I really appreciate James White's mention of memorizing Scripture. This is very important. Memorizing Scripture, among other things, 1) allows you to take joy in the knowledge of God throughout the day, as you can always recount it in your mind, 2) allows you to speak the Word of God to others, rather then drawing a blank or having to ask if you can open the Bible and 3) is a form of intimacy with your eternal divine Creator. Spend time with placing God's Word in your heart and mind. It is worth the effort, and is great pleasure.
Great. We try and work on memorization once a week. I will recite it throughout the week, including at work. IT is amazing to have Scripture with you at all times.
I would love to see first century originals! I know they probably don’t exist and many copies are really the best way to vet the manuscripts in our age, but wouldn’t it be the discovery of all time?!
Well, yes and no. I would LOVE to see the originals as well, but look at how the Roman church has made idols out of supposed religious relics over the years. Can you imagine what manner of blasphemies they would perform if we had the original manuscripts? In a way, I'm glad that we don't have them!
They do not exist because people would worship them. The fact that we have what they wrote, and that it was preserved throughout the centuries, and all of the copies that were made, is a miracle in itself. I have studied textual criticism for 28 years, but I believe textual criticism is going too far. What we have is enough to establish why we believe what we believe. I am content to study both Greek texts along with my Septuagint. My Bibles of choice are the KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, CSB and MEV. When I compare these versions to my Greek and Hebrew texts, I am convinced of the reliability and authenticity of the translations I mentioned. I have defended the scriptures against Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and Atheists. What we have is enough to defend the deity of Christ and all the sound doctrines of the faith.
Pastor Brett Thank you for your response, Pastor. I’m a layman believer who came out of Mormonism and shares the Lord with non-believers. I agree with everything you said but could you expound (in layman’s terms if possible) in what way textual criticism is going too far? 🕊
I agree with IAmNot Ashamed... Would you be so kind as to explain what you mean by your assertion that textual criticism is going too far? I would think that the more research that we can pour into the manuscripts, the better.
A bail of hay, could conceivably keep one man afloat, in the event that your ship should slam into an iceberg. But, with 14 millions Mormons thrashing in panic for a mere straw, one lone bail, can hardly suffice. While the straw can save itself--it can hardly support a drowning man. I was okay, until I had to share that bail of hay. Now I hardly have enough for Alfalfa tea...which I can only drink, if it is not heated. Ah, what the heck--I like coffee so much better anyway.......guess I'll see the rest of you coffee offenders, in the Zeelestial Kingdom. Hahah
I really appreciate James White's mention of memorizing Scripture. This is very important. Memorizing Scripture, among other things, 1) allows you to take joy in the knowledge of God throughout the day, as you can always recount it in your mind, 2) allows you to speak the Word of God to others, rather then drawing a blank or having to ask if you can open the Bible and 3) is a form of intimacy with your eternal divine Creator. Spend time with placing God's Word in your heart and mind. It is worth the effort, and is great pleasure.
Great. We try and work on memorization once a week. I will recite it throughout the week, including at work. IT is amazing to have Scripture with you at all times.
I would love to see first century originals! I know they probably don’t exist and many copies are really the best way to vet the manuscripts in our age, but wouldn’t it be the discovery of all time?!
Well, yes and no. I would LOVE to see the originals as well, but look at how the Roman church has made idols out of supposed religious relics over the years. Can you imagine what manner of blasphemies they would perform if we had the original manuscripts? In a way, I'm glad that we don't have them!
Lawrence Stanley, That’s very true - good point. 🕊
They do not exist because people would worship them. The fact that we have what they wrote, and that it was preserved throughout the centuries, and all of the copies that were made, is a miracle in itself.
I have studied textual criticism for 28 years, but I believe textual criticism is going too far. What we have is enough to establish why we believe what we believe. I am content to study both Greek texts along with my Septuagint.
My Bibles of choice are the KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, CSB and MEV. When I compare these versions to my Greek and Hebrew texts, I am convinced of the reliability and authenticity of the translations I mentioned. I have defended the scriptures against Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and Atheists.
What we have is enough to defend the deity of Christ and all the sound doctrines of the faith.
Pastor Brett
Thank you for your response, Pastor. I’m a layman believer who came out of Mormonism and shares the Lord with non-believers. I agree with everything you said but could you expound (in layman’s terms if possible) in what way textual criticism is going too far? 🕊
I agree with IAmNot Ashamed... Would you be so kind as to explain what you mean by your assertion that textual criticism is going too far? I would think that the more research that we can pour into the manuscripts, the better.
A bail of hay, could conceivably keep one man afloat, in the event that your ship should slam into an iceberg. But, with 14 millions Mormons thrashing in panic for a mere straw, one lone bail, can hardly suffice. While the straw can save itself--it can hardly support a drowning man. I was okay, until I had to share that bail of hay. Now I hardly have enough for Alfalfa tea...which I can only drink, if it is not heated. Ah, what the heck--I like coffee so much better anyway.......guess I'll see the rest of you coffee offenders, in the Zeelestial Kingdom. Hahah