Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
1
I. IT ALL STARTS WITH INSPIRATION.
a. Is the Bible a HUMAN product, SUPERNATURAL product, or
BOTH?
i. The Bible was completed by REAL people living in a REAL world
THOUSANDS of years ago.
1. The authors of scripture came from a variety of backgrounds
including a FARMER (Amos), PRIESTS (Jeremiah and
Ezekiel), a STATESMAN (Daniel), FISHERMEN (Peter
and John), PROPHETS (Isaiah and Micah), a PHYSICIAN
(Luke), and a TAX COLLECTOR (Matthew).
2. The books were written in various countries: ISRAEL,
BABYLON, GREECE, ITALY, etc.
ii. There is some BENEFIT in comparing the Bible to other pieces of
ANCIENT literature (ex. ENUMA ELISH, EPIC OF
GILGAMESH, etc.).
iii. But, treating the Bible as only a HUMAN product denies what the
Bible says about ITSELF (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
1. You cannot ignore ancient NEAR EAST history,
GEOGRAPHY of the region, ancient pagan RELIGIONS
and CULTURE because the Bible does NOT ignore these
subjects.
2. The Bible, however, shows DIFFERENCES between GOD’S
people and ancient PAGAN peoples.
iv. Only the BIBLICAL religion has survived from that ancient period.
1. All of the OTHER religions from that area died out.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
2
2. The religions in existence today from that area are from the period
AFTER the Bible was completed (ex. ISLAM, 7th century
A.D.).
3. This shows the Bible must have come from a HIGHER source
than these others.
4. Human RELIGIONS and WRITINGS eventually fade away
yet the Bible CONTINUES.
5. Psalm 117:2; 119:89; Matthew 24:35; Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 40:8; 1
Peter 1:23-25.
b. IMPORTANT terms as we begin.
i. The word, Bible, comes from BIBLOS, which is the outer coat of the
PAPYRUS reed of EGYPT around the ELEVENTH century
before Christ.
1. The plural of biblos is BIBLIA, which Christians began to apply
to sacred writings during the SECOND century after Christ.
2. Sheets of papyrus would be joined together to form SCROLLS.
3. These scrolls, however, could only get so large before becoming
awkward to use (ex. Isaiah scroll from Qumran—23 feet) so sheets
of papyrus began to be laid on top of one another and folded in the
middle forming a CODEX (book).
ii. The word, TESTAMENT, means AGREEMENT.
1. There is an OLD testament (Genesis-Malachi).
2. There is a NEW testament (Matthew-Revelation).
3. A better word for the word translated testament (Hebrew-berith,
Greek-diatheke) would be COVENANT.
a. Moses called the agreement with those who would follow
him a COVENANT (Deuteronomy 5:1-4).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
3
b. The OLD covenant is now fulfilled by the NEW
covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13).
iii. The Hebrew Bible was first divided into TWO parts (the LAW and the
PROPHETS) but was later divided into THREE parts:
1. TORAH (instruction) made up of FIVE books: GENESIS,
EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, and
DEUTERONOMY.
2. NEBHIM (prophets) made up of TWENTY books in our
English versions but EIGHT Hebrew scrolls.
a. The FORMER Prophets: JOSHUA, JUDGES,
SAMUEL, and KINGS.
b. The LATTER Prophets: ISAIAH, JEREMIAH,
EZEKIEL.
c. The TWELVE: HOSEA, JOEL, AMOS,
OBADIAH, JONAH, MICAH, NAHUM,
HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI,
ZECHARIAH, MALACHI.
3. KETHUBHIM (writings) made up of ELEVEN scrolls:
PSALMS, JOB, PROVERBS (poetry), RUTH, SONG
OF SOLOMON, ECCLESIASTES, LAMENTATIONS,
ESTHER (the five scrolls), DANIEL, EZRA-
NEHEMIAH, and CHRONICLES (history).
4. Luke 24:44.
iv. Multiple Jewish writings were ADDED to the scriptures.
1. The MIDRASH (100 B.C.-A.D. 100): Jewish
COMMENTARY on the Old Testament.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
4
a. Would sometimes be found in the MARGIN of a text
and contained the THOUGHTS of the rabbi on that
verse.
b. Composed of the HALAKHAH (=the way) and the
HAGGADAH (=the how).
2. The TALMUD: Jewish TRADITIONS and
CEREMONY regulations.
a. The PALESTINIAN Talmud was later replaced by the
BABYLONIAN Talmud.
b. Composed of the MISHNAH (A.D. 200) which were
the TRADITIONS of the Jews and the GEMARA
(A.D. 425 [Palestinian] and A.D. 500 [Babylonian]) which
was the commentary on the Mishnah.
3. The TOSEFTA (A.D. 100-300) which contained more traditions
not given in the Mishnah.
4. What is the IMPORTANCE of these writings?
a. The TEXTUAL CRITIC can take all of these and see
what the ORIGINAL sentence said.
b. But, we do not use them today because they ADDED to
God’s Law which was forbidden (Deuteronomy 4:2).
v. Around 250 years before Christ (c. 250-150 B.C.) in
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, the Hebrew Bible was translated for the first
time into the GREEK language—the SEPTUAGINT also called the
LXX (the SEVENTY) for the legend that SEVENTY scholars
produced it.
1. This arranged the Old Testament by subject matter and is the
BASIS for the modern arrangement of the Old Testament.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
5
2. JESUS knew about this VERSION for He is quoted as using it
(Luke 4:17-19; Isaiah 61:1-2).
3. Jesus’ use of a TRANSLATION shows that when one has the
original CORRECTLY translated, he HAS the Word of God,
the INSPIRED message.
4. The inspiration and authority of the Bible does NOT
automatically extend to EVERY copy and translation of the
Bible, only to the extent that the translation ACCURATELY
reproduces the autographs (originals) (ex. The NIV [New
International Version] translates flesh in the book of Romans to
sinful nature which is not an accurate translation and teaches
something not taught in scripture—inherited sin [Ezekiel 18:20]).
vi. The Old Testament books along with the New Testament are arranged
TOPICALLY.
1. The New Testament:
a. Matthew and Mark have their purpose in creating FAITH
in Jesus as the Christ.
b. Luke encourages REPENTANCE.
c. John defends Christ’s Deity which we must CONFESS to
be a Christian.
d. Acts emphasizes BAPTISM or CONVERSION.
e. Twenty-one books (Romans-Jude) teach how a Christian is
to remain FAITHFUL.
f. Revelation emphasizes the VICTORY for Christians.
g. The New Testament is arranged in the exact order as the
PLAN one must follow to be a Christian (Hebrews 5:8-9;
Revelation 2:10).
2. Christ is the THEME for BOTH Testaments:
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
6
a. The law of Moses (Torah) lays a FOUNDATION for
the coming of Christ (Genesis 3:15; 49:10; Exodus 12;
Leviticus 16; Numbers 20; Deuteronomy 18; etc.).
b. The history books of the Old Testament show the
PREPARATION of Israel for the Messiah.
c. The poetic books show the ASPIRATION of man for
the Messiah (Job 19:25; Psalm 22, etc.).
d. The Old Testament prophets wrote of the
EXPECTATION of the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah
31:31-33; etc.).
e. The gospel accounts (Matthew-John) contain the
MANIFESTATION of Messiah.
f. Acts is a history of the PROPAGATION of the church
and Christ’s message.
g. The 21 epistles are an INTERPRETATION of the life
of Christ and an APPLICATION to Christians.
h. Revelation shows the CONSUMMATION Christians
anticipate in Christ.
3. “The Old Testament is REVEALED in the New and the New
Testament is VEILED in the Old,” Augustine.
In the Old Testament Christ is: In the New Testament Christ is:
In SHADOW In SUBSTANCE
In PICTURES In PERSON
In TYPE In TRUTH
In RITUAL In REALITY
PROPHESIED PRESENT
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
7
IMPLICITLY REVEALED EXPLICITLY REVEALED
vii. The message of the Bible is “GOD-BREATHED” (2 Timothy 3:16).
1. The Old Testament writers were “MOVED” to write (2 Peter
1:20-21).
a. The PERSONALITIES (Jeremiah 4:19-22) and LIFE
EXPERIENCES (Philippians 3::4-8) of the writers
combined with the work of the HOLY SPIRIT to create
scripture.
b. The process was like the effect of WIND in SAILS:
“The prophets raised their sails, so to speak (they were
obedient and receptive) and the Holy Spirit filled them and
carried their craft along in the direction He wished,”
Michael Green.
2. God used the WORDS the writer would already KNOW, but
the message would not be the writer’s but GOD’S.
3. God did not give the writers THOUGHTS and let them arrange
the message (1 Corinthians 2:13).
4. God INSPIRED, man WROTE.
5. The result of this process is the VERBAL (words),
PLENARY (ever word), INERRANT (errorless writings),
AUTHORITATIVE (the words ARE from God) Bible.
c. What is INSPIRATION?
i. God has SPOKEN to man in various ways (Hebrews 1:1-2).
ii. God speaking to man implies the existence of a Being who both LOVES
His created ones and intends to give them whatever they need to
ENTER His fellowship (1 John 1:1-4).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
8
iii. Why has God COMMUNICATED with man?
1. God spoke to man because God LOVES the world (John 3:16;
Romans 5:6-8; Matthew 5:45; 1 Timothy 4:10).
a. God created man because He desired beings to love Him
who could CHOOSE to love Him (Genesis 1:26-27).
b. Man REJECTED God (Genesis 3:1-15) but God’s love
provided for rejection (1 Peter 1:19-21).
c. The book of HOSEA pictures God’s love for man.
i. He was told to marry a woman whose mother was a
HARLOT (Hosea 1:1-2).
ii. His wife, GOMER, becomes a harlot herself and
leaves him (Hosea 2:1-5).
iii. She thinks she is on her own but Hosea has been
supplying her NEEDS (Hosea 2:6-8).
iv. This pictures God and ISRAEL who worshipped
idols but all the while God protected her (Hosea
2:9ff).
v. God loved her and pleaded for her RETURN;
His love went above Israel’s sins (Hosea 3:1; cf.
Romans 5:8).
2. God spoke to man because God recognized the DIGNITY of
man.
a. Psalm 8:5.
i. MAN was made a “little lower” than the angels:
Hebrew—MA-AV (little as to space, condition,
number, and time [geographically] and KAMER
((lower or diminished).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
9
ii. But was “crowned…with glory and honor”:
Hebrew—AHMAR [crowned] (ornament or
dignity), KABOD [glory] (respectable or
esteemed), HADAR [honor] (noble).
b. Man was created SINLESS but lost that state (cf.
Hebrews 2:9).
c. We were created in the IMAGE of God (Genesis 1:26-
27), it is recreated in CHRIST (Ephesians 4:24).
d. Christ lived as a SINLESS man to satisfy God’s
JUSTICE and can restore man to his previous state
(Hebrews 5:8-9).
e. All men might treat each other BETTER if they would
recognize this NOBILITY in each other.
i. John 13:34; Luke 6:31.
ii. If I say I RESPECT you but sent a drunk man to
represent myself to you, you would know I don’t
really respect you.
iii. How do I know God RESPECTS me? Look at the
CROSS.
3. God spoke to man because man needs to KNOW himself.
a. Jeremiah 10:23.
b. Man desires to know his ORIGIN, his PURPOSE, and
his DESTINY.
c. Without ANSWERS from GOD, what direction would
man have for life?
d. God does not want man to live without HOPE and
PURPOSE (Revelation 4:11; Isaiah 43:7; Psalm
119:105).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
10
4. God spoke to man because man needs to know God’s WILL.
a. I cannot know what you are THINKING unless you
TELL me.
i. God knew we could not know His WILL unless
He revealed it to us.
ii. The DEIST (one who believes God created
everything then left it to itself) denies this, the
ATHEIST says He does not exist, the
AGNOSTIC (one who says we cannot know
truth) says he does not know, but we are
THEISTS who believe God EXISTS and
COMMUNICATED His will to man.
b. Hebrews 10:10.
i. Without a knowledge of God’s will there could be
no entrance to HEAVEN for no one would be
SANCTIFIED (=set apart).
ii. John 8:31-32; 17:17.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
11
d. Old Testament claims of INSPIRATION.
i. God’s Word is supernaturally inspired which can be seen in its
INERRANCY, INFALLIBILITY, and
INDESTRUCTIBILITY (Matthew 24:35).
ii. What CLAIM for inspiration does the Bible make for itself?
iii. EACH book’s claim.
1. Genesis: God spoke directly to the HEAD of the family (Genesis
6:13 [NOAH]; 12:1 [ABRAHAM]; 26:2 [ISAAC]; 28:13
[JACOB]; 41:17 [JOSEPH]).
2. Exodus: God SPAKE all these words (Exodus 20:1; 32:16;
35:1).
3. Leviticus: God CALLED and SPAKE to Moses (Leviticus 1:1;
4:1; 5:14; 6:1, 8).
4. Numbers: FILLED with statements about God’s speaking
(Numbers 1:1; 20:12; etc.).
5. Deuteronomy: Do not ADD to or TAKE AWAY from the
words (Deuteronomy 4:2; 18:22; etc.).
6. Joshua: HEARD the Lord speak (Joshua 1:1; 3:7).
7. Judges: HEARD the Lord speak (Judges 1:2; 6:25).
8. Ruth: SHOWS God’s presence (Ruth 1:21; 4:13, etc.); also if
written by SAMUEL, we know he was inspired (1 Samuel 3:11).
9. 1 & 2 Samuel: SAMUEL was inspired (1 Samuel 3:11); DAVID
shows inspiration (2 Samuel 23:2 [author unknown of 2 Samuel]).
10. 1 & 2 Kings: The author (likely JEREMIAH or EZRA)
claims inspiration (1 Kings 9:2; 2 Kings 1:4).
11. 1 & 2 Chronicles: The author (likely EZRA) claims inspiration (1
Chronicles 11:3, 10; 2 Chronicles 36:21).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
12
12. Ezra & Nehemiah: Both record DEEDS and SAYINGS of God
in bringing the Israelites home from captivity (Ezra 1:1; Nehemiah
8).
13. Esther: No DIRECT claim but God’s PROVIDENCE is
clearly seen in protect the Israelites from the Persians.
14. Job: Claims DIRECT knowledge of God’s activities and records
a CONVERSATION with God (Job 1:6ff; 38:1ff).
15. Psalms: DAVID was inspired (2 Samuel 23:1-2).
16. Proverbs: SOLOMON was inspired (1 Kings 3:9ff).
17. Ecclesiastes: Claims KNOWLEDGE from God (Ecclesiastes
12:1, 12-13).
18. Song of Solomon: By IMPLICATION is said to be from God
(also Solomon being the author).
19. Isaiah-Malachi: FILLED with direct “thus saith the Lord”
statements.
iv. Explanations of books without DIRECT claims of inspiration.
1. Books with no direct claim, like Esther, are in a SECTION of the
Old Testament which claims inspiration.
a. Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy have many
statements claiming inspiration (Exodus 32:16; Leviticus
1:1; Numbers 1:1; Deuteronomy 31:26) and make up the
Pentateuch with GENESIS which has no direct statement
of inspiration but is said to be a part of the Pentateuch
(Nehemiah 13:1; 2 Chronicles 35:12).
b. Many of the HISTORICAL books can be linked to the
“book of Moses” (cf. Joshua 1:8; Judges 3:4; 1 Samuel
12:6-9; 2 Chronicles 34:14; Ezra 6:18; Nehemiah 13:1;
Daniel 9:11-12).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
13
2. The reason the historical and poetic books lack a “thus saith the
Lord” is because these texts were written from MAN to GOD.
a. But, such books are still SCRIPTURE.
b. John 5:39.
i. Cf. Jeremiah 7:1-4.
ii. The Jews thought they would never be punished
because the TEMPLE was still there.
iii. Jesus told the Jews of His day NOT to think just
because they had the Old Testament scrolls they had
ETERNAL LIFE.
iv. They still believe this today: they will take out four
scrolls in the synagogue and all of the men will
touch them as they are walked by because that is
their connection to God.
1. This is the same as someone who has a
Bible on their coffee table because it makes
them feel closer to God yet they never open
it.
2. 1 Peter 4:11 (oracles=sayings of God; these
came by the prophets); 3:15.
3. If you believe this is the Word of God, you
should be willing to die for it.
3. The ANCIENT Jews accepted the books as from prophets or
men of God.
a. Jews would not consider a book’s being from GOD unless
they understood the writer was a PROPHET.
b. A prophet was a MAN OF GOD (1 Kings 12:22), a
SERVANT OF THE LORD (1 Kings 14:18), a
MESSENGER OF THE LORD (Isaiah 42:19), a
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
14
SEER or BEHOLDER (Isaiah 30:9-10), a MAN OF
THE SPIRIT (Hosea 9:7; Micah 3:8), and a
WATCHMAN (Ezekiel 3:17).
c. A prophet was to TEACH the Word of God faithfully
(Amos 3:8).
d. The Hebrew word for prophet is NAVAH which meant
“to cause to BUBBLE up.”
e. The word which meant to “speak as a prophet” was passive
because the Hebrews beloved that a prophet was
MOVED by another (Jeremiah 1:9).
f. One form of the Hebrew word for prophet means to
“prophesy ABSOLUTELY” and was used to show the
prophet was infallible (Numbers 11:24-25).
g. A prophet was God’s MOUTHPIECE (Deuteronomy
18:18).
4. The ENTIRE Old Testament is considered to be a “prophetic
utterance.”
a. Exodus 34:27; Jeremiah 36:28; Isaiah 8:1.
b. The prophets were not only told what to SPEAK but also
what to WRITE which is why one adding to or taking
away from the Word of God is a LIAR (Proverbs 30:6).
v. New Testament REFERENCES to Old Testament inspiration.
1. New Testament writers referred to the Old Testament books as
SACRED or HOLY (2 Timothy 3:15; Romans 1:2).
2. Paul claimed the Old Testament scriptures were INSPIRED of
God (2 Timothy 3:16) and could be used in determining the
FAITH and PRACTICE of Christians (2 Timothy 3:17); their
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
15
LAW was not in force, but their PRECEPTS were eternal
(Romans 15:4).
