THIS BLOG HAS STRONG LANGUAGE. READER DISCRETION IS ADVICED.
1. I have decided to follow VPP;
I have decided to follow VPP;
I have decided to follow VPP;
No turning back; no turning back.
2. If no one joins me, still I will follow;
If no one joins me, still I will follow;
If no one joins me, still I will follow;
No turning back; no turning back.
3. The VPP before me, the world behind me;
The VPP before me, the world behind me;
The VPP before me, the world behind me;
No turning back, no turning back.
VPP = Verbal Plenary Preservation
Jesus likely read from the Hebrew Bible: Most scholars agree that Jesus, being Jewish, would have read from the Hebrew Bible, which at that time was not the Masoretic Text but a similar text.
Luke, writing for a Greek audience, quotes from the Septuagint: The Septuagint was the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible that was widely used in the first century. Luke, writing to a Greek audience, likely used the Septuagint as his source.
Therefore, while Jesus may have read from a Hebrew text, Luke's quotation in his Gospel reflects the Septuagint version.
The Septuagint and the Masoretic Text have some differences in wording and word order, but the overall meaning is the same.
Some scholars argue that Luke may have combined elements from both the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint in his quotation.
The exact text that Jesus read is unknown, but it is likely that he read from a Hebrew text that was similar to the Masoretic Text.
While the source of Luke's quotation is the Septuagint, it is important to remember that Jesus likely read from a Hebrew text. This highlights the complex textual history of the Bible and the importance of considering multiple sources when interpreting biblical texts.
In his day, Jesus and his followers did not quarrel about a few translations or the pursuit of a perfect Bible. No issue of Verbal Plenary Preservation.
Paul instructs the church not to quarrel about words. In his letters to Timothy, Paul addresses this issue directly.
2 Timothy 2:14 : "Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen."
Paul emphasizes that arguments over words or minor issues are unproductive and can lead to division within the church. Instead, he encourages believers to focus on sound teaching and the core truths of the faith. Such quarrels can distract from the primary mission of the church, which is to spread the gospel and build up the body of Christ.
By way of application:
Focus on Core Teachings: Concentrate on the essential doctrines of the Christian faith and avoid getting sidetracked by minor disputes.
Promote Unity: Encourage unity and cooperation within the church community, fostering a spirit of love and understanding.
Avoid Distractions: Be mindful of conversations and debates that can lead to unnecessary conflict or distraction from the church's mission.
Paul's guidance is a reminder to prioritize what truly matters in our faith and interactions within the church, aiming for harmony and mutual edification.
Please stop searching for a perfect Bible underlying the King James Version!
Wake up, you drunkard.
There is evidence in the New Testament that Jesus and the apostles used the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures). Here are some examples:
In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah in the synagogue. The passage He reads is closer to the Septuagint version than the Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew text).
Luke 4:18-19: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
Several quotations in the Gospels align more closely with the Septuagint than with the Hebrew text. Here are a few notable examples:
Matthew 1:23: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). This is a quotation from Isaiah 7:14, and the wording matches the Septuagint.
Matthew 21:16: “From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise.” This is a quotation from Psalm 8:2, aligning with the Septuagint.
The apostles, especially Paul, often quoted the Old Testament in their writings, and these quotations frequently align with the Septuagint. For example:
Romans 3:10-18: Paul quotes several Old Testament passages in a sequence that aligns with the Septuagint version.
These examples show that Jesus and the early Christians were familiar with and utilized the Septuagint. This usage highlights the acceptance and influence of the Septuagint in the early Christian community.
It's crucial to understand that Jesus was not concerned with finding a "perfect" version of the Old Testament. Instead, He focused on the message and teachings within the scriptures, regardless of whether they were from the Hebrew text or the Greek Septuagint.
Jesus' Use of the Scriptures
Throughout His ministry, Jesus often quoted from the scriptures to teach and guide His followers. He referenced both the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Septuagint, showing His familiarity and acceptance of both. For example, in the synagogue at Nazareth, He read from the book of Isaiah (Luke 4:16-21), demonstrating His respect for the Hebrew scriptures.
Respect for Different Texts
Jesus did not critique or condemn anyone for reading the Hebrew scriptures or the Septuagint. His primary concern was the heart and intent of the reader. He emphasized understanding and living out the teachings rather than focusing on textual differences.
Focus on the Message
In Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." This highlights that His mission was to fulfill the scriptures, bringing their teachings to life through His actions and words.
Application for Us
As followers of Christ, we should focus on the core messages and teachings of the Bible. Whether we read the Hebrew text, the Septuagint, or any other translation, the key is to understand and apply God's word in our lives.
Conclusion
Let's embrace the scriptures in their entirety, appreciating the rich history and diverse translations that have brought God's word to us. Let us strive to live according to the teachings of Jesus, who showed us the way to love, compassion, and truth.
Thank you, and may God bless our understanding and application of His word.
