Life was once so simple for this little Baptist teenager growing up in the Midwest, in the heart of the BIBLE BELT! Of course “the” Bible was the King James Bible that was translated from the textus receptus. I had not a clue as to who decided what books of the Bibles were the official ones (canon), how it came to pass, or what in the hell textus receptus meant. I just BELIEVED!
One of my greatest pains these days is that there are so many different translations. Forget that the textus receptus has to be one of the most inept and error-filled translations, I’ve memorized the Scriptures in and from my KJV-trained heart. I love for example the simplicity of Prov. 23:7, but when compared to other translations, I get confused.
KJV…As a man thinketh in His heart so is he!
NLT…They are always thinking how much it will cost
NRS…For like a hair in the throat so they are
TLB…Doesn’t even have verses 7 or 8 (go figure)
Need I go on- there are more!
So, for those who say the Bible in inerrant- WHICH TRANSLATION of the more than 100 did God write? Tell me so I can depend upon THAT one. But once that was decided we’d then have the different language problems that have led some to believe in aneternal hell and a world wherein onlt a few select are saved.
Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic (like most languages) can’t be interpreted word for word and all of the tenses and figures of speech vary. Lets take one example Matt. 26:28 (KJV)- “For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for MANY for the remission of sins”. So what does MANY mean- in English? You know, right? If you see God as a JUDGE (penal substitution), then you KNOW God’s gonna send a few BILLION to hell. But, what did the author who wrote is (or Holy Spirit mean by MANY?
Could many mean ALL?
Many translations say exactly that or “multitudes”. Why? Well mainly because Greek or Aramaic neither one have NO WORD FOR ALL in the PLURAL! So, many could mean ALL. Are you getting why I say that we have language hindrances? But there one that that’s clear.
God is LOVE! And that’s the glasses from which I see and interepret the Bible. It’s my theology, my evolving theo-logos. What’s yours?
Excellent. I’ve been discussing this very thing with KJV ONLY brothers. Romans 5 is a good one to discuss pertaining “many”.