3. Explicit references to the Old Testament:
a. Matthew 21:42; Psalm 118:22-23.
b. Matthew 22:29-32; Exodus 3:6.
c. Luke 24:27, 44.
d. John 2:22; 2 Peter 3:2.
e. John 5:39.
f. John 10:34-35.
g. John 19:36; Exodus 12:46; Numbers 19:12; Psalm 34:20.
h. Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 7:14.
i. Acts 8:26-39; 17:2, 11; 18:28; Romans 1:2; 15:4.
j. Matthew 5:17-18; 19:4-5; 12:39-41.
k. Romans 3:2.
l. Matthew 7:12.
vi. Old Testament books AUTHORIZED by the New Testament.
1. Nearly EVERY Old Testament book is referenced in the New
Testament as authoritative.
2. The expression most often used to introduce them is “it is
WRITTEN” (Mark 14:21; Luke 18:31; John 1:45; etc.).
3. Genesis (Romans 4:3).
4. Exodus (1 Corinthians 5:7).
5. Leviticus (Mark 7:10).
6. Numbers (1 Corinthians 10:1-14).
7. Deuteronomy (Matthew 4:1-10).
8. Joshua (Hebrews 4).
9. Judges/Ruth (Hebrews 11:32).
10. 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings (Matthew 12:3-4; Romans 11:4).
11. 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah (Matthew 1; John 6:31).
12. Esther (Mark 6:23; Revelation 11:10; John 5:1).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
16
13. Job (1 Corinthians 3:19; James 5:11).
14. Psalms (Matthew 21:42; Hebrews 1:1-14).
15. Proverbs (James 4:6; Luke 14:24).
16. Ecclesiastes (Galatians 6:7).
17. Song of Solomon (John 4:10).
18. Prophets (Matthew 3:1-2; Acts 28:25; Luke 4:18-19; Romans 10;
Hebrews 8; 10; John 7:38-39; Matthew 24:15, 21, 30; Romans
1:17; etc.).
vii. Every Old Testament text was considered as SCRIPTURE from God as
they claim for themselves and by the New Testament writers.
1. If they were, as some believe, only “GOOD” men and not
inspired then they lied about being directed by God which would
make them not good.
2. Most of the Bible writers DIED for their faith which is not
consistent with one who lies.
viii. Some suggest that Jesus and the apostles were not AFFIRMING the
inspiration of the Old Testament but rather ACCOMMODATING
themselves to the accepted Jewish beliefs of the day so their teaching
would be accepted.
1. Jesus, however, showed no tendency towards
ACCOMMODATION: He chased the MONEY
CHANGERS from the temple (John 2:15), denounced
BLIND guides (Matthew 23:16) and FALSE prophets
(Matthew 7:15), and rebuked LEADING teachers (John 3:10).
2. Jesus rebuked those who held TRADITIONS rather than the
Word of God (Matthew 15:1-6).
3. Jesus was not afraid to say, “You are WRONG” (Matthew
22:29), but also, “You are RIGHT” (Luke 10:28).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
17
4. Jesus’ teaching on the DIVINE authority of the Old Testament
is uncompromising that you cannot reject it without rejecting Him.
5. If one does not accept the authority of the Old Testament as
SCRIPTURE, he denounces the INTEGRITY of Jesus.
6. The Old Testament CLAIMED inspiration for itself, and the
New Testament CONFIRMS that claim.
e. New Testament claims of INSPIRATION.
i. Jesus confirmed the books from GENESIS to MALACHI to be from
God (Luke 24:44) and promised His teachings would be also (Matthew
24:35).
ii. Jesus did not WRITE down His teachings but promised His
AMBASSADORS (APOSTLES) would be guided by the HOLY
SPIRIT (John 16:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7).
1. There was a promise of GUIDANCE even while Jesus was still
on Earth (Matthew 10:7, 19-20; Luke 12:11-12) and also extended
to SEVENTY special disciples (Luke 10:9, 16).
2. Jesus promised guidance for the writers to PREACH and
WRITE the New Testament after Jesus went back to Heaven
(John 14:25-26).
a. Comforter=PARAKLETOS.
i. A NEW comforter.
ii. Our Advocate (Comforter) is CHRIST.
iii. The apostles would have a Comforter LIKE the
One that left but He would be One not able to be
SEEN nor GRASPED.
b. This promise was NOT to us (John 13:14-16).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
18
c. The Holy Spirit could not be RECEIVED
(GRASPED) like the first Comforter, Christ in His
physical body, for He is a Spirit (John 14:16-17).
d. You could not have two DEITIES on Earth at the same
time (John 16:7). It was EXPEDIENT for Christ to
LEAVE because a PHYSICAL body could not go
everywhere with them like a SPIRIT could.
e. The Spirit would come on behalf of the other two members
of the GODHEAD (John 15:26).
f. John 16:7-14.
i. Jesus was giving them their last
INSTRUCTIONS because He was going to be
TAKEN from them.
1. They were SCARED because who would
TEACH them?
2. Jesus would send a COMFORTER just
like Him but He would be a Spirit that’s
could not be taken by force like Christ was.
3. The Father, Son, and Spirit DWELL in us
today (2 john 9-11; 1 John 4:15; 1
Corinthians 6:19); the question is HOW? It
cannot be LITERAL for we have already
seen you cannot have TWO members of the
Godhead on Earth at the same time (cf.
Galatians 4:19; Ephesians 3:16-17; Romans
10:17; cf. Colossians 1:27; 2 Timothy 3:16;
Hebrews 4:12; John 6:63; cf. Revelation 4-5
[The Spirit and Christ are now in HEAVEN
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
19
with the Father, not on the earth]). They
dwell in us through the WORD (Ephesians
5:18-20; Colossians 3:16-17).
3. The apostles CONFIRMED they had been given ALL truth by
God (1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 John 4:6; Hebrews 1:1-2;
Acts 2:42).
iii. The apostles claimed to CONTINUE Christ’s teaching.
1. The apostles were commanded to “make disciples of ALL
nations…teaching them to observe all I have commanded you”
(Matthew 28:19-20).
2. Luke claims to give an ACCURATE account of what “Jesus
began to do and teach” in his gospel account and implies that
ACTS records what Jesus continued to do and teach through the
APOSTLES (Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3-4).
3. The CHURCH is characterized as following the APOSTLE’S
teaching (Acts 2:42).
4. The New Testament church is built the foundation of the
APOSTLES and [New Testament] PROPHETS with their
teaching being centered on CHRIST (Ephesians 2:20; cf.
Ephesians 3:5) for no other FOUNDATION can any man lay
(1 Corinthians 3:9-11).
5. The WRITINGS of the apostles are as authoritative as their
ORAL teachings (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
iv. Each book’s CLAIM of inspiration.
1. Matthew (Matthew 1:22; 2:15, 17).
2. Mark (Mark 1:1-2).
3. Luke (Luke 1:1-4; cf. 1 Timothy 5:18; Luke 10:7).
4. John (John 20:30-31; 21:24).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
20
5. Acts (1:1, 8; Acts 2 [cf. Joel 2];cf. 1 Timothy 5:18).
6. Romans (Romans 1:1-3; 16:25-26).
7. 1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 14:37).
8. 2 Corinthians (2 Corinthians 1:1-2; cf. chapters 10-13 [defense of
his apostleship]).
9. Galatians (Galatians 1:12).
10. Ephesians (Ephesians 3:3-4).
11. Philippians (Philippians 1:2; 3:17; 4:9).
12. Colossians (Colossians 1:1; 1:25).
13. 1 Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 4:15; 5:27).
14. 2 Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:14).
15. 1 Timothy (1 Timothy 4:11, 13).
16. 2 Timothy (2 Timothy 1:13 [for both epistles]; 3:16; 4:1-2).
17. Titus (Titus 2:15).
18. Philemon (Philemon 3, 8-9).
19. Hebrews (Hebrews 1:2; 2:3-4; 13:22).
20. James (James 1:1).
21. 1 Peter (1 Peter 1:1; 5:1, 12).
22. 2 Peter (2 Peter 1:1, 3; 3:2).
23. 1 John (1 John 1:1; 4:1-2; 2:19; 5:12-13).
24. 2 John (2 John 5, 7, 9-11).
25. 3 John (3 John 9, 12).
26. Jude (Jude 3).
27. Revelation (Revelation 1:1, 10-11; 22:18-19).
v. Further statements in the New Testament claiming INSPIRATION
from God.
1. Hebrews 1:1-2.
a. The writer claims New Testament writings are to be
COMPARED to the inspired Old Testament writings.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
21
b. The writer of Hebrews claims insight into God’s plan of
REDEMPTION and calls his message “so great
SALVATION” (Hebrews 2:1-4).
2. 2 Peter 3:1-2.
a. Peter said the writings of the APOSTLES were on the
same level as the writings of the PROPHETS.
b. Peter was CERTAIN that what he taught was from God
(2 Peter 1:16-21).
3. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.
a. Paul wanted to PROVE the message he preached was
from God and not men.
b. Paul did not speak in the ancient, accepted rhetorical style
but rather his VOICE shook and his knees
TREMBLED which showed there was NO power in
Paul.
c. ALL the power was from the Holy Spirit through
INSPIRATION (1 Corinthians 2:6-13).
d. Paul knew there is only ONE power of God leading to
salvation (Romans 1:16-17), that before the New Testament
message was revealed it was HIDDEN or a
MYSTERY (1 Corinthians 2:7-8), that not one EYE,
EAR, nor MIND had a complete knowledge of the
gospel message until it was revealed by God (1 Corinthians
2:9), and knew how the PLAN had been given to him and
the other inspired writers which was through the Holy
Spirit Who KNEW the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:13,
10).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
22
e. This passage is often used to show a DIRECT operation
of the Holy Spirit is needed for sinners to obey God.
i. This passage is not about SALVATION but
INSPIRATION.
ii. The inspired message when completed would be
easily UNDERSTOOD without external
assistance form the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:1-5).
iii. The Corinthians FAITH could stand in the power
of God or the message they heard (verse 5); the
message was then REVEALED (verse 10); the
message was taught in WORDS (verse 13); the
message came from inspired men who had “the
MIND of Christ” (verse 16); these then heard the
word, believed, and were baptized (Acts 18:8).
4. 1 Corinthians 14:37.
a. Paul says here that what he knew about the TRUTH was
more important than their spiritual gifts which they had
used incorrectly (1 Corinthians 12-13).
b. The inspired writers were given MIRACULOUS
abilities in order to CONFIRM and ESTABLISH the
church of Christ on Earth (Ephesians 1:13-14) and this
EARNEST or DOWN-PAYMENT proved they knew
Truth (Mark 16:15-20), but when the PERFECT method
of written revelation came it took away the need for the
MIRACULOUS (1 Corinthians 13:8-13).
5. 2 Peter 3:15-16.
a. Cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:27; Colossians 4:16; Ephesians 1:1;
2:6.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
23
b. Peter had discussed the events surrounding the SECOND
COMING of Christ (2 Peter 3:10-14) and then added that
Paul had written concerning these matters also (1
Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15).
c. Peter claims MANY will distort these second-coming
messages to their own DESTRUCTION (verse 16), but
it is the UNSTABLE and UNLEARNED who do
so; Peter does not say he could NOT understand these
matters for he had just written about them.
d. Peter compares Paul’s writings to the other
SCRIPTURES (verse 16).
e. Peter began his discussion on inspiration in 2 Peter 3:2
where he compares his writings and the writings of the
other APOSTLES to the writings of the Old Testament
PROPHETS with the conclusion that his writings are
also SCRIPTURE.
vi. Further EVIDENCE that the New Testament is inspired.
1. Some of the New Testament writers were aware of FALSE
writings among the early church (Luke 1:1-4).
2. Bible writers warned others about TAMPERING with the text
which implied the message was not their own but God’s
(Revelation 22:18-19; cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6).
a. The book of Revelation was originally directed to the seven
churches of Asia and was to be read ALOUD (Revelation
1:3-4).
b. This warning at the end of Revelation is against
WILLFUL distortion of the inspired message.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
24
c. Paul warned that no MAN nor even an ANGEL had the
authority to change the God-given message (Galatians 1:6-
9).
3. Jude started to write an ORDINARY letter but was interrupted
by the HOLY SPIRIT and directed to write on another subject
(Jude 3).
a. Jude “gave all diligence” (Greek, spoudeen, a thorough
thought process) to write of the COMMON salvation
held by all Christians, but found it “needful” (Greek,
anagkeen, necessity imposed by something or someone) to
write ANOTHER message.
b. Because God inspires ALL scripture (2 Timothy 3:16),
Jude’s change of subjects was completed by the Holy
Spirit.
c. Why the CHANGE?
i. Luke 1:1-4 and Revelation 22:18-19 show that
some had written UNINSPIRED accounts in
the EARLY years of Christianity and near the end
of the FIRST century a warning was given about
ALTERING prophecy.
ii. Jude instructed Christians to contend
“EARNESTLY,” that is to fight with ALL
one’s might, to defend “THE faith” or body of
truth (the New Testament) that was ONCE (Greek,
hapax, once for all time) delivered to the saints.
iii. There would be no need for a CHARGE by the
Holy Spirit to change subjects unless the “body of
truth” is God’s Word.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
25
iv. Jude, and the other New Testament writers, knew
when they were writing their OWN thoughts and
when they were writing DIVINE messages.
v. We all carry the same OBLIGATION to defend
the COMMON faith (Philippians 1:7, 17).
4. New Testament inspiration was confirmed by the
MIRACULOUS.
a. Hebrews 2:2-4; Mark 16:19-20; 1 Corinthians 13:8-13;
John 20:30-31.
b. The miraculous did not MAKE the message God’s Word
but the words, which were already God’s, were
CONFIRMED by the miracles.
c. The ABSENCE of these signs today shows that the
message is COMPLETE and needs no additions which
means that God no longer wills to allow SIGNS.
d. Those that SEEK or COUNTERFEIT such signs
today are an “EVIL and ADULTEROUS generation”
(Matthew 12:39) for these signs were only given UNTIL
the faith was once delivered (Ephesians 4:8-15).
e. Those that believe in the miraculous today, like tongue
speaking, say it is a SHOW of true faith, but the Bible
teaches that the miraculous, like tongue speaking, was a
sign to the UNBELIEVING not BELIEVERS (1
Corinthians 14:22).
5. The New Testament writers knew they had a LAW that was
COMPLETE (James 1:25; Galatians 6:2; Romans 8:2; Romans
13:10; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Romans 3:27; James 2:12; 2 Peter 1:3).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
26
6. Paul connected the INSPIRED Old Testament scriptures to the
INSPIRED New Testament scriptures.
a. 1 Timothy 5:18; Deuteronomy 25:4; Luke 10:7.
b. Paul also required others to OBEY what he wrote (2
Thessalonians 3:14).
c. Paul’s writings, as scripture, were to be CIRCULATED
among Christians (Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27).
7. New Testament writers instructed EVANGELISTS to preach
their apostolic teaching “with all AUTHORITY” (1 Timothy
4:11; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:15).
vii. A commonly brought up “PROBLEM” that not all of the New
Testament is inspired.
1. 1 Corinthians 7:10-12.
2. Paul seems to write that the Lord gave him NO command about a
situation of marriage so Paul instead forms his own OPINION
which some say is not authoritative.
3. Paul is writing in the same context that “he COMMANDS,”
which is the LORD’S command (verse 10).
4. Paul was already aware of the Lord’s TEACHING while on the
earth (verse 10).
5. But, as to another situation Paul must COMMAND because
Jesus had not spoken EXPLICITLY about such a case while on
the earth (verse 12).
6. Paul adds that he has “the spirit of GOD” (1 Corinthians 7:40) and
that his writings are the LORD’S commands (1 Corinthians
14:37).
7. Even if Paul wrote his “OPINION,” his opinion would also be
INSPIRED (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:25).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
27
8. There is no greater ADVICE than inspired ADVICE!
f. Supporting claims of inspiration in the EARLY church.
i. The EARLY church “fathers” (men who knew the apostles or knew
people who knew them thus receiving their teaching in this direct manner).
1. CLEMENT of Rome in his Epistle to the Corinthians (c. 95-97
A.D.), calls Matthew, Mark, and Luke scripture and uses the
phrases “God saith” and “it is written” to designate passages from
the New Testament.
2. IGNATIUS of Antioch (d. c. 110 A.D.) wrote seven epistles in
which he made many references to New Testament scriptures.
3. POLYCARP (c. 115-156 A.D.), a disciple of the apostle John,
made many quotations from New Testament books in his Epistle to
the Philippians and sometimes introduced them with expressions
like “the scriptures saith.”
4. PAPIAS (c. 125-150 A.D.) includes the New Testament in a
book entitled Exposition of the Oracles of the Lord.
5. The EPISTLE OF BARNABAS (c. 130-135 A.D.) [not
written by the Barnabas who traveled with Paul but someone
placing a well known name on their own work] answers the
Judaizers who said the Mosaic law was still in force and uses
scripture though it misuses those scriptures.
6. The DIDACHE (c. 130-150 A.D.), or Teaching of the Twelve,
records many loose quotations of the New Testament.
7. The SHEPHERD OF HERMAS (c. 140-150 A.D.) was
written in the apocalyptic style, like Revelation, and contains many
references to the New Testament.
8. The EPISTLE TO DIOGNETUS (c. 150 A.D.) makes many
allusions to the New Testament.
ii. The LATER church “fathers” or APOLOGISTS.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
28
1. QUADRATUS (c. 125-129 A.D.) was one of the first to write
a defense of Christianity and though none of the copies of his
work, Apology of Quadratus, have survived, Eusebius quotes one
selection as follows, “But the works of our Saviour were always
present, for they were genuine; those who had been cured, those
who had risen from the dead, who were seen not only when they
were cured and raised, but on all occasions when they were
present; and not only while the Saviour was on earth, but also after
his departure, they were alive for some time, so that some of them
lived even to our day.”
2. ARISTIDES (c. 138-147 A.D.) referred to the four gospel
accounts, Acts, Romans, and 1 Peter in his apology.
