Line upon line, precept upon precept... Maybe not

[humblethinker]

Today, while reading a post on BB I came across a reference to the following verse:

Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little

I've always heard that God's word is learned by "precept upon precept; line upon line; here a little, and there a little". I was surprised to see that this verse/passage of scripture is taken ironically out of context!

 

[humblethinker]

This page was informative:

http://www.acts17-11.com/cows_precept.html

Have we allowed a mistranslated text of scripture to become a catch-phrase of wisdom which was originally intended to be a mocking chide?

 

[Baptist Believer]

Have we allowed a mistranslated text of scripture to become a catch-phrase of wisdom which was originally intended to be a mocking chide?

Yes, you're absolutely right.

I suspect the origin of this misunderstanding is Joseph Smith, Jr., the false prophet of Mormonism.

He plagiarized the line from Isaiah and dropped it into the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 28:30) giving it a different meaning.

I've had Mormons quote it to me many times when I was discussing the Bible, trying to force them to read the Bible in context, not according to the proof texts the LDS leadership dispenses.

This has probably filtered back into Christian churches because it "sounds right."

FWIW, Joseph Smith "fixed" a lot of Isaiah's writings when he plagiarized them. A particularly glaring problem is when he quoted the Isaiah 2:9, "And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not." where Isaiah is describing the worship of idols. Smith misunderstood this passage and "fixed it" it in 2 Nephi 12:9 by writing, "And the mean man boweth not down, and the great man humbleth himself not, therefore, forgive him not." Smith actually changed a condemnation of idolatry to a condemnation of not participating in idolatry!

 

[humblethinker]

I find it funny though that the statement and teaching is in the Mormon's scripture found here:
2 Nephi 28:30. “For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have”

 

[humblethinker]

Yes, you're absolutely right.

I suspect the origin of this misunderstanding is Joseph Smith, Jr., the false prophet of Mormonism.

He plagiarized the line from Isaiah and dropped it into the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 28:30) giving it a different meaning.

I've had Mormons quote it to me many times when I was discussing the Bible, trying to force them to read the Bible in context, not according to the proof texts the LDS leadership dispenses.

This has probably filtered back into Christian churches because it "sounds right."

FWIW, Joseph Smith "fixed" a lot of Isaiah's writings when he plagiarized them. A particularly glaring problem is when he quoted the Isaiah 2:9, "And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not." where Isaiah is describing the worship of idols. Smith misunderstood this passage and "fixed it" it in 2 Nephi 12:9 by writing, "And the mean man boweth not down, and the great man humbleth himself not, therefore, forgive him not." Smith actually changed a condemnation of idolatry to a condemnation of not participating in idolatry!

Wow, very interesting! Reminds me of the many quotes that people inacurately attribute to the Bible.

 

[kyredneck]

...I've always heard that God's word is learned by "precept upon precept; line upon line; here a little, and there a little". I was surprised to see that this verse/passage of scripture is taken ironically out of context!

...heheh, there's many many more than this lil' passage that hoi polloi with their shallow hasty approach to scripture has corrupted....

 

[glfredrick]

Wow, very interesting! Reminds me of the many quotes that people inacurately attribute to the Bible.

Like the non-Cal's favorite? God helps those who help themselves... :thumbsup:

 

[quantumfaith]

Like the non-Cal's favorite? God helps those who help themselves... :thumbsup:

A poke a bit beneath the dignity of one with your intellect and grace. Most certainly not a quote from scripture, too often used by the biblical ignorant individual regardless of their theological persuasion.

 

[glfredrick]

A poke a bit beneath the dignity of one with your intellect and grace. Most certainly not a quote from scripture, too often used by the biblical ignorant individual regardless of their theological persuasion.

It was my mother's favorite "Bible verse," and one held firmly by many on this board. :smilewinkgrin:

 

[quantumfaith]

It was my mother's favorite "Bible verse," and one held firmly by many on this board. :smilewinkgrin:

Yes, but mom's mean well (most of them) and where would we be without them. I treasure my mother, as I expect you do as well.

 

[glfredrick]

Yes, but mom's mean well (most of them) and where would we be without them. I treasure my mother, as I expect you do as well.

My mom meant well -- at least as well as she could mean -- but the folks on this board have no excuse. They are here ARGUING theology and Scripture.

At the core of Arminian and non-Cal theology one finds that God comes to those that He foreknew would believe. i.e., "God helps those who help themselves." :thumbsup:

 

[freeatlast]

Today, while reading a post on BB I came across a reference to the following verse:

Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little

I've always heard that God's word is learned by "precept upon precept; line upon line; here a little, and there a little". I was surprised to see that this verse/passage of scripture is taken ironically out of context!

Wow, I have a red face for being so dumb.