:-X

[Timothy]

:-X

 

[T-Bone]

And then there are those who have just enough Christianity that they make everyone else miserable! 8)

 

[Izdaari]

Timothy,

Your problem seems obvious enough to me: too much legalism, not enough grace. That'd make anyone miserable. Not your fault really, but I think most of those many churches you attended preached that way, and you believed them.

Dr. Izzy's prescription: Confess your sins and then forget about them; if God has forgiven you, forgive yourself and let it all go. Read Galatians a bunch of times and meditate on it. Read some Phillip Yancey, particularly What's So Amazing About Grace?. He comes from a background like yours, and has a similar story. I think you could relate to him.

 

[El Cid]

I have just enough to make me happy!    "Saved, saved, saved, my sins are all gone buried in the deepest sea, yea that is good enough for me...." 



Okay I probably murdered this song but you get my drift

 

[JrChurch]

Depend less on men's words and even less on your feelings:



1 Corinthians 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

 

[brianb]

Read the Bible. If you're miserable it's because you are not in God's word enough. Whatever your daily Bible reading is right now - double or triple it.

 

[Ransom]

Sounds easy. What version?

If that's the question it occurs to you to ask when you're told to read the Bible, you don't have enough Christianity to choke a blackfly.

 

[Ransom]

Much controversy surrounds the subject of Bible versions.

No, there's a little manufactured controversy caused by very few people braying very loudly.

 

[Bob]

Much controversy surrounds the subject of Bible versions.

No, there's a little manufactured controversy caused by very few people braying very loudly.

Manufactured? When you turn to Matthew 18:10 in the NIV you find that verse number 11 is not there.

People from Idiotsville assume that the verses assigned to the KJV mean that those verses are inspired.  They aer being culturally smart, continuing to use the verse numbers that the KJV used so people can follow along.  If the text evidence shows that the verse isn't there, and you include it, you are an idiot.

 

[Izdaari]

Read the Bible. If you're miserable it's because you are not in God's word enough. Whatever your daily Bible reading is right now - double or triple it.

Sounds easy. What version? 

It doesn't especially matter. If you're comfortable with the King James, that's fine, use that. I don't particularly like it, except on the rare occasions when I'm feeling literary enough to enjoy the archaic language instead of being put off by it, but that's me, not you. But as I said, Galatians is really important for you. I'd read it a lot and meditate on it. And consider my earlier suggestions as well.

 

[Ransom]

Timmeh! whined:

Manufactured? When you turn to Matthew 18:10 in the NIV you find that verse number 11 is not there.

Yes, manufactured. You're dishonestly making it sound like some huge thing has been removed from the Bible. Why don't you quote Luke 19:10 to us from the NIV, Timmeh!?

 

[HeDied4U]

Read the Bible. If you're miserable it's because you are not in God's word enough. Whatever your daily Bible reading is right now - double or triple it.

Sounds easy. What version? 

I've heard it said that when asked "which Bible version is the best version" the answer is 'the version you are reading.' Sounds simple, and in reality it is. Reading the KJV? Then read more of the KJV. Is the NIV your pleasure? Read more of the NIV. My preference is the NASB, so when times get tough, I read more of the NASB. Whatever version of your choice may be, paraphrasing Nike, just READ IT, or in this case, read more of it!!

 

[jimmudcatgrant]

Timmeh! whined:

Manufactured? When you turn to Matthew 18:10 in the NIV you find that verse number 11 is not there.

Yes, manufactured. You're dishonestly making it sound like some huge thing has been removed from the Bible. Why don't you quote Luke 19:10 to us from the NIV, Timmeh!?

A few months ago I started to tell a Jewish co-worker about Jesus. They quickly asked questions about the many different Bible versions. I shared that I stick to the King James and told him the many Bibles available don't change the core message. So, I don't believe the translation issue small or manufactured. I believe it is big and created by the devil to cast doubt on the blessed message of Hope from God. Perhaps God uses each version for good, but I believe each version can also cast doubt on His Word.

My pastor says that the issue shouldn't be an issue for those solid in the faith. We should use whatever Bible to share the gospel. But, still, when you present a God who never changes to a world looking at our many versions of His Word you quickly can see this isn't a small issue.

I love the KJV, but also other versions.  I have a KJV study bible that explains what the archaic words mean.  To be fair, a new Christian could misunderstand or totally miss the meaning of some of these words.  I have heard countless KJVO preachers "interpret" archaic words in their sermons.  I believe God has preserved His word through all the versions I use: KJV, ESV, HCSB, NASB, NET, NKJV, NLT.  I do treat the NLT more as a commentary.  It seems to me that the KJVO people are guilty of casting doubt on the newer versions.  Some of the idiots burn other versions, stomp on them, etc.  Now how do you think that plays with a new Christian that just got saved under the preaching of one of those versions?  I don't care what version you use, so why is it such a big deal with KJVO?

 

[standingtall]

So many versions are available today, how can I know that the one I choose is God's preserved word? It seems that the King James is one of the only versions that takes away the doubt for me as I use it.

But, then again, my personal depression and anguish toward the faith I have also surrounds my understanding of Biblical text. I don't believe the King James is the only available preserved text, but how can so many preserved text be available? It is confusing for others, not just myself, and God isn't the author of confusion.

Your problem is you believe that God really cares which Bible version you use.  Until you get it through your head that He doesn't care, you will continue to be wishy-washy and miserable.

