From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 1997 11:20 PM To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup Subject: Bible Versions Comments
From: Levi Avriel ben Avram Subject: Bible Versions Comments - Part I To: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com Bruce, Eddie is absolutely correct that in the real world there is NO perfect translation that we can rely on. You literally could take the argument to the extreme and suggest that even though the original manuscripts were divinely written by the leading of the Holy Spirit, man did the transcribing and therefore is subject to incorrectness. I do NOT hold to that extreme argument because it is an exercise in futility. Here is my guide and thus far has not failed me: Ps. 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (KJV) Phil. 3:15 "...... And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you." (NIV) It's by HaShem's grace, love, and mercy that He will, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, lead men to all truth and reveal His Word (living waters) to all. His Word will be written upon our hearts NOT our intellect. Hold onto 2 Timothy 2:15 and the Holy Spirit and you can't go wrong. Levi Avriel ben Avram ******************************************************************* From: Jo-Ann Dalton Subject: Bible Versions Comments - Part II To: "heb_roots_chr@geocities.com"<heb_roots_chr@geocities.com> Shalom to all fellow students of the Word of the Living G-d I have read all the comments [part one and two] on the different versions of the Holy Scriptures. It was interesting to read the comments on why individuals chose to study a particular version. I have literally dozens of versions of the Holy Scriptures and basically study the KJV. I refer to many others as I go along. One of the ones mentioned was the 'Exegeses' Bible which I find useful. One not mention and is excellent is the '26 Translation Bible'. It has the full KJV in bold; then any of 25 different version are listed under a particular verse only if it varies from the KJV. Excellent resource in one volume. Spurell's Tanach is also very good. Except for the Ryrie Bible, I have all the books mentioned, and I agree with all the reasons why each individual chooses a particular book. Whatever version of the Holy Scriptures we decide to study from, first and formost, we MUST enlist the Ruach HaKodesh, who was sent to guide, teach and reveal the Living Word to us. Before I begin to read/study I pray the following verses and acknowledge that I enter in to this time of study with no perconceived opinions or conclusions. I ask for a fresh anointing for the Heart and Soul of our Abba Father. I desire to see and know things from His view not mine. Ps 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.(KJV) Ps 119:33-40 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; & quicken thou me in thy way. 38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. 39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. (KJV) I pray for all who dilgently meditate on the Word, for you will be like a tree planted by a river of living water, and your fruit will be bountiful. OUR G-d rewards those who diligently meditate on His Word. I desire to be a Psalm 1 child of G-d. Eddie-- I am richly blessed by your postings. Blessed are you for your servanthood. Father is well pleased! I admire your always telling individuals that it's the "Relationship with the Lord that counts"!! Thats an true and awesome statement Shalom Jo-Ann ********************************************************************** From: Gary Simpson To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com Subject: Re: Bible Versions Comments - Part I Somebody reflected on the various versions of the Bible as follows . . >My growing awareness of the Judaic roots of Christianity and >continual study has resulted in a scary side effect. I have begun to >doubt the correctness of many of the Bible versions I have >historically held dear. My personal preference has always been KJV. >After reading the book, NEW AGE BIBLE VERSIONS, I stopped utilizing >the NIV, NASV, and others which are built upon the work of Wescott >and Hort; however, I drew closer to the KJV. People have preferences for different versions of the Bible. There is nothing wrong with that. I prefer the NASB, because of it is a fairly accurate word-for-word translation. But it is not the easiest translation to read, nor is it the best translation of all texts. I like the fresh insights provided by the James Moffatt translation, but it also has weaknesses. The KJV is good, but it is a difficult Bible to read. Some people do not have the reading skills needed to easily understand the KJV. I can respect people with diffenent preferences. It is, however, difficult for me to respect the authors of books that classify some versions of the Bible as New Age. I have heard people who were giving workshops on the New Age Movement. By the time they were done, anybody who drinks H20 (water) or breathes air was considered to be part of the New Age Movement. The version of the Bible you read does not make you any more or less Messianic. >Now, the realization that the translators of the KJV probably >sufferred from an anti-Judaic bias (as well as possibly >pro-Augustinian /Calvinistic) has me wondering when the words I read >may be tainted to reflect their bias . . . <snip> . . . I read the >Jewish Publication Society's most recent TANAKH, but I am haunted by >the fear they bias their translations in the opposite direction >(against Yeshua's Messiahship), resulting in a watering down of >messianic references. > . . . <snip> . . . Every Bible has some theological bias. That is to be expected. That bias is not just limited to Christian translations. It is even seen in Jewish translations. The Bible is a spiritual document. As such, we do not need to spend a lot of time worrying about how accurately and correctly each word is translated. All that does is take our eyes off the important things in the Bible. We need to focus on what is important, Yeshua the Messiah, and the principles of the Bible. The Lord uses the principles of the Bible, regardless of the translation or paraphrase, to change our lives and to save us. -Gary Simpson **********************************************************************