Was Jesus pursuing a perfect Bible at the time?

The Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, and Greek New Testament are interconnected texts that form the foundation of Christian and Jewish religious traditions.

Hebrew Bible:

The original text of the Jewish scriptures, written primarily in Hebrew (with some sections in Aramaic).

It is considered the most authoritative source of Jewish religious teachings.

It consists of three main parts: the Torah (five books of Moses), the Nevi'im (prophets), and the Ketuvim (writings).

Septuagint:

A Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, created in the 3rd century BCE.

It was commissioned by Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the ruler of Egypt.

The Septuagint became the primary text used by early Christians, as Greek was the lingua franca of the Roman Empire.

It includes additional books not found in the Hebrew Bible, known as the Deuterocanonical books.

Greek New Testament:

A collection of 27 books written in Greek, primarily in the 1st century CE.

It contains the Gospels (accounts of Jesus' life and teachings), the Acts of the Apostles (history of the early Christian church), the Epistles (letters written by Paul and other early Christian leaders), and the Revelation (a prophetic book).

The Greek New Testament is based on the Septuagint, as it was the primary source of scripture for early Christians.

It includes references to the Hebrew Bible and often quotes passages from it.

Q&A:

Why was the New Testament written in Greek, not Hebrew?

The primary reason the New Testament was written in Greek rather than Hebrew:

1. Greek as the Lingua Franca: In the 1st century CE, Greek had become the lingua franca of the Mediterranean region, especially among the Roman Empire. This made it a practical choice for communicating with a diverse audience.
2. Influence of the Septuagint: The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, was widely used by Jews and early Christians. This made Greek a familiar language for discussing biblical topics.

Are the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint free of errors?

No, neither the Hebrew Bible nor the Septuagint are perfect without error. Both texts have undergone a long history of transmission, copying, and translation, which has inevitably led to the introduction of variations and potential errors.

1. Human error: Scribes who copied the texts may have made mistakes, such as omissions, additions, or changes in wording.
2. Translation issues: The Septuagint, being a translation from Hebrew to Greek, may have introduced errors due to misunderstandings or differences in language and culture.
3. Textual variants: Over time, different versions of the text may have emerged, leading to textual variants that can be difficult to reconcile.

Despite these imperfections, both Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint are considered to be highly reliable sources of the biblical text. Scholars have spent centuries studying these texts and comparing them to other ancient manuscripts to identify and correct errors. While there may still be some uncertainties, the overall accuracy of these texts is generally accepted.

It's important to note that the study of textual criticism continues to be an active field of research, and new discoveries may lead to a better understanding of the original text.

Was Jesus pursuing a perfect Bible at the time? 

There is no explicit biblical proof that Jesus was actively pursuing such a thing.

The Bible itself is a collection of texts written over centuries by various authors, each with their own perspectives and styles. While Jesus certainly referred to the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) as authoritative, he didn't explicitly address the idea of a single, perfect version of the Bible.

Here are some relevant biblical passages to consider:

Matthew 5:17-18: Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the Law until all has been accomplished." This suggests that Jesus valued the existing Scriptures, Jesus accepted the Old Testament in Hebrew and the Old Testament in Greek-Septuagint, but it doesn't imply a pursuit of a perfect version.   

John 14:26: Jesus promises the disciples, "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you." This suggests that the Holy Spirit would guide the early Christians in understanding and interpreting Scripture, but it doesn't imply a need for a perfect version.   

It's important to note that the concept of a "perfect Bible" is a relatively modern one. The early Christians did not have a single, unified canon of Scripture, and the process of canonization took place over several centuries. The focus was on understanding and interpreting the existing texts, rather than creating a perfect version.

In conclusion, there is no explicit biblical proof that Jesus was pursuing a perfect Bible in His time. While he valued the Hebrew Scriptures and emphasized their importance, he didn't address the idea of a single, perfect version. The focus was on understanding and interpreting the existing texts with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Do we have a perfect Bible now?

No, we do not have a perfect Bible now. While the Bible has been carefully preserved and transmitted over centuries, it is still a human document that has undergone a long history of translation, copying, and interpretation. As a result, there are variations and potential errors in the text.

Here are some reasons why we cannot say that we have a perfect Bible:

1. Human error: Scribes who copied the text may have made mistakes, such as omissions, additions, or changes in wording.
2. Translation issues: The Bible has been translated into many languages, and the process of translation can introduce errors or nuances that are not present in the original text.
3. Textual variants: Over time, different versions of the text may have emerged, leading to textual variants that can be difficult to reconcile.

Despite these imperfections, the Bible (Tanakh, Masoretic Text, Septuagint, TR, various Greek Manuscripts) is considered to be a highly reliable source of religious and historical information. Scholars have spent centuries studying the text and comparing different versions to identify and correct errors. While there may still be some uncertainties, the overall accuracy of the Bible is generally accepted.

It's important to remember that the Bible is a living document that continues to be studied and interpreted by people around the world. As our understanding of the text evolves, we may gain new insights into its meaning and significance.

My conclusion:

Because Jesus did not seek a perfect Bible in His time, He did not attack the Septuagint, He did not rebuke those who read the Septuagint, and the Jewish people had both the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint, both are not perfect. I propose to Bible teachers at Far Eastern Bible College in Singapore not to act as if they are smarter than Jesus Christ our Lord by promoting a Perfect Greek Bible underlying the KJV and attacking those who read the NIV and ESV, as well as those who dislike the KJV.

While it is true that Jesus primarily used the Hebrew Bible, he did not explicitly condemn the Septuagint. It is important to note that Jesus' understanding of Scripture was rooted in his Jewish tradition, which primarily relied on the Hebrew Bible. His emphasis on the Hebrew Scriptures reflects the cultural and religious context of his time.

The fact is Jewish people had access to both the Hebrew Bible (OT) and the Septuagint (OT). I repeat, both are not perfect. The Septuagint was particularly valuable for Jewish communities living in Greek-speaking areas. The Hebrew Bible remained the primary source of authority for Jewish religious life.

I rebuke lecturers from Far Eastern Bible College for criticizing their students who read the NIV, ESV, or dislike the KJV. Teachers must critically examine various translations and interpretations of Scripture. Rather than pursuing a perfect Bible or a perfect Greek TR underlying the King James Version. Rather than dividing the One Body of Christ due to Bible versions. I am genuinely concerned that a Bible college may become a terrorist training camp for young men and women to attack those who disagree with their theological beliefs. 

I understood, it is important to foster respectful dialogue and avoid personal attacks, it is crucial for Bible teachers to engage in critical examination of different translations and interpretations of Scripture. I pray these so called "Bible teachers" in FEBC, to stop promoting the heresy of Verbal Plenary Preservation, and start to live in peace with one another.