Why all the Translations?

You may have noticed an over-abundance of "modern" Bible translations. Are you a little confused? Is there any sense to all of this? Allow me to share a few thoughts with you that may just change the way you view Bible translations.

First, there are paraphrases. A paraphrase is NOT a translation, but rather a view of Scripture from a single point. This can cause problems. The canonical Bible is often referred to as "The Living Word of God," because everyone can read it and it speaks to each one where they are. A paraphrase cannot do that. So the paraphrase must, simply because of its nature, enforce its singular opinion on you rather than allowing God to speak to you. Not all paraphrases are really horrible, but there is one that is. It's called The Message. Perhaps you've heard of it. Although a professor at a university praises the author for its content I would have to disagree with him. When asked by the disciples to teach them how to pray Jesus doesn't say, in The Message, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." Instead it reads, "As above, so below." The gentleman to whom I had this little discussion claimed that the author translated The Message from the original texts. Well I wasn't aware that the occult "Emerald Tablet" where we find the words, "As within, so without. As above, so below," are found, is part of the original Biblical text. Introducing occult phrases into the Biblical text is, I believe, by design.

Then there are translations built upon the work of Westcott and Hort. Taking different Greek texts than the ones used for the King James Translation, they seem to have taken away much of the sanctity of the Holy Bible. They are found not to believe in miracles, and some New Age authors contend that they were practitioners of the occult. To give a list of the many translations that they influenced would take up too much space here. I suggest you do an online search and see for yourself. You are going to find 2 camps. One that will claim those opposing Wescott and Hort to be heretics hold that the King James is the Only translation. Two, will be people who study the Bible and even use many translations, but have found irregularities in the Westcott/Hort New Testament translations. I'm thinking the truth lies somewhere between these 2 points.

The massive number of translations is just too much. One author goes so far as to say that Satan enjoys the look on people's faces when the Scripture verses is put up on the Big Screen in the front of the church, and you and 10 others, each with different translations, look at that verse and it doesn't resemble anything any of them have. Confused and annoyed they decided to let the preacher use his Bible. The result is and has been, people, especially young people, never coming to church with their Bibles. Without their Bibles in church how much Bible study do you think they are doing alone at home. The fact that there can be confusion because of the many translations is just one method of Satan getting the Bible out of our hands, and then out of our hearts. If he can do that...and he IS doing that, and in doing that the enemy is disarming the people of God. For a very active part of the armor of God is The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Without that, he knows we are defenseless against him.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Intolerance or Tolerance

Intolerance or Tolerance

This is what Christians are getting smacked up side the head with these days. The upshot of this is that if you don't agree with a particular view then you are considered intolerant. Well, that IS the definition of the word. The problem arises when people in one group refuse to be tolerant of another that it is accusing of being intolerant. Let me give you an example.

Right now the government is basically ready to issue a gag order on all Christians, especially pastors, priests, ministers and such, against saying anything against homosexuality. This bill is proposed, sponsored and funded by the "gay" community. Now all you gays out there I want you to listen up real good. It is wrong to put any person down for any reason, but it is equally wrong to ignore morals that have been in place for millenniums. It is more harmful to you, my gay neighbor, co-worker, friend, etc. to limit my speaking out against homosexual ACTIVITY. I would be unloving if I didn't tell people where I stood. I would also be unloving if I identified that person as a low life because of their activity. You see, because of the love that Jesus has placed in my heart, I have the obligation to let you know that, one, I love you, and two, your activity is harmful.

