is without rebuffing that line! It does not reflect my thoughts or way of thinking.
My underlying intention in this blog entry is two-fold.
One, linguistics and the use of language and the possibilities of errors in the translation of one language to another language of the intended meanings. I do think often about the many various versions of the Bibe and of how translations may not reflect the original intended meanings of whatever the original languages were trying to convey. For example, the Latin word "via" may mean road, way, or through. Or when we use idioms, we do not mean the actual words, such as "I have butterflies in my stomache" is not to be taken literally but to mean "I am anxious (or nervous)"
Two, in my opinion, the stories of the Bible have insufficient objective, scientific, verifiable evidence of their accuracy and consequently I do not hold the opinion that any Bible is an authoritative factual source.
I do understand that faith is faith. Faith may be taken as it is; faith need not be proven by scientific means or by objective collaterally verifiable evidence.
I did not intend to demean faith when I composed this blog entry; however, I realize how it may seem to do just that. My attempt to examine this issue in an academic manner has been a miserable failure that has also resulted in what may be considered offensive.
Again, Chris (and others of faith), please accept my most sincere apologies.
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