One of the stupidest things I have ever heard a young preacher say is "a better way to translate this is . . . " Such pride! Such arrogance! Such audacity! Such impudence!
One tin-horn little preacher thinks his knowledge of Hebrew or Greek, learned in a one semester "bone head Greek" class, is superior to the combined wisdom of the 50 or 75 or 100 assembled Hebrew and Greek scholars who labored for years on the translation?
A textual variant? Fine explain it.
A philosophical difference in translation methodology? Fine. Explore it.
Rob the people of their confidence in the word of God? Never!
Such a little pipsqueak of a "preacher" has just set himself up as the "Authoritative Magisterium" of God's flock. He is now the little "Protestant Pope." His pronouncements ex cathedra from his fancy little pulpit have now convinced his listeners that they cannot understand the bible and should stop reading and studying it and just listen to the "preacher."
Such is how cults are born!
Agreed.
And yes - Been there done that (to quote a cliche) howbeit several decades back in my youth.
Never have been a "preacher".
Teacher - yes, preacher - no.
I now have several more tools other than just my school boy days Greek and Hebrew grammars, lexicons, etc several other grammars - when I can find them (and a complete Kittlel's Dictionary of the NT).
Now, if and when there are variants, methodology differences rarely used "Elizabethan" KJV English, I like to quote different versions ... the NKJV says..., the ASV uses..., the NIV says...etc, Young's Literal, etc where applicable.
At least they have the title "the Holy Bible" on them and not my name.
The three most used bibles in the local church I attend and teach (seniors): NIV (in the pews), NKJV, KJV in that order.
This I only due rarely as I agree, - why raise an unnecessary area of concern.
e.g.
KJV Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
RSV Hebrews 1:1 In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets;
NIV Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
Here is an interesting on:
Douay-Rheims English Catholic Bible (Rheims, AD1582):
Hebrews 1:1 God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all,
Unrelated side issue:
Notice the similarity with the Rheims and the 1611/1769 KJV?
HankD
