4 40+ yrs Iv studied the whole Bible, some parts many times. Religion doesnt = the truth. I know many Biblical things but its most important 2 know about is being Born Anew (Jn 3:3,5). Whats Biblical is built on it (NT - John is the place 2 start, Chap.3 1rst - the whole Bible is connected 2 John). Im not religious under "church" type labels b/c the Bible is about eternal life not how many rituals u can do (wrong use of the Bible - partly why theres many interpretations). By loving the truth 1rst u'll learn the true love of Jesus Christ.
2 begin 2 find our real Jesus, go 2 John 3:1-14 - note: Nicodemus was very religious but Jesus flat-out told him he had missed the 1rst most important step - being Born Anew. 2 b Born Anew u must 1rst understand no1 can live w/o breaking God's Law = sin separates us from God (Rom 3:23; Acts 3:19). So, u must pray 2 Jesus asking Him 2 forgive ur past sins, accept Jesus Christ as ur 1 & only Savior, ask Him 2 give u God's Holy Spirit (Lk 11:11-13; Jn 15:26; 14:26), seek 2 know/follow Him - u always need a Bible (Jn 7:17; Jn 1:12,13; 3:16,17;21; 36; 5:24: 6:37; 8:12; 10:9; 11:25; 14:6; 20:31; Is 34:16; 46:10 - memorize this verse set - later it helped).
In reading the Bible 1 must know this - theres many ways that seem right 2 men but its end = death & verses must b judged with right judgment. The Bible isnt 2 b read as a novel/a bedtime story. Many think they can just read it & understand it, its rubbish or pick parts of the Bible not easily understood even by seasoned actual Christians.
Many miss this - Jesus is the only 1 in history who said He's "the" way, "the" truth & "the" life & NO1 can know God except thru Jesus (Jn 14:6 - ref Acts 4:12; Jn 5:39; 10:1,7). So "the" whole truth was complete/finished thru what Jesus taught/did or God doesn't know what He's doing & cant b God. The truth is either fully true or its a lie. The full truth cant contain a lie - the absence of any lie. So any so-called new teaching/other religious beliefs or from self-proclaimed prophets/teachers r invalid & cant lead u 2 God. But God always knew what He's doing & all Jesus would do.
Jesus couldnt have done nor said what He did unless He fully knew the entire OT (NT didnt exist @ the time of Jesus) - only possible if God sent Him. The Apostles couldnt write the NT unless Jesus allowed them 2 remember/know His purpose (Lk 24:25-27,45). Only God could cause it.
No matter how much well-meaning ppl (religious or not) read the Bible they cant find Jesus without going directly 2 Him thru His Biblical instructions (Jn 5:39; 10:1,7; 3:3,5). God outsmarted man - the Bible's the only 1 that cant b properly understood w/o Jesus (Jn 14:6; II Cor 3:14; Is 29:11-12 - If Jewish ppl cant pierce the veil over the OT w/o Jesus then 4 sure all gentiles cant) - why theres many interpretations/many thinking its just fairy tales (Jesus came with the sword of division).
The Bible severely warns us not 2 trust humans, not even ourselves, clergy/churches/scholars/scientists (Jer 10:2-5,23; Is 2:22; Job 12:11; Prov 14:12; Acts 17:11). So carefully think over what I say. Dont just believe or dismiss what I write so u wont make the mistake many hv, getting caught up in religious beliefs that cant lead u 2 God (things written about the Bible r by man not Jesus - like books/commentaries).
Religions made many fatal errors. They built religions on what man would like God 2 b like. They cant all b right (i.e. Theres 1 Bible, why so many interpretations? - II Pet 1:**19-21). Religion wont teach u much about God (they cant teach what they don't know).
BIBLES:
Get the English Standard Version (ESV) [genuine leather cover if u can] as its the easiest 2 read (see below 4 details). Well-meaning ppl suggest others but theres issues: i.e. Many suggest the King James Version (KJV) b/c its the only 1 authorized by a human king [not God] (drawback - its written in older English not spoken 4 over 130 yrs, good in its day but a huge speed bump now - helps promote Biblical ignorance). Others suggest the New International Version (NIV & all related NL[living]T,TNIV, etc) but its made 2 appeal 2 humanist ideas (a novel/bedtime story/appeal 2 human nature [what ppl like] NOT what the Bible is 4 = huge roadblock). God's eternal truth that never changes is present in most standard translations but theres roadblocks/speed bumps b/c of various objectives (i.e. so-called missing bks dont belong in the Bible (see below)).
