Itinerary
Pastoral Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Special Music: Donald Squillace (Tenor) and Jim Fagen (Classical Guitar)
Sermon: Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer: http://www.findthepower.com/virtualchurch/ChurchClosingPrayer.htm
You sent us Your only begotten Son. He came to a world that hated Him and then died for them--for us. Father, we can not imagine the sacrifice He and You gave, and we can never repay You for it. But, Lord, we bow humbly before You today to thank You--for everything. You do so much and ask so little. So please, God, reign Your Holy Spirit upon us at this time, that we may drink in and process the true meaning of the blessing You gave us over 2000 years ago. In Christ's Heavenly Name we pray, AMEN.
_______________________________
There's a Song in the Air
Lyrics (number 120): http://www.digitalhymnal.org/dhindex.cfm
Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_l-v51VY-w
_______________________________
Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Little early? Perhaps...but the next two Sabbaths will be absent of my presence here, so I have to say it now or never! I do hope that in the hectic Christmas time, we are not forgetting the reason behind it all--the true meaning. It is not simply give and get, it's a day to remember and honor. Whom? Who else? Our Brother, Jesus Christ! It is called CHRISTmas for a reason! Perhaps y'all have noticed, but I hold a low tolerance for "Happy Holidays" and "Merry xmas"--it is just disrespectful to the Maker! Sure, not everyone is Christian, thus they do not celebrate Christmas. But come on--a Holiday Tree in Time Square? WHAT!? The other holidays at that time do not use the tree as a symbol! Thus, a big pine tree with an angel or star on top is for Christmas. Those who love the Lord can not keep contained their devotion to Him. Mark 12:30 says to "love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength". How can we love Him so dearly, and yet let His Word shatter before man? "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Galatians 6:8). It is clear that if we bow down to please man, keep from offending those sensitive souls by disobeying the Father, then we will lead to our own damnation.
"One of the more neglected areas of God’s love is telling people the truth. Some people practice neutrality and tolerance as Christian love. We are so careful not to OFFEND our neighbors, friends and family by THE TRUTH, so we can say we love them. But are we loving God by doing this? Are we really loving them? Are we so unwilling to endure any rejection that we have become ashamed of God’s word! Is it not better to do what is right in God’s eyes and suffer the consequences from man, then to do what is right in mans eyes and suffer the consequences from God! This is not a time to compromise on what is true to please people so that we don’t look like we are fanatics, it is time to stand up and shine the light because the world is getting darker day by day." (letusreason.org)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Now, before any of you tormentors get on me, I KNOW Christ was not born in December. I know the history behind the December rituals. You try to use that as an argument, but honestly, no one cares. Christians use Christmas as a day to remember His birth. Rarely do we say "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" because we know it'd be incorrect. So why waste your breath trying to poke holes in the logic, when it is obvious you have not done your own homework?
Back on topic here, I often wonder why gifts are given on Christmas. Yeah, I know it started with a kind-hearted German man helping two poor woman by giving them sacks of gold. But why did we pick that up? Or more importantly, why did that become the REASON for Christmas? Material goods have become the meaning behind the sacred day, and it is frightening. Remember, it is easier for a camel to get through the Needle gate (mentioned last week), than it is for a rich man to enter Heaven (Matthew 19:24). So why did a day for Christ become a day for possessions? It is obvious that the Father does not approve of worldly objects, because they distract us from Him. Jesus, on many accounts, tells His followers to drop all their belongings and follow Him. Some people, like Simon and Andrew (in Mark 1:14-20), are willing to drop it all for Jesus. But there are other men, like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22, who are unwilling to part with their bounty. But our worldly possessions will not come with us into Heaven--it is our godly deeds that will follow us.
So in this holiday season, the season that we celebrate the birth of our Brother, remember the reason behind it all. Before you go and spent $400 on some pointless laptop, stop and think: will this help bring me closer to the Father, or will this only feed my unrighteous antics?
_______________________________
On Christmas day, O Lord, on this day when Your great light came into the world, we celebrate Your birth. We give You our life and give others our gifts as a sign of our love for You. As You brought Your Light for the world to little Bethlehem, let each of us show Your great Light of love, kindness, caring, and compassion to those around us. When we find frustrations in our hustle and bustle in this Christmas season, remind us what we do this Christmas is not just because of You. Remind us, O Lord, what we do is for You and for all of Your children on the earth. Let love be spread all around the world through us because of Your Son coming into the world. By Your holy name, let love touch every heart on earth. Let there be peace and good will amongst all nations. All these things I pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Lost in Translation
Itinerary
Pastoral Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Special Music: Originally, Katherine Hankey (unsure of the singers of the video I present)
Sermon: Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer: Amber Clark
_____________________________________________________
Welcome Service
Pastoral Prayer: Father, we come to You today with eyes that are blind. The words you spoke through Your many worshippers have been lost to us, and we know not how to uncover the Truth. We pray to You here, Father, that You'll guide us to Heavenly knowledge and insight, so that we may do all that is pleasing You. Work with us here to help us retain what is said, so that as the end-time approaches, we can understand and do what You want from us. In Christ's name we pray, AMEN.