Many statements in Scripture indicate that the Bible is given to us for more than satisfying our curiosity about what God is like, what He has done in the past, or what He will do in the future. Its intended impact on lives is seen in that the Bible convicts (Heb. 4:12–13), regenerates (2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Peter 1:23), nurtures (2:2), cleanses (Ps. 119:9; John 15:3; 17:17; Eph. 5:25–26), counsels and guides (Ps. 119:24, 105), prevents sin (v. 11), renews (vv. 50, 93, 107, 149, 154, 156), strengthens (v. 28), sustains (vv. 116, 175), gives wisdom (vv. 98, 130, 169), and delivers (v. 170).
The
Scriptures are called a fire, to consume false teaching (Jer. 23:29); a hammer,
to shatter people’s hard hearts (v. 29); food, to sustain one’s soul (Ps.
119:103; Jer. 15:16; 1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:13–14; 1 Peter 2:2); a light, to guide
our paths (Ps. 119:105); and a sword, for offense against Satan (Eph. 6:17; cf.
Luke 4:4, 8, 12). In Psalm 119 the psalmist used many verbs to speak of his
response to God’s Word: walk according
to, keep, obey, follow, trust in, seek out, delight in, meditate on, consider,
rejoice in, see, understand, hope in, teach, speak of, remember, not forget,
not forsake, not depart from, not stray from, not turn from, believe in,
consider, long for, love, stand in awe of, tremble at, sing of, and choose.
Having been
born again by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23), believers are to grow in the Lord
by the same means—God’s Word (2:2). In application, then, we are concerned
about relating the Bible to life today. This involves seeing how the Bible,
written to initial audiences thousands of years ago, relates to audiences
today—and how we should respond to it. Do the Scriptures have relevance for
today, and if so how is that relevance determined? What is the significance of
the Bible to us? How do we determine how we should respond?[1]
[1] Campbell,
Donald K. 1991. “Foreword.” In Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical
Truth, edited by Craig Bubeck Sr., 280–81. Colorado Springs, CO: David C.
Cook.
Transmission and Translation
Since God
has nowhere promised an inerrant transmission of Scripture, it is necessary to
affirm that only the autographic text of the original documents was inspired
and to maintain the need of textual criticism as a means of detecting any slips
that may have crept into the text in the course of its transmission. The
verdict of this science, however, is that the Hebrew and Greek text appear to
be amazingly well preserved, so that we are amply justified in affirming, with
the Westminster Confession, a singular providence of God in this matter and in
declaring that the authority of Scripture is in no way jeopardized by the fact
that the copies we possess are not entirely error free.
Similarly,
no translation is or can be perfect, and all translations are an additional
step away from the autographa. Yet the verdict of linguistic science is that
English-speaking Christians, at least, are exceedingly well served in these
days with a host of excellent translations and have no cause for hesitating to
conclude that the true Word of God is within their reach. Indeed, in view of
the frequent repetition in Scripture of the main matters with which it deals
and also of the Holy Spirit’s constant witness to and through the Word, no
serious translation of Holy Scripture will so destroy its meaning as to render
it unable to make its reader “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”
(2 Tim. 3:15).[1]
[1] Sproul, R. C.
2009. Can I Trust the
Bible?. Vol. 2. The Crucial Questions Series. Lake Mary, FL:
Reformation Trust Publishing.
Right Motivation Makes All the Difference
In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul talked about food offered to idols. The pagan religions at that time would offer meat to their idols. After the ceremony, they would take the meat (obviously the idols didn’t eat it) and sell it in the marketplace at a reduced price. Understandably, some Christians who had converted from paganism had a problem with eating this meat because they felt as if they were participating in idolatry by doing so. Other Christians rightly understood that these idols were nothing, and they could eat that meat with a clear conscience.
The problem came, however, when these Christians began to use their knowledge to push their brothers and sisters to act against their consciences. In addressing that issue, Paul said these profound words: “Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1).
Paul’s warning serves as a great case in point for what happens when we study the Bible with the wrong motives. When we study the Bible in order to gain more knowledge, to look more intelligent, to prove a point to someone else, or to convince other people that they should think and act just as we do, then we are studying the Bible with wrong motives. And what is the fruit of this type of study? We become “puffed up.” Ironically—tragically—the act of studying the Bible has produced some of the most arrogant people this world has ever seen. Chances are, you know one or two of these people.
Rather than thinking about all of the arrogant people you know, take a minute to consider whether or not your efforts in studying the Bible have simply puffed you up. How has studying the Bible changed you? Are you more arrogant, argumentative, or judgmental? Write down a few thoughts below:
Clearly, this is not the way God wants us to study the Bible. Instead, reading God’s Word should lead us to become more like God. As Paul said, knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. When we come to the Bible without an agenda, looking for the ways in which God wants to teach us and change us, then we will walk away more like the people that God desires us to be.
Remember Peter’s exhortation: “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Pet. 2:1–2). We should set aside every ungodly desire and inclination and simply long to be fed and nourished by the Word of God. It’s a very simple concept that brings life-changing results. Imagine how different you would be if you aligned your thinking and lifestyle with the Bible. Rather than becoming arrogant, you would love God more; you would be in tune with your God-given mission; you would see people not as means to your own ends but as valuable creations of God, and you would find ways to love and serve the people around you.
