Stop Scripture Abuse Now!!!
In honor of all those who like to make the Bible say things it doesn't really say, here are some excerpts from a New Translation (with comparison to NIV):
John 4:24
NIV--"God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and truth."
New Translation--"Worshippers must worship in the way I think is acceptable."
1 Corinthians 14:40
NIV--"But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
New Translation--"Everything should be done in the way I think it should be done."
1 Timothy 2:12
NIV--"I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent."
New Translation--"I do not permit a woman to do anything that I don't think she should do."
I am not commenting an any worship or women's issues that are argued about daily and that divide churches. I am probably more traditional than many of you reading this. What bothers me is how we use the Bible to back up what we believe. And ironically, we all use the same verses to back up different opinions.
Often when we quote these three passages in particular, we are really saying/thinking what I called the "New Translation" without any concern for what the text actually says or means. All we are defending is what we think or want.
There are organizations and lawyers to protect animals and humans from abuse. Who will fight against Scripture Abuse? Maybe, we should start a support group for "Scripture Abusers Anonymous." I have definitely been guily of it.
So...STOP IT!
posted by Brian Nicklaus @ 11:16 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
It is like a bad habit...even when I try so desparately to break the mode I find myself doing this...
I want to wipe the slate clean of all the preconceived notions and just hear the voice of Jesus when I read the Bible. I told someone this weekend that would require getting rid of all the hi-lights and underscores and reading the word with an open heart and an open mind.
Brian,
Great post.
I enjoy the NASB, RSV, NRSV, and preach from the NIV.
The new translations that come out all the time must be careful about. We must inform. Thank you for informing us. I always try to inform my members on what translations are out there and what to look out for or watch out for. We need to understand that alot of the new translations that get published are publishing this watered down versions to make money. And I do feel sorry for those on the day of judgement. We must honor and respect the Word of God. We need to understand and what the world doesn't want to udnerstand is that God's word is going to offend. God's word is going to tell us that we are wrong and need to change. It is living, active, sharper than any double edged sword.
Thank you and God bless you for putting out this information for everyone to read.
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djg,
some people suggest we can't get rid of preconceived notions at all, at least that idea popular in 1700-1800s Restoration thought is no longer popular. But I believe we always have to try.
preacherman,
I actually was being a little sarcastic about the new translation thing, I just made that up to comment on how we use even the good translations. but you make some good points about what is out there.
I will sign with you.
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle
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