RE: If you really wanted to read the Bible

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RE: If you really wanted to read the Bible - 2/26/2006 7:41:02 AM

JohnWarren

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quote:

ORIGINAL: thetammyjo
So this idea that the King James version is the best just makes me laugh. His translators didn't have as many versions to compare and certainly didn't understand the cultures that created the texts as well plus he had a religioius/political agenda behind the translation which always makes me suspicious.

They needed a good editor. Just think of the writer quivering in front of the "inkstained god's" desk as he bellows:

"Thou shalt not kill? How in the hell could you translate that as 'kill' when the protagonists are killing left and right at the order of the same guy who issues this order.

"Get your ass back to the dictionaries and don't bring me anything until you've check its validity against the rest of the text. Translation isn't word substitution; engage your brain before you put your pen into gear."

[written in fond memories of various editors]

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RE: If you really wanted to read the Bible - 2/26/2006 11:47:38 AM

Sunshine119

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quote:

ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

If you really wanted to read the bible, you would learn Hebrew, Latin, and Greek along with a few other languages that are no longer spoken. After all, wouldn't you like to know what the writters of the King James version and it's past down where interpriting off the original text?

The King James version is not a good translation. I say this as a Theologian and Ethicist who does indeed read two of the three languages above (Latin and Greek). Hebrew was not the language of Jesus but rather Aramaic, which is a mixture of a bunch of languages most closely resembling ancient Arabic.

Looking at the Dead Sea Scrolls and the scrolls discovered at Nag Hamadi in Egypt has given biblical scholars a much greater understanding of the diversity of thought and belief that existed at the time of Jesus. When you factor in such information such as the influence of Egyptian mythology (Isis/Osiris cult) on Christianity and that of some of the pagan religions from which Christians outside of the Jewish community came (ie Mithras cult), you begin to understand that Christianity isn't so much about the person "Jesus" but a myth that has been created.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to trash Christianity, as it is the path I have chosen to follow. It's just not what it is presented by the literalists to be.

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RE: If you really wanted to read the Bible - 2/26/2006 1:09:41 PM

Gauge

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I am by no means a bible historian, scholar or expert. I do not understand Greek, Aramaic, Latin, Hebrew or any other language for that matter therefore my arguments will most likely be shot down in flames.

I was looking online to defend my statement that historians say that the King James version is the most accurate, but I could not find an unbiased source that may appease the masses. Any translation, regardless of what it is, where it came from or who translated it is subject to bias, inaccuracies and misinterpretation. This is why I sit there with my Strong's Concordance and my parallel bible and look things up when I feel the need to.

When I have tried to determine what the original translation of a passage of scripture is, I am not quite sure why they came up with what they did but I believe it was the best word to suit that period of time. Debating over something like this is sort of like trying to build the Great Wall of China with cardboard match sticks. You can do it, but it will never be completed in your lifetime. This debate has gone on for centuries and I am sure will continue to do so. The only thing that we all might be able to agree on is that we will never really know what was in the minds of who wrote this stuff down in the first place.

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RE: If you really wanted to read the Bible - 2/26/2006 1:29:50 PM

mnottertail

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If I really wanted to read the bible, I would read it cover to cover, first of all.........(rather than qoute well worn chestnuts time and again; (out of context) whichever version was handy.......all the concordances and cross-references, then I would read other versions............

Then, having done that, (and I did), there is nothing of distinction without a difference.

Ron.

same fable in the main, you buy the assumption, you buy the deal.....

By example, gehenna was in fact a garbage pit outside the city where they burned garbage.......think about that in the context of Hell, or truely.....
Hel........(That is the correct spelling)
MissToYou.......give a hand please.........

enough.

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RE: If you really wanted to read the Bible - 2/26/2006 7:56:28 PM

Sunshine119

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Gauge

Debating over something like this is sort of like trying to build the Great Wall of China with cardboard match sticks. You can do it, but it will never be completed in your lifetime. This debate has gone on for centuries and I am sure will continue to do so. The only thing that we all might be able to agree on is that we will never really know what was in the minds of who wrote this stuff down in the first place.

Archeological evidence is being discovered that supports one hypothesis and extinquishes others. Our knowledge is growing at an exponential rate. There is, however, a difference between truth and faith. We are discovering truths. What is in our hearts and minds is faith. Consequently, it is more like building the Great Wall of China with the engineering that we currently have available. We would be able to do it in far less time than when the original wall went up. We could turn out the earthen blocks in factories and truck them to the site in no time at all and place them with cranes and bulldozers.

Would it tell us how the wall was built, yes. Would it rebuild the original wall for us, no. It can never be again.

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RE: If you really wanted to read the Bible - 2/27/2006 3:30:50 PM

windchymes

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The conclusion I draw here is that THREE things in life are certain: Death, Taxes, and Never Winning a Debate About the Bible

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RE: If you really wanted to read the Bible - 2/27/2006 4:02:24 PM

SirKenin

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There is only one thing that is for certain when you are talking about the Bible... I am always right...

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RE: If you really wanted to read the Bible - 2/27/2006 4:22:17 PM

Chaingang

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SirKenin
I am always right...

I know you are kidding, but most people must actually feel that way. It would be better if everyone adopted the religious philosophy of either never being right, or of being right only for themselves.

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