Take a minute to meditate on 1 Peter 2:1–2. What would your life look like if you desired the Word as Peter described?
Chan, Francis, and Mark Beuving. 2012. Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples. First Edition. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook.
THE THREE STEPS
The principles operative in the historical process of canonization are three: (1) inspiration by God; (2) recognition by men of God; and (3) collection and preservation of the books by the people of God.
Inspiration by God: God took the first step in canonization when He inspired the books. Thus, the simple answer to the question as to why there are only thirty-nine books in the Old Testament canon is that those are all that God inspired. Obviously, if God did not inspire and thus give divine authority to a book, no council of men could ever do it.
Recognition by men of God: Once God gave a book its authority, men of God assented to that authority by their recognition of it as a prophetic utterance. There is every reason to believe that this recognition followed immediately upon the publication of the message. As Edward J. Young states, “There is no evidence that these particular books existed among the ancient Jews for many years before they were recognized as canonical. Indeed, if a book was actually revealed by God, is it conceivable that such a book would circulate for many years before anyone recognized its true nature?”1 The evidence, in fact, is to the contrary. Moses’ writings were received in his day (Ex. 24:3; Jos. 1:8). Joshua’s book was added to the canon immediately (Josh. 24:26). Daniel, a contemporary of Jeremiah, had received the latter’s book along with “the books” (Dan. 9:2).
Collection and preservation by the people of God: Moses’ books were collected and preserved beside the Ark (Deut. 31:26). “Samuel told the people the ordinances of the kingdom, and wrote them in the book and placed it before the Lord” (1 Sam. 10:25). Daniel had a collection of “the books,” and there is every indication throughout the Old Testament that prophetic writings were collected as soon as they were written. During Josiah’s day, the “law of Moses” was “found in the house of the Lord” (2 Kings 23:24–25), where it had been stored. Proverbs 25:1 notes that “these … are the proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.” Ezra the priest had preserved a copy of “the law of Moses” that he brought with him out of Babylon after the captivity (Ezra 7:6). Therefore, inspiration produced the canonical books, and subsequent recognition and collection preserved them for posterity.
1 Edward J. Young, “The Canon of the Old Testament,” in Carl F. H. Henry, ed., Revelation and the Bible, p. 163.
Geisler, Norman L., and William E. Nix. 1986. A General Introduction to the Bible. Rev. and expanded. Chicago: Moody Press.
Medieval Monasteries. The medieval Church of the Dark Ages developed four monastic orders between the sixth and 13th centuries: the Benedictines, Cisterians, Franciscans, and Dominicans. The monks from these monasteries became the missionaries who took the story of Christianity to many heathen nations—like St. Patrick, who evangelized Ireland in the fifth century.
The monasteries gave hospitality to travelers, the sick, and the poor. Both the modern hotel and modern hospital grew out of the hospice or monastery. By helping to convert the barbarian tribes, the Vikings, and others, they continued to spread the message of the gospel even in dark times. They also preserved the truths of the Word of God by faithfully producing many copies of the Bible by hand copying the Bible word by word.
Hamon, Bill. 2003. The Eternal Church: A Prophetic Look at the Church—Her History, Restoration, and Destiny. Revised Edition. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image® Publishers, Inc.
THE BIBLE’S PRESERVATION
A ninth reason for believing the Bible to be the Word of God is its extraordinary preservation down through the centuries of Old Testament and church history. Today, after the Bible has been translated in part or whole into hundreds of languages, some with multiple versions, and after millions of copies of the sacred text have been printed and distributed, it would be a nearly impossible feat to destroy the Bible. But these conditions did not always prevail.
Until the time of the Reformation, the biblical text was preserved by the laborious and time-consuming process of copying it over and over again by hand, at first onto papyrus sheets and then onto parchments. Throughout much of this time the Bible was an object of extreme hatred by many in authority. They tried to stamp it out. In the early days of the church, Celsus, Porphyry, and Lucian tried to destroy it by arguments. Later the emperors Diocletian and Julian tried to destroy it by force. At several points it was actually a capital offense to possess a copy of parts of Holy Writ. Yet the text survived.
If the Bible had been only the thoughts and work of human beings, it would have been eliminated long ago in the face of such opposition, as other books have been. But it has endured, fulfilling the words of Jesus, who said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mt 24:35). (Boice, James Montgomery. 2019. Foundations of the Christian Faith: A Comprehensive & Readable Theology. Revised & Expanded. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press.)
Reflection:
The Textus Receptus (TR), the Greek text underlying the King James Version (KJV), is not considered a perfect replica of the original autographs. Scholars generally agree that it is not an exact replica of the original autographs.
Martin Luther, the 16th-century reformer, often used harsh, earthy, and sometimes vulgar language in his polemical writings and sermons. Hi...