Tell me the Old, Old Story--Hymnal 196
http://www.digitalhymnal.org/dhindex.cfm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXmqCgCEWEo
_____________________________________________________
Good day, Brothers and Sisters! Today is a wonderful day to serve the Almighty Lord! It's cold outside, but the day still carry on. Every day we wake up breathing is a blessing from the Father. Anyway, I was doing my Bible study Thursday morning when I came across this idea for a sermon. But it wasn't right away that it hit me. I do my four chapters of reading like a lot of people do, but then I get this daily "Pocket Testimony" Bible study email. This week they mentioned Matthew 24, which claims it is easier to get a camel through a needle than it is for a rich man to get into Heaven. It went on to explain that in the original Bible, it was the Needle, not a needle. You see, in Jerusalem, they followed the Sabbath laws of no buying or selling on Sabbath. To discourage any breaking of this sacred law, they closed the main gates to carriages and such. But, they kept one small gate open for foot traffic. This gate was called Needle Gate. In order for a camel to fit, you had to unload everything from the camel and just pray the camel was not too big! It was difficult, but possible. That was what the Bible was relating it to. It took 17 years for me to find that out! All this time I thought it was pretty much saying it was impossible for a rich man to enter Heaven (seeing as it's impossible to fit a camel through a needle)! Talk about lost in translation! I didn't get God's hint until Thursday night, though. I was rereading the status I put up about the whole thing to my ma when it suddenly clicked. God had to be patient for ol' thick-headed Lindsay over here :)
But that is just one example of so many. In this sermon I present here today, I am going to cover just a few of the things I have uncovered that have been lost in translation from old Hebrew to modern English. Some things I say here today will, in fact, be repeats from past sermons, but that's quite alright, in my eyes. Doing repetitive things will help solidify what is to be taught in the lessons. Enjoy.
Part One; Alcohol
The word “wine” in the Bible sometimes refers to the new—or fresh juice of the grape; other times it is used to describe the aged or fermented product containing the drug alcohol. The translators never used the term “grape juice.” In the Hebrew text, the writers use different words to distinguish between the two. The word tîyrôsh is used for new unfermented wine, and yayin is generally used for fermented wine, but there were some exceptions (Isaiah 16:10). However, in the New Testament, only one Greek word is used to describe both fermented and fresh grape juice: oinis . But this shouldn’t be a problem. By simply understanding the context of the word in a passage, the appropriate meaning will usually surface. So, unless the passage says old or new wine (as in Luke 5:37–39), the context will often tell us what kind of grape juice is being described.
There are 52 occurrences of the Hebrew word tiyrosh. It is translated as wine in Gen 27:28, Gen 27:37, Deu 11:12-14 (3), Deu 12:17, Deu 14:23, Deu 18:4, Deu 28:51, Deu 33:28, Jdg 9:13, 2Ki 18:32, 2Ch 31:5, 2Ch 32:28, Neh 5:11, Neh 10:37, Neh 10:39, Neh 13:5, Neh 13:12, Psa 4:7, Pro 3:10, Isa 24:7, Isa 36:17, Isa 65:8 (2), Jer 31:12, Hos 2:8-9 (2), Hos 2:22, Hos 4:11, Hos 7:14, Hos 9:2, Hos 9:4, Hos 14:7, Joe 1:10, Joe 2:19, Joe 2:24, Mic 6:15, Hag 1:11, and Zec 9:17. It is translated as new wine in Neh 10:39, Neh 13:5, Neh 13:12, Pro 3:10, Isa 65:7-8 (2), Hos 4:11, Hos 9:2, Hag 1:10-11 (2), and Zec 9:17, and sweet wine in Mic 6:15. The new wine in the New Testament is not the same as the new wine mentioned in the Old Testament. The use of new wine in Acts 2:13 "These men are full of new wine." is the Greek gleukos, akin to glukus. This use in Acts 2:13, the only occasion of the Greek word gleukos, is not talking about fresh wine, but a highly intoxicating wine. If you read Acts 2:12, 13, you'll realize that in this occurrence, they are using the terms new wine to try and describe what they believe to be insanity. They think their fellows are drunk. So, one of the few occurrences that actual wine is used, it is for a negative purpose. The Greek word glukus is used three times and is in James 3:11 and Revelation 10:9-10. In Revelation 10:9-10 it is used two times and is translated sweet and one time in James 3:12 where it is translated fresh.
Words used for wine in the Old Testament
Part Two; Meat
I know many hate this part. Now, hey, you eat what you want. I am here to merely point out what has been lost in translations. Read Roman chapter 14, I believe, and you will see that God will not judge us based on what we eat, as long as we're not gluttonous and greedy. So I am not here to sway you on over to my vegetarian cult (though it'd be fantastic), I am merely here to point out a few things.
For example, in John 4:8 it states: "For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat." The word meat was taken from the Greek word trophe, which actually means nourishment. This is exactly the same case in Acts (9.19): "And when he had received meat, he was strengthened." When translated accurately it means that by receiving nourishment, he felt stronger. Now does that say yea or nay to meat? Not at all! I am pointing out the soul fact that just because our modern translations say meat, does not mean it IS meat.
