Too Familiar
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NASB
Words – Adin Steinsaltz makes the following comment in his book, Simple Words: “Because we know these words for such a long time, because we seem to know their meaning so well, we never have the chance to really understand what they mean. When we grapple with the meaning of the words, we discover what they are. Through this process of trying to understand, the words may become very different; sometimes we also gain a new understanding of ourselves and what we have been doing all our lives. This understanding is itself a revelation.”[1]
In my opinion, this insight applies across most of our understanding of Scripture. Our familiarity with the Bible, as a result of the centuries of Christian influence in the culture and our own immersion in Christian thinking, has altered the way we read the text, not only in translation but also in the original languages. We no longer hear the words as they were spoken because we don’t live in the world that first heard them. In order to truly understand God’s revelation, we need to strip ourselves of the accumulation of meanings from our own history – personal and cultural. This is our task, not because we have been remiss but simply because we are millennia removed from the history of God’s declarations. But we can recover.
In order to read Scripture with the mind of those who first heard it, we must carefully articulate the paradigms that influence the meanings of our words. This is a big task, but not an impossible one. For example, by studying the use of hesed in the culture and history of ancient Israel, we discover how rich the word really is – and how anemic our translations of “mercy” or “lovingkindness” are. What is true of hesed is true of most of the Bible’s words. In order to understand we must go back. The meanings we seek are in the past, not the present or in some eschatological future.
Far too often, when we realize the enormity of this task, we experience two conflicting emotions. The first is the feeling that all we have previously learned is wrong. The second is the denial of this same feeling by claiming that surely God oversees His word so that culture and history make no real difference to our faith. The first feeling of panic is not warranted. Our experiences with God are not invalid. They are the very things that brought us to this point. Without them we would still be in the dark. God uses every human experience to bring us to the light, even those that ultimately turn out to be false or sinful. Rather than feeling as though the past is a loss, let us embrace it as the path that brought us here – superintended by God Himself.
However, the second reaction is insufficient and probably in error. The history of the transmission of Scripture is quite clear. There are lots of mistakes. That does not mean that the words God delivered were not accurate. It means that they have been put into the hands of men, and men often massage the words in order to accomplish their purposes rather than God’s. God doesn’t supervise the sins of men, so when these sins affect the transmission of His word, He doesn’t act as a proofreader. Of course, God still uses those words to reach the hearts of men and women, but that doesn’t mean the words themselves didn’t contain mistranslations and mistaken theological doctrines. It simply means that God uses what human beings allow Him to use. He does not violate our free, and often fallible, will.
What’s the bottom line? Words! Words that we know so well we don’t even think about them anymore. Words that are so much a part of our vocabulary we have stopped thinking about their real meanings. Our objective is to examine these words as best we can to understand what they would have meant when God first spoke them. Our goal is to bring these “dead” words back to life so that they may become words that “are acceptable in Your sight.”
Topical Index: words, paradigm, Adin Steinsaltz, Psalm 19:14
Thanks, Skip. Great reminder of the task ahead of us, often standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. But becoming slaves of great men of the past rather than slaves to HaMashiach has created unnecessary sidetracks. We all need to be reminded of the words of Rabbi Sha’ul, “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” (1 Cor. 7:23).
OH IAN Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!!
I finally have a short answer for my friends who are chained to their old dead theologians.
Sometimes, though, being chained to old dead theologians is preferable to being chained to young, living theologians. 🙂
boy howdie!
Concur! And like Pam, thank you for the short articulate and to the point distillation. I like Pam will be stealing this one!
Here’s a thought . . .
Some of those old dead theologians were smart people, well trained in the colleges and the seminaries of the day. They knew the biblical languages. They were sharp, but often not sharp enough.
However, if we think that we are somehow devoid of their propensity to make mistakes, we probably fool ourselves more than anyone else. But, it makes you appreciate why YHVH placed these words for our learning: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James. 3:1)
Wise words indeed. I appreciate the the truths that came out of the reformation and the men who had the grit to climb out of the pit and return to the ancient ways as far as they could imagine to be needful.
