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RE: Qtman's Musings - 1/16/2008 12:08:55 PM
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Qtman
Posts: 10057
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
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Do We Need A Revival In The Southern Gospel Community?
At first glance the title of this article might seem a little strange. But upon further examination I think it is a proper title and a valid question.
We sing songs about the love of Jesus, about Salvation, the Cross, the Blood, the Saving Grace of our Heavenly Father, but do we really listen to the words? Do we understand in our hearts what we are singing? I think most of the time the answer is yes. However, this article is intended to address those few times when we do not. I am not pointing fingers at any one person and do not mean to offend anyone. I am speaking of the Southern Gospel community as a whole, to include both artists and fans.
I have been following Southern Gospel music all of my life. During this time I have seen artists that were struggling with a variety of problems from alcohol to drugs to adultery and a host of other trials and tribulations. My focus here is on how we as Christians react to artists in a similar situation. Some we embrace and lift up in prayer; we support their efforts to deal with their specific problem. Others we criticize, push away and even shun. When one artist says they have asked for and received forgiveness we readily accept that statement and embrace them. However, when another artist says they have made it right with God we act as if we do not believe them. This is not how Christians should act. How can we minister to the world when we fail or refuse to minister to our own? Sadly, I find myself guilty of treating these artists in the same ways that will be discussed here.
I often hear the statement “What Would Jesus Do.” So before writing this I studied the Four Gospels to find the answer. What I found was that Jesus spent a good portion of His time teaching and ministering to His flock. He also spent much time dining and ministering to those that had sin in their lives; people whom the disciples and even the religious leaders thought were inappropriate for Jesus to be associating with. Why did Jesus do this? We find in Matthew 9-12, Jesus said “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” There are many scriptures about Jesus’ time here on earth that teach us the way we should react to each other. Even those that are experiencing trials that we as humans think might hurt our reputation to be seen associating with them. In the book of John there was the woman at the well, and then there was the woman charged with adultery. In John 8-7 we find these words. “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” In the 15th chapter of Luke we find the parable of the lost sheep. Leave the flock and search for the lost one. Also in the same chapter we find Jesus telling the story of the lost coin and the prodigal son. In verse 10 Jesus says “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” What would Jesus do? I think these Scriptures answer that question. Should we as Christians not follow Jesus’ example? I for one, think we should.
All of this brings up a few questions. Has the Blood lost its power? Can it not cover us all, or are there some things the Blood cannot wash away? Is God’s Grace not sufficient anymore? Was Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection in vain? I think we all know the answers to these questions. After all, is there anyone among us that is more than just a “sinner saved by grace?” I think not. I believe we should all examine our hearts and pray for God’s Grace and that He give us the ability and courage to stand up for what is right, to support one another with love and prayers; not to ostracize one of our own. I feel this sends the wrong message to the world.
I am not saying every artist that has problems should be thrust back on stage and into the limelight again. I can certainly see where the pressures, stress and rigors of traveling full time can lead to certain problems like alcohol or even drug abuse. If travel is a contributing factor to the artist’s problem then maybe that artist should travel on a limited basis or not at all. But even that would be between the artist and God. However, there is a plethora of sins, trials and tribulations that we all face everyday that has nothing to do with whether we travel or not. Regardless, we as a community should be supportive of those artist and their needs.
Do we need a revival in the Southern Gospel community? I believe the answer is a resounding yes. My prayer is that God will send that revival and let it begin with me.
_____________________________
Remember: God loves you and I'm trying!
~rogasinger4Him
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RE: Qtman's Musings - 1/21/2008 4:11:39 PM
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Qtman
Posts: 10057
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
Status: offline
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I have spent a lot of time the past few weeks studying the Bible. More particularly the teachings and words of Jesus Christ. This study has consistently brought my mind back to certain areas of this community.
There are several folders here that are used to discuss various topics relating to Theology, Morality and Ethics etc. Although these threads start out innocent enough as simple discussion they quickly turn to debates and then outright arguments. They occasionally become quite ugly. I am ashamed to say I have been a part of some of these debates and arguments.
My mind and study is drawn to Jesus' contact with the Pharisees. The pharisees were so focused on the "letter" of the law they overlooked the meaning of the words. Jesus often rebuked them for this.