In Luke (8.55) we find, "And her spirit came again and she arose straightaway: and he (Jesus) commanded to give her meat." The word meat in this case was translated from the Greek word phago, which translated correctly simply means to eat. Okay, so it doesn't make sense to our mind, but that's what it says! I suppose in proper english it would be that He commanded to give her something to eat? That's just my opinion on that one. Literal Old Hebrew to English is tough stuff...especially when English is such a wacky, disorganized language! :)
In I Corinthians (8.8) it states: "But meat commendeth us not to God, for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse." The word for meat here is broma, which actually means food. Therefore, this verse signifies that eating or not eating food has little to do with our relationship to God and not, as some people think, that eating meat holds no wrong.
In Romans (14.20-21) the verses are: "For meat destroy not the word of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." The word for meat here is broma, which again is a general word that means foods, and the word for flesh is kreas, which does mean flesh. Therefore, this verse is another that is not necessarily supportive of eating meat, but makes it clear that flesh eating is unacceptable.
Part Three; Word Count
Faithful believers, we affirm without doubt the Bible to be totally infallible and inerrant, our sole and supreme authority of faith and practice. We affirm the Verbal Plenary Inspiration (VPI) and Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) of the Holy Scriptures and identify VPI and VPP Texts to be the Hebrew Masoretic and Greek Received Texts on which the Reformation Bible—the King James Bible—is based. But "what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." (Rom 3:3-4).
Those who deny VPP believe that some words of God have been lost and remain lost leading to a "scribal error" view of the OT Scriptures. For instance, W Edward Glenny denies that God has perfectly preserved His Word so that no words have been lost. He says, "The evidence from the OT text suggests that such is not the case. We might have lost a few words …" (One Bible Only?, p121). Based on his "lost words" view of the Bible, he was quick to point out "obvious discrepancies" in the OT like 2 Chronicles 22:2, and pontificates, "These obvious discrepancies in the KJV and the Hebrew manuscripts on which it is based show that none of them perfectly preserved the inspired autographa." (One Bible Only?, p115).
Now, know that 2 Chronicles 22:2 reads "forty-two" in the KJV. A number of the modern versions like the NASV, NIV, and ESV read "twenty-two" instead. So which is the original, inspired reading: "forty-two" (in KJV), or "twenty-two" (in NASV, NIV, and ESV)? In making such a textual decision, we must have a perfect standard, and that infallible and inerrant standard is the inspired and preserved Hebrew Scripture, and not any translation ancient or modern.
It is significant to note that every single Hebrew manuscript reads "forty-two" (arebba’im wushetha’im) in 2 Chronicles 22:2. There is no evidence of lost words—every word to the letter is preserved, and reads precisely as "forty-two" as accurately translated in the KJV. If every Hebrew manuscript reads "forty-two" in 2 Chronicles 22:2, then on what basis do the NASV, NIV, and ESV change it to "twenty-two"? They change "forty-two" to "twenty-two" on the basis of the Septuagint (LXX) which is a Greek version of the Hebrew Scripture just like the NIV is an English version of it. In other words, they use a version or translation to correct the original Hebrew text!
A godly approach is one that presupposes the present infallibility and inerrancy of God’s Word not only when it speaks on salvation, but also when it speaks on history, geography or science. "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Rom 3:4). Such a godly approach to difficult passages seeks to compare (not correct) Scripture with Scripture. There are two possible solutions to the so-called "problem" or "error" in 2 Chronicles 22:2. "Forty-two" could be either (1) Ahaziah’s years counted from the beginning of the dynasty founded by Omri, or (2) the year in which Ahaziah was actually seated as king though anointed as one at "twenty-two" (2 Kgs 8:26). Whatever the answer may be, the truth and fact is: the inspired and preserved Hebrew reading in 2 Chronicles 22:2 is "forty-two" and not "twenty-two," and no man has the right to change or correct God’s Word by "conjectural emendation,". "[..]taking heed to the serious warning not to add to or subtract from the Holy Scriptures" (Rev 22:18-19).
Part Four; Making a Point
Translating things wrong can have an immense affect on those who read it. For example: "Let's go eat, Grandma" verses "Let's go eat Grandma" is a HUGE difference! One little comma killed Grandma; imagine what a mistranslated word could do!
Just for your enjoyment (and to make my point more memorable), here are a few other funny translation errors made in modern times.
Pastoral Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Special Music: Originally, Katherine Hankey (unsure of the singers of the video I present)
Sermon: Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer: Amber Clark
_____________________________________________________
Welcome Service
Pastoral Prayer: Father, we come to You today with eyes that are blind. The words you spoke through Your many worshippers have been lost to us, and we know not how to uncover the Truth. We pray to You here, Father, that You'll guide us to Heavenly knowledge and insight, so that we may do all that is pleasing You. Work with us here to help us retain what is said, so that as the end-time approaches, we can understand and do what You want from us. In Christ's name we pray, AMEN.
