“You cannot be more
catholic than the Pope” – English saying
·
The
Jehovah’s Witness “New World” translation of John 1:1 ends with “and the word
was ‘a’ god”
·
The
Catholic Church’s version of the 10 Commandments omits the 2nd
commandment about “graven images” and splits the 10th one into two
to make it up.
·
Joseph
Smith (founder of Mormonism)’s translation of the KJV contains a variety of “important clarifications and inspired
interpretations.”
·
Because
the Book of Esther does not mention God anywhere, some persons decided to re-write it, appending verses to each
chapter – 105 in all – and inserting ‘Elohim’
and ‘Jehovah’ at least 45 times!
(This version of ‘Esther’ is found in some Apocryphal Bibles).
There’s an English saying that one should not
try to be more catholic than the Pope is; similarly, with respect to scripture,
we should not presume to be holier, wiser or more ‘spiritual’ than the Holy
Spirit who inspired the authors to write in specific ways, (2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:19-21).
This is a lesson we must take away from the
controversial book of Song of Solomon. Reading the Canticles in some Bible translations is like reading a comic
satire. In an attempt to veil the subject matter, almost every word is changed
to the point that some verses are totally unrecognizable.
There’re several uncomfortable facts in the
Bible, and some of them may not go down well with us – or our “Theology”. But
here’s a simple rule:
IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT,
DON’T REWRITE IT
Leave it the way it is; if you’re not blessed
by it, it will bless someone else.
The great reformer Martin Luther had a real
issue with the book of James and seriously wanted it removed from the cannon;
(James’ “faith without WORKS is dead”,
(Jas 2:22-26) didn’t go down well with Luther’s “justification by faith alone
and not works” theology). But 500 years down the line, we’re glad he decided to
leave the book the way it is.
The Bible is meant to change us, not us change
the Bible. It’s only when we approach it with humility and honesty can it truly
shine its light into our hearts and transform us into being what God wants us
to be.
AMEN.
More Blessings await
you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.
GREG ELKAN
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