Gabe’s comment below about the disciples not understanding the deeper message of Jesus made me cringe a little. I’m appalled at all the years I didn’t even understand the plain sense meaning because of my torahless premise approach to scripture.
The last twenty years in Torah have served to teach me how susceptible we are to deception, how little I know (let alone understand), and how dependent I am.
Now that I’m beginning to learn to walk in His ways May YHVH never let me forget how needy I am to hear His voice as well.
I’m helpless to do anything but point people in the direction of His written word and proclaim “Every word applies to us. Read them and weep!” Sola scriptura doesn’t mean we get to pick out which part of the scripture alone we will apply to our lives. It’s all a precious gift from our Father who wants us to be able to safely drawn near to Him.
~ All scripture is given by inspiration of God (and is profitable!..) ~ This we know. How do we know this? – It is written. Three times when Jesus (who is the) Christ was tempted in the wilderness by the advesary – He replied to His tempter- “it is written.”
Yes, words have meaning and there is absotively, posolutely- a world within a word. As the great theologian(?) Mark Twain once quipped,- “the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and lightning bug.” I concur. Isn’t that right- you buffoon. Ah- hah!- He said “buffoon!” A name. A name having meaning. Unless of course we have no earthly idea what a buffoon is – or a “baboon” for that matter. How about bananas, bacon or butter? Do you know the difference? lol!- Do you know the difference between an elephant and a loaf of bread? (I just know you’ve heard this…) See if I send you to the store to get a loaf of bread!
Yes, words have (gasp!) meaning. So do my little “jots and tittles!” Things like periods, or commas. escalation Marks and the “sins” of syntax. Enough of this mangled English lesson,- let us return unto the scripture- also known in some Christian circles as the word of God that liveth and abideth forever. Huh? Where did those words come from? You’ve never heard? – Open His Book- “it’s in there!”
~ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word ~ (Psalm-song 119.9) What is a psalm? A type of tree found in Florida? No, a psalm is a song. Unto me, AND unto all those before me and all those who will be after me. That we may declare His praise (Whose praise?) unto “all” generations. Those who live in the 40’s, 50’s,60’s- whether 1960 or 1860- it doesn’t matter… Why? Because my dear brothers and sisters- our Bible, the word of God is NOT the book of the month. It is not a periodical nor a magazine. This Book, unlike no other, is the only Book I have ever read- that “reads” me! -and not only this, every time I look into this Book- I am transformed. Light will reveal, transform and stimulate growth. Listen again (and again) to God’s words- “the entrance of Your words gives light”. How about we stop and do some of that “selah” stuff. What’s a “selah?” Oh- don’t miss this one!!- This, is a stop!- and think about this. Every time we view a (yes, Hebrew!) “selah”- we need to “picture” (kids) a stop-sign. Selah. The pause that refreshes! – sweet Selahs.
The entire Bible, the word of God, is a picture book and the Hebrew language itself is “pictographic”- a good ten cent word. The first word of the Hebrew alphabet is “aleph.” It is the “picture” or representation of the head (or beginning) of a cow, very similar to the English letter “a.”
Enter the Logos. In Greek,- “word, thought or idea”. In the beginning, God had an idea, – and it was a good one. Why? Because of the Source it came from. All “good things” come from where? Actually.. (on second thought)-come from Who? – anyone?..
~ Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from..??? ~ If we would only recognize and realize “the Hand that feeds us..- and gives unto us (all) our daily bread (blood, breathings and blessings..)
Back to the Book. ~ If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you..~ Let’s do a “selah” thing here. Let us pause and ponder this. First, whose words are these? Did these words originate from my mind? Did I “make up” these words? Or are these words His words? – lol! – It do make a difference- doesn’t it? Three words could change and transform a life- “forever!” -“Abide in Me.” Entire books have been written (ha!- words about words,- makes me dizzy- no wonder they call it “spin!”) concerning these three words. (Do we need another?) No. Not at all. What we “need” is to “do.” Enter another selah.- I think I’m about to have another selah moment! Stop.- And think about it. Meditate- marinate- soak in the scripture- and pray these words, “May His words from His Book be welcomed to take up residence- and find a home, a resting place within my heart.” ~Your word have I hid in my heart- that I may not sin against You ~ Where did these words come from? Who spoke these words- and why do these words written so long ago -yes, by a fallible man,- (God tried using monkeys, but there fat fingers got stuck in the ancient typewriter keys) still, to this very day “ring true” in my heart of hearts?