Tell me the Old, Old Story--Hymnal 196
http://www.digitalhymnal.org/dhindex.cfm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXmqCgCEWEo
_____________________________________________________
Good day, Brothers and Sisters! Today is a wonderful day to serve the Almighty Lord! It's cold outside, but the day still carry on. Every day we wake up breathing is a blessing from the Father. Anyway, I was doing my Bible study Thursday morning when I came across this idea for a sermon. But it wasn't right away that it hit me. I do my four chapters of reading like a lot of people do, but then I get this daily "Pocket Testimony" Bible study email. This week they mentioned Matthew 24, which claims it is easier to get a camel through a needle than it is for a rich man to get into Heaven. It went on to explain that in the original Bible, it was the Needle, not a needle. You see, in Jerusalem, they followed the Sabbath laws of no buying or selling on Sabbath. To discourage any breaking of this sacred law, they closed the main gates to carriages and such. But, they kept one small gate open for foot traffic. This gate was called Needle Gate. In order for a camel to fit, you had to unload everything from the camel and just pray the camel was not too big! It was difficult, but possible. That was what the Bible was relating it to. It took 17 years for me to find that out! All this time I thought it was pretty much saying it was impossible for a rich man to enter Heaven (seeing as it's impossible to fit a camel through a needle)! Talk about lost in translation! I didn't get God's hint until Thursday night, though. I was rereading the status I put up about the whole thing to my ma when it suddenly clicked. God had to be patient for ol' thick-headed Lindsay over here :)
But that is just one example of so many. In this sermon I present here today, I am going to cover just a few of the things I have uncovered that have been lost in translation from old Hebrew to modern English. Some things I say here today will, in fact, be repeats from past sermons, but that's quite alright, in my eyes. Doing repetitive things will help solidify what is to be taught in the lessons. Enjoy.
Part One; Alcohol
The word “wine” in the Bible sometimes refers to the new—or fresh juice of the grape; other times it is used to describe the aged or fermented product containing the drug alcohol. The translators never used the term “grape juice.” In the Hebrew text, the writers use different words to distinguish between the two. The word tîyrôsh is used for new unfermented wine, and yayin is generally used for fermented wine, but there were some exceptions (Isaiah 16:10). However, in the New Testament, only one Greek word is used to describe both fermented and fresh grape juice: oinis . But this shouldn’t be a problem. By simply understanding the context of the word in a passage, the appropriate meaning will usually surface. So, unless the passage says old or new wine (as in Luke 5:37–39), the context will often tell us what kind of grape juice is being described.
There are 52 occurrences of the Hebrew word tiyrosh. It is translated as wine in Gen 27:28, Gen 27:37, Deu 11:12-14 (3), Deu 12:17, Deu 14:23, Deu 18:4, Deu 28:51, Deu 33:28, Jdg 9:13, 2Ki 18:32, 2Ch 31:5, 2Ch 32:28, Neh 5:11, Neh 10:37, Neh 10:39, Neh 13:5, Neh 13:12, Psa 4:7, Pro 3:10, Isa 24:7, Isa 36:17, Isa 65:8 (2), Jer 31:12, Hos 2:8-9 (2), Hos 2:22, Hos 4:11, Hos 7:14, Hos 9:2, Hos 9:4, Hos 14:7, Joe 1:10, Joe 2:19, Joe 2:24, Mic 6:15, Hag 1:11, and Zec 9:17. It is translated as new wine in Neh 10:39, Neh 13:5, Neh 13:12, Pro 3:10, Isa 65:7-8 (2), Hos 4:11, Hos 9:2, Hag 1:10-11 (2), and Zec 9:17, and sweet wine in Mic 6:15. The new wine in the New Testament is not the same as the new wine mentioned in the Old Testament. The use of new wine in Acts 2:13 "These men are full of new wine." is the Greek gleukos, akin to glukus. This use in Acts 2:13, the only occasion of the Greek word gleukos, is not talking about fresh wine, but a highly intoxicating wine. If you read Acts 2:12, 13, you'll realize that in this occurrence, they are using the terms new wine to try and describe what they believe to be insanity. They think their fellows are drunk. So, one of the few occurrences that actual wine is used, it is for a negative purpose. The Greek word glukus is used three times and is in James 3:11 and Revelation 10:9-10. In Revelation 10:9-10 it is used two times and is translated sweet and one time in James 3:12 where it is translated fresh.
Words used for wine in the Old Testament
- gath (treading out grapes)
- chemer (fermenting)
- chamar (wine)
- yayin (intoxication)
- yeqeb (wine vat)
- mamsak (wine mixed with water and spices)
- sobe (concretely)
- enab (a grape)
- asiys (fresh grape juice)
- shekar (an intoxicant, intensely alcoholic liquor)
- tiyrosh (fresh grape juice)
Words used for wine in the New Testament
- glyoo'-kos (sweet wine, fermented)
- oinos (wine)
- oinophlugia (excess of wine)
- paroinos (concretely)
Part Two; Meat
I know many hate this part. Now, hey, you eat what you want. I am here to merely point out what has been lost in translations. Read Roman chapter 14, I believe, and you will see that God will not judge us based on what we eat, as long as we're not gluttonous and greedy. So I am not here to sway you on over to my vegetarian cult (though it'd be fantastic), I am merely here to point out a few things.
For example, in John 4:8 it states: "For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat." The word meat was taken from the Greek word trophe, which actually means nourishment. This is exactly the same case in Acts (9.19): "And when he had received meat, he was strengthened." When translated accurately it means that by receiving nourishment, he felt stronger. Now does that say yea or nay to meat? Not at all! I am pointing out the soul fact that just because our modern translations say meat, does not mean it IS meat.