Many dont trust God, r stuck in old traditions & miss the right criteria 4 finding the real truth (buying a Bible b/c u like it isnt a good criteria). U want a version that gives u the quickest path 2 the truth (least amnt of speed bumps/roadblocks) 4 the best chance not 2 b confused, which u'll hv along the way - especially 4 young ppl - what u feed a child spiritually affects the outcome - input = output - Ur approach/methodology/purpose & attitude (in)directly affect what u learn. I hv access 2 30+ translations. Iv found the best 2 versions (1 or 2 others r almost as good but not needed). Why I use these 2:
The wise know there cant b many versions that can b the best/close 2 old texts. Theres 3 main types of translations with overlaps/mixtures within each category (dependent on agendas/philosophical approach - some may classify some in 1 category when they belong in another - especially within B&C below - 2 a degree more than 1 method may b used 4 readability or depending on agendas/theology concepts - some overuse):
A. Word 4 word with right amount of literal translation method
B. Dynamic equivalence/thought 4 thought - overused Literal
C. Concept 4 Concept/Paraphrased (free translation) - overused Literal
1a. Word 4 Word
I use Bibles based in "word 4 word" with right usage of "literal" (4 readability) translation methods. The reason is they adhere best 2 original text. The translations, best 1rst, r King James III (KJ III) (newest update) by J. P. Green - also published a Literal Translation & an Interlinear Version (IV) - includes Hebrew&Greek, **English Standard Version (ESV) - the "easiest good version" 2 read (related update of Revised Standard Version (RSV - best older 20th Cnt translation).
1b. Older English Versions
Regrettably all other English translations hv inherent issues/errors. Old English versions like the KJV, American Standard Version (ASV, AmV), Revised English Version (REV), Darby & similar versions r written in older English thats not been used 4 over 130 yrs. While poetically nice the Bible ISNT about poetry. The Bible's hard enough 2 understand without trying 2 decipher an outdated language - even word 4 word trans. wont help.
The truth's hidden in the Bible. It takes lots of time/energy 2 mine it as is. Again, many ppl claim the KJV is the only "authorized" version (KJV is authorized by a "human" king not God/has errors). Many older English words rnt even rightly definable any more. Use of OLD so-called "modern" English only helps promote Biblical ignorance, overriding its value 4 knowing God.
2. Dynamic Equivalence/Thought 4 Thought
B wise stay away from all other (un)popular versions b/c they, 2 1 degree or another hv rewritten passages/verses. While many were well-meaning they watered down/caused significant changes 2 the meaning of God's actual message/block the true power of God's word from being rightly understood.
Many well-meaning ppl tried 2 make versions so-called easier/more pleasurable 2 read - the Bible isnt a storybook/novel. They were trying 2 please humans instead of God. They used dynamic equivalence, thought 4 thought & used some literal/word 4 word method translation 4 where the original was obviously better. Where these methods went wrong is b/c they tried 2 1 degree or another 2 rewrite verses in their own words (calling them so-called modern English, etc.) or styles (sentence structure/other issues/errors). The more liberally applied the worse the version (especially 4 hidden agendas).
These versions include: The [NASB], RE, NAV, JB, NEB, KJV, NKJV, NRSV, HCSV, CEV, GNB, NCV, NJB & others with similarly applied methods & sad 2 say all Catholic versions [especially with inclusion of so-called "lost" or Apocrypha books, which dont adhere 2 the same foundation/structure, message or contradict God's 66 true books].
3. Concept 4 concept/Paraphrased/FT
This set includes but isnt limited 2 the NLB, LT, NIV, NIRV, NLV, NLT, TNIV, NLV, The Way - Paraphrased + the Message Bible (worst offenders but all versions listed here r almost as bad as these 2 - they make the Bible more like bedtime stories than the word of God). The more liberally applied the worse the version (especially 4 hidden agendas) - perversion 2 1 degree or another.
These translation methods bend/rewrite &/or water down what was originally intended ([un]intentionally 4 various preferences/agendas). If u want 2 know God's actual message dont use these versions - they will give u a distorted message & u could wind up remembering them that way - especially our impressionable children. Use the 2 versions I list under set 1 2 get 2 know what God actually intended.
Neither a label (like brother/sister/friend), title, name, its history, no. of members/converts, amount of time it existed nor claims made about them (like persecution) means anything (u can call anything anything). Its whats practiced that makes them either the whole truth or a lie. A dictionary definition doesnt necessarily encompass God's full definition or usage of a word (or His exceptions thereof). I.e. neither Jesus/Biblical prophets were ever muslims no matter what islam's usage 4 the word muslim is (calling a dog god [pope] doesnt make it God [pope]).
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