3. JUSTIN MARTYR (c. 103-165 A.D.) regraded the gospel
accounts as “the voice of God” (Apology 1:65).
4. TATIAN (c. 125-200 A.D.), a disciple of Justin, quotes John 1:5
as “scripture” in chapter 13 of his Apology.
5. MELITO (c. 169-190 A.D.) defended Christianity as the final
revelation of God to man which had been fore-shadowed in the
Old Testament.
6. ATHENAGORAS (c. 177-180 A.D.) wrote a treatise, “On the
Resurrection of the Dead,” which set forth reasons for believing in
the resurrection and stated that the resurrection of the dead was not
only a reality but a necessity.
7. THEOPHILUS (c. 190 A.D.) quoted freely from both the Old
and New Testaments and said they were both “inspired by one
spirit of God.”
8. IRENAEUS (c. 130-200 A.D.) in his Against Heresies wrote,
“For the Lord of all gave the power of the Gospel to his apostles,
through whom we have come to know the truth…This Gospel they
preached. Afterwards, by the will of God, they handed it down to
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
29
us in the Scriptures, to be ‘the pillar and ground’ of our faith” (5.
67).
9. CLEMENT of Alexandria (c. 150-215 A.D.) classed both
Testaments as equally divine in his Stromata in stating, “the
Scriptures…in the Law, in the Prophets, and besides by the blessed
Gospel…are valid from their omnipotent authority” (2. 408-409).
10. TERTULLIAN (c. 155-223 A.D.) stated the four gospel accounts,
“are reared on the certain basis of Apostolical authority, and so are
inspired in a far different sense from the writings of the spiritual
Christian” (Wescott, An Introduction to the Study of the Gospels).
11. HIPPOLYTUS (c. 170-236 A.D.), a disciple of Irenaeus, stated
in his de Antichristo about the New Testament writers, “These
blessed men…having been perfected by the Spirit of prophecy are
worthily honored by the Word Himself, were brought to an inner
harmony,…like instruments, and having the Word within them, as
it were, to strike the notes…by Him they were moved, and
announced that which God wished. For they did not speak of their
own power;…they spake that which was [revealed] to them alone
by God.”
12. ORIGEN (c. 185-254 A.D.), a teacher in Alexandria, Egypt, held
in his De Principiis that, “the Spirit inspired each one of the saints,
whether prophets or apostles; and there was not one Spirit in the
men of the old dispensation, and another in those who were
inspired at the advent of Christ” for in its entirety, “the Scriptures
were written by the Spirit” (16:6).
13. CYPRIAN (c. 200-258 A.D.) affirmed the inspiration of the
New Testament calling it “Divine Scripture.”
14. EUSEBIUS of Caesarea (c. 265-340 A.D.), noted as a church
historian, catalogued the inspired books of both testaments in his
Ecclesiastical History.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
30
15. ATHANASIUS of Alexandria (c. 295-373 A.D.) first used the
word canon, which we will discuss later, of the New Testament
books.
16. CYRIL of Jerusalem (c. 315-316 A.D.) spoke of “the divinely
inspired Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments” after
listing the 22 books of the Hebrew Scriptures and 26 of the New
Testament [leaving out Revelation] and adds, “Learn also
diligently, and from the Church [Catholic Church], what are the
books of the Old Testament, and what are those of the New. And,
pray, read none of the apocryphal writings” (Of the Divine
Scriptures).
17. Lous Gaussen stated the following with regard to the defense of
the inspiration of the Bible in the early centuries, “With the single
exception of Theodore of Mopsuesia [c. 400],…it has been found
impossible to produce, in the long course of the eight first centuries
of Christianity, a single doctor who has disowned the plenary
inspiration of the Scriptures, unless it be in the bosom of the most
violent heresies that have tormented the Christian Church”
(Theopneustia: The Plenary Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
31
II. THE CONCEPT OF CANON.
a. Canon (Old Testament—kaneh; New Testament—kanon) is not a well
UNDERSTOOD word.
i. James Sanders wrote in the Journey of Biblical Literature that, “Modern
translators are doing what ancient copyists feared the most—changing the
underlying message.”
ii. If Satan can do this, then there will be no TRUTH.
iii. When we think about canonicity, we need to think about
SACREDNESS.
1. Amos 7:7–the word “plumbline” is anak which means a RULE
or BOUNDARY.
2. An expression arose among the Jews about the SACRED scrolls
of scripture; hey were called “those that DEFILE the hands.”
a. They felt such AWE for the scriptures that they felt
DIRTY (cf. Isaiah 6:5).
b. This Jewish proverb could have arisen from the commands
of Moses concerning WASHING OF HANDS
(Leviticus 6:24-30; 16:23-24).
c. Holy things like the canonical books made the hands
ceremonially UNCLEAN.
d. Other “religious” books on the other hand did not make the
hands unclean and therefore were not part of the
CANON of scripture (ex. The writings of Homer, the
apocryphal books, etc.).
e. The Jews considered their “Bibles” as HOLY ground (cf.
Exodus 3:5).
3. The Jews considered the books of the canon to be
AUTHORITATIVE, from GOD, and HOLY.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
32
b. There are FIVE principles for determining canonicity:
i. Does the book CLAIM inspiration and does it have the IMPRINT of
the authority of God (2 Samuel 23:2)?
ii. Did a PROPHET write it, and APOSTLE (NT), or one who
KNEW and apostle (NT) (2 Peter 1:20-21; 3:2)?
iii. Is it ACCURATE historically, geographically, and scientifically (cf.
Titus 1:2)?
iv. Is it life TRANSFORMING or DYNAMIC in nature (Hebrews
4:12; 2 Timothy 3:17)?
v. Did the people who originally received it ACCEPT it as God’s Word (1
Thessalonians 2:13)?
c. Some INCORRECT views on determining canonicity:
i. The view that AGE determines canonicity.
1. Many old books were not accepted in the canon like the book of
JASHER (Joshua 10:13) and the book of the WARS OF
THE LORD (Numbers 21:14).
2. Books were received into the canon IMMEDIATELY, not
after they had aged (Deuteronomy 31:24-26; Daniel 9:2; 2 Peter
3:15-16).
ii. The view that HEBREW language determines canonicity.
1. Not all books WRITTEN in the Hebrew language were
accepted (ex. Joshua 10:13).
2. There are sections of books in the canon NOT written in Hebrew
but in Aramaic (Daniel 2:4b-7:28; Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26).
iii. The view that agreement with the TORAH determines canonicity.
1. The Torah did not determine the canonicity of everything after it;
rather, the same factor that determined the Torah’s canonicity
determined the canonicity of all scripture—INSPIRATION.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
33
2. Many other books which agreed with the Torah were not accepted
as INSPIRED (ex. Talmud and Midrash).
iv. The view that religious VALUE determines canonicity.
1. Much Jewish and Christian LITERATURE has religious value
but is not a part of the canon (ex. Apocryphal books,
commentaries, etc.).
2. “It is not religious value that DETERMINES canonicity but
canonicity that DETERMINES the religious value” (From
God to Us 66).
3. Put another way, “it is not the VALUE of a book which
determines its divine AUTHORITY; it is the divine
AUTHORITY which determines its VALUE” (From God to
Us 66).
d. There are THREE steps in developing canon:
i. Inspiration—God DETERMINES it (2 Samuel 23:2).
ii. Man RECOGNIZES it (1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Peter 3:2).
iii. We COLLECT it (Colossians 4:16) and God PRESERVES it
(Matthew 24:35).
1. The CATHOLIC church says they gave us the Bible.
2. Luke 8:11–the biblical view of canon is that the message was
REVEALED by God and only DISCOVERED by God’s
people.
3. The message was PRESERVED by God and must be accepted
by men or they will be eternally condemned (John 12:48).
4. God “MAGNIFIED his word above his name” (Psalm 138:2);
if man determined the Word, he is placed ABOVE God.
5. “A book is not the Word of God because it is accepted by the
people of God. Rather, it was accepted by the people of God
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
34
because it is the Word of God. That is, God gives the book its
divine authority, not the people of God. They merely recognize the
divine authority which God gives to it” (A General Introduction to
the Bible 210).
The Incorrect View The Correct View
The Church is the Determiner of Canon. The Church is the Discoverer of Canon.
The Church is the Mother of Canon. The Church is Child of Canon.
The Church is the Magistrate of Canon. The Church is Minister of Canon.
The Church is Regulator of Canon. The Church is Recognizer of Canon.
The Church is Judge of Canon. The Church is Witness of Canon.
The Church is Master of Canon. The Church is Servant of Canon.
e. The term: CANON.
i. The term, canon, has its historical roots (=etymology) in SEMITIC
(Arabic and Hebrew), GREEK, and SUMERIAN languages.
ii. The ancient Hebrew word, kaneh, meant REED.
1. Reeds grew in abundance along Near-Eastern water sources and
were used as MEASURING rods.
2. Therefore, the etymological progression from REED to
MEASURE occurred for kaneh.
iii. Paul, writing in Greek, used the word kanon FIVE times.
1. 2 Corinthians 10:13-16; Galatians 6:16; Philippians 3:16.
2. Paul was aware of a PATTERN or consistent canon (rule) for
Christians.
3. If one did not possess all of God’s Word, he would be hard-pressed
to follow the SAME rule.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
35
iv. The ENGLISH term, canon, has come to mean rule, concept, index, list,
boundary, and church law.
v. One speaking of a “canon of scripture” is discussing the LIMITS of and
ACCEPTED list of books known to have been inspired of God.
vi. Ezekiel 40:3.
1. God intended Ezekiel to see whether the new temple (the church of
Christ, Matthew 16:18) “MEASURED UP” to divine
standards.
2. The use of a MEASURING reed is the central idea in canon.
3. A study of canon, then, will aid the Bible student to know whether
the existing books of the Bible “MEASURE UP” to heaven’s
standard for the scripture that “cannot be broken” (John 10:35).
f. Canonicity requires AUTHORITY.
i. Matthew 23:35–Jesus OPENS and CLOSES the canon, from Genesis to
the Minor Prophets, no more no less.
1. Deuteronomy 10:4-5–These were SACRED writings written by
God so put them in the ARK.
2. Deuteronomy 31:24-26–Moses put his OWN writings in the ark,
so what is the difference between the two writings? NOTHING!
3. Joshua 1:7-8.
a. How would he do this? He had the SCROLLS.
b. What did God want Joshua to do? Know what Moses
WROTE.
4. 1 Samuel 10:25–Samuel KNEW what he was writing.
5. 1 Kings 2:3–Solomon knew of the ENTIRE existing canon of
his day.
6. 2 Kings 14:6.
a. JOASH knew about the canon.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
36
b. Who had commanded? The LORD.
c. Where were the scrolls? In the ARK.
7. 1 Chronicles 29:29 (David).
a. Where are these other BOOKS?
b. Nathan and Gad’s writings were just HISTORICAL.
8. 2 Chronicles 9:29 (Solomon).
a. Why do we NOT have these books?
b. They were RELIGIOUS but not in the canon.
9. 2 Chronicles 12:15 (Rehoboam)—WHERE is this book?
10. 2 Chronicles 13:22 (Abijah)—Now it is just a STORY.
11. 2 Chronicles 20:34 (Jehoshaphat)—We do not have the book of
JEHU but do have the book of the KINGS.
12. 2 Chronicles 32:32 (Hezekiah).
a. Isaiah 36-39–We KNOW this inspired writing.
b. We also know the inspired writing of the book of the
KINGS.
13. 2 Chronicles 35:27 (Josiah)—This has to be for ANY inspired
book then.
14. Jeremiah 36:32.
a. Not only were they aware of the books out there but the
inspired scrolls were COLLECTED as they were written.
b. The AUTOGRAPH was burned so he wrote another
one.
15. Daniel 9:2–Jeremiah’s scroll was still around in Daniel’s DAY.
16. Zechariah 1:4-6.
a. Who cried this? The FORMER prophets which would
include Jeremiah, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings.
b. Where were these writings? In the ARK.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
37
c. The fathers and prophets were GONE so how would they
know?
i. From the WRITINGS.
ii. Romans 15:4–The writings were written for their
LEARNING too.
ii. Authority of the CANON.
1. The PROPHETS declared their messages to be from God
(Isaiah 1:1-2; Jeremiah 1:9; Ezekiel 1:3; Daniel 2:30; etc.).
2. The APOSTLES were the authorities of the early church (Acts
1:22-23; Ephesians 2:20; John 17:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
g. DEVELOPMENT of the canon.
i. The message was written on SCROLLS (Deuteronomy 31:26).
1. Even he Psalmist knew that the law was written on SCROLLS
(Psalm 40:7-8).
2. The scroll or ROLL was the standard form in which the scriptures
were preserved in Old Testament times (cf. Jeremiah 36:2; Ezekiel
2:9-3:2; Zechariah 5:1-2).
ii. What did a scroll LOOK like?
1. Ex. Dead Sea scrolls.
2. The Dead Sea scrolls were uncovered by an Arab boy, Mohammed
Adiv, in 1947.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
38
a. Some of the scrolls are PARCHMENT which is
carefully prepared leather sewn together and meticulously
scraped.
b. The Isaiah scroll consists of SEVENTEEN pieces of
leather sewn together to make a roll TWENTY-FOUR
feet long.
c. Scribes writing on parchment used a PENKNIFE to
mark both horizontal and vertical lines on the leather as
guides to ensure NEATNESS (cf. Jeremiah 36:23).
3. Moses and the early writers, however, likely used PAPYRUS.
a. This material was used as early as 3000 B.C. in Egypt and
2100 B.C. in Phoenicia.
b. A papyrus scroll was made by splitting the papyrus
REEDS lengthwise and placing them on top of one
another at right angles.
c. The natural GUM of the papyrus served as a glue for the
crossed strips of each section and for the number of
sections joined to make a scroll.
4. Hebrew scribes, like Moses, wrote only on the INSIDE of a
scroll using the horizontal stripes as guidelines (cf. Ezekiel 2:10).
a. One roll known as the Hamris papyris is 120 feet long.
b. Scrolls longer than 30 feet were difficult to make and
handle.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
39
5. Writing MATERIALS.
a. CLAY.
i. This was used in ancient Sumer (located in
Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers, where Abraham was originally from) as
early as 3500 B.C.
ii. Clay is likely referred to in Jeremiah 17:13 and
Ezekiel 4:1.
iii. Clay would be inscribed while SOFT then
DRIED in the sun or in an oven to make a
permanent record.
b. STONE.
i. This was used in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and
Palestine, as is evidenced by the CODE of
Hammurabi, the ROSETTA Stone, and the
MOABITE Stone.
ii. The BIBLICAL writers also made use of stone as
a writing material (cf.Exodus 24:12; 31:18; 34:1,
28; Deuteronomy 27:2-3; Joshua 8:31-32).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
40
c. PAPYRUS.
i. This was used in ancient Gebal/Byblos (an ancient
Phoenician city) and Egypt around 3100 B.C.
ii. Papyrus sheets were GLUED together to form
SCROLLS.
d. VELLUM, PARCHMENT, LEATHER.
i. These are various qualities of writing material made
from ANIMAL SKINS.
1. Vellum—CALF or ANTELOPE.
2. Parchment—SHEEP or GOAT.
3. Leather—COW or BULL.
ii. Vellum and leather are not DIRECTLY
mentioned in scripture but we know they were used
from scrolls that have been found.
iii. It is likely the scroll of JEREMIAH was written
on leather for the king had to use a penknife to cut it
(Jeremiah 36:23).
iv. Parchments are directly mentioned by PAUL to
Timothy (2 Timothy 4:13).
e. OTHER writing materials.
i. METAL (Exodus
28:36; Job 19:24;
Matthew 22:19-21;
silver scrolls
[Numbers 6:22-27]).
ii. Writing BOARD
and WAX (Isaiah
30:8; Habakkuk 2:2; Luke 1:63).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
41
iii. Precious STONES (Exodus 28:9-11; 39:8-14).
iv. POTSHERDS (cf. Job 2:8) also known as
OSTRACA (s. ostracon) have been found which
confirm biblical accounts (ex. Hebrew ostraca
during the reign of Ahab).
6. Writing INSTRUMENTS.
a. STYLUS—a three-sided instrument with a sloping edge
used to write upon clay and wax tablets, also called a “pen”
(Jeremiah 17:1).
b. CHISEL—used to make inscriptions in stone (Joshua
8:31-32; cf. Job 19:24).
c. PEN—used to write upon papyrus, vellum, parchment,
and leather (3 John 13).
d. PENKNIFE—used to sharpen a writer’s pen (cf.
Jeremiah 36:23).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
42
e. INKHORN and INK—necessary compliments of the
pen serving as the container and fluid for writing on
papyrus, vellum, parchment, and leather.
i. The INK came from the SOOT of an olive oil
lamp and the point of the reed, sharpened and split
with a penknife, would be dipped in the LAMP
BLACK nearly for every letter.
ii. The durability of lamp-black papyrus is seen from
the Dead Sea scrolls and even earlier from the
Lachish letters which date to 1800 B.C.
7. The idea of a book or CODEX did not appear until the FIRST
century A.D.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
43
8. LANGUAGES used in the Bible.
a. Why did God choose WRITTEN languages?
i. God could have continued to speak with men as He
did INITIALLY in biblical times (cf. Hebrews
1:1).
1. Through the AUDIBLE voice of God.
a. Genesis 3:8ff; 6:13; 12:1; etc.
b. This way was good for ONE man
on a SPECIFIC occasion.
c. God did speak to the nations through
the PATRIARCHS but many of
those nations left God.
2. Through ANGELS.
a. Genesis 22; Matthew 1; Revelation.
b. This was a SPECIAL revelation
that was not PERMANENT in
the short memories of humans.
3. Through VISIONS and DREAMS.
a. Genesis 41; Daniel 7.
b. Though these could be
POWERFUL, they were more
PERSONAL and could wear off
and be forgotten.
4. Through the URIM and THUMMIM.
a. Exodus 28:30; 1 Samuel 28:6.
b. Little is known about these but
apparently their scope was
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
44
LIMITED to simple responses (cf.
Numbers 27:18-21).