In Luke (8.55) we find, "And her spirit came again and she arose straightaway: and he (Jesus) commanded to give her meat." The word meat in this case was translated from the Greek word phago, which translated correctly simply means to eat. Okay, so it doesn't make sense to our mind, but that's what it says! I suppose in proper english it would be that He commanded to give her something to eat? That's just my opinion on that one. Literal Old Hebrew to English is tough stuff...especially when English is such a wacky, disorganized language! :)
In I Corinthians (8.8) it states: "But meat commendeth us not to God, for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse." The word for meat here is broma, which actually means food. Therefore, this verse signifies that eating or not eating food has little to do with our relationship to God and not, as some people think, that eating meat holds no wrong.
In Romans (14.20-21) the verses are: "For meat destroy not the word of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." The word for meat here is broma, which again is a general word that means foods, and the word for flesh is kreas, which does mean flesh. Therefore, this verse is another that is not necessarily supportive of eating meat, but makes it clear that flesh eating is unacceptable.
Part Three; Word Count
Faithful believers, we affirm without doubt the Bible to be totally infallible and inerrant, our sole and supreme authority of faith and practice. We affirm the Verbal Plenary Inspiration (VPI) and Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) of the Holy Scriptures and identify VPI and VPP Texts to be the Hebrew Masoretic and Greek Received Texts on which the Reformation Bible—the King James Bible—is based. But "what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." (Rom 3:3-4).
Those who deny VPP believe that some words of God have been lost and remain lost leading to a "scribal error" view of the OT Scriptures. For instance, W Edward Glenny denies that God has perfectly preserved His Word so that no words have been lost. He says, "The evidence from the OT text suggests that such is not the case. We might have lost a few words …" (One Bible Only?, p121). Based on his "lost words" view of the Bible, he was quick to point out "obvious discrepancies" in the OT like 2 Chronicles 22:2, and pontificates, "These obvious discrepancies in the KJV and the Hebrew manuscripts on which it is based show that none of them perfectly preserved the inspired autographa." (One Bible Only?, p115).
Now, know that 2 Chronicles 22:2 reads "forty-two" in the KJV. A number of the modern versions like the NASV, NIV, and ESV read "twenty-two" instead. So which is the original, inspired reading: "forty-two" (in KJV), or "twenty-two" (in NASV, NIV, and ESV)? In making such a textual decision, we must have a perfect standard, and that infallible and inerrant standard is the inspired and preserved Hebrew Scripture, and not any translation ancient or modern.
It is significant to note that every single Hebrew manuscript reads "forty-two" (arebba’im wushetha’im) in 2 Chronicles 22:2. There is no evidence of lost words—every word to the letter is preserved, and reads precisely as "forty-two" as accurately translated in the KJV. If every Hebrew manuscript reads "forty-two" in 2 Chronicles 22:2, then on what basis do the NASV, NIV, and ESV change it to "twenty-two"? They change "forty-two" to "twenty-two" on the basis of the Septuagint (LXX) which is a Greek version of the Hebrew Scripture just like the NIV is an English version of it. In other words, they use a version or translation to correct the original Hebrew text!
A godly approach is one that presupposes the present infallibility and inerrancy of God’s Word not only when it speaks on salvation, but also when it speaks on history, geography or science. "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Rom 3:4). Such a godly approach to difficult passages seeks to compare (not correct) Scripture with Scripture. There are two possible solutions to the so-called "problem" or "error" in 2 Chronicles 22:2. "Forty-two" could be either (1) Ahaziah’s years counted from the beginning of the dynasty founded by Omri, or (2) the year in which Ahaziah was actually seated as king though anointed as one at "twenty-two" (2 Kgs 8:26). Whatever the answer may be, the truth and fact is: the inspired and preserved Hebrew reading in 2 Chronicles 22:2 is "forty-two" and not "twenty-two," and no man has the right to change or correct God’s Word by "conjectural emendation,". "[..]taking heed to the serious warning not to add to or subtract from the Holy Scriptures" (Rev 22:18-19).
Part Four; Making a Point
Translating things wrong can have an immense affect on those who read it. For example: "Let's go eat, Grandma" verses "Let's go eat Grandma" is a HUGE difference! One little comma killed Grandma; imagine what a mistranslated word could do!
Just for your enjoyment (and to make my point more memorable), here are a few other funny translation errors made in modern times.