~ Your word is a Lamp unto my feet- and a Light unto my path~ Uhh.. Do these words, written so long ago, by an obscure, unknown keeper of the sheep- (who one day, as it turns out) would be a king, – have any significance in “today’s” culture? –
Something must have gone wrong with my hearing today.. What? What?- The word of God is eternal? Isaiah? Is that you? What was that again? ~ A voice says, (Did this originate with Isaiah?- are these Isaiah’s words?) “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” -“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades: because the Breath of the LORD blows upon it: surely the people are grass ~ Not very happy news folks.. We are some frail and fragile- easily bruised- “mortal” men.. Is there “no hope” for our humanness? lol! Yes! Yes! There is hope, – a glad, glad, bright “certainty.”
(once again..) ~ What do the scriptures say? ~ (Oh the love that drew salvation’s plan! Oh the grace that brought it down to man!)
~ The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand forever ~ (Isaiah 40.8)
May I..? Hallelujah!
Jesus love me. This, I know. – For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones, to Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes.. ~comfort one another with these (His) words..~ (1 Thessalonians 4.18)
The tune was written for the children,- but the words won’t let me go:
The unending love of Jesus, -this I know!
Here’s what I’ve heard, or “I don’t know but I been told…” (U.S. Military calling cadence)
Selah = here lies deeper wisdom, don’t pass by too quickly, reflect and understand. We should ‘measure’, or value carefully, what has just been said.
Unlike our words, God’s Words ‘weighed’ in the balance will never be found wanting.
Just as the word Amen is the an exclamation, meaning confidence in, or affirming truth and certainty of what has been said.
Books about THE BOOK are without measure, even in Solomon’s day. Many add to our confusion and even attempt to drown out the Word of God. (But I sure love some of them!) I always think of this verse, tho. It shouts to me thru the centuries, and helps me weed out some. The Word of God has proved beneficial to me even in the small things of the daily grind.
Ecc. 12: 12 “But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.”
Ecc.12:12 is something my students can certainly identify with, Dorothy…
I thank YHVH for your ability to put my sentiments into words. Well put dear one.
Thank you, Skip!!! I am new this year in the community and was feeling very much like the first feeling you described but I know my experiences with God have been real. My desperate desire for truth has brought me here. I had no idea until someone read one of your emails to our Home Group (the first one in your 30 day series) that I was so off in my understanding of the Bible. I immediately signed up for these emails too, and soon after bought one of your books, then to my delight these emails began to arrive as well. What a gift they are to my/our life!!!!!!!
Skip, is it alright I offer this Bible Name puzzle here?
To everyone who wants to print out & tackle it, I have given just one hint, I made bold the letters: Titus, so you can see how well some of them hide from our eyes.
29 Books of the Bible Puzzle
There are 29 books of the Bible in this paragraph. Can you find them? This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much, he passed it on to some friends. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That’s a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or a scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new record. The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, “The books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight.” Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus, there really are 29 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found. God Bless each of you.
We must be wary of man’s hand-prints on the message, and for that I thank God for Skip to help us see them. However, despite tampering, God has miraculously preserved His Word throughout our generations. The story is not so much about HOW MUCH tampering has gone on, but about HOW LITTLE has gone on.
Also, Jesus disciples had a difficult time reading the deeper message of Jesus words, so we should not be surprised that we struggle similarly. The seeker will seek the deeper meaning behind ‘bread’, ‘wine’, or ‘bitter waters’ — in this time, or in the past — the message is there for those who seek after it.
Christopher, the more I read of your view/opinions/explanations (for lack of a better way to say it) the more I want to hear what you think about certain subjects.
When you have time, and if you haven’t yet regreted your offer, here is my forth question:
Ez. 28, Lucifer seems to have 9 stones built into him at his creation.