5. Through LOTS.
a. Proverbs 16:33; Acts 1:26.
b. Like the Urim and Thummim, the
scope of lots was LIMITED to
simple responses.
6. Through CREATION.
a. Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:20.
b. Though God has clearly revealed
Himself in His creation, this manner
of communication has been
CORRUPTED by man (Romans
1:21-25 [ex. Evolution today]).
7. Through direct MIRACLES.
a. Judges 6:36-40; 1 Kings 17:17-24;
etc.
b. Though this communication was
powerful and CONFIRMED a
messenger was from God (1 Kings
17:24), this form was good for a
SPECIFIC purpose and would be
forgotten over time (ex. Children of
Israel in the wilderness).
ii. God instead chose to use a WRITTEN record of
all of these types of communication.
1. It would be PRECISE.
a. Writing requires precision to be
EXPRESSED.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
45
b. Ex. You learn better when you
WRITE something down.
c. Because of precision of words in
writing, what God wanted
communicated to man is
SPECIFIC meaning we can all
INTERPRET the Bible the same
way.
2. It would be easily SPREAD.
a. It is much easier to make COPIES
of a written record than a spoken
one.
b. A written record provides a much
more ACCURATE reproduction
than an oral tradition.
i. One can see how easily a
message is CORRUPTED
when spread only by oral
means in the simple
“telephone game.”
ii. Cf. John 21:20-23.
c. Written documents could be
PASSED among the brethren
(Colossians 4:16) especially when
inventions such as the moveable type
in the 15th century and the internet in
the 20th century became available.
3. It would be PRESERVED.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
46
a. Memories or oral traditions can be
easily FORGOTTEN or
CHANGED.
b. Ex. Without a written record our
LAWS would be open to the
person’s “remembrance” of that law.
c. Preservation in a written record
ensures the lessons and blessings are
AVAILABLE to us.
b. The languages God chose to use for the Old and New
Testaments had a PURPOSE in the revealing of His will
(cf. Ephesians 1:11; Galatians 4:4).
c. The LANGUAGES used in the Bible.
i. MINOR languages.
1. ARAMAIC.
a. This language was the
NORTHERN division of
language of the SEMITIC
(descendants of Shem, Noah’s son)
group.
b. This language appears in all three
sections of the Old Testament either
in WRITING (language of the
court) or PLACE names (Genesis
31:47; Ezra 4:7-6:1; 7:12-26; Daniel
2:4-7:28).
c. This was the language SPOKEN
by Jesus and His disciples (Mark
5:41; Matthew 27:46).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
47
2. LATIN.
a. This language is used only in the
NEW Testament.
i. The term, Latin, is used only
TWICE (Luke 23:38; John
19:20).
ii. Latin is used in PROPER
names in the New Testament
(Aquila, Cornelius, Agrippa,
Felix, etc.), in
COMMERCIAL terms
(ex. Penny/denarion
[Matthew 22:19]), and in
OFFICIAL terms (ex.
Centurion [Matthew 8:5];
legion [Mark 5:15];
Praetorium [Mark 15:16]).
b. Because PALESTINE was a part
of Rome, we would expect the New
Testament to include this language.
ii. MAJOR languages.
1. HEBREW.
a. This language makes up the bulk of
the OLD Testament.
b. The Old Testament is mainly a
BIOGRAPHY of God’s people
and God’s DEALINGS with
them.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
48
c. Because of this, God chose to use the
Hebrew language for TWO main
reasons.
d. It is a PICTORIAL language.
i. The Hebrew language uses
VIVID metaphors that
dramatize the story (ex.
Amos 1-2) which create
PICTURES of the events
narrated making them easier
to MEMORIZE.
ii. As a pictorial language,
Hebrew creates a vivid
picture of the acts of God
among a people who became
EXAMPLES for future
generations (cf. 1 Corinthians
10:11).
e. It is a PERSONAL language.
i. This language speaks to the
HEART and
EMOTIONS rather than
just the mind or reason.
ii. The Hebrew language
appeals to the REALITIES
of life rather than the
theoretical or philosophical
(ex. Joseph, Job, David,
Solomon, etc.).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
49
2. GREEK.
a. The New Testament was written in
KOINE (=common) Greek.
b. The New Testament is the
INTERPRETATION and
REVELATION of Christ.
c. Because of this, God chose to use the
Greek language for TWO main
reasons.
d. It is an INTELLECTUAL
language.
i. Whereas Hebrew was more a
language of the HEART,
Greek was a language of the
MIND.
ii. It was a language that could
take a revelation from God
and put it into simple
COMMUNICABLE
form.
iii. Greek was much more useful
in expressing the
LOGICAL truth of the New
Testament (ex. Galatians).
iv. Greek possessed more
PRECISION than the
Hebrew language allowing
theological truths generally
expressed in the Old
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
50
Testament to be precisely
expressed in the New (Ex.
Romans/Hebrews).
e. It is a UNIVERSAL language.
i. The message of the gospel
was to be spread to ALL
nations (Matthew 28:18-20;
Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47;
John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8).
ii. God would then choose the
language most WIDELY
used throughout the world
which would be Greek.
h. Books that are DISPUTED or REJECTED.
i. The OLD Testament.
1. The Bible was COLLECTED as it was written (Deuteronomy
31).
2. 34 of the 39 Old Testament books have NEVER been
questioned as to their canonicity.
a. These are called HOMOLOGOUMENA (=one-word
messages) or the books agree upon by all in all times.
b. The five books not always found in agreement among the
Jews are called ANTILOGOUMENA, but were
originally accepted and only later disputed.
i. SONG OF SOLOMON.
1. This was spoken against because of its
SENSUALITY.
2. The rabbinical school of Shammai (50 B.C.-
A.D. 30) QUESTIONED the text but the
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
51
book had not been doubted since it was
defended by Rabbi Akiba at the council of
Jamnia (A.D. 90).
3. This book is God’s great treasure on
MARRIED love.
ii. ECCLESIASTES.
1. This book has been disputed because of
suggested AGNOSTICISM (truth about
God is unknown or unknowable).
2. This comes from a misunderstanding of the
book’s purpose—Solomon is discussing
matters “under the sun” and actually comes
to a SPIRITUAL conclusion
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
iii. ESTHER.
1. This book has been disputed simply because
it does not mention GOD’S NAME.
2. Some suggest God is not mentioned because
the Jews were in Persian CAPTIVITY
but God’s name is mentioned in other books
of the same period (ex. Ezra).
3. The leading attacker on its canonicity was
MARTIN LUTHER who attacked all
books that did not fit his “faith only”
theology.
4. The book begins with the word “AND”
which connects it to the other books of the
Bible.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
52
5. This is known as the COLOPHON
PRINCIPLE which is the connection of
one Bible book to another by a footnote or
statement (Ex. Deuteronomy 34 and Joshua
1:1; Judges and Ruth 1:1; 2 Chronicles
36:22-23 and Ezra 1:1-3).
iv. EZEKIEL.
1. This book was also called into question by
Shammai.because he insisted Ezekiel’s
teachings were “ANTI-MOSAICAL.”
2. Shammai claimed Ezekiel was introducing a
difference between Levite and priest
contrary to Moses’ teaching (Ezekiel 40ff)
but really was foreshadowing the
CHURCH OF CHRIST as different
from the ancient priesthood.
3. Ezekiel was rebuking Israel for allowing the
uncircumcised to serve as priests and
prophesying of a NEW priesthood to come
(Ezekiel 44; 1 Peter 2:5, 9).
v. PROVERBS.
1. This book is disputed because of an alleged
CONTRADICTION in Proverbs 26:4
and 26:5.
2. This shows a misunderstanding of what a
PROVERB is rather than a mistake in the
Bible.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
53
a. A proverb is not a statement that
covers EVERY situation (ex.
Proverbs 22:6).
b. These proverbs teach that there are
times when a “fool” SHOULD be
answered, but at other times he
SHOULD NOT.
c. This happens in ENGLISH
proverbs also: for example, one
should “look before he leaps” but
another says “he who hesitates is
lost.”
d. Which is RIGHT? Both are
because they cover DIFFERENT
situations.
3. There are fourteen or fifteen other books “spoken against” but
these, however, SHOULD BE.
a. These fourteen or fifteen books are known as the
APOCRYPHA and are usually placed in Catholic
Bibles between the testaments indicating the time period
they were written.
b. Apocrypha means DARK or HIDDEN.
i. The term Apocrypha is capitalized as it refers to the
INTERTESTAMENTAL books (those
written between the Old and New Testaments).
ii. The term apocrypha that is not capitalized,
however, refers to the writings produced AFTER
the New Testament was completed.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
54
iii. The early church fathers referred to all non-
canonical books by the term apocrypha but since the
PROTESTANT Reformation, the word with a
capital letter refers to the Old Testament
productions.
c. The world that produced the Apocrypha was a combination
of GREEK, ROMAN, and JEWISH culture.
i. Grecian literature was changing from the
HEROIC to the individual and their philosophy to
include REAL-WORLD problems.
ii. The anti-Greek Jews, especially the
MACABEES, were seeking independence from
the Seleucid (Greek) and later Roman empires.
iii. Greek philosophy still affected the multitudes
including the JEWS and this culture led to the
writing of the Apocryphal books which are also
mostly APOCALYPTIC in nature.
iv. The moral, historical, and literary ERRORS in
these books when compared with actual Bible texts
easily shows the differences between a true text of
God and one only written by men.
d. A quick OVERVIEW of the Apocrypha:
i. 1 ESDRAS.
1. This book is a HISTORY, though not
entirely correct, of the restoration of the
Jews to Palestine after Babylonian exile.
2. The author drew from 1 Chronicles, Ezra,
and Nehemiah; but added much
LEGENDARY material.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
55
3. There are a lot of discrepancies between this
book and the Bible in an account of three
young Jewish boys in the court of
DARIUS which cannot be found in the
Bible.
4. The purpose of this book was to emphasize
the contribution of Josiah, Zerubabbel, and
Ezra to the reform of post-exilic Israelite
WORSHIP.
ii. 2 ESDRAS.
1. This book is composed in a Jewish manner
and is APOCALYPTIC (a “code”
language used by ancient writers, especially
the Hebrew, during times of oppression).
2. The “seer” of the book is supposedly
instructed by an ANGEL, Uriel, on the
great mysteries of morality.
3. The author denounces the wickedness of
Rome and his context deals with God’s
power and justice, and wisdom and the
problem of EVIL in the world; his attempts
to solve the problems, however, fail.
iii. TOBIT.
1. This book is a short romantic NOVEL and
is legalistic in tone emphasizing the Law of
Moses.
2. It is unscriptural, however, in insisting that
almsgiving ATONES for sin.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
56
3. The story of the book follows a pious Jew
named Tobit living in Nineveh in the eight
century B.C. Tobit becomes poor and blind
and God hears Tobit’s prayers of grief along
with the prayers of a demon possessed girl
named Sarah who lives in Media. God sends
the angel Raphael to save Tobit and Sarah
while Tobit sent his son to collect money
owed him in Media. Raphael teaches Tobit
magic formulas which will cure his
blindness and release Sarah from her demon
lover, Asmodeus. Tobit completes his
mission and marries Sarah.
iv. JUDITH.
1. Like Tobit, this book is also a
ROMANCE novel.
2. It was supposedly written during the reign of
Nebuchadnezzar in the sixth century B.C.
but was actually written in the second
century before Christ and has little
HISTORICAL value and is filled with
situational MORALITY.
3. The story tells of Judith who uses her beauty
to gain a place in the tent of the attacking
Babylonian general and when he becomes
drunken she BEHEADS him and helps
stop the invading army.
4. This text shows Jewish narrative and has
inspired numerous plays, paintings, and
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
57
sculptures all teaching the immoral idea that
the END justifies the MEANS.
v. THE REST OF ESTHER.
1. This is a GREEK composition (showing
its lack of canonicity) consisting of visions,
letters, and prayers written about 100 B.C.
2. The writer of this book was attempting to fix
the “problem” of the lack of GOD’S name
in the book of Esther.
3. These additions were originally scattered
throughout the book of Esther but were
removed by JEROME in the fourth
century A.D. when he produced the Vulgate
and placed them all at the end of Esther.
4. The problem with these additions is they
CONTRADICT Esther.
vi. THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON.
1. This book is an ETHICAL writing which
condemns sin and lifts righteousness.
2. It was written about 30 B.C., and was
intended to help prevent GREEK Jews
from being influenced by their pagan
surroundings.
3. The LATENESS of the writing and the
attempts of the author to
IMPERSONATE Solomon speak
against its inspiration.
vii. ECCLESIASTICUS.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
58
1. This is a long, ethical writing on morality
and PRACTICAL goodness.
2. This book was written about 180 B.C. and is
patterned after WISDOM literature of the
Old Testament.
3. This is the only book of the Apocrypha
where the author’s NAME (ben Sirah) is
known.
4. The author was a Jewish scribe and is a
compilation of ben Sirah’s years of lecturing
on ETHICS and religion.
5. The title means “the CHURCH book”
which was given by Catholicism to insist on
its inspiration.
viii. BARUCH.
1. This book was a tried imitation of the
writings of JEREMIAH but was most
likely written after A.D. 70.
2. The author writes as describing
Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Jerusalem
but shows his real purpose by telling the
Jews to submit to the “emperor”and never to
REVOLT again.
3. The Jews never revolted against Babylon but
did against ROME.
ix. THE EPISTLE OF JEREMIAH.
1. This was added to the apocryphal book of
Baruch as a warning to the “Babylonian”
captives against IDOLATRY.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
59
2. The letter was most likely addressed,
however, to Greek-speaking Jews in
Alexandria, EGYPT.
3. This letter is full of ILLOGICAL
connections between the various statements
against idolatry.
x. THE SONG OF THE THREE HOLY
CHILDREN.
1. This is supposed to be a record of what the
three boys SANG when thrown into the
fiery furnace (Daniel 3:23).
2. This psalm borrows heavily from Psalm
148.
3. Even the ANIMALS are told to “sing”
praises to God in this book.
xi. THE HISTORY OF SUSANNA.
1. This is another religious romance novel
which is supposed to show how the prophet
DANIEL saved Susanna from two
immoral men.
2. When the men tried to seduce her, she cried
out but the TWO men said they found her
under a tree in the arms of a young man.
Since Susanna was married and there were
at least TWO witnesses she was brought to
trial and convicted to die for immorality. At
this point, Daniel steps in and asks the two
men under which tree they found her and
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
60
when they give conflicting answers, they are
put to death and Susanna is saved.
xii. BEL AND THE DRAGON.
1. This is another novel about DANIEL who
slays the dragon and Bel, an idol, the two
objects of Babylonian worship.
2. This was added to Daniel at about the same
time as The History of Susanna and was
called Daniel 14.
3. In this text, Daniel uncovers the trick of the
priests of Bel whose statue “ATE” large
amounts of food each night to prove himself
a living god and Daniel’s refusal to worship
the dragon and “SLEW” it with a mixture
of fat, pitch, and hair.
4. The text also includes a fictional account of
how Daniel escaped the LION’S DEN
after the Babylonians put him there after
slaying their god by being fed by
HABAKKUK and being freed on the
seventh day.
xiii. THE PRAYER OF MANASSEH.
1. This supposedly is the reported
REPENTANCE of that wicked king and
was added to 2 Chronicles 33:18-19 and was
composed in the second century before
Christ.
2. This prayer is not FOUND in the Bible so
a scribe decided to make up the difference.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
61
3. This prayer is an example of beautiful
Jewish POETRY.
xiv. FIRST MACCABEES.
1. This book is generally useful and reliable as
a HISTORICAL novel and is the most
important source to the study of the
intertestament period.
2. This book follows the struggles for
INDEPENDENCE by the Maccabean
families of Judas, Jonathan, and Simon.
3. The author was likely a Palestinian Jew
living in Jerusalem and covers the conquest
of Alexander the Great, the division of his
empire, the origin of the Ptolemaic and
Seleucid empires, the events of Judah’s
history from Antiochus IV (175 B.C.) to the
reign of John Hyrcanus I, and the semi-
successful struggle of the Maccabean-led
Jews for independence.
xv. SECOND MACCABEES.
1. This book covers the period from 175 B.C.
to 160 B.C., but does not deal in historical
events but rather fanciful
SUPERNATURAL events.
2. This book is not a sequel to I Maccabees but
is a PARALLEL that expands (in an
untrustworthy manner) the legendary tales
of Judas Maccabee.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
62
e. Protestants have NEVER accepted the Apocrypha as
canonical and Catholics reject 1 and 2 Esdras and the
Prayer of Manasseh from the canon.
f. Some DOCTRINES taught in the Apocrypha are anti-
biblical:
i. SUICIDE is said to be honorable (2 Maccabees
14:41-43; cf. Acts 17:25).
ii. Incense and fish hearts placed on hot coals are said
to drive away the DEVIL (Tobit 6:5-8; cf. James
4:7).
iii. One anointed with fish gall will be HEALED
(Tobit 5:15-19; cf. James 5:16).
iv. One cam be saved from sin by ALMSGIVING
(Tobit 12:15-19; cf. Ephesians 2:8-9).
v. It is more honorable to be SINGLE (Judith 8:5-6;
cf. Hebrews 13:4).
vi. MURDER is honorable if it advances the cause
of the righteous (Judith 9:2; cf. Galatians 5:21).
vii. Souls in HELL can get out (Wisdom of Solomon
3:1-4; cf. Luke 16:25-26).
viii. One can pray for the DEAD (2 Maccabees 12:43-
46; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10).
ix. One can social DRINK (Tobit 4:15; cf. Proverbs
20:1).
x. Saints will INTERCEDE for men (2 Maccabees
15:1-16; cf. 1 John 2:1).
xi. Immoral behavior is accepted by God, if one has
GOOD INTENTIONS (Judith 9:9-14; cf.
Revelation 21:27).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
63
ii. The NEW Testament.
1. There are SEVEN books that are disputed in the New Testament.
a. HEBREWS.
i. This book is mostly disputed because we do not
know the AUTHOR.
1. The Eastern church (Greek Orthodox)
readily accepted the text as written by
PAUL.
