Post #1(
bold text and
underline are my additions to make the aforementioned contextual point to address the posted criticism that cherry picked a single verse, out of context.)
"At any point in time, the active body of Christ is using the common translations (English in our case) of the day. We are familiar with the renderings, and if a translation differs we do not "like" it. For example, if you memorized verses in the KJV, you might not want to go with a version that differs.
Another problem is that a dismissive mantra might arise such as the HCSB is "quirky."
But, if you take courses, formal or informal, that teach Bible Study methods, you will find yourself as why this choice rather than that choice? Sometimes the answer is the versions are based on differing texts, CT, MT or TR. But even when looking at the verse same underlying text, translations present very different ideas.
For example, let us look at
Romans 10:17, certainly an important text.
ESV
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
CEV
No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.
NKJV
So then faith
comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
If we consider these renderings, is faith traveling to us (comes) or is the idea faith is based on or arises from something.
Or does "the word of Christ" refer to the words spoken by Christ rather than declarations made by others about Christ?
And how do we decide what to believe concerning this verse. Some posting on this Board say go with the ones you like or the ones using the most used rendering. Of course that is advocating fallacy."
Now, let us look at Romans chapter 10. Doing so will answer the posters question, "
how do we decide what to believe concerning this verse."
Added to this post in reply form due to character limits on this reply window.
Romans 10 ESV
Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
The Message of Salvation to All
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for
“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,
“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”
20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,
“I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Footnotes
Now, it is better able to be understood.
Picture cherry picking verses like speaking in contemporary terms today.
"the homeless near my work were shooting guns near closing time and cops showed."
Someone reads that and thinks, homeless shot at cops!
No. Homeless people near my sister's work place we're firing guns in the woods behind her job. Police arrived and made arrests. No one was harmed.
