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What Bible translation is "God's Word"?

S

Sakuras

New Member
Hello all my friends,

I have been reading some posts about translations on the baptist board and a question has come to mind. What Bible is "God's Word"?

I am curious if anyone has a standard by which one can claim a certain Bible translation is satisfactory for the masses? I know we have many diverse English bibles in print and it seems that people in general accept them all. Of course I have noticed that some individuals consider some Modern Bibles not "God's Word".

I am not a Preacher, theologian or expert on these matters. Simply a Believer that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour. I have read that any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined. Meaning, if indeed some translations are not "God's Word" than why do they convey Jesus is Lord? Why would Satan want you to believe that?

However, for example I understand that The New World Translation seems to question Jesus's divinity.

It's a very complicated matter for my mind to grasp.

Thanks for reading my post and I appreciate it.
 
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J

Johnv

New Member
Sakuras said:
What Bible is "God's Word"?
Click to expand...
The problem is that you're using a phrase that is very generic in scope. "God's Word" isn't a phrase of translation. It's a phrase of content.

It's like picking up a copy of "The Diary of Anne Frank". Imagine that my copy is an English translation published by ABC company, and yours is an English translation published by CDE company. They differ slightly from each other, but are reasonably accurate translations. Does that mean one of us has "The Diary of Anne Frank", but the other doesn't? No, we both have it. Does that mean they're not actually "The Diary of Anne Frank", since they're not in the original language? Of course not. They are both "The Diary of Anne Frank", translated from a source text.
 
J

Jim1999

<img src =/Jim1999.jpg>
Sakuras,

As Fellowship Baptists, we have always maintained that the actual Word of God was in the original manuscripts. We also believe, however, that enough caution was used down through the ages to preserve that word in the various translations. This concept rests on te sound theology of each group advancing the word, so that we can safely say we are preaching the word of God. This is supported by a consistent theological viewpoint, and excluding cultic ideas such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Science, etc.

On which translation one prefers to use, that is essentially a personal choice. I have used my King James version all my life. All my theological studies and biblical studies were done from this version. I read other versions and use them to clarify understanding.

Never develop a theological viewpoint based on one verse alone, but on the whole of scripture, never allowing one verse to contradict the others, regardless of version of choice, including the King James Version.

A good study of hermeneutics is a must. It delineates the steps required to rightfully understand a text of any translation.

Cheers,

Jim
 
S

Sakuras

New Member
Jim1999,

That was a very clear explanation. I agree with what you have said. Perhaps I was asking a question that has no easy answer, why people make issues over one Bible versus another? In fact, it seems like a silly question to me now. One that cannot satisfy all regardless of any conclusions that may come on the board. Maybe a waste of energy to get to the root of why one Bible my seem superior or inferior. But being a debate I thought maybe we had an idea to why there has been conflict concerning this matter amongst Christians.

Hermeneutics? I do not know this word. I will look up the meaning. Thank for your reply Jim.
 
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J

Johnv

New Member
Hermeneutics is the process and application of interpretation. In regards to scripture, it involves understanding the point of view of the author, the context of the message, the content conveyed, and the intended audience of the author.
 
J

Jim1999

<img src =/Jim1999.jpg>
One of the better books available to-day is:
Grasping God's Word by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Zondervan...You can obtain this book on the net. It is expensive, but invaluable, in my opinion.

Cheers,

Jim
 
Trotter

Trotter

<img src =/6412.jpg>
Sakuras said:
What Bible is "God's Word"?
Click to expand...
You are coming at the thing the wrong way. You are trying to limit God to only one outlet. God doesn't fit in anyone's box. ;)

God's word is God's word, pure and simple. There is nothing that limits it to a single expression.
 
H

Harold Garvey

New Member
Johnv said:
The problem is that you're using a phrase that is very generic in scope. "God's Word" isn't a phrase of translation. It's a phrase of content.

It's like picking up a copy of "The Diary of Anne Frank". Imagine that my copy is an English translation published by ABC company, and yours is an English translation published by CDE company. They differ slightly from each other, but are reasonably accurate translations. Does that mean one of us has "The Diary of Anne Frank", but the other doesn't? No, we both have it. Does that mean they're not actually "The Diary of Anne Frank", since they're not in the original language? Of course not. They are both "The Diary of Anne Frank", translated from a source text.
Click to expand...
Your analogy places the authority of God's word into men's hands to adjust his concept of the word of God as he sees fit and accordingly.
:sleep:
 
Dr. Bob

Dr. Bob

Administrator
Administrator
God gave actual words that have been actually preserved in the 5500 manuscripts and documents.

Man-made translations of God's Word come and go (languages change and evolve)

So NO man-made translation is God's Word. God's WORDS are God's Word.

Translation derive authority and inspiration only as they accurately reflect the actual Words of God that God the holy Spirit actually breathed out and inspired.

Answer: None.

But the question is wrong.

It should be: What BIBLE is God's Word? (not what man-made attempt to translate is God's Word). That Word we have and I hold in my hand. It is a collection and summary of those 5500 Greek documents and written in Greek using actual words GOD breathed.
 
S

Sakuras

New Member
Thanks for all the input. I apologize, my question was not expressed in the best way. It was rather majestic in scope and poorly worded. I meant no division among participants here. I did find the responses educational and I did learn something.
 
Marcia

Marcia

Active Member
Sakuras said:
Hello all my friends,

I have been reading some posts about translations on the baptist board and a question has come to mind. What Bible is "God's Word"?

I am curious if anyone has a standard by which one can claim a certain Bible translation is satisfactory for the masses? I know we have many diverse English bibles in print and it seems that people in general accept them all. Of course I have noticed that some individuals consider some Modern Bibles not "God's Word".

I am not a Preacher, theologian or expert on these matters. Simply a Believer that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour. I have read that any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined. Meaning, if indeed some translations are not "God's Word" than why do they convey Jesus is Lord? Why would Satan want you to believe that?

However, for example I understand that The New World Translation seems to question Jesus's divinity.

It's a very complicated matter for my mind to grasp.

Thanks for reading my post and I appreciate it.
Click to expand...

The New World Translation is only used by the Jehovah's Witnesses. It is not a valid translation at all; it is their version to support their doctrine.

God's word is in all the valid Christian translations, though there are differences, these are usually minor and matters of translation philosophy or textual problems.
 
H

Harold Garvey

New Member
Johnv said:
So, according to you, the KJV translators adjusted their concept of the Word of God as they saw fit.
Click to expand...
Um, no,not actually, they did relate the wordings so men wouldn't be able to adjust the Bible to thier liking the way the modern versions do and be truthful about it.
 
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