Are we the modern day version of the pharisees. Do we spend all our time arguing over so much minute detail that we fail to see the big picture. More importantly, what effect would our arguments have on someone unsaved that happened to stumble onto these threads. Would it provoke them to read and study the word for answers or would it simply reinforce their theory that they are as well off as we are because even us Christians can't seem to agree and get along. Are we providing Satan with the ammunition he needs to keep these people away. I wonder.
We argue over when Jesus was born. When He died. What he meant when He said certain things. We even argue over what constitutes sin. Is it possible that we sin and don't know it? I believe it is. I start each day with a prayer asking God to guide me in a way that is pleasing to Him. I end each day with a prayer seeking forgiveness for anything I may have done that was not pleasing to Him.
My point in this blog is how much more could we accomplish for the Kingdom of God is we spent the same amount of time and energy focusing on the things we agree on instead of arguing over the insignificant things in which we disagree. The gospel as for as I am concerned can be summed up in two words Jesus Saves. Why can't we focus our attention of the facts that Jesus, was born, He lived, He Died, He arose, and He is coming again. Why just can't we tell people that Jesus loves them and wants to forgive them and save them. Would not this be a better approach? Would not this increase the harvest for God?
Until next time I am,
In His Service
Sam
_____________________________
Remember: God loves you and I'm trying!
~rogasinger4Him
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RE: Qtman's Musings - 1/22/2008 10:29:47 AM
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Qtman
Posts: 10057
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
Status: offline
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Although not written by me, this was to good not to pass on. You may want to have some tissue ready.
In His Service
Sam
A BIT LONG BUT WORTH READING
The Old Man and the Dog
by Catherine Moore
"Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me. "Can't you do anything right?"
Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him.
A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.
"I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving." My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.
Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds
hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil.
What could I do about him?
Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature.
He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess.
The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to
lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.
Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and
oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally
stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.
My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week
after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my
pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.
The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each
of the sympathetic voices that answered. In vain just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just read something that might
help you! Let me go get the article." I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment
for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.
I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me.
I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons: too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. Years had
etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear,
they beheld me unwaveringly.
I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?" The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement.
"He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks
ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow." He gestured helplessly.
As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. "You mean you're going to kill him?"
"Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog."
I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. "I'll take him," I said.
I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled
onto the front porch.
"Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly.
Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones.
Keep it! I don't want it" Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house.
Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples.
"You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!" Dad ignored me. "Did you hear me, Dad?" I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at
his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate.
We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then
slowly, carefully, he raised his paw.
Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees
hugging the animal.
It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours
walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together,
Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet. Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.
Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As
Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind.
The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for
family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad
and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers."
"I've often thanked God for sending that angel," he said.
For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article...
Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter. . .his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . and the proximity of their deaths. And
suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all. Life is too short for drama & petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly.
Live While You Are Alive.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.
_____________________________
Remember: God loves you and I'm trying!
~rogasinger4Him
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RE: Qtman's Musings - 1/25/2008 10:38:16 PM
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Qtman
Posts: 10057
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
Status: offline
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There is an interesting thread going in the Southern Gospel Folder. Well, at least I think it is interesting. It is entitled Are there Southern Gospel songs you disagree with. I would like to expand this to include all Christian music regardless of the genre. For me the short answer is no. I say no because although I hear the words but, I listen to the message. To me the words or no more than a tool used to deliver the message.
I have heard all the arguments. Most boil down to the words are not biblically sound. Exactly what this means I have yet to understand. The part of the Bible we call the New Testament was not considered Biblical by the masses when it was written. However, we believe it is the inspired word of God. We believe Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Timothy and the other authors of the books of the New Testament were guided by the Holy Spirit it their writings and those writings have been compiled as the New Testament. There are some today that still do not consider it Biblical.
I personally know some of the song writers who write these Christian songs. I know their lives not just their songs. I know they labor over the writing of these songs. I know they pray over the writing of these songs. I believe God gives them a message to be delivered and has given them the talent and penmanship to write the words that delivers this message. In some cases I have been told, and I believe, God actually placed the actual words on the hearts of the writers. This being said I believe the songs could also be called inspired by God. That being the case how can we as mere humans consider them to not be Biblical.
