to Ben
Submitted by F.O.D. on June 25 1999 at 16:10:32
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Hi Ben, thanks for your replies down below. That's quite funny about your reaction to the NIV. My strong reaction to your mention of the KJV came from exactly the opposite direction, but really it was the same thing! From time to time I've heard people say the KJV is the only true translation of the Bible, all others are distortions. I was concerned that that was what you had meant! I remember one guy once telling me the NIV was wrong because it renders Rev. 22:14 as "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city." whereas the KJV has "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." This man was trying to tell me the NIV was heretical because it was saying that all you had to do to enter heaven was wash your clothes! (The original Greek - I'm pretty sure I checked it - is closer to the NIV wording, ie the NIV is a literal translation.) So I appreciate your objection to NIVolatry :) I agree, ultimately it really doesn't matter which translation you use, if you're really trying to understand the sense and meaning of what's there. The different wordings essentially carry the same ideas and meanings. By the way, many people I know recommend the New American Standard Version. Theologians I know seem to be fond of the Revised Standard Version. The main point is to be comfortable in reading it so you can allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into understanding God better, rather than trying to improve your command of the English language, modern or ancient. Your meaning behind the phrase "fundamentalist" make sense - sticking to the fundamentals, not tolerating less than a full committment in oneself. I figure in that sense we all should be "fundamentalists". I think the thing that concerns me in my life personally is the thought that what if some of those things that I've been adhering to as fundamental truths (attitude towards homosexuality is the most immediate example) turn out not to be fundamental after all in the mind of God himself. Well, he is patient with us even if we get it wrong. God bless, Ben, Fod |