Ex. 28, the High Preist breastplate has 12 stones. 9 of them are the same.
Lucifer was not given the row that has: ligure, agate, amethyst.
What is God telling us here?
What tribe has what stone? and what does it stand for?
I have read what several commentaries say on these chapters.
I think I won’t be done chasing it until I hear what you say.
Thank you as always.
Both Ezekial 28 and Isaiah 14 describe the princes of two cities of Babylon – Babylon in Isaiah, and Tyrus (Tyre) in Ezekial as the Nahash. However, they do not use the name Lucifer – a latin word meaning a star of the morning – but rather refer to Nahash as a morning star rather than the title “Morning Star” which would ordinarily be used to refer to Mashiach. In Exodus the greek uses 12 distinct names for each stone on Aaron’s breastplate – unreliable because the septuagint was written after the breastplate was lost to Israel. There is a very good write up on wikipedia for the breastplate that deals with stones, their names, and their possible order:
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priestly_breastplate)
The nine stones of the Nahash refer to the 9 choirs of angels and follow the order of the Sephiroth:
whisperingworlds.com/ayurveda/tree_of_life.php
The ranking is from least to greatest so that the Nahash (of the order of Cherubim) is the eighth stone signifying the duty to protect the honor of Adonai and of which he was the greatest. Cherubim are thought to worship Adonai with their intellect. It is difficult to ascertain what each stone stands for as there is no rabbinical consensus for which to assign them. This has been lost to time. It’s purpose however, is still known. Babylon was where Nimrod (the first born) abandoned the covenant with Noah, his father, and like Cain turned to science and technology as a replacment for Adonai. Babylon is where the tower was built and the tongues of men scattered so that the people each left in their own directions. The typology of Babylon is to the guile and pride of Nahash and is used to describe the two princes as well as being a typological reference for future nations and leaders who likewise conform to this mold. There is a similarity to the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil since Cain and his generations each sought technology and science as a replacement for Adonai. It infers that the fruit of this tree is the angelic knowledge and wisdom of the Nahash just as the fruit of the Tree of Life is the Knowledge of Adonai and Jesus the Mashaich. From there it is possible to draw comparisons with the Kingdom of the Beast as being one that seeks, and will seek, to replace love and obediance to Adonai with human slavery to science and technology.
Well, we’re there, aren’t we? (ref. to your last sentence)
I enjoyed the priestly breastplate article with your approval stamped upon it. I found it earlier, but was unable to trust it, as I don’t have the knowledge to compare truth with error about this. Wiki is open to virtual vandalism.
(Even as briefly mentioned) I think the stones had to be less than 5 hardness, and thus quartz, “sand” grade, but the heavenly jewels, such as in the wall of the New City will be precious stones. The Chinese rendering for “ruby” must be error. I found from several different ref. that carbuncle was sometimes referred to as the color of ‘smoke’ or called ‘glowing’, or a garnet. I’ve always thought of a garnet stone as ‘deep smokey-red’. So, to me, that seems to come together into a fitting description of a glowing coal on the altar.
From study–even in English–I see the earthly stones in comparison and the heavenly stones of permanence. (and will lead to the next question later)
Also it has crossed my mind to wonder if the twelve month calendar we use and associated “birthstones” have any kind of throwback to the idea originating here.
Thanks for the time to attend my questions–unchecked it could become like watering a camel. lol.
Christopher, this ‘whispering worlds’ link is a really weird place!
Dear Dorothy,
I agree with wispering worlds being bizarre. There is a reason the pharisees condemned Persian sorcery. Unfortunately nothing really survived the contamination regarding hebraic mysticism after it was exported to Babylon. It’s certainly not for casual reading, but it shows the limits of what can be understood. Kabbalah has been corrupted by external influences hence Tarot cards, Wicca, and Zodiac signs. What is amazing is how a prophet like Daniel could make heads or tales of it or how Ezekial could derive his prophetic language usage. There is an entire section on making golems that is famous for its close association with genetics. Once we start trying to decipher the meaning and symbology of stones this is where we end up going for lack of source material. Perhaps if your interest is less than scholarly you should focus more on the purposes and less on the deciphering? Babylon and Tyre were equated with Nahash for very good reasons.