What most people are doing is taking a few words from a song and using that as a basis for saying it is not Biblical. In their defense that phrase standing alone ma not be Biblical. But, the words are being taken out of context. As I said before you have to listen to the entire song lyrics and the meaning behind them to determine if it is Biblical or not. Let me give an example. This is an extreme stretch but it will give you the idea. There is an old song titled Had It Not Been. I love that song. Anyway, the verse has a phrase that says “…God Searched Through Heaven And Couldn’t Find One Willing To Be The Supreme Sacrifice That Was Needed…”. Now that statement is definitely not Biblical. But it was taken out of context and does not include all the wording. The first words actually are “Just Suppose God Searched Through Heaven…” See what just two words can do to change the entire meaning. Now as I said this is a real stretch but is shows what can happen.
Lets just start hearing the words but listening to the message. I think we will find we agree with all the Christian songs that way.
Until next time
I am in His Service
Sam
_____________________________
Remember: God loves you and I'm trying!
~rogasinger4Him
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RE: Qtman's Musings - 4/10/2008 12:35:09 PM
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Qtman
Posts: 10057
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
Status: offline
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I know I am about to open myself up to all kinds of ridicule and condemnation from some who read this. I can live with that. However, if you feel the need to send me a PM or e-mail blasting me try to coordinate it with everyone so that I only receive a couple a day. What started out as a simple Blog entry, using MicroSoft Word, ended up being a seven page essay. Therefore, I have divided it into three separate entries here due to space limits. Before you decide I am a heathen on a fast track to hell please read all three part and Prayfully consider and evaluate the content.
King James Version Only Debate
During my recent search for a home Church, I visited one of the local Churches in my community. Included in the literature they gave me was a pamphlet containing the following statement.
We are a Bible believing congregation. We recognize the King James Bible as the inspired, preserved, and infallible word of God for the English speaking people. Our ministry is based solely on “…What saith the scripture…”
I must admit I have heard all of this before but I seriously thought this kind of thinking was a thing of the past. But the lo and behold I found there is a thread in the community called The King James Version Only Debate. I have not posted in that thread because I feel it would be a waste of time to do so. People who are adamant about the subject are not going to be swayed one way or the other. So, I thought I would write a Blog about the subject. The purpose of this Blog entry IS NOT to bash the King James Version and IS NOT in support of the King James Version. It is merely to review the origin and history of the KJV through historical fact and not through sentimental ideology.
Before I continue there are some things I feel I need to clarify about my beliefs. First I believe the authors of the Scripture, each and every one, were inspired by God in their writings. Therefore the Scriptures are the Inspired Word of God. As such the Scriptures themselves are infallible. That being said I do not believe there is any translation of these Scriptures that are infallible. Anything man undertakes to do, due to the nature of man, cannot be infallible.
The vast majority of people I have encountered who believe in the King James only concept do so because that is what they have been taught. Mom and Dad used the KJV, Grandma and Grandpa used the KJV, the preacher used the KJV etc. Few have actually looked into the history of the King James Version of the Bible. For the record I grew up in a home where “If it ain’t King James, It ain’t Bible” was taught. I did not begin my search of the history of the various translations until I reached adulthood. My own dad and I finally had to just agree that we did not agree on this subject. Now on with the history.
One thing that needs to be mentioned when studying the history of the King James Version is the fact that there was a state religion in England at the time. The Church of England was a state sanctioned and authorized religion whose leaders were political appointees. I think it is ironic that one of the reasons people fled England and established this country was to get away from state religion. To let everyone have the freedom to worship God as they see fit. That these people brought with them not the King James Version but the protestant Geneva Bible. Somewhere along the way the Catholic influenced Authorized Version( the King James Version) was adopted and approved by the U.S Congress. That’s right as shocking as it might be to some the Biblical standards on which this country was founded came from the Protestant influenced Geneva Bible and not the more Catholic influenced King James Version.
I think here would be a good place to stop andintroduce a timeline for the English language Bible. That will be done in the next Blog entry.
_____________________________
Remember: God loves you and I'm trying!
~rogasinger4Him
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RE: Qtman's Musings - 4/10/2008 12:39:47 PM
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Qtman
Posts: 10057
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
Status: offline
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King James Version Only Debate Con’t
The below listed timeline is taken from GREATSITE.COM.
Timeline of Bible Translation History
1,400 BC: The first written Word of God: The Ten Commandments delivered to Moses.
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500 BC: Completion of All Original Hebrew Manuscripts which make up The 39 Books of the Old Testament.
