|
|
Here we look at various technical matters related to how
we got the Bible. Understanding these articles is not a
requirement for understanding the Bible. (You can benefit from the Bible
without them, if you are willing to accept it and
live by what it says). But questions often arise about such issues - and
these articles focus on some of the answers.
Many people try to attack the Bible on this level, for this involves
foundational issues. They may try to convince you that the Bible
isn't God's Word, or that it is filled with error, or that it is
impossible for us to really know what the original manuscripts said.
They know that if they succeed in convincing you, they have destroyed
some of the most impelling reasons why you should make the Bible the foundation for
all of life. After all, it is because the Bible is God's Word,
and because it is reliable and we can know what it says,
that we have a duty to pay attention to what it says!
On the "Bible-Introduction" page,
these issues are summarized in:
Three Unique Characteristics
About the Bible |
People often try to "improve" the Bible.
They claim that a person has to have special background information
or training, in order to understand it. Yet God's Word is unique, in
that it can't be improved, and its message can be
understood... without all the prerequisites and qualifications
that people have invented. God gave the Bible to all of us who are
willing to accept what it says, not to just a few select people with
special abilities or insights. |
HTML / PDF |
BIBLICAL INERRANCY - A Position Statement |
This is a "position statement" written by the faculty
of Grace Theological Seminary in 1978. It gives a good explanation of
various issues related to the concept of "inerrancy." |
HTML / PDF |
God's Word without Error (2
articles) |
These articles focus on two issues: 1) the accuracy of
the original message, given to us by God, and 2) the accuracy of the
text, as we have received it. In both issues, we can say with
confidence that the message of God's Word is accurate and trustworthy. |
The accuracy of the message: HTML / PDF
The issue of manuscript variations: HTML / PDF |
English Bibles and Their Translation from the
Original Languages |
|
This article looks at some of the issues involved in
making a translation (including the issue of manuscript variations) and
explains the reasons why there are so many different versions of the English
Bible. |
HTML / PDF
(better formatted) |
Various Technical Issues |
Some of these articles take a deeper look into the
various issues related to our receiving of God's Word. |
The Word "WORD" and the Issue of Manuscript Variations
|
Interestingly, our modern-day concept of
"word" didn't
exist back when the Bible was being written - because they didn't write
sentences the way we now do! This isn't a serious matter, unless we
reach false conclusions because of those differences in perspective. (It
probably isn't an issue for most people. But I've come across some
people who get rather "fanatical" in promoting certain false
viewpoints about manuscript variations - viewpoints that seem to be
related to this false perspective.) |
HTML / PDF |
The Bible says...
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that
the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
|
|