I’m just going to leave it all and dip my computer in bleach!
“I’m just going to leave it all and dip my computer in bleach!”
Dung has many uses. Some use it as fertilizer, some use it as fuel for fires, and some actually eat it. What is useless to the casual observer has been sifted by rabbi who have spent much of their lives to extract the jewels hidden in the filth. If you have ever seen a ruby in the raw, to the untrained eye it appears to be worthless rock. An African gem smith once showed me several that I mistook for worthless rocks. I was amazed to see how he drew a beautiful stone from a lump of stone. It seemed to call out its beauty and form to his trained eye. The process was quite spectacular to watch. The Sephiroth is like that. It takes a trained eye to draw out the beautiful from the muck and filth. Scripture study is also like that many times. There is technique in examining some one’s rambling disertation in order to extract what is valuable and worthy of merit. I can only hope my ramblings prove of some value as well.
Your teachings (I do NOT call them ramblings) are very useful to me and I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I find a lot to interest me in your other posts on here as well. I can’t always follow, you are very often over my head, but still I do learn from you.
“Dipping my computer” is sort of a joke, hope it didn’t offend you. I wouldn’t know up from down on a site like that, so to me it is a closed place.
Apparently you have been studying the Word a very long time. God bless you.
For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5: 12(NKJV)
Words are symbols and signs that are supposed to point to external truths and realities. When our understanding is abstract or superficial we never fully grasp what is meant until we experience the truth that the words convey. Adonai is the author of all truth and the source of all reality. He is the guarantor for His words and acts independent of man or angel according to His will: I show favor upon whom I show favor … This article reminds me of the old maxim about a man with two watches – if a man has only one watch he always knows the time, but if he has two he is never quite sure.
LOL. Okay, thanks, I’ll try to teach my inquisitive mind that.
Aside from your blessing of Hebrew Word study, what resources would you suggest for us to study on our own. I doubt that Strong’s is adequate for a true understanding of the words and lends little to the culture. I look for books and study tools but cannot decide which to use so end up overwhelmed at the thought of understanding the true meaning of the words, just as you said. I am amazed at how you and others gain such insight and understanding, and I really do appreciate your sharing with us. I attempted to learn the Hebrew language but was once again sufficiently overwhelmed.
You could start by reading this post (https://skipmoen.com/2011/03/10/which-bible/) and then listening to the lecture that accompanies it. It is all about how to study the Bible and gives you commentary on many tools.
Dear Lori,
I don’t presume to answer for Skip, but it might be helpful to identify what is wrong first, such as the theory of dynamic equivalence used by most scripture scholars today to make translations. The fallacy of this approach is the assumption that an equivalence even exists. This assumption ignores that every culture expresses a unique identity that is not transferrable. The bible can not, for example, be completely translated into english and traditionally maintained the use of hebracisms just as the writers of the new testament did. Under dynamic equivalence you get some very unfaithful and misleading renderings as the interpreter must then assume the authorship of scripture according to the prevailing opinion and their particular approach. Some even seek to impose political agendas in their interpretations eliminating, for example, references to the word father or explicitly using the feminine form of address for Adonai. Typically what’s left after these machinations is little more than mush. I am reminded of a debate concerning Paul’s trips to Jerusalem in his letters versus Luke and how the prevailing opinion is that these two writers are in disagreement. This disagreement assumes that Paul stopped practicing Judaism after his conversion which is unsupported either in his own writings or in Luke’s Acts. If Paul was a Jew then he would have made pilgrimage to Jerusalem every year until he was imprisoned and Luke and Paul both would only be citing what was relevent to their particular writings. Perhaps acquiring Adin Steinsaltz’ work “Simple Words” may prove useful to your own reading and understanding? Perhaps Skip has some suggestions? I tend to judge poorly when it comes to assessing ability in others.