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200 BC: Completion of the Septuagint Greek Manuscripts which contain The 39 Old Testament Books AND 14 Apocrypha Books.
1st Century AD: Completion of All Original Greek Manuscripts which make up The 27 Books of the New Testament.
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315 AD: Athenasius, the Bishop of Alexandria, identifies the 27 books of the New Testament which are today recognized as the canon of scripture.
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382 AD: Jerome's Latin Vulgate Manuscripts Produced which contain All 80 Books (39 Old Test. + 14 Apocrypha + 27 New Test).
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500 AD: Scriptures have been Translated into Over 500 Languages.
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600 AD: LATIN was the Only Language Allowed for Scripture.
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995 AD: Anglo-Saxon (Early Roots of English Language) Translations of The New Testament Produced.
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1384 AD: Wycliffe is the First Person to Produce a (Hand-Written) manuscript Copy of the Complete Bible; All 80 Books.
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1455 AD: Gutenberg Invents the Printing Press; Books May Now be mass-Produced Instead of Individually Hand-Written. The First Book Ever Printed is Gutenberg's Bible in Latin.
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1516 AD: Erasmus Produces a Greek/Latin Parallel New Testament.
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1522 AD: Martin Luther's German New Testament.
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1526 AD: William Tyndale's New Testament; The First New Testament printed in the English Language.
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1535 AD: Myles Coverdale's Bible; The First Complete Bible printed in the English Language (80 Books: O.T. & N.T. & Apocrypha).
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1537 AD: Tyndale-Matthews Bible; The Second Complete Bible printed in English. Done by John "Thomas Matthew" Rogers (80 Books).
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1539 AD: The "Great Bible" Printed; The First English Language Bible Authorized for Public Use (80 Books).
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1560 AD: The Geneva Bible Printed; The First English Language Bible to add Numbered Verses to Each Chapter (80 Books).
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1568 AD: The Bishops Bible Printed; The Bible of which the King James was a Revision (80 Books).
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1609 AD: The Douay Old Testament is added to the Rheims New Testament (of 1582) Making the First Complete English Catholic Bible; Translated from the Latin Vulgate (80 Books).
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1611 AD: The King James Bible Printed; Originally with All 80 Books. The Apocrypha was Officially Removed in 1885 Leaving Only 66 Books.
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1782 AD: Robert Aitken's Bible; The First English Language Bible (KJV) Printed in America.
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1791 AD: Isaac Collins and Isaiah Thomas Respectively Produce the First Family Bible and First Illustrated Bible Printed in America. Both were King James Versions, with All 80 Books.
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1808 AD: Jane Aitken's Bible (Daughter of Robert Aitken); The First Bible to be Printed by a Woman.
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1833 AD: Noah Webster's Bible; After Producing his Famous Dictionary, Webster Printed his Own Revision of the King James Bible.
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1841 AD: English Hexapla New Testament; an Early Textual Comparison showing the Greek and 6 Famous English Translations in Parallel Columns.
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1846 AD: The Illuminated Bible; The Most Lavishly Illustrated Bible printed in America. A King James Version, with All 80 Books.
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1885 AD: The "English Revised Version" Bible; The First Major English Revision of the KJV.
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1901 AD: The "American Standard Version"; The First Major American Revision of the KJV.
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1971 AD: The "New American Standard Bible" (NASB) is Published as a "Modern and Accurate Word for Word English Translation" of the Bible.
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1973 AD: The "New International Version" (NIV) is Published as a "Modern and Accurate Phrase for Phrase English Translation" of the Bible.
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1982 AD: The "New King James Version" (NKJV) is Published as a "Modern English Version Maintaining the Original Style of the King James."
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2002 AD: The English Standard Version (ESV) is Published as a translation to bridge the gap between the accuracy of the NASB and the readability of the NIV.
_____________________________
Remember: God loves you and I'm trying!
~rogasinger4Him
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RE: Qtman's Musings - 4/10/2008 12:43:12 PM
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Qtman
Posts: 10057
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
Status: offline
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King James Version Only Debate Con’t
The Authorized King James Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible that was begun in 1604 and completed and published in 1611 by the Church of England. In England it is simply known as The Authorized Version. The guidelines for the translation were set forth by James himself and the Bishop of London. These guidelines prohibited the inclusion of the marginal notes that were contained in the Geneva Bible and it had to ensure that the position of the Church of England was recognized on various points.
