Posted by rayww on June 22, 2004, at 11:52:21
In reply to Re: I'm so scared, confused spiritually » rayww, posted by Chris O on June 22, 2004, at 0:51:18
Thankyou for your kindness and response.
We use the King James version as our Bible. There are many Bible translations in the world to choose from, and I suppose none have been translated 100% correctly. There were no perfect scribes, nor perfect historians, but what we have preserved miraculously in the Bible is so priceless just the same.The King James doesn't include the apocrapha (early writings considered part of other Bibles) The apocrapha is somewhat true, but has a lot of changes as is evidenced by comparing it to earlier copies of the same books that are being discovered.
In my opinion you can trust the King James version of the Bible, but also in my opinion, try to avoid the modern transformations. Much meaning is lost when you change the original text.
I encourage you to keep reading the Bible. Begin with some of the shorter books, and read each like it was a separate book, as that is how they were written. Start with James. He was the brother of Jesus. As you read, understand how well James knew the gospel and Jesus. Then read Timothy and other letters written by Paul to the various groups. Once you have read each as its own book you will realize they are one message. Each is a witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Bible is a collection of witnesses. Each book teaches the same truth. Repetition is the best teacher, and so it goes.
How we relate to the Bible is determined by which lens we choose to read it through. The perfect lens would be the lens of faith in Jesus Christ. Another perfect lens is the lens of love. But if you read it through the lens of fear and guilt, you may only see that.
I like to think of a lens because I wear glasses and I know that if I have the right lens in my glass I can see more clearly. Symbolically speaking if you view life through different lenses you have a different focus. Your perspective will change your perception of life. A good example of this is the sexual lens. Some people view the world and all people through a sensual lens. A phobia will also distort your picture of life. So, just change the lens. Isn't that a more simple way of looking at it?
In so doing you will suddenly discover you are on the right path after all. That's repentance. Taking something out of your head and replacing it with something truer. Change a focus and you change a life. Focus on Christ. He is the only true focal point that can be 100% trusted. Trust in God, and have no fear to follow him.
poster:rayww
thread:358471
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040408/msgs/359030.html