The best “commentary” on the word of God, our Bible, is the Bible itself. The Book, God’s Book, speaks for itself. If God is able (and He is) to place a floating coffin upon a particular mountain and then thousands of years later rise from the grave upon that very same mountain, if God is able to use a brave stripling to fell a Philistine giant (and He is)… If God is able to deliver three young Hebrew men from a furnace so hot it killed the guards who threw them into the fire..- (and He is).. If God is able to part the Red sea and the Jordan river so His people could go across with dry feet (and He is).. If God is able to make the blind to see and the deaf to hear and the lame to walk and the sorrowful to sing (and He is..) If God is able to cause a donkey to speak (and He does) then God is able to say exactly what He means and certainly able to convey to all the human race what is His will and plan and purpose and desire for all men. He has said and I quote (for I may not dare “add” to what is written- neither “take away”- but rather look into these things with awestruck wonder and amazement- to “study” to show myself approved unto God, a workman who will not be ashamed. ~For I am not ashamed of the gospel (the good news) of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation/deliverance to all who believe ~
I agree that the best commentary on the Bible is the Bible, but NOT the Bible is English. So, unless you read Greek and Hebrew AS A Hebrew, you will have to rely on some other tools.
Thanks so much for your help!! Shalom.
I would also agree with this. The English language is horrid.
“Trunk.” Tree trunk? Car trunk? Swimming Trunk? Clothes trunk? Elephant trunk? “Trunk.”
Or the English word “love.” I love baseball, apple pie and mom. Absolutely ambiguous. Isn’t it?
Oh why- wasn’t I born speaking Hebrew? lol!
And why (tell me why) did our Elohim “choose” the Jew and the Hebrew language?
(Yes?)- Is the Hebrew language literal and precise? How many words for “shuv” are there? And “shema” – what meaneth this? lol! Enter one “skipmoen.com”- and voila!- a critical, crucial ministry is born.
Oh! How often to we throw around words we have no clue concerning? Well…- it all depends upon what the meaning of “is” is. (May I have permission to run from the room-kicking and screaming?). I believe the Hebrew for this would be “oy.”
Now, to return (shuv) to the word(s) of God! What has man discovered? – “Angels earnestly desire to look into these things!”
One of my first “discoveries” was the Biblical word (we don’t use this word much around the office) “righteous”. Rightly-related. So simple! Rightly-related vertically- rightly related horizontally- all is well. We experience, (yes, even the goy) experience the shalom of our Savior, the Prince of peace- King of Jeru Salem. Gotta love these Hebrew words! And what did our Messiah say? ~ The words I speak unto you- they are breath and they are life! ~
Job must have known something of this relationship when he said ~ I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. ~ (Job 23.12) Such passion! -I also am remembering at this time the words of my Savior- ~ My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish or finish His work ~
And again.. these glorious words, (may I rejoice to say and to do this also) ~ I have glorified you in the earth; I have accomplished the work that you have given me to do ~ (John 17.4)
I appreciate you Skip and Carl for your many hours of time that you graciously share in the abundance of your reapings in the word. I especially love the songs that are put down on this thread Carl and the willingness to share the CHRIST and not merely a cause.. THE LORD BLESS YOU ALL WHO ARE BEING DRAWED CLOSER TO HIM WHO IS LIFE ..
I appreciate ALL ….
I agree and I disagree with you.
Yes, while it is true that all living lanuages migrate, and the translation from one language into another is far from an exact science. And yes people can make mistakes, and they can and sometimes do spin words to fit an agenda. But there is a fine and dangerous line between cleaning up a few glitches and impying that the inventor of language and the template upon which it is played does not police His own words. Doing so is to effectively makes the creator God out to be incompotant and/or uncaring.
God is mighty, and He is a God of truth! Satan is the father of lies. The diference between devils and angels is not that some of them do not believe in God, they all do, but they don’t all believe God. In the gulf between these two camps lies the open Pandora’s Box out of which flows all woe. There is no safety in believing a lie. God must and does preserve and protect the integrity of His words. He can, and must do no less to remain the God of truth, and the only unimpeachable source of it.
I love coming to a fuller understanding that you bring to the Words but stating that God does not shepard His words implies permission to discredit both the words and the author of them.
Ann