- Japanese hotel room - You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid
- Paris hotel elevator - Please leave your values at the front desk
- Tokyo hotel - It is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you are not a person to do such a thing is please not read this notice
- Bucharest hotel - The list is being fixed for the next day. During this time you will be unbearable
- Leipzig elevator - Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when lit up
- Athens hotel - Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11am daily
- Belgrade elevator - To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving then going alphabetically in national order
- Sarajevo hotel - The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid
- Moscow hotel - You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists and writers are buried daily except Thursday
- Swiss menu - Our wines leave you nothing to hope for
- Hong Kong tailors shop - Ladies may have a fit upstairs
- Bangkok dry cleaners - Drop your trousers here for best results
- Paris dress shop - Dresses for street walking
- Rhodes tailor shop - Order your summer suit. Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation
- Hong Kong advert - Teeth extracted by the latest Methodists
- Rome laundry - Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time
- Swiss mountain inn - Special today... no ice cream
- Copenhagen airline - We take your bags and send them in all directions
- Norwegian lounge - Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar
- Tokyo shop - Our nylons cost more than common but they are better for the long run
- Acapulco hotel - The manager has personally passed all the water served here
A young believer once asked his pastor this question, "Pastor, are there any mistakes in the Bible?" The pastor assures the young believer with what he claims to be an "honest" answer, "There are no mistakes in the Bible that should cause you any worry." The pastor didn't know it, but he was lying to that poor believer. One must be so careful when exploring the wonders of the Word. I pray you open your eyes, Brothers and Sisters. I pray the Father guides you to Truth, rather than the Serpent leading you to lies. Have a great week.
_____________________________________
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for blessing us with this beautiful day. Thank you for the words Lindsay has shared with us today and help us bring them to heart. I pray that this week you'll watch over all of us, help us with tests or projects we may have for school, and watch over all the travelers going home for break this weekend. Please help us remember to set aside time for you this week, I know often times we forget. It's in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
In God We Trust
http://hishiddenvoice.livejournal.com/3744.html
Itinerary
Opening Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Special Music: Glenridge SDA Church Choir
Sermon: Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Heavenly Father above, we bow before You as Your humble servants. No one is as high and mighty as You, Lord. Each step we take is carefully placed by Your adoring hands. Our paths are laid out and it is our choice whether to wander aimlessly down the road Satan has given, or to walk with purpose in the direction You have mercifully presented. Another week has passed and You have let us live. We thank You, Father, and surrender our will over to You, laying it at Your feet. Be with us now as we read through the words You have given me to preach. I pray all those laying eyes on this will be as blessed as I was in my coming across Your works. In Christ's name we pray, AMEN.
God Will Take Care of You, Hymn 99 in the SDA Hymnal
Music Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKwFsPsY_YQ
Lyrics and Information (#99)- http://www.digitalhymnal.org/dhindex.cfm
_________________________________________
There can be no doubts that God will take care of us, that I assure you. His every word and every action, are all for your benefit. Every hair on our head is numbered (Matthew 10:30) because He cares about you as an individual. Not even a sparrow can fall without the Father's knowledge (Matthew 10:29), and aren't you worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31)? If He does so much just out of loving devotion to you, can't you trust in Him? George MacDonald said "“To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved", but aren't they the same thing? Don't the two play in the same play-yard? Or better yet, aren't both the offspring of the same womb? Without love, there can be no trust. But without trust, there is no love. John 14:15 claims "If you love me, you will obey what I command". I personally read that in another way sometimes. If you trust me, you will obey what I command. Why do I think that? Simple. You have to trust someone to obey them. If someone you don't trust tells you to stand firm as danger approaches, what are you going to do? I'll tell you one thing, I'd be out of there faster than a strike of a vibrant viper. But if someone I trust says it, well, I will probably listen. I will know that person doesn't want me hurt, so I will trust in their judgement. You get what I'm throwing down? :)
A lot of what I say today is coming from a study lesson in my "Amazing Facts, Study Edition" New King James Bible. I won't be announcing every time I take exact quotes from it, but I will simply put the quotation marks in place. If you see unlabeled quotation marks, you can assume it is a quote from my study guide.
The world is not what it used to be. Past generations look at these modern times with horrified expressions. "Billions are embezzled in corporate fraud; when trusted, spiritual leaders prove false; when lying in politics seems to be the norm; when those you depend on the most often hurt you the deepest--is there anyone left you can trust? Yes! You can fully trust the Bible! Why?" I'll tell you why here, today. This lesson speaks to me in a profound way because this year has been difficult. I am not ashamed to admit my faith has been terribly shaken. I cursed God at times, but would quickly regather myself and hide away my doubts so that the world wouldn't see. The swallowed pain gnawed away at me, making me lose sleep, which caused illness, dropped school grades, and downright crankiness. My friends can testify that I wasn't pleasant--and I didn't care.
We all know God didn't write the Bible, nor did Jesus. It was inspired upon regular people--people like you and me. That raises suspicions about the validity of the Word. But have no doubt, Brothers and Sisters, I can assure you it is true. First of all, Jesus trusted wholly in the Word, and, as Christians, we trust Him. If we trust Him, and He trusts the Bible, shouldn't we trust the Bible too? Like I said earlier on, we listen to those we trust. Listen to Christ our Brother and you'll hear quite clearly that His desire is for us to follow His Father's Word. He demonstrates His unswerving loyalty to the Bible in many places, but specifically in Matthew4:4, 7, and 10. He, as He always does, turned to quoting the Bible as a rebuttal to Satan's attempts to tempt Him. Matthew 4:4 says "It is written: 'Man shall not live by bread alone'". Matthew 4:7 says "It is written again, 'You shall nor tempt the Lord your God'". Matthew 4:10 says "For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve'". Then, in John 17:17, Jesus determines the follow: "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth". The Word is the Bible. Jesus Himself said the Bible was truth. What argument can any Christian give against that?