How is homosexuality harmful? It nullifies God's design for marriage. When we say "It takes two" we mean just that, but not two of anything, it takes a male and a female. When that is not present the union can face challenges it should never have to face. Also it is necessary to follow this design to procreate. Even with test-tube babies you need to join a male sperm with a female egg. This isn't wrath, anger, bitterness or anything of the sort. It's Biology 101. Most of all people are made to be eternal beings, and that is the part most people miss. If they thought about it, then perhaps they might think things through a bit more. Now I am NOT saying only homosexuals go to Hell. Every one of us is born with Hell as our destination. The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23) It doesn't say what sins because any and all sin is included in that statement. So a person who cheats a little on their income tax or tells an occasional little white lie is on the same fast track to Hell as the homosexual. However, the solution to all is also the same, "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Notice how one is payment for the work they do and the other is a free gift? The radical homosexual movement today is trying to force Christians from getting that message out. So the logical question would be, "Do they really want to go to Hell?" I don't think so. I believe the thinking here has been so filtered down as to exclude any kind of acceptance of God's mercy, and that's the sad part. These aren't the only negatives. How about sexually transmitted diseases? No, I'm not one of those people who think this is a specific plague upon homosexuals, as some have stated. You have to admit that, first of all, those engaging in unprotected sex, be it heterosexual or homosexual, are asking for trouble. There is also, especially among males, the certain grinding aspect that, if pushed too far, simply begins to become less capable of fighting of any diseases.

Jesus taught using parables, and one He used was that of the sower and the seed. You've probably heard people say, "You reap what you sow." Well, they get that expression, although not the direct quote, from the Bible. It is true. If you plant orange seeds in good soil (and a warm climate) you will get orange trees. If you plant Kentucky Blue Grass seed on your lawn you'll get Kentucky Blue Grass. If you plant bitterness in your heart you will reap a harvest of bitterness. If you plant hatred you will reap hatred. If you plant love you will reap love. I know of several people who are homosexuals. They know my opinions on the topic, but I don't beat them over the head with it. I let my life shine on them by loving them just as Jesus loves me with all of my defects (and believe me there are plenty). These people are gentle, kind people, for the most part. So you see, I do not equate the action with the person. They are planting kindness and gentleness, and because of that will reap the same things. At the same time they are planting seeds of a twisted sexual lifestyle that, when it grows, will not only be their harvest, but will become a snare to them.

Getting back to the main topic, if you really want Christians to be tolerant, then look at what they are really saying, and don't become intolerant yourself. Even if you think someone is being intolerant, why would you want to become like them in their intolerance? The best course of action here would be to be tolerant. Who knows, we may learn from each other. You may be able to help me with my short comings, and I may be able to help you with yours. Admitting we have short comings is a step towards God. If God doesn't let any sin come before Him, but provides mercy through Jesus Christ, then we need to realize that we are sinful before we can receive that mercy. What most Christians are doing is simply bringing you to a place where you can see your need for Jesus. The wise among us let you and God work it out between you, while at the same time remain available for prayer, encouragement and friendship.

David Brollier

Getting Things Straight

I get all kinds of emails from Christians around the world. Those I receive from those in the US are disturbing. They talk about how anti-Christian President Obama is and propose various ideas and legislations to bring us back to a Christian society. Hang in there and you'll understand why this is disturbing.

In God's Word King Solomon received this promise from the Lord, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2nd Chronicles 7:14)

That sounds like a map to get us back to where we need to be, but it's only part of the map. We actually have to humble ourselves. We actually have to pray and see the face of God. We actually have to turn from our wicked ways if we want God to "forgive their sin and heal their land."

Now there are many out there that will say, "That's what I'm doing." This is where the other side of the coin is revealed. In the Chronicles and the Kings we have a list of kings from David up until they are led captive in Babylon. Some kings were good, and did what was right. Most did that which was evil. One good king, I believe it was Joash, King of Judah (you see already their evil had spit the nation) ordered the cleaning out of the Temple to make it worthy of the Lord. While they were cleaning out all the garbage, the idols, the things that belonged to other idols, men found the book of the Law. We would know this as the Torah or the books of Moses. They brought it back and read it before the king. Now pay attention. As they were reading this the king tore his clothes and fell (I believe) on his face. The very reading of the Law showed him how evil he was, even though he did that which was right. He ached for the people he ruled over and destroyed all the idols, grinding them into dust. Then he had the books of the Law read before all the people and the priests and Levites cleansed themselves and began to offer up sacrifices for the people.

You may be scratching your head, wondering why I'm bringing up this ancient history. The reason is simple. As long as we try to blame someone else for the troubles we are in we are part of the problem. Until we truly humble ourselves before God, how can we turn from our evil ways? If we do not turn from our evil ways, we, the CHURCH, then our nation will continue to come under the persecution of God. It's not that God likes persecution, but He wants us to come to Him.

