Bible Babble

Yesterday, I stumbled across a Christian forum that had a debate over which version of the bible was "the right" one. While there was clearly a preference to one version, I found it sad how vehemently they tore apart the other versions. The reasons they found fault with the other versions are the same issues that exists in their own interpretations.

My own studies have led me to this conclusion: NO particular version has it all correct. The bible is NOT a direct transcript from God word-for-word. Neither is the Qur'an, based on some understanding of how God speaks to humanity (please see my post Conversations with Yeshua for more).

The bible versions today have been written, re-written, translated, transcribed and edited. All versions. The majority of readers around the world today cannot read the original Hebrew, Greek or Coptic. In addition, there is much we loose in context, as we are of a different time and culture. An equivalent would be Yeshua (Jesus) telling someone to "google" for the answer. We would understand it, but someone from that time period wouldn't.

In order to glean meaning from the texts, here is what I do. I read ALL versions, such as John 3:16. Furthermore, in order to place the passage in context, I read what is around it. In the case of the previous example, I would read John 3:1-20. Then I would track down all the footnotes, read the cross-references and ask the Spirit that is within us all to help me best understand in terms I personally would know.

Let's not forget the Gnostic Gospels (that were originally removed from the collection to make the New Testament we know today) as well as several Hebrew texts that were omitted from what we know as the Old Testament. Many who fight over which version is the "right one" often forget there was a great deal of editing done far before the King James Version, or even the original Roman Catholic version in Latin.

I believe monotheistic believers haven't strayed very far from our Hebrew roots. We pick passages out and argue about their meaning at great length. Often we overlook the most important aspect when it comes to reading the good book or any other words through which God tries to share a message - be it book, bible, song, tweet or just a chat with a friend.

What we should always do when we try to understand a message from the divine is admit that our understanding is not perfect, that our words are imprecise, that our perspective is unique, and thus different than the writer / speaker - even one in our own land and time.

We need to understand there is a universal message that God wants to share. The only way to understand that message in terms we can comprehend from our own personal perspective is through prayer.

Taking time to talk with God, and - more importantly - taking time to meditate and listen are key. It really doesn't matter which version one reads. What matters is that the reader asks God, "What do you mean by this?" and then stops to listen.