2. The Roman church disputed the text because
they insisted on apostolic authorship rather
than apostolic AUTHORITY (ex. Mark
and Luke were not written by apostles).
ii. Another reason the book is disputed is because of
its misuse by Montanists (similar to charismatic
denominations like Pentecostalism today) led some
to think it was ERROR-filled.
iii. The book of Hebrews is not only canonical but is
the ONLY New Testament source for how Jesus
fulfilled the types pictured in JUDAISM.
b. JAMES.
i. This book was omitted by some second-century
Bible students, especially the GNOSTICS.
1. Gnostics believed flesh was EVIL therefore
human WORKS could have no part in
salvation.
2. James was omitted not because it was non-
canonical but because he insisted that a
person must have FAITH and WORKS
(James 2:24).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
64
ii. Another that doubted the book of James was
MARTIN LUTHER because it contradicted
his belief in faith only and his belief that it
contradicted the book of Romans (cf. Romans 5:1).
1. The harmony in these two books is in the
use of the word, FAITH.
2. Paul when using the words law and faith (or
grace and works together) is ALWAYS
discussing the gospel system of faith as
opposed to the law of Moses (cf. Galatians
3:23).
3. James, on the other hand, is ALWAYS
discussing PERSONAL faith and works
(cf. James 2:20).
4. Paul insists that THE FAITH taught
OBEDIENCE (Romans 1:5) and James
insists that PERSONAL faith demands
WORKS showing perfect harmony in their
teachings.
c. 2 PETER.
i. Like the book of Hebrews, this book is doubted
because of arguments over its AUTHORSHIP
(=genuineness).
ii. This book is the one questioned the MOST as to its
right to be in the canon.
iii. Some believe the book was written to CURE the
early Christians’ misunderstandings about the
second coming of Christ and the supposed
DELAY of His arrival, but since New Testament
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
65
writers never taught an immediate coming, these
assertions are false.
iv. The arguments come from a supposed dissimilarity
in the style of WRITING used.
1. The cause of this is not a different author but
a different SUBJECT.
2. Careful Bible students find more
SIMILARITY than dissimilarity in the
writing style.
3. The earliest known copy of 2 Peter is the
Bodmer manuscript and is a THIRD
century Egyptian version showing the text
was used and respected by those ancient
Christians.
d. 2 and 3 JOHN.
i. These again are questioned because of
AUTHORSHIP.
1. The author simply refers to himself as the
ELDER (2 John 1; 3 John 1).
2. Peter also called himself an elder which is
no argument against his being
INSPIRED (1 Peter 5:1).
ii. Because the letters were PRIVATE they took
some time to circulate long enough to became
universally accepted but they are listed in the very
early Muratorian fragment (c. 150).
iii. The STYLE of these letters is unquestionably that
of John when compared to 1 John and the gospel
according to John.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
66
e. JUDE.
i. This book was disputed by some early disciples
over the question of AUTHENTICITY
(=contents).
ii. Jude, under INSPIRATION, quoted from the
Old Testament pseudepigraphal book, Enoch (Jude
14-15) and some also claim from the Assumption of
Moses (Jude 9).
iii. Jude does not, however, commend the WHOLE
book of Enoch but only the truthful part Jude used.
1. Paul also quoted pagan poets, but not ALL
they said (Acts 17:28; 1 Corinthians 15:32;
Titus 1:12).
2. Jude’s influence is also seen in an early
church council production known as the
DIDACHE (=teaching of the Twelve)
written sometime in the first century and is
contained in Irenaus’ work from A.D. 170.
f. REVELATION.
i. This book is also disputed because of its
CONTENTS.
ii. This has been caused by Millennialists (those who
believe in a future 1,000 year reign of Christ on the
earth) who MISREAD and MISTAUGHT
the text.
iii. This book, however, was one of the FIRST books
recognized in the existing writings of the early
church fathers as seen in its being addressed to the
seven churches in Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
67
2. There are many FALSE books (Pseudepigrapha) which do not
belong in the canon of scripture (cf. John 21:25; 2 Thessalonians
2:2; 1 Timothy 4:1).
a. There are more than 50 Pseudepigraphal GOSPELS
(written in the second century or later).
i. The Gospel of THOMAS: contains stories of the
infancy and childhood of Jesus which are against
the nature of Christ.
ii. The Gospel of the EBIONITES: a Jewish sect of
Christians who denied the deity of Christ saying he
was adopted by God at His baptism.
iii. The Gospel of PETER: teaches Pilate was
guiltless for the death of Christ, Jesus felt no pain
when crucified, Jesus’ brothers and sisters were
from a first marriage of Joseph, and an embellished
resurrection account.
iv. Protevangelium of JAMES: contains a very early
form of devotion (worship) of Mary.
v. The Gospel of the HEBREWS: mistakenly
believed at first to be the original Hebrew version of
the gospel of Matthew but refers to the Holy Spirit
as our “mother” and gives a story of the Shroud of
Christ.
vi. The Gospel of the EGYPTIANS: reflects early
ascetic (=harming of the body) practices and calls
life an “ill” and the creation of the body “evil.”
vii. The Gospel of the NAZARAEANS: also
called “the Jewish Gospel,” it says Jesus did not
spend three days and three nights in the grave, that
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
68
the veil of the temple was not rent, and that many
thousands of Jews were converted at the cross when
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them.”
viii. The Gospel of PHILIP: discusses the ascent of
the soul through seven successive spheres of hostile
“powers.”
ix. The Book of THOMAS the Athlete: contains an
alleged conversation between Thomas and Jesus
between the resurrection and ascension but
condemns the flesh, womanhood, and sexuality.
x. The Gospel According to MATHIAS: some
quotations preserved containing Gnostic influence.
xi. The Gospel of JUDAS: contains the story of the
“mystery of the betrayal” explaining how Judas by
his treachery made possible the salvation of all
mankind.
xii. Epistle of an APOSTLE: says that Christ entered
Mary’s womb in the disguise of the angel Gabriel,
took on the form of angels in each of the heavenly
“spheres” to reach the earth without being
recognized, the redeemed will rise in actual flesh,
and Christ has proclaimed a message of salvation in
the underworld.
xiii. The Apocryphon of JOHN: a post-resurrection
dialogue between a disciple and the “Revealor” but
also refers to the Holy Spirit as the “Mother.”
xiv. The Gospel of TRUTH: discusses the common
Gnostic idea of salvation by knowledge.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
69
b. There are also numerous Apocryphal accounts of the
ACTS of the Apostles (ex. The Acts of John, Later Acts of
Other Apostles, The Apocalypse of Paul, etc.).
c. Some of these Apocryphal books, however, are
ACCEPTED by some.
i. Epistle of Pseudo-BARNABAS ((c. 70-79):
similar to Hebrews in style but more mystical, its
antiquity is established but it’s genuineness is more
than questionable.
ii. Epistle to the CORINTHIANS (c. 96): a non-
inspired book but contains quotes from 1
Corinthians and Hebrews as scripture giving
validity to these books.
iii. Ancient HOMILY (c. 120-140): placed
commonly after Revelation but has no evidence of
ever being considered fully canonical.
iv. Shepherd of HERMAS (c. 115-140): similar to
Ecclesiasticus of the Old Testament Apocrypha—
ethical and spiritual but not canonical.
v. Didache (Teaching of the TWELVE) (c. 100-
120): important for historical reasons concerning
second century views of essential truths of
Christianity but is not inspired.
vi. Apocalypse of PETER (c. 150): has been very
popular for its picturesque descriptions of heaven
and grotesque descriptions of hell and helped
develop Medieval theology and influenced writings
such as Dante’s Inferno.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
70
vii. The Acts of PAUL and Thecla (170): contains the
conversion and testimony of Thecla based on Acts
14:1-7 but contains many mythical elements and
little truth.
viii. Epistle to the LAODICEANS (c. 300s): a
forgery based on Colossians 4:16 and is a string of
phrases by Paul with no clear connection or
purpose.
ix. The Gospel According to the HEBREWS (c. 65-
100): some called it “the true Matthew” but it bears
little relation to the book of Matthew.
x. Epistle of POLYCARP to the Philippians (c.
108): Polycarp was a disciple of John but never
claimed inspiration for himself and has very little
originality borrowing most of its matter and style
from the New Testament especially Philippians but
is valuable in authenticating most of the New
Testament canon.
xi. The Seven Epistles of IGNATIUS (c. 100):
teaches a bishop-centered government for the
church and has been defended by some bishops of
the Catholic church but most do not defend its
canonicity.
d. VALUE of the New Testament Pseudepigrapha:
i. They contain correct traditions of the people which
supply HISTORICAL facts about the early
church.
ii. They show the HERESIES plaguing the early
church.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
71
iii. They show the POPULAR desire for information
not found in canonical books (ex. The childhood of
Jesus).
iv. They show that PIOUS frauds have always tried to
glorify Christianity through incorrect means.
v. They show the desire of many to find SUPPORT
for doctrinal interests or teachings under the
disguise of apostolic authority.
vi. They show incorrect attempts to fill supposed
LACKINGS in canonical writings.
vii. They show the tendency of CURIOSITY to
create embellishments on Christian truth (ex. Mary
Mary worship).
e. VALUE of the New Testament Apocrypha:
i. They provide DOCUMENTATION of the
canonical books of the New Testament.
ii. They reveal the beliefs of those in the church after
the time of the APOSTLES.
iii. They form the BRIDGE between the apostolic
writings of the New Testament and the literature of
the church “Fathers” in third and fourth centuries.
iv. They give hints to the rise of later
UNSCRIPTURAL teachings.
v. They contain much HISTORICAL value about
the early church.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
72
III. THE BIBLE FROM MANUSCRIPT TO US: TEXTUAL CRITICISM.
a. WHAT is textual criticism?
i. The GOAL of a textual critic is examining the evidence and trying to find
the original text.
ii. Textual criticism is a SCIENCE and seeks to determine the authentic
text of the Bible from the ancient texts.
iii. TYPES of biblical criticism:
1. TEXTUAL (or lower) criticism: concerned with the discovery
and recovery of the original text of a written document (this is the
correct form of criticism).
2. HISTORICAL (or destructive) criticism: study techniques of
dating early writings, verifying historical events in the materials,
and the writing of the history of a document, but most do not
believe the Bible came from the mind of God.
3. HIGHER criticism (or source or literary criticism): seeks to
discover the materials the supposed non-inspired Bible writers
used to write their books and letters.
4. FORM criticism (a form of higher criticism): study of literary
forms of the Bible (e.g. essays, history, poetry, etc.) but follows the
concept that the Old Testament was written by at least four
different authors or groups of authors and eventually edited
(=documentary hypothesis).
5. FORM-HISTORY criticism (a form of higher criticism): this is
form criticism applied to the New Testament and comes from the
concept that the New Testament “evolved” over time like the Old
Testament did and the stories of Jesus were made up over time as
situations in the early church demanded.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
73
6. TRADITION criticism (a form of form criticism): the form
critic believes all Bible stories were passed on by word of mouth
and so traditions developed in all of the stories.
7. REDACTION criticism (a form of higher [destructive]
criticism: seeks to discover how the Bible redactors (editors) used
the sources available to them to “assemble” the Bible.
iv. An example of form criticism (an incorrect way of textual criticism) can
be found in a modern version used by many, the New International
Version, which states in Luke 1:3, “Therefore, since I myself have
carefully INVESTIGATED everything from the beginning…” which
shows its denial of Luke’s inspiration.
b. We can be sure of our Bibles because of PRESERVATION.
i. Rules for copying the Old Testament scrolls:
1. Only parchments made from CLEAN (ceremonially) animals
could be used and the pieces had to be joined together by thread
from clean animals.
2. Each written column of the scroll was to have no fewer than 48
and no more than 60 lines whose breadth then must consist of 30
letters.
3. The page was first to be LINED (with a penknife) from which
the letters were suspended; during the period of Ezra one letter per
square was written (like a checker board).
4. The ink was BLACK and prepared according to a strict recipe.
5. There was to be the space of a HAIR between each consonant,
the space of a small consonant between each word, a space of nine
consonants must separate paragraphs, and three lines must separate
each book; each book had to end at exactly the right space or it was
to be done over.
6. No word or letter could be written from MEMORY.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
74
ii. Preservation of New Testament AUTOGRAPHS:
1. There are nearly 6,000 manuscripts and fragments of the New
Testament available from the second century onward.
2. Why did God not simply preserve the ORIGINALS?
a. Man has a tendency to worship religious RELICS (2
Kings 18:4).
b. By not preserving the originals only no one can now
TAMPER with them as they would have to make
changes in thousands of existing copies.
c. It also serves as a warning to Bible scholars not to esteem
the trivial over the ESSENTIAL message of the
scriptures.
3. The importance of so many manuscripts is that the textual critic
can compare the various manuscripts and determine what is the
true and ORIGINAL reading.
4. When the ACCURACY of the New Testament is compared
with other ancient texts that have undergone textual criticism, one
can see the integrity of the New Testament even more clearly.
a. Homer’s Iliad: 643 copies, 15,600 lines, but 764 LINES
are still questioned so is corrupt in 5% of its text.
b. New Testament: 6,000 manuscripts and fragments, 20,000
lines, but only 40 WORDS are still questioned leaving
less than 0.5% still needing mending.
c. Who questions the Iliad? Yet many try to argue that the
New Testament has many ERRORS.
c. Old Testament manuscript CREDIBILITY.
i. Two DEFINITIONS need to be kept in mind:
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
75
1. An AUTOGRAPH is a writing produced under the direction of
an Old Testament prophet or a New Testament apostle (2 Peter
3:2; Jeremiah 36:27; Romans 16:22).
2. CREDIBILITY is the term textual critics use when describing a
manuscripts right to be believed.
ii. Old Testament MANUSCRIPTS.
1. During the Talmudic scribal period (300 B.C.-A.D. 500)
OFFICIAL copies of the scrolls for synagogue use were made.
2. By 169 B.C. the Syrians (Seleucids) were able to DESTROY
most existing Hebrew manuscripts.
3. Because of this, until the Dead Sea Scrolls were found (1945) only
LATER Hebrew manuscripts were known:
a. The CAIRO CODEX (A.D. 895): copied by Moses ben
Asher in Tiberius, Palestine, is in a museum in Cairo,
Egypt, and contains the former (historical) prophets and the
latter (major and minor) prophets.
b. The LENINGRAD CODEX of the Prophets (A.D.
1016): copied by a Babylonian scribe-scholar (=Masorete),
is kept in St. Petersburg, Russia, and contains only Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets.
c. The ALEPPO (Syria) CODEX (A.D. 930): this is an
incomplete parchment of the entire Old Testament saved
from a fire in Aleppo, Syria in 1948, copied by Aber ben
Asher, and is the basis for the New Jerusalem Bible (used
by the Catholics for their Old Testament).
d. UNNAMED scroll fragment (A.D. 950): kept in the
British Museum, originated somewhere in the Orient, and
contains Genesis 39:20 through Deuteronomy 1:33.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
76
e. The LENINGRAD CODEX (A.D. 1008): this is the
most important Hebrew Bible, is kept in St. Petersburg, and
is a copy of one corrected by Aaron ben Moses before A.D.
1000.
f. The REUCHLIN CODEX of the Prophets (A.D. 1105)
along with several Old Testament fragments make up other
important Hebrew materials.
iii. The MASORETIC TEXT.
1. Hebrew Bibles that contain vowel-points and accents to aid in
PRONUNCIATION are Masoretic.
2. These are all DESCENDANTS of one that existed in the first
century after Christ and Old Testament trustworthiness is based on
its scribal accuracy.
3. These texts contained NUMBERS and NOTES in the margins
to aid future scribes in their work or to explain a reason for
amending a text.
4. The KING JAMES (1611) and the 1901 AMERICAN
STANDARD Bibles relied heavily on the Masoretic text for
the Old Testament.
iv. The DEAD SEA SCROLLS.
1. An Arab shepherd (Muhammad adh-Dhib) found these scrolls by
accident in 1947 but it was not until 1949 that archeologists were
able to authenticate the find.
2. Many CAVES have now been found in the Qumran area (desert).
3. The 600 plus texts of the Dead Sea scrolls include ALL of the Old
Testament except for Esther and the Song of Solomon.
4. The scribes copied the materials between 2 B.C. And A.D. 3 and
hid their work deep in the caves of the mountains around A.D.
66 for fear of the Romans.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
77
a. The dry, desert weather PRESERVED the scrolls which
were placed in covered clay jars.
b. The copied scrolls are from earlier ones dating to 100
B.C.
5. There are ten COMPLETE Dead Sea scrolls and from the Old
Testament materials textual critics can now prove that the Hebrew
Bible has remained unchanged for the last 2,200 years.
d. New Testament manuscript credibility: UNCIALS.
i. Uncials are LARGE-letter manuscripts written on parchment and vellum
containing both the Old and New Testaments in Greek.
ii. There are many uncials (~274) but here are few of the most
IMPORTANT:
1. The CODEX VATICANUS (or “B”) (A.D. 300-325): kept in
the Vatican Library in Rome and starts at Genesis 46:28, has
missing Psalms 106-138, and Hebrews 9:14 through Revelation;
the scribe did not include Mark 16:9-20 in this Bible but did leave
a space for it suggesting he knew the passage existed.
2. The CODEX SINAITICUS (or “aleph”) (A.D. 340):
discovered by Constantine Tichendorf in St. Catherine’s monastery
near what is thought to be Mt. Sinai where the pages were being
used for cook fires; it contains part of the Greek Old Testament
and all of the New Testament books; sold to the British and now
resides in the British Museum.
3. The ALEXANDRIAN CODEX (or “A”) (A.D. 450):
originated in Alexandria, Egypt, contains the Septuagint Old
Testament with parts of Genesis, 1 Kings, Psalms, Matthew, John,
and 2 Corinthians, is now in the British Museum, and was the first
uncial used by Bible scholars.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
78
4. The EPHRAIM (or “C”) (A.D. 300-400s): this is a rescriptus
(uncial written on a scraped-off vellum), in the 12th century it was
erased again and parts of the Syrian Ephraim put in; parts of all the
New Testament were left except 2 Thessalonians and 2 John.
