Amos wrote:
I do now believe the entire bible has been manipulated by both scribes, translators & theologists.
The more I personally research the scriptures the more I find this statement by Amos to be VERY accurate REGARDLESS of what particular Bible translation we might happen to prefer. Jehovah in fact never said that his written word would not be suffering attacks at the hand of his enemies. Rather he only warned of the consequences for this action. (Re 22:18, 19) As unfortunate as it might be, this is exactly why we should ALL develop the habit of examining and comparing not simply various translations in our Bible research, but even various Bible word dictionaries and interlinears. We want to do this on EVERY occasion on which the TRUE message being conveyed has been called into question.
But this of course would be as they say-"a no brainer," and even if we master this procedure, really it can ultimately get us only so far. So really the only question here would be- how are we to go about HANDLING this particular problem? How are we to begin putting this damage to God's word in perspective in order to achieve the balance that Bruno is advocating here, rather than beginning to feel "scattered" as if we are actually the "LOST sheep of the house of Israel,"..."skinned and thrown about like sheep WITHOUT a shepherd?" (Joh 16:32) (Mt 9:36 10:6)
This would be accomplished by our learning to begin focusing more on the "LIVING word" or "LIVING bread," rather than the WRITTEN one. (Joh 1:1 6:51) But how exactly would we go about doing this?
AS ALWAYS this begins with "PRAYER," and not simply prayer, but more specifically "prayer on EVERY OCCASION." (Eph 6:18) But see, what if "every occasion" on which we read and study God's word for us personally might actually be one or twice a year? Worse yet, what if we were to forget that PARTICULARLY when we are asking something from God, our ACTIONS speak much louder than our words? (Lu 11:9-13)
In other words, if we are asking God for his holy spirit as mentioned here in Luke 11:13, or even simply MORE of his spirit, how exactly is he to respond if we are not doing OUR part in MAKING MORE ROOM IN OURSELVES FOR IT? We of course do this by our OBEDIENCE to God's laws and clean standards. Do we really grasp just how difficult a thing it is for God to put something clean and holy into a DIRTY vessel!
Are we genuinely making continual progress in overcoming our personal flaw, weaknesses, or even unclean HABITS? How are we doing on our pride for example? Did we perhaps overlook the fact that this was the BIGGEST obstacle even for Jesus' twelve disciples? (Mr 9:34) (Lu 9:46 22:24)
You see, it cannot be overstated that even if EVERY LETTER OF EVERY WORD in the Bible translation you are using today was PERFECTLY in line with what was penned by the ancient prophets who originally wrote them, the fact is that NONE OF US are in ANY position to even BEGIN grasping the true "concealed" "sacred secrets" of God's word ANYHOW, unless it is granted to us by God's holy spirit! (Ge 40:8) (Col 2:3) (Pr 2:4) (Mt 11:25) (1 Cor 4:1) (Da 2:28, 29) Are you beginning to feel you have more perspective or a more balanced view on this issue now?
Agape love;
Sol
if you just look at them with diving in and trying them out you will never know if they taste right or not. Our sense of taste is something we don't have much control over.