With all that said, one could ponder the question of whether or not Bible prophecies confirm the inspiration of those forty or so souls that wrote the Bible. Isaiah 42:8, 9 and Isaiah 46:9, 10 claim that God knows all things before they happen, and that it is He who declares the beginning from the end before either happen. There is much truth for those declarations. "Bible predictions of things to happen in the future confirm the inspiration of scripture as they come to pass." Take note of the list I present below. It is a list of events written about in the Bible. However, the Bible was written long before these events took place, and yet it hits the nail on the head. How can we explain that but by the reasoning that God truly did inspire those forty or so human beings?
God, You are so Awesome to us. Your name brings so much comfort to us. Just hearing Your voice eases away pain. Thoughts of You bring so much joy into our life. Everyday we want to feel Your presence. Just knowing we're right there with You makes us feel so awesome inside. We will always call upon Your name when we are feeling low, because You lift us up. You take away all our burdens and help us to stand on our feet again. You lift us up on wings like eagles. As we journey forward in this coming week, we pray that we'll keep our covenant with You and that Your grace will rain down upon us. In Christ's name we pray, AMEN.
Itinerary
Opening Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Special Music: Glenridge SDA Church Choir
Sermon: Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Heavenly Father above, we bow before You as Your humble servants. No one is as high and mighty as You, Lord. Each step we take is carefully placed by Your adoring hands. Our paths are laid out and it is our choice whether to wander aimlessly down the road Satan has given, or to walk with purpose in the direction You have mercifully presented. Another week has passed and You have let us live. We thank You, Father, and surrender our will over to You, laying it at Your feet. Be with us now as we read through the words You have given me to preach. I pray all those laying eyes on this will be as blessed as I was in my coming across Your works. In Christ's name we pray, AMEN.
God Will Take Care of You, Hymn 99 in the SDA Hymnal
Music Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKwFsPsY_YQ
Lyrics and Information (#99)- http://www.digitalhymnal.org/dhindex.cfm
_________________________________________
There can be no doubts that God will take care of us, that I assure you. His every word and every action, are all for your benefit. Every hair on our head is numbered (Matthew 10:30) because He cares about you as an individual. Not even a sparrow can fall without the Father's knowledge (Matthew 10:29), and aren't you worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31)? If He does so much just out of loving devotion to you, can't you trust in Him? George MacDonald said "“To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved", but aren't they the same thing? Don't the two play in the same play-yard? Or better yet, aren't both the offspring of the same womb? Without love, there can be no trust. But without trust, there is no love. John 14:15 claims "If you love me, you will obey what I command". I personally read that in another way sometimes. If you trust me, you will obey what I command. Why do I think that? Simple. You have to trust someone to obey them. If someone you don't trust tells you to stand firm as danger approaches, what are you going to do? I'll tell you one thing, I'd be out of there faster than a strike of a vibrant viper. But if someone I trust says it, well, I will probably listen. I will know that person doesn't want me hurt, so I will trust in their judgement. You get what I'm throwing down? :)
A lot of what I say today is coming from a study lesson in my "Amazing Facts, Study Edition" New King James Bible. I won't be announcing every time I take exact quotes from it, but I will simply put the quotation marks in place. If you see unlabeled quotation marks, you can assume it is a quote from my study guide.
The world is not what it used to be. Past generations look at these modern times with horrified expressions. "Billions are embezzled in corporate fraud; when trusted, spiritual leaders prove false; when lying in politics seems to be the norm; when those you depend on the most often hurt you the deepest--is there anyone left you can trust? Yes! You can fully trust the Bible! Why?" I'll tell you why here, today. This lesson speaks to me in a profound way because this year has been difficult. I am not ashamed to admit my faith has been terribly shaken. I cursed God at times, but would quickly regather myself and hide away my doubts so that the world wouldn't see. The swallowed pain gnawed away at me, making me lose sleep, which caused illness, dropped school grades, and downright crankiness. My friends can testify that I wasn't pleasant--and I didn't care.
We all know God didn't write the Bible, nor did Jesus. It was inspired upon regular people--people like you and me. That raises suspicions about the validity of the Word. But have no doubt, Brothers and Sisters, I can assure you it is true. First of all, Jesus trusted wholly in the Word, and, as Christians, we trust Him. If we trust Him, and He trusts the Bible, shouldn't we trust the Bible too? Like I said earlier on, we listen to those we trust. Listen to Christ our Brother and you'll hear quite clearly that His desire is for us to follow His Father's Word. He demonstrates His unswerving loyalty to the Bible in many places, but specifically in Matthew4:4, 7, and 10. He, as He always does, turned to quoting the Bible as a rebuttal to Satan's attempts to tempt Him. Matthew 4:4 says "It is written: 'Man shall not live by bread alone'". Matthew 4:7 says "It is written again, 'You shall nor tempt the Lord your God'". Matthew 4:10 says "For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve'". Then, in John 17:17, Jesus determines the follow: "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth". The Word is the Bible. Jesus Himself said the Bible was truth. What argument can any Christian give against that?