5. The BEZA CODEX (or “D”) (A.D. 500s): named for its
discoverer Theodore Beza, is held in the University of Cambridge
Library in England, omits parts of Matthew through John, 3 John
11-15, and Acts, and is the oldest known two language uncial
written in Greek (left side) and Latin (right side).
6. The CLAROMONTANUS CODEX (or D2) (A.D. 550):
found in Clermont, France, supplements the Beza Codex, is also
written in Greek and Latin, and is kept in the natural library in
Paris, France.
7. The WASHINGTONIENSIS CODEX (or “W”) (A.D. 300-
400s): kept in the National Library in Washington D.C., contains
portions of the Old and New Testaments, and contains an
apocryphal addition after Mark 16:14.
8. The KOUDETHI GOSPELO (or “theta”) (A.D. 750-800): is
in a Russian library in Tifles, Georgia and contains only a part of
the New Testament, but shows how widely known the Greek New
Testaments were.
e. New Testament manuscript credibility: MINISCULES (cursives).
i. Cursives are all LATER productions than uncials stretching from the
third to tenth centuries A.D.
ii. There are about 3,000 minuscule manuscripts and 46 contain the entire
New Testament.
iii. Miniscules contain elaborate, artistic DECORATION on the covers
and throughout.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
79
1. Codex 33 is one of the most well known miniscules and is known
as the “QUEEN of the Cursives.”
2. There are three STYLES of miniscules (Alexandrian, Byzantine,
and Caesarean) based on the scribal corrections made in the text.
iv. Some consider miniscules to be of less VALUE than the uncials because
they are later productions and therefore further removed from the
autograph.
1. This is not always TRUE, however, for a later miniscules may be
a copy of an early Greek text and therefore have more value than
an earlier uncial.
2. The number of years from the original is not a critical problem
because VARIATIONS come from scribal accuracy and
consistency and not time.
f. RESTORING the text.
i. There are differences found among manuscripts known as
VARIANTS.
1. Today, there are nearly 200,000 plus variants recognized.
2. The big misconception about variants is that they are ERRORS
but that is not the case.
a. Remember, in only about 0.5% of the text we do not have
the EXACT words.
b. The reason the number is so high is that if a single word is
misspelled in 3,000 different manuscripts then textual
critics count that one word as 3,000 variants.
3. When you eliminate MECHANICAL variants, true differences
in manuscripts are rare.
a. WHAT are considered mechanical variants?
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
80
i. Errors of the EYE: a scribe might divide a word
incorrectly (especially in uncials as the letters ran
together across the scroll), omit a letter, repeat
letters, reverse letters, or confuse spellings (Ex.
Genesis 46:27; Acts 7:14).
ii. Errors of the EARS: when a manuscript was
copied by a secretary hearing an oral dictation, he
might forget the last word he heard and omit or
change it.
iii. Errors of MEMORY: a scribe might forget and
substitute a synonym for a word.
iv. Errors of JUDGMENT: notes in the margin
might accidentally be placed in the text, a scribe
may have had trouble reading the last scribe’s notes,
and some things have been added because of
particular theologies.
b. There are only TWO rules for analysis of variants or
genuine readings:
i. If there is NOT attestation for the variant before
the Middle Ages, the variant is not considered to be
genuine; however, agreement among later
manuscripts all originating from an earlier, common
source is said to be a genuine variant.
ii. If ALL the manuscripts do not compare, for a
given reading to be considered as a serious
candidate for the original, the majority of the
witnesses must agree; the fewer the witnesses, the
less likely it is that a reading is genuine.
ii. USE of textual criticism.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
81
1. An EXAMPLE: The American Standard Version (1901) and
most later versions omit 1 John 5:7 which is contained in the 1611
King James Version; no Ancient Greek manuscript has the
reading; Erasmus included the verse in his 1522 edition when a
miniscule copied by a Catholic monk was discovered; this single
manuscript addition found its way into the King James but to
accept the verse as genuine breaks the rule of the majority of
witnesses as necessary for attestation.
2. The first task of a textual critic is to DISCOVER and
CATALOGUE the manuscripts.
3. After a manuscript is discovered and catalogued by letter or
number, it is COLLATED (=compared to a well-known printed
text and the variants are noted).
a. If the process is accurate, the variant readings will inform
the critic as to what FAMILY the manuscript belongs.
b. The new method of collation begun in the twentieth century
is ECLECTIC (=use of any and all manuscripts
available).
i. Most MODERN version (excluding the New
King James) are based on an eclectic Greek text.
ii. Modern translators follow TWO rules:
1. They choose the reading that they
SUBJECTIVELY think best fits the
context.
2. They choose the reading they BELIEVE
explains the origin of the variant readings.
iii. The eclectic approach to translation, being
subjective, allows for a choosing of
WHATEVER Greek source is wanted.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
82
iv. Each translator now relies on his own
FEELINGS as to what the original said.
g. The Bible in ENGLISH.
i. When WILLIAM TYNDALE was discussing a theological point
with a Catholic priest who argued that men would be better off without
God’s law than without the Pope’s law, Tyndale replied that if God spared
his life, before long he would “make the boy who drives the plow know
more Bible than the cleric did.”
1. The history of the English Bible is an effort to fulfill Tyndale’s
objective, to make the Bible AVAILABLE and PLAIN to the
common man (Mark 12:37).
2. If not for translation, only those who read the ORIGINAL
language could read the Bible.
ii. A BACKGROUND of the English language.
1. English is the daughter of two families of languages: INDO-
EUROPEAN (Indo-Iranian, Greek, Italic, etc.; the Bile was
transmitted to Europe by this family of languages) and
JAPHETIC (Germanic and Gaelic [French]).
2. English began as a dialect of “LOW GERMAN” and has
become a world language.
3. When the “ANGLES” invaded Briton (c. A.D. 547) and
established a kingdom in northern England the “Anglo-Saxon”
language had its beginning.
4. The “Angle-landers” drove the Brits into Cornwall, Wells, and
France and “ANGLE-LAND” was born.
5. England was known as “Angle-land” as early as A.D. 314.
6. The language then spoken by the natives is now known as old
Saxon or “OLD ENGLISH” (A.D. 450-1100).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
83
7. When the Normans invaded Angle-land (1066) Scandinavian
influences entered the old English and by A.D. 1100-1500 a new
languages now called “MIDDLE ENGLISH” was spoken.
8. MODERN English is dated from the time of the invention of
the moveable type printing press by John Gutenberg (c. 1454).
9. A great “VOWEL shift” occurred in the language, for some
unknown reason, and the modern tongue of English was born.
iii. ANGLO-SAXON Bibles.
1. The earliest known “Bible” in the Anglo-Saxon language dates
from A.D. 680 which is more a paraphrase by Caedmon.
a. Caedmon supposedly dreamed that an angel told him to
sing and when he asked what to sing the angel told him to
sing about God’s CREATION.
b. When Caedmon began to sing “phrases he had never heard
before,” they were actually PARAPHRASES from the
Bible and writings of these songs became known as the
“people’s Bible” because they were memorized by many
people.
2. The second Anglo-Saxon work is associated with ALDHELM
(640-709) and was the first, straight-forward translation of several
parts of the Bible.
3. The first Anglo-Saxon translations of the four gospel accounts
were done by EGBERT (c. 700) under the orders from the
Archbishop of York, Charlemagne.
4. The greatest English scholar of his time was the Venerable
BEDE (674-735) whose historical, theological, and scholastic
efforts were the greatest of his day.
5. King ALFRED the Great (849-901) translated Bede’s
Ecclesiastical History from Latin to Anglo-Saxon along with the
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
84
Ten Commandments, parts of Exodus, and Acts 15:23-29 and also
instituted “Danelaw” which required Christian baptism and loyalty
to the king.
6. Around 950 an Anglo-Saxon named ALDRED produced an
interlinear “gloss” (he took the manuscript and wrote Anglo-Saxon
between the lines of the Latin Bible) word for word from a
seventh-century Latin text and is now known as the “Lindesfarne
Gospels.”
7. The last of the truly Anglo-Saxon works was made around the year
1000 by AELFRIC, the Abbot of Eynsham in Wessex, who
translated the first seven books of the Old Testament from Latin to
Anglo-Saxon.
8. These early attempts to translate portions of the Bible faced three
major OBSTACLES:
a. Traditionally, people had been taught, and many felt that
LATIN was the only proper medium to express religion.
i. It was called GOD’S language, the language
spoken in HEAVEN, etc.
ii. Ex. When Aelfric faced OPPOSITION for
translating his work from Latin to Anglo-Saxon
because Latin was the “language of God” he said,
“Happy is he, who can read the scriptures and
translate the words into action.”
b. The clergy of the day were uneasy about offering the
scriptures to the “LAITY” (=term for the common
people) for unorthodox teachings might result.
c. English was felt to be UNSUITABLE for religious
expression.
i. It was considered “SLANG.”
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
85
ii. Compare the feelings today against using American
SLANG in translations.
9. Tyndale (discussed in the next section) had to fight against these
FEELINGS to make his translation and argued, “The Greek
tongue agreeth more with the English than with the Latin. And the
properties of the Hebrew tongue agreeth a thousand times more
with the English than with the Latin. The manner of speaking is
both one; so that in a thousand places thou needst not but to
translate it into English word for word; when thou must seek a
compass in the Latin.”
iv. MIDDLE ENGLISH partial versions.
1. The Saxon rule of Briton ended in 1066 with William’s (the
“Northman”) conquering of Harold of Hastings, and from that
time, norther Angle-landers dominated and their Norse language
influenced the Anglo-Saxon language forming the new
“MIDDLE English.”
2. Some PARTIAL and a couple of COMPLETE versions were
developed in this new language:
a. In about 1200, ORM (or Ormin) an Augustinian monk
completed a poetical paraphrase of the gospel accounts and
Acts.
i. He also had a COMMENTARY on Acts
entitled “Ormulum” and the works are preserved in
one manuscript, likely an autograph.
ii. Orm says he did the translating so that “the young
Christian fold may depend upon the GOSPEL
only” (cf. Acts 20:24-27).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
86
b. WILLIAM of Shoreham (1320) produced the first prose
(=ordinary language used in speaking or writing)
translation of a part of the Bible.
c. A Psalter (translation of the book of Psalms) was translated
by the “Hermit of Hampole,” RICHARD ROLLE
around 1320-1340.
d. One of the best known texts from the Middle English
period is JOHN WYCLIFFE’S complete Bible (1329-
1384).
i. It is questioned how much of the work is Wycliffe’s
and how much was his associate’s, NICHOLAS
of Hereford and JOHN PURVEY.
1. Nicholas completed a translation of the Old
Testament from Latin in 1382.
2. John Purvey REVISED the entire work
after Wycliffe’s death.
ii. Wycliffe was opposed to the PAPACY and so
angered the Pope that after Wycliffe had died and
been buried, the Pope ordered the body to be
exhumed, burned, and the ashes thrown in the river
Swift.
e. JOHN PURVEY (1354-1482) revised the Wycliffe
Bible and replaced many of the transliterated words (letter
for letter transfer from one language to another) with the
Middle English idiom.
i. Papal influence was much weakened when people
began to READ Purvey’s revision.
ii. The Catholic church forced ILLITERACY on the
people but when Wycliffe’s Bible came out, they
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
87
saw how different it was from Catholicism’s Latin
writings and wanted to learn to read and did so in
secret until the Renaissance.
f. WILLIAM TYNDALE (1492-1536) was born at the
start of the Renaissance and his version lays claim to being
the first printed edition of a part of the Bible, but not the
first completed English Bible to come off of a printing
press.
i. The first complete Bible printed was a Mazarin
(Latin) Bible published in 1456.
ii. With Greek being studied in many universities, the
first Greek-Middle English Lexicon was published
in 1492.
iii. The first printed Hebrew Bible is from 1488,
Hebrew grammar from 1503, and Hebrew Lexicon
from 1506.
iv. Because of all of this ACTIVITY, Tyndale was
motivated to make a Middle English revision from
the Hebrew and Greek Bibles.
v. Tyndale, because of Catholic persecution, had to
leave England and finish his work in EUROPE.
1. His New Testament was completed in
Cologne (1526), the Pentateuch in Marburg
(1530), and Jonah in Antwerp (1531).
2. In 1534 after Tyndale had finished Genesis,
he was KIDNAPPED and taken to
England where he was able to finish
Proverbs, the Prophets, and most of the Old
Testament before he was burned at the stake.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
88
3. He cried out as he died, “Lord open the king
of England’s eyes,” and King James would
be the answer to that prayer because the
“AUTHORIZED KING JAMES
VERSION” is basically a fifth revision of
Tyndale’s Bible.
g. The credit fo the first complete printed Bible in Middle
English goes to the work of MILES COVERDALE
(1488-1569).
i. Coverdale had been an ASSISTANT of Tyndale
and a proof-reader for him in Antwerp, Belgium
(1534).
ii. Coverdale’s Bible is basically Tyndale’s Version
but he did introduce chapter SUMMARIES and
separated the APOCRYPHA from the Old
Testament’s inspired writings.
h. JOHN ROGERS (pseudonym—Thomas Matthew) was
the first martyr under Queen Mary’s persecution and also
assisted Tyndale.
i. Rogers COMBINED the Tyndale and Coverdale
versions as sources and also borrowed from the
known French versions of his day forming what is
known as a revision.
ii. Because Coverdale had not used the ORIGINAL
languages his text was open to attack by Catholics;
and since Rogers put MARGINAL notes in his
Bible and offended conservatives because he
“added” to God’s Word, both Bibles were never
popular.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
89
i. A revision of the “Matthew’s Bible” was done by
RICHARD TAVERNER (1505-1575) who was a
Greek scholar and his work is the first English Bible to
render more nearly correctly the Greek article (a, an, the)
for there is no “a” nor “an” in Greek and there are rules to
the translation of “the” when it appears.
j. A revision of Coverdale’s Bible was done in 1539 called
The GREAT Bible and was the greatest influence on
subsequent English versions.
i. It was much more popular than the Matthew’s Bible
but was never easy to carry around because it
received its name because of its SIZE (16 1/2“ x
11”).
ii. This Bible was issued to CALM conservatives
who had been aroused to oppose any notes of
outside materials which might be added to printed
Bibles.
iii. The SECOND edition had a preface by Thomas
Cranmer, the first Protestant Archbishop of
Canterbury, and became known as “Cranmer’s
Bible.”
iv. Cranmer’s Bible became the official text of the
Church of England after the death of Henry VIII
and its reprint in 1553 became the text for the Book
of Common Prayer and Administration of
Sacraments of the Anglican churches.
k. Mary Tudor’s persecution of English Protestants lead to
many martyrs and refugees, many of whom fled to
GENEVA, Switzerland.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
90
i. JOHN KNOX, the leading Presbyterian of his
day, published a Bible for the refugees in 1557.
ii. This New Testament was Tyndale’s Bible revised
by Dean William Whittingham of DURHAM
University.
iii. The Geneva bible introduced the ITALICIZED
words into the text which let the reader know that
those particular words were added by the translators
(the King James Version adopted this method).
iv. The complete Geneva Bible came out in 1560 and
was still very popular in 1611 and was even carried
on the MAYFLOWER because the Puritans did
not want that “modern version” King James.
v. Because the Geneva Bible was the first to be
produced by a translating COMMITTEE was the
reason for its popularity and endurance (though it
was extremely Calvinistic).
vi. The SCRIPTURE quotations in the preface to
the original King James Version are form the
Geneva Bible and this Bible influenced the
language of SHAKESPEARE’S plays.
l. The last of the known Middle English Bibles prior to the
King James is known as the BISHOP’S Bible (1568).
i. This was a revision of the Great Bible and came
about because of Anglicans were ANNOYED
by the popularity of the Geneva Bible and argued
for a Bible to be used in church.
ii. Most of the translators were bishops and designed
this Bible to be a “SAFE” version for public
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
91
reading; for example using “baptism” instead of
“immersion” which the King James translators
followed.
iii. It was a BETTER translation than the Great Bible
and much less CALVINISTIC than the Geneva
Bible.
v. Rheims-Duoay and the CATHOLIC Bibles.
1. After the death of the Catholic queen Mary Tudor, whose
persecution of Protestants led to the translations to English in
Briton, Elizabeth I ended the persecution of Protestants and instead
began a persecution of CATHOLICS some of who fled to
Northern Spain in Flanders and began a new process of translation.
2. The RHEIMS-DUOAY Bible.
a. In 1568, at the town of Douala in then Spanish Flanders,
exiled Catholics began an English COLLEGE whose
purpose was to train priests.
i. The founder of the school was WILLIAM
ALLEN who had served as a “canon” (=spiritual
advisor) to Queen Mary of Tudor in Briton.
ii. The school moved to RHEIMS in France in 1578
where Richard Bristow (who had become a
Cardinal) became the new president who was a
graduate of Duoay (1569).
iii. The school moved back to Duoay in 1593 likely due
to TENSIONS between Catholics and Reformers
during the war between England and Spain.
b. When William Allen went to Rome, he sent a letter to the
school in 1578 claiming that Catholic priests were having
trouble using English in the Mass, but the “heretics”
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
92
(=Protestants) were able to use these English Bibles and
were making many CONVERTS among the Catholics.
i. He felt the priests needed him and other scholars to
give them a version in their own TONGUE and
asked the Pope for permission to make a Catholic-
English translation.
ii. The Rheims-Duoay was completed in 1582 by
GREGORY MARTIN who had a degree from
Oxford (a Protestant University) but had renounced
Protestantism.
iii. Gregory Martin’s assistant was WILLIAM
REYNOLDS who had also renounced
Protestantism.
iv. The Bible contains notes that ATTACK
Protestants that were added by the two presidents of
the college already discussed, William Allen and
Richard Bristow.
c. This Bible is a POOR English rendition based on the
translators’ belief that Latin was “God’s language” which
was based on a “dream” of Jerome in which God
apparently had spoken to him in Latin about producing the
Vulgate.
i. This Bible was designed to ATTACK
Protestantism.
ii. It includes seven of the Apocrypha interspersed
throughout the Old Testament as if they were
INSPIRED books.
iii. The notes included are BIASED based on
Catholic doctrinal positions (ex. They changed
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
93
Joseph did not know Mary until after Jesus to
Joseph did not know her [Matthew 1:25] and
changed Jesus’ brothers and sisters to cousins
[Matthew 13:55-56]).
d. The Bible was republished in 1600 from Duoay by Thomas
Worthington who had earned a Doctor of Divinity degree
from the JESUIT University in Treer, France in 1588 and
was the third president of the Rheims-Duoay School.
i. The Jesuits were an ORDER of Catholicism
started by Ignatius Loyola of Spain (who began
such ideas as papal infallibility in 1850).
ii. The Jesuits were a MILITANT group which
attacked any they saw as heretics toCatholicism.