Many in our churches are writing their own rules, their own laws. Our hearts have grown hard. While certain people may be doing harm to this nation, they can do no greater harm than we, who call ourselves Christian, and act in ways that do not seek God out or fail to humble ourselves before our Maker. You see, God sets all authorities over us. That means President Obama and all the rest. I'm not saying they are right. I'm saying that God has sent us into our own Babylon by appointing people who would increase the burdens on our back.

Do you see it? Jeremiah prophesied this, as did Isaiah, and a number or others. Are we greater than Israel that God would stand aside for our "democracy"? We are in contempt of His court, and unless we get things right with Him they will only get worse.

The way back is through a veil of tears. Each of us must listen to the law of love that Christ spoke of, and remember that God is Love. How far have we fallen from our first love? What is in store for us if we do not return? These are the things we should be directing our energies to.

Not Political

There are lot of angry people out there following the 2012 election results. While I can understand why they are angry I also realize that anger may be one of the things that is pinning us down in this society.

Fact 1: Just about every news outlet has shown us just how poorly Pres. Barrack Obama has led this nation. He has apologized to people who are our enemies, and have stated that after Israel we are next to be destroyed. This should be scary to say the least.
Fact 2: Obama has driven the country's debt higher than all previous presidents combined.
Fact 3: It is obvious that Obama does not want the people to have the right to make their own decisions. Perhaps the South was right to secede from the Union in 1860. Some people get the idea that the Civil War was about freeing the slaves. While that did become a factor, the real issue was State Sovereignty, and I think they were right in that.
Fact 4: While we have the privilege to vote for the candidate of our choice it is actually God who establishes authorities over us. How God does that is in direct proportion to the way we, as Christians, have, or have not obeyed Him. Currently God has handed us over to a cruel task-master.

So what does all this mean? Why am I bringing this up? I am bringing this up because there are worse things than a president bound to destroy our nation. Many of you may disagree with me on that. It seems to me that as long as you and I regard this nation as the top of our priorities then we will continue to be angry and bitter with our president. This is such a crazy thing to do.

One person shared with me that unforgiveness, bitterness, and anger directed towards anyone, is like wishing they would die and taking the poison ourselves. This is what America is currently doing. We are taking poison in hopes that some other person dies or is incapacitated in their duties, in this case, President Obama.

As Christians we are to forgive, even as Jesus forgave us. Do you think that you, by your own hand, find any goodness in the eyes of God? If you do then you better change your way of thinking. Scripture tells us that there is none righteous, no not one, and that Jesus offered Himself up to die for us that we might be seen righteous through Him. Dare we think any less for the one God has placed over us?

I do not agree with Obama. I believe nearly all his policies are corrupt and seems almost calculated to destroy the United States. And yet I forgive him, with the help of the Holy Spirit. For if I rebel against Obama I am rebelling against God.

The Bible says, "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked ways then shall I hear from Heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

Time is working against us. It flies by like a barn swallow. If we do not repent now, we may never have the chance. The cup of God's wrath is already being filled. People have warped His words to support their own deviant behaviors; anger, drunkenness, sexual lust, and yes homosexuality. These also we must uphold in prayer and forgiveness. I have friends who are homosexuals, but they know my beliefs as well. I don't preach to them, nor do I put them down. People are people.

For instance, the shooting in Connecticut have nothing to do with guns or mental disabilities. It has to do with the presence of evil, and we must realize that this evil exist in all of us. The evil in one may provoke the evil in another. Jesus came into the world for this very purpose, to destroy that evil in us, but He can only do so to those who respond to Him.

While I would normally be writing about the birth of Christ and the miracles that surrounded that birth I believe it is more important to remind you, to remind me, that God is God. I'm not. Therefore I have an obligation to forgive anyone who has slighted me, and that includes the President. In fact, look at your life and pray for every person God has placed over you. Only as we seek His face and repent can we find the healing of God on this nation

Psalm 23