 

[standingtall]

This is the moment I need some solid proof. I have a pastor who says it doesn't matter also, but for consistency the Church uses the King James. This consistency probably makes the older members happy also. Still, pastors and evangelist in my past have beat fear into my head that the the King James is the only Bible for a Christian to use as final authority. So, again, this is the moment for solid proof: What can be shared that shows the danger of the King James and the benefit of the newer version? Something simple and effective.

Guess what?  You won't get it.  Stop searching for it.  You can plainly see that everyone has their own opinion, and there are those who believe their opinion in a "divine revelation".  That's bullcrap.  I'll say it again, God DOESN'T CARE.  Let it go.  Moping around on the forums darn sure isn't going to "cure" your misery. 

 

[standingtall]

Unless ... we do have a blessed translation ... hmmmmm .... it could be the King James! 

Looks like you've made up your mind, then.  So shut up and quit you're whining and moping.

You are one of the biggest, if not the biggest, "attention seekers" I have ever seen on any forum.  Can't get attention by just being you?  Create multiple sock puppets!!  That's not satisfying you?  Whine about your job!! Still not satisfying enough?  Change churches!!  Not working yet?  Create a poll with an idiotic scenario!! You're just looking for folks to pity you and say "aw, poor Timothy". 

Suck it up.  Realize that life has its ups and downs and deal with it.....and get off the internet. 

 

[rsc2a]

I shared that I stick to the King James and told him the many Bibles available don't change the core message...

...does not match...

[quote author=Timothy]...So, I don't believe the translation issue small or manufactured. I believe it is big and created by the devil to cast doubt on the blessed message of Hope from God. Perhaps God uses each version for good, but I believe each version can also cast doubt on His Word.[/quote]





[quote author=Timothy]...I always found the long standing relevance of the King James important for my choosing to use it...[/quote]

Then you should look into changing to the NIV or  The Message ( ) pretty soon.



[quote author=Timothy]What can be shared that shows the potential danger of the King James and the benefit of the newer version? Something simple and effective.[/quote]

Words mean different things than they meant 400 yrs ago. A simple, effective reason why newer versions are at least as good as the KJV.



[quote author=Timothy]How could God not care when it is vitally important to read, study and believe His Holy Word?

I am a stupid person who needs things broken down into clear simple words. I am not the only one like this, many are simple minded. So, God has provided for me His Holy Word that is only found perfect in the originals long gone and destroyed and made available in multiple translated versions creating doubt? Seems like His Pure Words are gone and we survive on fragments. So, when someone like myself finds God knocking on his heart I am left to rely on man for instruction since pure words from God are gone. Sure, I can read my choice of translation, and do what I feel is best for my life in His hands .... but it will always be tarnished from pure truth and life in God.[/quote]

[quote author=Timothy]So many versions are available today, how can I know that the one I choose is God's preserved word? It seems that the King James is one of the only versions that takes away the doubt for me as I use it.[/quote]

A re-post of something I've written before:

Personally, I don't get hung up on whether or not a word here or there is different. I don't believe the words themselves are nearly as important as the story God is trying to tell us.

If I tell my kids the story of the three little pigs and my wife tells my kids the story of the three little pigs, does it matter if we use the exact same words? Which is the point of the story: that the second pig built his house out of sticks (no branches...no sticks!), or that second pig was just a little less lazy than the first pig and the wolf still blew his house down?

First and foremost, the Bible is a story: a story about God redeeming a people. From Genesis to Revelation, this is the story of the Bible. Are the details important? Sometimes. But only as they tell us more about the story. Like Paul said,

"And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

Even when Paul was teaching on marriage or slaves or head coverings or anything else, he believed that he was preaching Christ and Him crucified. Everything else was an outworking of that overwhelming truth. Even the Bible, which is God's self-revelation of Himself is only God's word in that it points us to Jesus, the perfect representation of God, the Word of God.

 

[wheatpenny]

For a while I was KJVO, and I still use and prefer the KJV, but I believe people should use a version that they enjoy reading or is easy for them to understand because if they like reading it and can easily understand it, they will read it more. If they force themselves to use the KJV or any other translation that they don't like or have trouble understanding, then Bible reading will become a chore and they won't read it as much.

 

[standingtall]

The worst companion I ever have is myself. I can never escape myself. I seek others to dull the pain of being alone with myself. But, when all is still and I am alone with myself I fear myself and want to get away. I don't trust myself. I don't like myself. I can not control myself. The worst companion I ever have is myself.

IF you really feel like this, seeking answers on the internet will do nothing but compound your problem and confuse you even more.  You ought to be seeking professional help.  Somehow I don't think that canned Christian answers like "you need to read your bible more", "read this bible chapter/verse", or "read this book" are going to help you at all. 

 

[Ransom]

Timmeh! said:

I believe it [the Bible translation "controversy"] is big and created by the devil to cast doubt on the blessed message of Hope from God.

I guess that means that the devil rules over the insignificant little slice of Fundamentalism that makes a big deal out of it.

I remember once a preacher called the NIV the HIV.

Yeah, I've heard some real lowlives say some incredibly stupid things, too.

If I were sitting in a pew, and a knuckle-dragging pulpit-whacker started spewing toxic sewage like this in my hearing, I would be in the parking lot thirty seconds before the fat fool could direct the misplaced rectum under his nose to call fire from heaven down on me. People like you enable crap like this because you lack the testicular fortitude to call out nonsense and the purveyors of nonsense for the con men they are.  Fundamentalism breeds ignorance because churches full of uneducated simpletons are an ideal petri dish for ignorance to flourish.  Go get a library card, and learn something.