1. They believe that you can do anything in the
DEFENSE of Catholicism (ex. It is an
official idea that lying in defense of
Catholicism is not a sin [called “mental
reservation”]).
2. Catholic seminaries still teach that the
Catholic church SAVED the world from
the Protestants.
iii. The Jesuits at Duoay and Rheims are
RESPONSIBLE for this Catholic Bible which
helps explain why it is bent on attacking
Protestants.
iv. The Jesuit-led Council of TRENT decided,
among other things, to condemn:
1. The Bible as INSUFFICIENT for
salvation for it was impious to place the
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
94
Bible on the same level as apostolic
(Catholic) tradition.
2. Those who denied the canonicity of the
APOCRYPHA are heretics.
3. All English translations; because all
scripture must be studied in the
ORIGINAL languages (another attempt
to keep the Bible from all but the clergy).
4. All who studied the Bible without the
direction of a PRIEST (they use 2 Peter
1:20-21 for this).
e. REVISED Editions.
i. The revised edition of the Rheims-Duoay is called
the CHALLONER version (1749-1750) written
by Richard Challoner, a Catholic bishop, to try and
keep up with the popularity of the King James
Version.
ii. There were two earlier revisions of the Duoay New
Testament, one in 1718 and one in 1738.
3. The CONFRATERNITY.
a. This was the first official Catholic Bible in AMERICA.
b. This was not the FIRST Catholic Bible in America as
Challoner’s revision was the first to be published in
America.
c. This Bible REMOVED archaic expressions and many
polemic (attack) footnotes and used American
SPELLING.
d. This Bible was carried around by World War II Catholic
soldiers and bears the IMPRIMATUR (=official
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
95
license by the Roman Catholic church to print a religious
book) as an official Catholic Bible in America.
4. The RONALD KNOX Version.
a. This is the official Catholic Bible in GREAT
BRITAIN.
b. Knox used the Sixtine-Clement Latin version of the
Vulgate (1592) to make his translation instead of the
BETTER texts used by the Confraternity Council and
also did not use the originals.
vi. The KING JAMES Version.
1. The LANGUAGE of the King James Version.
a. English in 1611 was general, SIMPLE, and words had
generic meanings.
b. This English then was WELL-SUITED to be the
receptor language for the Hebrew and common Greek
donor languages.
c. Since 1611, vast ADDITIONS in vocabulary have been
made to the English so that several words may now be
necessary to convey the same meaning of one word in the
1611.
d. It is much more DIFFICULT today to translate into
English from the broad, generic, simple vocabularies of the
ancient Hebrew and Greek languages than it was in 1611.
e. The King James translators did work under the
MISTAKEN idea that the Greek was not common
everyday language.
i. They believed it was a “HOLY SPIRIT”
language.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
96
ii. This did not, however, create a large OBSTACLE
as the language was still broad, generic, and simply
as was English in 1611.
2. The year of the King James Version: 1611.
a. In January of 1604, James I of England called together
numerous ecclesiastics to the HAMPTON COURT
CONFERENCE in response to the Millenary Petition
from the Puritans listed a number of grievances.
i. James did not care for Puritans but called the
conference because he thought he could become a
popular PEACEMAKER in his realm.
ii. The Puritan leader, JOHN REYNOLDS, was
calling for an authorized English version of the
Bible that would be acceptable to all Christian
parties.
iii. The REASONS for a new version also included a
desire for correction of the abuses of the Anglican
clergy and also as an answer to the Rheims-Duoay
Bible which attacked Protestants.
b. James APPROVED of a new version believing he could
be a HERO in his realm, REPLACE the Bishop’s Bible
(so he could undermine the authority of the bishops) and
the Geneva Bible (whose notes he detested being a
conservative), and that he was appointed by GOD.
c. 6 committees were assigned consisting of 54 scholars.
i. Two groups met at CAMBRIDGE to revise 1
Chronicles through Ecclesiastes and the Apocrypha.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
97
ii. Two groups met at OXFORD to revise Isaiah
through Malachi, the Gospel accounts, Acts, and
Revelation.
iii. Two groups met at WESTMINSTER to revise
Genesis through 2 Kings and Romans through Jude.
iv. Each group was given specific instructions on
which text to use if there were DIFFERENCES
from the Bishop’s Bible; sometimes Tyndale’s,
Matthew’s, or Coverdale’s would be followed.
3. The SCHOLARSHIP of the King James Version.
a. Some have QUESTIONED the scholarly abilities of the
King James translators but Melanchthon’s Latin grammar
was universally used until 1734, Beza and Cartwright are
scholars that are still researched and quoted today, and one
translator had such skill in 50 languages “that had he been
present at the confusion of tongues at Babel, he might have
served as Interpreter General.”
b. Some have also questioned the SOURCES the King
James translators used.
i. They used only 16 manuscripts because many
uncials and cursives were not known (ex. Dead Sea
Scrolls 1947).
ii. The ones they used, however, are the SAME as
the others we have today and if you believe in
biblical preservation they should be.
iii. The King James translators had EXCELLENT
materials and risked their LIVES to produce the
version.
4. REVISIONS of the King James Version.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
98
a. The King James Version was never officially
AUTHORIZED by state or church; it was “appointed
to be read in the Churches,” but no formal pronouncement
of this ever came from James I or the Anglican bishops.
b. Three EDITIONS appeared in the first year of its
publication:
i. The “WICKED” Bible omitted not from “thou
shalt not commit adultery.”
ii. The “VINEGAR” Bible had a chapter heading in
Luke 20 with vinegar instead of vineyard.
iii. The “MURDERERS” Bible mistakenly
replaced filled with killed in “let the children first
be filled.”
iv. Revisions up to now have attempted to correct
spellings and archaic wording and we are now in
about the 9th revision.
5. Some things to KNOW about the King James Version.
a. MISTRANSLATED words:
i. Matthew 12:40: the KJV has “WHALE” but the
original means “great fish” or “sea monster.”
ii. Holy GHOST is used in many places, but Holy
Spirit is the meaning (cf. Acts 2:4); ghost meant
gets in 1611.
iii. Hebrews 6:6: the KJV inserts “IF” but it is not in
the Greek text.
b. Archaic WORDS and their meanings:
i. Anathema—CURSED (1 Corinthians 16:22).
ii. Anon—IMMEDIATELY (Matthew 13:20).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
99
iii. Assay—to ATTEMPT (Acts 9:26).
iv. Bishopric—OFFICE (Acts 1:20).
v. Comely—BECOMING (1 Corinthians 7:35).
vi. Conversation—MANNER OF LIFE
(Philippians 1:27).
vii. Corban—a GIFT to God (Mark 7:11).
viii. Easter—PASSOVER (Acts 12:4).
ix. Jewry—JUDEA (Luke 23:5).
x. Keep under—DISCIPLINE (1 Corinthians
9:27).
xi. Lade—LOAD (Luke 11:46).
xii. Maranatha—O LORD, COME (1 Corinthians
16:22).
xiii. Prevent—to GO BEFORE (1 Thessalonians
4:15).
xiv. Quaternions—SQUADS (4 persons) (Acts 12:4).
xv. Rabboni—TEACHER (John 20:16).
xvi. Raca—WORTHLESS, EMPTY (Matthew
5:22).
xvii. Scrip—BAG, WALLET (Matthew 10:10).
xviii. Shamefacedness—MODESTY (1 Timothy 2:9).
xix. Swaddling clothes—clothes used for INFANTS
(Luke 2:7).
xx. Talitha cumi—LITTLE GIRL (Mark 5:41).
xxi. Untoward—CROOKED, PERVERSE (Acts
2:40).
xxii. Vain jangling—IDLE TALK (1 Timothy 1:6).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
100
xxiii. Wist—KNEW NOT, DID NOT KNOW
(Mark 9:6).
xxiv. Wit—KNOW (2 Corinthians 8:1).
xxv. Wot—TO KNOW (Acts 3:17).
c. Archaic PHRASES and their meanings:
i. I trow not (Luke 17:9)—to think, I THINK
NOT.
ii. He purgeth it, that it may bring more fruit (John
15:2)—he PRUNES, that it may bear more fruit.
iii. I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby
justified (1 Corinthians 4:4)—I know nothing
AGAINST myself, yet, I am not justified by this.
iv. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in
your own bowels (2 Corinthians 6:12)—you are not
RESTRICTED by us, but you are
RESTRICTED by your own affections.
v. Not to boast in another man’s line of things made
ready to our hand (2 Corinthians 10:16)—not to
boast in another man’s SPHERE OF
ACCOMPLISHMENT, or not to glory in
another’s province in regard of things ready to our
hand.
vi. And from thence we fetched a compass (Acts
28:13)—and from thence we made a CIRCUIT,
or from there we CIRCLED around.
vii. Children or nephews (1 Timothy 5:4)—children or
GRANDCHILDREN.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
101
viii. We took up our carriages (Acts 21:15)—we took up
our BAGGAGE, or we PACKED.
ix. But was let hitherto (Romans 1:13)—and was
HINDERED hitherto, or but was
HINDERED until now.
x. Jesus prevented him (Matthew 17:25)—Jesus spake
FIRST to him, or Jesus ANTICIPATED him.
xi. For some with conscience of the idol unto this hour
eat it as a thing offered unto an idol (1 Corinthians
8:7)—Question: Does an idol have a
CONSCIENCE? But some being used until now
to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol.
xii. For thy speech bewrayeth thee (Matthew 26:73)—
for your speech BETRAYS you, or for thy speech
maketh thee known.
d. THREE additional things to keep in mind:
i. There is a MISTRANSLATION at Acts 3:19.
1. It should be “repent and TURN” not
“repent and be converted.”
2. Salvation is not PASSIVE on man’s part,
we must act.
3. Repentance is the DECISION to turn, the
turning is OBEYING in baptism.
ii. There is an incomplete translation at 1 Corinthians
16:2 which in the Greek reads, kata macan
sabbatou or “on the first day of EVERY week.”
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
102
iii. The KJV translators placed “ETH” on the end of
present tense verbs to indicate CONTINUOUS
action.
vii. The AMERICAN STANDARD Version.
1. The American Standard Version is an outgrowth of American
participation in the revision project that produced the REVISED
VERSION (1881-1885) and is an American edition of that
version.
2. A translation committee sought a minimal revision to bring the
English Bible into harmony with the original texts but made 5,788
changes to the underlying Greek text because they used uncials
that were then known but unknown to the King James translators.
a. The English revisers were given specific instructions for
translating so that as LITERAL a work could be
produced as possible.
b. In the end, the KJV’s archaic elements were amended in
36,191 places.
c. During the summer of 1870, the English invited American
participation on the project but the Americans would stop
working with them and make the American Standard when
the English copyright ran out in 1901.
3. The OBJECT of the translators.
a. The goal of the English and American translators was to
make what they considered a good Bible (the KJV)
BETTER, more ACCURATE, and more consistent in
terms of biblical scholarship of THAT DAY.
b. During the 10 ½ years the British revision required (1870-
1881) the British and American companies NEVER met
together to discus their results.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
103
i. The work would be MAILED back and forth and
this continued with the first two revisions.
ii. The third revision did not have this happen but for
an American suggestion about some word to be
used or a change to be made, 2/3 of the English
committee had to agree, which they never did.
iii. There were just 19 on the American committee at
that time and received no COMPENSATION
for their work over the next 29 years (1872-1901)
but by 1901 the committee was up to 101 who
would create the American Standard Version.
c. The English translators used the WESTCOTT-HORTT
theory for their Greek texts which was the idea that only
the oldest texts were best and should be the only ones used.
4. A PROBLEM.
a. The English committee reduced the list of American
suggestions and headed the New Testament appendix with
“List of Readings and Renderings Preferred by the
American Committee Recorded at Their Desire” which
implied that in the British edition was ALL that the
Americans wanted changed though this was not the case.
b. This led the American committee to desire a HOME-
LAND edition.
c. The American committee made no formal, public
PROTEST to the British so as not to affect the sales of
the English revision of 1881 and also had to agree because
of copyright legalities to wait 14 years before publishing
the rival edition.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
104
d. The American Standard Version did not appear, however,
until 20 years later.
i. THOMAS NELSON and Sons received the
copyrights in 1897 and on June 24 that same year
work began on the Final American Version.
ii. The finalized version went on sale August 26,
1901.
5. DIFFERENCES of the ERV and ASV with the KJV.
a. The ERV and ASV translators preferred using WHO and
WHOM instead of WHICH when referring to persons.
b. The WOT and WIST of the KJV are now KNOW and
KNEW.
c. The ERV and ASV use JEHOVAH instead of Lord.
d. The ERV and ASV translators use LOVE instead of
CHARITY in translating the Greek term agape.
e. The ASV translators removed more ARCHAISMS than
the ERV translators.
f. The ERV and ASV do a better job in translating TEMPT
in the KJV as TRIAL, especially when the context is
concerning wrong doing.
g. Because the ERV and ASV translators used the Wescott-
Horst text, ACTS 8:37 found in the KJV is missing in the
ASV along with 16 verses in the KJV thought to be
spurious which are put in the margin (ex. 1 John 5:7; John
5:4; etc.).
6. Some things to KNOW about the American Standard Version:
a. The ASV has some SUPERIOR changes to the KJV.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
105
i. In Acts 17:22 the ASV has “very RELIGIOUS”
rather than “too superstitious.”
ii. In Acts 26:28 the reading in the ASV is “with but
LITTLE PERSUASION thou wouldest fain
make me a Christian” which shows the meaning of
the original (Did you think you could persuade me
with that little bit of information?) over the KJV
“almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
iii. The ASV uses “JUSTICE” rather than
“judgment” in Matthew 23:23 which is the better
reading.
iv. The ASV also removed the “STREET
LANGUAGE” in 2 Kings 18:27 and Isaiah
36:12.
b. The ASV has a footnote concerning Mark 16:9-20 because
the two oldest Greek uncials OMITTED it though the
passage is in the majority of the Greek texts and is
authentic.
c. The ASV REMOVES the eunuch’s confession in Acts
8:37 and puts it in a footnote because of the two earliest
uncials and their use of the Wescott-Hort method.
d. The ASV leaves out THE before faith n Galatians 2:16
indicating “faith-only” as sufficient for salvation though the
Greek text demands it being there.
e. The ASV has PASSOVER instead of Easter in Acts
12:4.
f. The ASV changes “ALL scripture” in 2 Timothy 3:16 to
“EVERY scripture” which might imply that not every
verse or word is inspired.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
106
g. PREVENT (KJV) is corrected to PRECEDE in the
ASV (1 Thessalonians 4:15).
h. The ASV changes “peculiar people” to “a people for God’s
OWN POSSESSION” (Titus 2:14).
i. Names of MONEY, WEIGHTS, and MEASURES
in the ASV are unfamiliar to American readers today and
require a Bible dictionary to interpret.
j. Several ARCHAIC terms not known today remain in the
ASV:
i. Quaternions (Acts 12:4)—SQUAD (of 4).
ii. Concision (Philippians 3:2)—CUT-OFF or
MUTILATE.
iii. Shambles (1 Corinthians 10:25)—MEAT
MARKET.
iv. Draught (Matthew 15:17)—SINK or DRAIN.
v. Shamefastness (1 Timothy 2:9)—MODESTY.
vi. Raca (Matthew 5:22)—USELESS.
vii. Mammon (Matthew 6:24)—MONEY,
RICHES.
viii. Maranatha (1 Corinthians 16:22)—LORD
COME.
ix. Must needs (Luke 14:18)—MUST GO or
MUST COME.
x. Would fain (Luke 15:16)—WOULD
GLADLY, WANT TO.
xi. Behoove (Luke 24:46)—OUGHT.
xii. Lest haply (Matthew 4:6)—UNLESS.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
107
xiii. Anathema (1 Corinthians 16:22)—ACCURSED.
viii. Modern VERSIONS.
1. REVISED STANDARD VERSION.
a. The New Testament for this version was published in 1946
and the Old Testament in 1952.
b. The committee consisted of 32 translators backed by the
National Council of the Churches of Christ (a far-left
leaning denominational group).
c. The translators state in the preface that they were not
attempting a new translation but a REVISION of the
American Standard Version but the publishers advertised it
as a “new translation.”
d. The RSV does not use any method (ex. Italics or marginal
notes) to inform non-Greek reading students of which
words were ADDED.
e. The RSV preface claims that thee, thou, thy, and thine are
used for deity but in referring to CHRIST the translators
used you and your.
f. The term almah is translated YOUNG WOMAN in
Isaiah 7:14 but parthenos as VIRGIN in Matthew 1:23.
i. This is done to assert that Mary had
QUESTIONABLE virginity.
ii. The RSV removes FIRSTBORN from Matthew
1:25 implying that Joseph was the actual father of
Jesus.
g. The RSV of 1946 removed MARK 16:9-20 and put it
as a footnote but later editions replaced the passage and
added a marginal note concerning the difficulties in the two
oldest uncial manuscripts.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
108
h. The RSV removes an implied reference to CHRIST in
Genesis 12:3 as the seed of Abraham Who would bless all
nations (Galatians 3:18-19) by rewording the end of the
verse to read, “in thee shall all the families of the earth
bless themselves.”
i. It is clear that the translators of the RSV did not believe in
the DEITY of Christ.
i. They removed BEGOTTEN (John 3:16) which is
a virgin-birth reference.
ii. They changed Luke 2:33 to imply again that Joseph
was Jesus’ FATHER.
iii. They changed Luke 2:43 from “Joseph and his
mother” to “his PARENTS.”
iv. Jesus was not Joseph’s son but the son of GOD
(Luke 1:35).