King James VI of Scotland was first approached with a proposal for a new translation of the Bible into English in 1601 at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland held in Burntisland, Fife. Two years later in 1603 King James acceded to the throne of England as King James I.
It was mentioned earlier King James and the Bishop of London set forth the guideline used in the King James Version. Some of these guide lines were:
1. The ordinary Bible, read in church, commonly called the Bishop’s Bible be followed and altered as little as possible.
2. The names of the prophets, and holy writers, with the other names in the text be retained
3. The old ecclesiastical words be kept.
4. When any word had diverse significations, that to be kept which has been most commonly used by the most eminent fathers, being agreeable to the propriety of the place, and the analogy of the faith
5. No marginal notes at all to be affixed except to explain a Hebrew or Greek word.
6. Such quotations of places to be marginally set down, as shall serve for the fit references of one scripture to another
7. These translations to be used when they agree better with the text than the Bishop’s Bible. The Tyndale Bible, Coverdale Bible, Matthew’s Bible, Great bible, Geneva Bible.
The Bible in use now commonly known as The King James Version is actually a revision of the Bishop’s Bible. It was not new nor was it unique. There have been many translations of the Bible most claim to have been translated from the original language. Generally speaking the various versions of the Bible were written because (a) the scholars did not agree with the way the original language was translated, (b) in the case of the Geneva Bible there was dissatisfaction with the marked Catholic trend in the Bible used by the Church of England, (c) Various Bible Versions were written and published to compete with existing popular versions. The latter is the case with the King James Version. At the time the most popular version of the Bible in circulation was the Geneva Bible. The main problem was this Bible contained many marginal notes that were blatantly anti-Catholic. As history shows The Church of England went back and forth between Catholicism and something in between Catholicism and Protestantism. Neither King James nor the Church leaders wanted any notes in the Bible that was anti-papal or not compatible with the doctrine of the Church of England. The guidelines set forth By James to the translators made that quite clear. The King James Version has been revised many times. It has even lost 14 books along the way. The original KJV or Authorized Version contained 80 books. The 14 Books of the Apocrypha was removed in 1885. If it was infallible why did it have to be revised and shortened?
Due to space limitations and the already lengthiness of this Blog, I have taken the most popular Versions of today and listed them here along with the purpose of their translation.
The King James Version - Published to compete with the poplar Geneva Bible.
The American Standard Version – The First Major American Revision of the KJV.
The New American Standard Bible – Published as a Modern and accurate word for word English translation of the bible
The New International Version – Published as a modern and accurate Phrase for Phrase English translation of the Bible.
Take a look at a verse of scripture that we all know and love. We learned this verse at a young age. I have quoted this beloved verse, John 3:16, from these popular versions.
The King James Version;
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The American Standard Version;
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
The New American Standard Bible;
"For God so (A)loved the world, that He (B)gave His (C)only begotten Son, that whoever (D)believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
The New International Version;
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Admittedly, I am no scholar but I read this verse in all four versions of the Bible. Please allow me to give you the country boy version of this verse.
“God loved this place and his people so much, he sent his son so that everyone that believed in him would not be condemned to hell but would live for all ages with him.”
It does not matter which version I read I get the same message. I challenge everyone to read all four versions and come up with a different message. I don’t believe you can.
This has turned out to be much more of an undertaking than I had expected. But I said all of this just to get to my point.
Is one English translation superior over the rest? Should we accept one version and disregard the rest? I think they all say the same thing. They are all translations of the “Inspired Word of God.” Which Version should you use? Well this is up to each individual. You should use the version you prefer and are comfortable with. Personally I prefer a Version that is easy to read. I do not like to spend my time trying to understand the language. Time is better spent trying to understand the message. If you pick any one of the popular versions of the Bible, read it, study it, pray about it, God will give you the message He wants you to receive.
Until next time
I am in His Service
Sam
_____________________________
Remember: God loves you and I'm trying!
~rogasinger4Him
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RE: Qtman's Musings - 6/23/2008 10:02:51 AM
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Qtman
Posts: 10057
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
Status: offline
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Why Do We Need Moderators?
Faith Community Network, Cross Walk, Singing News, what do these three have in common? They are all Christian organizations and provide portals to gain access to a Christian forum. So….I repeat the title of this blog. Why do we need Moderators?