With all that said, one could ponder the question of whether or not Bible prophecies confirm the inspiration of those forty or so souls that wrote the Bible. Isaiah 42:8, 9 and Isaiah 46:9, 10 claim that God knows all things before they happen, and that it is He who declares the beginning from the end before either happen. There is much truth for those declarations. "Bible predictions of things to happen in the future confirm the inspiration of scripture as they come to pass." Take note of the list I present below. It is a list of events written about in the Bible. However, the Bible was written long before these events took place, and yet it hits the nail on the head. How can we explain that but by the reasoning that God truly did inspire those forty or so human beings?
- For world empires are to rise: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (Daniel 2, 7, and 8).
- Cyrus was to be the warrior to capture Babylon (Isaiah 45:1-3).
- Babylon was not to ever be inhabited again after it's destruction (Isaiah 13:19, 20; Jeremiah 51:37).
- Egypt would never again have a commanding position among the nations (Ezekial 29:14,15; 30:12,13).
- Earth shaking calamities and fear toward the time of the end (Luke 21: 25,26).
- Moral and spiritual decline in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Being surrounded in a world of atheists and agnostics, the topic of science versus the Bible always gets brought up. I am in the middle of reading a book Mrs. Plomaritas, my AP Biology teacher, let me borrow. It is a book by a scientist (from Virginia), Francis S Collins. He has a masters degree and doctorate degree in college. Bottom line is, he's a pretty high leveled scientist (gamer talk right there). Now, I have not gotten very far into the book he has written, but I am going to recommend it. Why? Mrs. Plomaritas recommended it, and I trust her opinion. Mr. Collins wrote it and it's called "The Language of God". He will help in the debate between science and religion. Anyway, I have gotten far enough to come across a nice little piece of information. Mr. Collins said, "In 1916, researchers asked biologists, physicists, and mathematicians whether they believed in a God who actively communicates with humankind and to whom one may pray in expectation of receiving an answer. About 40 percent answered in the affirmative. In 1997, the same survey was repeated verbatim--and to the surprise of the researchers, the percentage remained very nearly the same." Forty percent is pretty good, considering the wild idea that most people have saying scientists could not believe in God. And, doing my own research, I came across a more up-to-date survey. It was conducted in May and June of 2009, by Pew Research Center. The survey was given to members of American Assn. for the Advancement of Science. The group was asked about their belief in God. Now-a-days, 51% say they believe in God or a higher power, and only 41% say they do not. The rest were agnostic (meaning they were unsure).
The Bible also proves for itself that it holds scientific validity.
- "He hangs the earth on nothing" (Job 26:7). Job is the oldest book in the Bible. Now, tell me, I am pretty sure back then we hadn't entered space yet. How was it that the oldest book was correct on a matter that people could not yet even comprehend? You give me an answer outside of the existence to God, and I'll listen.
- "He[...]sits above the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22). The Bible here says the earth is round...Again I point out the simple fact that these books were long since written once we finally got our behinds into space.
- "To establish a weight for the wind" (Job 28:25). Long before the first scientist discovered it, God knew that air had weight.
- "In Him all things consist" (Colossians 1:17). The word "consist" here literally means "hold together" or "cohere". This is the answer to the nuclear physicists' worrisome question about the atom. The real mystery of the atom does not involve its benumbing mega power, but rather, "Why doesn't the atom fall apart?" Scientific knowledge says it should, but it doesn't. Some scientists are wondering what puzzling power, completely unknown to them, is holding it together. The Bible says that mysterious power is the Creator, God Himself.
I am going to end with some amazing facts. One of the greatest miracles of the Bible is its unity, so ponder the below facts (all credit goes to Doug Batchelor and his team for uncovering them for my convenience). Once you've read through them, ask yourself one question: "Do I trust the Bible?" Consider the miracle of it all, and see if you can convince yourself not to answer yes to that question.
"The 66 books of the Bible were written:
- On three continents.
- In three languages.
- By about 40 different people (kings, shepherds, theologians, an army general, fisherman, priests, and a physician).
- Over a period of about 1,500 years.
- On the most controversial subjects.
- By people who, in most cases, had never met.
- By writers whose educations and backgrounds varied greatly.
"Yet, though it seems totally inconceivable,
- The 66 books maintain harmony with each other.
- Often new concepts on a subject are expressed, but these concepts do not undermine what other Bible writers say on the same subject.
"Talk about astounding! Ask people who have viewed an identical event to each give a report of what happened. They will differ widely and will virtually always contradict each other in some way. Yet the Bible, penned by 40 writers over a 1,500-year period, reads as if authored by one great mind. And, indeed, it was: "Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit "moved" them all. He is the real Bible Author. The four Gospels do sometimes differ in the way they report the same event, but they compliment each other."
It's pretty easy to see that if you can not trust anyone else, you can trust in the true author of the Word--in God we can always trust. Have a great week, Brothers and Sisters.
God, You are so Awesome to us. Your name brings so much comfort to us. Just hearing Your voice eases away pain. Thoughts of You bring so much joy into our life. Everyday we want to feel Your presence. Just knowing we're right there with You makes us feel so awesome inside. We will always call upon Your name when we are feeling low, because You lift us up. You take away all our burdens and help us to stand on our feet again. You lift us up on wings like eagles. As we journey forward in this coming week, we pray that we'll keep our covenant with You and that Your grace will rain down upon us. In Christ's name we pray, AMEN.
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