2. NEW ENGLISH BIBLE.
a. The director of its translating committee was C. H. Dodd
who had a very MODERNISTIC view of scripture.
i. Dodd thought the Old Testament writers had
IMAGINATIONS and thoughts of a “high
order.”
ii. He believed the Old Testament books were not
WRITTEN by the men whose names are on them
and that “Moses left us no writings.”
iii. Dodd also compared the New Testament to Platonic
PHILOSOPHY.
1. Plato said KNOW yourself but Jesus said
DENY yourself.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
109
2. Jesus turned Greek philosophy UPSIDE
DOWN.
iv. Dodd also believed the New Testament writers were
influenced by STOICISM (=a Greek philosophy
which denies the Trinity, believes in a distant
relationship with God, help comes from within,
etc.).
b. The NEB was promoted as a COUNTERPART to the
Revised Standard Version by the Presbytery of Stirling and
Dunbane and the General Assembly of the Church of
Scotland in 1946.
i. The Presbytery argued that the language of the King
James was already ARCHAIC when it was made
and now even more-so and less generally
understood.
ii. This same argument happens TODAY but notice
some of the language used in the NEB:
1. Lying in wait (KJV)—
MACHINATION (NEB).
2. Willing to do pleasure (KJV)—
ANXIOUS TO INGRATIATE
(NEB).
3. Mightily convinced (KJV)—
INDEFATIGABLE IN
REFUTING (NEB).
4. Destroy (KJV)—EXTIRPATE (NEB).
5. Grieve (KJV)—EXASPERATE (NEB).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
110
6. Father killers or mother killers (KJV)—
PATRICIDES and MATRICIDES
(NEB).
7. Commanding to abstain (KJV)—
INCULCATING ABSTINENCE
(NEB).
8. He is proud knowing nothing (KJV)—
POMPOUS IGNORAMUS (NEB).
9. Unruly evil (KJV)—INTRACTABLE
EVIL (NEB).
c. The NEB has many of the same problems as the RSV in
denying the DEITY of Jesus (ex. A footnote at Matthew
1:16 makes Joseph the father of Jesus).
d. There are OMISSIONS in the NEB which have no basis
in the manuscripts (ex. Matthew 21:9).
e. Some passages are REWRITTEN,
PARAPHRASED, or simply
MISTRANSLATED.
f. There is CRUDE language used in the NEB with
LEWD language especially found in Matthew 1:25;
21:31-32; and Romans 1:26-27.
3. TODAY’S ENGLISH VERSION (Good News Bible).
a. The translator of this version was ROBERT
BRATCHER.
i. Gideon Rodriquez, a graduate of the Memphis
School of Preaching, worked with Pratcher to
produce a version for the Tagolog speaking people
of the PHILIPPINES.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
111
ii. Rodriquez noticed many PROBLEMS with
Bratcher in attempts to stay with the original
meanings.
iii. Bratcher wrote that “Jesus Christ could not enjoy
omniscience. This is an attribute of God…Jesus did
not claim he and the Father to be one-which would
be ABSURD” (cf. John 10:30).
b. The Good News Bible changes the word BLOOD (heema
[cf. hematology]) to other expressions in an attempt to
remove the blood-sacrifice or atonement achieved by
Christ.
i. In fifteen other verses the term blood is changed to
DEATH and to SACRIFICE in 1 Peter 1:19.
ii. Using the term death removes Christ’s
REDEEMING work on the cross and makes His
death the same as all others (cf. Matthew 26:68).
c. The 1968 revision of this Bible changed VIRGIN to
GIRL (Isaiah 7:14) trying to remove the miraculous
conception of Jesus.
i. This is emphasized in John 1:1 where this Bible
reads that the Word was the “SAME as God” not
the “Word was God.”
ii. The attack on Jesus’ Deity is clearly seen in
Romans 9:5 where the Bible reads that Jesus is
“God blessed forever” but the TEV reads, “And
Christ as a HUMAN BEING belongs to their
race. May God, who rules over all, be praised
forever, Amen.”
4. LIVING BIBLE PARAPHRASED.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
112
a. This Bible was published in 1967 by Tyndale House and is
a PARAPHRASE by Kenneth Taylor.
b. This work is more a COMMENTARY than a Bible
because in the preface the revision committee admitted
that, “a previous rendering, though valid (in the standards,
KJV and ASV) should conform to a more standard
interpretation.”
c. Though there was a revision “COMMITTEE” it was
Taylor who did all of the paraphrasing.
d. The desire for a “more standard interpretation” shows he
was not concerned with ACCURACY but rather his own
doctrine.
i. This is extremely dangerous because translation is
the accurate rendering of what the Greek says while
paraphrase/interpretation is an attempt to give the
MEANING of what the Greek says in another
language.
ii. One reason for the continued popularity of the KJV
is that it is primarily an ACCURATE translation
of the original Greek.
e. The LBP has changed the meanings of HUNDREDS of
verses.
i. ORIGINAL SIN is taught in Psalm 51:5 where
it reads, “But I was born a sinner” and in Ephesians
2:3 where it reads, “We started out being bad, being
born with evil natures.”
ii. PREMILLENNIALISM is inserted wherever
possible.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
113
1. Taylor rewrote 2 Timothy 4:1 to read, “And
so I solemnly charge you before God and
before Jesus Christ; who will some day
judge the living and dead when he appears
to SET UP his kingdom.”
2. Taylor got so carried away that he not only
rewrote Isaiah 2:1-4 but also ADDED the
line that “in those days the world will be
ruled from Jerusalem!”
iii. Taylor believed in “FAITH ALONE” and
inserted the phrase wherever he could (ex. Romans
4:12 reads that Abraham found favor with God by
“faith alone”).
1. Taylor perverted so many verses that it is
hard to identify at all the PLAN OF
SALVATION.
2. One can see his own
CONTRADICTION of his doctrine in 1
Peter 3:21 as it reads, “That by the way is
what baptism pictures for us: In baptism we
show that we have been saved from death
and doom by the resurrection of Christ; not
because our bodies are washed clean by the
water but because in baptism we are turning
to God and asking him to cleanse our hearts
from sin.”
iv. Taylor also believed in the DIRECT
OPERATION of the Holy Spirit causing him to
change passages like Romans 8:16 to, “For his Holy
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
114
Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts, and tells us
that we really are God’s children.”
5. NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION.
a. This Bible was published by Zondervan in 1991 and in the
preface explains that, “the New Revised Version of the
Bible is an authorized revision of the Revised Standard
Version published in 1952.”
b. The preface also explains why many MALE-
ORIENTED terms such as he, him, his, male, men, and
brethren were eliminated (the feminist movement had
pressured for such language and the NRSV is the anti-male
Bible as the result).
c. The NRSV was promoted by a division called
“CHRISTIAN EDUCATION” which was a work of
the National Council of the Churches of Christ (the same
radical, left-wing liberals that created the RSV) showing
their political agendas were of much greater import than
translation accuracy.
d. The NRSV contains all of the anti-DEITY problems of
the RSV.
e. This Bible mistranslated porneia (the sexual act,
fornication) to “UNCHASTITY” which allows one to
divorce and remarry if one’s mate dress, speaks, etc.
unchastely.
f. The NRSV shows its feminist tendencies in places like 1
Timothy 3:11 where a marginal note allows for female
DEACONS.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
115
g. This Bible also allows SOCIAL DRINKING by
changing “not given to wine” (1 Timothy 3:3) to “avoid
drunkenness.”
i. The phrase “not given to wine” used in the KJV
carries the true meaning—ABSTINENCE from
alcohol.
ii. If you can drink socially, can you commit
ADULTERY socially?
iii. If I have 10 chickens and you steal one what are
you? A chicken THIEF. If you take one drink
then you are one drink DRUNK.
iv. A drink of alcohol kills one MILLION brain
cells; God would never endorse such reckless
destruction of the body He gave us (cf. Acts 17:28).
6. NEW AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION.
a. This Bible began in 1963 when the Lockman Foundation
started a new translation project designed to give
“consideration…to the latest available manuscripts.”
i. It is actually a REVISION of the Lockman
Foundation’s Amplified Bible.
ii. The translators for this Bible followed
NESTLE’S Greek Testament (23rd edition) rather
than the Greek text used by the American Standard
(1901).
b. This Bible does use brackets in the text to “indicate words
PROBABLY not in the original.”
c. The NASB, through footnotes, denied MESSIANIC
prophecy in the Old Testament including Genesis 3:15;
49:10; Numbers 24:7; and Deuteronomy 18:15.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
116
d. The NASB explains that “you” is capitalized when
referring to Deity but pronouns referring to CHRIST are
not capitalized.
e. The NASB mistranslates porneia (the ACT of fornication)
as unchastity in Matthew 5:32 and as immorality in
Matthew 19:9 which would permit easy divorce if
followed.
f. The NASB mistranslates Romans 12:1 to “which is your
spiritual service of worship” which indicates that all
SERVICE to God is worship (cf. Genesis 22:3-5).
g. The NASB does have some BETTER readings than the
KJV:
i. BRIDLES (James 3:3).
ii. PREDESTINED (Ephesians 1:5; Romans
8:29).
iii. SEA MONSTER (Matthew 12:40).
iv. EVERY WEEK (1 Corinthians 16:2).
h. There is a CONTRADICTION in the NASB between
Matthew 5:17 and Ephesians 2:15.
i. Though it is called the “NEW” American Standard, it is
not related to the American Standard of 1901 and lacks its
accuracy.
7. NEW KING JAMES VERSION.
a. The translators of this Bible had as their PURPOSE not
to make a new translation, but rather to “make a good one
better.”
i. They believed their work was a
CONTINUATION of the efforts made to
produce the original KJV.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
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ii. The translators seemed to have REVERENCED
the Bible as the Word of God and used a Greek text
similar to the Textus Receptus used by the KJV
translators.
iii. It was first published in 1982 and the Slimline
Edition had a “What Must I Do To Be Saved”
section but the acts of conversion are
INCOMPLETE.
iv. The translators did attempt to UPDATE many of
the archaic words of the KJV but words like
mammon, Hosanna, Rabboni, etc. were kept.
b. The NKJV did correct “hell” to “hades” (ex. Mark 9:42-
48), “Easter” to “Passover” (Acts 12:4), “debate” to “strife”
and “contention” (Romans 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:20) and
removed the term “UNKNOWN” (in italics in the KJV
at 1 Corinthians 14:2) which is used by charismatics for
speaking gibberish and claiming it to be the gift of tongues.
c. The first edition of the NKJV had Jesus’ bones
BROKEN at 1 Corinthians 11:24 but later editions fixed
this mistake.
d. The NKJV does corrupt Galatians 2:16, 20; Ephesians
3:12; and Philippians 3:9 by reading “faith in Christ”
instead of “THE faith in Christ” thus implying faith only.
e. The NKJV dilutes the “Golden Rule” of Matthew 7:12 by
reading “WOULD do to you” rather than “SHOULD
do to you;” there is a big difference in treating someone the
way I want him to treat me (“gold plated rule”) and treating
him right as he should me regardless of any motive that
wants him to treat me correctly.
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
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f. The NKJV removed ETH from the end of verbs which
eliminates the ability to determine the continuous action of
a verb.
g. The NKJV does use oblique (=slanted) typeface in the New
Testament to identify a QUOTE from the Old Testament.
h. A large problem with the NKJV is its use of SEXUAL
IMMORALITY as the translation of porneia (Matthew
5:32; 19:9; etc.).
i. Again, porneia is an ACT.
ii. If the NKJV was the only source of God’s
instructions to people today, one could divorce and
remarry for a spouse simply THINKING a
wrong thought.
iii. Porneia is a STRONGER idea than lusting, the
act must be COMMITTED.
i. The NKJV is better than most when it comes to modern
version but as a STANDARD it too is lacking but is
useful as a comparative STUDY Bible.
8. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.
a. This Bible claims to be “an
INTERDENOMINATIONAL effort, by scores of
scholars, to translate God’s word AFRESH.”
b. The history of this Bible goes back to the 1950’s but work
did not begin until 1968 with the New Testament being
published in 1973.
c. The preface of the NIV states that the translators, “have
striven for MORE than a word for word translation” and
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
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so have “frequent MODIFICATIONS in sentence
structure.”
d. The NIV is full of doctrinal ERROR:
i. It removes the “SEED OF WOMAN” (which
is a biological impossibility therefore a virgin-birth
prophecy) from Genesis 3:15 when the Hebrew
word demands it.
ii. It has the same contradiction as the NASB between
Matthew 5:17 and Ephesians 2:15 in having both as
ABOLISH.
1. It also creates a CONTRADICTION
with Hebrews 9:15 and 2 Corinthians 3:7-
11.
2. Jesus did not ABOLISH the Law of
Moses, He FULFILLED it.
iii. The NIV translates flesh as SINFUL
NATURE in Romans 8 and Galatians 5 (cf.
Ezekiel 18:20) and furthers the idea in Psalm 51:4
reading “a sinner from BIRTH.”
iv. The NIV at Ephesians 5:19 reads “sing and make
MUSIC” which permits the use of instrumental
music in worship.
v. The NIV translators were INCONSISTENT
when translating ha-daz having it as hades in
Matthew 16:18, depths at Matthew 11:23, hell at
Luke 16:23, but grave at Acts 2:27.
vi. The NIV allows for easy divorce and remarriage by
rendering porneia as MARITAL
UNFAITHFULNESS at Matthew 5:32 and
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
120
19:9 and as SEXUAL IMMORALITY at 1
Corinthians 5:1; Acts 15:20, 29; 1. Corinthians
6:13, 18; and Jude 7.
vii. The NIV at Ephesians 1:13; has one “who
HEARS” already saved and the one who
“believes” having the personal Holy Spirit which
contradicts Acts 2:38.
e. Some have tried to PROMOTE the NIV among the
churches of Christ by saying that a member of the
translating committee was a member of the church of
Christ.
i. A group calling itself the “church of Christ” is listed
in the preface but it is a
DENOMINATIONAL group not affiliated
with the New Testament church.
ii. The NIV is the most DANGEROUS of all the
new Bibles not only because it is filled with error,
but because brethren have accepted and promoted it.
iii. A new version is a good thing if, and only if, it is
translated from the original without ADDITION
which the NIV did not do and ADMITS this in its
preface.
9. ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION.
a. This Bible appeared in 2001 with the goal to “capture the
precise wording of the original text and personal style of
each Bible writer.”
b. The ESV started with the 1971 Revised Standard Version
but also used the 1952 RSV and used the Wescott-Horst
theories concerning the manuscripts (oldest is best).
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
121
c. The translating philosophy of the scholars was striving for
as LITERAL (as far as possible) translation but the
translators added in their preface that they “have sought to
capture the echoes and overtones of meaning that are so
abundantly present in the original text” which basically
means they did what they wanted when they got there.
i. “Echoes” are faint RENDITIONS and
“overtones” are ADDITIONS to the text
creating subjectivity.
ii. One example of this bias is seen in the ESV’s
rendering of ANY MAN as ANYONE and
SONS only as sons when sons had a LEGAL
meaning.
1. The Greek is gender SPECIFIC and is not
hard to translate male or female terms
correctly.
2. Any man is a DIFFERENT idea from
anyone.
d. The ESV does retain VIRGIN at Isaiah 7:14, replaced
archaic terms with MODERN usage, corrected “tempt”
with “TESTED” (cf. Genesis 22:1) and “bowels” with
“AFFLICTIONS.”
e. The ESV does not indicate added words with ITALICS
and some of the footnotes are neither HELPFUL nor
ACCURATE.
i. Ex. At Daniel 3:16 the ESV reads, “If this be so, our
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
122
burning furnace” but the footnote reads, “IF our
God whom we serve is able.”
ii. The statement of the footnote brings into question
the POWER of God.
iii. The footnote at Matthew 16:18 promotes PETER
as the rock on which the church is built (cf. 1
Corinthians 3:11) and the text leaves out “body
broken for you” at 1 Corinthians 11:24 when the
Greek text HAS it.
f. The website of Good News Publishers Board of Directors
indicates that the translators believed in a DIRECT
operation of the Holy Spirit, that BAPTISM is non-
essential to salvation, and that the LORD’S SUPPER is
non-essential.
i. These leanings show why the translators changed
SHALL to WILL and vice-verse throughout the
translation.
ii. This is used to show actions that are unchangeable
because God PREDESTINED them which is a
tenet of Calvinism and not true Bible doctrine.
g. Ephesians 4:8; 2 Peter 2:9; 1 John 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21;
Romans 10:9-10; 6:4-5; and 2 Corinthians 3:16 are
PERVERTED in the ESV and these are doctrinal errors
that will send one to HELL.
h. The ESV misses the point of 1 Corinthians 13:10 by
translating telios as the PERFECT but merous as the
PARTIAL.
i. The contrast is not between partial
REVELATION and complete
Sources: The Book God “Breathed” (Keith A. Mosher, Sr.), The Journey from Texts to Translations (Paul D. Wegner), A General Introduction to the Bible (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), From God to Us (Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix), The Eternal Kingdom (F. W. Mattox), Evidences for Christianity (Josh McDowell), Inspiration to Ink (Mike Wilson), A Handbook on Bible Translation (Terry M. Hightower, Ed.)
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REVELATION as the early church had all the
truth (2 Peter 1:3) before it was written (2
Corinthians 4:7).
ii. The contrast is between the “in part” which is the
use of spiritual gifts until “that which is perfect is
come” which is the completed BIBLE that could
be preserved and passed on to future generations.
10. All versions and translations have PROBLEMS.
a. One that cannot read Hebrew and Greek should check the
Bible he uses with the American Standard Version an King
James Version both of which are STANDARDS and
not filled with bias and doctrinal error.
b. We all must keep STUDYING and remember that one
can TRUST the ASV and KJV for sure.