I haven’t made a blog entry in quite a while. I utilize my blog to post what God has placed on my heart and frankly He has been to busy trying to straighten me out to give me any messages to post. He has placed this topic on my heart and the need to post it has become increasingly important.
I seem to see more activity from the Moderators now than I ever have. I am not talking about the gentle nudges to get back on topic. I am talking about having to clean up threads or delete them all together. I have been a member of these forums for approximately two years and I seen Fritzw more the past few weeks than I have seen him in the two years I have been posting. Why is this? I am seeing this in threads that at one time would have been considered safe. A place where a Moderator could read, relax and even make a post or two of their own instead of constantly having to clean things up.
Considering these threads or on a Christian forum one would assume most (all) members are Christian. I like a good discussion or debate as well as the next guy but I have quit posting in certain threads because they seem to always turn ugly. Some threads I have just refused to post in at all. I know if ten people are logged on and posting you are likely to have ten different opinions. Does this mean only one is right and the rest are wrong? Of course not. They are just our opinions. Why can’t we as Christians state our opinion, even back them up, without resorting to name calling.
At any given time there are a number of members logged on and quite a few guests. I would think the members that are logged on are Christian. I am not so sure about all of the guest. Suppose some of them are not Christian and are here looking for answers. What they see is a bunch of professed Christians bickering and calling each other names. What message does this send to the lost?
There are a few Moderators I have become quite fond of on here but I would really like to put them out of business as far as being a Moderator goes. I ask that each of you pray for me that I can continue to post and not let myself get angry to the point of saying things that would cause a lost person to think negatively about Christians or these forums. After all we are to let our light shine.
Until next time
I am in His Service
Sam
_____________________________
Remember: God loves you and I'm trying!
~rogasinger4Him
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RE: Qtman's Musings - 8/27/2008 12:10:40 PM
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Qtman
Posts: 10057
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
Status: offline
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Do Babies Go to Heaven?
It appears the answer is Yes, No, Maybe, and that's final.
After much thought, consideration and prayer I have decided to blog about this topic. There is a thread in the Salvation folder addressing this and the answers are as varied as the people making post. No one has convinced me they have been to Heaven, took a look see, and then returned to let us know who is or is not there. Short of this miraculous happening they are all venturing into guess work.
First there are members of these forums that have suffered the tragedy of the death of a baby. I have not idea how that must feel but I can imagine it must be heart wrenching. I know two people who have gone through this and I suspect there are many more. The two I am aware of I have become quite fond of over the months here on CW. To those two and any others I do not know about let me say I am sorry. Not only for your loss and the pain you endured but for your exposure to some of the insensitive statements made in that thread. It is my sincere desire that those who have lost a baby will find comfort in this post.
There is a Latin term used in the legal profession called pari materia. This simply means of like subject or must be considered together. I believe this is the way the Bible must be read. You can't pick a few verses here and there and not consider the whole. Therefore to reach the conclusions I have come to we have to take the scriptures as a whole. Yes all the way back to the beginning.
God created the earth and all in or upon it. God created man(mankind). God looked upon his creation and saw it was good. God being God and therefore perfect saw his creation as perfect. Then and only then did God take a break and rest.
Then comes man's fall. The original sin. Man fell prey to the temptation of satan and disobeyed God. Indications are and I believe prior to this they were perfect. Why? Because God would create nothing less.
From this original sin came the sin nature we hear so much about. Exactly what is a sin nature. Does having a sin nature mean one has sinned. It does not. It simply means man has the propensity to sin. Man is prone to sin and left to his own abilities will sin. However, to be guilty of sin one must have committed sin.
Then there is the sins of our fathers argument. Are we doomed to damnation for the sins of our fathers. There is no scriptural support for this theory. Are we or do we suffer because of the sins of our fathers. Yes and there is plenty of scriptural support for that. But, the suffering takes place here on earth and not in eternal damnation. For example, my great grandfather was born in Tennessee to a wealthy family. One night during a drunken brawl he pulled a knife and killed a man. He fled Tennessee in the middle of the night to avoid retaliation and hanging. He and his family ended up in Alabama. My great-grandfather spent the rest of his life working as a share-cropper on someone else's farm. All of his children and grand-children were share croppers. I believe his descendent's suffered for his sins. Will any of them go to hell for what he did. No. There is no support in the Bible for this kind of thinking.
You often hear people saying we must be born again. We must become as little children. What is the significance of this? Don't leave now this is where we get to the babies.
A baby is the purest form of human life there is. God formed that baby in the womb. God created that baby. From conception that baby is perfect because God would not create anything less. That baby is born sinless. It has a sin nature but it has committed no sins. So to be born again has a two fold meaning. First being born into the family of God. Second is to become sinless and pure. Think about it. The moment you were saved you were perfect, sinless(because they had been washed away) and pure. Didn't take long for that to change did it. Also Jesus said we must become as little children. What did he mean? We have to return to that pure state. That happens when we are saved.
Why did Jesus come to this world?
To save the lost.
To be the supreme sacrifice for our sins.
If we were all like little babies Jesus would not have had to suffer because we would have had no sins.
So. God created everything perfect in his sight. That baby was created perfect and without sin. If for some reason that perfect, pure, precious little baby dies where will it spend eternity? Where does anyone perfect and without sin spend eternity. The obvious answer at least in my mind is Heaven.
To say anything less is to say God created something that was less than perfect and sin filled. We all know God hates sin. I cannot believe he would ever create something already full of sin. That is something we do ourselves.
There is a lot more I wanted to say but tie restraints prevent it at the moment. I will probably post more later.
Until then
God Bless,
Sam
_____________________________
Remember: God loves you and I'm trying!
~rogasinger4Him
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RE: Qtman's Musings - 8/29/2008 10:19:19 AM
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Qtman
Posts: 10057
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
Status: offline
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What is Behind a Thread Title?
First let me say this blog is not directed at any one individual. It is directed at everyone whose name appears on the member lists. Everyone that post on these forums. First and Foremost it is directed at Qtman himself.
I originally made this as a post last night in one of the threads. While checking over the post ans running spell check for errors it occurred to me that may not be the appropriate place. Although totally unintentional I can see where it may have been viewed as a violation of TOS #9. So I canceled the post with out hitting the submit button and decided to put it here instead.
Now what is behind a thread title? Members here being from all walks of life and living in various places are like me and do not personally know many of the other members. Therefore, all we see and know is what they write. I have skimmed over the various folders and most of the threads, with the exception of chat threads, appear to be something someone has been thinking about and just want to know what everyone else thinks. To respond to those threads with our opinions and beliefs are appropriate. The opinions and beliefs are as varied as the people who post them. This is good as it provokes thought and discussion. However, there are some threads that may not fall into this category. There are some that on the face lends to the possibility that it is a personal tragedy suffered by the Original Poster and that poster may be seeking comfort. I have chosen three such threads for this blog. There are others but I limited myself to three. They are in no particular order:
1. Withholding Medical Treatment From Terminally Ill Person who is About to Die. Taken from Morality & Ethics.
2. A baby or Infant dies Does is He Saved or Not, Help?. Taken from Salvation Issues.
3. Is Suicide Forgiven? Taken from the General Faith Folder.
I know people IRL and on these forums that have experienced the the above three things. I personally have never had to face those things. So, if I started a thread about any of the three is would be for general discussion and debate in hopes that I could learn something. If someone who was going through one of those trials started the thread it may be for the same reason or it could be they are hurting and have turned to a Christian Forum and their brothers and sisters in Christ seeking peace and comfort. So how do we respond?
There are thousands of threads in the many folders of CW. I post in only a few. Why? 1. I have no knowledge of the subject, 2. If I post what I really believe it will only add hurt to the already hurting. There is nothing saying we must post on every thread. Am I advocating we lie? Certainly not. What I am saying is if we must post a response we temper that post with compassion because we don't know why the thread was started. We all have our opinions and beliefs but they are just that. They are not facts. Through life I have found "I don't know" to be a truthful and valid answer. Or as Ps103 put it in one of the threads " It is in the hands of a merciful and loving God." This to is a truthful and valid answer. Or maybe the answer is not to respond at all if we can't be compassionate. There is no shame in keeping ones opinions to ones self.
I urge each and everyone of you to join me in this effort. If we can't determine if a thread is for general discussion and debate or from someone actually looking for comfort, healing and/or help lets err on the side on compassion.
In His Service
Sam
_____________________________
Remember: God loves you and I'm trying!
~rogasinger4Him
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